21838 research outputs found
Sort by
Towards an integrated performance management system for university libraries in Ghana
No full textThis study investigated the performance management system practices in Ghanaian university
libraries to develop a framework for implementing an integrated performance management system
for university libraries. The study used the pragmatic research paradigm within the convergent
mixed-method research design. Quantitative responses from questionnaires were corroborated by
qualitative findings from semi-structured interviews. The study was restricted to Ghanaian
university libraries focusing on library staff and head librarians. The stratified sampling method
was used to select universities, and the census technique was employed to select respondents for
the study.
Out of the 291 questionnaires distributed, 218 respondents completed and returned the
questionnaires giving a response rate of 74.1%. Nine university head librarians in all the selected
universities were included for the qualitative phase. The questionnaire and interview guide were
used as research instruments to gather relevant data for the study. The quantitative data collected
were analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequency tables, graphs and charts. Thematic
analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. This study conformed to ethical research standards
found in the University of South Africa’s ethical review guidelines.
Firstly, the study revealed that most libraries did not have a documented key performance indicator
(KPI). Thus, there was no clarity and measurability of KPIs among respondents noting that they
are supposed to be clear and measurable for easy and effective staff appraisal. However, this study
identified some unwritten KPIs that staff used as guidelines for performance. Some of these are
community engagement and support, contribution to student success and number of physical users’
visits. Further, this study revealed that the current state of integrated performance management
systems in Ghanaian university libraries is poor. Several reasons were ascribed to this and
included, but was not limited to, inadequate knowledge by management on the concept,
insufficient resources and lack of policies on the performance management system. Factors such
as training, effective provision of feedback, staff motivation and effective system integration were
identified to improve performance management and staff performance in university libraries.
Finally, the study found out that, even though most of the respondents were aware of the fourth
industrial revolution (4IR) and the benefits associated with it, most libraries had not adopted most
of its technologies for effective performance and adequate dissemination of information. The study concluded that performance management in Ghanaian university libraries needs to be
relevant and documented and its facets made known to all those who matter. Recommendations
are that, firstly, library management and staff should be trained on the concepts associated with
the performance management system, KPIs and 4IR. Secondly, there should be proper
documentation of all the concepts related to performance management and KPIs. This study
proposed a framework for effectively implementing an integrated performance management
system in university libraries. The researcher encouraged library management and other concerned
individuals to adopt and use this framework for effectiveness. The proposed framework may go a
long way to influence professional use and management of library staff performance.D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science)Information Scienc
Developing a framework for the classification of strategic and critical minerals in South Africa
Get PDFMinerals should be sufficient to sustain security of the nation as well as
growth of the economy and employment. Countries without minerals may
source minerals from mineral-rich countries. South Africa is endowed with
mineral resources and has a comparative advantage in minerals such as
manganese, chromium, vanadium and platinum amongst others. Mineral
wealth can contribute towards resolving the challenges of a high rate of
unemployment, poverty and inequality.
Most of the minerals in South Africa are exported as raw materials and
once produced, final products are sold back to the country and imported
as finished products. Trade-offs between exports as raw ore or
beneficiated minerals which have a higher value should be considered for
contribution in this country towards industrialisation and employment.
Identified and selected critical and strategic minerals can promote
economic growth and industrialisation. An assessment methodology
utilising three categories namely, economic importance, risk and impact
was used to develop a framework to classify minerals as strategic and
critical in South Africa. Thirty-eight minerals were identified, eighteen
potential strategic and critical minerals selected and most contributing
seven strategic are selected according to economic importance, risk and
impact factors. The framework contributes to policy-making, economic
growth, and security of supply. It also promotes development of minerals
and optimises value from the minerals and their economic use and
enhances industrialisation and employment.
In this research a survey was also conducted on the perceptions of local
people at or close to mines on the positive and negative socio-economic
impacts of mining in their communities. The first outcome indicated that
mining communities and employees are aware of the mineral wealth of the
country and have lamented on the level of poverty and inequality of
employment experienced in their areas where mining activities are taking
place.
