UWCScholar

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 11

Recent Submissions

Desktop-based determination of first derivative environmental flow requirements for the Luvuvhu headwater sub-basins in South Africa
(Taylor and Francis Ltd, 2026) Kapangaziwiri, Evison; Gumbo, Anesu D.; Mugari, Ephias
This study assessed environmental flow requirements (EFRs) in the Luvuvhu River headwaters, South Africa, using two automated Department of Water and Sanitation monitored stations, A91AB_Out and A91CD_Out. The Revised Desktop Reserve Model (RDRM), supported by participatory mapping and sensitivity analysis, revealed strong hydrological alteration, particularly at A91AB_Out below Albasini Reservoir, where flows deviate from natural conditions. Required EFRs were 17.21 m3 × 106 (52.7% of MAR) at A91AB_Out and 41.03 m3 × 106 (34.6% of MAR) at A91CD_Out, yet observed flows fell below these thresholds during the dry season. Community insights highlighted the importance of avoiding abstraction, addressing wetland degradation, and improving water governance. Sensitivity tests on baseflow (α = 0.96; β = 0.44), flow thresholds (20th percentile), and hydraulic scaling (0.5) enhanced model robustness. The study recommends seasonally timed reservoir releases to restore sediment transport, channel connectivity, aquatic habitats, and rural water supply through community-led, adaptive flow management in data-scarce catchments.
Revealing hidden diversity: new latrunculia and Iophon species porifera, demospongiae, poecilosclerida) from the continental shelf of the Namaqua ecoregion benguela ecosystem along with a range extension of latrunculia aciculatrunculia biformis
(Cambridge University Press, 2026) Samaai, Toufiek; Payne, Robyn Pauline; Kamwi, Blessing
Four new species of Poecilosclerida (Porifera, Demospongiae) assigned to the genera Latrunculia and Iophon are described from South Africa and Namibia, located in the Namaqua ecoregion. The Porifera occurring along the continental shelf within this ecoregion are relatively well-known, with 76 species formally described in previous literature. Of these, 35 species belong to the Order Poecilosclerida. Additionally, Latrunculia (Aciculatrunculia) biformis is reported from the continental shelf on the west coast of South Africa, extending its range further northwards into the South Atlantic. DNA barcoding and molecular phylogenetic analyses were employed to ensure accurate taxonomic assignment and designation of new species.
An explorative study of the relationship between transformational leadership, organisational culture, and organisational success in a post pandemic workplace in the western cape's private sector
(University of the Western Cape, 2025) Botha Lucan
Following the global pandemic, organisations have been shifted into a drastically different workplace where effectiveness, organisational culture, and leadership are crucial for overcoming unparalleled obstacles, that are new to organisations. Although these concepts have been studied extensively, they remain practically unclear about their applicability in the post-pandemic setting. This could be dangerous for company executives and other crucial stakeholders who continue to rely on pre- and mid-pandemic insights that might not represent the changing dynamics of the modern workplace accurately. Therefore, this exploratory research study aimed to explore the relationship between transformational leadership, organisational culture and organisational success within the post-pandemic context of the private sector of the Western Cape. The study also explored whether the relationship between transformational leadership and organisational success is mediated by organisational culture. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) and the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI) are two validated and reliable instruments that were used in this study's survey. This survey was purposefully distributed to 200 employees who were chosen from among those employed by private sector companies. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, a mediation regression analysis, and Pearson's correlation. The study's findings showed a strong positive correlation between organisational culture and effectiveness as well as a positive association between transformational leadership and organisational culture. Additionally, it was discovered that organisational culture acts as a mediator in the post pandemic relationship between transformational leadership and organisational success. The contributions and practical implications of this study are that insights gained from it may be used in proposing leadership and organisational development interventions and future research.
An exploration of the conduct of business legal and regulatory frameworks for cryptoassets in South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2025) de Jager, Pieter Christian
Cryptoassets, also commonly called cryptocurrencies, are among the many fintechrelated financial products popularised during the 2008 global financial crisis. They offer a decentralised system of value transfer, independent of central banks or governmental authorities. However, their unconventional nature creates significant risks, making proper financial regulation essential. This mini-dissertation focuses on the conduct of business regulation of cryptoassets in South Africa, analysing existing laws such as the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, the Financial Sector Regulation Act, and the proposed Conduct of Financial Institutions Bill, and evaluating their applicability to cryptoasset service providers. It is argued that the current conduct of business framework lacks the specificity needed to manage the risks cryptoassets present. The EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) is used as a case study, as it offers a dedicated legal framework that balances innovation with consumer protection and market integrity. The research also considers the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Fintech Working Group, which call for a risk-based, activity-focused regulatory approach. This mini-dissertation concludes that South Africa would benefit from enacting a dedicated and uniform legislative framework specifically tailored to the conduct of business regulation of cryptoassets. A law modelled on MiCA would reduce legal uncertainty, promote consumer protection, and support innovation in the cryptoasset market
An investigation of the rate of workplace bullying and its perceived influence on employee engagement and labour turnover in the Gauteng hospitality industry
(University of the Western Cape, 2025) Motsepe, Selina Jacqueline Dineo
Workplace bullying creates a hostile environment that adversely affects employee morale and effectiveness. This form of aggressive behaviour, which occurs when one or more employees are consistently exposed to negative actions from one or several persons over time, is often an invisible challenge that plagues many companies. Unaddressed, it can quickly spread and become a rooted organisational culture that is detrimental to productivity and performance. Leaders bear the responsibility for fostering a safe working environment for all employees. This study investigates workplace bullying as a phenomenon and its perceived influence on employee engagement and labour turnover in the Gauteng hospitality industry. The Self-Determination Theory (SDT) guided and supported the researcher in examining and explaining workplace bullying, employee engagement, labour turnover, and turnover intention. The theory emphasises the importance of fulfilling the intrinsic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Employees who are bullied are denied the opportunity to satisfy these basic psychological needs, they may be less motivated, disengaged, and eventually decide to leave the organisation. Using a qualitative design, data were collected via semi-structured interviews with nine participants and analysed thematically using Atlas.ti software. The research findings revealed that workplace bullying is widespread in the hospitality industry and negatively influences employee engagement and labour turnover.