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The willingness of broiler farmers in the Gauteng province to adopt alternative feeds made from amaranthus and sorghum
No full textAbstracts in English, Tsonga and AfrikaansIn broiler production, feeding constitutes the highest variable cost accounting for up to 70% of the total production cost. As a result, broiler farmers have a challenge of high feed costs. High feed costs are influenced by increasing prices of feed ingredients, especially energy and protein sources. Therefore, there is a need to develop affordable chicken feed made from alternative energy and protein sources. This study aimed to assess broiler farmers’ acceptability of alternative chicken feeds made from amaranthus and sorghum as energy and protein sources in the Gauteng Province. The objectives of the study were to profile farmers’ socio-demographic characteristics; to determine the operation and production characteristics of broiler enterprises; to determine farmer’s willingness to adopt alternative chicken feed made from amaranthus and sorghum as energy and protein sources; to ascertain factors influencing farmer’s willingness to adopt alternative feeds made from amaranthus and sorghum as energy and protein sources, respectively; and to identify the challenges experienced by broiler farmers. The study was conducted in Gauteng using a quantitative research approach and survey design. Data were collected from 70 broiler farmers through telephonic interviews using a semi-structured survey instrument (questionnaire). The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 was used to analyse quantitative data. Descriptive statistics, Kendall’s Tau, Pearson Correlation, Ordered Logistic Regression, Binomial test, Friedman’s test and Wilcoxon signed ranks test were used to analyse the data. Themes, codes, frequencies and percentages were used to analyse qualitative data from open-ended questions. The findings of the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents showed that the majority (95.7%) of the respondents were married black African men (52.9%) above 55 years of age with nine years of farming experience. Most of the respondents (94%) had a basic formal education; in addition, about 50% owned their farmland privately, with an average size of 11.17 ha. One-third of the respondents depended on self-employment opportunities as their main source of income while the majority (54.3%) had an annual net farm income of between R10 000 and R90 000. The annual net farm income had a positive and significant correlation with gender, the carrying capacity of a poultry house and the number of production cycles per annum. It was also found that most (>50%) farmers had inadequate access to market and government services (extension and subsidised feed). The study further revealed that, on average, broiler farmers had two chicken houses with a carrying capacity of 1 804 and a 7.6% mortality rate per cycle. On average, the number of production cycles were five; and the respondents utilised about 122 feedbags per annum. The majority (73%) of the respondents preferred the pellets feed form. The respondents achieved an average chicken live weight of 1.9 kg and anticipated an average weight of 2 kg. Moreover, farmers travelled 20 km on average to the nearest feed store. The number of chicken houses, the number of production cycles per year and the anticipated chicken live weight were positive and significant predictors of farmers’ willingness to adopt alternative chicken feeds made from amaranthus and sorghum.
The study found that most respondents (90%) were willing to adopt alternative chicken feed made from amaranthus and sorghum as a source of energy and protein, respectively. The overall results of the mean rank showed that the accessibility of chicken feed (MR=1) was the most important attribute associated with the adoption of alternative chicken feed, followed by the desired chicken attributes (MR=2) and the affordability attributes (MR=3). The results of Friedman’s test revealed that there was a statistically significant difference (p50%) bja barui ba be ba se na phihlelelo ye e lekanego go mmaraka le ditirelo tsa mmuso (katoloso le thuso ya ditshelete tsa diphepo). Thuto e utollotswe gape gore, ka setlwaedi, barui ba dikgogo tsa nama ba be ba na le dintlo tse pedi tsa dikgogo tseo di nago le bokgoni bja go rwala dikgogo tse 1 804 le tekano ya diphesente tse 7.6% tsa tekano ya go hwa ga dikgogo go tsweletso ye nngwe le ye nngwe. Ka kakaretso, go bile le tekano ya ditsweletso tsa dikgogo tse hlano ka palo; ebile bakgathatema ba somisitse mekotla ya phepo ye e ka bago 122 ngwaga ka ngwaga. Bontsi (73%) bja bakgathatema bo ratile mokgwa wa go fepa ka tshomiso ya didiriswa tse di bitswago diphelete. Bakgathatema ba fihleletse tekano ya boima bja kgogo ye e phelago bja 1.9 kg gomme ba letela gore bo fihlelele tekano ya boima bja 2 kg. Go feta fao, barui ba ile ba sepela dikilometara tse 20 ka kakaretso go ya lebenkeleng la kgauswi la go hwetsa phepo. Palo ya dintlo tsa dikgogo, palo ya ditsweletso tsa dikgogo ngwaga ka ngwaga le boima bjo bo letetswego bja dikgogo tse di phelago e be e le dintlha tse botse le tse bohlokwa tsa barui gore ba akanye go ikemisetsa go amogela diphepo tsa dikgogo tse dingwe tseo di dirilwego go tswa go morogo le mabelethoro.
