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How does the school culture of a high school in the Western Cape impact the psychological well-being of a teacher of colour?
Get PDFThe purpose of this study is to examine how the school culture of a high school in the Western Cape impacts the psychological well-being of a woman teacher of colour. This study is situated within an Interpretivist research paradigm, and focuses on an oral narrative case study design via the process of semi-structured interview questions involving one participant – a woman teacher of colour. I examine the research question through the method of Ryff's Model of Psychological well-being. Key findings show that this teacher's interpersonal relationships in the school were fractured along race lines with her principal favouring white teachers to teach subject-specific content. Moreover, personal relationships with her family-sister and husband-proved to be more positive and mitigated the negative effects of some interpersonal relationships in her work environment. In conclusion, this thesis examines how systemic racial and gender biases, coupled with autocratic leadership, adversely affected a woman teacher of colour's psychological well-being in a high school in the Western Cape. Recommendations include a holistic approach regarding policy reform, targeted interventions, and community involvement as essential to improve teacher well-being and, by extension, educational outcomes
The impact of air traffic management automation on the human performance of air traffic controllers in aviation law
Get PDFAdvancements in communication, navigation, surveillance and air traffic management (CNS/ATM) systems directly impact air traffic controllers (ATCs), who must interact with these technologies within a regulated framework. The hypothesis is that aligning these advancements with their governing international, regional, and national legislation and operational procedures with ATCs in mind will significantly enhance ATCs' performance and trust in these advancements and increase operational safety in a progressively technology-driven environment. Therefore, the research investigated the impact of CNS/ATM advancements on ATCs, the extent to which international, regional and national legislation consider ATCs, and whether the legislation can effectively address the rapid development and growing consequences caused by automation, including artificial intelligence. The study employed a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating a review of human factors research, an analysis of relevant international and European Union aviation law and initiatives, and a comparison of national policies and legislation of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and South Africa. Lastly, it included a qualitative survey directed at ATCs to draw from their operational expertise. The human factors literature review highlighted the growing implications of automation, including issues such as complacency, overreliance, distrust in automation, and diminishing manual skills. The legislative analyses unveiled various shortcomings at each level, while the survey revealed that ATCs follow operational procedures regardless of accuracy. Additionally, the survey showed that automation failures significantly increase ATC workload. Lastly, although no participant could indicate how artificial intelligence is currently employed in ATM, most do not trust it nor believe it would be able to control air traffic without any ATC input
Inclusive Leadership and Job Performance: A Study of Blue-Collar Worker Perceptions
No full textIn South Africa, blue-collar workers typically operate in labour-intensive work environments where inclusive leadership behaviours are often not viewed as a value-adding tool and where employee willingness to contribute to organisational processes is low. All of which can negatively impact individual job performance. Although there is growing literature focussing on inclusive leadership as a critical driver of job performance, there is a scarcity of research understanding this relationship in a South African blue-collar worker context, where this group is considered the backbone of the country's economy. This research argues that understanding the perceptions and behaviours of this group can be worthwhile when addressing the challenges faced by this group and identifying performance-motivating factors. The primary aim of this study was to explore the impact of perceptions of inclusive leadership on the job performance of blue-collar workers utilising three dimensions for performance, including (1) task performance, (2) contextual performance and (3) counterproductive work behaviour. Further, the moderating effect of psychological safety on this relationship was explored to expand on existing literature. Data was collected using a sample of 122 employees from multiple industries using self-report questionnaires. Data was analysed using correlation analysis, regression analysis and moderation analysis. The study's results revealed that the perceived perceptions of inclusive leadership of a blue-collar worker in South Africa positively influenced an employee's contextual performance and decreased the counterproductive work behaviour exhibited by an employee. Further, contrary to earlier studies, the results indicated that inclusive leadership did not significantly correlate with task performance. Additionally, this study revealed that psychological safety significantly correlated with task and contextual performance, whereas there was no significant relationship between psychological safety and counterproductive work behaviours. Despite the significance of these findings, the results were less robust than in previously published research. Lastly, it was observed that psychological safety was not an effective moderator of the relationship between inclusive leadership and job performance. Although these results were inconsistent with previous studies, these findings contribute to the growing body of inclusive leadership literature in South Africa
