South Africa has gone through immense changes in the past two decades. The period around 1994 has been characterised by a comprehensive set of political, social and economic changes, which greatly influenced not only the lives of individuals in this county but also many businesses, organisations and companies. Further to this, South Africa has become increasingly intercultural in orientation as companies persevered in establishing intricate networks with partners in a diverse set of cultures. This has put enormous strain on organisations to remain competitive in the market. It is critical that organisations develop a more resilient workforce with greater psychological capacities to succeed in the on-going war for talent. Attracting and retaining talented employees can give organisations a sustained competitive advantage. In view of the growing intricacies in the business world, ambiguity in markets, and employees’ attitudes, it is crucial that organisations invest in psychological assessments. However, investing in valid and reliable psychological assessments has become more difficult due to vast cultural diversity South Africa comprises off. The general objective of this study was to explore social desirability in the white Afrikaans group. A qualitative design was used and a quota non-probability sampling method was implemented among white Afrikaans-speaking people of South Africa (N=60), who differed from one another with regard to age, gender and socio-economic status. The measuring instrument was a semi-structured interview, which was based on the phenomenological approach. The results of the interviews were transcribed and captured in Excel. Content analysis was used to interpret the responses in socially desirable themes. Independent psychologists and language and cultural experts were employed in order to validate the initial interpretations. The descriptive terms were reduced through the use of cluster analysis. The analysis included the grouping of synonyms and antonyms, together with the use of dictionaries, literature and knowledge about content. In the representation of social desirability and impression management strategies within the white Afrikaner group, six main themes with sixty sub-themes in total were identified. The six themes are facilitating, gender-based, intellect-openness, interpersonal relatedness, intrapersonal relatedness and value-based. Firstly, to facilitate others by giving advice and guidance will be seen as desirable and make a favourable impression. Secondly, to display characteristics that are typically associated with males and females, such as masculinity and femininity, will be seen as desirable and can make a positive impression. Thirdly, having a unique natural ability or skill and being receptive to new and different ideas will be seen as desirable and make a good impression on others. Fourthly, remaining constructive in one’s relationships, and fifthly, remaining constructive in one’s inner thoughts and possessing inner confidence and having respect will make a favourable impression and can be seen as socially desirable. Lastly, exhibiting moral consciousness and being trustworthy, loyal and reliable will make a positive impression and will be perceived as desirable by the white Afrikaner group. Recommendations for future research and for practice were made. / MCom (Industrial Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

South Africa has gone through immense changes in the past two decades. The period around 1994 has been characterised by a comprehensive set of political, social and economic changes, which greatly influenced not only the lives of individuals in this county but also many businesses, organisations and companies. Further to this, South Africa has become increasingly intercultural in orientation as companies persevered in establishing intricate networks with partners in a diverse set of cultures. This has put enormous strain on organisations to remain competitive in the market. It is critical that organisations develop a more resilient workforce with greater psychological capacities to succeed in the on-going war for talent. Attracting and retaining talented employees can give organisations a sustained competitive advantage. In view of the growing intricacies in the business world, ambiguity in markets, and employees’ attitudes, it is crucial that organisations