Nyakisiso e hweditse gore bontsi bja bakgathatema (90%) ba be ba ikemiseditse go amogela diphepo tsa dikgogo tse dingwe tseo di dirilwego go tswa go morogo le mabelethoro bjalo ka mothopo wa enetsi le proteine, ka go fapana ga tsona. Dipoelo ka kakaretso tsa maemo a magareng di bontshitse gore phihlelo ya diphepo tsa dikgogo (MR=1) e be e le ntlha ye bohlokwa kudu yeo e amanago le go amogelwa ga diphepo tse dingwe tsa dikgogo, gwa latelwa ke ntlha ya nyakego ya dikgogo (MR=2) gammogo le ntlha ya go rekega ga diphepo (MR=3). Dipoelo tsa teko ya Friedman di utollotswe gore go be go na le diphapano tse bohlokwa tsa dipalopalo (p50%) nie genoegsame toegang tot mark- en regeringsdienste (uitbreiding en gesubsidieerde voeding) het nie.
Die studie het verder getoon dat braaihoenderboere gemiddeld twee pluimveehokke met ’n dravermoë van 1 804 hoenders en ’n sterftesyfer van 7.6% per siklus het. Die gemiddelde produksiesiklusse was vyf, en die respondente het 122 voersakke per jaar gebruik. Die meerderheid (73%) van die respondente het die korrelvoedingsvorm verkies. Die respondente het ’n gemidddelde lewende gewig per hoender van 1.9 kg bereik en ’n gemiddelde gewig van 2 kg verwag. Daarby het boere gemiddeld 20 km gereis na die naaste voedingspakhuis. Die aantal pluimveehokke, die aantal produksiesiklusse per jaar en die verwagte lewende gewig van die hoenders was positiewe en beduidende voorspellers van boere se gewilligheid om alternatiewe hoendervoer gemaak van amaranthus en sorghum aan te neem.
Die studie het bevind dat die meeste respondente (90%) gewillig was om alternatiewe hoendervoer aan te neem wat van amaranthus en sorghum gemaak is as ’n bron van energie en proteïen, onderskeidelik. Die algehele resultate van die gemene rang het getoon dat die toeganklikheid van hoendervoer (MR=1) die belangrikste eienskap is geassosieer met die aanneming van alternatiewe hoendervoer, gevolg deur die gewenste hoendereienskappe (MR=2) en die bekostigbaarheidseienskappe (MR=3). Die resultate van Friedman se toets het onthul dat daar ’n statisties beduidende verskil (P<0.01) is tussen die drie veranderlikes (gewenste kenmerke, bekostigbaarheid en toeganklikheid). Die Wilcoxon se toets van betekende range het onthul dat boere beduidend gewillig was om alternatiewe hoendervoer gemaak van amaranthus en sorghum aan te neem indien dit meer toeganklik was om hulle in staat te stel om te voldoen aan die gewenste hoendereienskappe. Verder was ’n beduidende aantal braaihoenderboere gewillig om die alternatiewe hoendervoer aan te neem indien dit meer toeganklik eerder as bekostigbaar is. Die gemene rang-resultate van toeganklikheidsveranderlikes het getoon dat die belangrikste faktore laer vervoerkoste om voeding te koop, voeding wat enige tyd van die dag toeganklik is, en maklik toeganklike verskaffersligging-eienskappe is. Die veranderlikes het dieselfde gemene rang aangeteken (MR=1). Daarenteen was die voorspellende veranderlikes vir hoender-eienskappe en -bekostigbaarheid lewende gewig en die verminderde aantal veranderlikes vir aangekoopte voersakke, onderskeidelik. Boere se gewilligheid om hoendervoer gemaak van amaranthus en sorghum aan te neem was positief en beduidend (p<0.05) en beïnvloed deur die aantal pluimveehokke, aantal produksiesiklusse per jaar, en die verwagte lewende gewig van die hoenders. Die resultate het getoon dat die hoof uitdagings wat deur braaihoenderboere ervaar word, insluit die hoë koste van voer; lae-gehalte voer; gebrek aan toegang tot markte; hoë vervoerkoste; onvoldoende nutriënte in voer; lae-wins marge; ’n