PhD (Health Sciences) / Department of Advanced Nursing Science

Thesis (Ph. D. (Educational Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / For the past two to three decades, there has been a large influx of students with disabilities into institutions of higher education worldwide. In South Africa, in these past three decades, records of intake of students with disabilities were not recorded as services and support of this kind were not institutionalised. Within this transformation process, which involved including previously under-represented groups, institutions of higher learning are currently facing challenges of what kind of educational support to offer to students with disabilities, in order to help them to succeed academically. This study investigated the educational support offered to students with disabilities at the University of Venda (UNIVEN) as experienced by the students themselves. The study, therefore, gives an insider perspective. The study followed a qualitative research approach, and used classroom observations, document analysis and focus group interviews to collect data. Ten students with various disabilities participated in the study. The findings of this study reveal that there are some degrees of support that UNIVEN offers. However, some gaps to meet students educational needs still exist. These gaps include lack of information about the programmes that UNIVEN is offering, physical infra-structure barriers and lack of disability knowledge. This study recommends the establishment of a forum in which students with disabilities can discuss and address their educational needs on campus. Other recommendations include the following: lecturers’ training, disability awareness, the installation of an online interactive portal to increase communication between students and the university, and an online survey measuring lecturers’ attitudes and knowledge. The study suggests that future research could include factors that predict graduation rates among students with disabilities. Key words: Educational support, Disability unit, Medical Model of disability, Social model of disability.

MA (Youth Development) / Institute for Gender and Youth Studies / Sexual harassment is identified as a widespread form of aggressive behavior with severe consequences for victims, organizations and institutions. The objectives of this study were to explore the perceptions of students on sexual harassment, to discover the common type of sexual harassment among students, to find out locations where sexual harassment occurs in the university, to explore contributory factors influencing sexual harassment among students, and to explore the effects of sexual harassment on students. The methodology that was applied in this study is was qualitative in nature. The researcher used open ended questions in interview to assess sexual harassment among students in the university. Non-probability sampling was used to select 16 respondents made up of 8 males and 8 females. Data was analyzed thematically by identifying and expanding significant themes that emerged from the informants’ responses. Ethical measures and trustworthiness were ensured. It appears common for sexual harassment victims to experience negative physiological effects and treatment for the victims and harassers is hindered because victims abscond reporting the incident. Sexual harassment occurs in and outside university buildings as shown in the study. Perpetrators of sexual harassment have evolved from males harassing females to female lesbians harassing other lesbians and male gays harassing other gays however, men are the harassers of others to a greater extent. Alcohol and drug use, dress code and age and level of study were major contributory factors of sexual harassment. It seemed common that verbal, physical and visual sexual harassment occur among students verbal sexual harassment being the most prevalent.

MPH / Department of Public Health / South African youth, like many young people the world over, experience obstacles related to accessing age-specific health care services. School-based health centres, therefore, represent a mode of delivery of youth-friendly services tailored to meeting the healthcare needs of young people, such as university students. The aim of the study was to investigate the barriers faced by University of Venda (UNIVEN) students in accessing the institution’s health services.The objectives of the study were to assess the level of awareness of the respondents regarding the UNIVEN campus health services and to determine the availability and acceptability barriers experienced by students in accessing the campus health services.The study is quantitative using a self-administered questionnaire, informed by literature review, to collect data from the respondents. The study population consisted of all the students who were resident on campus. The sample size were five hundred and thirty four (534) respondents drawn from all the residences on the university campus and comprising of students from all the schools and levels. Questionnaires were administered face-to-face to respondents in the respondents’ rooms. The validity and reliability of the study were ensured. Ethical considerations, such as informed consent, right to privacy, and no-harm to participants, were observed and addressed in this study. Data was entered and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences 23. For continuous variables such as age, descriptive variable was calculated. For categorical variables, frequencies and percentages are presented.The results indicated that the average age of the study population was 21.85 years with almost all of the respondents (95%) being aware of the existence of a health clinic on the Univen campus. However, only 63% had gone for consultation at the clinic. Awareness of the clinic’s services appears to be poor, with HIV Counselling & Testing being the most known service, while minor illnesses’ management was the most utilised service (48%). Barriers experienced by the respondents were related to waiting times and opening hours of the clinic, with only 33% and 39% respectively, describing them as ideal.The study provides evidence that although university health services may be provided at no cost students still experience barriers in accessing them. Effective measures are needed to increase students’ awareness of the clinic’s services and to shorten waiting times and improve clinic opening hours.

