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Viewing the world differently: Bullets, flowers and the advantage of a geography education
No full textGeograph
The experiences of bullied exit-level students and its impact on their academic performance in a TVET College, Limpopo
No full textAbstracts in English, Afrikaans and TshivendaThis study aims to examine the impact of bullying on the academic performance of exit-level students in a TVET college. Bullying is a widespread and harmful issue in higher education, including TVET colleges, where students often suffer in silence due to fear and intimidation. This persistent problem leads to emotional distress and long-term psychological issues that negatively affect students’ academic performance. The misconception that adult students are immune to bullying has contributed to its neglect. Despite being most prevalent in formal educational settings, bullying remains largely unaddressed, significantly impacting on students’ well-being. To highlight this issue, the researcher employs a qualitative research approach with a case-study design within an interpretative framework, complemented by a descriptive research design aligned with the study’s exploratory objectives. The study was conducted at a TVET college in Limpopo. The study population comprised 21 purposively selected participants. Data were gathered through questionnaires administered to six officials, document analysis, and 15 semi-structured interviews with exit-level students who had experienced bullying, providing a rich and nuanced understanding of the phenomenon. Bandura’s social cognitive theory indicates that students learn behaviours by observing and interacting with their environment. As a result, experiences of bullying can lead to maladaptive behaviours, poor mental health, compromised well-being, and decreased academic performance. Thematic analysis, facilitated by Atlas.ti software, was used to identify and interpret patterns and themes emerging from the questionnaires, interviews, and documents. The study’s findings indicate that TVET college students are vulnerable to various forms of bullying, including psychological, cyber, and physical bullying. Bullying is found to have severe consequences on students’ mental health and overall well-being, leading to long-term effects such as chronic stress, impaired cognitive functioning and avoidance behaviours, all of which significantly impacted on their academic performance. The study’s findings suggest the need for a clear code of conduct and consequences for bullying behaviour to better protect college students. This study recommends that the college should implement a comprehensive approach to address bullying, including anti-bullying programmes, curriculum development, education and awareness strategies, and institutional interventions. Furthermore, partnerships and reporting mechanisms should be established to promote students’ academic success, alongside a dedicated student support system for those affected by bullying.Die doel van hierdie studie was om die invloed van afknouery op die akademiese prestasie van uittreevlakstudente aan ’n Voortgesette Onderwys en Opleiding (VOO)-kollege te ondersoek. Afknouery is ’n wydverspreide en skadelike kwessie in hoër onderwys, insluitend aan VOO-kolleges waar studente dikwels uit vrees en as gevolg van intimidasie in stilte ly. Die hardnekkige probleem gee aanleiding tot emosionele ellende en langtermyn sielkundige kwessies wat studente se akademiese prestasie negatief affekteer. Die wanpersepsie dat volwasse studente immuun is teen afknouery het daartoe bygedra dat die probleem afgeskeep word. In weerwil daarvan dat afknouery algemeen in formele opvoedkundige omgewings voorkom, bly die kwessie grootliks onaangeroer onderwyl dit studente se welstand opmerklik affekteer. Om hierdie kwessie uit te lig, het die studie ’n kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering met ’n gevallestudieontwerp in ’n interpretatiewe raamwerk aangewend. Dit is aangevul deur ’n deskriptiewe navorsingsontwerp wat met die studie se verkenningsdoelwitte ooreenstem. Die studie is by ’n VOO-kollege in Limpopo uitgevoer. Die studiepopulasie het uit 21 doelbewus gekose deelnemers bestaan. Data is deur middel van vraelyste wat deur ses amptenare ingevul is, dokumentanalise en 15 halfgestruktureerde onderhoude ingesamel. Die halfgestruktureerde onderhoude is met 15 uittreevlakstudente gevoer wat afknouery ervaar het en dus ’n diepgaande en genuanseerde begrip van die verskynsel kon bied. Volgens Bandura se sosiaal-kognitiewe teorie (social cognitive theory) leer studente gedrag aan deur waarneming en deur in wisselwerking met hul omgewing te wees. Gevolglik kan afknou-ervarings tot wanaagepaste gedrag, swak geestesgesondheid, gekompromitteerde welstand en kwynende akademiese prestasie aanleiding gee. Tematiese analise wat deur Atlas.ti-sagteware gefasiliteer is, is gebruik om patrone en temas te identifiseer wat uit die vraelyste, onderhoude en dokumente ontstaan het. Die studie se bevindinge dui daarop dat studente aan VOO-kolleges vatbaar is vir verskeie vorms van afknouery, insluitend sielkundige, kuber en fisiese afknouery. Dit is bevind dat afknouery erge gevolge inhou vir studente se geestesgesondheid sowel as hul algehele welstand en dit kan ly tot langtermyneffekte soos chroniese stres, belemmerde kognitiewe funksionering en vermydingsgedrag wat op hul beurt studente se akademiese prestasie opmerklik beïnvloed. Die studie se bevindinge dui op ’n behoefte aan ’n duidelike gedragskode en gevolge vir afknougedrag