Teachers’ approaches to the teaching of geography in Eswatini school.

Master of Education in Curriculum Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2019This thesis presented Eswatini geography teachers’ approaches to teaching a section of research skills in Form 5 for the Swaziland General Certificate of Secondary Education (SGCSE) syllabus. The study is qualitative, and utilised the interpretivist approach, and the case study design. Four geography teachers were purposively selected as participants. For generation of data, three data generation methods were used: a reflective activity, classroom observations and one-on-one semi-structured interviews. A conceptual framework was produced from literature on approaches to teaching, which was also utilised in analysing data. Literature on curriculum development approaches afforded three curriculum approaches which influence the teaching approach a teacher uses in enacting the curriculum: technical, communicative, and pragmatic approaches. The following concepts: teachers’ rationale for teaching, teaching aims, roles when teaching , content used to teach, teaching methods, teaching resources, role of the community, and testing types used in class were concepts employed to determine the approach the teachers use in teaching the section of research skills. Findings for this study revealed that teachers’ approaches revolved around these three components of curriculum development such that the teachers showed limits to understanding learner-centred and teacher-centred approaches. It is recommended that the curriculum be sufficiently elaborated in stating which approach it assumes, making it easier for teachers who enact the curriculum to be guided by the expectations of the approach. Furthermore, the study recommends that, in the event of a curriculum change, there should be adequate training to minimise misinterpretation of the syllabus by teachers

A comparison of the South African and Swaziland's labour market regulatory systems in dispute resolution

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 63-65).The choice of a labour market regulatory system in any given social context is crucial for the economic development of that country. In South Africa, a challenge has been made to the key players in the labour environment to choose whether the primary focus should be on creating better jobs or whether the main challenge should be in creating many or more jobs (Baskin: 2004). These two conflicting interests, though almost intertwined to each other, are however standing on a separate footing. Of late in South Africa, there have been cries for an urgent need to deregulate the labour market in the quest to create more jobs and free the small and medium businesses to participate in the economy without stringent measures. Concern has been raised about the unavailability of jobs for the people of South Africa. The major challenge facing the Government is the need to create more jobs. In Swaziland, the problem of job scarcity is reaching a crisis level. A large section of the economically active population is unemployed. Previously, Swaziland was considered to be an ideal place to conduct business by many enterprises in Southern Africa. The new political dispensation in South Africa and the political stability in Mozambique have brought about a sudden and devastating effect on Swaziland. Businesses are closing down operations and very few enterprises are showing an interest to invest in that country. This notwithstanding, Swaziland has opted to use South Africa's system of labour market regulation. The essence of the paper will be to examine the choice of the labour market regulatory systems between these two countries and to try to establish the successes and failures of each system in its given context. The main focus will be on the dispute resolution mechanism that each system adopts and whether such system works well given the cultural, social, economic and political dispensation of that country. The institutions that will be discussed are the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), the Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration Commission (CMAC), the Labour Court and the Industrial Court. At a later stage, the discussion takes a twist and focuses on the competing and overlapping jurisdiction between the labour dispute resolution systems as set out in labour legislations on the one hand, and the common law power of the High Courts to decide on labour related matters on the other hand. The idea is to shed some light on the difficulties that may arise if the jurisdictional problems are not resolved and that this may in turn impact negatively on the labour market regulatory systems

The application of the TOE framework to the adoption of CRM by SMEs in KwaZulu Natal

Purpose: Small And Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in the development of economies despite a plethora of problems that stifle their growth. The study unpacked the application of the Technological, Organisational, Environmental (TOE) framework as a guide for the adoption of CRM strategies. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative research method was used to evaluate these factors. The adoption of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is one of the solutions that can help SMEs to endure and overcome economic hardships. Findings: The benefits  that can be derived from CRM are too compelling to pass up the opportunity and indeed, the future prosperity of SMEs may lie in CRM adoption. Research limitations/implications: Even though technological, environmental, organisational factors are paramount,  education, stood out as the major driver of adoption. Practical implications: This study therefore concludes that the TOE framework needs to be extended by education and contextualised to the geo-political and social settings of the SMEs under investigation. Originality/value: This paper is original Paper type: a Research Pape

A Survey Of Personal Hurdles Contributing To Failures Of Rural Entrepreneurship: Economic Implications For Owner-Managers

