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Senior women managers' experiences of singlism in the South African Public Service: an afrocentric and feminist-phenomelogy perspective
No full textText in English with summaries in English, Xhosa and TswanaThe study explored how single women experienced singlism, through an Afrocentric and feminist-phenomenology intersectionality. It further examined how single women in senior management experienced the South Africa public sector work environment with all their other roles.
The literature review revealed the extent of existing related research; the definition of key terms emerged, and the findings of the study were integrated with existing information. Further, single women’s formative years were contextualised through socialisation within a patriarchal African culture, with strong views on masculinity and femininity. The research investigated dominant and influential role models and circumstances that shaped single women’s worldview. It explored experiences of singlism in society and at work. The conclusions identified links to childhood experiences and adult choices. Data collection was done through in-depth interviews with participants. Themes and sub-themes were developed from the data collected through the in-depth interviews. The main contribution of this study is on expansion of singlism as also an embodiment of positive attributes based on single women perspectives.
METHOD: The Afrocentrism and feminist phenomenology paradigms were adopted for this study. In-depth interviews were used for data collection. The data analysis was achieved through identifying themes and deriving trends from shared experiences.
FINDINGS: Singleness is a conscious choice; independent, ambitious women value their freedom; the public service is experienced as hostile to single women; enablers for single women include family, domestic helpers, and boarding schools; single women are determined to shape a better future for women in the public service. Recommendations were made about improvements and relevant future research on the same or similar topics.Uphandonzulu luphonononge indlela amabhinqa angatshatanga azakha ngayo izazisi zabo kunye nendlela abafumane ngayo amava okungatshati ngokuhlanganisa indlela yaseAfrika kunye nobubhinqa befinomeloji. Luqhube lwaphonononga okanye lwavavanya indlela amabhinqa angabaphathi abaphezulu abangatshatanga eMzantsi Afrika abave ngayo amava kubume bomsebenzi wecandelo likarhulumente laseMzantsi Afrika nayo yonke eminye imisebenzi yabo.
Uphengululo loncwadi ludundubalise ubungakanani bophandonzulu olukhoyo olunxulumene nolu; iinkcazelo zamagama angundoqo eziye zavela, kunye neziphumo zophandonzulu eziye zandindaniswa okanye zaxokonyezelwa kulwazi osele lukho. Kwakhona, iminyaka yokukhula yabasetyhini abangatshatanga iqondwe ngokwemeko yokuhlalisana (socialisation) phakathi kwenkcubeko yeembono ezinamandla zobudoda kunye nobufazi. Uphandonzulu luphonononge izibonelelo (role models) ezibalaseleyo nezinefuthe kwiimeko ezibumbe umbono wehlabathi basetyhini abangatshatanga. Iphonononge amava okungatshati kuluntu okanye entlalweni nasemsebenzini. Izigqibo eziphawuliweyo zenze amakhonkco kumava obuntwana kunye nezigqibo zabantu abadala. Uqokolelwo lwedatha lwenziwe ngodliwanondlebe olunzulu nabathathinxaxheba. Imixholo nemixholwana iphuhliwe kwidatha eqokolelweyo ngodliwanondlebe olunzului.
INDLELA YOPHANDONZULU: Indlela yaseAfrika nobubhinqa befinomenoloji ziye zamkelwa kuphandonzulu lwalo msebenzi. Udliwanondlebe olunzulu luye lwasetyenziswa ukuqokolela idatha. Uhlalutyonzulu lwedatha luye lwaphunyezwa ngokuchonga imixholo nokuzuza iintsingiselo kumava ekwabelwana ngawo.
