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Good corporate governance in state owned enterprises: a legal analysis
Full text linkMaster of Law with Mercantile Law, North-West University-- Potchefstroom CampusThis study examines the governance challenges in State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in relation to South African legislation, governance regulations and best practice codes introduced to ensure that accountability, transparency, and good corporate governance principles are observed by the entities and their role players in the governance structures. The said legislation and regulations coupled with policies, best practices, Memoranda of Incorporation (MOIs), shareholder compacts, and National Treasury Circulars constitute the SOE governance framework within which SOEs operate. Furthermore, the study seeks to ascertain if the seemingly comprehensive regulatory framework, is adequate to combat corruption, financial mismanagement, and abuses of power happening regularly in the governance of SOEs. The study will establish why seemingly, the law and policy framework, although comprehensive, is not effective in preventing corruption and abuse of public assets in SOEs. Reported governance failures and criminal acts at various SOEs over the last decade allegedly escalated into state capture, a higher level of abuse of public resources and power identified by the Public Protector in her report in 2016. This escalation happened despite the comprehensive legal and regulatory frameworks in the sector. The Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture (Zondo Commission), through evidence led suggest that national government departments and municipalities are not spared from the effects and consequences of SOE failures as evidenced by load shedding by Eskom, water-shedding, and other crippling service delivery failures
Reproductive behaviour of the Kloof Frog (Natalobatrachus bonebergi), an endangered South African endemic
Full text linkMaster of Science in Environmental Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom CampusAmphibians are vulnerable to extremes in environmental factors such as air temperature, rainfall and relative humidity which greatly influence their physiological parameters and subsequentially their phenology. This vulnerability extends to reproductive behaviour and is reflected in developmental processes of larvae, which are laid in jelly-like eggs. Natalobatrachus bonebergi is an Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species and is also monotypic within the genus. Its threat status is based on the threats faced by this species and a severely fragmented distribution. This species is a riparian forest specialist - threatened by deforestation, urbanisation, agricultural clearing, pollution and siltation. Little knowledge exists on the reproductive behaviour of N. bonebergi. Monitoring and surveillance efforts for the species have been undertaken since 2013 in Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Using a protocol developed by the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Threatened Amphibian Programme and tested by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Honorary Officers, extensive data have been collected on N. bonebergi reproduction in the form of egg clump counts along riverine transects. With this wealth of data, this study aimed to collect additional data on N. bonebergi reproduction through acoustic monitoring, egg clump isolation experiments and in situ observations of reproductive behaviour from April 2023 to April 2024. A quantitative approach was used to statistically investigate various reproductive behaviours and the relationships these have with environmental factors throughout the species’ extended breeding season. Numerous new insights into parental care, male competition, complex communication and interactions between conspecifics and responses to environmental stimuli have been gathered. Knowledge of this species’ phenology is important in understanding the evolutionary and ecological processes governing their behavioural patterns, aiding conservation management of this species and its habitats.-The National Research Foundation of South AfricaMaster
Performance evaluation using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA)
