21838 research outputs found
Sort by
In the uni-versity, but not of the uni-versity" A living ever-spiralling quest to appear
No full textAnthropology and Archaeolog
Traversing the gender divide: a trans masculine genderqueer psychologist’s journey in be(com)ing.
No full textEnglish, Zulu and AfrikaansIn this thesis, I explore the growth and development of gender-affirming healthcare (GAHC) and trans and/or gender-diverse (TGD) communities’ engagement with mental healthcare in South Africa since 2010. As a trans masculine, genderqueer person, I share my deeply personal journey and lived experience of social and medical transitioning. This journey encompasses self-discovery in order to live my true and authentic self. The thesis employs SPN and autoethnography as methodologies. These methodologies place the researcher within the first-person perspective and allow for an exploration of lived experiences, in my case as both a trans person and as a mental healthcare provider, clinical psychologist, trainer, educator, advocate for my TGD clients, and activist within GAHC. In combining personal narratives with scholarly analysis, this thesis offers a nuanced perspective that values academic rigour and improves accessibility. Autoethnography also enables me to critically reflect on the experiences and knowledge I have gained, and how these intersect with broader socio-political contexts. Furthermore, the study highlights the successes and barriers within GAHC in South Africa by exploring the development of the first South African guideline focussing on GAHC and the establishment of the Professional Association for Transgender Health South Africa (PATHSA). GAHC in South Africa is based on affirmation, decolonisation and the Ubuntu/participatory model. As a psychologist I also explore the role of the mental healthcare provider within GAHC and TGD communities. As each TGD person’s journey is unique, due to the particular needs and challenges that they experience, I incorporate some of these narratives within this thesis. The research is intended to serve healthcare providers, policymakers, and TGD communities. To enhance accessibility, the thesis avoids academic jargon, embraces affirmative language and incorporates multimedia elements such as music, images, graphs and external resources. By traversing personal insight and scholarly discourse, the primary aim is to contribute to meaningful change in the landscape of GAHC in South Africa. Secondarily, the thesis may also inform related developments internationally.Psycholog
A framework for improvement of the political-administrative interface, leadership and service delivery in South African municipalities
No full textMunicipalities in South Africa (SA) face ongoing challenges delivering quality services to citizens, largely due to challenges with the political-administrative interface and leadership shortcomings. The study aimed to explore and understand the political-administrative interface and leadership challenges affecting the delivery of quality services by municipalities. To address this aim, the following research questions were posed: i) What factors influence the political-administrative interface within SA municipalities? ii) How do the challenges with the political-administrative interface affect the ability of SA municipalities to improve service delivery? iii) What can be done to improve the political-administrative interface and service delivery in SA municipalities? iv) What factors influence the effectiveness of leadership in SA municipalities that cause service delivery challenges? v) What will the structure and content of a framework to address the political-administrative interface and leadership challenges in SA municipalities for better service delivery encompass?
The study targeted all municipalities (11 in total) in Gauteng, South Africa, together with two relevant organisations. However, permission was granted by five municipalities and the two organisations, the subset population. An abductive approach, underpinned by a pragmatic ontological and epistemological stance was followed. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The quantitative data analysed using descriptive statistics, structural equation modelling and regression analysis, and the qualitative data thematic analysis. The theories chosen included the i) political boundary spanning, ii) bureaucratic, iii) effective leadership, iv) servant leadership, v) stewardship and vi) stakeholder theory.
