Post-coronavirus disease resilience of cooperative financial institutions in Kenya.

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Globally, Cooperative Financial Institutions (CFIs) suffered enormously from the unprecedented havoc and disruptions of the coronavirus disease 2019, which resulted in insurmountable and unimaginable public health, social and economic impacts and has continued three years postpandemic. The CFIs are grappling with rebuilding and bouncing back from the negative impact of the pandemic that resulted in unpredictable cash flows, reduced fixed deposits through continued withdrawals, dormant membership, massive layoffs, and a decline in profits and savings. This study aimed to investigate the resilience of CFIs post the pandemic in Kenya to formulate an improved resilient business model for systemic economic shocks and crises. The study was conducted in Nairobi Metropolis and Nairobi City County. An exploratory, descriptive cross-sectional study design was applied with a mixed methods approach—the study population comprised operations, finance, marketing, and chief executive officers. Probability and non-probability approaches were employed. Multi-stage sampling was used to select the study population and study area. Data collection tools included a semi-structured questionnaire distributed among 35 respondents and a Key Informant Interview schedule among 11 executives. Secondary data was generated from the existing documents in the respective institutions. Pearson’s Chi-square test and logistic regression showed the associations between the dependent and independent variables using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23 for quantitative data and content analysis using themes in NVivo version 12 for qualitative data. The study recommends an all-inclusive model to inform better planning and implementation by stakeholders in the cooperative movement in the face of the next pandemic. This model for the future should anchor risk-based leadership and organizational culture with sustainability at the core of people, profit formula, key processes, and resources within CFIs. Cooperative financial institutions must adopt a broad-based liquidity avenue, including exploring alternatives for equity. This should include private sector capital mobilization in addition to informing global, regional and national in synergy while preparing for the next pandemic. Finally, the government, executive and legislature are challenged to rethink the policies and laws governing CFIs to enable them to become future-fit institutions

Planning for the protection of the natural resource base within an urban biodiversity hotspot (Durban, South Africa)

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.This thesis responds to the global call for local government to play an active role in responding to the global biodiversity crisis. The study focused on Durban, South Africa, which has four decades of experience in biodiversity conservation. The purpose of the thesis was to determine, using Durban as a case study, the role a local government can play in contributing towards improved biodiversity outcomes. Through new case-study research, in the context of biodiversity conservation, the thesis aimed to contribute to addressing the global policy to local implementation gap, research-implementation gap, and the Global South research gap. Using analytical frameworks, spatial analyses, and local spatial data, the thesis investigated three key areas. Chapter two analysed Durban’s evolution in open space planning, identifying crucial elements in advancing biodiversity mainstreaming. Evidence was provided in the mainstreaming of biodiversity concerns within local government processes, institutional functions, and land-use decision-making. This has been achieved through effective and sustained leadership; the use of science and scientific information in advancing the policy and legislative environment; and building political support by responding to shifting governance contexts; investment in institutional scientific capacity; and generating scale-appropriate biodiversity information. The third chapter examined the effectiveness of local government tools in protecting, managing, and restoring biodiversity. Successes included town planning tools contributing to avoided biodiversity loss and protection of key sites, and effective land management and restoration efforts with socio-economic co-benefits. Challenges persisted that hampered progress, including unequal protection and investment based on socio-economic status; cross sectorial barriers and governance fragmentation; and inappropriate incentives to promote conservation. Future priorities include scaling successful models, improving incentives for landowners, and adopting a more community-centred approach. The fourth chapter explored opportunities to increase terrestrial area-based biodiversity conservation in Durban. Traditional authority areas and private landholdings harbour most biodiversity features outside existing conservation areas. Inclusion of complementary land-use zones and unrealised conservation servitudes represent short-term interventions to increase the conservation estate. Aligning critical biodiversity areas with biophysically contained areas offers significant potential conservation and sustainable development co-benefits. Developing tools and incentives for area-based conservation in traditional authority areas, and targeted rezoning to protect threatened vegetation, represent important required interventions. Building on the learnings from the previous chapter, these opportunities were assessed in terms of feasibility, effectiveness, and co-benefits for climate change resilience. This thesis demonstrated the important role that a local government can play in contributing towards broader biodiversity goals, identifying investment areas that may shorten the time required for effective mainstreaming; challenges and opportunities to advance biodiversity outcomes; and provided innovative mechanisms to advance biodiversity and urban sustainability outcomes