Full text linkDoctor of Philosophy in Operational Research-- North-West University-- Vanderbijlpark CampusThe study proposes the use of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to analyse the perfor mance of Decision Making Units (DMUs). DEA models are optimisation models, where you have an objective function to minimise or maximise based on data. Efficiency in DEA heavily relies on this concept. However, the optimal value is a single value which changes as the sample data changes. In other words, DMUs may be deemed efficient under one data set and inefficient under another. Due to the sample data nature used in statistics and DEA is a data driven method, the question is: How does one conclude whether a particular DMU is or is not efficient? This study attempts to answer this question by cre ating confidence intervals for such DMUs using the non-parametric bootstrap resampling method. The core concept of bootstrapping involves using resampled data from an original sample to mimic the process of making inferences about a larger population. Since the actual population remains unknown, determining the accuracy of a sample statistic compared to its true population value is challenging. However, bootstrapping resolves this issue by treating the sample as a proxy for the population, allowing for measurable assessments of inference quality when applying the resampled data to the original sample. More formally, the bootstrap works by treating inference of the true probability distribution, given the original data, as being analogous to an inference of the empirical distribution, given the resampled data. The accuracy of inferences regarding the true probability distribution using the resampled data can be assessed because we know its estimate. If the estimate is a reasonable approximation to the true probability distribution, then the quality of inference on the true probability distribution can in turn be inferred. This study explores the concept of efficiency and its evolution within the framework of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), motivated by the need for objective performance evaluation across various domains. A comprehensive theoretical foundation is laid out, detailing key DEA models and mathematical extensions, including those that accommo date ratio data which are critical for real-world applications. The study also incorporates the non-parametric bootstrap resampling method to enhance the robustness of the effi ciency analysis. The models considered include the Banker, Charnes, and Cooper (BCC) model, the Slacks-Based Measure (SBM) model, and the Additive (ADD) model. The DEA methodology is applied to two primary domains: professional football and fi nance. In the context of football, the study evaluates the performance of players during the 2020/2021 season across 18 top leagues and competitions worldwide. It critiques the current FIFA awards selection process, which heavily relies on subjective expert voting and often favours players from European teams or those in attacking positions. DEA is proposed as a more objective alternative, focusing on individual player performance based on 20 selected variables such as minutes played, assists, penalty goals, and clean sheets. The DEA results aligned with the FIFA rankings for 4 of the 11 nominees: Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi, Mohammed Salah, and Karim Benzema, whilst offering con trasting evaluations for others like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. Ultimately, the models supported Lewandowski’s win but highlighted inconsistencies in the current selection sys tem. In the financial domain, DEA models are employed to evaluate the performance of com panies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Top 40. The goal is to identify efficient companies based on fundamental performance metrics, such as dividends per share, current ratio, and quick ratio, rather than stock price behaviour. This approach is especially beneficial for investors prioritising dividend income. The results showed that both classical and bootstrap versions of the SBM and BCC models were consistent in selecting efficient companies, while the bootstrap version of the Additive model was overly conservative, labeling all companies as inefficient. Building on the financial analysis, the study applies portfolio theory to the DEA identified efficient companies. Optimal portfolios are constructed and tested using out-of-sample data, with their performance compared to that of the JSE Top 40 index. While the index outperformed most portfolios, the medium-risk portfolio derived from the classical Additive model exceeded the index in terms of profitability. This portfolio included stocks such as Amplats, Anglogold, Bats, Capitec, Richemont, Firstrand, and Pepkorh. Overall, the research demonstrates the value of DEA as a rigorous, data-driven tool for evaluating performance in both sports and financial markets, offering a more objective foundation for decision-making and recognition
Exploring financial practices and church growth in selected Pentecostal churches in Ghana: A practical theological study
