21838 research outputs found
Sort by
Schistosomatoidea: exploring their molecular phylogenetic relationships within the African and global context
No full textAbstract and text in EnglishSchistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by trematodes and affects over 210 million people globally. Current studies focus on the epidemiological, life cycle, novel molecular detection, and drug discovery aspects of schistosomiasis. However, there are limited phylogenetic studies conducted regarding Schistosomatoidea superfamily members for disease control. This study aimed to compare the phylogenetic relationships of Schistosoma species in Africa with Schistosoma species from Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, the Americas, and Europe. Additionally, Schistosoma species were also compared with other Schistosomatoidea superfamily members. A total of 614 COX1 sequences were collected from the NCBI, where sequence directionalities were determined in MAFFT v7.511, pairwise sequence trimming and alignments were determined in BioEdit v7.2.5, and phylogenetic trees were constructed in MEGA v11.0.13. Findings showed that 26.71% were Schistosoma species related to other Schistosoma species, these included a relationship between S. rodhaini (MZ558222.1) and S. mekongi (MT181754.1), S. spindale and S. japonicum (JQ004397.1), as well as S. haematobium x S. bovis (MT159595.1) and S. bovis (OL840264.1). In addition, the phylogenetic relationships between African schistosomes and those from Asia (0.49%), the Middle East (2.28%), the Americas (0.65%), and Europe (0.81%) were also supported. Additionally, no relationships between Schistosoma species and other Schistosomatoidea superfamily members were found. The knowledge from this phylogenetic study can further assist in developing strategies for eliminating schistosomiasis as a global health problem.M. Sc. (Life Sciences)Life and Consumer Science
Significance of stakeholder management in the effective execution of capital projects in the Cape region
No full textPurpose – Port productivity is extremely reliant on the availability of fit-for-use and reliable assets. The absence of these can have a catastrophic impact on the country’s wider economy, as there will be limitations on the export and import of cargo. Consequently, it is of paramount importance that capital projects within port terminals are awarded investments that will enable the acquisition of key assets. This will ensure that ports operate efficiently, increase productivity, and ultimately enhance the country's accelerating socio-economic development.
Practical Implications— The study reviewed the literature on project management, stakeholder management, capital investment, capital budgeting, stakeholder-based typology, and variables that drove the study.
The study comprised fifty-five (55) respondents, and varying statistical methods were used in the analysis of the conceptual model. This resulted in the development of a conceptual model to measure the significance of stakeholder management in capital projects in the Cape region. Variables such as power, interest, urgency, proximity, and relationship networks were included in the model to test the determinants of the significance of stakeholder management in the successful execution of capital projects. Recommendations included the appointment of a stakeholder manager and the implementation of robust project-specific governance processes. A key focus was on critical or game-changer projects. The study's recommendations included the training of stakeholders to provide them with a better comprehension of their responsibilities and the impact they have in driving project success, as well as the appointment of a project-specific stakeholder manager.
Value – A stakeholder management framework was proposed. This could be leveraged by the port terminals in the Cape region to achieve effectively executed capital projects. The proposed framework could lead to improved relationships with terminal stakeholders, as suggested in the literature. Improved stakeholder management will also support project execution and ultimately improve operational efficiencies.M. Com. (Business Management (Operations Management & Project Management))Business Managemen
Exploring the experiences of senior primary school teachers in using technology to teach in the Thabo Mofutsanyane district
No full textTeachers are faced with preparing learners for a world dominated by the use of technology. This calls for teachers to integrate technology into the classrooms. Common stereotypes view senior teachers as resistant to the use of technology in classrooms. This study sought to explore the experiences of senior primary school teachers in using technology in classrooms. The study used a qualitative methodology. Data was collected using interviews. Five senior teachers participated in the study. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings of the study suggest that senior teachers are willing to embrace the use of technology in their classrooms. However, they have to deal with challenges such as a lack of resources and poor infrastructure. The study found that the perceived benefits of using technology in the classroom include enhanced student engagement, expanded access to resources, improved communication, enhanced content visualisation, improved collaboration, learner-centred learning, improved classroom management, and improved lesson preparation. The findings of the study indicate that senior teachers are not receiving adequate support and professional development opportunities from their schools and the education department. It is recommended that researchers conduct longitudinal studies that assess the long-term impact of technology integration on learner outcomes. It is recommended that senior teachers actively engage in continuous professional development to enhance their digital literacy and form collaborative networks with other teachers to share experiences and solutions to overcome technological challenges.M. Ed. (Educational Management)Educational Leadership and Managemen
An evaluation of the methods used to recover stolen property in business in the Sunnyside policing area
No full textThis study investigates methods used to recover stolen material from businesses in the Sunnyside policing area. To achieve the study's aim, the researcher employed a qualitative descriptive phenomenological research design, as this method allows for a rich and detailed exploration and description of the phenomenon under investigation.