invest in psychological assessments. However, investing in valid and reliable psychological assessments has become more difficult due to vast cultural diversity South Africa comprises off. The general objective of this study was to explore social desirability in the white Afrikaans group. A qualitative design was used and a quota non-probability sampling method was implemented among white Afrikaans-speaking people of South Africa (N=60), who differed from one another with regard to age, gender and socio-economic status. The measuring instrument was a semi-structured interview, which was based on the phenomenological approach. The results of the interviews were transcribed and captured in Excel. Content analysis was used to interpret the responses in socially desirable themes. Independent psychologists and language and cultural experts were employed in order to validate the initial interpretations. The descriptive terms were reduced through the use of cluster analysis. The analysis included the grouping of synonyms and antonyms, together with the use of dictionaries, literature and knowledge about content. In the representation of social desirability and impression management strategies within the white Afrikaner group, six main themes with sixty sub-themes in total were identified. The six themes are facilitating, gender-based, intellect-openness, interpersonal relatedness, intrapersonal relatedness and value-based. Firstly, to facilitate others by giving advice and guidance will be seen as desirable and make a favourable impression. Secondly, to display characteristics that are typically associated with males and females, such as masculinity and femininity, will be seen as desirable and can make a positive impression. Thirdly, having a unique natural ability or skill and being receptive to new and different ideas will be seen as desirable and make a good impression on others. Fourthly, remaining constructive in one’s relationships, and fifthly, remaining constructive in one’s inner thoughts and possessing inner confidence and having respect will make a favourable impression and can be seen as socially desirable. Lastly, exhibiting moral consciousness and being trustworthy, loyal and reliable will make a positive impression and will be perceived as desirable by the white Afrikaner group. Recommendations for future research and for practice were made. / MCom (Industrial Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

E-commerce has increased substantially, as e-retailers engage with consumers online. Users require more than products and quality service; they also expect a good user experience. User experience is affected by branding, functionality, navigation, content, aesthetics and usability. This study investigates the attainment of better user experience on e-commerce websites. A dual-method usability evaluation approach – usability testing with end-users and heuristic evaluation by experts – was employed to obtain a holistic picture of how usability aspects support or hinder the user experience. Usability testing provided insights into detailed interface issues and the type of content and journey that users prefer when making a purchasing decision, while heuristic evaluation was mainly directed at overall user interface and interaction factors. In a complementary way, each method identified a high number of usability problems. Key findings are summarized, and design guidelines are identified that can facilitate the development of e-commerce websites to promote user experience. / E-handel het aansienlik toegeneem, soos e-kleinhandelaars by verbruikers aanlyn betrokke raak. Gebruikers verlang meer as produkte en kwaliteit diens; hulle verwag ook 'n goeie gebruikerservaring. Gebruikerservaring word deur ‘branding’, funksies, navigasie, inhoud, estetika en bruikbaarheid beinvloed. Hierdie studie ondersoek die bereiking van beter gebruikerservaring op e-handel webwerwe. 'n Dubbelemetode bruikbaarheidsevaluering benadering – bruikbaarheidstoetsing met eindgebruikers en heuristiese evaluering deur kundiges – is gebruik om ‘n holistiese beeld te verkry van hoe bruikbaarheidsaspekte gebruikerservaring ondersteun of verhinder. Bruikbaarheidstoetsing lewer insigte in gedetailleerde koppelvlak kwessies en die tipe inhoud en roete wat gebruikers verkies wanneer hulle 'n aankoop maak, terwyl heuristiese evaluering hoofsaaklik gerig is op algehele gebruikerskoppelvlak en interaksie faktore. Op 'n komplementêre manier, het elke metode' n groot aantal bruikbaarheidsprobleme geïdentifiseer. Belangrike bevindings word saamgevat, en ontwerp riglyne is voorgestel wat die ontwikkeling van e-handel webwerwe fasiliteer wat gebruikerservaring bevorder. / Computing / M. Tech. (Information Technology)

