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Complexities of Equity as a Principle for Allocating Scarce Water Resources
No full textAlthough the term ‘equity’ exudes fairness, what equity really means remains unclear. Framed within the distributive justice framework, the article explored the different meanings and principles of equity within the discourse of water allocation reform. Equity has been a central guiding principle in the allocation of resources, yet very little is known about what it is and how it can be recognised in practice. This gap in understanding is also found in water allocation reform, a process meant to address the inherited water access and allocation inequalities in post-1994 South Africa. The article is built from focus group discussions and interviews from a select group of participants of a qualitative study. Necessitated by the dismissal of the relevancy of a discussion on equity, the article deconstructed the assumptions that equity, as an option for distributing resources, is obvious and paves the way for fairness. The article revealed that the choice of equity in the allocation of water in post-1994 South Africa was not really interrogated prior to use. Findings from interviews from a select group of participants on alternative options for the allocation of water were also discussed. The article recommended that principles for the allocation of resources be clear and measurable.Development Studie
Developing and using the Tshivenda scientific register for Physical Science
No full textAbstracts in English, Venda and TsongaIn South Africa, most learners use mother tongue which is different with the language of learning and teaching which is English. Hence, these learners encounter difficulties in their learning environment. Learners in the Vhembe West District are receiving their physical sciences (PS) education through English medium of instruction even though it is not their mother tongue. The general failure to understand language of science in South Africa is a cause of concern in the teaching and learning. The reason for such situation is failure to understand English as medium of instruction. This research investigated how the use of developed Tshivenḓa physical sciences scientific register (TPSSR) will shape interaction and discourse in PS classroom. Classroom Language Investigative Framework (CLIF) was employed as a conceptual framework for the study. The study employed qualitative interpretative multiple case study design. Three teachers, fourteen parents (School Governing Body) and sixty-five learners from three schools of Vhuronga 2 Circuit in Vhembe West District participated. The following research questions were explored: What are the challenges and opportunities in the development of TPSSR for teaching and learning of PS? What are the challenges and opportunities in the use of the TPSSR for the teaching and learning of PS? How does the use of TPSSR in the teaching and learning of PS influence interaction and discourse? What are the views and perceptions of PS teachers, parents, and learners towards the use of the Tshivenḓa scientific register for PS? Observations, interviews, and diary have been used for data collection. The data revealed that there are insufficient scientific terms in Tshivenḓa. Hence, teachers fail to find some of sciences equivalent words in Tshivenḓa during their classroom practices and end up adopting those words such as aisi (ice), saintsi (science), etc. However, the use of the developed Tshivenḓa physical sciences scientific register (TPSSR) for PS has shown that it can shape classroom interactions and discourses which is significant for meaningful learning which leads to better achievement in the subject. This study, therefore, recommends the development and application of TPSSR for PS focusing on other science topics. Hence, PS teachers need to be developed, trained, and equipped with the necessary language skills so that it can be possible for them to develop Tshivenḓa scientific language registers on other science topics.Vadyondzhi votala va Afrika Dzonga va na ririmi ra le kaya leri hambaneke na ririmi ro dyondza na ku dyondzisa. Hikwalaho, vadyondzi lava va hlangana na swiphiqo