The prevalence and severity of the symptom burden in patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in a resource limited setting
Get PDFGlobally, kidney failure is Increasing. In South Africa, limited access to kidney replacement therapy (KRT) necessitates urgent improvement in kidney supportive and palliative care. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional, mixed-method study was conducted at two Cape Town hospitals from June 2021 to June 2023. Participants with end-stage kidney failure (n=75) were categorized into three groups: receiving dialysis, on the waiting list, and ineligible for state-funded KRT (category 3). Data collection included demographics, comorbidities, and social circumstances. The Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale Renal (IPOS-Renal) questionnaire assessed symptom burden, complemented by qualitative insights from open-ended interviews, which underwent thematic analysis. Results: The cohort was young, with a median age of 40 (33-45) years, and faced significant poverty, commonly experiencing weakness/lack of energy (64%). Patients on the waiting list and those in category 3 had a higher symptom burden. Category 3 patients had the highest prevalence of shortness of breath (p=0.006), dry mouth (p<0.001), poor mobility (p=0.007), and restless legs (p=0.038). Emotional symptoms were prevalent across all groups. Category 3 patients experienced the most severe physical symptoms, including shortness of breath (p=0.003), sore/dry mouth (p<0.001), drowsiness (p=0.028), and poor mobility (p<0.001). They also experienced the highest levels of personal anxiety (p<0.001), patient perception of family anxiety (p=0.037), and appointment time wastage (p=0.021). Qualitative findings highlighted concerns for families, fears about unfulfilled lives, and the need for better access to information. Conclusion: Limited literature exists on symptom burden in conservative kidney care with dialysis rationing. Recommendations advocate early multidisciplinary team involvement, improved patient and family support, and enhanced palliative care training
The state and upland populations: ivory, cattle and guns in Nomansland 1820-1880
Get PDFThis thesis examines trade and illicit networks in the area of the southern Drakensberg known as Nomansland through the commodities of ivory, cattle and guns in the period 1820 to 1880. In doing so it proposes that the ivory economy pursued by Botwas in the 1820s and 1830s constituted a resistance or escape economy meaning that it allowed them to evade state appropriation and violence. It also examines discourse about the area and argues that the area was described as disordered, lawless, unsettled and in a state of war. Further it argues that these descriptions were closely tied to cattle raiding in the area and that they served as justification for the imposition of colonial order through a series of treaty negotiations in the 1840s and 1850s which granted control of the area to Faku in 1844, ceded the area from him in 1850 and allowed the settlement of the Griqua in the area in 1862. Lastly it examines the symbiotic relationship between governance and resistance which emerged in the 1870s and 1880s. It argues that the commodity of guns was both a commodity of governance and a site of resistance. It examines how state structures began to be established in the area in the 1870s and 1880s but also how elements of a resistance economy continued to be present, for example, through smuggling networks. The thesis thus examines the relationship between state discourse around the economic activity in the area which described this activity as illicit and the economic activity of the inhabitants of the area which constituted a resistance or escape economy
The anglophone problem in Francis Nyamnjoh's ethnographic fiction: negotiating nationalism, belonging and flexible Cameroonian citizenship
Get PDFThe Anglophone Problem in Cameroon encapsulates deeply entrenched linguistic, cultural, and political tensions stemming from the historical marginalisation of Anglophones by the Francophone-dominated government. Despite official denials, Anglophone grievances are rooted in the government's failure to honour the 1961 Constitution, which established a federal structure recognising the equal status of Anglophone and Francophone regions (Konings & Nyamnjoh, 2003). The enforced unification of political parties into a single entity in 1966 (Ambanasom, 2013) and the abolition of federalism in 1972 contravened these constitutional principles, entrenching Francophone dominance. This marginalisation was further intensified in 1984 when a referendum rebranded the nation as “La République du Cameroun,” effectively erasing Anglophone identity as an equal partner in the union (Manjoh, 2028). Francis Beng Nyamnjoh is as an Anglophone Cameroonian writer and ethnographer. His ethnographic fiction portrays the shared struggles of individuals within a fragmented society, emphasising the dynamic and dialectical nature of their relationships. This study examines how Nyamnjoh addresses the complexities of belonging in this context, focusing on his eight novels: Mind Searching (1991), The Disillusioned African (1995), A Nose for Money (2006), Souls Forgotten (2008), The Travail of Dieudonné (2008), Married but Available (2009), Intimate Strangers (2010), and Homeless Waters (2011) through the lens of ethnographic fiction. It explores his depiction of the