The interview is considered to be a critical technique in the therapeutic process. The effective (and by implication, the ineffective) use thereof determines to a great extent the outcome of the therapeutic process. Training in therapeutic interviewing forms an integral part of the training of counsellors and therapists. This study was prompted by BEd (Specialisation in Guidance and Counselling) students' need for a structured and systematic approach to training in therapeutic interviewing skills. A literature study of the phenomenon therapeutic interviewing revealed firstly that the skills needed for effective therapeutic interviewing can be identified and operationally defined and secondly that these skills can be systematically trained. Having a repertoire of interviewing skills is however not a guarantee that therapy or counselling will have a positive outcome. The therapist must be able to create a therapeutic relationship with the client and in this regard the therapist's personality and attitudes, including empathy, warmth, respect, genuineness and unconditional positive regard for the client, are of major importance in helping to create an atmosphere wherein the client can feel free to discuss his problems and innermost feelings and thoughts. In the design of a model to train therapeutic interviewing, consideration must be given to both content and procedure. Not only were interviewing skills addressed in this model, but also skills to communicate empathy, warmth, respect, genuineness and unconditional positive regard. For the purposes of this study, the therapeutic interview was divided into six stages. Skills used in each stage were identified, defined and discussed. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the training model. Subjects were trained in accordance with the proposed training procedure. In order to evaluate the subjects' progress and thus also the effectiveness of the training procedure, each subject's pre- and post-training interviews were compared. An evaluation scale was designed for this purpose. The results of the pilot study indicated an improvement in the subjects' interviewing skills. It is hoped that this study will pave the way for innovation in the training of counsellors and therapists in therapeutic interviewing. / Die onderhoud word as 'n kritieke tegniek in die terapeutiese proses beskou. Die effektiewe (en by implikasie, die oneffektiewe) gebruik daarvan bepaal tot 'n groot mate die uitkoms van die terapeutiese proses. Opleiding in terapeutiese onderhoudvoering vorm 'n integrale deel van die opleiding van terapeute en voorligters. BEd (Spesialisering in Skoolvoorligting)studente het 'n bepaalde behoefte aan 'n gestruktureerde en sistematiese benadering tot die opleiding van terapeutiese onderhoudvoeringsvaardighede uitgespreek. 'n Literatuurstudie oor die fenomeen terapeutiese ondemoud het eerstens aan die lig gebring dat vaardighede onderliggend aan die terapeutiese onderhoud geidentifiseer en operasioneel gedefinieer kan word en tweedens dat hierdie vaardighede sistematies aangeleer kan word. 'n Repertoire van onderhoudvoeringsvaardighede is egter nie 'n waarborg dat terapie 'n positiewe uitkoms sal he nie. Die terapeut moet 'n terapeutiese verhouding met die klient kan stig en in hierdie opsig is die terapeut se persoonlikheid en sy houding van empatie, warmte, respek, egtheid en onvoorwaardelike agting van kritieke belang in die skep van 'n atmosfeer, waarbinne die klient vry kan voel om sy probleme, diepste gevoelens en gedagtes te kan bespreek. In die ontwerp van 'n model vir opleiding in terapeutiese onderhoudvoeringsvaardighede moet aandag aan beide inhoud en opleidingsprosedure geskenk word. In hierdie model word nie net die vaardighede vir terapeutiese onderhoudvoering aangespreek nie, maar ook vaardighede om empatie, warmte, respek, egtheid en onvoorwaardelike positiewe agting aan die klient te kommunikeer. Vir die doeleindes van hierdie studie is die terapeutiese onderhoud in ses fases verdeel. Vaardighede wat in elke fase gebruik word, is gerdentifiseer, gedefinieer en bespreek. 