Camagu: A Multimovement Work Exploring the IsiXhosa Culture of South Africa

The IsiXhosa language of South Africa is a rich historic language that has been preserved aurally through generations. The distinct clicks in this language, made in the mouth, are a characteristic spoken feature. Although IsiXhosa follows the Roman alphabet, individual letters require the pronunciation of different clicks, each having a different sound quality. These particular sounds will change depending on the interaction of the tongue and teeth within the mouth. Alongside this rich historic language is the practice of herbal healing, performed by individuals called Sangomas. A Sangoma’s primary goal is to communicate with the ancestors and to provide spiritual guidance to individuals seeking help. Before practicing herbal healing, a Sangoma must undergo several stages of initiation. These stages comprise a series of unforeseen peculiar events and/or a period of sickness, dreams and acceptance. Camagu, in four movements for soprano vocalist and chamber ensemble, demonstrated how the use of these clicks can be incorporated and integrated into contemporary Western classical composition through the use of text from the language and distinct clicks as soundscapes within the work. It also explores how using the journey of the Sangomas inspired a narrative that is conveyed through text, derived from quotes of practicing Sangomas

Service Quality of Public Technical Vocational Education and Training Colleges in South Africa: Customer Expectations and Perceptions

The focus of this survey is to seek the amount of the customers’ expectations levels of service quality in the public Technical Vocational Education and Training (PTVET) sector. The aim of this study was to examine and determine the expectations and perceptions levels of service quality provided by PTVET colleges, in order to achieve desired outcomes, and the survey followed SERQUAL model. Questionnaires were distributed to the 403 participants from selected PTVET in the Kwa-Zulu- Natal province. The study used a mix approach of systematic and quota sampling techniques. SPSS (25.0) version was employed for data analysis. The results of this study discovered that customers had higher service quality expectations (0,908 Cronbach's Alpha) compared to the service quality perceptions (0,923 Cronbach's Alpha) at the selected PTVET colleges, on all five service quality dimensions that were used to evaluate the expectations of service quality. This survey will benefit Rectors/Campus Managers for TVET colleges and to those who want to open their TVET colleges, because it will be used as a guide tool for them on how they can improve service quality strategy to differentiate themselves from their competitors. The findings are limited by the study’s exploratory, quantitative nature and small sample. Generalisation should be done with care and further research, with a large sample and consideration of other provinces, it therefore recommended

SMEs Social media adoption and financial and non-financial marketing performance

The study employs the Technology, Organisational, and Environmental (TOE) theory to examine the role of SMEs’ adoption of social media on financial and non-financial marketing performance in Ghana. Data were collected from SMEs in Accra, Ghana. The study tested seven hypotheses and two moderators. A total of 452 usable sample size were analyzed using structural equation modelling (SEM). The outcome reveals a positive and significant relationship between social media adoption and SMEs' financial and non-financial performance in Ghana. Additionally, a direct relationship between the TOE and SMEs’ social media adoption was confirmed. Although the generalizability of this study is limited due to a single country study, it is still relevant in contributing to a better understanding of social media adoption literature among SMEs, especially from a developing country context. This study is part of the few studies that have used the Technology, Organisational, and Environmental theory to understand social media adoption and marketing performance in the context of an emerging country

How Does SME Social Media Adoption Drive Marketing Performance?

This study presents an integrated model investigating the dynamics of small and medium enterprise (SME) social media adoption and its impact on SME marketing performance. Drawing data from a cross-sectional survey among 234 SMEs operating in various sectors in Ghana, this research employed a comprehensive analysis using the statistical package for the social sciences and structural equation modelling to test 14 hypotheses. While trust and interactivity were significant drivers of social media adoption, the results revealed the cost and complexity influence on adoption was not substantiated. Additionally, the study underscored the crucial role of organisational, environmental, and entrepreneurial factors in shaping social media adoption patterns among SMEs. Moreover, the findings highlighted the positive social media adoption impact on both non-financial and financial marketing performance, with non-financial marketing performance further contributing to overall financial marketing performance. Despite its contributions, this study acknowledges certain limitations, including its focus on SMEs exclusively present on social media in Accra and the potential implications of these findings on SMEs operating in other regions of Ghana. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between SME social media adoption and marketing performance, contributing to the broader understanding of digital marketing strategies within the SME sector

A health worker knowledge, attitudes and practices survey of SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control in South Africa