Findings revealed that the political-administrative interface is negatively influenced by several factors, including disparities in educational qualifications, unclear roles and responsibilities, inadequate leadership competencies, poor communication and weak collaboration. These challenges result in corruption, operational inefficiency, lack of direction and development, financial strain, planning shortfalls and diminished staff morale, all directly affecting service delivery outcomes. The study successfully fulfilled its aim and objectives and addressed the identified research gap. The theoretical contribution a framework designed to strengthen the political-administrative interface and leadership to improve service delivery. In practice, the study offers actionable guidance and recommendations for enhancing municipal governance.D. B. L.Business Managemen
Exploring employees’ experiences of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, organisational justice, and workplace conflict in Zimbabwean municipalities
No full textAbstract in English, Shona and NdebeleA qualitative approach was adopted in this study to explore the perceptions of employees of local Zimbabwean municipalities regarding the effectiveness of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms in enhancing organisational justice and reducing workplace conflict. Empirical data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 15 participants from the Chitungwiza, City of Harare, Marondera, and Bindura municipalities selected via purposive sampling. The results demonstrate a complex understanding of organisational justice, workplace conflict, and ADR dynamics within municipal settings. The critical role of ADR in enhancing organisational justice and resolving workplace conflict was revealed by the findings, emphasising the importance of procedural consistency, transparency, and trust in ADR processes, as expressed through various employees’ insights and experiences. These insights highlight the need for targeted interventions to address challenges such as power dynamics, inconsistent policy implementation, and insufficient training for ADR facilitators. From the research findings, the following main themes were explored: diverse nature of workplace conflict, frequency of workplace conflicts, utilisation of ADR mechanisms, effectiveness of ADR mechanisms and finally organisational justice perceptions. The findings also underscore the importance of legislative support in improving ADR effectiveness and the necessity for reforms that align with municipal structures. Ultimately, this study illustrates the significance of ADR mechanisms in enhancing organisational justice and reducing workplace conflict, offering applicable strategies for increasing trust, improving ADR accessibility, and standardising conflict resolution practices across municipalities. This research provides recommendations for organisational leaders, HR practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to navigate the complexities of conflict resolution while fostering harmonious work environments across diverse organisational contexts.Ongororo iyi yakashandisa nzira yekuongorora yemhando (qualitative approach) kuongorora mafungiro evashandi mumakanzuru emuZimbabwe pamusoro pekushanda kwe nzira dzekugadzirisa gakava dzakasiyana (Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR) mukusimudzira kururamisira kwepabasa (organisational justice) uye kuderedza kupesana nemakakatanwa panzvimbo yebasa. Ongororo iyi yakaitwa nevashandi gumi nevashanu (15) (vashanu vanomwe (7) vari pamazinga ekutungamira uye vashanu vanomwe (8) vari pamazinga asingatungamiri) kubva kumakanzuru emuChitungwiza, Harare, Marondera neBindura, vachishandisa nzira yekusarudza vanhu vane ruzivo rwunodiwa (purposive sampling). Zvakabuda muongororo iyi zvinoratidza kunzwisisa kwakadzama kwekururamisira kwebasa, kupesana panzvimbo yebasa uye nzira dzeADR mukati mezvimiro zvemakanzuru. Basa rakakosha reADR mukusimudzira kururamisira kwebasa uye kugadzirisa kupesana kwakaburitswa pachena kubva mutsvagurudzo yakaitwa, richisimbisa kukosha kwekuenderana kwemaitiro, pachena, uye kuvimba mukufamba kweADR kuburikidza nemaonero, ruzivo uye pfungwa dzevashandi vemakanzuru. Pfungwa idzi dzinopa kunzwisisa kwemamiriro ebasa, zvichisimbisa kudiwa kwemaitiro akatariswa kugadzirisa matambudziko akadai semamiriro ezvemhando, kushaya kuenderana mukuitwa kwemitemo, uye kushomeka kwekudzidziswa kwakazara kwevafundisi veADR. Kubva panezvakawanikwa mutsvagurudzo, misoro mikuru inotevera yakaongororwa: kusiyana kwehupenyu hwekunetsana pabasa, kuwanda kwekunetsana pabasa, kushandiswa kwemaitiro eADR, kubudirira kweADR uye pakupedzisira, mafungiro evashandi pamusoro