IZIPHUMO: Ukungatshati lukhetho olusengqiqweni; abafazi abazimeleyo nabanamabhongo bayayixabisa inkululeko yabo; inkonzo yoluntu inentiyo kubafazi abangatshatanga; izinto ezinceda amabhinqa angatshatanga ziquka usapho, abancedisi basekhaya, nezikolo ekuhlalwa kuzo; abasetyhini abangatshatanga bazimisele ukubumba ikamva elingcono labasetyhini kwinkonzo karhulumente. Iingcebiso zenziwe malunga nokuphuculwa kunye nophandonzulu olufanelekileyo lwexesha elizayo kwizihloko ezifanayo okanye ezibusondela kwezi.Patlisiso e e sekaseka ka moo basadi bao ba sa nyalwang ba bopileng maitshupo a bone gammogo le mokgwa oo ba itemogelang tlhophololo malebana le bofetwa ka go dirisa ntlhakemo ya seAforika le marakanelo a fenomenoloji ya sesadi. E tswelela ka go tlhatlhoba ka moo basadi bao ba sa nyalwang bao ba leng mo botsamaisi-bogolwaneng ba itemogelang madirelo a ditirelo tsa setšhaba a Aforika Borwa gammogo le ditiro dingwe tsa bone.
Tshekatsheko ya dibuka e supile bokgakala jwa patlisiso tse di fitlhelegang jaanong; tlhagelelo ya ditlhaloso tsa mareo a a botlhokwa; le ka moo diphitlhelelo tsa patlisiso di tsenngwang mo tshedimosetsong e e fitlhelegang jaanong. Mo godimo ga se, dingwaga tsa kgolo tsa basadi bao ba sa nyalwang di ne tsa sekasekwa ka tiriso ya molebo wa tlhakano-le-bangwe mo setsong sa seAforika se se supang monna jaaka tlhogo, mme ebile se na maikutlo a a tseneletseng ka ga bonna le bosadi. Patlisiso e e dirile dipatlisiso ka ga dinna-le-seabe tse di laolang le tse di tlhotlheletsang gammogo le maemo ao a bopileng tebo ya lefatshe ya basadi bao ba sa nyalwang. E sekaseka le maitemogelo a tlhophololo malebana le bofetwa mo setšhabeng le kwa tirong. Dintlha tsa bokhutlho di supa dikgokagano tsa maitemogelo a bone a bongwana gammogo le ditlhopho tsa bone mo bogolong jwa bone. Kokoanyo ya tshedimosetso e dirilwe ka mokgwa wa go botsolotsa batsayakarolo dipotso tse di tseneletseng. Ditlhogo le ditlhogwana di tlhamilwe go tswa kwa tshedimosetsong e e kokoantsweng go tswa kwa dipotsolotsong tse di tseneletseng.
MOKGWA: Ntlhakemo ya seAforika gammogo le sesupo sa fenomenoloji ya sesadi di ne tsa tlhotšhwa go dirisetswa patlisiso e. Dipotsolotso tse di tseneletseng di ne tsa diriswa mo kokoanyong ya tshedimosetso. Thanolo ya tshedimosetso e fitlheletswe ka go supa ditlhogo le ka go fitlhelela mekgwa e e tswang kwa maitemogelong a a tshwanang.