BACKGROUND: Health workers are crucial to the successful implementation of infection prevention and control strategies to limit the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at healthcare facilities. The aim of our study was to determine SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control knowledge and attitudes of frontline health workers in four provinces of South Africa as well as explore some elements of health worker and health facility infection prevention and control practices. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was utilised. The study population comprised both clinical and nonclinical staff working in casualty departments, outpatient departments, and entrance points of health facilities. A structured self-administered questionnaire was developed using the World Health Organization guidance as the basis for the knowledge questions. COVID-19 protocols were observed during data collection. RESULTS: A total of 286 health workers from 47 health facilities at different levels of care participated in the survey. The mean score on the 10 knowledge items was 6.3 (SD = 1.6). Approximately two-thirds of participants (67.4%) answered six or more questions correctly while less than a quarter of all participants (24.1%) managed to score eight or more. A knowledge score of 8 or more was significantly associated with occupational category (being either a medical doctor or nurse), age (< 40 years) and level of hospital (tertiary level). Only half of participants (50.7%) felt adequately prepared to deal with patients with COVD-19 at the time of the survey. The health workers displaying attitudes that would put themselves or others at risk were in the minority. Only 55.6% of participants had received infection prevention and control training. Some participants indicated they did not have access to medical masks (11.8%) and gloves (9.9%) in their departments. CONCLUSIONS: The attitudes of participants reflected a willingness to engage in appropriate SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control practices as well as a commitment to be involved in COVID-19 patient care. Ensuring adequate infection prevention and control training for all staff and universal access to appropriate PPE were identified as key areas that needed to be addressed. Interim and final reports which identified key shortcomings that needed to be addressed were provided to the relevant provincial departments of health.The University of Pretoria–University of Leeds COVID-19 Rapid Response Innovation Fund [Project 4].https://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.compm2021School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH

Examining the Impact of Sports Sponsorship on Fan Attitude and Purchase Intentions towards Sponsors' Products in Professional Football: A Study of the Ghanaian Fan Base

This paper investigates the mediating role of fans' attitudes in the relationship between sports sponsorship and the purchase intention of Ghanaian football fans. Survey data were collected from 398 official supporter groups of Kumasi Asante Kotoko SC (Circles) and Accra Hearts of Oak SC (Chapters) using a purposive sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was utilized to gather the data. The study employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to validate the model. The results indicate that sponsorship significantly influences purchase intention and fans' attitudes. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate that fan attitude mediates the relationship between sponsorship and purchase intention. These findings suggest that sponsorship plays a significant role in improving the purchase intention of football fans, and the impact of sponsorship on purchase intention is strengthened by fans' attitudes. Overall, this study enhances our understanding of the complex dynamics between sponsorship, fans' attitude, and purchasing intention, particularly in the context of Ghanaian football fans. While the study provides useful findings for industrial players and practitioners, it is essential to acknowledge that this study relied on cross-sectional survey data, which limits our ability to establish causal relationships. Additionally, the current study focused specifically on soccer fans of only two Clubs in Ghana, which may restrict the generalizability of the findings to fans of other teams or sports, limiting the applicability of the study's results to a broader context

Young clients’ attitudes to service quality at retail banks in a developing country

The aim of this paper is to investigate service quality as perceived by younger customers of retail banks in a developing country. The objectives include identifying customers’ levels of satisfaction and loyalty to their banks and to identify the levels of service quality associated with such satisfaction and loyalty. The instrument used to collect data via a survey of retail bank customers was an adaptation of the SERVQUAL questionnaire. A total of 448 students were surveyed, using a mix of systematic and quota sampling, with data being collected on university campuses. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques. The main conclusions were that most young customers are reasonably satisfied with, and loyal to, their banks. There was little difference, on all the service quality constructs, between the different banks, and between expectations and perceptions of service quality. However, there was no evidence of any bank providing a service that delighted their customers or exceeded their expectations and so all banks are at risk from a competitor who adopts strategies to meet these goals. The study has contributed to knowledge by focusing on attitudes to service quality of young bank customers in a developing country, an aspect that has been under-researched. Keywords: service quality, retail banking, expectations, perceptions, customer satisfaction, loyalty, SERVQUAL, South Africa. JEL Classification: G21, L84, M3

How Does SME Social Media Adoption Drive Marketing Performance?

