Beyond hard barriers: Lack of aspiration as a soft barrier to access higher education amongst youth living in low-income housing estate

This article explores the perceived barriers inhibiting the youth’s access to higher education. The article goes beyond the hard barriers to explore “lack of aspiration” as a soft barrier impeding access to higher education amongst the youth. In this article, the term “soft barrier” refers to lack of aspiration, a less tangible aspect that is much more subjective and less easily measurable. On the other hand, “hard barriers” are understood as factual issues that are easily recognisable and measurable, financial issues, for instance. This article interrogates lack of access to tertiary education as a key development problem in South Africa. Hence, the youth are underdeveloped socially, economically, and academically. The article draws from youth experiences to interrogate inadequate access to tertiary education and its impact on youth vulnerability. In this qualitative study, youth residing at Kenneth Gardens were interviewed to generate data. This study found lack of aspiration as a major soft barrier impeding the youth from accessing higher education. Among other factors, this study also found financial issues, informational barriers, and inability to meet the minimum university entry requirements as the underlying hard barriers impeding young people from accessing higher education

Building dynamic capability through insourcing : a case of the University of KwaZulul-Natal (UKZN)

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Dynamic capabilities are distinctive unique processes and activities that enable an organisation to produce an outcome. These practices are unique to each company/organisation and rooted in its history. These capabilities are captured not just in routines but in business models that go back decades and that are difficult to imitate. The study aims to examine the possible benefits to insourcing major activities and functions at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). The main objective in this study is to analysis how dynamic capacity can be built through insourcing university activities and functions to improve overall performance, achieve operational excellence and improve service level. The study further analysis how internal integration and reconfiguration of in house function would develop a lean process and improve service level at UKZN. In South African universities, there has been consistence trends of protest insourcing and outsourcing of certain functions and activities. In UKZN, no study has been done on evaluating how performing activities and functions in-house strategy can achieve dynamic capability, operational excellence and improved service level. In ensuring that the goals of this study are achieved the qualitative research approach has been used which has been implemented using the exploratory research designs. Various data collection tools and methods have been used including conducting in-depth interviews, documentary and report analysis which have provided important data used for the study. In analysing the data collected the thematic analysis technique was employed which categorised the data into different themes, categories and codes. Information for qualitative research is being gathered from operational managers of every school (19 schools), supporting services (16 managers) and facilities (5 facilities) at all the four campuses at UKZN. The total number of sample size for interview ranges to 17 respondents. The main finding highlighted the long-term success of the insourcing in UKZN can be achieved by looking at the following recommendations which is; continuous investment on training and development; transparency, benchmarking and the use of data; process improvement simplification and standardisation and analysing procurement as a strategic asset.To achieve the key objective of the study this requires the institution to investigate and implement efficient initiatives that should be embedded within wider institutional strategies for ensuring the effectiveness and quality of higher education

Effects of water availability on physiological status of Nguni does and weaners.

Degree of Master of Science in Agriculture (Animal and Poultry Science). University of KwaZulul-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2018.Physiological status of goats is mainly affected by the availability of feed and water. Factors such as frequency of droughts and low rainfalls are main contributors to water scarcity. Understanding perceptions of goat farmers about water availability in the aspect of climate change is vital for sustainable and improved livelihoods. The objectives of the study were to: (1) determine the factors influencing water availability for Nguni goat flocks in wet and dry areas; and (2) compare responses in physiological status of Nguni weaners and does to distance from water source. Farmer perceptions were captured from 300 goat farmers using structured questionnaires. Water shortage was among the major constraints to goat production. The odds ratio estimates of households experiencing goat drinking water shortage were high for temperature and rainfall patterns (P<0.001). Goat flock size and distance from water sources highly predisposed the household to experience water shortage. Farmers who did not provide additional drinking water for goats were 3.7 times more likely to have goats experiencing water shortage as compared to farmers who provided additional drinking water for goats (P<0.01). Goats that were owned by farmers situated (≥1 km) away from the water source were 1.89 times more likely to experience water shortage compared to goats owned by farmers situated (<1 km) from the water source. Farmers who had large goat flock size were 1.64 times more likely to experience water shortage as compared to the farmers who had small goat flock size (P<0.05). A trial was conducted to compare physiological status responses of Nguni weaners and does to distance from water sources. A negative linear regression was recorded between body condition score and distance from water source. A positive linear regression was recorded between FAMACHA scores and distance from water source across weaners and does. The rate of reduction in body condition scores were lower in does (-0.45 ± 0.292) as compared to weaners (-0.55 ± 0.374). The FAMACHA scores increased as distance to water source increased in both classes of goats. The slope was, however steeper (P<0.05) for does (0.56 ± xiv 0.403) than for weaners (0.44 ± 0.432). There was a negative linear relationship between packed cell volume and distance from water source. Reduction in packed cell volume was lower (P<0.05) in does (-0.62 ± 2.57) as compared to weaners (-11.21 ± 2.196). The rectal temperature and distance from water source were positively related. The increase in rectal temperature was lower (P<0.05) in does (0.05 ± 0.280) than in weaners (0.07 ± 0.432). It was concluded that although both classes of goats were affected by the distance to water source, the effects were more adverse in does than in weaner

Aspirations for higher education : evidence from youth living in Kenneth Gardens municipal housing estate (Durban)