The researcher employed qualitative research, a descriptive phenomenological research design, and exploratory and descriptive approaches to extract information from secondary (literature-based) and primary sources. In addition to theoretical literature, the primary data consisted of twenty-five qualitative individual in-depth interviews with specifically chosen Sunnyside SAPS investigators, who are the property crime investigators at the given research site.
The study was guided by four research questions that framed the main themes from the findings, including the functions of police around recovering stolen property, the nature of crime within businesses, the means to recover stolen property, and the limitations of investigators recovering stolen property.
One of the study's recommendations is for Sunnyside SAPS to expand its business burglary awareness efforts by involving more community stakeholders and using strategies beyond the police network to recover stolen property.M. Tech. (Criminal Justice)Criminal and Procedural La
Development of communication strategies for enhancing sexuality education between rural parents and their teenage children in Kwa Zulu-Natal province
No full textSexuality education communication between parents and teenagers in the rural areas is an essential part of socialisation. Poor sexuality education communication at home may lead to risky sexual behaviour among teenagers resulting in teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections including Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This becomes a challenge to Primary Health Care clinic nurses in the rural areas who have to manage such teenagers. Thus, this study, which aimed at gaining an in-depth understanding of sexuality education communication between parents and teenagers and the supportive role of the Primary Health Care clinic nurses in the rural areas to develop strategies to enhance their sexuality education communication.
The meta-theoretical departure was the Post-modernism paradigm that was followed. The study was conducted correctly within a qualitative approach utilising a descriptive phenomenology design. The theoretical assumptions of the study emerged from Vygotsky’s theoretical framework (1934) of social learning that guided the study.
The study was conducted in three purposively selected districts of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, namely, Umzinyathi, Umgungundlovu and Ugu. Purposive convenient sampling method was followed in selecting participants. Semi-structured interviews
were conducted with a sample of twenty-two teenagers and sixteen parents. Focus group discussions were also conducted with a sample of sixteen professional nurses. Data were analysed using Collaizzi’s framework for descriptive phenomenology. Five themes emerged from data analysis, namely: enablers of sexuality education communication, barriers to sexuality education communication, strategies used in sexuality education communication, resources available to support parents and teenagers on sexuality education and the content of sexuality education talks between parents and teenagers. Findings showed that sexuality education communication between parents and teenagers was limited, uncoordinated, covered insufficient content and ineffective. Barriers that were found to limit sexuality education communication included fear and culture. Furthermore, parents and teenagers lacked effective communication strategies to enhance sexuality education. To address that gap, three communication strategies were developed (parent, teenager and primary health care focused). The development process was guided by the Vygotsky theoretical framework for social learning known as Sociocultural theory of cognitive development and incorporated the New York Department of Health guiding principles for adolescent sexuality health education. These communication strategies were recommended for use by nursing and midwifery professional experts using strategy validation processes. Based on the findings, recommendations are made to implement and evaluate the impact of the strategies in the rural communities.
The strategies are expected to improve communication on sexuality education between parents and teenagers and to add to the body of knowledge in nursing related curriculum, research and practice. The strategies could also influence the implementation of policies related to sexual reproductive health for adolescents in the Primary Health Care settings and help improve service delivery by encouraging collaboration between parents, teenagers and Primary Health Care nurses.D. Phil. (Nursing)Health Studie
The implementation of the education and training sector strategic plan (ETSSP) goals in Botswana colleges of education : challenges and solutions
No full textThe main aim of this study was to investigate the implementation of the Education and Training Sector Strategic Plan (ETSSP) as perceived by the Senior Management Teams (SMTs) in Botswana Colleges of Education: Challenges and Solutions. The study addressed was how SMTs implemented the ETSSP and what challenges they faced and the solutions to mitigate those challenges. Four specific research questions were formulated based on the perceptions, leadership strategies, challenges and solutions in the implementation of the ETSSP. The study adopted the transformational and distributed leadership theories and the 7-C protocol of policy implementation as theoretical frameworks. The mixed method approach was also adopted and the convergent parallel design utilised in this study.
The study population comprised 72 participants who are members of the SMTs in the Colleges of Education in Botswana. For qualitative data 22 (30%) members of the SMTs were purposively sampled for the study. The qualitative data was collected using semi-structured interviews. The consent was also sort from the participants to take part in the study and permission to record the interview sessions for data analysis. The quantitative data was collected using a questionnaire from seventy-two members of the SMTs in the Botswana Colleges of Education.