om kollegestudente beter te beskerm. Hierdie studie beveel aan dat kolleges ’n omvattende benadering tot afknouery moet implementeer, insluitend programme wat afknouery teëwerk, kurrikulumontwikkeling, opvoeding- en bewusmakingstrategieë sowel as institusionele ingryping. Voorts moet vennootskappe en aanmeldingsmeganismes om studente se akademiese sukses te bevorder gelyklopend met toegewyde studentondersteuningstelsels vir diegene wat deur afknouery geaffekteer word, gevestig word.Ngudo iyi yo livhiswa kha u ṱhaṱhuvha u kwamea nga u tambudzwa kha kushumele kwa zwa akhademi kha matshudeni ane a vha kha ḽiga ḽa u ṱhaphudza pfunzo dzavho kha khoḽidzhi dza TVET. U tambudzwa ndi fhungo ḽo phaḓalalaho nahone ḽi vhaisaho kha pfunzo dza nṱha, zwi tshi katela na khoḽidzhi dza TVET hune kanzhisa matshudeni vha tambula vho fhumula zwi tshi vhangwa nga nyofho na u shushedzwa. Iyi ndi thaidzo ine ya khou bvela phanḓa ine ya livhisa kha mutsiko wa muhumbulo na mafhungo a kwamaho lu si lwavhuḓi muhumbulo a tshifhinga tshilapfu. Kuhumbulele ku si kwone kwa uri matshudeni vhane vho no vha vhahulwane a vha kwamei nga u tambudzwa zwo shela mulenzhe kha u vha litshedzela. Naho hu zwone zwo phaḓalalaho kha tshiimo tsha pfunzo ya fomaḽa, u tambudzwa zwi dzulela u vha ḽone fhungo ḽihulwane ḽine ḽo sala ḽi sa khou tandululwa, ḽine ḽa kwama zwihulwane tshiimo tsha mutakalo tsha matshudeni. U itela u ombedzela kha fhungo iḽi, ngudo yo shumisa nḓila ya ṱhoḓisiso ya khwaḽithethivi hune kuolelwe kwa ngudo ya nyimele kwa vha kha mutheo u shumisaho ṱhalutshedzo, zwi tikedzwaho na nga ṱhoḓisiso ine ya ta avho vhane vha vha na zwiṱalusi zwi fanaho zwi tshimbilelanaho hu na ndivho ya ṱhoḓisiso ya ngudo. Ngudo iyi yo itwa kha khoḽedzi dza TVET kha vundu ḽa Limpopo. Ngudo iyi yo itwa kha tshitshavha tsha vhadzheneleli vha 21 vhe vha tiwa hu na ndivho. Data yo kuvhanganywa nga u shumisa khwesheneya dzo ṋetshedzwaho kha vhaofisiri vha rathi tsenguluso ya maṅwalo na inthaviyu dza 15 dzine khadzo vhadzheneleli vha fhindula mbudziso vho vhofholowa na matshudeni vhane vha vha kha ḽiga ḽa u ṱhaphudza pfunzo dzavho vhe vha ṱangana na u tambudzwa, uri vha ṋetshedze kupfesesele nga vhuḓalo nga ha nyimele iyi. Thiyori ya Bandura’s social cognitive theory i sumbedza uri matshudeni vha guda vhuḓifari nga u tou lavhelesa na u u tshila kha mupo wonoyo. Ngauralo, tshenzhemo dza u tambudzwa dzi nga livhisa kha kutshilele kune vha sa ḓowelee, mutakalo wa muhumbulo u si wavhuḓi, tshiimo tsha mutakalo tshi sumbaho u hanganea na kushumele kha zwa akhademi kwo tselaho fhasi. Tsenguluso ya ndovhololo ya mihumbulo mihulwane, ine ya shumisa sofuthiwee ya Atlas.ti, yo shumiswa u wana na u ṱalutshedza nzulele na mihumbulo zwine zwa bva kha khwesheneya, inthaviyu na maṅwalo. Mawanwa a ngudo o sumbedza uri matshudeni kha khoḽedzi dza TVET vho hanganea kha zwivhumbeo zwo fhambanaho zwa u tambudzwa, zwi tshi katela u tambudzwa lwa muhumbulo, nga kha vhudavhidzani nga inthanethe na ha muvhili. Ho wanala uri u tambudza hu na masiandaitwa a si avhuḓi na khathihi kha mutakalo wa muhumbulo kha matshudeni na tshiimo tshavho tsha mutakalo nga u angaredza, zwine zwa livhisa kha u kwamea ha tshifhinga tshilapfu u fana na mutsiko u sa fholi, kushumele kwo thithiseaho kwa muhumbulo na kutshilele kwa u ṱutshela kule na nyimele dzi vusuludzaho vhuṱungu, zwine zwoṱhe zwa kwama zwihulwane kushumele kwavho kha zwa akhademi. Mawanwa a ngudo a dzinginya ṱhoḓea ya u vha na khoudu ya vhuḓifari ine ya vha khagala na ndaṱiso dza u tambudza u itela u tsireledza khwine matshudeni vha khoḽidzhini. Ngudo iyi i khou themendela uri khoḽidzhi dzi shumise nḓila dzo fhambanaho dza u tandulula u tambudza, zwi tshi katela mbekanyamushumo dza u lwa na u tambudza, u bveledziswa ha kharikhuḽamu, maga a kushumele a pfunzo na mafulo, na u dzhenelela nga tshiimiswa. Zwiṅwehafhu, vhuḽedzani na nḓila dza u vhiga zwi tea u bveledzwa u itela u ṱuṱuwedza matshudeni uri vha bvelele kha zwa akhademi, khathihi na sisiṱeme yo livhiswaho kha thikhedzo ya matshudeni kha avho vho kwameaho nga u tambudzwa.M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)Psychology of Educatio
A brand identity framework for product differentiation and loyalty : a South African house brand perspective
No full textAbstracts in English, Northern Sotho and AfrikaansWhile extensive research has been conducted on local house brands, there remains limited knowledge within the South African context regarding the significance of brand identity, product differentiation and brand loyalty for such brands. To close this gap in research, this study delineated a brand identity conceptual framework for product differentiation and loyalty from a South African house brand perspective. Q methodology was applied, and semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted among South African consumers of the house brand to propose elements for the framework and to answer the study’s research questions. The pragmatic paradigm was adopted as the philosophical worldview since it is well suited for a mixed method research approach. A mixed method study such as this combines both quantitative and qualitative research in a single study to strengthen the weakness of the other and produce a reasonable outcome. The interpretations and findings, as well as the validity and reliability of the study were confirmed following Q factor analysis and reflexive thematic analysis, which provided new insights into South African consumers’ attitudes and perceptions in terms of how retailers can maintain relevance of the house brand in a highly competitive market environment.