The study further revealed misunderstandings and unfulfilled expectations
concerning the responsibilities of the mining companies and the
accountability of the government towards the community. Limited
resources and desperation for opportunities by employees and
communities could lead to a disaster in the mining industry if these
perceptions are not addressed.Ph.D. (Electrical and Mining Engineering)Electrical and Mining Engineerin
Evaluating the effects of the 2018/2019 drought in Zimbabwe : a case study of Gwakwe Village, Ward 6 in Gwanda District
Get PDFClimate change is increasing the frequency, duration and severity of droughts. Drought affects the poor and vulnerable in many communities, particularly women and children. A huge number of people in developing countries and countries facing wars are vulnerable to the effects of droughts. More than two-thirds of food in developing countries is produced by smallholder farmers who depend on rainfed agriculture. Many people have lost their livelihoods because of drought. Millions of people in Zimbabwe are food insecure because of droughts. Smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe grow maize as a staple food, and it is very sensitive to droughts. This has increased people’s vulnerability to drought.
This study identified the source of livelihoods for the people of Ward 6 in the Gwanda District in Zimbabwe. The area is prone to droughts because it receives poor and erratic rainfall. The study identified the effects of the 2018–2019 drought in Zimbabwe. The effects of the drought included poor crop yields, death of livestock, lack of water, hunger, school dropouts, and increases in prices of basic commodities and agriculture inputs, soil degradation, siltation of dams and rivers, and migration. These effects forced households to use different coping mechanisms. Some of the coping mechanisms used by households are informal trade, gold panning, reduction of meal amounts and meal times, sacrificing other projects, food aid from the government and NGOs, remittances from children and relatives abroad, and selling of livestock and assets.
A qualitative method was used to collect data for this study. Data was collected from rural households who depend on rainfed agriculture as a source of livelihood. Female and male-headed households were part of the study. Questionnaires, interviews and focus groups were used to collect data from households, village heads, councillors, government officials and nongovernmental officials. The study used a narrative analysis to analyse the data collected. The study found out that many households could not cope by themselves during drought. The food aid they received from the government and NGOs was not enough to feed families. Water sources near households dried-up and households had to travel long distance to
iv
access water. The study recommends that the government develops a drought policy, and create awareness and mitigation strategies. The study also recommends diversification to drought tolerant crops and livestock varieties as a coping strategy. Irrigation schemes can bring stability to food insecure households and sustainable livelihoods. The study identified the construction and rehabilitation of dams as a solution to the problem of water scarcity.M.A. (Development Studies)Development Studie
Best practice guidelines to address barriers to treatment completion for patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis in Ethiopia
No full textText in EnglishPurpose: The purpose of this study was to develop best practice guidelines to address barriers to treatment completion of patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) in Ethiopia.
Method: This study utilised a research design that is exploratory, descriptive, and contextual in nature, guided by the convergent concurrent mixed method design. Quantitative data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire from 487 randomly selected DR-TB patient charts at Hospitals A, B, and C, Ethiopia. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS version 24 for Windows. The associations between treatment completion and independent variables were assessed by logistic regression.
In-depth interviews with fifteen experienced healthcare providers (HCPs) who have been working with the patients on programmatic management of DR-TB were conducted. Moreover, six focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 42 purposively selected DR-TB patients with a previous history of unsuccessful treatment outcomes and currently on retreatment regimens in Hospitals A, B, C, and D. A group of seven patients comprised each focus group session. A conventional content analysis approach was used, focusing on both the manifest and latent content of the narratives. ATLAS.ti 8 software was used in data coding and sorting.
Findings: Among the 487 study patients included in the quantitative strand, 354 (72.69%) had successful treatment completion. On the other hand, 133 (27.31%) had not completed treatment. Age, registration group, comorbidity, drug susceptibility testing (DST) results, psychotic symptoms, drug-induced hepatitis, renal toxicity, electrolyte disturbance, and arthritis were factors which had statistically significant association with treatment completion. From the in-depth interviews, three themes and fourteen categories emerged, which captured the views of healthcare providers on DR-TB treatment completion. From the FGDs, five themes and twenty categories emerged on the lived experiences of previously treated DR-TB patients on completion of treatment. This study established a number of barriers to treatment completion for patients with DR-TB in Ethiopia related to clinical Issues, drug-related factors, patient factors, the health system, socio-economic factors, programmatic factors, and provider-related factors. Findings from this study and a systematic review of existing evidence informed the development of best practice guidelines addressing barriers to treatment completion for patients with DR-TB in Ethiopia.