MGS / Institute for Gender and Youth Studies / Most people view bullying as a childhood challenge which children outgrow with age. However, bullies grow up and even go to universities where they continue with their bullying tactics; harassing their fellow students. The development of technology has allowed bullying to be taken to adulthood through cyber-bullying. Technology has become a big part of young people’s lives and it plays an increasingly important role in their day-to-day activities. However, it has also become a platform for young people to intimidate and harass each other. Cyber-bullying has become a huge problem for university students, which can cause long term effects to victims. It involves sending hurtful, threatening or embarrassing messages to one another. Cyber-bullying causes problems such as depression, anxiety, suicide, poor school attendance and performance for the victims of such an act. Both males and females take part in cyber-bullying. Avenues for cyber-bullying by students include emails, blogs, text messages, and social network sites such as Facebook, My Space, Whatsapp, Instagram and twitter among others. The main aim of this study was to probe cyber-bullying experiences of both male and female first year students at the University of Venda. Qualitative research approach was used. Snowball sampling, a subtype of non-probability sampling was used to select the respondents for the study. Semi-structured interviews were used as the data collecting tool. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. Confidentiality, anonymity, voluntary participation and informed consent were among the ethical considerations that were followed. The study found that cyber-bullying is prevalent at the University of Venda and it socially, academically, psychologically and physically affects students. More female students were found to be victims of cyber-bullying when compared to male students. In view of the magnitude of cyber-bullying among university students; there is a need for urgent action by the University of Venda management to come up with / NRF

MA (Xitsonga) / Ehansi ka Senthara ya M. E. R. Mathivha ya Tindimu ta Afrika, Vutshila ni Ndhlavuko / Xikongomelonkulu xa ndzavisiso lowu i ku lava ku andlala ntirho lowu wu tirhiwaka hi vutivi bya tindziminyingi hi ku kongomisa eka Vatsonga va lembe ro sungula eYunivhesiti ya Vhenda. Xikongomelo xin’wana xa ndzavisiso lowu i ku lava ku kumisisa ndlela leyi mhaka ya vutivi bya tindziminyingi yi vuyerisaka machudeni ha kona loko va ri karhi va ti nghenelerisa eka minhjekanjhekisano ya swa tidyondzo. Theme leri ra tindziminyingi ri tumbulukile khale hi nkarhi wa ku akiwa ka xihondzo ya Babel. Theme leri ri kongomisa eka xiyimo laha munhu a nga ni vuswikoti bya ku tirhisa tindzimi timbirhi kumbe ku tlula. Dyondzo ya tindziminyingi yi tanihi tidyondzo letin’wana hikuva nayona yi va yi simekiwile eka rimba ra dyondzo yoyoleyo. Ndzavisiso lowu wu simekiwile eka Thiyori ya Affordances. Xikongomelo xa ku va hi hlawuriwile thiyori i mhaka ya leswaku eYunivhesiti ya Vhenda ku kumeka vanhu vo hlaya laha swi nyikaka nkarhi eka machudeni ku va va dyondza tindzimi ta van’wana machudeni leswaku va oloveriwa hi swa tidyondzo ta vona. Dyondzo kumbe ndzavisiso lowu wu tirhisa tindlela timbirhi to hlengeleta mahungu, ku nga endlelo ra nkoka ni endlelo ra ntalo laha swi nga ta endliwa eYunivhesiti ya Vhenda. Machudeni lawa ya ta hlawuriwa hi ku tirhisa endlelo ra sampula ya xikongomelo laha ku nga ta hlawuriwa machudeni ya khumetsevu ku suka eka swikolo swo hambanahambana swa le yunivhesiti leyi. Vuxokoxoko byi ta hlengeletiwa hi ku tirhisa maendlelo ya vuxiyaxiya ni maendlelo ya Nongonoko wa swivutiso laha machudeni ya nga ta vutisiwa swi vutiso swo karhi. Hambiloko swi ti komba onge ririmi ra Xinghezi hi rona ririmi ra matimba eka swa tidyondzo kambe tindzimi ta Xintima na tona ta tirhisiwa swinene eka swa tidyondzo ta vona. Vulavisisi byi komba leswaku mhaka ya tindziminyingi yi ni xiave xikulu swinene eka ku pfuna machudeni loko ya ri karhi ya burisana hi mhaka ya swa tidyondzo ta vona. Ndzavisiso lowu wu ni nkoka swinene eka vanhu lava vatsakelaka ku hlaya ni ku hluvukisa tindzimi ta Xintima. / NRF

MCom (Economics) / Department of Economics / This study assesses the level of financial literacy and its impact on financial decision making exercised by the tertiary students in South Africa, using the University of Venda (Univen) as a case study. The study does this in three steps. First, it provides the financial literacy levels of students at Univen assessed through an evaluation score that the sampled students responded to. Second, it analyses the relationship between the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of students and their financial literacy levels. Third, it assesses the possible effects of financial literacy on financial decision making among students using correlation and regression analysis. The study uses primary data gathered by the author from the University of Venda registered students in the form of questionnaires. A stratified random sampling method was used to identify the students to form the sample of the study, which is 373. Percent slightly above 50 per cent of these students were found to be financially literate and there were more female students who were financially literate compared to male counterparts. Using the odds ratios, the study compared the financial literacy levels of all schools to the school of Management Sciences, respectively. Only students in Environmental Sciences and Law have higher literacy levels, which are statistically significant, compared to the students in the school of Management Sciences. The results also show that the age and the parent’s educational background have a statistically significant relationship with the student being financial literate. Furthermore the results indicate that there is a statistically significant relationship on good financial decision making (that is, budgeting, savings and investments) and being financial literate, compared to being financial illiterate. This result is not true when borrowing is used as a measure of financial decision making. / NRF