This study presents an integrated model investigating the dynamics of small and medium enterprise (SME) social media adoption and its impact on SME marketing performance. Drawing data from a cross-sectional survey among 234 SMEs operating in various sectors in Ghana, this research employed a comprehensive analysis using the statistical package for the social sciences and structural equation modelling to test 14 hypotheses. While trust and interactivity were significant drivers of social media adoption, the results revealed the cost and complexity influence on adoption was not substantiated. Additionally, the study underscored the crucial role of organisational, environmental, and entrepreneurial factors in shaping social media adoption patterns among SMEs. Moreover, the findings highlighted the positive social media adoption impact on both non-financial and financial marketing performance, with non-financial marketing performance further contributing to overall financial marketing performance. Despite its contributions, this study acknowledges certain limitations, including its focus on SMEs exclusively present on social media in Accra and the potential implications of these findings on SMEs operating in other regions of Ghana. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between SME social media adoption and marketing performance, contributing to the broader understanding of digital marketing strategies within the SME sector

Systematizing Information Use to Address Determinants of Health Worker Health in South Africa: A Cross-sectional Mixed Method Study

Background: Recognizing that access to safe and healthy working conditions is a human right, the World Health Organization (WHO) calls for specific occupational safety and health (OSH) programs for health workers (HWs). The WHO health systems’ building blocks, and the International Labour Organization (ILO), highlight the importance of information as part of effective systems. This study examined how OSH stakeholders access, use, and value an occupational health information system (OHIS). Methods: A cross-sectional survey of OSH stakeholders was conducted as part of a larger quasi experimental study in four teaching hospitals. The study hospitals and participants were purposefully selected and data collected using a modified questionnaire with both closed and open-ended questions. Quantitative analysis was conducted and themes identified for qualitative analysis. Ethics approval was provided by the University of Pretoria and University of British Columbia. Results: There were 71 participants comprised of hospital managers, health and safety representatives, trade unions representatives and OSH professionals. At least 42% reported poor accessibility and poor timeliness of OHIS for decision-making. Only 50% had access to computers and 27% reported poor computer skills. When existing, OHIS was poorly organized and needed upgrades, with 85% reporting the need for significant reforms. Only 45% reported use of OHIS for decision-making in their OSH role. Conclusion: Given the gap in access and utilization of information needed to protect worker’s rights to a safe and healthy workplace, more attention is warranted to OHIS development and use as well as education and training in South Africa and beyond

Organizational factors associated with health worker protection during the COVID- 19 pandemic in four provinces of South Africa

Background: Health workers, in short supply in many low-and-middle-income countries, are at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study aimed to assess how South Africa, prepared to protect its health workers from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study design applying participatory action research in four provinces of South Africa. A semi-structured questionnaire and a qualitative observational HealthWISE walkthrough risk assessment was carried out to collect data on occupational safety and health (OSH) systems in 45 hospitals across four provinces to identify factors associated with health worker protection. Adapting the International Labour Organization (ILO) and World Health Organization (WHO) HealthWISE tool, we compiled compliance scores through walkthrough surveys. We used logistic regression to analyze the relationship between readiness indicators and the actual implementation of protective measures. Results: We found that health facilities in all four provinces had SARS-CoV-2 plans for the general population but no comprehensive OHS plan for health workers. Provincial Departments of Health (PDoH) varied in how they were organized to respond: Provinces A and D had an OSH SARS-CoV-2 provincial coordinating team and a dedicated budget for occupational health; Province A had an occupational health doctor and nurse; while Province B had an occupational health nurse; Province A and D PDoHs had functional OSH committees; and Province D had conducted some health risk assessments specific to SARS-CoV-2. However, none of the assessed health facilities had an acceptable HealthWISE compliance score (≥ 75%) due to poor ventilation and inadequate administrative control measures. While the supply of personal protective equipment was adequate, it was often not worn properly. Our study found that having an OSH SARS-CoV-2 policy was significantly associated with higher personal protective equipment and ventilation scores. In addition, our analysis showed that hospitals with higher compliance scores had significantly lower infection rates (IRR 0.98; 95% CI: 0.97, 0.98). Conclusions: Despite some initial preparedness, greater effort to protect health workers is still warranted. Low-and middle- income countries may need to pay more attention to OSH systems and consider using tools, such as ILO/ WHO HealthWISE tool, to protect health workers’ health.Medicine, Faculty ofNon UBCPopulation and Public Health (SPPH), School ofReviewedFacultyResearcherGraduat