Full text linkDoctor of Philosophy in Theology with Pastoral Studies, North-West University-- Potchefstroom CampusThe financial management practices of Pentecostal churches play a crucial role in their growth and sustainability. This study examines the effectiveness of financial strategies employed by three major Ghanaian Pentecostal churches—The Church of Pentecost, The Apostolic Church of Ghana, and Assemblies of God, Ghana—in fostering church growth while adhering to biblical principles. These churches primarily depend on tithing, fundraising events, and member donations as key financial strategies. Their practices are guided by theological principles of stewardship, accountability, and God’s ownership, ensuring ethical and transparent financial management. The study aims to explore how financial management contributes to the sustainability of Ghanaian Pentecostal churches. It specifically identifies effective financial strategies, assesses their alignment with biblical teachings, and evaluates their impact on church operations, outreach programmes, and community development. Data were gathered through interviews, structured surveys, document analysis, and participant observation, with 225 respondents, including senior pastors, associate pastors, elders, treasurers, and church members. Interviews provided qualitative insights into financial practices, while surveys captured grassroots perspectives. Document analysis of financial reports, policy manuals, and constitutions further validatedfindings. Key findings highlight that tithing, fundraising, and donations are the most effective financial strategies. Tithing serves as the foundation, providing financial stability for operational and mission related expenses. Fundraising events, often tied to evangelism and church planting, generate resources for specific projects while fostering unity among congregants. Member donations, including freewill offerings, demonstrate personal commitment to the church’s mission. Transparency and accountability emerged as crucial factors in maintaining trust and encouraging participation. Regular financial reporting and audits ensure ethical fund management, aligning with biblical stewardship principles. The study underscores the importance of aligning financial management practices with biblical teachings to promote institutional and spiritual growth. Integrating stewardship, accountability, and transparency fosters ethical financial practices, trust, and active member participation. By prioritising tithing, fundraising, and donations, these churches establish a stable financial foundation for expansion, missions, and community outreach. The findings emphasise that financial strategies rooted in theology not only sustain church operations but also advance the broader mission of spreading the gospel and serving communities
Simplified Temporal Convolutional-based Channel Estimation for a WiFi Vehicular Communication Channel
Full text linkNorth-West University, Faculty of Engineering, Potchefstroom Campus, 2025Channel estimation in vehicular communication is a crucial element in the advancement of intelligent transportation systems. However, the use of pilot signals in the IEEE 802.11p standard is insufficient for accurate channel estimation in high mobility scenarios. Data pilot-aided (DPA) estimation helps address this, but suffers from demapping errors. We propose a simplified Temporal Convolutional Network-based estimator (DPA-TCN) trained on a mixed signal-to-noise ratio dataset to improve estimation performance and reduce computational complexity. Our DPA-TCN estimator achieves a bit error rate comparable to a state-of-the-art long-short-term memory network with DPA and temporal averaging (LSTM-DPA-TA) while reducing the complexity of the model by approximately 65%. Index Terms—channel estimation, deep learning, IEEE 802.11p, TCN, vehicle-to-vehicle, wireless communications.
The fairness of dismissals for misconduct arising from mental illness in South Africa
Full text linkMaster of Laws in Labour Law, North-West University-- Potchefstroom CampusSouth African employers face complex challenges in managing employees with mental health conditions, particularly due to limited dedicated legislation. The legal framework protecting employees with mental health conditions is primarily governed by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (LRA), Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, and various codes of practice and guidelines. These collectively establish comprehensive protections against discrimination and unfair dismissal. The LRA mandates that all dismissals must meet both substantive and procedural fairness requirements. This becomes particularly sophisticated in cases involving mental illness, where employers must carefully balance organisational needs with employee rights. The Code of Good Practice: Dismissal specifically requires consideration of employees' health and personal circumstances when evaluating the fairness of dismissal decisions. Key legal precedents, including New Way Motor & Diesel Engineering v Marsland and Jansen v Legal Aid South Africa, have established that employers must adopt a compassionate and holistic approach when addressing misconduct related to mental illness. This approach is endorsed in the case of Spero v Elvey International (Pty) Ltd1 and requires employers to consider reasonable accommodations before resorting to dismissal, though they may cite unjustified hardship as a limitation to such accommodations. The current framework emphasises a social model of disability, recognising that disabilities are often created or exacerbated by social environment rather than solely by physical or mental impairments. This perspective requires employers to evaluate both the workplace environment and individual circumstances when managing mental health-related issues, ensuring fair treatment while maintaining operational effectiveness. To understand said obligations, the research uses a desk-top method of research literature published through secondary sources that include articles in journals, academic books, web publications as well as those from primary sources such as legislation, case laws and international conventions. The research will employ a case study methodology to conduct a comprehensive analysis of dismissal practices related to mental health-induced misconduct in South African workplaces