This study seeks to explore with keen understanding of personal hurdles as revealed by owner-managers from two rural settings of the Northern Cape Province (NCP). The study focuses on personal hurdles that according to literature contributes to the growing failure of entrepreneurial activities. Personal hurdles were assessed using “Statistical Package for the Social Science” (SPSS). A survey method is utilized in gathering primary dataset, descriptive analysis and frequency tables were used to assess all the basic variables including the personal hurdles of owner-managers. Factor analysis was utilized as a determinant of personal hurdles. Formulated hypotheses for the study were tested by the inferential statistic of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Relationships between dependent (rural entrepreneurial failures) and independent variables (resources, information and infrastructure gaps) were ascertained through the Pearson Correlation techniques. The study revealed that the resource gaps affect rural entrepreneurial failure (REF)On the other hand, information and infrastructure do not have significant effect on REF.A moderate positive linear correlation between resource gap and REF was detected. Furthermore, there is a low positive linear correlation between REF and the two independent variables (information and infrastructure gaps) were detected

Investigating The Challenges Of E-Learning In A Developing Institution Of Higher Learning: A Hypothetical Approach

The popularity of e-learning (EL) largely infiltrated into every sector of South African institutions of higher learning. This growing interest in EL is due to the advent of rapid internet technologies. For decades, South African institutions of higher learning have accepted EL as a vital learning tool for the enhancement of learning and teaching within the higher education sector. However, there are countless challenges that continue to hinder learning and teaching activities. This study seeks to determine the relationships between various challenges and EL capabilities through stated hypotheses. The study is a descriptive, qualitative design aided by a quantitative approach that were applied to collect data. In total 150 full and part-time ICT students including four permanent ICT lecturers participated in the study. By means of statistical methods of descriptive, inferential statistics aided by independent t-tests, three stated hypotheses were formulated and tested. The study therefore, recommends that higher institutions of learning should increase investments in various EL programs including relevant ICT infrastructure development and also in levels of connectivity. The study further recommends that EL contents should be designed taking into account the cultural characteristics of students

The competencies of midwives during the provision of immediate postnatal care in Swaziland

Text in EnglishThe aim of the study was to describe the competencies of midwives during the provision of immediate postnatal care (PNC) with the intention of adapting and linking international best practice guidelines as well as a conceptual framework for the implementation of PNC in Swaziland. A quantitative cross-sectional design study was conducted to investigate the competencies of midwives during the provision of immediate postnatal care services to mothers and their infants. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select eighty-eight (88) midwives and six (6) senior midwives to participate in the study. Data collection was done using structured questionnaires. Quantitative data was complemented by data that was generated from open-ended questions at the end of the questionnaires. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 22.0 software. The study highlighted that all the midwives who participated in this study had the relevant qualification. Of the respondents, 70.5% were state-certified midwives with a second registered certificate, 27.3% had bachelor’s degrees, while 2.3% had an advanced midwifery certificate. The study found no difference between the type of qualification of midwives and the knowledge of PNC interventions to be offered to mothers immediately post-delivery across different qualifications held by the midwives (Kruskal-Wallis test: x2=5.498, df=2, p=0.064). Gaps were identified in their knowledge and practices. There were discrepancies in the level of knowledge and practices regarding maternal vital sign assessment immediately after delivery (within 30 minutes). It was noted that these vital signs, i.e. blood pressure (12.5%), temperature (50.0%), pulse (54.5%), respiration (63.6%) were not taken after delivery. It was also noted that 15.0%, 58.0%, 64.8% of the respondents were not aware of the importance of assessing newborns for APGAR, skin-to-skin contact and drying the neonate. The study found that there were no postnatal care guidelines in Swaziland. The findings of the study led to the adaption and linkage of the latest international evidence-based guidelines and a conceptual framework for the implementation of immediate PNC to mothers and their infants in Swaziland.Health StudiesD. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies

An evaluation of postnatal care rendered to HIV positive women and their infants

The purpose of this study was to evaluate care rendered to HIV positive women and their infants during the first six weeks of postpartum. Quantitative, descriptive, cross sectional and analytic study was conducted to investigate postnatal care services provided to HIV positive mothers. Data collection was done using structured questionnaires. 372 respondents participated in the study. Descriptive data analysis was used; Epi info version 3.5.2 software was used. The study highlighted that the quality of PNC was compromised, in all levels including the critical immediate postnatal care, 3-14 days and 6 weeks postnatal care services. All health facilities that were involved in the study had the basic resources to render quality postnatal care. Negative attitudes of staff and long waiting time (16.7%), were the most deterrents to postnatal care.Health StudiesM.A. (Health Studies

Evaluating the implementation of the intergrated development plan with particular reference to Umtshezi Local Municipality.