pehutongi hunetsarukano pabasa. Zvakawanikwa zvakare zvakaratidza kukosha kwekutsigirwa nemitemo mukuvandudza kushanda kweADR, pamwe chete nekudiwa kwemashandiro anoenderana nemirawo yemakanzuru. Pakupedzisira, zvawanikwa zveongororo iyi zvakaratidza kukosha kwemaitiro eADR mukusimudzira kururamisira kwebasa uye kuderedza kupesana panzvimbo yebasa, pamwe nemaitiro anogona kushandiswa kukwidziridza kuvimba, kuvandudza kuwanika kweADR, uye kuona kuti nzira dzekugadzirisa kupesana dzinoitwa nemazvo kumakanzuru ese. Ongororo iyi inopa hwaro hwevatungamiri vemasangano, nyanzvi dzezvevashandi, vanogadzira mitemo, uye vanoongorora kugadzirisa zvinyorwa zvekupesana apo vachigadzira nzvimbo dzebasa dzine runyararo mune zvakasiyana zvemamiriro ezvemabasa.Indlela yerhubhululo edzimelele kukhwalithi (qualitative approach) yamukelwa kulesisifundo serhubhululo ukuhlola imiqondo yabasebenzi babomasipalada bemakhaya beZimbabwe malungana nokusebenza kuhle kwamanye amano wokurarulula umbango (ADR) ekuqiniseni ubulungiswa behlangano kanye nokuphungulwa kwezinga lokulwa emsebenzini. Idatha yelwazi eliboniweko (Empirical data) yabuthelelwa ngokusebenzisa amahlolombono wesakhiwo esingakapheleli (semi-structured interviews) esinabadlalindima abali-15 abavela e-Chitungwiza, eDorobheni le-Harare, kanye nakubomasipalada be-Marondera ne-Bindura bakhethwe ngesampula enomnqopho (purposive sampling). Imiphumela ikhombisa ukuzwisiseka budisi kobulungiswa behlangano, ukulwa endaweni yokusebenza, kanye namatjhuguluko we-ADR ngaphakathi kobujamo bebhoduluko likamasipalada. Indima eqakathekileko ye-ADR ekuqiniseni ubulungiswa behlangano kanye nokurarulula umbango wemsebenzini kuveziwe, kwagandelelwa ukuqakatheka kwekambiso efanako/engatjhugulukiko, kanye nokuthemba amahlelo we-ADR, njengombana kukhonjiswe ngelwazi elidephileko kanye nelwazi eliboniweko labasebenzi abahlukahlukeneko. Leli Lwazi elidephileko likhombisa isidingo samahlelo wokungenelela aqothelweko ukulungisa iintjhijilo ezinjengezinto zamandla, ukusetjenziswa ngendlela engafaniko kwemithethomgomo, kanye nokungabandulwa ngokupheleleko kwabahleli be-ADR. Kusukela kulokho okutholakele ocwaningweni, izihloko ezinkulu ezilandelayo zaphenywa: ukuhlukahlukana kwezingxabano emsebenzini, izinga lokwanda kwezingxabano emsebenzini, ukusetshenziswa kwezindlela ze-ADR, ukusebenza kahle kwe-ADR, futhi ekugcineni, imibono yabasebenzi mayelana nokulunga ekuxazululeni izingxabano emsebenzini. Ilwazi elitholakeleko begodu ligandelela ukuqakatheka kwesekelo lomthetho obethiweko ekuthuthukiseni izinga lokusebenza kuhle kwe-ADR kanye nesidingo samatjhuguluko lawo akhambisana nezakhiwo zikamasipalada. Ekugcineni, lelirhubhululo likhombisa ukuqakatheka kwamano we-ADR ekuqiniseni ubulungiswa behlangano kanye nokuphungulwa kwemibango yemsebenzini, ukunikela amano afaneleko wokuvuselela ithemba, ukuthuthukisa izinga lokutholakala kwe-ADR, kanye nokwenza bona amano wokurarulula umraro afane kubomasipalada boke ukwenzangcono iindlela zokutholakala kwe-ADR, Lelirhubhululo linikela iinqunto ezilungele abarholi behlangano, abenzi bomthethomgomo kanye nabarhubhululi ukukghona ukubona ubudisi bokurarulula ukulwa kanti ngakelinye ihlangothi kuqiniswe iindlela zokukhuthaza ukubakhona kwamabhoduluko wokusebenza anokuthula kubo boke ubujamo obuhlukahlukeneko behlangano.M. Com. (Business Management)Business Managemen
None
No full textN/APurpose: This analysis aims to propose guidelines for artificial intelligence (AI) research ethics in scientific publications, intending to inform publishers and academic institutional policies in order to guide them toward a coherent and consistent approach to AI research ethics.
Methods: A literature-based thematic analysis was conducted. The study reviewed the publication policies of the top 10 journal publishers addressing the use of AI in scholarly publications as of October 2024. Thematic analysis using ATLAS.ti identified themes and subthemes across the documents, which were consolidated into proposed research ethics guidelines for using generative AI and AI-assisted tools in scholarly publications.
Results: The analysis revealed inconsistencies among publishers’ policies on AI use in research and publications. AI-assisted tools for grammar and formatting are generally accepted, but positions vary regarding generative AI tools used in pre-writing and research methods. Key themes identified include author accountability, human oversight, recognized and unrecognized uses of AI tools, and the necessity for transparency in disclosing AI usage. All publishers agree that AI tools cannot be listed as authors. Concerns involve biases, quality and reliability issues, compliance with intellectual property rights, and limitations of AI detection tools.