The trustworthiness of the findings that were evident after the elements for the conceptual framework had been revised highlights the importance of perceived quality, value and affordability in determining the identity of a local house brand. Consumers are most influenced by the availability and benefits these brands offer, with a particular connection to the deeper, non-physical attributes that distinguish them from competitors and enhance satisfaction. Promotion plays a key role, not only in communicating these associations but in reinforcing them, ensuring that the brand remains distinctive and attractive. Finally, brand image is essential in linking brand identity, loyalty and product differentiation, driving consumer acceptance, building brand relationships and sustaining brand recognition. The study successfully combined and measured complex brand management concepts to ascertain how they contribute to the success of local house brand products. The revised elements of the conceptual framework can become a heuristic for brand managers to select brand identity components that can contribute toward product differentiation and brand loyalty for retailers of local house brands.Le ge e le gore dinyakišišo tše di tseneletšego di dirilwe ka ga maina a ditšweletšwa tša ka ka magaeng tša ka nageng, go sa šetše tsebo ye nnyane ka seeming s aka Afrika Borwa mabapi le bohlokwa bja botšhupo bja maina a ditšweletšwa, phapantšho ya maina a ditšweletšwa le boitshephegi go maina a ditšweletšwa tšeo. Go tswalela sekgoba se ka dinyakišišong, dinyakišišo tše di arogantše motheo wa kgopolo ya boitšhupo bja maina a dišweletšwa mabapi le phapantšho ya maina a ditšweletšwa le go di tshephagalela go ya ka maina a ditšweletšwa tša ka mageng tša ka Afrika Borwa. Mokgwa wa Q o dirišitšwe le dipotsološo tše di tseneletšego tša go nyaka mabaka a baarabi di dirilwe gareng ga badiriši ba Afrika Borwa ba maina a ditšweletšwa tša ka magaeng go šišinya dikarolo tša motheo le go araba dipotšišo tša dinyakišišo. Mokgwatirišo o dirišitšwe bjalo ka kakaretšo ya filosofi ka ge o be o swanetše gabotse mokgwa wa dinyakišišo wa go kopantšha mekgwa. Dinyakišišo tša go kopanya mekgwa tša go swana le tše di kopanya bobedi dinyakišišo tša bontši le tša boleng ke dinyakišišo di tee tša go maatlafatša bofokodi bja poelo ye nngw eka nepo ya go tšweletša poelo ye e kwagalago. Ditlhathollo le dikutollo, gammogo le nepagalo le go tshephagala ga dinyakišišo di ile tša tiišetšwa ka go diriša tshekatsheko ya Q factor le tshekatsheko ya morero ya tekolo ya maitemogelo, yeo e fanego ka ditsebo tše diswa ka ga maikutlo le ditebelelo tša badiriši ba Aftika Borwa mabapi le ka fao barekiši ba ka tšwetšago pele go ba maleba ga maina a ka magaeng ka seemong sa mmaraka wo o nago le phenkgišano ye ntši.
