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Assessment of the possible relationships and influence of climate variability and water flow on water quality in major rivers of the Kruger National Park
No full textWater is a vital resource required by all living organisms for their continued survival, however current trends indicate that water resources, especially in semi-arid regions such as South Africa, are becoming more stressed alongside the prevalence of climate change. The Kruger National Park (KNP), a prime conservation area in the east of South Africa is no exception to these challenges and has, for several decades, been subject to persistent water quality and flow issues, putting vulnerable ecosystems at risk. This research undertook to establish the historic trends and current state of water quality of the seven major rivers that flow through the park, as well as to determine the influence of regional climate variability upon these water resources. Mann-Kendall (MK) Time Series Trend Analyses were compiled to determine temporal water quality trends for the rivers and revealed that approximately 75% of all water quality observations - indicated by eleven parameters - exhibited a deteriorating trend over time. Of particular significance were the ions responsible for salinisation and wastewaters responsible for microbial pollution. Acidification was a secondary concern for many of the water quality monitoring sites. Spearman’s Rank Correlation Analyses were compiled to establish the relationships between various climate, water quality and water flow parameters. The results indicated that variations in water quality were most strongly associated with climate variability at monitoring sites further south (e.g.: Crocodile and Sabie Rivers) due to a higher average annual rainfall impacting water flow, and therefore the dilution capacity of the rivers. Subsequently, various solutions were recommended, involving a combination of political, environmental and management strategies and activities to address these water quality issues and ensure good quality water for the KNP well into the future.Geograph
Aspects of substantial compliance and strict compliance as applied to demand guarantees
No full textDemand guarantees are essential for purposes of commerce and are used to secure the performance of the contractor. South African courts have held that demand guarantees are akin to letters of credit. Despite the independent nature of demand guarantees to the underlying contract, in circumstances where the beneficiary has made a fraudulent claim, the guarantor may dishonour the demand or claim.
South African courts have indicated that if the underlying contract is illegal, courts may intervene by granting an interdict to stop payment under the guarantee. The South African law recognises traditional guarantees (often called suretyship) where the beneficiary, when making a demand or claim, must demonstrate liability on the part of the contractor. There are instances where courts have held that guarantees were of a nature akin to suretyship.
In South Africa, parties entering into a demand guarantee contract are subject to the common law of contract. The Uniform Rules for Demand Guarantees, adopted by the International Chamber of Commerce, are only applied by explicit reference in the demand guarantee failing which such rules do not apply. Non-implementation of these rules has resulted in rigorous litigation in the recent years on this subject-matter.
A demand must be supported by documents and require strict conformity. However, strict compliance with the prerequisites of the demand guarantee has not been applied consistently in South Africa. South African courts have recently been applying substantial compliance, in certain circumstances finding that a term in a guarantee is just directory and not obligatory. Furthermore, on many occasions, courts have deviated from strict compliance holding that a term in a guarantee does not make commercial sense thus such term is not mandatory. In this way, courts apply the most business-sensible interpretation when interpreting demand guarantees.LL.M. (Banking Law)College of La
A decolonial analysis of religious medicalisation of same-sex practices in South African Pentecostalism
No full textSame-sex practices are commonly medicalised in various global spaces. Some societies
view same-sex practices as some form of disease that needs to be cured. In Africa, the
influence of Christianity has prompted many communities to conclude that there are
spiritual forces behind same-sex orientations and practices. Therefore, same-sex
practices are demonised, and those identifying with these sexualities and gender
identities are viewed as sick, or as having some form of mental illness. As a fast-growing and
influential movement in South Africa, Christianity plays a critical role in this narrative.
Against this backdrop, this article examined how some Pentecostal pastors in South Africa
use God-talk to propel the narrative that medicalises same-sex practices and how these
pastors claim to have miraculous powers to heal these practices. Consequently, the gender
and sexuality commonly accepted within African religiosity and spirituality are pushed to
the peripheries. Therefore, it is argued in this article that the colonial-missionary discourses
regarding African sexualities and genders are at play within the religious medicalisation
of same-sex narratives. Thus, there is a need to problematise and transform this narrative.
This act can contribute to delinking African genders and sexualities from Western
repressions and subjugation agendas. The discussion moved from the premise of decoloniality
while adopting a multidisciplinary approach that incorporated theology, gender and
sexuality studies, psychology, health, and socio-political sciences. Again, the article used
secondary literature analysis to examine this phenomenon and to gain a thorough
understanding of how African Pentecostalism continues to use God-talk to medicalise same sex practices in contemporary South Africa and the repercussions thereof.