DIPHITLHELELO: Go se nyalwe ke tlhopho e e simololang mo tlhaloganyong; basadi ba ba nang le ditoro ebile ba kgona go ka itlhokomela ba rata kgololosego ya bone; madirelo a ditirelo tsa setšhaba a masisi go basading bao ba sa nyalwang; bakgontshi ba basadi bao ba sa nyalwang ba akaretsa lelapa, bathusi ba kwa lelapeng le dikolo tse di nang le bonno; basadi bao ba sa nyalwang ba ikemiseditse go ka bopa bokamoso jo bo tokafetseng jwa basadi mo madirelong a ditirelo tsa setšhaba. Dikatlanegiso di dirilwe ka ga ditokafatso le dipatlisiso tse di maleba tsa ditlhogo tse kgotsa tse di tshwanang le tse mo isagong.D. Phil. (Industrial and Organizational Psychology)Industrial and Organisational Psycholog
The grade eleven Life Sciences teachers’ use of information and communication technology (ICT) in Beaufort West high schools, Western Cape
No full textText in English, abstract in English, Zulu and AfrikaansThis study sought to investigate how Grade 11 Life Sciences teachers integrate ICTs in their teaching and learning. The lens that was used to frame this study was Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) theory; the research paradigm was interpretivist; and the qualitative design case study was followed. Three high schools in Beaufort West in the Western Cape were the natural settings where the study was conducted. The data collection strategies that were used were non-participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis. Three teachers who participated in the study were purposely sampled as they taught Grade 11 Life Sciences using ICT. During this study, trustworthiness was maintained by applying credibility. Ethical clearance was also taken into consideration by using voluntary participation, anonymity, informed consent, and confidentiality. The research question addressed in this study was: How do Grade 11 Life Sciences teachers integrate ICT in their teaching and learning? The results indicate that teachers integrate ICT into their teaching and learning through various ICT tools such as videos, laptops, data projectors, using interactive and normal whiteboards, and displaying pictures. Teaching experience can assist in the choice of ICT for the presentation of a lesson and in engaging with learners during lessons. The use of ICT in teaching Life Sciences makes teachers comfortable as the deliver their lessons. The results also indicated that having ICT policies at school is important as this information can assist in the use of ICT in schools. The recommendations of this study are that teachers must be trained on how to use ICT optimally in teaching and learning.Lolu cwaningo luphenye izindlela othisha beBanga le-11 beSayensi yezeMpilo abadidiyela ngazo ubuchwepheshe boLwazi noBuchwepheshe bokuXhumana (ICT) ekufundiseni nasekufundeni kwabo. Ingilazi eqoqa ukukhanya esetshenziswe ukwenza uhlaka lwalolu cwaningo kwakungokucatshangwayo Kolwazi Lokufundisa Nokuqukethwe Kwezobuchwepheshe (TPACK). Umbono wocwaningo walesi sifundo bekungowokutolika, kwase kwamukelwa ukusongoza kwecebo lemininingwane ngokusebenzisa ukuxhumana okuvulekile nokuxoxa. Lolu cwaningo lwenziwe ezikoleni ezintathu zamabanga aphezulu eBeaufort West eNtshonalanga Kapa. Amasu okuqoqwa kwemininingwane ahlanganisa ukubhekwa kwabangahlanganyeli, izingxoxo ezingahleliwe, nokuhlaziywa kwemibhalo. Othisha abathathu bathathwa njengamasampula ngenhloso njengoba besebenzisa i-ICT ukufundisa iBanga le-11 iSayensi yezeMpilo. Lolu cwaningo luthembekile ngoba izinga eliphezulu lokwethembeka lagcinwa. Izimiso zokuziphatha nazo zacatshangelwa ngenxa yokubamba iqhaza ngokuzithandela, ukungaziwa, imvume yokwaziswa, nokugcinwa kuyimfihlo. Umbuzo wocwaningo okukhulunywa ngawo kulolu cwaningo wawuthi: Othisha beBanga le-11 beSayensi yezeMpilo bayihlanganisa kanjani i-ICT ekufundiseni nasekufundeni kwabo? Imiphumela yabonisa ukuthi othisha bakwenza ngamathuluzi ahlukahlukene e-ICT afana namavidiyo, amakhompyutha aphathekayo, amaprojektha emininingwane, amabhodi