hoë sterftesyfer; en verminderde lewende gewig. Gebaseer op die resultate van die huidige studie word daar aanbeveel dat jong mense aangemoedig moet word om deel te neem aan braaihoenderboerdery-aktiwiteite. Weereens, die alternatiewe voer gemaak van amaranthus en sorghum moet toeganklik wees om braaihoenderboere se aannemingssyfer te verhoog. Aangesien die navorsing aaneenlopend is, word daar ook aanbeveel dat ’n eksperiment uitgevoer moet word om die verrigting van gewone hoendervoer teenoor nie-gewone hoendervoer gemaak van amaranthus en sorghum te vergelyk, asook die koste-analise van beide soorte voer.M.Sc. (Agriculture)Agriculture and Animal Healt
Managing the implementation of curriculum changes in the rural primary schools of Eastern Cape province
No full textThe purpose of this research was to investigate how Heads of Departments (HoDs) and teachers manage the implementation of curriculum changes in the rural primary schools in the Eastern Cape province. The Ntenetyana/Mkhemane Circuit was deliberately chosen since there are many disadvantaged schools in this circuit. The study followed a qualitative approach, and it employed a case study design, which involved five primary schools in Alfred Nzo West District. The conceptual framework of the management process by Henry Fayol was used to guide the study. The participants in the study were five HoDs and five Post Level 1 teachers. Telephonic semi-structured interviews were conducted to generate data from the participants, due to the Covid-19 situation during the period of the fieldwork. The findings of the study show that changes in the curriculum are perceived in different ways, both positive and negative. Management of the implementation of curriculum changes reflected aspects of Fayol’s management elements of planning, organising, leading and controlling. The HoDs and the teachers in the rural primary schools reported that the challenges they experienced were a heavy workload in implementing curriculum changes, the absence of or limited parental involvement, and lack of technology that could facilitate implementation of curriculum changes. Strategies such as creating extra time to do administrative work, and engaging assistant teachers, were used to cope with curriculum changes. There were also expectations of support from stakeholders, in terms of recognition, motivation, support for teachers and learners, and quality assurance.M. Ed. (Education Management)Educational Leadership and Managemen
An axis organisational effectiveness : the relationship between job satisfaction, organisational leadership, and customer satisfaction
No full textThe objective of this research was to develop and test a theoretical model of the construct of organisational effectiveness in a multimedia cable, internet and telecommunications organisation. This research model of organisational effectiveness comprised three other constructs, namely job satisfaction, organisational leadership and customer satisfaction.
The contribution provided by this study addresses a void in the research literature in terms of creating and testing a unique theoretical model of organizational effectiveness.
The model of organisational effectiveness which was developed, included a valid and reliable measurement questionnaire comprising three parts representing the constructs of job satisfaction, leadership and customer satisfaction. It was used as a diagnostic tool to measure and examine organisational effectiveness in the participating organisation, with potential application in other organisations as well.