'n Loodsondersoek is ondemeem om die effektiwiteit van die opleidingsmodel te evalueer. Proefpersone is aan die hand van die voorgestelde opleidingsprosedure opgelei. Ten einde die proefpersone se vordering en so ook die effektiwitieit van die model te evalueer, is elke proefpersoon se voor- en naopleiding onderhoude vergelyk. 'n Evalueringsskaal is vir hierdie doel ontwerp. Die resultate van die loodsondersoek het getoon dat die proefpersone se onderhoudvoeringsvaardighede verbeter het. Die hoop word uitgespreek dat hierdie studie die weg sal baan vir vernuwing in die opleiding van voorligters en terapeute in terapeutiese onderhoudvoering. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

E-commerce has increased substantially, as e-retailers engage with consumers online. Users require more than products and quality service; they also expect a good user experience. User experience is affected by branding, functionality, navigation, content, aesthetics and usability. This study investigates the attainment of better user experience on e-commerce websites. A dual-method usability evaluation approach – usability testing with end-users and heuristic evaluation by experts – was employed to obtain a holistic picture of how usability aspects support or hinder the user experience. Usability testing provided insights into detailed interface issues and the type of content and journey that users prefer when making a purchasing decision, while heuristic evaluation was mainly directed at overall user interface and interaction factors. In a complementary way, each method identified a high number of usability problems. Key findings are summarized, and design guidelines are identified that can facilitate the development of e-commerce websites to promote user experience. / E-handel het aansienlik toegeneem, soos e-kleinhandelaars by verbruikers aanlyn betrokke raak. Gebruikers verlang meer as produkte en kwaliteit diens; hulle verwag ook 'n goeie gebruikerservaring. Gebruikerservaring word deur ‘branding’, funksies, navigasie, inhoud, estetika en bruikbaarheid beinvloed. Hierdie studie ondersoek die bereiking van beter gebruikerservaring op e-handel webwerwe. 'n Dubbelemetode bruikbaarheidsevaluering benadering – bruikbaarheidstoetsing met eindgebruikers en heuristiese evaluering deur kundiges – is gebruik om ‘n holistiese beeld te verkry van hoe bruikbaarheidsaspekte gebruikerservaring ondersteun of verhinder. Bruikbaarheidstoetsing lewer insigte in gedetailleerde koppelvlak kwessies en die tipe inhoud en roete wat gebruikers verkies wanneer hulle 'n aankoop maak, terwyl heuristiese evaluering hoofsaaklik gerig is op algehele gebruikerskoppelvlak en interaksie faktore. Op 'n komplementêre manier, het elke metode' n groot aantal bruikbaarheidsprobleme geïdentifiseer. Belangrike bevindings word saamgevat, en ontwerp riglyne is voorgestel wat die ontwikkeling van e-handel webwerwe fasiliteer wat gebruikerservaring bevorder. / Computing / M. Tech. (Information Technology)

The interview is considered to be a critical technique in the therapeutic process. The effective (and by implication, the ineffective) use thereof determines to a great extent the outcome of the therapeutic process. Training in therapeutic interviewing forms an integral part of the training of counsellors and therapists. This study was prompted by BEd (Specialisation in Guidance and Counselling) students' need for a structured and systematic approach to training in therapeutic interviewing skills. A literature study of the phenomenon therapeutic interviewing revealed firstly that the skills needed for effective therapeutic interviewing can be identified and operationally defined and secondly that these skills can be systematically trained. Having a repertoire of interviewing skills is however not a guarantee that therapy or counselling will have a positive outcome. The therapist must be able to create a therapeutic relationship with the client and in this regard the therapist's personality and attitudes, including empathy, warmth, respect, genuineness and unconditional positive regard for the client, are of major importance in helping to create an atmosphere wherein the client can feel free to discuss his problems and innermost feelings and thoughts. In the design of a model to train therapeutic interviewing, consideration must be given to both content and procedure. Not only were interviewing skills addressed in this model, but also skills to communicate empathy, warmth, respect, genuineness and unconditional positive regard. For the purposes of this study, the therapeutic interview was divided into six stages. Skills used in each stage were identified, defined and discussed. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the training model. Subjects were trained in accordance with the proposed training procedure. In order to evaluate the subjects' progress and thus also the effectiveness of the training procedure, each subject's pre- and post-training interviews were compared. An evaluation scale was designed for this purpose. The results of the pilot study indicated an improvement in the subjects' interviewing skills. It is hoped that this study will pave the way for innovation in the training of counsellors and therapists in therapeutic interviewing. / Die onderhoud word as 'n kritieke tegniek in die terapeutiese proses beskou. Die effektiewe (en by implikasie, die oneffektiewe) gebruik daarvan bepaal tot 'n groot mate die uitkoms van die terapeutiese proses. Opleiding in terapeutiese onderhoudvoering vorm 'n integrale deel van die opleiding van terapeute en voorligters. BEd (Spesialisering in Skoolvoorligting)studente het 'n bepaalde behoefte aan 'n gestruktureerde en sistematiese benadering tot die opleiding van terapeutiese onderhoudvoeringsvaardighede uitgespreek. 'n Literatuurstudie oor die fenomeen terapeutiese ondemoud het eerstens aan die lig gebring dat vaardighede onderliggend aan die terapeutiese onderhoud geidentifiseer en operasioneel gedefinieer kan word en tweedens dat hierdie vaardighede sistematies aangeleer kan word. 'n Repertoire van onderhoudvoeringsvaardighede is egter nie 'n waarborg dat terapie 'n positiewe uitkoms sal he nie. Die terapeut moet 'n terapeutiese verhouding met die klient kan stig en in hierdie opsig is die terapeut se persoonlikheid en sy houding van empatie, warmte, respek, egtheid en onvoorwaardelike agting van kritieke belang in die skep van 'n atmosfeer, waarbinne die klient vry kan voel om sy probleme, diepste gevoelens en gedagtes te kan bespreek. In die ontwerp van 'n model vir opleiding in terapeutiese onderhoudvoeringsvaardighede moet aandag aan beide inhoud en opleidingsprosedure geskenk word. In hierdie model word nie net die vaardighede vir terapeutiese onderhoudvoering aangespreek nie, maar ook vaardighede om empatie, warmte, respek, egtheid en onvoorwaardelike positiewe agting aan die klient te kommunikeer. Vir die doeleindes van hierdie studie is die terapeutiese onderhoud in ses fases verdeel. Vaardighede wat in elke fase gebruik word, is gerdentifiseer, gedefinieer en bespreek. 'n Loodsondersoek is ondemeem om die effektiwiteit van die opleidingsmodel te evalueer. Proefpersone is aan die hand van die voorgestelde opleidingsprosedure opgelei. Ten einde die proefpersone se vordering en so ook die effektiwitieit van die model te evalueer, is elke proefpersoon se voor- en naopleiding onderhoude vergelyk. 'n Evalueringsskaal is vir hierdie doel ontwerp. Die resultate van die loodsondersoek het getoon dat die proefpersone se onderhoudvoeringsvaardighede verbeter het. Die hoop word uitgespreek dat hierdie studie die weg sal baan vir vernuwing in die opleiding van voorligters en terapeute in terapeutiese onderhoudvoering. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Summaries in Engish and Afrikaans / The goal of this research is to evaluate whether a personal and social skills program can effectively be implemented by social workers in a prison. A control- and experimental group were used in a quasiexperimental design. The respondents were twenty-four white, male, sentenced prisoners in Pretoria Central Prison. The Heimler scale for social functioning and the Hudson-scale for family relations are the standard questionnaires, which were utilised to measure results during the pre-testing and post-testing phase. All twenty-four respondents completed the scales during the pre- and post-testing phase. The Wilcoxon t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used for statistical purposes. A computer was used to process data. Both measurement scales confirmed positive results. The independent variable, that is, the personal and social skills program had an effect in the desired direction on respondents in the experimental group. The Hudson-scale for interpersonal relationships, however, showed more dramatic results. The results for the control group, showed noticeable decline in both social functioning of the respondents as well as experience of family relationships. / Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om te bepaal of maatskaplike werkers in 'n gevangenis 'n persoonlike en sosiale vaardigheidsprogram effektief kan implementeer. 