eka ndhawu ya vona yo dyondza. Vadyondzi eka Vhembe West District va le ku kumeni ka dyondzo ya vona ya sayense ya swilo leswi vonakaka hi ku tirhisa Xinghezi medium of instruction hambi leswi ku ngariki ririmi ravona ra manana. Ku tsandzeka hi ku angarhela ku twisisa ririmi ra sayense eAfrika-Dzonga i xivangelo xa ku vilela eka ku dyondzisa na ku dyondza. Xivangelo xa xiyimo xo tano i ku tsandzeka ku twisisa Xinghezi tanihi xitirhisiwa xo dyondzisa. Ndzavisiso lowu wu lavisisile hilaha ku tirhisiwa ka rhijisitara ra sayense ya tshivenda ya sayense ya swilo leswi vonakaka leyi tumbuluxiweke swi nga ta vumba ku tirhisana na mbulavulo hakona etlilasini ya sayense ya swilo leswi vonakaka. Rimba ra ndzavisiso wa ririmi ra tlilasi ri tirhisiwile tanihi rimba ra miehleketo ya dyondzo. Dyondzo yi tirhisile qualitative interpretative multiple case study design. Vadyondzisi vanharhu, kume mune wa vatswari na makume ntsevu ntlhanu wa vadyondzi ku suka eka swikolo swinharhu swa vhuronga swifundzha swimbirhi eka Xifundzha xa Vhembe va nghenelerile. Ku tirhisiwile swivetiso swa ndzavisiso leswi landzelaka: Hi yihi mintlhontlho na minkarhi eka nhluvukiso wa rhijisitara ra sayense ya tshivenda yo dyondzisa na ku dyondza sayense ya swilo leswi vonakaka? Hi yihi mintlhontlho na minkarhi yo tirhisa rhijisitara ra sayense ya tshivenda yo dyondzisa na ku dyondza ti rhijisitara ra sayense ya tshivenda? Xana ku tirhisiwa ka rhijisitara ra sayense ya tshivenda eka ku dyondzisa na ku dyondza sayense ya swilo leswi vonakaka swi khumba njhani ku tirhisana na mbulavulo? Hi wahi mavonelo na mavonelo ya vadyondzisi va sayense ya nyama, vatswari, na vadyondzi eka matirhiselo ya rhijisitara ra sayense ya tshivenda sayense ya swilo leswi vonakaka? Swibumabumelo,mimbulavurisano na dayari swi tirhisiwile ku hlengeleta datha. Dyondzo yi paluxe leswaku a ku na marito ya sayense lama eneleke eka tshivenda. Hikokwalaho, vadyondzisi va tsandzeka ku kuma marito man'wana lama ringanaka na sayense eka tshivenda hi nkarhi wa maendlelo ya vona ya tlilasi ivi va hetelela va amukela marito wolawo yo fana na aisi (ice), saintsi (science), etc. Hambiswiritano, ku tirhisiwa ka rhijisitara ra sayense ra tshivenda ra sayense ya swilo leswi vonakaka leyi tumbuluxiweke eka sayense ya swilo swa nyama swi kombisile leswaku ri nga vumba vuhlanganisi bya tlilasi na tinkulumo leswi nga swa nkoka eka dyondzo leyi nga na nhlamuselo leswi yisaka eka ku humelela ko antswa eka dyondzo. Dyondzo leyi hikokwalaho,yi ringanyeta nhluvukiso na ku tirhisiwa ka rhijisitara ra ririmi ra sayense ra tshivenda eka rhijisitara ra sayense ya tshivenda ya sayense ya swilo leswi vonakaka hi ku kongomisa eka nhlokomhaka yin'wana ya sayense. Hikokwalaho, vadyondzisi va sayense ya miri va lava ku hluvukisiwa,ku leteriwa, no hlomisiwa hi vuswikoti bya ririmi lebyi lavekaka leswaku swi ta koteka leswaku va hluvukisa tirhejisitara ta tindzimi ta sayense ta tshivenda eka tinhlokomhaka tin'wana ta sayense.Vhagudiswa vhanzhi vha Afrika Tshipembe luambo lwavho lwa damuni lo fhambana na luambo lune lwa shumisiwa kha u guda na u funza zwikoloni lune lwa vha luisimane . Zwino havha vhagudiswa vha ṱangana na vhuleme musi vha khou funziwa nga ngomu kiḽasini. Vhagudiswa vha Vhembe West District vha khou wana pfunzo yavho ya saintsi ya zwithu zwine zwa vhonala hu tshi khou shumisiwa Luisimane naho lu si lone luambo lwavho lwa ḓamuni. U balelwa u pfesesa luambo lwa saintsi Afrika Tshipembe zwiḓisa mbilaelo kha u funza na u guda. Nyimele heyi i khou vhangiwa nga u kundelwa u pfesesa Luisimane sa lone luambo luno shumisiwa kha u funza na u guda zwikoloni. Ṱhoḓisiso heyi i khou toda u wanulusisa uri u shumisiwa ha rigisiṱara ya saintsi ya Tshivenḓa ya zwithu zwine zwa vhonala yo vhumbiwaho inga thusa hani kha vhushaka na nyambedzano dzine dza itea nga ngomu kilasini. Classroom Language Investigative Framework (CLIF) yo shumisiwa sa conceptual framework kha thodisiso heyi ya pfunzo. Thodisiso heyi yo shumisa qualitative interpretative multiple case study design. Vhadededzi vhararu, vhabebi vha fumi na vhana (SGB) na vhagudiswa vha fumi rathi na nthanu vha zwikolo zwa liisela la Vhuronga ya vhuvhili Vhembe West District vhodzhenelela. Mbudziso dzo shumisiwaho kha