The research consisted of both the literature review and empirical phases. The literature review involved an examination of the constructs of job satisfaction, organisational leadership and customer satisfaction. As part of the literature review, the construct of organisational effectiveness was explored on the basis of a number of models and theories. The literature review expanded the theoretical knowledge base of the constructs of job satisfaction, organisational leadership, customer satisfaction and organisational effectiveness.
With the literature review laying the foundation, the research proceeded to the empirical phase where the organisational effectiveness model was validated by conducting a survey of employees and customers from the organisation.
The survey results were then examined utilising structured equation modelling, followed by a confirmatory factor analysis, which confirmed the relationship between the research construct factors and the organisational effectiveness model.
After the application of structured equation modelling, a sound goodness of fit was determined between the job satisfaction, organisational leadership and the customer satisfaction constructs as part of the organisational effectiveness model.
The empirical phase of this research resulted in confirmation of the theoretical hypothesis by generating a tested and valid model of organisational effectiveness.
This model and the statistical findings of the research should benefit the host organisation in maintaining and enhancing organisational effectiveness, as well as its marketplace and industry competitiveness.
The organisational effectiveness research/model and integrated measurement instrument developed can be used in other operations and organisations (regardless of industry) because the three constructs of; job satisfaction, organisational leadership and customer satisfaction are common management and organisational challenges in the quest to maximise organisational effectiveness.
This research is expected make a meaningful contribution to the body of knowledge, and provides practical application opportunities for industrial and organisational psychologists, which might reignite research interest in the area of organisational effectiveness.D. Phil. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)Industrial and Organisational Psycholog
Plague as discourse in John of Ephesus` account of the Justinianic plague (ca. 542-544 CE)
No full textBiblical and Ancient Studie
Investigating how art therapy delivered through e-therapy influences the resilience in adolescents experiencing high psychological stress
No full textThe purpose of this study was to investigate how art therapy delivered through e- therapy can influence the resilience of adolescents experiencing high levels of psychological stress. The use of technology has permeated society’s daily functioning in all aspects, especially with the younger generations. Digital devices are then often used in the mental health field either for administrative purposes or incorporated in therapy with clients.
Art therapy can be described as the use of creative processes (e.g. visual arts, as applied in this study) in therapy to meet the specific needs of the client. Resilience is a broad concept referring to an individual’s ability to cope with stress or adverse events. Today’s adolescents are exposed to several stressors such as navigating their developmental phase, academic expectations, establishing social and family relationships, future expectations as well as global societal issues. The researcher therefore found it important to investigate how adolescents can be assisted in improving their resilience skills when experiencing high psychological stress levels. As they are also a technological confident generation who has shown to generally respond positively to art therapy, the researcher found it significant to combine the above-mentioned concepts and investigate the use of art e-therapy sessions to enhance the resilience of adolescents experiencing high psychological stress levels.
A literature review was conducted to explore all relevant concepts such as e-therapy, art
therapy, adolescence, psychological stress, resilience as well as the theoretical framework
consisting of positive psychology theory, strength-based approach theory, resilience theory
in the psychological field, and art therapy theory. An empirical research process was then
conducted using an interpretive, qualitative, bounded single-case study design from which
data were collected, interpreted, analysed and presented to gain insight into the participants’lifeworlds and collective experience of the intervention phase, namely the art e-therapy sessions.