The implementation of the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) Ssstem in government departments: a case study of the KwaZulu-Natal department of social development.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.The study is centred on “The Implementation of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) System in Government Departments: A case study of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development”. The Ministry of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation began in 2009, and the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) was established in January 2010. The Department of Social Development (DSD) Annual Reports for 2017/18 and 2018/19 contained the Auditor General’s audit outcomes of the Department of Social Development performance information. The audit/s revealed undesirable audit outcomes, with the department. Government departments should be effective in service delivery and efficient in allocating funds for service delivery programmes. The government is expected to report on its budget, programmes and achievements. The South African government has instituted a range of legislative and policy changes. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development’s mandate is to be delivered according to the South African Constitution and provide an effective, transparent, accountable and coherent intergovernmental system for provincial governments. This study seeks to understand the implementation of the Monitoring and Evaluation System in the KwaZulu Natal Department of Social Development. The study objectives examine the implementation of the M&E system in the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development and understand the role of monitoring and evaluation in the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development. The qualitative research study employed the qualitative research design. This included interviews for data collection and a thematic strategy for data analysis. The study employed the theory of change. The findings show capacity gap between national, provincial, and local government organizations influences evaluations' credibility.The study recommendations support the assertion that M&E contributes to effective programme implementation and a level of good governance; an integrated approach is recommended and emphasised to recognise the multi-faceted nature of social problems

Corruption and state capture : an interpretive reading of the reports of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.State capture and corruption gained ground and became topical during the tenure of Jacob Zuma as the president of the Republic of South Africa. As rumours made their way to the media, the then-Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, was tasked with investigating corruption and state capture. The Public Protector recommended the creation of a body to further investigate these allegations. As a result, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture was established. This study analyzed and interpreted the reports produced by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture. The study answered the following research questions: What is a state according to the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture reports? What are the concepts and theories of state capture that guided the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture? How does state capture manifest itself in the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture? What are the consequences of state capture? As its primary data sources, this study used the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture Report: Part VI Vol I - Estina, Vrede and the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture Report: Part VI Vol 2. Books and academic journals were used as secondary sources. This research utilized liberal, neoliberal and new institutional economic perspectives as its theoretical lenses. This qualitative study utilized the case study method to collect data, which was also used to analyze the data

Molecular epidemiology of antibiotic-resistant ESKAPEE pathogens in surface water in proximity to informal settlements: a tale of two cities.

Masters Degrees. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Drug-resistant Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter spp and Escherichia coli (ESKAPEE) are increasingly identified in wastewater and surface water of rivers and streams, presenting a transmission risk to humans, animals, and plants. Using whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, we investigated the resistome, mobilome, and phylogenetic relationships of antibiotic-resistant ESKAPEE bacteria in surface water from two cities. Water samples (500 mL) from streams near informal settlements in Durban and Pietermaritzburg were filtered through a 0.45 μm filter membrane. The ESKAPEE were identified on selective media, purified and tested for antibiotic susceptibility using the VITEK® 2 platform. DNA was extracted from isolates for whole genome sequencing, followed by bioinformatics analysis using the open-source CARD, CGE, RAST, BV-BRC and PubMLST tools. Eleven E. faecium, 12 E. coli, four K. pneumoniae and one Enterobacter isolate were molecularly identified. Cephalosporin-resistant E. coli was found in Durban with the AcrAB-TolC efflux pump that conferred resistance to multiple antibiotic classes. The ARGs identified in E. coli were blaTEM- 1, qnrB19 and qnrS1, sul1, sul3, dfrA12, tet(A), cmlA1, aadA1 and aadA2. ARGs aac(6)- Ii, ant(6)-Ia and aph(3”)-III, tet(M) and tet(L), msr(C) and erm(B) and dfrG were detected in E. faecium. The Durban K. pneumoniae isolates were MDR harbouring blaSHV-75, blaSHV-110, blaSHV-81, blaCTXM-14, blaCTX-M-15, blaTEM-1B, and blaOXA-1. E. kobei only harboured blaACT and tet(A) genes that showed phenotypic resistance against piperacillin- tazobactam. ARGs and MGEs in E. faecium were mostly carried on chromosomes. Plasmid-carried ARGs were associated with IS1, IS1B, IS6, IS256 and ISKpn19, and the Tn3 transposons in E. coli. Of all identified ESBL genes in K. pneumonaie, only blaTEM, blaCTX-M-14 and blaCTX-M-15 were co-carried on plasmids and associated with ISKpn25, ISNCY, IS3, IS1, IS5075, IScep1, and Tn3. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close relationships with other South African human, animal and environmental isolates. The identified ARGs and their associations with MGEs present potential transmission routes of these resistance genes within and across bacterial species in aquatic environments, making these surface waters a potential reservoir for antibiotic resistance transmission