Go tshephagala ga dikutollo tše di bego di le nyanyeng ka morago ga dikarolo tša motheo wa kgopolo di bušeleditšwe go laetša bohlokwa bja boleng bjo bo bonwego, mohola le go se ture ga go tseba boitšhupo bja leina la ka magaeng ka mo nageng. Badiriši ba huetšwa kudu ke go hwetšagala le mehola yeo e fiwago ke maina a a ditšweletšwa, go na le kgokagano ye e kgethegilego ya dipharologantšhi tše di tseneletšego, tše di sego tša sebopego tšeo di di farologanyago go baphenkgišani le go oketša kgotsofalo. Tšwetšopele e raloka tema ye bohlokwa, e sego fela go laetša dikamano tše eupša go di maatlafatša, ka go netefatša gore leina la setšweletšwa le tšwela pele go fapana le go ba le kgoketšo. Sa mafelelo, seswantšho sa leina la setšweletšwa se bohlokwa go amanya boitšhupo bja leina la setšweletšwa, go tshephagala ga badiriši, go hlohleletša kamogelo ya badiriši, go aga dikamano tša maina le go tšwetša pele go tseba leina leo la setšweletšwa. Dinyakišišo tše di kgonne go kopanya le go ela dikgopolo tše di hlakahlakanego tša taolo ya maina a ditšweletšwa ka katlego ka nepo ya go tseba ka fao di nago le seabe go Katlego ya maina a ditšweletšwa a ka magaeng. Dikarolo tše di bušeleditšwego tša motheo wa kgopolo di ka fetoga selo seo se kgontšhago balaodi ba maina a ditšweletšwa go kgetha dikarolo tša boitšhupo bja maina a ditšweletšwa tšeo di ka bago le seabe go pharologanyo ya setšweletšwa le go tshephagalela leina la setšweletšwa go barekiši ba maina a dišweletšwa a ka magaeng a ka nageng.Alhoewel daar reeds omvattende navorsing oor plaaslike huis-handelsmerke gedoen is, bestaan daar steeds beperkte kennis binne die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks oor die belangrikheid van handelsmerkidentiteit, produkdifferensiasie en handelsmerklojaliteit in verband met sulke handelsmerke. Hierdie studie het gepoog om hierdie leemte aan te spreek deur ’n konseptuele raamwerk vir handelsmerkidentiteit vir produkdifferensiasie en lojaliteit vanuit die perspektief van ’n Suid-Afrikaanse huis-handelsmerk te ontwikkel. Q-metodologie is toegepas en semi-gestruktureerde, in-diepte onderhoude is met Suid-Afrikaanse verbruikers van die huis-handelsmerk gevoer ten einde elemente vir die raamwerk voor te stel en die navorsingsvrae van die studie te beantwoord. Die pragmatiese paradigma is as filosofiese uitgangspunt aangeneem aangesien dit geskik is vir ’n gemengde navorsingsbenadering. ’n Gemengde metode soos hierdie kombineer beide kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe navorsing binne dieselfde studie om die tekortkominge van elk te balanseer en om tot ’n meer gebalanseerde bevinding te kom. Interpretasies en bevindings, asook die geldigheid en betroubaarheid van die studie, is bevestig deur Q-faktoranalise en reflektiewe tematiese analise, wat nuwe insigte gelewer het oor Suid-Afrikaanse verbruikers se houdings en persepsies met betrekking tot hoe kleinhandelaars die relevansie van die huis-handelsmerk in ’n hoogs mededingende markomgewing kan behou.
Die betroubaarheid van die bevindings, soos blyk uit die hersiene elemente van die konseptuele raamwerk, beklemtoon die belangrikheid van waargenome gehalte, waarde en bekostigbaarheid in die bepaling van die identiteit van ’n plaaslike huis-handelsmerk. Verbruikers word hoofsaaklik beïnvloed deur die beskikbaarheid en voordele wat hierdie handelsmerke bied, met ’n besondere verbintenis tot dieper, nie-fisiese eienskappe wat hulle onderskei van mededingers en klanttevredenheid verhoog. Bemarking speel ’n sleutelrol – nie slegs in die kommunikasie van hierdie assosiasies nie, maar ook in die versterking daarvan – om te verseker dat die handelsmerk duidelik herkenbaar en aantreklik bly. Die handelsmerkbeeld is uiteindelik van kardinale belang in die koppeling van handelsmerkidentiteit, lojaliteit en produkdifferensiasie, en dra by tot verbruikersaanvaarding, die bou van handelsmerkverhoudinge en die volgehoue herkenning van die handelsmerk.
Hierdie studie het daarin geslaag om komplekse konsepte van handelsmerkbestuur te kombineer en te meet ten einde vas te stel hoe dit bydra tot die sukses van plaaslike huis-handelsmerkprodukte. Die hersiene elemente van die konseptuele raamwerk kan dien as ’n heuristiese hulpmiddel vir handelsmerkbestuurders in die seleksie van identiteitskomponente wat produkdifferensiasie en lojaliteit onder verbruikers van plaaslike huis-handelsmerke kan bevorder.D. Litt. et Phil. (Communication)Communication Scienc
Examining the contribution of support programmes for South African black-owned SMMEs in Gauteng province
No full textSmall, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) play a vital role in every economy. In South Africa, they are expected to address the triple challenge of unemployment, poverty and inequality. There is however a high failure rate of SMMEs in the country. However, South African SMMEs, especially Black-owned SMMEs, face a persistent challenge of high failure rate. In recognition of this challenge, the government has initiated several programmes designed to empower Black-owned SMMEs. Despite the government’s efforts, Black-owned SMME failures in the country persist at an alarming rate. This ongoing trend raises a critical question: “Why have these support initiatives not led to the expected reduction in failure rates among Black-owned SMMEs?
This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the support programmes provided by the government and other public entities to assist Black-owned SMMEs in the Gauteng Province, South Africa. Specifically, the study focused on assessing the impact of these support programmes on the growth, development, and sustainability of the Black-owned SMMEs. To investigate the reasons behind the lack of improvement, a qualitative design approach was adopted for the study in this regard, seven SMME representatives and six officials from the support department were purposively selected. Thereafter, interviews were conducted to uncover the underlying factors contributing to the persistent high failure rates amongst Black-owned SMMEs, despite existing government support initiatives.
The study’s findings revealed that the primary reason for the high failure rate of Black-owned SMMEs lies in the limited scope of the support structures. These programmes focus primarily on providing the initial aid, such as funding or equipment, but fall short in conducting monitoring and evaluation as well as offering crucial guidance on effective utilisation of the allocated resources. While SMMEs decried lack of training on the effective utilisation of the supplied aid, support structures insist that ensuring the success of the SMMEs was the sole responsibility of the SMMEs. However, it appears the SMMEs were not aware of the support structures’ stance, especially considering they approached these support structures specifically for assistance.