amhlophe asebenzayo navamile, nangokubonisa izithombe. Isipiliyoni sokufundisa sinquma ukukhetha kwe-ICT ukwethula isifundo nokuxhumana nabafundi. Ukusetshenziswa kwe-ICT ekufundiseni iSayensi yezeMpilo kunikeza othisha ukuzethemba okukhulu ukwethula izifundo zabo. Ngokwemiphumela, izinqubomgomo ze-ICT zikhuthaza ukusetshenziswa kwe-ICT ezikoleni. Isiphakamiso salolu cwaningo ukuthi othisha baqeqeshwe ngendlela efanele yokusebenzisa i-ICT ekufundiseni nasekufundeni iSayensi yezeMpilo.Hierdie studie het maniere ondersoek waarop onderwysers wat Lewenswetenskappe vir Graad 11-leerders aanbied, Inligtings- en Kommunikasietegnologie (IKT) in hul onderrig en leer integreer. Die lens wat as uitgangspunt vir hierdie studie gebruik is, was die Tegnologiese Pedagogiese en Inhoudskennis (TPACK)-teorie. Die navorsingsparadigma vir hierdie studie was interpretief, en ’n kwalitatiewe ontwerp is gebruik. Hierdie studie is by drie hoërskole in Beaufort-Wes in die Wes-Kaap uitgevoer. Die data-insamelingstrategieë wat gebruik is sluit in: niedeelnemer-waarneming, halfgestruktureerde onderhoude, en dokumentontleding. Drie onderwysers is by doelbewuste steekproefneming ingesluit aangesien hulle IKT gebruik om Graad 11-Lewenswetenskappe te onderrig. Hierdie studie is betroubaar, omdat ’n hoë mate van geloofwaardigheid gehandhaaf is. Etiek is ook in ag geneem, ten opsigte van vrywillige deelname, anonimiteit, oorwoë toestemming, en vertroulikheid. Die navorsingsvraag wat in hierdie studie ter sprake was, is soos volg: “Hoe integreer Graad 11-Lewenswetenskappe-onderwysers IKT in hul onderrig en leer?”. Die resultate het daarop gedui dat onderwysers dit doen met behulp van verskeie IKT-hulpmiddele soos video’s, skootrekenaars, dataprojektors, interaktiewe en gewone witborde, en deur prente te wys. Onderrigervaring bepaal die keuse van IKT vir lesaanbieding en interaksie met leerders. Die gebruik van IKT in die onderrig van Lewenswetenskappe gee aan onderwysers meer selfvertroue om hul lesse aan te bied. Te oordeel aan die resultate, bevorder IKT-beleide die gebruik van IKT in skole. Die aanbeveling van hierdie studie is dat onderwysers opgelei moet word in die optimale gebruik van IKT vir die onderrig en leer van Lewenswetenskappe.M. Ed. (Natural Sciences Education)Science and Technology Educatio
Sustainability of institutional repositories in selected public universities in Ghana
No full textInstitutional repositories are increasingly being adopted by universities in Ghana to preserve and communicate research findings and intellectual outputs to audiences within and outside the institution. Nonetheless, there is a growing concern about the sustainability of these repositories. In view of this, the study investigated the managerial and technical issues that confront the sustainability of institutional repositories (IRs) of selected public universities in Ghana. The dynamics of innovation model and the diffusion of innovation theory served as the lens that guided the study. Eight hundred and thirty (830) respondents comprising of IR managers, Library Staff (Digitalization and E-resources Units), Post Graduate Students, Lecturers, and University Librarians from five public universities in Ghana were sampled for the study using multiple sampling techniques. The study yielded an overall response rate of 92.8%. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires, a semi-structured interview guide, and the analysis of IR policies and websites. The internal consistency reliability of the research instruments was tested using the Cronbach alpha (α=0.81).
The quantitative data that was collected through a questionnaire was analysed descriptively using the SPSS software. The qualitative data was analysed using NVivo software. The transcribed interview responses were imported into NVivo software and categorised into nodes or themes based on the research questions. Both the qualitative data and quantitative data were integrated at the discussion stage of the study.