thodisiso ndi dzi tevhelaho: ndi vhukondi na mbuelo kana zwivhuya zwifhio zwovhaho hone khau vhumbiwaho ha rigisitara ya saintsi ya tshivenda ya zwithu zwine zwa vhonala khau funza na u guda saintsi ya zwithu zwine zwa vhonala? ndi vhukondi na mbuelo kana zwivhuya zwifhio khau shumisiwa ha rigisitara ya saintsi ya tshivenda ya zwithu zwine zwa vhonala khau funza na u guda saintsi ya zwithu zwine zwa vhonala? U shumisiwa ha rigisitara ya saintsi ya tshivenda ya zwithu zwine zwa vhonala khau funza na u guda saintsi ya zwithu zwine zwa vhonala zwo kwama hani vhushaka na nyambedzano dzine dzavha dzi khou itea nga ngomu kilasini ya saintsi ya zwithu zwine zwa vhonala? Mihumbulo na kuvhonele kwa vhadededzi vha saintsi ya zwithu zwine zwa tou vhonala, vhabebi na vhagudiswa ndi kufhio kha u shumisiwa ha rigisitara ya tshivenda ya saintsi kha saintsi ya zwithu zwine zwa vhonala? Datha kana mafhungo a thodisiso ya hei pfunzo o waniwa ngau tou vhona mudededzi a khou funza, u ita dzi nyambedzano nau shumiya dayari. Thodisiso heyi yo wanulusisa uri huna manwe maipfi a saintsi ane haho nga tshivenda. Zwenezwo zwoita uri vhadededzi vha balelwe u wana manwe a maipfi a saintsi nga tshivenda musi vha khou funza vha vho fhedzisela vha khou pamba haneo a tshikhuwa nga tshivenda, sa tsumbo as aisi (ice), saintsi (science) na manwe. Naho zworalo, u shumisiwa ha rigisitara ya saintsi ya tshivenda ya saintsi ya zwithu zwine zwa vhonala yo vhumbiwaho yo sumbedzisa zwauri inga vhumba vhukonani kana vhushaka na nyambedzano dzavhudi nga ngomu kilasini zwine zwavha zwandeme khau livhisa u bvelela ha khwine kha thero yeneyo. Pfunzo heyi ndi henefho hune ya tama kana ya ombedzela u vhumbiwa na u shumisiwa ha rigisitara tya saintsi ya tshivenda ya saintsi ya zwithu zwine zwa vhonala yo sedzesa kha dzinwe thero dzire hone kha saintsi. Ndi henefho hune vhadededzi vha saintsi ya zwithu zwine zwa vhonala vhafanela u thusiwa, u pfumbudziwa na u newa zwothe zwoteaho uvha thusa kha u vha na vhukoni siani la luambo uri zwikonadzee khavho zwau vhumba rigisitara dza saintsi dza luambo lwa tshivenda kha dzinwe thero dza saintsi.D. Phil. (Natural Science Education)Science and Technology Educatio
E-business adoption costs and strategies for retail micro businesses
No full textE-business benefit both large and small businesses. However, the aggregate cost of successful online trading, including initial and recurring costs, continues to pose a great challenge to micro-enterprises. For these willing businesses, the result is a mere web presence and for some, the thought of trading online is a no-go area. Using a multi-case study qualitative approach, this study adopts the technology organisation-environment theoretical lens to explore empirically the strategies used by e-retail microbusinesses to potentially advance their e-business adoption. The findings revealed the actual cost of adoption, the technology-organisation-environment strategies in use to lower the cost barrier, and how the pursuit of the cost barrier simultaneously lowers some adoption barriers outside the cost factors. The study also highlighted the intrinsic idiosyncratic nature of small firms’ ecosystems, and the fact that government resources and services provided by companies, both private and public, could effectively reduce the costs associated with e-business adoption.Colleges of Economic and Management Science
Functional characterization of lignin modifying enzymes produced by white rot fungi for their mycoremediation potential of petroleum (xenobiotic) polluted soil
No full textIndustrialization has resulted in the introduction of xenobiotics into the environment.
These chemicals have polluted soil, water, and air, causing significant health concerns.
White rot fungi possess the capability to produce unique enzymes known as ligninmodifying
enzymes which can degrade not only lignocellulose, but also many
xenobiotics. The aim of the study was to characterize LMEs using various bioassays
and to apply the best performing fungi for an attempted bioremediation of a mixture of
petroleum products. Using molecular characterization, fungal isolates were identified.
These were qualitatively assayed for lignin peroxidase and laccase production.