Another deficiency was the lack of communication between the support departments and SMMEs. The SMMEs faced multiple risks of failure and required the necessary assistance. However, the need analysis of the support structures tend to focus on addressing only one, neglecting to inform the SMMEs of their responsibility to effectively utilise the support while simultaneously addressing other deficiencies. Consequently, the expectations of SMMEs remained unfulfilled. The study recommends a more coordinated and robust approach, which ensures that the support provided to the SMMEs contributes effectively to the growth and sustainability of the SMMEs.D. Phil. (Business Management)Business Managemen
The political economy of the National Health Insurance Reform in South Africa: a comparative study with the United Kingdom and Brazil
No full textThis study examines the political economy of health reform in South Africa through a
comparative analysis of the National Health Insurance (NHI), the United Kingdom’s National
Health Service (NHS), and Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS). Using a modified version of
Power Resources Theory (PRT) as its theoretical framework, this research investigates how
structural, institutional, and ideological factors shape the possibilities and limits of universal
health coverage (UHC). Employing a historical–comparative case study design and critical
discourse analysis of policy documents, complemented by key informant interviews with
senior policymakers, economists, and health experts, the study analyses how different
configurations of power resources enable or constrain reform. Findings reveal that South
Africa’s NHI is limited by deep structural inequalities, weak public sector capacity,
entrenched private sector dominance, and restricted democratic participation - conditions
that allow private interests to capture policy processes and delay implementation. Economic,
organisational, media, ideological, and labour-based power resources emerged as key
mechanisms reinforcing private sector influence. By contrast, the UK and Brazil demonstrate
that progress toward UHC depends on strong political commitment, coalition-building, and
mobilisation of public support to counter entrenched opposition. The thesis introduces the
concept of development capture to describe how State actors can redirect private and social
power resources toward universalist goals. It concludes that the success of health reform
depends less on technical design than on political leadership capabPhD. (Sociology
Behavioural aspects of consultants in selecting capital budgeting techniques within KwaZulu-Natal consulting firms
No full textThis research applied behavioural finance theory to demonstrate behavioural influences within decision-making that impact project consultants' selection of capital budgeting techniques. This was necessitated by the vacuity of studies that apply behavioural finance in capital budgeting decisions in South Africa, as it is predominantly covered in international studies. Moreover, behavioural finance is predominantly researched in the working-capital and capital-structure context. The study used a convergent parallel mixed-method to demonstrate the influences of risk aversion, financial literacy and anchor heuristics when it comes to the choice of technique used in conducting financial feasibility evaluations. This was achieved using thematic and comparative analysis among identified themes of behavioural influences, descriptive statistics and categorical responses from primary data collected using open-ended questionnaires from project consultants in the Durban region of KwaZulu-Natal.
The research findings revealed there is a presence of behavioural influences from the project consultants when selecting capital budgeting techniques. Furthermore, the leading behavioural influence among the demonstrated is risk aversion, followed by financial literacy and anchor heuristics respectively. In addition, there is a confluence of internal and external influences that determine the ideal capital budgeting technique as per specific factors that impact the proposed project. Apart from the internal behavioural influences demonstrated in the study, key influences on capital budgeting technique selection include project-specific factors, economic considerations, organisational and decision-maker preferences, data and information availability, industry and regulatory influences, stakeholder considerations, technical and practical factors, project’s strategic importance, adaptability and time value of money.MCompt. (Accounting Science)Management Accountin
The influence of teacher leadership on the subject selection of Grade 10 learners in the Sekhukhune East District
No full textAbstracts in English, Northern Sotho and SwatiLearners at the start of Grade 10 are required to make subject selections which will take them through to their final years in secondary school. At this stage, learners need to choose subjects in addition to the four compulsory subjects of Home Language, First Additional Language, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy and Life Orientation. The selection of subjects is vital as it influences professions that learners will enter in the future. Subject choice in Grade 10 has been a challenge for the learners as there are factors influencing the selection of a subject such as students’ interests, usefulness and success and, in contrast, some subjects seem less interesting due to lack of information. The study adopted a constructivist approach as it relied on participants’ perspectives on the topic under investigation. A qualitative approach, guided by a case study design, explored the influence teachers have on learners’ subject choice. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews, were conducted with the teachers of any subject in Grade 10 and moreover, specifically Life Orientation teachers separately. The data for the study were coded and analysed by qualitative analysis software and thematically presented. The study found that teachers have a certain influence on the learners’ choice of subjects in secondary schools of the Sekhukhune East District; the interest of the learners is not taken into consideration as the best interest of the school is given priority. However, the study revealed other influential factors which may nullify the interest and the careers the learner may wish to follow in the future. Lastly, the study offered recommendations which are meant to help the stakeholders to administer the learners’ subject choices in a manner in which all parties will be satisfied.Baithuti mo mathomong a mphato wa lesome ba swanetše go dira dikgetho tša di thutwana tšeo batlogo di abelwa gofihla go mphato wa marematlou e lego go fihla mengwageng ya bona ya mafelelo sekolong. Maemong awe, baithuti ba swanelwa go kgetha dithutwana go tlatša tša kgapeletšo tše Nne tšeo di latelago, le leme la gae, le leme la Pele la tlaleletšo, dipalo goba dipalo tša tlasana le thuto ya tša maphelo. Kgetho ya dithutwana e bohlokwa ka gobane e nale khuetšo go di phorofešene tšeo baithuti ba tlo tsenago go tšona nakong e tlago. Kgetho ya dithutwana go Mphato wa lesome e bile bothata go baithuti ka gobane go na le dintlha tše di amago dikgetho tšeo , go swana le kgahlego ya baithuti, bohlokwa bja tšona le katlego, mola ka lehlakoreng le lengwe, dithutwana tše dingwe di bonagala di sa fiwe šedi ka lebaka la go se be le tshedimošo ye e lekanego. Thutonyakišišo ye e dirilwe ka mokgwa wa constructivist ka gobane e theilwe go maitemogelo le mabaka a batšeakarolo ba taba yeo e bego e hlahlobiwa.