Anglophone issue, investigating themes of nationalism, belonging, and citizenship in Cameroon. By critically analysing the imaginary Mimboland setting of these novels as an allegory of Cameroon, and the allegorical citizenship of Mimbolanders, the study delves into the intricate process of identity formation and the socio-political challenges arising from Cameroon's postcolonial history, where Anglophone Cameroonians endeavour to secure their place within the broader national framework. Through this literary analysis, I argue that Anglophones must navigate a delicate balance of cultural loyalty, political alignment, and the pursuit of a more inclusive national citizenship. Nyamnjoh's fiction, in this context, reflects on contested concepts of belonging, national identity, and the fluid nature of citizenship within Cameroon's divided linguistic landscape. Ultimately, this dissertation sheds light on the ongoing quest for recognition and self-determination amidst the complex and evolving socio-political realities of Cameroon
Multi-purpose applications of energy storage systems in a power system network
Get PDFBattery energy storage systems (BESSs) are acknowledged by many researchers as the principal technology required to achieve a high penetration of renewable energy into the electricity network. However, the utilization of a BESS for a single application can lead to under-utilization and may not be economical. This thesis focuses on the multi-purpose applications of a BESS in an electricity grid. A novel methodology for the optimal sizing of a BESS for the multiple functions of providing support for the frequency nadir (during contingency events), reduction of real power losses, and mitigation of voltage deviations using the deep sleep optimizer (DSO) algorithm was developed. The proposed method establishes a relationship between frequency nadir, voltage variations, power losses, and the BESS multiplier by utilizing regression analysis techniques in multi-objective mathematical formulations. This approach simplifies and enhances the optimization of the multi-objective functions without relying on weighting factors, which are commonly used in many multi-objective optimizations. Additionally, to ensure that BESS capacity meets the acceptable frequency limits during a contingency event in a grid with a high renewable energy penetration, the suggested approach incorporates the rate of change of frequency (RoCoF) for varying degrees of renewable energy penetration. This is extremely important because as the use of renewable energy resources grows, RoCoF values will increase, causing the frequency to fluctuate rapidly during significant grid emergencies. Consequently, in a grid network with a high renewable energy penetration, a suitable RoCoF selection is necessary for sizing the BESS to satisfy the frequency regulation requirements. When comparing the proposed optimal sizing approach with existing methods, the suggested methodology performed better due to its ability to eliminate the weighting factors, thereby ensuring that none of the objective functions dominate the other. This resulted in a fair optimization process with enhanced results. Additionally, by deploying the new metaheuristic algorithm, the DSO, the computational time was reduced compared with other metaheuristic algorithms such as the particle swarm optimization (PSO) and genetic algorithm (GA). The optimal placement of a BESS in a power grid network was achieved using a novel placement algorithm that leveraged active power injections from mixed sources of power generation during a power system contingency, along with their corresponding inertia contributions. To control a BESS for the desired multiple functions, four sub-units of the control system were designed through the use of suitable controllers. These controllers ensured adequate frequency support during contingency, regulated the charging and discharging actions of the battery, and guaranteed the supply of active and reactive power. Simulation results showed that through the proposed methodologies, the BESS was able to: (a) sustain the frequency nadir within acceptable limits during an outage of the single largest generating unit; (b) reduce real power losses by about 50%; and (c) improve the voltage profile for all buses in an electricity grid network with a high renewable energy penetration
Blockchain technology for agriculture traceability systems in South Africa
Get PDFThis research explores the integration of blockchain technology in South Africa's agricultural sector to enhance food traceability. The study critically examines the evolving landscape of agri-food markets, transitioning from traditional to modern supply chains marked by globalisation and increased emphasis on quality and safety. The role of blockchain technology in addressing traceability challenges is assessed through an extensive literature review, featuring diverse perspectives and insights. The study investigates the application of blockchain in food traceability through an analysis of various models and frameworks presented in contemporary research studies. Notably, the research highlights the significance of traceability in ensuring food safety, quality, and sustainability, emphasising the growing consumer demand for transparent information about the origin and journey of food products. Past global food scandals have highlighted the need for robust traceability systems and highlighted the urgency of quick crisis identification and resolution. Blockchain technology emerges as a transformative solution for food traceability, offering immutability, transparency, and decentralised control. The study acknowledges the challenges associated with blockchain adoption, including issues related to data governance, interoperability, regulatory