Impact on intestinal epithelial and stromal cells in people living with HIV infection.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the largest immune organ in the human body and a critical site for HIV pathology. Dysregulation of gut homeostasis and depletion of GI tissue-resident CD4+ T-cells remain permanent regardless of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and recovery of CD4+ T-cells in circulation. The irreversible depletion of GI tissue-resident CD4+ T-cells may contribute to the dysregulation of gut homeostasis by impacting intestinal stem cells (ISC) and stromal cells through impaired immune signalling. To address this question, flow cytometric analysis of duodenum, colon, and ileum pinch biopsies obtained from uninfected controls and people living with HIV (PLWH) was performed. Flow cytometric analysis of epithelial cells (CD45-EpCAM+) showed an increase in intestinal stem cells (ISC) (CD44+EpBH2+) in the colon, duodenum, and ileum of PLWH. Flow cytometric analysis of stromal cells (CD45-EpCAM-CD235a-CD38-CD19-) showed a significant change in the CD31-PDPN1+ stromal fibroblast population. Across intestinal compartments, PLWH showed increased fibroblast frequencies compared with uninfected controls that were not directly linked to CD4+ T-cell depletion in the gut or blood viremia status. Overall, these results indicate that HIV infection increases the amount of ISCs and fibroblasts in the gut, which may contribute to the overall HIV-associated dysregulation in the GI tract. Further investigation is required to determine the mechanisms by which HIV impacts nonhematopoietic cellular compartments in the gut

The impact of oil price fluctuations on the South African exchange rate.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.This study investigates the nature of the relationship and the effects of changes in oil prices on South Africa's exchange rate. It fills an essential gap in comprehending how oil price shocks influence emerging market economic dynamics. South Africa is heavily dependent on imported oil, with 90% of the country’s oil and petroleum needs coming from imported sources, and the exchange rate is overly sensitive to fluctuations in oil prices. Through the use of a Bayesian Vector Auto Regressive (BVAR) model, this study examines the connections in the period from 2000-2022 between oil prices, the South African Rand (ZAR), and key macroeconomic indicators, like the Consumer Price Index (CPI), interest rates, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The study finds that the initial oil price shock to exchange rates is weakly positive in the short run, reflecting a 1% increase in oil prices, leading to a 0.08% exchange rate appreciation. This response is, however, very short-lived, as after the initial shock, results reflect a negative relationship in the long run. The study also finds an asymmetrical relationship between oil prices and exchange rates. These effects become more pronounced when global uncertainty is at its peak. This study aligns with studies such as those by Korley and Giouvris (2022), which highlight how shifts in oil prices affect exchange rates through trade balance and inflation pressures. By incorporating the concept of asymmetry into the study, this research yields information on how vulnerable the Rand is to sudden increases in oil prices, providing essential data for policymakers. The findings have implications for shaping policies in South Africa. Exchange rate stability strategies could involve diversifying energy sources and introducing risk hedging methods while striving for stability through flexible monetary and fiscal policies. This research also adds to the ongoing conversation about the susceptibility of emerging market currencies to external pressures, serving as a reference point for examining comparable economies. This research enriches the existing body of knowledge by addressing methodological gaps and providing a contemporary analysis of South Africa's exchange rate dynamics in a post-crisis global economy

The identification of novel Staphylococcus aureus protein arginine kinase McsB ligands.