Conclusion: The findings established a wide range of barriers to treatment completion for patients with DR-TB in Ethiopia. Derivied from the findings of the study and informed by a systematic review of existing evidence, best practice guidelines on barriers to treatment completion for patients with DR-TB in Ethiopia were developed.D. Phil. (Public Health)Health Studie
An exploration of the investigative value of cell phone record analysis in the investigation of serious and violent crimes in the Winelands District, Western Cape Province
No full textIn modern times, cell phones have influenced people’s everyday lives and changed the ways they interact with each other and one another. The continuous development and advancement of cell phone technology has also sophisticated the way in which cell phones are used. For many people, cell phones have replaced many functions previously performed on laptops and computers, such as storing important information, conversations, keeping of schedules; as well as saving and transferring files, and internet surfing. Accordingly, the usage of cell phones has become an important part of people’s everyday life, and has changed people’s ways of interacting with one another. However, the popularity of mobile devices has been overshadowed by their frequent usage in digital crimes, which also necessitated the application of digital forensics in crime investigation. It could then be postulated that cell phones have played a significant part in the commission of many crimes and the subsequent investigation thereof. In that regard, cell phone investigation could be viewed as the future of criminal investigations and analysis. This research, therefore, explores the investigative value of cell phone record analysis in the investigation of serious and violent crimes in the Winelands District, Western Cape Province.M.A. (Forensic Investigation)Police Practic
Managing environmental education curriculum through distributed leadership strategies in the KwaZulu-Natal secondary schools
No full textEnvironmental education is a process that allows individuals to explore environmental issues, engage in problem-solving and take action to improve the environment. As a result, individuals develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues and have the skills to make informed and responsible decisions through environmental education. Therefore, environmental education is an important aspect of the school curriculum as it is embedded in the school’s curriculum of other subjects. In South Africa, subjects such as natural sciences (NS), mathematics, geography and so on are tracked and managed by those designated to do so, both at the school level and by the subject advisors of the department of education. However, the case is different from the environmental education content. This research explores strategies that are available to manage environmental education through distributed leadership by subject advisors, principals, school management teams (deputy principals and/or head of departments) and teachers. This research adopted a constructivism research paradigm, and employed a qualitative research approach, descriptive case study research design, non-probability sampling which is purposive in nature, individual interviews, observation, and document analysis as data collection tools. The population that contributed to the understanding of distributed leadership in schools in this research are three principals, three SMT members, three teachers, in three schools and two subject advisors in one district. The findings of this