'n Kontrole- en eksperimentele groep was benut in die uitvoering van 'n kwasi-eksperimentele ontwerp. Die proefpersone was vier-entwintig Blanke, manlike gevangenes te Pretoria-Sentraal Gevangenis. Die Heimler-skaal vir maatskaplike funksionering en die Hudsonskaal vir gesinsverhoudinge was die gestandardiseerde vraelyste, wat gebruik is om die resultate tydens voor- en na-toetsing. Die meetinstrumente is deur al vier-en-twintig respondente voltooi. Die Wilcoxon t-toets en Mann-Whitney U-toets is benut vir statistiese doeleindes. 'n Rekenaar is gebruik om data te verwerk. Beide metingskale het positiewe resultate getoon. Die onafhanklike veranderlike, die persoonlike- en sosialevaardigheidsprogram, het 'n effek in die gewenste rigtings gehad op die proefpersone in die ksperimentele groep, hoewel die Hudson-skaal vir gesinsverhoudinge, meer dramatiese resultate getoon het. Die resultate van die proefpersone in die kontrole groep, het merkbare agteruitgang getoon op beide skale. / Social Sciences / M.A. (Social Work)

Summaries in Engish and Afrikaans / The goal of this research is to evaluate whether a personal and social skills program can effectively be implemented by social workers in a prison. A control- and experimental group were used in a quasiexperimental design. The respondents were twenty-four white, male, sentenced prisoners in Pretoria Central Prison. The Heimler scale for social functioning and the Hudson-scale for family relations are the standard questionnaires, which were utilised to measure results during the pre-testing and post-testing phase. All twenty-four respondents completed the scales during the pre- and post-testing phase. The Wilcoxon t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used for statistical purposes. A computer was used to process data. Both measurement scales confirmed positive results. The independent variable, that is, the personal and social skills program had an effect in the desired direction on respondents in the experimental group. The Hudson-scale for interpersonal relationships, however, showed more dramatic results. The results for the control group, showed noticeable decline in both social functioning of the respondents as well as experience of family relationships. / Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om te bepaal of maatskaplike werkers in 'n gevangenis 'n persoonlike en sosiale vaardigheidsprogram effektief kan implementeer. 'n Kontrole- en eksperimentele groep was benut in die uitvoering van 'n kwasi-eksperimentele ontwerp. Die proefpersone was vier-entwintig Blanke, manlike gevangenes te Pretoria-Sentraal Gevangenis. Die Heimler-skaal vir maatskaplike funksionering en die Hudsonskaal vir gesinsverhoudinge was die gestandardiseerde vraelyste, wat gebruik is om die resultate tydens voor- en na-toetsing. Die meetinstrumente is deur al vier-en-twintig respondente voltooi. Die Wilcoxon t-toets en Mann-Whitney U-toets is benut vir statistiese doeleindes. 'n Rekenaar is gebruik om data te verwerk. Beide metingskale het positiewe resultate getoon. Die onafhanklike veranderlike, die persoonlike- en sosialevaardigheidsprogram, het 'n effek in die gewenste rigtings gehad op die proefpersone in die ksperimentele groep, hoewel die Hudson-skaal vir gesinsverhoudinge, meer dramatiese resultate getoon het. Die resultate van die proefpersone in die kontrole groep, het merkbare agteruitgang getoon op beide skale. / Social Sciences / M.A. (Social Work)