Tsela ya boleng yeo e etšwago ka morero wa thuto ya dikarolo e ile ya hlahloba khuetšo yeo barutiši ba nago le yona tabeng ya kgetho ya dithutwana tša barutwana. Dipoledišano tše di beakantšwego tšeo di ilego tša dirišwa ka sefahlego, di ile tša dirwa le barutiši ba thutwana enngwe le enngwe kago mphato wa lesome, gomme gape, ka go kgethega, le barutiši ba thuto ya tša maphelo ka go iketla. Dipoelo bakeng sa thuto di ile tša šupetšwa gomme tša hlahlobiwa ka sedirišwa sa sebaledi sa tšhupetšo ya boleng gomme ya arotšwa ka dihlopha tša dihlogo. Thuto e hweditše gore barutiši banale khuetšo ye nngwe ya go ama kgetho ya dithutwana tša barutwana dikolong tše di phagammego tša selete sa Sekhukhune bohlabatšatši; kgahlego ya barutwana ga e lebelelwe e le botlhokwa kgolo ka gore dikgahlegolo tša sekolo di abelwa maemo a pele.
Le ge go le bjalo, thutonyakišišo ye e lemogile dintlha tše dingwe tšeo di nago le khuetšo go phayeleng ka thoko ga kgahlego ya thuto le ditiro tša godimo tšeo moithuti a ka ratago go di latela bokamosong. Mafelelong, thutonyakišišo ye e file maele ao a reretšwego go thuša balekane ba dikgopolo go laola dikgetho tša di thutwana tša baithuti ka tsela yeo mahlakore ka moka a tlogo kgahlega.Bafundzi ekucaleni kwelibanga lelishumi kufanele bakhetse tifundvo letitawubachubela emnyakeni wekugcina wesikolo semabanga laphakeme. Kulesisigaba, bafundzi badzinga kukhetsa tifundvo ngetulu kwaleti letiyimpoco letine telulwimi lwasekhaya, lulwimi lwekucala lolwengetiwe, imathematics nobe kufundza nekubhala ngemathematics kanye nekwati indlela yekuphila. Kukhetfwa kwetifundvo letifundvwako kubalulekile ngobe kunemtselela emisebentini labafuna kuyifundza esikhatsini lesitako. Kukhetfwa kwetifundvo ebangeni lelishumi kube yinsayeya kubafundzi njengobe kunetintfo letitsintsa kukhetfwa kwetifundvo njengetintfo letifunwa bafundzi, kusebenta kanye nekuphumelela, kantsi letinye tifundvo tibonakala tingajabulisi ngenca yekungabi nelwati lolwenele.
Lolucwaningo lutsatsa indlela yekwakha njengobe belusekelwe etintfweni letibonwa ngulabambandzakanyeka endzabeni lebeyihlolwa. Indlela yekusebentisa sifundvo lesitsite, leyayicondziswa luhlelo lwekufundza ngetimo, yahlolisisa umtselela bothishela labanawo ekukhetseni tifundvo. Kucocisana lokwakhiwe kancane, buso nebuso, kwachutjwa nabothishela bato tonkhe tifundvo eBangeni lelishumi nangetulu kwaloko, ikakhulukati bothishela be tifundvo ngekuphila ngekwehlukana. Lemininingwane yalolucwaningo yabhalwa futsi yahlolwa nguhlelo lwekuhlola lolusebentisa luhlelo lwekuhlola lolusebentako futsi yavetwa ngekulandzelana kwetindzaba. Lolucwaningo lutfole kutsi bothishela banemtselela lotsite ekutseni bafundzi bakhetse tifundvo letitsite etikolweni temabanga lasetulu eSigele la Sekhukhune laseMpumalanga.
Nobe kunjalo, lolucwaningo lwaveta letinye tintfo letingaba nemtselela lokungahle kwente lomfundzi angabi nandzaba nemsebenti latawutsandza kuwenta esikhatsini lesitako. Kwekugcina, lolucwaningo luniketa tincomo letihloselwe kusita labatsintsekako kutsi bakhetse tifundvo labafuna kutifundza ngendlela letawenetisa bonkhe labatsintsekako.M. Ed. (Education Management)Educational Leadership and Managemen
Evaluation of the antioxidant, antigenotoxic, and antimutagenic properties of leaf extracts from selected Plectranthus species against Aflatoxin B1-induced mutagenicity
No full textAflatoxins (AF’s) are a group of mycotoxins produced by fungi of the genus
Aspergillus, namely, Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nomius. There are about
20 different types of AF’s and the most important ones include aflatoxin B1 (AFB1),
aflatoxin B2 (AFB2), aflatoxin G1 (AFG1) and aflatoxin G2 (AFG2). Aflatoxins are found
in ordinary food like milk, barley, eggs, meat, cereals, beer and spices due to
contamination resulting from poor storage of food, in processing and production. They
are classified by the international agency for research in cancer (IARC) as group 1
human carcinogens as they show mutagenic effects in carcinogenic studies. Natural
products mainly of plant origin have been used for the synthesis of drugs used in the
prevention and treatment of various illnesses including cancer. The aim of this study
included screening selected Plectranthus species for antioxidant, antimutagenic and
antigenotoxic properties and to isolate biological compound(s) from the most
promising species. Leaves of sixteen Plectranthus species were extracted
sequentially with dichloromethane and 90% methanol. The resulting extract´s were
screened for antioxidant activity using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2-
azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6-sulfonate) (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant
power (FRAP) using 2, 4, 6-trypyridyl-s-triazine, as well as mutagenicity and
antimutagenicity against AFB1-induced mutagenicity using the Ames test with
Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 and the vitotox assay.