MA (Sociology) / Department of Sociology / The use of social media has in the last decade become popular among students in Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL). Social relationships and communications among students mostly take place on social networks. However, because of their growing popularity abuse is also increasing on these social media platforms. Female students are particularly vulnerable to sexual harassment and other forms of abuse on these platforms. This study explored the experiences of online sexual harassment among female students at a selected Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) in South Africa. This was to gain insights into the extent to which female students in institutions of Higher Learning are affected by this phenomenon. In particular, the study sought to find out the different forms of online sexual harassment experienced by female students in IHL, the specific types of online platforms where this sexual harassment take place, and the coping strategies employed by these students to cope with online sexual harassment. To address these objectives, the study adopted a qualitative exploratory design which allowed understanding of these experiences through the eyes of the victims. Twenty female participants were used for the study, while semi structured interviews were employed to collect data from these individuals. Purposive and critical case sampling technique was used to identify female students who had experienced sexual harassment online in the IHL. Findings reveal that sexual harassment at the IHL has occurred mostly in the form soliciting and sending of inappropriate pictures and videos to the victims. The study also revealed that the two main platforms on which sexual harassment of female students took place were WhatsApp and Facebook. While the main strategies of coping with online sexual harassment were blocking of harassers and complete disregard of the harassers. / NRF

MESHWR / Department of Hydrology and Water Resources / Water scarcity has become a constraint for sustainable development in the higher education institutions in South Africa including University of Venda. Water infrastructure is one of the major challenges within higher education institutions, the existing water supply infrastructure is over 20 years old and was not planned for the current population. This study aimed at developing a water management plan for higher education institutions in South Africa using the University of Venda as a case study. A water resource management plan provides a road map for reducing water consumption while encouraging sustainable water utilisation. Evaluation was done within the institution to identify water sources, water resources infrastructure and water utilisation. The study employed questionnaire survey to collect data on water consumption, to evaluate issues of the institutional participation in resolving the water problems within the institution and deduce water wastage. Water supply data was obtained from meter readings and water invoices obtained from Vhembe District Municipality and University of Venda. The latter were used to determine water consumption within the institution. Based on the sample size, the results indicated the estimated amount of water consumed daily by UNIVEN population is 66 341.9 l/d excluding water utilised at the cafeteria, car wash and auditorium. The average water supplied to UNIVEN in 2017 was 67 642. 25 mega litres/month, this indicates that more water is supplied to the institution since the estimated institutional water demand excluding illegal students in the residence halls ranged between 415 740 l/d and 597 620 l/d of water while the estimated institutional water demand including illegal students varied between 282 2610 l/d and 406 6580 l/d. The latter further indicates that there is water wastage within the institution because the water supplied monthly to the institution was in mega litres as indicated in the invoices, but the results indicated that the amount of water utilised daily within the institution was in litres, this clearly shows that the respondents under estimated the amount of water they utilise. The average amount of water used by students residing on campus was 271 l/p/d to 735.5 l/p/d while day scholars and university staff use 55 l/p/d to 142.5 l/p/d. The average amount of water used for cleaning ranged between 1 318.5 l/d to 3 909 l/d while gardening usage ranged between 4600 l/d and 8 600 l/d. The School of Agriculture experimental farm uses 9 270.4 l/d and the university laundry was found to utilise 5 186 l/d. The university laboratories were found to utilise 125 l/d to 215 l/d per practical session with 3 to 4 practical sessions conducted per week. The study found that the total water used by construction workers for domestic purposes iv is 800 l/d. The utilisation trends showed that during the dry seasons, the university population generally used about twice as much water as compared to wet season because municipal water was supplemented by rain water for watering plants and washing the pavement. The survey results indicated that students residing in the university residences waste more water by allowing the tap to run while brushing teeth, washing dishes, excessive use of water to rinse clothes while doing laundry, opening showers and leaving the water running while waiting for a desired water temperature. Activities such as watering flowers and lawn in an unmonitored manner and pavement washing in which the hose pipe runs for several hours during watering and pavement washing result in water wastage. The university does not have an environmental or water education projects that encourage students and staff to use water efficiently. Water conservation measures are lacking in the institution because there are no policies and procedures that outline how water should be utilised. The developed water management plan for University of Venda outline the current water consumption, targets for reduction, drivers for reducing water consumption and water reduction strategies. This study recommends that the University targets to reduce potable water usage by 12% in the next 5 years. The latter has been highlighted in the proposed water management plan. The proposed plan further presents a suite of strategies to reduce water usage, improve institution water resources data and to plan for the future. Water utilisation within the institution has not been efficient due to water not being utilised in a sustainable manner. Sub-metering of each building, water awareness campaign, introduction of water utilisation policies, routine inspection and maintenance of infrastructure and appointing an environmental coordinator or working with water experts in the School of Environmental Sciences will help reduce water consumption within the institution. / NRF