The findings of the study revealed that the concept of IRs is not new in Ghana. However, inadequate funding, ICT Infrastructure, bandwidth, publisher copyright restrictions and the lack of technical staff for system development and management of IRs were identified as major challenges that confront IR participation and threatens its long-term survival and sustainability in Ghana. Also, IR policies guided content submission, usage, operation and management of repositories in public universities in Ghana. However, content submission to IRs by faculty members was found to be low. This was largely attributed to the persuasive nature of the IR policies. The study recommends the need for a policy implementation strategy and underscores the importance of policy in addressing the numerous challenges that threatens the sustainability of the IRs. Consequently, it proposes a framework that may contribute to ensuring the sustainability of the IRs in public universities in Ghana.D. Litt. et. Phil. (Information Science)Information Scienc
Mothering behind bars : lived experiences of female offenders at Johannesburg correctional facility, Gauteng province
No full textThe percentage of female offenders who are single mothers of minor children is a growing concern among the total female incarceration population in South Africa and globally. This study aimed to explore how expectations about mothering bear out for incarcerated mothers who are physically separated from their children. The experience of motherhood was captured using face-to-face interviews with a guide of semi-structured questions with eight (8) incarcerated mothers at Johannesburg correctional facility, Gauteng province, South Africa. The data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) couched with Social Identity Theory (SIT) and revealed that circumstances that led to maternal pathways differed from the literature. The findings of this study provided a foundation of how the social context, together with maternal obligation, influences behaviours that women internalise, and which lead to offending behaviours. This warrants further research in an effort to curb and prevent maternal incarceration.Diphesente tsa bagolegwa ba basadi ba go hloka balekani ba e lego bommagobana ba bannyane ke tlhobaboroko go palomoka ya basadi bao ba golegilwego ka Afrika Borwa le lefaseng ka bophara. Maikemisetso a nyakisiso ye e be e le go nyakisisa maitemogelo a bagolegwa ba basadi bao ba godisago bana ba le kgolegong, le go kwesisa maitemogelo a bona a gore ba bopa bjang ditshupo tsa godisa bana le kwesiso ye ba e amantshago le go godisa bana. Nyakisiso ye e laeditse maitemogelo a bagolegwa ba basadi bao ba arogantswego le bana ba bona. Boitemogelo bja go ba mma bo dirilwe ka go somisa mokgwa wa dipoledisano ka tlhahlo ya bommagobana bao ba golegilwego ba seswai (8) ka dipotsiso tse di beakantswego pele go kgoboketsa datha ka maitemogelo a bona a go ba batswadi bao ba lego ka kgolegong ka Johannesburg, Profense ya Gauteng, Afrika Borwa. Datha e sekasekilwe ka go somisa mokgwa wa go sekaseka maitemogelo ka Teori ya Boitshupo bja Setshaba gomme e laeditse gore mabaka a go dira gore ba godise bana a fapana le ao a lego ka gare ga dingwalwa. E laeditse gore mabaka a go swana le Tlaiso ka Balekane, mathata a ditshelete le go nyaka go hlokomela bana ke mabaka a magolo ao a ilego a gapeletsa batswadi ba bagolegwa go dira bosenyi. Dikutollo tsa nyakisiso ye di laeditse ka moo maemo setshabeng, le maikarabelo a botswadi, a amago maitshwaro a basadi gomme ba fetse ba dira bosenyi. Se ke lebaka la gore go dirwe dinyakisiso tse di tseneletsego gore go fediswe le go thibela