In addition, the genotoxic effects of six plant extract´s and antigenotoxic effects of four
plant extract´s were examined using the comet alkaline assay. The neutral red uptake
(NRU) test was used to determine non-toxic concentration(s) of the selected six plant
extract´s. The antioxidant activity, expressed as EC50, for DCM and methanol extract´s
using DPPH ranged from 1.22 ± 0.28 to 5.47 ± 0.10 µg/ml and from 2.65 ± 0.20 to 6.49
± 0.81 µg/ml, respectively. Using ABTS, the antioxidant activity ranged from 3.55 ±
0.15 to 6.38 ± 0.55 µg/ml for DCM extract´s and 3.57 ± 0.11 to 6.83 ± 0.07 µg/ml for
methanol extract´s while the antioxidant activity using the FRAP assay ranged from
4.01 ± 0.20 mM to 19.2 ± 2.33 mM Fe 2+ / g for DCM extracts and 4.71 ± 0.66 to 13.53
± 0.24 mM Fe 2+ / g for methanol extract´s. In DPPH assay, seven DCM extract´s out
of sixteen had EC50 higher than that of L-ascorbic acid compared to eleven methanol
extract´s out of sixteen having EC50 higher than that of L-ascorbic acid. Aflatoxins (AF’s) are a group of mycotoxins produced by fungi of the genus
Aspergillus, namely, Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nomius. There are about
20 different types of AF’s and the most important ones include aflatoxin B1 (AFB1),
aflatoxin B2 (AFB2), aflatoxin G1 (AFG1) and aflatoxin G2 (AFG2). Aflatoxins are found
in ordinary food like milk, barley, eggs, meat, cereals, beer and spices due to
contamination resulting from poor storage of food, in processing and production. They
are classified by the international agency for research in cancer (IARC) as group 1
human carcinogens as they show mutagenic effects in carcinogenic studies. Natural
products mainly of plant origin have been used for the synthesis of drugs used in the
prevention and treatment of various illnesses including cancer. The aim of this study
included screening selected Plectranthus species for antioxidant, antimutagenic and
antigenotoxic properties and to isolate biological compound(s) from the most
promising species. Leaves of sixteen Plectranthus species were extracted
sequentially with dichloromethane and 90% methanol. The resulting extract´s were
screened for antioxidant activity using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2-
azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6-sulfonate) (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant
power (FRAP) using 2, 4, 6-trypyridyl-s-triazine, as well as mutagenicity and
antimutagenicity against AFB1-induced mutagenicity using the Ames test with
Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 and the vitotox assay.
In addition, the genotoxic effects of six plant extract´s and antigenotoxic effects of four
plant extract´s were examined using the comet alkaline assay. The neutral red uptake
(NRU) test was used to determine non-toxic concentration(s) of the selected six plant
extract´s. The antioxidant activity, expressed as EC50, for DCM and methanol extract´s
using DPPH ranged from 1.22 ± 0.28 to 5.47 ± 0.10 µg/ml and from 2.65 ± 0.20 to 6.49
± 0.81 µg/ml, respectively. Using ABTS, the antioxidant activity ranged from 3.55 ±
0.15 to 6.38 ± 0.55 µg/ml for DCM extract´s and 3.57 ± 0.11 to 6.83 ± 0.07 µg/ml for
methanol extract´s while the antioxidant activity using the FRAP assay ranged from
4.01 ± 0.20 mM to 19.2 ± 2.33 mM Fe 2+ / g for DCM extracts and 4.71 ± 0.66 to 13.53
± 0.24 mM Fe 2+ / g for methanol extract´s. In DPPH assay, seven DCM extract´s out
of sixteen had EC50 higher than that of L-ascorbic acid compared to eleven methanol
extract´s out of sixteen having EC50 higher than that of L-ascorbic acid. Dichloromethane extract´s of P. amboinicus had the highest inhibition against the
mutagenic effects of AFB1 in the Ames test using S. typhimurium TA98 bacterial strain
(% antimutagenicity was 89.5), followed by P. neochilus, P. montanus, P. barbatus, P.
madagascariensis and P. verticillatus. These DCM extract´s had moderate to strong
antimutagenicity against AFB1-induced mutagenicity in a dose-dependent manner.
Methanol extract´s of P. barbatus also had a strong antimutagenic effect against AFB1-
induced mutagenicity in the Ames test using S. typhimurium TA98 bacterial strain with
percentage antimutagenicity of up to 77.5% followed by P. verticillatus, P. montanus,
P. amboinicus, P. argentatus and P. saccatus. These methanolic extract´s had
moderate to strong antimutagenicity against AFB1-induced mutagenicity in a dose dependent manner.