Afrocentricity: opening the African mouth and mind
Full text linkThis paper is an exercise in the exorcizing of white racial supremacy in the minds of African intellectuals. Asante connects the ancient Nile Valley Complex of cultures (Kemet, Kush, and Axum) to classical concepts that were disseminated throughout the African world. Explaining the distorted view of African society because of European marginalizing of the African continent’s gifts, Asante proposes the amplification of an Afrocentric assertion where the agency of African people assume the leading role in any interpretation of African phenomena
Sceletium tortuosum-derived mesembrine significantly contributes to the anxiolytic effect of Zembrin®, but its anti-depressant effect may require synergy of multiple plant constituents
Full text linkJournal Article, Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom CampusEthnopharmacology relevance
Sceletium tortuosum (L.) N.E.Br. (ST) is an alkaloid-rich succulent plant with various mechanisms of action that infer psychotropic effects. These actions correlate with clinical evidence suggesting efficacy in the treatment of depression and anxiety, in line with its use by indigenous populations. Its low side effect profile suggests potential of ST to improve the overall wellbeing and compliance of millions of patients that experience severe side effects and/or do not respond to current prescription medication. However, to elucidate specific physiological effects of ST extracts, it is necessary to first understand which of its constituents are the major contributors to beneficial effects demonstrated for ST in this context.
Aim of the study
To determine an anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effective concentration of a ST extract by means of a dose response in zebrafish (ZF) larvae, and to assess relative contributions of equivalent concentrations of isolated alkaloids contained in the effective concentration(s).
Materials and methods
A dose response study employing a light-dark transition test (LDTT) was done in ZF larvae (<5 days post fertilization) to track locomotor activity in terms of anxiety-like (hyperlocomotion) and depression-like (hypolocomotion) behaviour. Larvae were treated for 1 h directly before the LDTT with escalating concentrations of a ST extract commercially known as Zembrin® (Zem) ranging from 0.25 to 500 μg/mL and compared to an untreated control group (n = 12 per treatment concentration). LDTT was repeated after 24 h to evaluate long-term exposure toxicity. The concentration that best attenuated hyperlocomotion during the dark phase following light-dark transition was identified as the anxiolytic-like concentration. This concentration, plus one higher and one lower concentration, were used for subsequent tests. The percentage content of each alkaloid (mesembrine, mesembrenone, mesembrenol, and mesembranol) in these concentrations were calculated and applied to additional larvae to identify the most effective anxiolytic-like alkaloid in the LDTT. To identify antidepressant-like therapeutic concentration and equivalent alkaloid concentration, the same treatment concentrations were tested in larvae (n = 12 per treatment concentration) pre-exposed to reserpine for 24 h. Depending on normality of data distribution, Brown-Forsythe and Welch, or Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA were used, with Dunnett or Dunn's multiple comparisons tests.
Results
Only the extreme concentration of Zem (500 μg/mL) elicited toxicity after treatment for 24 h. Zem 12.5 μg/mL was the most effective anxiolytic-like concentration as it significantly decreased locomotor activity (P = 0.05) in the LDTT. Low (5 μg/mL), optimal (12.5 μg/mL) and high (25 μg/mL) Zem concentrations, as well as treatment solutions of single alkaloids (mesembrine, mesembrenone, mesembranol and mesembrenol), prepared to contain equivalent concentrations of each major alkaloid contained within these three concentrations of Zem, were tested further. Only mesembrine concentrations equal to that contained within the optimal and high dose of Zem (12.5 and 25 μg/mL) showed significant anxiolytic-like effects (P < 0.05). Only the highest Zem concentration (25 μg/mL) reversed the effects of reserpine - indicating antidepressant-like properties (P < 0.05) - while isolated alkaloids failed to induce such effects when administered in isolation.
