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Exploring the pedagogical experiences of Natural Sciences and Technology teachers’ integration of ICTS in classroom practice at an under-resourced primary school
(University of the Western Cape, 2025) Mbatyazwa, Mxolisi
The South African National Department of Basic Education (SANDBE) emphasises the importance of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in the classroom and teachers play a fundamental role in this curricular integration. The use of ICTs in schools is a much-encouraged pedagogical necessity in the education fraternity. However, there are barriers in achieving this especially in under-resourced schools. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) and Provincial Education Departments (PED) play their role to support teachers and equip them in this new digital age. The primary aim of this study is to analyse the experiences of in-service teachers in an under-resourced primary school on how they adapt and use their pedagogical skills for the integration of ICTs in teaching the Natural Sciences and Technology (NST) subject. To gather a holistic interpretation, this research explored the experiences of full-time educators who teach Natural Sciences and Technology in the intermediate phase (Grades 4-6), and the researcher used a qualitative methodological approach for the study. The data gathered was through five participants teaching various grades in the intermediate phase. The data collection methods used were, semi-structured individual interviews and classroom observations to capture each teacher’s individual perception of how they have encountered the integration of ICTs in their daily pedagogical practice, alongside a document analysis of various South African educational policies that guide and act as a referential framework for the integration of technology in South African schools and teacher administrative documents. The study drew on the theoretical frameworks of Pierre Bourdieu’s concepts of field, habitus, and capital. This theory guided the thorough analysis in the exploration of teachers’ experiences in the integration of ICTs into their content delivery and pedagogical practices in Natural Sciences and Technology. This study informs the need for a rapid re-examination of the resource allocation frameworks to accommodate underresourced schools in the Gauteng province, the professional development necessary in which teachers in such under-resourced schools can continue the process of teaching and learning even in unprecedented pandemics and beyond. Furthermore, it recommends closing the digital gap between national and provincial governments together with district offices in provinces.
Machine learning and multi-socurce data driven multi-scale assessment and monitoriing of gully erosion development in Zimbabwe
(University of the Western Cape, 2026) Musasa, Tatenda
This study aimed to evaluate the distribution and development of gully erosion in Zimbabwe using spatial-temporal analysis to capture changes that traditional field-based methods often miss. In order to achieve this, the study set four key objectives that formed the basis to enhance the multi-scale assessment of gully erosion. Firstly, the study assessed the potential of remotely sensed data (Landsat 8 and Sentinel 2 MSI) combined with in-situ data in soil erosion assessment and monitoring. The second objective was to model soil erosion risk in rural subcatchments of Zimbabwe using RUSLE, remote sensing and machine learning approaches. These methods were adopted since they are unique and offer novel insights in addressing soil erosion problems. The study third objective was to assess soil susceptibility in discrete rural dominated landscapes located in semi-arid environments. In addition, an integral chapter which tested the potential of the Weight of Evidence (WoE) geospatial modelling framework for gully erosion hazard assessment across different land management systems and ecological zones was considered. This will enable wide scale detailed application of the study findings in Zimbabwe to see how well the findings resonate to the country’s efforts in addressing land degradation problems. The study adopted machine learning and multi-source data to enhance the multiscale assessment and monitoring of gully erosion development in Zimbabwe. The methodology was more robust as it adopted cloud computing techniques that is GEE, combined with geospatial modelling to assess soil erosion dynamics as well as make a detailed assessment of how environmental factors influence gully erosion in Zimbabwe. The study methodology also applied Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model to understand the drivers of soil loss in the sub-catchments. The study findings demonstrate the unique strengths of the GEE cloud computing platform and its advanced image-processing techniques for soil erosion monitoring, assessment and soil loss risk estimation. It is clear that remotely sensed Landsat 8 and Sentinel 2 datasets can accurately map eroded areas. This shows that, machine learning and multi-source data combined with in situ data contribute towards accurate and near-real time assessment and monitoring of soil erosion in resource-constrained communities at catchment scale. The study findings show that, the Shashe sub-catchment had mean soil losses of 15.75, 45.25, and 23.51t ha−1 year−1 for 2016, 2020, and 2023, respectively. In the TugwiZibagwe sub-catchment, the mean soil losses were 11.62, 18.45, and 37.34 t ha−1 year−1 for the same years. The results also show that LULC changes were one of the major drivers to soil loss in the predominantly rural sub-catchments. The findings have also shown rather than applying the RUSLE to understand the soil erosion dynamics, the integration of several spectral matrices in GEE can also enhance the quality of soil erosion susceptibility mapping which can enhance the country’s efforts in reversing land degradation hence fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Derived gully erosion thematic maps showed that high erosion hazard risk areas were dominant in area close to the rivers. The predictive potential of the weight of evidence model applied in this study suggests that the various environmental factors applied, are useful in modelling gully erosion. The study integrated machine learning approaches with multi-source data in cloud computing to capture spatial-temporal changes that traditional methods often miss. This will provide baseline information for decision making in soil erosion monitoring and assessment in rural dominated landscapes located in data-scarce environments especially using the novel approaches such as Vegetation Indices which have not been fully exploited in soil erosion susceptibility in Zimbabwe yet they provide essential information.