go golegwa ga batswadi.Amaphesente enani labenza amacala abangomama ababodwa abanezingane ezincane aya ngokukhula ngendlela ekhathazayo eNingizimu Afrika. Inhloso yalolu cwaningo bekuwukuphenyisisa ngezipiliyoni zabesimame abenza amacala abongomama ababoshiwe ukuqondisisa ngezipiliyoni zempilo yabo nokuthi bakubona kanjani ukuba ngomama kanye nencazelo yabo abayibeka kwindima yokuba ngomama. Lolu cwaningo belunenhloso yokuhlaziya ngokuthi kulindeleke kanjani ukuba ngomama kubantu abangomama ababoshiwe abahlukaniswa nezingane zabo. Izipiliyoni zokuba ngomama zabhekwa ngokwenza ama-interview ubuso nobuso ngokuholwa yimibuzo ebhaliwe yama-semi-structured eyabuzwa komama abasyisishagalombili (8) ababoshwe kwifasilithi yokuqondisa izimilo eJohannesburg, kwiprovinsi yaseGauteng, eNingizimu Afrika. Ulwazi lwahlaziwa ngokusebenzisa uhlaziyo lwe-Interpretative phenomenological analysis olalusekelwa yi-Social Identity Theory olwaveza ukuthi izimo ezenza ukuphambuka kwabesimame zehlukile kunemibhalo. Lwakhombisa izinto ezifana nodlame olwenzeka kubalingani olwaziwa njenge-Intimate Partner Violence, kanye nezihibe ngokwezimali, kanye nezidingo zokufezekisa indima yokuba ngomama, kwaba yizinto ezinkulu ezinomthelela kwababoshiwe abangomama kwindlela yokuziphatha yobugebengu. Okutholwe wucwaningo kuhlinzeke ngesisekelo sokuthi isimo sezenhlalisano, kanye nezibopho zokuba ngomama, kunomthelela kanjani kwindlela yokuziphatha komama, nokuziphatha okuholela ekwenzeni amacala. Lokhu kudinga ukuthi kwenziwe futhi olunye ucwaningo, ngemizamo yokuvimbela ukuboshwa kwabesimame.M.A. (Psychology, with specialisation in Research Consultation)Psycholog
Managing road traffic congestion on Allandale road (M39) in Midrand, South Africa
No full textTraffic congestion is a challenge in cities around the world, and is generated by the significant growth in vehicle ownership and rapid urbanisation. In South Africa, it has become problematic for road transport users, and challenging for policymakers. The rapid increase in the total number of vehicles per capita has resulted in the metropolitan public traffic systems, specifically, being unable to fulfil the travel demand of occupants. In Gauteng, for example, this problem causes travel delays and contributes to low economic productivity. Traffic congestion results in the irregular flow of traffic on Allandale Road, which negatively contributes to the imbalanced process of economic activities in the Midrand area. The current study aimed to investigate the management of road traffic congestion on Allandale Road (M39) in Midrand. The study employed an exploratory sequential mixed-method research approach. The first phase was a qualitative study that consisted of interviews with 18 participants. The second phase, the quantitative study, utilised an online structured questionnaire that was completed by 276 respondents.
The study revealed that traffic congestion does occur on Allandale Road in Midrand, and that it is not adequately managed. The outcomes showed a period of peak traffic congestion from 6:00 to 9:00 (mornings), and 15:30 to 18:00 (afternoons) during the week. The factors contributing to road traffic congestion are increased vehicle ownership, population growth, new developments, roadworks or construction projects, and mismanagement of the road traffic system. The study found that the key applicable pieces of legislation are the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, White Paper on National Transport Policy of 1996, Road Traffic Management Corporation Act 20 of 1999, National Land Transport Act of 2009 and the Draft National Non-Motorised Transport Policy.