Contribution: The study contributed to the existing knowledge that addresses religious
challenges faced by people identifying with non-normative sexualities and genders in
Africa. This can contribute to the transformation of religious medicalisation of same-sex
practices in South Africa, and elsewhereCollege of Human Science
Leadership by the Spirit in Pentecostalism: A transformational pneumatocracy approach
No full textPneumatology refers to the study of the Spirit within Pentecostal theology. Similarly, Pentecostals believe that pneumatology has a role to play in ecclesiastical leadership, which results in leadership through the Holy Spirit. In this article, this kind of leadership is theorised as pneumatocracy and is discussed in contrast to other leadership theories such as autocracy and democracy. The article seeks to demonstrate that pneumatocracy
in the Pentecostal movement is important. However, it should engage in societal transformation, development of communities, and socio-economic and -political
challenges for its relevance in the 21st century. Furthermore, this theory is proposed as an approach relevant to addressing gender parities in ecclesiastical leadership. The practices of pneumatocracy in early Pentecostalism, the early church, and contemporary times
are explored in detail. A transformational pneumatocracy is proposed to address current leadership challenges in the African context.Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiolog
The role of auditing in corporate governance practice in emerging economies: Insights from South African state-owned enterprises (SOEs)
No full textPurpose – Within the context of public sector accountability, the purpose of this paper is to examine South
African state-owned enterprises (SOEs) auditing practices and how they have contributed to mitigating
prevalent corporate governance issues in South African SOEs.
Design/methodology/approach – This paper utilised a thematic content analysis of archival
documents relating to South African SOEs. Firstly, to assess the extent to which the auditing dimension of the
corporate governance codes, applicable to South African SOEs, conforms with best practices. Secondly, to
determine the extent to which the audit practices of all the 21 South African SOEs listed in Schedule 2 of the
Public Finance Management Act, have implemented the identified best audit practices.
Findings – The findings suggest that South African SOEs appear to have adopted and implemented best
audit practices to enhance the quality of their accountability in relation to their corporate governance
practices, as contained in their applicable corporate governance frameworks. However, despite the high levels
of conformance, the observation that most South African SOEs continue to fail and require government
bailouts, appears to suggest that auditing has no bearing on poor SOE performance, and that other corporate
governance factors may be at play.
Practical implications – The discussion and findings in this paper suggest that the auditing practices of
South African SOEs are adequate. However, that SOEs in South Africa continue to be loss-making may imply
that this has contributed little to mitigating their corporate governance problems. Thus, policymakers and
standard setters, including the Institute of Directors South Africa and relevant oversight bodies should pay
attention to better developing means by which to curtail fruitless and wasteful expenditures by South African
SOEs through improved corporate governance practices.
Social implications – Most SOEs’ mission statements encourage SOEs to be socially responsible and
utilise taxpayers’ monies efficiently and effectively without engaging in fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
This study is conceived in this light.
Originality/value – To the best of the author’s knowledge, while acknowledging previous studies, this
paper is the first to explore this topic in the context of SOEs and in the context of Africa.AuditingN/
Experiences of school based support teams in supporting learners with barriers to learning in primary schools of Nokaneng Circuit
Get PDFSchool-Based Support Teams are faced with challenges of implementing inclusive education in schools. Therefore, this research sought to explore the experiences of School-Based Support Teams in supporting learners with barriers to learning in primary schools. Three research objectives gave thrust to the study: a) to explain the SBSTs understanding regarding support for learners with barriers to learning in schools; b) to outline strategies used to support learners with barriers to learning, and c) to describe how the support offered to learners with barriers to learning can be enhanced. In this study, the qualitative approach was adopted. The phenomenological research design was followed. Data were collected from six female SBST participants in two purposefully sampled schools through interviews and document analysis.