Conclusions
Current data provide evidence of both anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effect of whole extract of Zem, with relatively higher concentrations required to achieve antidepressant-like effect. Of all alkaloids assessed, only mesembrine contributed significantly to the anxiolytic-like effects of Zem. No alkaloid alone could be pinpointed as a contributor to the antidepressant-like activity observed for higher concentration Zem. This may be due to synergistic effects of the alkaloids or may be due to other components not tested here. Current data warrants further investigation into mechanisms of action, as well as potential synergy, of ST alkaloids in suitable mammalian in vivo models
Psychedelic ontogenesis: A philosophy of psychedelic experience via Simondon, Deleuze and Guattari
Full text linkDoctor of Philosophy in Philosophy, North-West University-- Potchefstroom CampusIn this dissertation I examine the profoundly subjectively transformative experiences afforded by psychedelic plants and chemicals. Beginning with a broad overview of the long histories of use of these substances in myriad diverse contexts, I observe that a surprisingly consistent set of core features of the psychedelic experience has been elaborated in very different times and places. These features include an understanding of psychedelics as agents of death, rebirth and transformation, whether this is construed as a return to the fons et origo (the source of being), as drug-induced ego death, as a journey into metastable hyperreality or as the individuation of a pre-individual field into new expressions of being. I trace this core notion of psychedelic rebirth, along with several other key salient features of the psychedelic experience, from several thousand years BCE to the 1960s, paying specific attention to the ways in which such experiences have been thought about philosophically. I then turn to the current wave of interest in psychedelics unfolding in scientific research laboratories. I examine, and in some instances critique, various models of psychedelic experience that seek to ground themselves in, or explain the findings of, cutting-edge neuroscience, and I show how in many cases these models reiterate much older views on the relationship between psychedelics, consciousness and subjectivity. I also show how dominant models of the mind – and of psychedelic experiences by extension – view it as an emergent and chaotic expression of multiple interacting neurobiological dynamics at various scales of organisational complexity, from neurochemistry to the complex spatiotemporal patterns exhibited by whole brain activity. Such views challenge reductionist approaches to understanding the connection between brains and minds and call for a different approach to the slippery subject of consciousness. Here I turn to the enactivist critique of still dominant functionalist, computationalist and representationalist models of cognition. I argue that understanding minds as expressions of complex, precarious entanglements of living systems affords us a much more realistic view in this regard, with consequences for how we think about the contexts within which psychedelic experiences take place – contexts that can dramatically affect the course of such experiences. Finally, I turn to Gilbert Simondon, Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari to develop a sustained philosophical account of the transformative nature of psychedelic experiences as a form of what Simondon calls individuation and what Deleuze and Guattari call becoming. I argue here that these philosophies, grounded as they are in the primacy of process, individuation and ontogenesis, allow us to better understand the dynamics of subjective dissolution and transformation wrought by psychedelics; dynamics that can, if we understand them well enough, be employed for, among other things, healing, insight and creativity.Doctor of Philosoph
Leisure education and indigenous knowledge systems in South Africa: a commentary
Full text linkArticle, Faculty of Health Sciences (Physical Activity Sport and Recreation (PhASRec)--Northwest University, Potchefstroom CampusThe role of leisure education in equipping individuals and society to participate in leisure is well-researched in scholarship. In this commentary, we argue that incorporating indigenous knowledge systems (derived from South Africa’s (SA) diverse peoples, cultures and languages) in leisure education may promote inclusivity, cultural relevance and alternative leisure perspectives. Drawing from various scholarly perspectives, this article defines leisure education, revisits the concept of leisure, explores the concept of indigenous knowledge systems and presents a case for the inclusion of indigenous knowledge in the SA context. The implications that are drawn from the discussion call for a re- thinking of leisure education so that it responds to SA’s contextual realities through the strategic incorporation of indigenous knowledge. This may contribute towards contextualized leisure research methods, wholesome leisure education content, creative resource-attainment strategies, novel knowledge-transfer methods and unique skill-equipping techniques that may advance leisure wellness, social cohesion and the leisure profession in S