Differential toxicity of two murine endothelial cells to ROS duress: understanding oxidative stress-induced blood-brain barrier dysfunction
(University of the Western Cape, 2020) Alamu, Olufemi Akinyinka
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a critical interface between the blood circulation and brain tissue which performs critical selection of circulating molecules that gain access to the brain tissue. Its unique ability to adjust to changes in the constituents of the blood circulation confer in the BBB a dynamic nature enabling changes in its properties to suit the homeostatic needs of the brain. Dysfunction of the BBB has been established to be pivotal to the initiation and/or maintenance of an array of neurological disorders, most of which involve the production of excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress in their pathophysiology. Thus, clinical trials of exogenous antioxidant agents have been proposed and initiated, with most results being inconclusive. Extensive studies of the impact, capacity and plasticity of endogenous antioxidants in the cells that constitute the blood-brain barrier, especially the brain endothelial cells, therefore, became necessary for the rational choice, timing, and the mode of application of antioxidants in the management of oxidative stress-mediated neurological diseases. In the present study, incremental hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentrations were dosed in cell culture medium to simulate OS and gauge the capacity of the brain endothelial cell (BECs) models of the BBB to resist ROS toxicity, the contribution of endogenous antioxidants to this resistance and to study the morphological changes in ROS-mediated BBB dysfunction. Two types of mammalian endothelial cells, b.End5 and bEnd.3, commonly used for in vitro studies of the blood-brain barrier, were selected for use in this study. A combination of spectrophotometry, fluorescent microscopy, trypan blue exclusion method and flow cytometry were used to assess cell viability, cellular glutathione (GSH) content, cell cycle changes, cellular death by apoptosis and necrosis in BECs exposed to incremental H2O2 concentrations for 24hr. Exogenous antioxidants were variably administered to study the effects of externally incident antioxidants when the cells were under H2O2 exposure. Results showed that b.End5 cell line significantly tolerated higher concentrations of H2O2 than the bEnd.3 cell line. GSH contents for both cell lines were fairly similar under physiological conditions but after exposure to H2O2, b.End5 cells demonstrated higher resistance to GSH depletion than the bEnd.3 cell line, although the two cell lines were obtained from the same animal species. Along incremental concentrations of H2O2, increased cell proliferation, cell necrosis and apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were observed concurrently. At H2O2 concentrations that defined OS, live cells were depleted in b.End5 cells used while there was significant increases in apoptotic and necrotic cells with apoptotic cells as the significant majority comparatively. Cell cycle studies showed arrest of cell division at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle at higher concentrations of H2O2. Application of exogenous antioxidants ameliorated the H2O2-induced cellular depletion as well as improved recovery in cellular viability following withdrawal of H2O2 after 24hr exposure. It was conclusive that apoptotic pathway of cellular death is a major pathway of BECs response to OS. Also, there was differential H2O2 toxicity and GSH de novo synthesis capacity between the b.End5 and bEnd.3 cell lines despite their common origin from the same animal species and their possession of similar contents of endogenous antioxidant GSH under physiological conditions. This finding calls for more caution for the choice of cellular models for specific studies of the BBB to ensure that results obtained are reproducible, reliable and sufficiently conclusive. Furthermore, our results tend to suggest that the processes responsible for the endothelial component of BBB dysfunction under conditions of oxidative stress occur concurrently and include increased proliferation, necrotic and apoptotic cell death as well as cell cycle arrest. Additionally, study suggests that the clinical administration of antioxidants could be an appropriate intervention for the alleviation of neurological diseases.
Authentic leadership and its effects on organizational citizenship behaviour in a provincial government department in the Western Cape.