Abstracts in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa / The purpose of this study was to explore reading barriers of Foundation Phase learners in IsiXhosa Home Language in the Lady Frere district in the Eastern Cape Province (ECP). The qualitative single case study of one Junior Secondary school in the chosen district was studied. The empirical research was done through interviews with the teachers and lesson observations. The findings suggested that there was some concern with regards to the reading ability of learners in the District. The lack of parental involvement, high turnover of teachers, lack of training and support of teachers were identified as attributing factors to reading barriers of learners. Measures to address these factors were suggested. The measures included capacity building of teachers, parents or care givers of learners, and ways of retaining teachers in schools to reduce the high turnover of staff. In conclusion, it is anticipated that the findings and recommendations of this study will provide valuable contribution to the district officials to be able to address the teaching and learning gaps and empower and support both teachers and learners in the Eastern Cape Province. / Die doel van hierdie studie was om leeshindernisse van leerders in die Grondslagfase, met Xhosa as huistaal, in die Lady Frere distrik in die Oos-Kaap Provinsie te ondersoek. Die kwalitatiewe, enkele gevallestudie het die bestudering van een Junior Sekondêre skool in die gekose distrik behels. Die empiriese navorsing is gedoen deur onderhoude met die onderwysers te voer en deur waarnemings van lesse. Die bevindings dui daarop dat daar kommer bestaan oor die leesvermoë van leerders in die distrik. Afwesige ouerbetrokkenheid, die hoë omset van onderwysers en die gebrek aan voldoende opleiding en ondersteuning aan onderwysers word identifiseer as die moontlike oorsake van leeshindernisse van leerders. Maatreëls om die faktore wat leeshindernisse veroorsaak aan te spreek, is voorgestel. Die maatreëls behels onder meer kapasiteitsbou van onderwysers, ouers of versorgers van leerders, asook maniere om onderwysers in skole te behou en sodoende die hoë personeelomset te verminder. Ten slotte, die verwagting is dat die bevindings en aanbevelings van hierdie studie ‘n waardevolle bydrae aan die distriksbeamptes sal lewer om die leemtes vir voldoende onderrig en leer te kan aanpak en sodoende beide onderwysers en leerders in die Oos- Kaap te bemagtig en te ondersteun. / Injongo yoluphando yayikukuphonononga izithintelo kufunda zamabanga aphantsi kulwimi lwasekhaya lwesiXhosa kwisithili saseCacadu kwiphondo laseMpuma-Koloni. Kwaphononongwa isifundo secala elinye elinoqeqesho kwisikiolo samabanga aphakathi kwisithili esikhethiweyo. Kwenziwa uphando olunamandla kusetyenziswa udliwanondlebe nootitshala kunye nokujonga. Iziphumo zabonisa ukuba kukho ukuxhalaba ngendlela abafundi besithili esikhethiweyo babefunda ngayo. Oko kwakudalwa kukungazibandakanyi kwabazali emfundweni yabantwana babo, ukutshintsha nokushiya kootitshala izikolo nesebe lezemfundo ngokubanzi nokunqongophala koqeqesho nenkxaso yootitshala. Kwacetyiswa amadondolo okulungisa imiba echaphazela iingxaki zokufunda . Lamadondolo ayecebisa ukuba kujongwane nemiceli mingeni eyayisele iboniwe, enje ngophuhliso lweetitsshala, abazali okanye abagcini bantwana, iindlela zokugcina abasebenzi ezikolweni, ukunciphisa ukutshintsha izikolo nokuyeka ukufundisa kootitshala. Ukuphetha, kuyabonakala ukuba iziphumo nezindululo zoluphando zizakuba negalelo elingathethekiyo kumagosa ezemfundo. Loo nto iyakuwanceda amagosa lawo akwazi ukuqaphela nokuqubisana nezikhewu ekufundeni, baphuhlise baxhase ootitshala nabantwana kwiPhondo leMpuma-Koloni. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

The transmission of electric power over long distances has historically posed challenges. However, the advent of high-voltage engineering has not only addressed distance barriers and power losses in electricity transmission and distribution, but it has also significantly improved the efficiency and transmission capacity of power grids. However, the use of high-voltage techniques has presented new challenges in identifying suitable insulator materials capable of withstanding high electrical stresses associated with elevated voltages. A significant issue arising from these extreme electrical stresses is the occurrence of partial discharges (PDs). Those are electrical sparks or pulses in the magnitude order of pico- or nano-coulombs (pC or nC) emitted from high voltage conductors due to the presence of impurities, contaminants or defects in their insulation system. PDs pose a serious threat to the insulation material due to their aggressive nature in breaking down weak points or links inside the insulation system leading