The nature of letsoku and related clayey soils, traditionally used by indigenous Southern African communities for a wide range of purposes, was explored. Thirty-nine samples were collected from Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, South Africa and Zimbabwe. They were analysed to determine their composition and physical properties. Structured interviews were used to establish the purpose of use and the location of sourcing sites. The samples were in the form of either powder or rocks, and some were supplied as dry rolled clay balls. Cosmetic applications were almost universally indicated. However, other functions, related to artwork, medicinal use, cultural symbolism and traditional beliefs, were also mentioned. The samples covered a wide range of colours from bright red to yellow, but also from off-white to black, with some having a light grey colour. It was therefore not surprising that the mineral composition of the letsoku samples also varied widely. A black sample, and the yellow and reddish pastel-coloured samples, contained significant quantities of the corresponding, colourimparting iron oxides. Clay minerals featured prominently, although kaolinite and muscovite were more often encountered as the dominant minerals than smectites. All the samples contained silica and in some instances the content exceeded 90 % m/m SiO2. The presence of high contents (more than 40 % m/m) of gibbsite in the samples from Venda represents a new finding for clayey soils in traditional usage. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Chemical Engineering / PhD / Unrestricted

Introduction: The majority of learners until Grade 12 lack adequate information about nurs-ing as a career. Fewer learners select nursing as a career whilst in Grade 12; as evidenced by the intake of student nurses from various nursing colleges around South Africa. The pro-vision of career choice information, career development and career counselling services in South Africa are still fragmented. This study will assist in identifying information provided to Grade 12 learners on nursing as a career and factors influencing their choice of nursing as a career in the Tshwane North district schools in Gauteng province, South Africa. Aim/Objective: The aim of the study was to identify information and factors influencing Grade 12 learners’ choice of nursing as a career in the Tshwane North district schools, Gauteng province in South Africa. Methods and procedures: Descriptive quantitative design and survey method was followed to determine and describe the information given to Grade 12 learners on nursing as a career and factors influencing the choice of nursing as a career amongst Grade 12 learners in the Tshwane North district schools. The study population was ± 7000 Grade 12 learners from 36 high schools in the Tshwane North district within Gauteng province in South Africa. Tshwane North district is divided into four clusters. Two schools from each cluster were randomly selected by means of systematic random sampling in order to have equal repre-sentatives. A self-administered questionnaire that focused on information provided on nurs-ing as a career and factors influencing choice of nursing as a career was administered to 362 selected Grade 12 learners from the selected eight schools to generate data for this study. Data was analysed by means of descriptive and inference statistics. Findings: The study revealed the provision of inadequate information about nursing career to Grade 12 learners from various sources and that learners reached Grade 12 with no information provided about nursing as a career. Though some learners were provided with information, they still had limited knowledge about a career in nursing. Parents mostly influ-enced the career choice, more so than Teachers and media. Some learners who chose a nursing career were influenced by the fact that their parents could not afford tertiary fees. Conclusion: The findings revealed that parents, Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) and Life Orientation Teachers provided learners with adequate information on nursing as a ca-reer in the Tshwane North district schools. / Dissertation (MCur)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Nursing Science / MCur / Unrestricted

No abstract / Dogmatics and Christian Ethics / MTheology / Unrestricted

The researcher observed in practice that in-house EAP services renders a comprehensive EAP services to the organisations, although there are always factors involved that contribute to the failures and success of the internal EAP’s. EAP is usually a small directorate reporting under human resources and staffed by professionals who are positioned in middle management in an organisation. This study aimed to explore and describe the organisational factors that may promote the in-house EAP in the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism in Limpopo. The study focused specifically on the organisational factors that may play an important role in promoting service delivery of in-house EAP’s by exploring the views of the EAP professionals in the Department under study. The main objectives of the study was to determine which organisational factors may promote an inhouse EAP in the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism in Limpopo. Certain recommendations regarding the way these organisational factors can promote an effective in-house EAP, were also formulated. A qualitative collective case study research design was utilized in order to reach the goal of the study. The population represented EAP professionals in the specific department and a semi-structured interview schedule was used to interview the participants. The empirical findings of the study suggest that factors such as insufficient budget, lack of professionals specifically allocated for EAP services may have a negative impact on the promotion of an in-house EAP. Factors such as availability of approved EAP policies, management support and involvement, financial support, accessibility and location of EAP services, marketing of the EAP services, as well as the appointment of relevant professionals to render EAP services, were recognised as factors that may contribute to the promotion of an in-house EAP at the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism in Limpopo. / Social Work and Criminology / MSW / Unrestricted