Enzyme production was quantitatively assayed by UV/Vis spectrophotometry using
corn husk as growth medium; and common assay reagents were compared. Veratryl
alcohol gave the best results for lignin peroxidase while manganese peroxidase
activities were similar when using either 2,6 dimethoxyphenol or malonate/Mn3+. ABTS
was found to be more sensitive than guaiacol for laccase assay. Trametes hirsuta and
Schizophyllum commune were selected as best performing fungi and were used for
the attempted remediation PAHs-contaminated soil. Both isolates degraded petroleum
fractions, particularly naphthalene by up to 100% and 67.47% respectively. Overall,
the study proved the ability of LMEs to degrade xenobiotics.M. Sc. (Engineering)Civil and Chemical Engineerin
The strategic communication professional`s role in enhancing social organizational credibility : an omnidirectional and diachronic process from a network perspective
Get PDFCommunication Scienc
An analysis of the use of fingerprints to identify a murder suspect
Get PDFThe purpose of the examination is to determine how fingerprints could be used in the identification of a murder suspect, focusing on detectives and fingerprint experts at Klerksdorp Police Service situated in North West region. A qualitative research approach was embraced, in which literature review, archives and interviews were utilized in substantiating the research findings. Interviews were conducted with detectives and fingerprint experts who are inter alia responsible for murder crime scenes, in the attempt to solicit fingerprints for the purpose of identification of suspects.
This study discussed a number of key theoretical ideas namely, criminal investigation, fingerprint identification, suspect, murder and identification. The study established that criminal investigation is the way toward finding, obtaining, gathering, planning, identification, also introducing prima facie proof to figure out what occurred and who is criminally liable for the criminal act. This study seeks to help with the contribution on how fingerprints could be used in the identification of a murder suspect.
The findings of this research study indicated that the majority participants had an understanding about the use of fingerprints to identify a murder suspect. However, different versions were furnished by the participants with regards to the research questions, which were contrary to the versions of the authors.
This research study made recommendations that extensive training to given to the investigators on the concepts of the research questions. Furthermore, that top management encourage investigators at lower levels, who in most cases probe murder cases, to enrol with higher educational institutions, offering formal courses that deals with how to solve murder cases. By doing so, investigators will be informed of the latest methods to solve murder cases using fingerprints.M.A. (Criminal Justice)Criminology and Security Scienc
Emergency Remote Education in Southern African Schools: Digital Transformation Bridging the Gap in the COVID-19 Era
Get PDFThe World Health Organization on 11 March 2020 declared the novel
coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic. Due to the spread of
COVID-19 in 2020, several countries in Southern Africa implemented partial
or complete lockdowns. This caused a halt to the physical learning process, with
a need to move away from the usual face-to-face pedagogical methodologies
and adopt emergency innovative [email protected]
Walter Matli
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3440-900X
Graduate School of Business
Leadership, University of South Africactional strategies that integrate digital
technologies. This concept paper reviews the literature on the significance of
digital transformation in empowering remote learning in times of crisis in
Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. These four countries were
purposively selected because they play an integral part in the education sector
in Southern Africa. Data were obtained from secondary sources. The findings
are that, in Southern Africa, during the lockdowns, a variety of technological
tools were used for emergency remote learning. These tools include the use of
zero-rated applications such as television, radio, digital schools using Zoom and
Google Classroom. The findings show that remote learning was the best
emergency method to give learners access to education, although it had some
challenges, including unfamiliarity with new technology, methods of dealing
with the unknown, poor or no infrastructure, higher drop-out rates, and lowered
academic achievement levels. From the findings, we conclude that the Southern
African education sector massively adopted digital transformation in education,
although some challenges were identified. A proposed integrated framework on
digital transformation for schools in Southern Africa was crafted. The
framework is likely to be feasible in the countries that are struggling to balance
the learning process amid the new normal which is remote learning.Graduate School of Business Leadershi
Effectiveness of the criminal justice system strategies in curbing overcrowding in the Department of Correctional Services
No full textThe study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of certain criminal justice system strategies in curbing overcrowding of remand detainees with focus on
bedspace management, the implementation of bail protocol and the protocol on
referral of remand detainees to court for consideration of their length of detention
and police bail. The objectives of the study were extended to include the profiling of
correctional centres and remand detainees. The profiling of correctional centres includes the determination of occupancy and the categorisation of correctional
centres and inmates. The profiling of remand detainees includes the three year
population trend, the length of period spent by remand detention based on the oneday snapshot analysis and the cost of detaining remand detainees with bail.