The collected data revealed that SBST perceived barriers as physical, intellectual and socio-economic hindrances to effective learning in an inclusive setting. The findings revealed that teachers used various strategies to support learners with barriers, in line with the screening, identification, assessment and support (SIAS) policy. The study also found that support for learners with barriers can be enhanced by structuring and strengthening partnerships with external stakeholders. The study concluded that collaboration, teacher empowerment and raising public awareness about inclusive education are crucial to overcoming barriers to education. Based on the conclusions, recommendations were made.M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)Inclusive Educatio
A framework for enhancing accessibility of finance from microfinance institutions to women-owned small and medium enterprises
No full textWomen-owned small and medium enterprises have contributed to the world’s economic growth and employment creation. However, a financing gap has persisted as most of such enterprises struggle to access finance from microfinance institutions, especially in patriarchal African societies. Of the 57% micro, small, and medium enterprises owned by women surveyed in Zimbabwe, only 14% accessed finance, according to the FinScope survey of 2014. The inadequacies or lack thereof of MFI and women SME financing initiatives and frameworks in both developed and developing countries have motivated this study, with the aim of developing a framework for enhanced financial access from MFIs to women-owned SMEs in Zimbabwe. These theories have informed the study: Perking Order Theory, Credit Rationing Theory, Women Empowerment Theory, Vulnerable Group Theory, Liberal Feminism and Marxist Feminism theories, Theory of Planned Behaviour and Institutional theory. The study used a pragmatic research philosophy, mixed research design, and a cross-sectional approach. The quantitative target population was 12 122 women-owned SMEs in Harare. Using a random sample size calculator, a targeted sample size of 400 was determined, where 320 were successful. The qualitative target population was 20 MFIs, from which 15 were successful. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews, and were quantitatively analysed using factor analysis and qualitatively using thematic analysis, respectively. The study results revealed that the facilitating factors behind MFIs’ financing of women-owned SMEs are women’s SME support systems, strengthened infrastructure, collaboration, and regulated interest rates. The financial access constraints faced by women-owned SMEs are women SMEs’ informality, inadequate infrastructure, MFI’s prohibitive charges, poor financial position, illiteracy, non-sensitised MFI products and services, stereotyping and lack of collateral. The appropriate MFI products are capacity building, business capital, government support, financial literacy and business start-up coaching, while affordable MFI products are MFIs’ innovative products and services, MFI capitalisation, group loans and online applications; and micro-insurance qualified in both groups. The framework contributed to the body of knowledge in theory, practice and policy. Different stakeholders, such as MFIs, women entrepreneurs and the government, got guidance through the framework in promoting enhanced financial access for women’s empowerment, financial inclusion and sustainable economic growth.D.B.L.Graduate School of Business Leadershi
The influence of English on the lexicon, morphology and phonology of the Silozi language spoken in the Zambezi Region
Get PDFAbstracts in English and AfrikaansThe elderly expressed concern that the Silozi that the younger generation spoke was riddled with English vocabulary. The main aim of this study, therefore, was to investigate how English loanwords influenced the Silozi language spoken in the Zambezi Region of Namibia. The mixed methods research approach was adopted to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. The study was carried out at 18 secondary schools, the University of Namibia (Katima Mulilo Campus) and the Zambezi Vocational Training Centre in the Zambezi Region of Namibia. The population of the study comprised senior secondary school and university students, vocational education trainees, senior secondary school teachers, and lecturers. Both the simple random and purposive sampling procedures were employed to determine participants to the study. Data was gathered through a questionnaire, focus groups, and interviews. The Krejcie and Morgan (1970) formula was used to determine the sample size to fill the questionnaires. The captured and organised quantitative data was imported on SPSS for analysis. The data gathered via focus groups and interviews were categorically organised and uploaded on the Qualitative Content Analyser (QCA) software for analysis and tabulation. The study was modelled by two theories in language contact, namely Prince and Smolensky (2002), the optimality theory, particularly the Consonant/Vowel Theory, and Van Coetsem (1998), the general and unified theory of the transmission process.
The results showed the different ways through which English words entered the Silozi lexicon. It was realised that the single lexical items, mostly nouns, that entered Silozi were subjected to morphological and phonological processes to ensure harmony with the structure and sound system of Silozi. The results showed that the process of incorporation through which English words assimilated into Silozi reflected the process of incorporation as advocated by the literature review and the two theories that framed this study. The results underscored that English influenced and enriched the vocabulary of the Silozi language spoken in the Zambezi Region of Namibia. The sociolinguistic factors of codeswitching and codemixing were frequently encountered in this endeavour. Therefore, a study on how they influence Silozi is hereby recommended.Die bejaardes het kommer uitgespreek dat die Silozi taal wat die jonger geslag gepraat het, deurspek is met Engelse woordeskat. Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie was dus om te ondersoek hoe Engelse leenwoorde die Silozi-taal beïnvloed het wat in die Zambezi-streek van Namibië gepraat word. Die gemengde metode-navorsingsbenadering is gebruik om beide kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe data in te samel. Die studie is by 18 sekondêre skole, die Universiteit van Namibië (Katima Mulilo-kampus) en die Zambezi Beroepsopleidingsentrum in die Zambezi-streek van Namibië uitgevoer. Die populasie van die studie het bestaan uit senior sekondêre skool- en universiteitstudente, beroepsonderwysleerlinge, senior sekondêre skoolonderwysers en dosente. Beide die eenvoudige ewekansige en doelgerigte steekproefprosedures is gebruik om deelnemers aan die studie te bepaal. Data is ingesamel deur middel van 'n vraelys, fokusgroepe en onderhoude. Die Krejcie en Morgan (1970) formule is gebruik om die steekproefgrootte te bepaal om die vraelyste in te vul. Die vasgelê en georganiseerde kwantitatiewe data is op SPSS ingevoer vir ontleding. Die data wat deur middel van fokusgroepe en onderhoude ingesamel is, is kategories georganiseer en op die Kwalitatiewe inhoudanaliseerder (QCA)-sagteware opgelaai vir analise en tabulering. Die studie is gemodelleer deur twee teorieë in taalkontak, naamlik Prince en Smolensky (2002), die optimaliteitsteorie, veral die Konsonant/Klinker Teorie, en Van Coetsem (1998), die algemene en verenigde teorie van die oordragproses.