This study investigated cattle off-take decision models for small-holder cattle producers in South Africa. The aim of the study was to provide empirical evidence on off-take decisions and contribute to the formulation of policy and development interventions to address the constraints that impede small-holder producers from participating fully in the commercial cattle industry. Cattle off-take incentives and disincentives differ among households. Off-take patterns are influenced by the socio-economic environment, asset base, husbandry practices, and access to market, institutional arrangements and extension support. The main hypothesis of the study was that off-take decisions of small-holder cattle producers depend on an interface between production practices and socio-economic factors. A sample of 308 small-holder cattle producers participated in a survey to test this hypothesis. Variations in cattle off-take are mainly associated with the household’s livelihoods needs and alternatives even though the attitude of the market may contract or expand participation. Principal component analysis was used to identify the main factors underlying this intricate relationship between the household dynamics and cattle off-take. The demographic analysis showed that older persons who have passed the prime age of forty dominate the study area. Taung North extension ward had both the highest proportion of women as well as small herds and generally women operated smaller herds than men. Men tended to keep indigenous breed types and reported lower mortality rates. Men also belonged to and held office in community associations, which was positively correlated with herd productivity. Results of principal component analysis showed that herd size had the most influence on cattle off-take. Owners of small herds sell the highest proportion of their herds, resort to the sale of sheep, and engage in small businesses to supplement cattle income, which suggests that income from these sales may be insufficient to meet the needs of these households. These sales are compounded with high mortality resulting in extremely high herd exits that lead to herd shrinkage. Diseases were mainly liable for most stock losses in the study area, which requires elevated attention. The farmer’s cattle rearing objective was the second most important factor underlying cattle off-take in the study area. Farmers whose main objective was to build wealth by keeping cattle, depended on cattle income and sold more animals to achieve this objective. Poor herd performance especially calving rates was the third most important factor influencing cattle off-take rates in the study area. Low calving rates pose a high risk to the sustainability of small-holder cattle businesses in the study area. In most instances, farmers who experienced low calving rates, depended on non-farm income such as social grants to meet their household needs. There is an urgent need for an introduction of record keeping as part of cattle production in the study area, to monitor the productivity of breeding cows. Results also showed that current extension modalities such as mass and farmer-to-farmer extension suppressed herd off-take in the study area. It seems that extension messages are generally devoid of entrepreneurship and efforts to instill a commercial orientation among small-holder farmers. This implies that there is a need for a new paradigm of focusing on improved off-take as the ultimate goal of cattle production. This study has identified several constraints, which need to be addressed in order to improve herd productivity and off-take rates in the study area. Proposed solutions for empowering vulnerable groups such as women and the youth require rural development and land reform policy interventions while the improvement of general productivity requires a focused extension intervention programme. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / PhD / Unrestricted

The Education White paper 6 gazetted that no disabled child should be left behind. It called for full-service schools but there are debates about the extent of the inclusion of disabled learners in mainstream schools. This research study explores teacher’s perceptions of the inclusion of learners living with physical disabilities in South Africa’s institutions of basic education. Ten teachers were interviewed to understand their views on how far schools have assumed the responsibilities of full-service schools. The key findings indicate that teachers who took part in the study were divided in their views on whether mainstream schools have started assuming the responsibilities of full-service schools. Some of the teachers pointed out that mainstream schools have not yet assumed the responsibilities of full-service schools and the reasons for this include; schools lacking the appropriate infrastructure to accommodate learners living with physical disabilities, teachers believe that they lack the appropriate skill set and they hold the view that learners living with physical disabilities will experience negative attitudes from their peers and teachers in mainstream schools. The salient finding indicates that some of the teachers hold negative views about the prospect of schools admitting learners living with physical disabilities. As well as certain misconceptions and prejudices about learners living with physical disabilities. / Sociology / MSocSci / Unrestricted