frameworks, implementation costs, and the need for stakeholder education. The research underscores the importance of sector-wide consensus and standardisation efforts to overcome these challenges and facilitate the transition from blockchain pilots to enduring implementations. The research is concluded by highlighting the implications of blockchain adoption, including enhanced transparency, improved food safety, and increased consumer confidence. It emphasises the need for collaborative efforts between government and industry stakeholders to establish supportive regulations and standardised protocols. The study identifies research gaps, including the exploration of advanced consensus mechanisms, privacy-preserving techniques, and the integration of artificial intelligence for data analytics. Continuous research and collaboration are proposed to address these gaps and drive ongoing innovation in the field. The study provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of blockchain technology in South African agriculture, offering insights for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to navigate the dynamic intersection of technology and food traceability
Digital preservation preparedness of the National Library of Namibia for digital preservation of documentary heritage: a case study
Get PDFThe study inquired into the National Library of Namibia's preparedness to digitally preserve Namibia's documentary heritage. The study triangulated the Open Archives Information System Reference Model and the Digital Preservation Capability Maturity Model, which aided to unpack digital preservation concepts. Within the pragmatic paradigm, the study adopted a convergent parallel mixed methods approach and employed a single case study design. The population of the study consisted of users of the National Library of Namibia, management of the Library and Archives Services of Namibia, board members of the Namibia Library and Information Council and selected staff of the National Library of Namibia. The respondents in the quantitative part of the study were selected using a convenient sampling technique while participants in the qualitative aspect of the study were selected using the purposive sampling method. Quantitative data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, while qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interview guides and a document search guide. ATLAS.ti software version 23.08 was used for the analysis of qualitative data, while SPPS software version 28 was used for descriptive statistical analysis of quantitative data. The study's findings revealed that the National Library of Namibia has made deliberate efforts to digitise some information sources which are in high demand by users. It also found that the National Library of Namibia does not have a digital preservation policy, digital preservation strategies and digital preservation programme to safeguard Namibia's documentary heritage for posterity access. The study concludes that the National Library of Namibia is not prepared to and capable of digitally preserving Namibia's documentary heritage due to the following reasons: lack of appropriate technological infrastructure; limited human resources; lack of knowledge and skills for digital preservation; and challenges associated with e-deposits. The study proposes a digital preservation framework for the National Library of Namibia and for the Namibia library and information sector. This framework could assist the National Library of Namibia to develop policies and guidelines to regulate the digital preservation of Namibia's documentary heritage for posterity
Renal allograft biopsies at Groote Schuur Hospital: a histopathologic descriptive study with molecular insights
Get PDFBackground: Kidney transplantation is the definitive treatment for end-stage kidney disease. Immune-mediated rejection remains a barrier to success. It is diagnosed through the Banff classification, which incorporates histopathology and biomarkers (C4d/donor specific antibodies (DSA)). In resource-limited settings, DSA testing can be challenging, necessitating reliable alternatives. Aim: This study evaluated: (1) rejection patterns at our hospital; (2) the impact of the Banff 2022 criteria with a computer-assisted tool; and (3) the utility of C4d as a predictor of DSA status. Methods: We analysed 197 for-cause historic biopsy reports between 2015-2022 for details of rejection- and non-rejection pathologies, Banff lesion scores and DSA status. A computer- based tool was used on historic data to re-calculate Banff 2022 classification diagnoses, which were compared to historic diagnoses. Logistic regression assessed C4d as a predictor of DSA. Results: The cohort showed a male predominance (59.3%). Sixty-three percent of cases showed non-rejection pathology, with acute tubular injury and pyelonephritis being the most frequent. TCMR was the most common form of rejection (17.3%), with AMR being the least common (7.6%). The computer-based tool demonstrated agreement of 92.4% for AMR/TCMR and 84.6% of borderline TCMR, but was confounded by non-rejection pathologies. C4d predicted DSA-positivity with 95% specificity but only 29.5% sensitivity. Conclusion: The Banff 2022 criteria were additive in rejection diagnosis, with a computer-based tool acting as a guide but not a pure diagnostic tool. The high specificity of C4d makes it valuable where DSA testing is limited. Contribution: This study validates the role of the Banff 2022 in our setting, aided by a computer-based tool that aims to decrease logical- and transcription errors when using the complex Banff classification. It also demonstrates C4d's role as a practical DSA proxy, offering actionable solutions in resource-limited settings