Die resultate het die verskillende maniere gewys waardeur Engelse woorde die Silozi-leksikon binnegekom het. Daar is besef dat die enkele leksikale items, meestal naamwoorde, wat Silozi binnegekom het, aan morfologiese en fonologiese prosesse onderwerp is om harmonie met die struktuur en klanksisteem van Silozi te verseker. Die resultate het getoon dat die proses van inlywing waardeur Engelse woorde in Silozi geassimileer is, die proses van inlywing weerspieël soos voorgestaan deur die literatuuroorsig en die twee teorieë wat hierdie studie geraam het. Die resultate het onderstreep dat Engels die woordeskat van die Silozi-taal wat in die Zambezi-streek van Namibië gepraat word, beïnvloed en verryk het. Die sosiolinguistiese faktore van kodewisseling en kodevermenging is gereeld in hierdie poging aangetref. Daarom word 'n studie oor hoe hulle Silozi beïnvloed hiermee aanbeveel.D. Litt. et Phil. (Languages, Linguistics and Literature)Linguistics and Modern Language
Strategies for adolescents' sexual and reproductive health role modelling at a municipality in Bojanala District North West Province, South Africa
No full textThe purpose of the study was to explore the perspectives of adolescents regarding sexual and reproductive health (SRH) role modelling at a municipality in Bojanala district, North West province. A multi-method qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive approach was conducted in three phases. Phase 1 was a scoping review of 223 articles from EBSCO-host, Medline, Sabinet, Pubmed and grey literature. Eleven articles were included in the final review. In phase 2, adolescents were purposively selected and interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The sample size was 13 participants, determined by data saturation. Data were analysed using content analysis. In Phase 3, applicable strategies were adapted using the Three-step for Adapting Strategies to Promote Implementation Strategies. The scoping review indicated an unavailability of literature focusing on SRH role modelling. However, there were only a few studies that contained strategies for SRH role modelling. The themes from Phase 2 include perceptions regarding SRH role models, family as a source of role models, adolescents’ SRH challenges, role models in the health and safety of adolescents and community involvement. Adolescents indicated that they look up to sexual and reproductive health role models. They learn from and are guided by their role models since they have experience and knowledge about sexual and reproductive health. There is a need for a dialogue between adolescents and their role models. When based on openness and trust, role model advice can offer adolescents a safe space to talk about their sexual and reproductive health and make informed choices.M. P. H. (Health Studies)Health Studie
Leveraging financial and fiscal reforms to upscale renewable energy access in the South African business sector
No full textAbstracts in English, Venda and ZuluThe aim of this study was to the investigate the role of financial and fiscal reforms in upscaling renewable energy access for the business sector as a mechanism to promote sustainability, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance energy security in South Africa. The literature review analysed the available incentives for South African businesses to establish policy impediments towards energy security and decarbonisation goals. This qualitative, comparative review benchmarked best policy practice in China, Denmark, India, and Germany, as countries that have advanced in their transition towards renewable energy. The findings of the study indicate that the cost of compliance is high and fiscal instruments are onerous and complex. Furthermore, some businesses lack awareness