The findings identified seven themes that acted as a guide in the analysis of qualitative data in this study. The findings revealed that the SMTs acknowledged the importance of the ETSSP in the Colleges of Education but implementing the plan was a challenge. The findings also indicated that SMTs adhered to certain leadership and management standards and the talent management strategies were not documented and well defined. Vision creation and sharing, change management techniques and Individual Leadership Assessment were identified as crucial strategies in the implementation of the ETSSP in the Colleges of Education. The study revealed that quantitative data was analysed using SPSS version 29 software and the reliability of the data collection instrument was proved using Cronbach’s alpha Coefficient and the results show that the instrument was reliable. The research questions were also answered by formulating the research hypothesis. One sample t-test was conducted to test the hypothesis, and the results indicated that the null hypothesis was rejected in all the research questions. The study discussed the qualitative and quantitative findings and conclusions were made through triangulation. The study made recommendations for future research and discussed the implications of the research findings for SMTs and policy makers.Ph. D. (Education Management)Educational Leadership and Managemen
The adoption and use of big data analytics to stimulate telecommunication-dependant economic growth in Zimbabwe
No full textThe Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has brought several technologies that enhance the quality of life of people and how organisations conduct their business operations. Several organisations in developed countries have experienced performance gains owing to technology usage, which in turn impacts economic growth. Big data analytics (BDA) has been used to stimulate economic development through artificial intelligence (AI) applications, predictive analytics, and smart city initiatives to improve service delivery through smart services and maximising resource utilisation. Smart use of BDA can enhance data-driven decision-making for improved efficiency and productivity with positive spin-offs on economic growth. However, the study highlights a very limited adoption and use of BDA as needed to advance participation in the digital economy and service delivery efficiencies to fast-track digital economic competitiveness.
The aim of this study was to understand the status of BDA adoption in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector, and to identify bottlenecks towards guiding effective BDAs implementations in the local telecommunications sector. Through the critical realist lenses, within the mixed methods approach (including semi-structured interviews and a qualitative online survey data collection tools) –the Technology Organisation Environment (TOE) framework was used as a conceptual basis. Similarly, the Activity Theory was also adopted to guide the operational aspects of a redressal BDA framework. A purposive sampling technique was used to identify 19 research participants from a research population of telecommunications service providers in Zimbabwe. ATLAS.ti was used to analyse qualitative data, whilst IBM SPSS was employed for quantitative data analysis. The findings highlight limited BDA adoption and use of BDA in Zimbabwe, which is not making a positive contribution to economic growth. Several service providers were in the early adoption phases of BDA adoption and use, with limited benefits of BDA impact due to limited usage. Technological factors impeding BDA adoption, including IT infrastructure and service quality limitations; the organisational factors were skills flight, top management support and financing challenges, as well as government policies, poor economic conditions, shortage of foreign currency and the high cost of capital among the environmental factors which had a direct causality.
As a novel contribution, the Activity Theory was thus used to recommend a two-fold BDA Work-Activity Framework. It offers a practical guide to the community of practice on how to balance the goal of implementation with activities, resources, rules stakeholders and activities most significantly. On the other hand, it also enriches the conceptual discourse at a scholarly scientific level. At the end, the framework extends from the TOE conceptions to operationalize practical activities towards effective BDA adoptions and implementations in Zimbabwean telecoms industry and beyond. From a critical realist perspective, the BDA Work Activity Framework further guides how different stakeholders can navigate interlinked, objective-focused initiatives such as BDA adoption to improve mission-critical objectives across all related actors and actant environments. The study also contributes to the community of practice and body of knowledge by identifying a factor, ‘service quality’, which has not been identified in previous studies according to the researcher’s knowledge. Last, the study shows how the gaps in TOE can be bridged by combining it with another theory to address the research aim fully.D.B.L.Graduate School of Business Leadershi
Wandering in wonderlands : representations of race and gender in selected fantasy texts
No full textThis thesis examines the portrayal of race and gender in contemporary fantasy novels. The study offers insight into how fantasy novels have evolved with regard to how marginalised identities – that is, black and women characters – are constructed. The focal point of my study is selected modern fantasy texts that demonstrate the radical transformation that the fantasy genre is currently undergoing. The core of the thesis involves an in-depth analysis of selected fantasy novels, carefully chosen for their cultural impact and unique representations of race and gender. This study adopts a multifaceted approach that intertwines the intricacies of fantasy theory, critical race theory, and intersectionality to dissect the nuanced representations of race and gender in the selected texts. I also apply affect theory, which examines how emotions and experiences shape our human interactions, to highlight how race functions in fantasy not only as a representational category but also as an emotional and ideological force that structures meaning in speculative worlds.