The results indicated that there are strategies that will better manage traffic congestion, including physical and improvement strategies. The strategies include public transport and infrastructure improvement, the introduction of carpooling, the promotion of non-motorised transport services, park-and-ride facilities, and the involvement of developers’ impact assessments. The physical improvement strategies include additional new roads, street connectivity, public information systems, bottleneck relief, and dedicated lanes for buses/Bus Rapid Transport systems. The operational improvement strategies are incident management, planned special event traffic management, traffic signal timing and coordination, and active road management by the Metro Police. The study concludes with a framework that could be used to manage road traffic congestion.M. Com. (Transport Economics)Economic
A Conceptual Framework for the Development of Argumentation Skills Using CSCL in a Graduate Students’ Research Course
No full textDeveloping and presenting a well-formulated research argument
is core to the learning journey of a graduate student. In open
distance e-learning, computer-supported learning is instrumental in providing
a platform for graduate students to develop their argumentation
skills. However, there is little guidance on the elements required in using
computer supportive collaborative learning (CSCL) to augment argumentation
skills development (ASD). This paper reports on elements
identified in literature that should be present in a framework using CSCL
to augment ASD. The thematically analysed data gathered during the
focus group sessions were used to confirm the structure of the argumentation
skills development framework (ASDF), and confirmed that there
is a need for a framework to provide guidance in using CSCL to augment
ASD. The contribution includes the conceptual ASDF using CSCL, comprising
seven elements, that provides a strategy of scaffolded learning for
implementation in a graduate course to augment ASD
Application and optimization of artificial intelligence techniques for small to medium sized manufacturing enterprises in an industry 4.0 environment
No full textThe ascent of the current industrial revolution known as Industry 4.0 (I40) or smart manufacturing is considerably impacting the manufacturing sector with the utilization of more intelligent and advanced practices such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods and Machine Learning (ML) within factories. The successful implementation of intelligent practices promises to significantly increase organization flexibility, improve operations, and increase
production throughput. Without a doubt, to remain relevant in the competitive market and ensure their future growth, manufacturing companies should start actively considering and adopting advanced and intelligent I40 solutions for their businesses.
Manufacturing small and medium-scaled enterprises (SMEs) represent the backbone of several countries’ economies, actively supporting jobs creations and contributing to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, SMEs have been the least appealing in embracing new and advanced technological trends within their production processes, mainly due to a lack of appropriate practical guidance or solutions customized to their environment and limited resources
(financial and human) in their organizations. Few of the existing works intending to encourage
manufacturing SMEs in adopting new technological trends are high-level frameworks, surveys,
or only tackle the design of advanced technological solutions without incorporating the corresponding organizational amendments SMEs need to undergo for a sustainable implementation of advanced and innovative solutions.
Inspired by some of the technical and organizational challenges of manufacturing SMEs, we utilize the Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM) to create, illustrate, and assess several AI and innovative techniques that increase manufacturing SMEs’ performance. The AI
concepts and advanced technological methods we design in this study improve several existing solutions developed by our predecessors in the research field.
Our major research contributions are the creation of a practical guide for the application of various AI techniques and innovative solutions adapted and optimized for manufacturing SMEs such as intelligent predictive maintenance (PM) method, automatic parameter configuration for Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, product customization framework, robust communication network prototype, and enhanced safety response mechanism. We implement various advanced technologies like ML, Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN), speech recognition, and more to empower our innovative solutions. Our study is valuable to the SME research field (in academia). It provides new literature that combines the design of advanced and optimized technological trends with organization structural (business model) changes to promote innovation within SMEs, prompting more
research in that regard. Since we are motivated by some of the manufacturing SMEs' challenges, our research is also useful to the industry as it provides practical solutions that manufacturing SMEs can adapt and implement to boost their production processes
performances.Ph. D. (Science, Engineering and Technology)College of Engineering, Science and Technolog
Inpatient substance user's care and treatment: innovative guiding principles for nurses
No full textSubstances use is an increasing national concern. Various forms of harmful disorders
have also been noted as posing a national health crisis. Against this background, the aim
of the study was to explore, identify, describe and analyse inpatient substance addiction
and its disorders, and to propose a relevant framework of principles to guide and improve
nursing care in this regard.
The study adopted a combined mixed-methods research approach involving qualitative,
quantitative, using convergent research design in order to maximise both the efficacy of
the methods and sources of data collection and their concurrent analysis, as well as the
eventual findings of the study, which was conducted at three substance addiction
treatment centres in Gauteng Province.
The quantitative aspect of the study was facilitated by means of a comprehensive review
and analysis of admission records belonging to 244 substance addicted inpatients at one
of the selected three treatment centres. The quantitative variables reflected in the
admission records represented the entire range of sociodemographic, help seeking,
substance abuse history, family support, and medical and psychological characteristics
of substance abusers. On the other hand, the study’s qualitative aspect was facilitated by
means of three (3) unstructured in-depth focus groups with selected nurses providing
care to inpatient people addicted to substances. An investigation of 5 (five) inpatient
treatment programmes at the self-same three treatment centres complemented the
qualitative aspect of the study.