The findings indicated that art e-therapy can be considered a useful therapeutic method to
enhance the resilience of adolescents experiencing high levels of psychological stress and
thereby improve their mental well-being and daily functioning. The researcher also identified contributions, limitations, and areas for further research in this field.D. Phil. (Psychology)Psycholog
Tracking the diffusion and adoption of ICTs among SMMEs in the agribusiness sector in Tshwane, South Africa
Get PDFSmall, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are key catalysts for advancing inclusive growth and development in South Africa. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have transformed and revolutionised the way people, governments and SMMEs operate in the modern world. This study sheds light on the diffusion and adoption of ICTs by SMMEs in the agribusiness sector in the City of Tshwane, South Africa. To achieve the aim of this study, the following questions had to be answered: (a) What role is played by ICTs to advance SMMEs in the agribusiness sector? (b) How can SMMEs in the agribusiness sector explore and address some of the challenges facing them? (c) In what ways can government support SMMEs? The study was informed by the diffusion of innovation theory in its attempt to respond to these questions. It targeted selected SMMEs and policy-makers from Tshwane municipality, and collected data using semistructured face-to-face interviews. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants. Data were analysed using thematic categorisation. The findings show that a variety of ICTs have been adopted by SMMEs to improve communication with their clients, but at a low rate of adoption. The most popular recommendations mentioned the need for sufficient funding support from government to help improve the business operations of SMMEs. The study concludes that sufficient government support is needed to assist SMMEs in developing and adopting the ICTs they need to operate efficiently. This calls for government intervention such as funding support and mentorship to help develop SMMEs. Most agribusiness SMMEs in the City of Tshwane are insufficiently supported, especially in the area of financial management skills. Therefore, the government should provide workshops and proper training on the financial aspects of business.M.A. (Communication Science)Communication Scienc
Preparedness of Professional Nurses Rendering HIV Healthcare Services to LGBTIQ+ People in Gauteng Province, South Africa
No full textAbstract:
Background:
Access to HIV services by LGBTIQ+ individuals is the key to the Agenda for Zero Discrimination in Healthcare settings. As professional nurses
are key drivers of HIV healthcare services in government/public settings, there is a need to understand their preparedness for rendering services to
LGBTIQ+ individuals who can be considered dual marginalized because of HIV status and being gender or sexual non-binary. However, there is a
scarcity of studies focusing on the preparedness of healthcare providers to render HIV services to LGBTIQ+ individuals.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the professional nurses’ preparedness in rendering HIV healthcare services to
LGBTIQ+ people at public primary healthcare clinics in Gauteng.
Methods:
This qualitative study followed an interpretative phenomenological analysis design. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine
participants recruited through criterion purposive sampling. The sample size was determined by data saturation. Data were transcribed verbatim
and thematically analyzed, guided by the Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis framework for qualitative data analysis.
Results:
Findings indicate that professional nurses lack information regarding LGBTIQ+ communities. Furthermore, they have limited knowledge and
skills for preventing and managing HIV in these communities. This is because of a lack of formal training about LGBTIQ+ people’s unique HIV
conditions, specific socio-medical interventions, and necessary preventive materials.
Conclusion:
Lack of formal preparation of professional nurses regarding LGBTIQ+ individuals and their healthcare needs might hinder the achievement of the
desired zero new HIV infections and zero HIV-related death. The researchers thus recommend the inclusion of LGBTIQ+ communities and their
healthcare needs in the nursing curriculum and upscaling nurses to render LGBTIQ+-friendly healthcare servicesCollege of Human Science
Public housing policy and the housing need of residents in informal settlements in Ethiopia: the case of Addis Ababa
No full textThe research, entitled "Public Housing Policy and the Housing Need of Residents in Informal Settlements in Ethiopia: The Case of Addis Ababa", aims to examine how the socioeconomic status of informal settlers and housing policies affect the provision of affordable public housing for low-income households living in the Bole and Yeka informal settlements, located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This research is based on selected theoretical concepts, such as "Housing by people" by Turner; "A shack as a house in process"; "Progressive housing development";"Creating an enabling environment" by Mangin, and "Self-improvement" by Abrams, among others. The study is centred on the people who live in the informal settlements of Bole and Yeka. These areas do not adhere to the spatial planning regulations of the city, thus making them vulnerable to eviction by city officials. The study used a mixed-methods research design, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methods. The research shows (amongst others) that the traditional approach to constructing public housing, despite its flaws and past failures, remains prevalent in developing nations, such as Ethiopia. Despite poor housing conditions, lack of basic services, and social amenities, there is a strong sense of ‘place attachment’ amongst informal dwellers in Bole and Yeka informal settlement areas. This study has shown that self help housing for settlement upgrading may be a more effective solution for housing needs in informal settlements, such as Bole and Yeka, than relying solely on conventional public housing models and policies. Yet, this study shows how the dominance of self-help housing without secured tenure in informal settlement areas, such as Bole and Yeka in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, does not promote high satisfaction levels amongst informal dwellers. The study findings also make it possible and appropriate for the researcher to critique Turner’s concept of informal settlements as a “temporary solution” to the urban housing shortage. Key study recommendations include adopting settlement upgrading through self-help housing as an alternative to conventional public mass housing provision approaches and policy discourse. This unlocks the potential of urban informal settlers through self-help housing, and adopting a proactive approach to deter future peripheral development of new informal settlements in urban areas, such as Addis Ababa. The study recommends a broader model called ‘supported self-help housing’, intended for a holistic, affordable, and responsive low-income housing provision to address housing needs, particularly in cities, such as Addis Ababa. This model also sought to contribute to the existing body of knowledge and further the development of assisted self-help housing theories.D. Phil. (Development Studies)Development Studie
Teachers’ implementation of inquiry-based learning activities in life sciences classrooms
No full textInquiry-based learning in Life Sciences is both a goal and a tool for learning
which incorporates a range of approaches, from teacher-led confirmatory
inquiry to open inquiry. Despite the fact that inquiry-based learning is crucial in
the teaching and learning of Life Sciences, only a tiny fraction of secondary
school teachers implement inquiry-based learning instructions to develop
problem-solving activities and abilities. The incapacity to implement inquirybased
learning, teachers teach Life Sciences to meet the National Curriculum
Statement requirements standards rather than using Life Sciences to develop
additional abilities that may be achieved through inquiry-based learning. The
aim of the research is to explore the contribution of inquiry-based learning
activities to the development of teachers’ teaching strategies in Grade 11 Life
Sciences classrooms. A qualitative case study research design was used for
this research and data was collected through face-to-face interviews and direct
observations of 3 Grade 11 Life Sciences teachers in the Gert Sibande District.
The findings of this research revealed that teachers exhibited a full
understanding of what inquiry-based learning entails. However, the teachers’
understanding assisted them in terms of lesson preparation and in directing the
teachers to utilise well-crafted problems and questioning techniques to guide
learners through an inquiry-based learning process. Furthermore, the findings
also show that Life Sciences teachers rarely practice inquiry-based learning as
an instructional strategy, and this is supported by the fact that one teacher
managed to implement inquiry-based learning while the other two had
challenges with the implementation. In this regard, the findings of this research give a clear picture of the limited inquiry-based learning practices in the
classroom and the poor understanding of teaching Life Sciences through
inquiry-based learning.M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)Curriculum and Instructional Studie
The determinants and cyclicality of fiscal policy: empirical evidence from east Africa
No full textAs part of the regional integration process, East African Community (EAC) member countries agreed upon macroeconomic convergence criteria that include, among others, harmonizing and restricting the level of fiscal deficits. However, achieving these targets has been faced with heightened vulnerabilities, including those related to the global financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and domestic policy slippages. Consequently, high fiscal deficits are fast leading to accumulation of debt. This paper investigates the macroeconomic determinants and cyclicality of fiscal policy in a panel of five EAC countries for the period 1980 - 2020. Using a combination of linear and nonlinear panel ARDL methods, long run results show that the fiscal deficit is positively associated with current account balance, real per capita GDP, and interest rate; and negatively associated with the GDP deflator, grants, and debt service. Disaggregating fiscal balances into their revenue and expenditure components shows that government spending is procyclical, while tax effort is countercyclical. Specifically, both government expenditures and tax-to-GDP ratios are positively associated with real per capita GDP regardless of whether this relationship is observed during growth accelerations or decelerations. The size and statistical significance of short run asymmetric effects of real per capita GDP on fiscal policy vary between countries.Economic