Master of Commerce in Public Adminsitration. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2015.This dissertation examined the implementation of the integrated development plan (IDP) with particular reference to Umtshezi Local Municipality. The study explored views of municipal workers, community members and councillors on the implementation of the IDP in Umtshezi Local Municipality to establish its strength, weaknesses and make recommendations on how it can be implemented better in the future to meet the needs of the communities it serves. This study is situated in Umtshezi municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, an area comprising of former Wembezi/Estcourt and Weenen Transitional Local Councils (TLCs), located along the N3 highway, approximately 165km northwest of Durban and 400km southeast of Johannesburg. The study used mixed methods (both qualitative and quantitative methods) to provide multiple perspectives. Triangulation of data sources also avoided potential under-reporting and over-reporting of successes and/or challenges in the implementation of the IDP in Umtshezi Local Municipality. Data was collected from 25 municipal workers, 25 community members and 11 Councillors who were selected purposively and by snowballing. This study concluded that most participants do have an understanding of the implementation of IDP projects in the Municipality. There was also a general sense of agreement that the Municipality was implementing priority IDP projects in consultation with the community members and that people were generally satisfied with the service delivery. It can also be concluded that while the rates of poverty and inequality are still high in the Municipality, like in most Municipalities in South Africa, some people have and continue to benefit from IDP projects such as housing, water and sanitation, electrification of their houses, while communities benefit largely from the construction of Community Halls, installations of street lights and construction of roads and other infrastructure. The study also made a number of recommendations, namely; capacity development and enhancement; promoting community engagement at all stages of IDP projects implementation; fundraising within the Municipality; building effective leadership; and empowerment of Councillors

Assessing the challenges faced by informal street traders operating in Durban, South Africa

Purpose: The informal sector consists of all unregistered businesses operating as street vendors and home-based businesses. Although these businesses employ about 6 out of every 10 workers worldwide, they encounter numerous challenges in carrying out their daily operations. Therefore, in this chapter, the challenges faced by informal traders located in the Durban central district of South Africa’s Kwa-Zulu Natal province are investigated. Design/methodology/approach: This study employs the qualitative research approach utilising structured interviews to obtain data. The Snowball sampling method assisted the researchers to obtain the required data and was analysed using Content Analysis. Findings: The results shows that, lack of business space for trading and storage, lack of funding to expand business, poor hygiene and the lack of ablution facilities for traders as well as municipal harassment were the major constraints of the informal operators

ARCHIVED GIEMSA-STAINED THICK-SMEAR BLOOD SAMPLES AS A SOURCE OF DNA FOR PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM DETECTION BY THE POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR): AN IDEA FOR LOW TRANSMISSION SETTINGS

The absence of a reasonable number of cases of malaria in low transmission settings often presents problems for epidemiologic studies of antimalarial drug resistance. Whole blood from filter paper spots is normally used as a source of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The number of samples available to derive statistical power is usually limited due to low transmission rates. This study suggests an alternative source of DNA from Giemsa-stained thick smears (GSTS) for epidemiological studies of Plasmodium falciparum drug resistance. A total of 73 archived GSTS and 6 whole blood filter paper samples were available for this analysis. DNA obtained from GSTS was successfully extracted, genotyped and sequenced for 64 (88%) samples for the Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (pfcrt) gene, 51 (70%) samples for the Plasmodium falciparum multi-drug resistance 1 (pfmdr1) gene, 34 (47%) samples for the Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase (pfdhfr) gene and 27 (37%) samples for the Plasmodium falciparum dihydropteroate synthase (pfdhps) gene. Whole blood from the 6 filter paper samples that were also run for comparison were all (100%) successfully genotyped and sequenced in a single attempt for all the four genes. The ease of the analysis of the filter paper DNA samples and the quality of the gel electrophoresis pictures suggests that filter paper DNA sources are much more sensitive than archived GSTS samples. Nonetheless, the results of this study suggest that safely stored and clearly labelled GSTS can provide a cheap and somewhat reliable alternative source of DNA for retrospective epidemiologic studies using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses where filter paper sources are either not available or insufficient. It is, therefore, strongly recommended that laboratories in malaria low transmission settings develop guidelines for safe storage of GSTS for future use in genotyping and other experiments. Protocols to refine extraction and PCR methods as well as the design of appropriate primer pairs may improve the sensitivity of current PCR methods to improve the results of GSTS