Conclusion: The article highlights the significant knowledge gap and inconsistencies in guidelines for AI use in scientific research. There is an urgent need for unified ethical standards, and guidelines are proposed for distinguishing between the accepted use of AI-assisted tools and the cautious use of generative AI tools.College of Engineering, Science and TechnologyN/
Innovative Instructional Leadership: A transformative approach toward curriculum delivery in schools
No full textCollege of Educatio
Photodynamic antimicrobial activity of porphyrin-like conjugates against biofilms for applications in water storage systems
No full textThe formation of biofilms on the surfaces of water storage buckets by microbes is a challenge that promotes resistance and deteriorates water quality. Conventional disinfectants cannot effectively inactivate biofilm-associated microbes which can cause waterborne diseases such as bloodstream infections caused by S. aureus. Meanwhile, organic pollutants in water remain a major environmental concern. To address these challenges, many potential solutions are being explored, in this study antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) was explored in the potential to inactivate freely suspended and biofilm S. aureus bacteria. TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized from conventional synthesis (T1) orange peel extract (T2) or orange juice (T3) were conjugated to metal-free (P1) and indium(III) (InP2) 5, 10,15,20-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl benzoic acid as well as metal-free (P2) and indium(II) (InP1) 5,10,15-tris(4-bromopheyl)-20-(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin synthesized via alder-longo, and refluxing in acetic acid, respectively. These conjugates were characterized using various techniques, including FTIR, EDX, SEM, TEM, TGA, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, and TCSPC. The results indicate thermally stable nanoconjugates with agglomerated irregular shape for P1 and P2 conjugates with T1, as well as agglomerated irregular spherical morphology of the rest of the conjugates. FTIR confirmed successful conjugation and adsorption of the porphyrins on TiO2. A red shift in the UV-Vis confirmed successful metalation as well as the fluorescence quantum yield of porphyrin decrease from 0.01 to <0.01 for P2 and InP2 due to the heavy metal effect. Meanwhile, singlet oxygen quantum yield decreased in the presence of TiO2. P1 and P2 conjugates with T1, T2, and T3 were used to degrade indigo carmine as a model organic pollutant in aqueous solution. The highest photocatalytic degradation was achieved with T2-InP1 which degraded up to 99.73% of indigo carmine under visible light, showcasing the importance of metalation as well as green synthesis in the design of porphyrin-TiO2 conjugates in photocatalysis.
Only T2 and T3 conjugates with P2 and InP2 were used for inactivation of biofilms of S. aureus bacteria. The bacteria were isolated from pond water and confirmed to be 100% S. aureus from 16S rRNA Sanger sequencing. The synthesized materials showed great anti-biofilm properties under visible light, with the lowest survival
viii
percentage of both freely suspended (0.0006%) and biofilm (0.004%) S. aureus achieved using the free conjugate containing TiO2 nanoparticles synthesised from orange-peel extract and indium(III) metalated porphyrins (T2-InP2). Although the efficiency decreased slightly after immobilizing the photosensitizers onto polystyrene support, these conjugates still significantly inhibited the survival percentage of S. aureus. Up to 0.006% and 0.9% survival percentage for freely suspended and biofilm S. aureus using immobilized T2-InP2. Furthermore, the lowest survival percentage achieved with T3 conjugates was 0.01% using free T3-InP2 against freely suspended S. aureus. These findings highlight the potential of TiO2-porphyrin conjugates for dual applications in antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation and photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. The development of these novel materials offers a promising solution for addressing the global challenges of waterborne infections and environmental pollution.Chemistr
Pea (Pisum sativum) rotational effects on maize productivity and nutrient cycling
No full textCrop rotation is regarded as a promising alternative to offset the negative impacts of maize monoculture on soil nutrient dynamics and crop productivity. However, the effect of pea rotation on maize production and soil properties remains less understood. Thus, this study aimed to assess the potential benefits of pea rotation on maize productivity and nutrient cycling to improve soil fertility, enhance sustainable agricultural practices and increase yield. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with three replicates initiated after the harvest of maize. Treatments included three pea varieties (Greenfeast, Cascadia and Oregon) and a winter fallow.
The results indicated that crop rotation had minimal effects on the availability of most soil nutrients. However, pea rotations significantly influenced soil pH, available phosphorus (Available P) and sodium (Na) levels. Pea rotations decreased soil pH by 11.63% compared to maize monocropping. Available P and Na levels were higher by up to 140,51% and 46.59%, respectively, under pea rotation than in the winter fallow treatment. Among the pea varieties, Oregon had the highest available P and Na compared to Cascadia and Greenfeast. Total nitrogen (TN), calcium (Ca), magnesium (mg), and potassium (K) availability were higher but not statistically significant under pea rotations compared to maize monoculture. In contrast, total carbon (TC) showed an opposite trend. The activities of β-glucosidase and phosphatase were up to 96.82% and 5.65% higher, respectively, under pea rotations than in the maize monocropping system. Cascadia had higher β-glucosidase than Greenfeast and Oregon. Pea rotations significantly increased maize grain yield by up to 64.17% compared to winter fallow. However, no significant differences were found among the pea varieties despite Cascadia recording a slightly higher grain yield than Oregon and Greenfeast. The results suggest that pea-maize rotation can enhance soil productivity and sustain maize yield. Cascadia is recommended as the most promising pea variety for inclusion into maize-based cropping systems. However, further long-term studies are required.M. Sci. (Agriculture (Agriculture and Animal Health)