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Abstract available in PDF

Applying participatory mapping approaches to assess local communities’ perceptions of climate change and implications on their adaptation strategies: the case of communal rangeland community, Vulindlela, South Africa.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.This study investigated the role of Participatory Geographic Information System (PGIS) and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) in understanding local perceptions on the causes and impacts of climate change on communal rangeland communities and how local perception shapes communities’ responses. First, a systematic literature review was conducted to assess PGIS's contribution to elucidating local rangeland communities' vulnerability and adaptation in Africa. Analysis of 18 papers from ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus revealed a slow pace in the integration of PGIS in climate change research, thus indicating a knowledge gap. Despite this, PGIS has the potential to empower local communities in co-producing knowledge and creating adaptation solutions. The study then explored the effectiveness of integrating PGIS with PRA techniques in elucidating communal rangeland communities’ perceptions of and responses to the effects of climate change on rangeland resources and livelihoods using Vulindlela, South Africa, as a case study. Using focus group discussions, participatory mapping, key informant interviews, transect walks, and household questionnaires, the study uncovered diverse perceptions of climate change's drivers and impacts on livelihoods. It found that local perceptions are influenced by factors such as experience, age, education, and dependency on rangeland resources, which shape community responses to climatic risks. The PGIS mapping exercise highlighted areas most susceptible to events like floods and droughts. Overall, the study demonstrated PGIS as a valuable tool for capturing spatial insights and facilitating local participation. The integration with PRA and PGIS techniques provided a comprehensive understanding of climate change impacts and responses, offering both non-spatial and spatial perspectives. Participatory mapping has the potential to enhance the co-design and formulation of inclusive adaptation plan

Racial discrimination among high school learners: a case of a selected high school, Durban.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.In South Africa, many parents choose to enrol their children in multiracial schools where they believe that they will learn more about diversity and celebrate the freedom to study where they desire. However, this study was conceptualized in the belief that the Rainbow Nation is facing an undesirable occurrence among learners in such schools, as various reports and studies have claimed that racial discrimination continues to persist in high schools. Media reports have also affirmed that this widespread issue is prevalent across the country in multiracial schools. This means that learners are suffering because there are persistent incidences of racial discrimination among them. Schools are meant to be a secondary home for learners where they feel safe and learn more about the rich history of South Africa, and here they are educated not to make the same mistakes that our forefathers did. This study explored the extent, causes, and effects of racial discrimination among learners in a selected high school located on the Bluff in Durban. A qualitative research approach was adopted to understand the causes of racial discrimination in the 21st century, and data were collected using semistructured one-on-one interviews. The study recruited eighteen (18) participants: 6 teachers and 12 learners. The social learning, the ecological systems, and the racial trauma theories were used to support the research questions. The findings in this study show that Black learners are not the only race facing racism as White learners are equally exposed to racial discrimination. The study exposed what is commonly referred to as ‘reverse racism’, and the White learners found it hard to raise their concerns. Most scholarly works and the literature support the notion that it is Black learners, or learners of colour, who are exposed to racist slurs, while White learners are the perpetrators. Furthermore, the learners were more outspoken than the teachers. When the teachers were asked to comment on cases of racism in the school, most of them said they had not witnessed any such incidents. However, the learners confidently said that racial discrimination was everywhere and that it was not only prevalent among learners. They argued that teachers discriminated against learners when they said, “I see no colour”. This made them feel invisible and unrecognised. It is evident that racial integration and tolerance should be encouraged among learners and teachers alike