Masters in Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College 2015.Inadequate and unequal access to higher education has been identified as a major development issue internationally. This issue has received practical attention from different stakeholders in an attempt to increase youth participation and to promote equal access to higher education. However, it has been recognised that such attention was not adequate to ensure access to higher education for the majority of deserving youth. Similarly, in South Africa, limited access to higher education for the majority of youth remains a major development problem. This study was conducted at Kenneth Gardens which is the municipal housing estate in Durban KwaZulu-Natal. Most youth at Kenneth Gardens lack higher education. As a result, higher education is one of the possible aspects making youth vulnerable to non-participation in the economy. It thereby remains critical that the public, private and civil society sectors cooperate to develop appropriate strategies to improve youth access and participation in higher education. The enhancement of competences and skills for young individuals can contribute to development. There are many practical barriers that hinder youth to participate in higher education. This study goes beyond looking at these practical obstacles which hinder youth from accessing higher education. More specifically, the study explores the lesser known factor of “lack of aspirations” for higher education. This study demonstrates that although it is important to address practical barriers such as providing funding for higher education, increasing the number of tertiary education institutions, strengthening the capacity of primary and secondary education to prepare learners for higher education, increasing youth aspirations for higher education is very critical for youth to access higher education. The major finding from this study is that lack of aspirations is one of the major obstacles that hinder youth from accessing higher education. Aspiration for higher education is one of the main drivers for youth to become motivated to access higher education. This suggests the need to implement effective programmes that aim at increasing youth aspirations for higher education

Polypyrrole supports for direct alcohol fuel cells.

>Magister Scientiae - MScAnode catalysts are one of the key components of direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs). They play a huge role in the alcohol oxidation reaction (AOR) that occurs on the anode side. Palladium (Pd) supported on carbon material has been reported to have good catalytic activity towards alcohol oxidation reactions. Better stability and activity has been reported for catalysts supported on conductive polymers like polypyrrole (PPy) when compared to traditional carbon support material. This study investigated the effect of support materials on Pd and PdCo electro-catalysts while concurrently determining the support material that can improve the activity and stability of Pd and PdCo electro-catalysts used as direct alcohol fuel cells catalysts. All Pd and PdCo catalysts supported onPPy (prepared using oxidative polymerization method), reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and prepared using modified Hammers method and multi-walled carbon nanotubes and pre-treated by acid. All the catalysts were synthesized using the modified polyol method

An investigation of how selected historically disadvantaged schools in Pietermaritzburg education district manage the prevalent non-payment of school fees.

Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Natal, 2003.The study was set out to investigate how selected historically disadvantaged schools in the Pietermaritzburg Education District, manage the prevalent non-payment of fees. The study used the survey method. The principals of schools were targeted because they are the accounting officers for the financial matters and executive members of the School Governing Bodies. Permission for conducting this research was obtained from the District Manager for the Department of Education and the principals of the sampled schools. For the purpose of data collection, the use of questionnaire and document analysis was adopted. Five principals, each representing their respective circuit in the District, responded to the questionnaire. The research studied financial records to obtain a general view of how principals manage school fees and to draw conclusion on the extent of non-payment of fees. The findings revealed that there is widespread tendency of non-payment of fees in schools. Poverty was cited as the reason for non-payment. Low and middle level income parents did not prioritise school fees from the lists of their accounts. Though principals understand that the victimising of non-paying learners of any form is contradictory to the South African Schools Act No 48 of 1996, they go on to withhold learners' results. Parents have not applied for school fee exemption and schools have not yet advised them to do so. Non-paying parents are reluctant to explain their position to the school and also unwilling to offer voluntary service to school as a form of payment. School fundraising efforts do not help them gain any reasonable amount of cash. The parental support in this venture is lacking. The study recommends that principals should look at other means of dealing with payment and should assist the eligible parents to apply for fee exemption. The Department of Education should consider scaling down personnel expenditure in the office based ranks to add more funds for teaching and learning in the historically disadvantaged schools

Tragic insight in L L J. Mncwango's plays

African LanguagesM.A. (African Languages

Implications of the HIV testing protocol for refusal bias in seroprevalence surveys

BACKGROUND: HIV serosurveys have become important sources of HIV prevalence estimates, but these estimates may be biased because of refusals and other forms of non-response. We investigate the effect of the post-test counseling study protocol on bias due to the refusal to be tested. METHODS: Data come from a nine-month prospective study of hospital admissions in Addis Ababa during which patients were approached for an HIV test. Patients had the choice between three consent levels: testing and post-test counseling (including the return of HIV test results), testing without post-test counseling, and total refusal. For all patients, information was collected on basic sociodemographic background characteristics as well as admission diagnosis. The three consent levels are used to mimic refusal bias in serosurveys with different post-test counseling study protocols. We first investigate the covariates of consent for testing. Second, we quantify refusal bias in HIV prevalence estimates using Heckman regression models that account for sample selection. RESULTS: Refusal to be tested positively correlates with admission diagnosis (and thus HIV status), but the magnitude of refusal bias in HIV prevalence surveys depends on the study protocol. Bias is larger when post-test counseling and the return of HIV test results is a prerequisite of study participation (compared to a protocol where test results are not returned to study participants, or, where there is an explicit provision for respondents to forego post-test counseling). We also find that consent for testing increased following the introduction of antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia. Other covariates of refusal are age (non-linear effect), gender (higher refusal rates in men), marital status (lowest refusal rates in singles), educational status (refusal rate increases with educational attainment), and counselor. CONCLUSION: The protocol for post-test counseling and the return of HIV test results to study participants is an important consideration in HIV prevalence surveys that wish to minimize refusal bias. The availability of ART is likely to reduce refusal rates

EManzimtoti

Humorous ballad, accompanied by pian

Tula mfana ka Duma

balad with vocal duet, accompanied by pian