Dichloromethane extract´s of P. argentatus were the most effective in inhibiting AFB1-
induced mutagenicity in the Ames test using strain TA100 with percentage
antimutagenicity of up to 65.23% followed by P. madagascariensis, P. amboinicus, P.
neochilus and P. montanus. The methanolic extract´s of P. barbatus had percentage
antimutagenicity of up to 57.0%, followed by P. saccatus subsp. pondoensis using S.
typhimurium TA100 bacterial strain. The extract´s had moderate to strong
antimutagenicity against AFB1-induced mutagenicity in a dose-dependent manner.
Most plant extract´s investigated namely, P. amboinicus, P. montanus, P. barbatus, P.
verticillatus, P. neochilus, P. argentatus and P. madagascariensis had antimutagenic
properties against AFB1-induced mutagenicity in the Ames assay.
In the vitotox assay, the dichloromethane extract of P. ernstii had the highest
percentage of antigenotoxicity of 70.95% against AFB1-induced mutagenicity. This
was followed by DCM extract´s of P. montanus, P. caninus and P. neochilus. These
extract´s had moderate to strong antimutagenicity against AFB1-induced mutagenicity
in a dose-dependent manner. Dichloromethane extract´s of P. caninus, P. neochilus,
P. ernstii, P. verticillatus, P. montanus and P. fruticosus subsp. James and as well as
the 90% methanol extract of P. verticillatus and P. saccatus subsp. pondoensis were
cytotoxic in the absence and/or presence of S9 metabolic activation at the highest
concentration tested (0.2 mg/ml) in the vitotox assay. Dichloromethane extract of P. verticillatus had genotoxic effects at 0.2 mg/ml and 0.04
mg/ml, while methanolic extract of P. caninus and P. saccatus had genotoxic effects
at 0.2 mg/ml using vitotox assay in the absence of metabolic activation. Principal
Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that the Ames assay can predict antioxidant
activity and vice versa. The two assays can also be used interchangeably. Conversely,
vitotox assay cannot predict the results in Ames assay and vice versa. The two assays,
rather, complement one another. As well, the vitotox assay cannot predict the results
in antioxidant assay and vice versa.
Most Plectranthus species did not show any mutagenic properties in the Ames assay
except for the 90% methanolic extract of P. montanus. It had mutagenic effects at the
lowest concentration tested in the Ames assay. The cytotoxicity of dichloromethane
extract of P. verticillatus and P. montanus at 20 µg/ml was confirmed using the NRU
test. The dichloromethane extract of P. montanus had a co-mutagenic effect at all
tested concentrations in the comet alkaline assay. Based on the preliminary screening
results, particularly, the antimutagenicity results and availability of plant material, P.
verticillatus was selected for the isolation of antimutagenic compounds. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the crude leaf extract using solvent-solvent and open column fractionation led to the isolation of phytol acetate. The structure of the compound was
determined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass
spectrometry. Phytol acetate had moderate to weak antimutagenicity against AFB1-
induced mutagenicity in a dose-dependent manner in Ames assay using S.
typhimurium TA98 strain. Most Plectranthus species extract´s investigated in this study had antioxidant activity.
They also had antimutagenic and/or antigenotoxic properties in either the Ames,
vitotox and/or comet alkaline assays. Therefore, these extract´s can be used as
adsorbents, zootechnical additives, preservatives or dietary supplements in food and
feed. They can also be used as herbal remedies or concoctions in the prevention and
treatment of mycotoxicosis and probably hepatocellular carcinoma in humans and
animals.Ph. D. (Life and Consumer Sciences)Life and Consumer Science
Exploring the influence of grade 11 learners’ English vocabulary proficiency on reading comprehension performance in Lesotho
No full textText in EnglishThis study examines the impact of Grade 11 students' English vocabulary ability on their reading comprehension performance within Lesotho's multilingual and examination-focused educational framework. The study, grounded in a qualitative research paradigm, utilised document analysis, student questionnaires, interviews with teachers and markers, and test score interpretation to produce comprehensive, contextualised data. Research indicated that inadequate vocabulary proficiency substantially hinders learners' comprehension of examination materials, a difficulty compounded by instructional inconsistencies, sociolinguistic variations, and an excessive focus on rote examination preparation. In light of these findings, the study introduces the Lexico-Cognitive Reading Empowerment Model (LCREM), a holistic paradigm that redefines vocabulary proficiency as a cognitive and socio-educational component essential to reading comprehension. The concept consists of five interconnected components: Lexical Foundations, Cognitive Mediation, Instructional Mediation, Socio-Cultural Context, and Reader Engagement. LCREM incorporates and expands upon established frameworks, like the Lexical Quality Hypothesis and the Simple View of Reading, by highlighting the significance of vocabulary in authentic educational and policy environments. It also corroborates the RAND Reading Study Group’s (2002) assumption regarding the significance of interactions among reader, text, and setting, while emphasising the systemic and motivational aspects specific to under-resourced environments. The study indicates that improving reading comprehension in Lesotho necessitates a transition from fragmented vocabulary education to a comprehensive, empowerment-focused strategy that considers learner variety, teacher support, and sociocultural contexts. LCREM provides a revolutionary paradigm for policy reform, teacher training, and curriculum creation designed to enhance literacy results in similar multilingual contexts.D. Phil. (Language Education)College of Educatio