For the majority cases of occurrence/ frequency at the treatment centre from which 244
admission records were obtained, the quantitative findings revealed, among others, that
the majority of inpatients (n=224, 91.8%) were Blacks; single (n=223, 90%); at secondary
school (n=207, 84.8%); unemployed (n=232, 95.1%); with the heroin as the most abused
substance by 88.9% (n=217) inpatients followed by cannabis (n=205, 83.6%). The most
critical of these variables was that the majority of the inpatients (n=74, 30.5%) were those
who had been substance abusing for 7-10 years. The implication is most young people
were the most at-risk group as they started substance abuse during the adolescent stages
of their live, which increased the chances of progressing to substance abuse disorders
and poor mental health.
Meanwhile, the qualitative findings derived from the focus group discussions with the
nurses and the five treatment programmes yielded five focal themes and associated
multiple sub-categories. These principal/global themes are: psychological and emotional
impediments to inpatient care; attitudes of patients’ relatives; quality of care by nurses to
support inpatients; nurses’ attitudes; and challenges experienced by nurses. Collectively,
both the quantitative and qualitative findings indicate that substance abuse disorder is a
complex and multifaceted physiological and psychosocial challenge for both the sufferers
and society as a whole. For its management and treatment, nurses should be adequately
trained, and multi-professional teams should be part of a concerted and dedicated effort
to provide care and eradicate the problem convincingly.
The study envisages that its recommendations will contribute towards effective policy
development and implementation based on a viable framework of inmate substance
abuse guidelines to innovatively guide nursing care and management of substance abuse
treatment centres. Such innovation should incorporate continuing professional
development guidelines for different categories of nurses to enhance their skills and also
improve knowledge on mental health implications as well.Ph. D. (Nursing)Health Studie
Paper delivered at the Pro Mores Seminar, University of Pretoria, 12 September 2022
No full textReligious Studies and Arabi
Evaluation and optimization of a stand-alone solar driven membrane filtration system for surface water treatment
No full textSouth Africa is classified as a water-stressed country and is faced with widespread water scarcity. Water scarcity is worse in rural areas of the country where a third of the population still reside. This is due to low levels of development with no water treatment systems or piping networks and most of rural areas lack access to electricity thereby hindering the installation of conventional water treatment facilities. Membrane technology presents an opportunity to bring water treatment facilities to these areas due to its compact nature, consistent water quality production and ease of maintenance. Among membrane systems, ultrafiltration uses comparably low pressures hence making it energy efficient. Solar energy has been proven to be effective in providing energy to drive membrane filtration systems and its utility in South Africa is very viable due to the abundance of solar insolence. South Africa receives an average of 2500 hours of sunshine per year and with solar radiation reaching up to 6,5kWh/m2 on some days, thereby making the use of solar energy highly favourable. In this research, water production by a solar hydraulic pump was optimized. A nanofluid was developed to improve the thermal conductivity of the working fluid for the pump and a custom-made ultrafiltration membrane was adopted for use in the membrane filtration unit. Heat transfer mechanisms within the system were investigated and the membrane filtration performances on real surface water samples collected from a lake and a stream were also determined. The nanoparticles and membranes were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Zeta-potential, drop-shape analysis, dynamic light scattering, and stability tests. Laboratory-scale application of the system was then done together with real-world studies. The optimum conditions were established to be a nanofluid composition of 0,1 %w/w CuO working fluid operated within the temperature range of 25oC – 50oC and at a pH of 6. This significantly improved the net water production of the developed prototype by 13,35 % as well as the efficiency of the prototype by 21,3%.M. Sc. (Chemistry)Chemistr