research point out that there are no strategies in place to manage environmental education as it is giving less attention as compared to other subject’s content due to the context of its content, lack of motivation from superiors as there is no empowerment through decision making taken collectively and roles are not distributed to all stakeholders. There is a lack of communication between stakeholders as there is no transparency and staff members are told what to do instead of having effective discussions. The curriculum is theoretical instead of practical which promotes participation.Distributed leadership seems to not be understood as the principals and the SMTs seem to practice delegation and confuse delegation with distributed leadership. Environmental education is also not tracked at a school level or at a departmental level. I can conclude by saying that environmental education is viewed as unimportant as it is not comprehended as something which adds value to a learner’s knowledge. Again, distributed leadership is not met in terms of environmental education management in schools. The findings of this research also involve a developing an environmental education model in the educational sector which made use of the strategies that might help in managing environmental education curriculum. Therefore, it is recommended that the content of environmental education is restructured to cater for practicality to best suit the current lifestyles. It is also recommended that all stakeholders are involved rather than thinking the management of environmental education is a sole responsibility of a teacher and be involved in the development and decision making in terms of the management of environmental education. Especially, since the world is experiencing a global crisis, it is recommended that we do not only aspire to a just community, but a society that is able to combat all global crises at an early stage to live in a sustainable community.Imfundo yezemvelo iyinqubo evumela abantu ukuba bahlole izindaba zemvelo, bazibandakanye ekuxazululeni izinkinga, futhi bathathe izinyathelo zokuthuthukisa imvelo. Ngenxa yalokho, abantu ngabanye bahlakulela ukuqonda okujulile ngezindaba zemvelo futhi babe namakhono okwenza izinqumo ezinolwazi nezinomthwalo wemfanelo ngemfundo yezemvelo. Ngakho-ke, lokho kwenza imfundo yezemvelo ibe yisici esibalulekile sekharikhulamu yesikole njengoba igxilile ohlelweni lwezifundo lwesikole lwezinye izifundo. ENingizimu Afrika, izifundo ezifana nesayensi yemvelo (NS), mathematics, geography nokunye, zilandelwa futhi ziphathwe yilabo abaqokelwe ukwenza lokho, ezingeni lesikole kanye nangabeluleki bezifundo bomnyango wezemfundo. Nokho, icala lihlukile ngokuqukethwe kwemfundo yezemvelo. Lolu cwaningo luhlose ukuhlola amasu akhona okuphatha imfundo yezemvelo ngobuholi obusabalalisiwe ngabeluleki bezifundo, othishanhloko, amathimba okuphatha izikole (amaphini othishanhloko kanye/noma izinhloko zeminyango) kanye nothisha. Lolu cwaningo lwamukele ipharadigm yocwaningo lwe-constructivism, indlela yocwaningo lwekhwalithethivu, idizayini yocwaningo lwendaba echazayo, amasampula okungewona okungenzeka anenhloso ngokwemvelo, inhlolokhono yomuntu ngamunye, ukubhekwa, nokuhlaziywa kwemibhalo njengamathuluzi okuqoqa idatha. Inani labantu elibambe iqhaza ekuqondeni ubuholi obusabalalisiwe ezikoleni kulolu cwaningo yilaba: othishanhloko abathathu, amalungu amathathu e-SMT, othisha abathathu, ezikoleni ezintathu nababili abeluleki bezifundo esifundeni esisodwa. Okutholwe kulolu cwaningo kukhomba ukuthi awekho amasu okuphatha imfundo yezemvelo njengoba