to short-circuit and system failure. Means of offline or conventional testing of power assets against partial discharges has proven to be extremely precise but it is often an unavailable option since it requires a total power shutdown. In this paper, the performance of existing online PD detection techniques is tested and evaluated in terms of performance against conventional PD monitoring methods. Five non-intrusive detectors including an infrared camera (IR-camera), an ultrasonic sensor , a temperature and relative humidity sensor (TRH-sensor), high-frequency current transformer (HFCT sensor) and transient earth voltage antenna (TEV-antenna) were tested in a laboratory experiment for detection of PDs emitted by artificially-created defects inside a medium-voltage cable termination. The results showed varying sensitivity levels among the sensors, with the HFCT sensor demonstrating the highest sensitivity to all types and magnitudes of PDs. The IR-camera and ultrasonic sensor also showed potential, while the TRH-sensor exhibited poor sensitivity. The TEV-antenna had limited reliability. The findings of this study are that the HFCT system proved to be highly reliable for online PD monitoring, followed by the IR-camera and ultrasonic sensor, while the TEV-antenna and TRH-sensor showed lower reliability. In future work, further research on testing the HFCT system on-site can be conducted along with performing longer thermographic detection tests using the IR-camera to further investigate their potential in online PD detection. / Överföring av elektrisk kraft över långa avstånd har historiskt sett varit utmanande. Införandet av högspänningsteknik har inte bara övervunnit avståndsbarriärer och effektförluster vid överföring och distribution av elkraft, utan det har också avsevärt förbättrat kraftnätens effektivitet och överföringskapacitet. Användningen av högspänningsteknik har dock också inneburit nya utmaningar såsom utveckling av lämpliga isoleringsmaterial som tål höga elektriska påfrestningar vid höga spänningar. Ett betydande problem som härrör från dessa extrema elektriska spänningar är förekomsten av partiella urladdningar. Dessa urladdningar identifieras vara elektriska gnistor eller pulser i storleksordningen pico- eller nanocoulombs (pC eller nC) som emitteras från högspänningsledare på grund av närvaron av föroreningar eller defekter i närliggande isoleringssystem. PD:er utgör ett allvarligt hot mot isoleringsmaterialet på grund av deras aggressiva natur för att bryta ner svaga punkter eller länkar i isoleringssystemet, vilket kan leda till kortslutningar och systemfel. Konventionella metoder för att testa nätkomponenter mot partiella urladdningar har visat sig vara extremt noggranna, men detta är ofta inte ett tillgängligt alternativ eftersom det kräver ett totalt strömavbrott för att utföras. I denna studie testades och utvärderades prestandan hos befintliga metoder för online-detektering av partiell urladdning i förhållande till konventionella övervakningsmetoder. Fem icke-invasiva detektorer, inklusive en infraröd kamera, en ultraljudssensor, en temperatur- och relativ fuktighetssensor, en högfrekvent strömtransformator och en transient jordspänningsantenn, testades i ett laboratorieexperiment för att upptäcka partiella urladdningar orsakade av artificiellt skapade defekter i en mellanspänningskabelavslutning. Resultaten visade varierande känslighetsnivåer bland sensorerna, där högfrekventa strömtransformatorn visade den högsta känsligheten för alla typer och storlekar av partiella urladdningar. Den infraröda kameran och ultraljudssensorn visade också potential, medan temperatur- och relativ fuktighetssensorn visade låg känslighet. Den transienta jordspänningsantennen hade begränsad tillförlitlighet. Slutsatsen av denna studie är att den högfrekventa strömtransformatorn visade sig vara mycket tillförlitlig för online-övervakning av partiella urladdningar, följt av den infraröda kameran och ultraljudssensorn, medan den transienta jordspänningsantennen, temperatur- och fuktighetssensorn visade lägre tillförlitlighet. I framtida forskning kan ytterligare undersökningar av det högfrekventa strömtransformatorsystemet utföras på plats, tillsammans med längre termografiska detekteringstester med hjälp av den infraröda kameran för att ytterligare undersöka deras potential för onlinedetektering av partiella urladdningar.