Newcastle disease (ND), caused by avian avulavirus 1 (AA1), an enveloped, negative sense, single stranded RNA virus belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family. ND is found world-wide and leads to severe economic losses from mortality and condemnation of carcasses. Virulent ND causes clinical signs such as respiratory distress, central nervous signs, drop in egg production, weakness, gastro-intestinal symptoms and death. The disease is listed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and outbreaks require reporting to the OIE. The OIE requires a definitive diagnosis of virulent AA1 to enable effective control of an outbreak by strict control measures and trade restrictions. Currently the real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) assay used to diagnose ND does not differentiate between field and vaccine strain. The aim of this study was to develop and optimise a real time RT-PCR assay that detects chickens vaccinated with Vectormune® HVT NDV vaccine based on the F gene of the D26 strain. NDV F gene sequences were downloaded from Genbank® and aligned. A region unique to the D26 strain, between nucleotides 69 to 131 (using accession number M24692 for numbering) was identified and a TaqMan® MGB™ assay was developed. Primer and probe concentrations were optimised at 200 nM. Nucleic acid was purified using a MagMax™ Pathogen RNA/DNA extraction kit and a MagMax™ Express Magnetic Particle Processor (ThermoFisher Scientific). TaqMan Fast Advanced Master Mix PCR reagents were used to amplify the AA1 F gene with one StepOnePlus Real-time PCR system. The PCR efficiency was calculated to be 81.8% with 0.9942 coefficient correlation (R2). The 95% limit of detection was 10-1.31 plaque forming units per reaction. The assay was specific and did not detect any other AA1 isolates tested. Twenty-four spleen impression smear field samples from chickens (12 Vectormune® HVT NDV vaccine samples and 12 vaccinated with ND virus conventional vaccine) preserved on Whatman® FTA cards, were collected between day 21 and 28 post vaccination. The assay detected only the D26 vaccine strain and was negative when tested on other field samples. The developed real time PCR was sensitive, reliable and repeatable and will also be able to produce results rapidly as compared to other conventional methods. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2018. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / MSc / Unrestricted

No abstract / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2018. / Business Management / PhD

The purpose of this study was to investigate which mobile technology integration strategies are incorporated in activities to support English Home Language teaching and learning. This study is important because even though technology is used daily, inside and outside the classroom, it is not clear at which cognitive level these activities are being implemented. The study was conducted in two private secondary schools, as a comparative case study. Mobile technology-based activities in Grade 9 English Home Language classes were observed and analysed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with the principal, IT specialist and English Home Language teacher from each school, observations of activities, as well as focus group discussions with six learners from each school. The conceptual framework combines the Substitution, Augmentation, Modification and Redefinition (SAMR) model with the revised Bloom’s taxonomy. The eight observed activities were analysed and presented in the conceptual framework using the Activity Theory. Technology was integrated seamlessly in both English Home Language classrooms for communication, collaboration, presentations, investigations, analysis and research work. The two schools have similar supportive environments for implementation of technology in teaching, even though School B has a slight advantage in weekly community of practice sessions, training and technical support. The results indicate that activities in both schools were on the higher levels of conceptual framework, with a slightly higher approach identified in School B. In this study the results cannot be generalised as data were not collected over a long period of time, the number of activities observed was limited and the study was restricted to two schools only. However, it is evident that, in a supportive environment, technology can be very beneficial to, and even redefine, teaching and learning. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2018. / Science, Mathematics and Technology Education / MEd / Unrestricted

The provision of basic education through the UPE programme has gained momentum since its inception. This is because since the government took over the roles of paying tuition fee, providing instructional materials, paying teachers and providing school infrastructure, enrolment rose, and has continued to rise. In ensuring that government resources are well utilised, the government mandated the community through SMCs and charged them with the responsibilities of mobilising school resources from the community to supplement government resources that are insufficient for schools, monitoring the utilisation of school resources and undertaking general management roles in schools to ensure that there is efficient education service delivery that promotes teaching and learning. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to explore how SMCs monitor the implementation of UPE in Uganda. The study was driven by the assumption that if school resources are effectively monitored by the community themselves through SMCs, the government‘s objective of ensuring that all school-going children access school could be realized. The study used an explanatory sequential mixed methods approach to conduct a comprehensive study that gave a clear understanding of how monitoring the school resources is effected. Simple random sampling was used to select the sample for the quantitative study and data was collected using a questionnaire while purposive sampling was used to select the participants for the qualitative study and data was collected using structured interview.The result of the study identified the gaps in the way in which the SMCs monitor the school resources. The study results indicate that the SMCs do not have the full mandate to take any decisions that affect the operations of schools. This acts as a demotivating factor to SMCs in undertaking their roles. The study findings further reveal that there is no clear monitoring framework used by SMCs that guides them on what to monitor and how to monitor based on set measurable indicators. This gap leaves the SMC in each school to undertake their duties differently, yet they monitor the same programme. The study further reveal that SMCs encounter challenges in effecting their work; some of these challenges are policy issues and others are administrative in nature. Much as the they have attempted to come up with strategies to handle the challenges, little is being done to address them. The study findings have implications for policy-makers and UPE implementers. The study recommends that the Central Government should consider empowering SMCs through constant training in financial management and understanding policies governing their duties and responsibilities. The study further recommends that for UPE policy of community management of schools to be ffective, Government should put in place the level of education and experience for some one to be elected as a member of SMC. / Education Management and Policy Studies / PhD / Unrestricted