By delving into the conceptual complexities, this research aims to illuminate the ways in which these theoretical lenses converge and diverge. The following texts are explored:
Malazan Book of the Fallen: Steven Erikson (Published: 1999 -2011)
The Broken Earth trilogy: NK Jemisin (Published: 2015 -2017)
Who Fears Death: Nnedi Okorafor (Published: 2010)
The study aspires to contribute to the broader discourse on diversity, equity, and inclusion by shedding light on the potential of fantasy literature to both challenge and reinforce societal perceptions of identity.D. Phil. (Languages, Linguistics and Literature)English Studie
Assessing impacts of climate change through the water-energy-food nexus in the Sakhisizwe Municipality
No full textClimate change has impacted some vulnerable rural communities like the Sakhisizwe Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province in South African. The increasing frequency and intensity of weather extremes are altering the environment resulting in the depletion and degradation of essential resources that include water, energy, and food. The livelihoods of rural communities have been severely impacted and compromised and as such there is a need to provide holistic and integrated solutions that address these gran challenges if resource insecurity. This study used the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus to assess the availability, depletion and degradation of resources and their distribution as well as management within the Sakhisizwe Municipality, which is at a local spatial scale. This is based on that climate change impacts are more felt at the small local scale than at the global scale and solutions should be earmarked at the local scale. The study identified that as the population increased in the municipality, it presented challenges of resource insecurity due to increased demand. The other need identified was the establishment of transformative interventions that guide policy formulation and support decision-making to establish adaptation, resilience, and sustainability of resources. Policy-makers are, therefore, equipped with informed strategies to improve the livelihoods of the vulnerable poor communities. The presented WEF nexus analysis simplified human understanding of the relationships among the complex interlinked components of a socio-ecological system in the municipality, identified priority areas for intervention, and steered efficient resource use. The current sector-based resource management exacerbates the challenges of resource depletion and insecurity, The WEF nexus will, therefore, help the stakeholders to be able to sustainably enhance cross-sectoral coordination of resource use, and management, and formulate harmonized policies and strategies. This will improve livelihoods by ensuring resource security, highlighting pathways to achieve municipal and national goals, and the 2030 global agenda on sustainable development.Ph. D. (Environmental Management)Environmental Science
Foreign direct investment in Ethiopia's manufacturing sector: An institutional analysis of determinants and impacts
No full textThis study entitled “Foreign direct investment in Ethiopia‟s manufacturing sector: An institutional analysis of determinants and impacts” examines the inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ethiopia's manufacturing sector, one of the key areas for the economic transformation of the country. The study addresses significant questions regarding the trends of FDI, the impact of institutional environments on five manufacturing sub-sectors, namely Textile, Leather, Chemical, Metal, and Food & Beverage, and the views of the industry leaders on FDI attraction in Ethiopia. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the quantitative analysis section constitute descriptive statistics, trend analysis, correlation analysis, the ARDL model, and Granger causality tests along with qualitative thematic analysis from key informant interviews and relevant document reviews. Time series data from 1992 to 2021 revealed a proportional relationship between FDI inflows and manufacturing output, highlighting the unpredictability of FDI across the major sub-sectors. The quantitative findings indicate that while FDI inflows correlate with the institutional variables, the institutional environment remains poor, negatively influencing FDI in the short term. The results demonstrate a strong long-term relationship among institutional factors and FDI inflows, with citizen voice and government responsibility positively affecting FDI, contrasting with the negative influence of government effectiveness. In the short term, only the rule of law showed a positive effect. Moreover, Granger causality tests identified bidirectional causality specifically between government effectiveness and the textile sub sector, while other relationships were unidirectional. Qualitative insights reveal significant challenges faced by stakeholders, including ineffective governance, regulatory inefficiencies, and political instability, which deter potential investors. The findings underscore the need for improved governance, strong institutional support, and macroeconomic policies to enhance FDI attraction in Ethiopia's manufacturing sector. In conclusion, the study shows that the government should improve its ability to maintain peace and prevent political and conflict driven crises, which could create instability. It also highlights the need for robust and tailored policies for the manufacturing sector and stronger institutions to reinforce these policies. Furthermore, the country must implement sound macroeconomic policies and establish an effective institutional environment. This study is important not only for its empirical contributions but also for its educational value. The methodologies and procedures used can serve as a reference for researchers conducting similar studies in specific countries. The findings provide valuable policy insights that can help address institutional gaps and enhance FDI attraction in Ethiopia‟s manufacturing sectors.D.B.L.Business Managemen