of their eligibility to access renewable energy tax incentives. For financial instruments, the predetermined rate is critical in ensuring that an excessive burden is not imposed on the fiscus. The study recommends simplifying the design of financial and fiscal instruments to ensure that more South African businesses upscale renewable energy investments. Additionally, lowering the administrative costs of compliance as well as limiting the multiple agencies that govern financial and fiscal reforms can contribute towards simplifying the administrative and regulatory burden.Tshipikwa tsha ngudo iyi ndi u sedzulusa mushumo wa tshanduko dza masheleni na dza ikonomi kha u alusa fulufulu ḽi vusuludzeaho u itela u swikelela sekhithara ya vhubindudzi sa kushumele kwa u bveledza u ṱuṱuwedza ho khwaṱhaho kana u dzingindela u fhungudza u phaḓalala ha khaboni na u khwaṱhisedza tsireledzo ya fulufulu kha ḽa Afrika Tshipembe. Maṅwalwa o sengulusa u wanala ha zwiṱukuṱuku zwa mbadelo kha mabindu a Afrika Tshipembe u itela u thoma phoḽisi ya ṱhuṱhuwedzo yo livhiswaho kha tsireledzo ya fulufulu na zwipikwa zwa u fhelisa khaboni. Tsedzuluso ya mbambedzo ya khwaḽithethivi yo ela phoḽisi dza khwiṋesa dzi itwaho kana yo edzwaho kha ḽa China, Denmark, India na Germany, sa mashango o bveledzaho tshanduko yao u ya kha fulufulu ḽo vusuludzwaho. Mawanwa a ngudo o sumbedza uri mutengo wa u tevhedza u nṱha na zwishumiswa zwa ikonomi zwi khou lemela na u konḓa. Zwiṅwe hafhu, maṅwe mabindu a shaya tshenzhelo ya u tea hao u swikelela zwiṱuṱuwedzi zwa muthelo zwa fulufulu ḽo vusuludzwaho. U itela zwishumiswa zwa masheleni, phimo yo dzulaho yo tiwa ndi ya ndeme kha u khwaṱhisedza uri muhwalo muhulu a u khou engedzwa kha ikonomi. Ngudo dzi themendela u leludza nyolo dza zwishumiswa zwa masheleni na zwa ikonomi u khwaṱhisedza uri mabindu manzhi a Afrika Tshipembe a gonyisa u bindudza kha fulufulu ḽo vusuludzwaho. Nṱhani ha izwo, hu na u fhungudza mbadelo dza ndaulo ya u tevhedza khathihi na u fhima mazhendedzi manzhi ane a langa tshanduko ya masheleni na ya ikonomi na u kona u dzhenelela kha u leludza muhwalo wa ndaulo na wa ndangulo.Maikaelelo a thutopatlisiso eno e ne e le go sekaseka seabe sa diphetogo tsa ditšhelete mo go oketseng phitlhelesego ya maatla a a ntšhwafatsegang mo lephateng la kgwebo, e le sediriswa sa go tsweletsa tsweletsego, go fokotsa tlhagiso ya khabone le go tokafatsa go nna teng ga maatla mo Aforikaborwa. Tshekatsheko ya dikwalo e lokolotse diketleetso tse di bonwang ke dikgwebo tsa Aforikaborwa gore di tlhame dipholisi tsa ditshiamelo tse di lebisang kwa go nneng teng ga maatla le maitlhomo a go fedisa khabone. Tshekatsheko eno ya khwalitatifi le papiso e lekanyetsa ditiragatso tse di gaisang tsa dipholisi kwa Tšhaena, Denmark, India le Jeremane, jaaka dinaga tse di setseng di tsweletse pele mo go kgabaganyetseng kwa maatleng a a ntšhwafatsegang. Diphitlhelelo tsa thutopatlisiso di supa gore ditshenyegelo tsa kobamelo di kwa godimo mme didiriswa tsa ditšhelete di opisa tlhogo e bile di marara. Mo godimo ga moo, dikgwebo dingwe ga di na kitso ya gore di ka fitlhelela diketleetso tsa lekgetho la maatla a a ntšhwafatsegang. Malebana le didiriswa tsa ditšhelete, kelo e e setseng e beilwe e botlhokwa go netefatsa gore matlotlo a naga ga a rwesiwe mokgweleo o o boitshegang. Thutopatlisiso e atlenegisa gore go nolofadiwe moralo wa didiriswa tsa ditšhelete le matlotlo go netefatsa gore dikgwebo tsa Aforikaborwa di le dintsi di oketsa dipeeletso tsa maatla a a ntšhwafadiwang. Go tlaleletsa moo, go fokotsa ditshenyegelo tsa tsamaiso ya kobamelo gammogo le go lekanyetsa palo ya ditheo tse dintsi tse di tsamaisang diphetogo tsa ditšhelete go ka akgela mo go nolofatseng mokgweleo wa tsamaiso le taolo.M. Phil. (Accounting Science)College of Accounting Science