A mixed method design was utilised and the concurrent triangulation strategy with
multistage purposeful random scheme was employed. Participants were from the Department of Correctional Services and South African Police Service. Data collection methods were interviews, records analysis including policy and historical data, participant observation and focus group. Parallel mixed analysis was conducted
with qualitative and quantitative data analysed separately. The integration of
qualitative and quantitative data was applied during the interpretation and discussion
of results.
The study could not determine the effectiveness of such strategies as bedspace
management, bail review, referral of remand detainees to court for consideration of
their length of detention and police bail in reducing the overcrowding of inmates in the Department of Correctional Services with focus on reducing the population of
remand detainees. Though the three-year trend analysis reflects an erratic pattern of
increase and reduction in the population of remand detainees, the observed reduction
could not be equated to the effectiveness of the strategies under study.
The study contributes in the field of criminal justice system by elevating factors that contribute to the availability of bedspaces in corrections environment, sharing of the three-year analysis on the implementation of the bail protocol and the protocol on
referral of remand detainees to court for consideration of their length of detention.
While the representative sample could not be obtained for police bail, the study
elevates the understanding of police bail including its boundaries in relation to court appearance. The study further revealed the importance of developing an electronic system which is aligned with legislative and policy requirements. It is envisaged that the recommendations aligned with the findings in each delineated area will be utilised to effect improvements in policy implementation.Ph. D. (Criminal Justice, Corrections Management)Corrections Managemen
Knowledge management systems : an adoption framework for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
Get PDFTechnology is becoming increasingly affordable and accessible through advances in innovation. At the same time, valuable organisational resources are moving from tangible (e.g., steel) to intangible resources (e.g., knowledge). For this reason, knowledge is viewed by many scholars as a sustainable competitive advantage. To compete successfully in the knowledge economy, organisational knowledge should be appropriately managed through management practices encompassing the creation, storage, retrieval, transfer and application of knowledge using IT systems. The combination of hardware and software to drive knowledge management (KM) is known as a knowledge management system (KMS). The literature has consistently acknowledged the high failure rates of technology adoption in organisations. It can have devastating consequences for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as they have fewer resources to recover from KMS adoption failure. Equally important is the fact that SMEs contribute substantially to the gross domestic product and employment of national economies worldwide. The same is true for South African SMEs.
Given the picture of KM in the SME context, it is important to investigate potential factors that can lead to improved KMS adoption in SMEs. As scholarly literature on KMS adoption in SMEs is limited, this study could contribute uniquely to the body of knowledge focused on these factors. Within the Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) framework, Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) and critical success factors (CSF), the study constructed a framework for KMS adoption in SMEs. After constructing a preliminary conceptual framework from the literature, data was collected using a two-phase approach. In phase one, four mini focus groups comprising four SMEs each were interviewed. The thematic analysis revealed eight themes that expanded the existing framework. The purpose of phase two was to validate the framework developed in phase one through face-to-face or online discussions with six SME subject matter experts. Phase two identified five themes that further confirmed and strengthened the framework. The study contributed on a theoretical, empirical and practical level. Having identified several key factors for KMS adoption, the framework aims to improve the use of KMS in SMEs by employees and, as a result, SME performance and sustainability. Future research could condense or identify additional factors to test the framework developed in the study. In addition, the framework could be tested on specific industries or with larger sample sizes.D.B. L.Graduate School of Business Leadershi
Challenges encountered by human immunodeficiency virus positive pregnant women on taking antiretrovirals in a public health unit of the Manzini region, Swaziland
Get PDFDOI: 10.29063/ajrh2022/v26i5.4In Swaziland, the Ministry of Health adopted the prevention of mother-to-transmission (PMTCT) Option A as a feasible and less costly way to expand the PMTCT services nationwide. Despite major success since the programme started, some barriers, such as the challenge of follow-up care for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive pregnant mothers still exist. The present study aimed to describe the challenges that HIV-positive pregnant mothers encountered on taking antiretrovirals (ARVs) in a health unit of the Manzini region, Swaziland. A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research design was used, and data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews and field notes. Purposive sampling was used to select the study site and the population. Permission was requested from the participants to record the interviews. The study population were HIV-positive pregnant mothers, aged between 18 and 40 years, which were enrolled in the PMTCT B+ programme. The PMTCT B+ programme was perceived as preventing the transfer of HIV transmission from mother to child. It boosts the mother’s immune system, prevents opportunistic infections and prolongs life. Challenges of taking ARVs emerged as a theme. The participants displayed knowledge and understanding of the programme, yet discrimination and no support from families and partners were mentioned. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[5]: 41-49).Health Studie