inika ukunaka okuncane uma iqhathaniswa nezinye izifundo ngenxa yengqikithi yalo, ukuntula ugqozi oluvela kubaphathi njengoba kungekho ukuhlonyiswa ngokuthathwa kwezinqumo. ezithathwe ngokuhlanganyela kanye nezindima ezingasatshalaliswanga kubo bonke ababambiqhaza. Ukuxhumana okungagciniwe phakathi kwabathintekayo njengoba kungekho obala futhi abasebenzi bayatshelwa ukuthi benzeni esikhundleni sokuba nezingxoxo ezisebenzayo. Ikharikhulamu iyithiyori kunokuba ibe yinto ephathekayo ekhuthaza ukubamba iqhaza. Ubuholi obuhlukene bubukeka bungaqondwa njengoba othishanhloko kanye nama-SMT bebonakala bezilolongela izithunywa futhi badida ithimba nobuholi obuhlukene. Imfundo yezemvelo nayo ayilandelelwa ezingeni lesikole kanye nezinga lomnyango. Ngingaphetha ngokuthi imfundo yezemvelo ithathwa njengengabalulekile njengoba ingaqondwa njengentoThuto ya tikologo ke tshepedišo yeo e dumelelago batho ka bomong go hlahloba ditaba tša tikologo, go tsenela tharollo ya mathata le go tšea magato a go kaonafatša tikologo. Ka lebaka leo, batho ka bomong ba hlagolela kwešišo ye e tseneletšego ya ditaba tša tikologo gomme ba na le bokgoni bja go tšea diphetho tše di nago le tsebo le tše di nago le maikarabelo ka thuto ya tikologo. Ka fao, thuto ya tikologo ke karolo ye bohlokwa ya kharikhulamo ya sekolo ka ge e tsentšwe ka gare ga kharikhulamo ya sekolo ya dithuto tše dingwe. Mo Afrika Borwa, dithuto tša go swana le mahlale a tlhago (NS), dipalo, thutafase bjalobjalo di latišišwa le go laolwa ke bao ba kgethilwego go dira bjalo, bobedi maemong a sekolo le ke baeletši ba dithuto ba kgoro ya thuto. Le ge go le bjalo, taba ye e fapane le diteng tša thuto ya tikologo. Nyakišišo ye e hlahloba maano ao a lego gona go laola thuto ya tikologo ka boetapele bjo bo phatlalatšwago ke baeletši ba dithuto, dihlogo tša dikolo, dihlopha tša taolo ya dikolo (batlatšadihlogo tša dikolo le/goba hlogo ya dikgoro) le barutiši. Nyakišišo ye e amogetše mohlala wa nyakišišo ya constructivism, gomme ya šomiša mokgwa wa nyakišišo ya boleng, tlhamo ya nyakišišo ya nyakišišo ya mohlala ye e hlalošago, go tšea mehlala yeo e sego ya kgonagalo yeo e nago le morero ka tlhago, dipoledišano tša motho ka o tee ka o tee, go lebelela, le tshekatsheko ya ditokomane bjalo ka didirišwa tša kgoboketšo ya datha. Baagi bao ba bilego le seabe go kwešišo ya boetapele bjo bo phatlalatšwago dikolong nyakišišong ye ke dihlogo tše tharo, maloko a mararo a SMT, barutiši ba bararo, dikolong tše tharo le baeletši ba babedi ba dithuto seleteng se tee. Dikutollo tša nyakišišo ye di laetša gore ga go na maano ao a lego gona a go laola thuto ya tikologo ka ge e fa šedi ye nnyane ge e bapetšwa le diteng tša thuto ye nngwe ka lebaka la seemo sa diteng tša yona, go hloka tlhohleletšo go tšwa go bao ba phagamego ka ge go se na maatlafatšo ka sephetho go dira gore go tšewe ka kopanelo gomme dikarolo ga di abja go bakgathatema ka moka. Go na le tlhaelelo ya kgokagano magareng ga bakgathatema ka ge go se na go ba pepeneneng gomme maloko a bašomi a botšwa gore ba dire eng go e na le go ba le dipoledišano tše di šomago gabotse. Kharikhulamo ke ya teori go e na le ya tirišo yeo e tšwetšago pele go tšea karolo. Boetapele bjo bo phatlalatšwago bo bonala bo sa kwešišwe ka ge dihlogo tša dikolo le di-SMT di bonala di itlwaetša go abela le go gakantšha go abela le boetapele bjo bo phatlalatšwago. Thuto ya tikologo le yona ga e latišišwe maemong a sekolo goba maemong a kgoro. Nka phetha ka go bolela gore thuto ya tikologo e lebelelwa e le yeo e sego bohlokwa ka ge e sa kwešišwe bjalo ka selo seo se oketšago mohola tsebong ya moithuti.