(University of the Western Cape, 2015) George, Lee-Ann Melissa
Leaders are often thought of as being the top management team of the organisation, illuminating the way forward for individuals by directing organisational activities towards a shared vision (Fernald, Solomon & Tarabishy, 2005). As organisations are constantly facing challenges in establishing a profitable presence in a competitive marketplace, effective leadership is one difference between organisations that successfully meet the challenges and those that do not (Wherry, 2012). In order for any organisation to cope with the demands of a dynamic and ever changing environment, it is necessary for management to move towards a leadership style that allows for the empowerment of employees (Carson & King, 2005). Scholars have identified a form of leadership termed “authentic leadership” where authentic leaders display traits such as honesty, sincerity, high moral standards, ethics and trustworthiness (Avolio et al., 2004; May 2004). According to George (2003), authentic leaders are self-aware and transparent therefore this behaviour sends a strong message to their followers influencing what they, the follower, attend to, how they view themselves and ultimately how they behave. Within organisations where authentic leaders are present, the importance of employee initiative and cooperation become very important (Le Pine, Erez & Johnson, 2002). The individual or employee initiative and cooperation can be viewed as in role (within formal job descriptions) or extra role (outside of formal job description) behaviour. Extra-role behaviour is also defined as organisational citizenship behaviour. This research study investigated if the dimensions of authentic leadership (self-awareness, moral perspective, balanced processing and relational transparency) had an effect on the dimensions of organisational citizenship behaviour (altruism, conscientiousness, sportsmanship, courtesy and civic virtue). The population for this study was a provincial government department within the Western Cape. A non-probability sample based on the method of convenience was utilised of which 131 respondents completed three sets of questionnaires namely; a Biographical questionnaire, Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (Avolio, Gardner & Walumbwa, 2007) and the Organisational Citizenship Questionnaire (Podsakoff, Mackenzie & Fetter, 1990). Statistical analyses involved both descriptive (measures of central tendency and dispersion) and inferential statistics (correlation and multiple regression). The findings indicated that a moderate to weak relationship exists between the dimensions of authentic leadership (self-awareness, moral perspective, balanced processing and relational transparency) and the dimensions of organisational citizenship behaviour (altruism, conscientiousness, sportsmanship, courtesy and civic virtue). Organisational citizenship behaviour of the employees within the organisation is not largely influenced by their leader’s authentic leadership style. Therefore, other factors such as work ethic, organisational commitment, work motivation or personality may have greater influence on organisational citizenship behaviour than authentic leadership. However, a few limitations associated with the study were identified and it is suggested that a qualitative approach be implored as well as other provincial, local or national government departments in the Western Cape be used to contribute to greater representativeness and generalisability. Variables identified in this study are embodied in the human resource functions of the organisation and managers should utilise the findings of this study to better understand human behaviour within the workplace.
Protein expression and antifungal effect of fluconazole-resistant Candida species following effective in vitro treatment with K21, a novel antifungal agent
(University of the Western Cape, 2019) John, Cathy Nisha
Background: Oropharyngeal candidiasis, caused by the fungus Candida, is the most common opportunistic infection affecting the quality of life of immunocompromised patients. Fluconazole is widely used as the first line of treatment for fungal infections. However, the inappropriate and misguided use of the drug has led to the evolvement of fluconazole-resistant Candida organisms. This arising resistance resulted in the urgent need for the development of new antimicrobial drugs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antifungal action of K21, a novel antimicrobial quarternary ammonium compound, on fluconazole-resistant Candida species. Materials and Methods: An in vitro study was conducted using a total of 143 Candida isolates obtained from HIV-positive patients. The ethical aspects of the study complied with the declaration of Helsinki (2013). The time-kill assay was used to evaluate the rate of action of K21 over time on Candida while the fungicidal effect of K21 against C. albicans (ATCC 90028) and C. glabrata (ATCC 26512) was observed at 2 hours. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of K21 was compared with the MICs of fluconazole. Synergy between K21 and fluconazole was evaluated by both the checkerboard microdilution method and time-kill assay. The modes of action of K21 and drug delivery were determined by performing postembedding immunogold labelling and for the sight-specific target and protein expression of Sap 1-3 and Sap 4-6 within the Candida cell. Results: Of the 143 isolates, 108 were fluconazole-resistant, 15 were fluconazole-intermediate and 20 were fluconazole-susceptible using the broth microdilution assay and breakpoint values recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). The MIC of K21 was 31.24 µg/mL for C. albicans when determined by the broth microdilution assay. About 103 Candida species were resistant and 13 were categorised as intermediate to FCZ with a MIC range between 64 µg/mL - 256 µg/mL and 16 µg/mL - 32 µg/mL respectively. However, the majority of the Candida species (n = 86) showed intermediate susceptibility to K21 with a MIC range between 62.48 µg/mL - 124.95 µg/mL and only 9 of the Candida species were resistant to K21 with a MIC value of ≥249.89 µg/mL. A statistically significant (p value = 0.000) was observed when the MIC values of K21 and FCZ were compared. No antagonism was observed in the study among the Candida strains. The time-kill and synergism assays showed significant differences over time with synergy between K21 and FCZ demonstrated for C. albicans (ATCC 90028 and NCPF 3281) C. dubliniensis (NCPF 3949a), C. tropicalis (ATCC 950) and C. lusitaniae (ATCC 34449). Scanning electron microscopy displayed major alterations in the morphology of Candida species between 2 hours and 24 hours, exhibiting cell lysis and cell death. Transmission micrographs of C. albicans (ATCC 90028) treated with K21 showed shrunken nuclei with disruption of cell walls and cell membranes. Immunogold labelling of C. albicans (ATCC 90028) and C. dubliniensis (NCPF 3949a) with Sap 1-3 antibodies exhibited the presence of gold particles confined to the cell wall and cell membrane, but, when exposed to Sap 4-6 antibodies there were a few non-specific gold particles found in C. albicans (ATCC 90028) and an absence of gold particles in C. dubliniensis (NCPF 3949a). C. tropicalis (ATCC 950) showed few gold particles along the cell membrane when treated with Sap 1-3 antibodies and no gold particels were found when treated with Sap 4-6 antibodies. Conclusion: The present study suggests that K21 acts as a potent antifungal agent and can be considered for development as an alternative treatment for fluconazole-resistant Candida species especially in immunocompromised patients.