Le mo, boetapele bjo bo phatlalatšwago ga bo fihlelelwe go ya ka taolo ya thuto ya tikologo dikolong. Dikutollo tša nyakišišo ye di akaretša gape le go hlabolla mohlala wa thuto ya tikologo ka lefapheng la thuto seo se dirilego tšhomišo ya maano ao a ka thušago go laola kharikhulamo ya thuto ya tikologo. Ka fao, go šišinywa gore diteng tša thuto ya tikologo di rulaganywe leswa go hlokomela go šoma go swanela gabotse mekgwa ya bjale ya bophelo. Gape go šišinywa gore bakgathatema ka moka ba amege go e na le go nagana gore taolo ya thuto ya tikologo ke maikarabelo a morutiši a nnoši gomme ba amege tlhabollong le go tšea diphetho go ya ka taolo ya thuto ya tikologo. Kudukudu, ka ge lefase le itemogela mathata a lefase ka bophara, go šišinywa gore re se ke ra labalabela fela setšhaba sa toka, eupša setšhaba seo se kgonago go lwantšha mathata ka moka a lefase ka bophara e sa le ka pela gore se phele setšhabeng sa go ya go ile.Ph.D. (Environmental Education)Educational Studie
Determining the impact of lablab growth on the nitrogen content and nutrient status of savanna soil at Motshephiri Village, Limpopo, South Africa
No full textIt is inevitable that the prolonged soil disturbance by crop cultivation with little or no nutrient supplementation through the application of manure or organic fertilizers results in the depletion of the nutrients necessary for plant growth. Low soil fertility levels in savanna soils have been linked to low crop yields, with nitrogen (N) being the most important limiting factor in crop yield. Subsistence farmers, without sufficient means to purchase chemical fertilizers for nutrient replenishment such as those in Motshephiri village may benefit from legume crops that are efficient at returning nutrients to the soil, particularly N. To determine the impact of lablab growth on savanna soil, N and other nutrient elements in a pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design consisting of four treatments (control, Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculant, superphosphate and Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculant + superphosphate) where superphosphate was applied at three different levels (45, 60 and 75 kg/ha). The soil used in this pot experiment comprised low total N, low NO3- and high NH4+. The results of the study indicated that lablab growth significantly increased total N and NO3-, and reduced NH4+ relative to the soil pre-lablab growth. However, the N content (total N, NO3- and NH4+) did not differ significantly amongst different levels of superphosphate with or without Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculant. Lablab growth, in the absence of Zn has been proven to have a significant impact on both the soil macro- (P, K, Ca, Mg, and Na) and micronutrient levels (Fe, Mn, Cu, B and Cl). Additionally, plant growth parameters were measured at week 5 and 10 to assess their performance in response to the treatments. Plant height, leaf area, number of leaves and leaf chlorophyll content were not significantly influenced by Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculant and/or superphosphate treatments at week 5 and 10 except for leaf chlorophyll content which was significantly higher in control at week 5 relative to the rest of the treatments. This study suggests that lablab has the potential to improve soil N and the overall soil fertility within a short period of time without the need for superphosphate fertilizer or Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculant.Agriculture and Animal HealthNational Research Foundation (South Africa
Power dynamics among Pentecostal prophets in New Prophetic Churches: An African Christocentric missional approach
No full textNew prophetic churches are in continuity with the African Traditional Religions in tracing the challenges that many Africans face today to the spirit world. These churches make a connection between the challenges of sicknesses, joblessness, barrenness, and so forth, with witchcraft in the spirit world captured in the Nguni saying “uthakathiwe” meaning “you are bewitched”. Instead of linking these problems to socio-historical, socio-political, and socio-economic causative factors in the continent, they would rather link them to the spirit world. Furthermore, the Pentecostal prophets in these churches blame the believers for not being able to deal with the challenges. This article problematizes this blame-shifting approach as it presents power dynamics in these churches. The article argues that in shifting the blame to the congregants, the Pentecostal prophets seek to remain or appear as powerful to their congregants. An African Christocentric missional approach is proposed as a theoretical framework that centres power on Christ than on the Pentecostal prophet in Africa.Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiolog
A Spirit-Filled Environment: Ecological Theology in Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity in South Africa
Get PDFEcological theology has been explored from the perspectives of various Christian traditions. Although there have been attempts by a few scholars interested in Pentecostalism to investigate the subject, ecological theology remains under-researched within the ambit of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity in South Africa. In addition,
most churches in this tradition have not yet made pronouncements on ecological issues such as the interactions between Pentecostal believers and their environment in South Africa. Hence, a scholarly question arises: do the spirit-filled and tongue-talking care about the environment? This question is approached here through the development of ecological
theology from a Pentecostal perspective. However, such a development will have to look at previous studies on Pentecostal ecological theology in order to apply it to a South African context. Only then will churches in the Pentecostal and Charismatic Christian tradition in South Africa be able to pronounce on environmental issues.Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiolog