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The Amanzi Entaba path
(University of the Free State, 2023) De Kock, Jesse; Wagner, Annemarie
Nature, a vast and endless palette of inspiration, sets the stage for a library for textures, patterns, and motifs. There is no better designer than nature itself and architects have long been inspired by it, trying to evoke emotional connections to nature.
My interest in the connection between man and nature, as told by the delicate fynbos biome, stems from a life-long love and appreciation for nature, taught through generations in our family. As a child, I was directed into appreciating the intricate small beauties lying within nature, the scents and textures that make up a perfectly balanced existence. Even in school, we were taught a respect and understanding of our importance in nature’s survival. Being taught the importance of nature, its role in our survival and vice versa, continued a childhood love implemented at a young age. My fondness for The West Coast National Park, and specifically fynbos, started in 2016, when I first visited this natural gem within the Western Cape. The endless beauty of something so refined brought peace in admiration of something that I knew to be intricate and unique.
The Anthropocene era, the era of human impact on the earth, has taken us far from nature, creating a separation, lacking environmental connection instead of striving to connect architecture to nature through the creation of emotional and spiritual spaces for everyday life, through “amanzi entaba”. This is a Xhosa phrase, made up of the word's “mountain” and “water”, for an emotional harmony between human beings and nature.
Fynbos, the “fine-leaved plants”, is an extraordinary biome, occurring solely on Africa’s southern peninsula. With a very wide range of plant species (roughly 8700), it stretches from the west coast to the east coast, outshining many rainforests in terms of sheer diversity. The beauty of fynbos truly lies in it birth and growth, a sensitive and intricate system of rebirth and fire.
A Fynbos Interpretation Centre, funded by SAN Parks, located within the West Coast National Park, is proposed to preserve and retell an overlooked and unique narrative. The poetical quality of the setting inspires an intervention that builds that tells a story. The Fynbos Interpretation Centre proposes an architectural intervention articulating various moments within a sensitive process and interconnectedness within human experiences as visitors move through spaces and times.
Enabling adult diabetes self-management in a Kenyan context: a design science research approach
(University of the Free State, 2023) Opisa, Esther Asenahabi; Reid, Marianne; Swanepoel, Juanita
Diabetes is one of the non-communicable conditions of which the prevalence is increasing globally, with a particularly sharp increase experienced in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). If diabetes is not managed properly, it can lead to physical complications, and increase the financial burden on the individual, the health care system and the government. Since diabetes is a chronic condition, self-management is key in the control of this condition. However, it is evident that most people diagnosed with diabetes exhibit an uncontrolled condition. This is an indication that diabetes self-management (DSM) is suboptimal among people diagnosed with diabetes.
The main aim of this study was to design a context-specific product that would enable DSM by adults in Kenya. This study was anchored on the integrated model of behaviour prediction (IMBP) theory, with IMBP distal variables forming the foundation for designing the product.
This study was designed using a pragmatic approach, informed by design science research (DSR). DSR comprises three cycles that are closely related. The three cycles are relevancy, design and rigour. In the relevancy cycle, the problem was investigated. Preliminary design requirements (PDRs) and design requirements (DRs) were derived. The PDRs and DRs formed part of the acceptance criteria of the product. In the design cycle, the product was finalised and its practicability determined. The iterative nature of the prototype product was due to the synthesis of data obtained during the relevancy cycle. In the rigour cycle, the prototype product was evaluated against certain evaluation criteria. The final product was then designed. These three cycles were adapted as the phases of the study. Applying the general methodology of design science research (DSR) to the current study yielded three executable phases of the research study: 1) the problem explication phase, 2) the design phase, and 3) the evaluation phase.
A multiple method design was used. In the first phase, the problem explication phase, a literature overview, a scoping review and Kawa group discussions were conducted. The findings of these three methods involve a list of four IMBP distal variables, nine PDRs and six DRs respectively. In the second phase, the design phase, surveys and design were the two methods that were applied. The surveys yielded additional 13 DRs, giving a total of 19 DRs. This phase gave rise to a prototype product and the evaluation criteria that were used by diabetes experts in the third phase of the study. The third phase, the evaluation phase, involved expert reviews. Four diabetes experts evaluated the prototype product using the evaluation criteria. Their feedback was analysed and the findings factored in the development of the final product. The final product is a DSM guide that will be used mainly by adults diagnosed with diabetes, either on their own or with the aid of health care providers during clinic visits. In this last phase, design principles were also articulated, based on the DRs that emerged throughout the study.
This study makes a contribution to the body of knowledge in DSR, by unearthing design principles that other researchers can use to design similar studies elsewhere. Additionally, the DSM guide that emerged in this study may contribute to improved DSM by adults diagnosed with diabetes in Kenya. A context-specific DSM product was developed through the application of the DSR approach. Alongside the DSM product, the researcher also extracted DRs and design principles, which are the knowledge contribution of this study to DSR.
Bohemia Africanus: materialising a fictive allegorical site between uncanny places
(University of the Free State, 2023) Duvenhage, G. P. J.; Smit, Jan; Smit, Petria; Olivier, Jaco; Bitzer, Martie; Andrews, John
This dissertation explores the transformation of literary allegories into architecture, challenging the commonplace safety we find in the notions of truth, home, and the familiar. The design programme centres on a travelling theatre which explores the way the audience allegorically conceives and experience truth in the production of the uncanny and macabre play, African Gothic, by Reza de Wet. By architecturally emplacing this fictional theatre production in three real murder scenes, the dissertation attempts to not only produce a contextual milieu for the play but also to address the way we engage with the 'truth' and memories of places where dark crimes have been committed.
In the context of a nation grappling with high crime rates like South Africa, the pertinent issue of addressing the aftermath of genuine criminal issues emerges as a significant concern. How we engage with the truth and memories associated with crime scenes necessitates not only relevant but also innovative approaches, which have yet to be adequately addressed. Due to the scarcity of architectural research and subsequent guidance on the matter of architectural interventions within crime sites, these scenes often turn into forbidden territories, both in discussion and physical presence.
Drawing inspiration from the content of the play "African Gothic," three recent instances of crime scenes in South Africa were symbolically pinpointed as the backdrop for a mobile theatre and the reenactment of the play. These locations include a farm in the Griekwastad district, a school residence in Stella, and a housing estate known as De Zalze.
This dissertation proposes that allegory be used to question truth, home, and safety, furthermore the dissertation considers the exploration of allegory to approach real sites of uncanny and macabre crimes.
Enter the allegory. Derived from the Greek "Allos", allegory roughly translates to "speak openly" and to "another," these definitions combine to an approach which is to openly say one thing and to mean another. By embracing and interpreting the allegorical elements woven into the theatrical work "African Gothic," these delicate locations are approached, comprehended, and dissected in novel manners, potentially paving the way for transformative shifts and embracing change within these crime-ridden areas. Exploring and challenging the concepts of truth could play a pivotal role in the process of comprehending and reconciling with these sites marked by tragedy.
Even when a page is mainly a constellation of words connected with lines, it is a 'written drawing' rather than just text, and the configuration refers to the structure of the research, the design of both written and drawn parts. (Haralambidou, 2007).
Just as we seek comfort and certainty in the notion of truth, we also find solace and certainty in our "architectural" vision of constructing secure and familiar dwellings. In a nation confronted with escalating inequality and crime rates, it becomes imperative to explore alternative approaches to handling unique and harrowing architectural scenarios and sites.
Appraisal of geophysical methods used for groundwater exploration in South Africa
(University of the Free State, 2023) Kolobe, Libuseng T.; Fourie, F. D.
Groundwater is a crucial resource that has been a means of survival for humans for many years, as seen in the tendency to settle near springs (Fitts, 2013). Interestingly, groundwater was extracted from dry mountain basins by Persians in what is now modern Iran (Fitts, 2013). Indeed, many methods have been developed over time to explore groundwater, as has been done with other resources of the Earth that are not readily visible.
According to Arefayne 𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘭. (2016), groundwater exploration is “the investigation of underground formations to understand the hydrologic cycle, know the groundwater quality, and identify the nature, number, and type of aquifers”. Numerous exploration methods are employed and are often used in conjunction with one another to ensure the most accurate estimation of groundwater potentiality in a given area.
These exploration methods may be direct or indirect (Balasubramanian, 2017), with surface methods often indirect. These include esoteric techniques, which are the most ancient, also known as water witching or dowsing. Here, operators using a forked stick or an egg (Balasubramanian, 2017) claim to be able to detect water underground, the accuracy of which is fairly unproven (Arefayne and Abdi, 2016). Geomorphological methods study the landforms in the area of interest to show where the groundwater is likely to occur (Balasubramanian, 2017). Features such as pediplains or valley flats often show good groundwater potential (Sedhuraman et al., 2014). The slope and drainage density are also particularly important features as there is more infiltration in gently sloping areas, and a higher drainage density indicates more runoff and, hence, less potential for recharge (Sedhuraman et al., 2014).
Other surface exploration methods may be geological in nature (Balasubramanian, 2017). Such methods first collect and analyse topographic maps, aerial photographs, geological maps, and core logs. This is then supplemented by geological field reconnaissance and evaluation of hydrological data on stream flows, springs, well yields, groundwater recharge levels, and water quality (Balasubramanian, 2017). Faults, joints, and lineaments are also noted, as these may form preferential flow paths for groundwater (Van Tonder 𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘭., 2001).
The structure of the water-bearing strata can also give indications for groundwater occurrence (Balasubramanian, 2017). Contacts between permeable rock overlying impermeable strata along the sides of valleys are suitable locations for groundwater (Balasubramanian, 2017). Quartz veins and dykes can be linear and form ridges (Nel, 2017). There, erosion-prone rock types may form depressions and are connected with structures ideal for water storage (Nel, 2017).
Geobotany, which is the study of how plants are related to the subsurface, can also be used in the exploration of groundwater (Odhiambo, 2016). This means observing any anomaly in the growth of vegetation or trees growing in a straight line can be an indicator of subsurface moisture changes (Nel, 2017). The presence of phreatophytes can also allude to the presence of groundwater (Nel, 2017). Halophytes and white efflorescence of salt on the ground may also be an indication of shallow brackish or saline groundwater (Balasubramanian, 2017). Playas and precipitation of salt are also good indicators of possible groundwater occurrence (Balasubramanian, 2017). Photogeology, which is the use of aerial photography to study geology, can also provide valuable information for targets of a groundwater exploration exercise (Mekel, 1988).
Another manner through which groundwater exploration can be conducted is through the use of geophysical methods. There are a variety of geophysical methods used in groundwater exploration employed for several reasons. However, the main objective of geophysical surveys in hydrogeology is to provide parameters for the creation of models essential for decision-making in groundwater exploration and protection (Mpofu 𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘭., 2020).
Geophysical survey methods can be airborne, conducted on the surface, or even conducted down boreholes (Balasubramanian, 2017). These methods operate primarily by detecting anomalies or contrasts in the physical properties of the Earth (Balasubramanian, 2017). These properties include but are not limited to density, elasticity, magnetism, and electrical resistivity. Such anomalies indicate the potential zones which can be exploited for groundwater. The use of geophysics in groundwater exploration is very important as it removes the need to drill many boreholes before the target is reached (Mpofu 𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘭., 2020). Geophysical tools are invaluable in groundwater exploration; therefore, this study will be primarily based on the use of geophysics for groundwater exploration in South Africa.
Evaluating the accuracy of planar gated blood pool processing software using simulated patient studies
(Elsevier, 2024) Pieters, H.; van Staden, J. A.; du Raan, H.; Nel, M. G.; Engelbrecht, G. H. J.
Planar gated blood pool (GBP-P) radionuclide imaging is a valuable non-invasive technique for assessing left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Serial cardiac imaging can be performed to monitor the potential decline in LVEF among patients undergoing cardiotoxic chemotherapy. Consequently, accurate LVEF determination becomes paramount. While commercial software programs have enhanced the LVEF values' reproducibility, concerns remain regarding their accuracy. This study aimed to generate a database of GBP-P studies with known LVEF values using Monte Carlo simulations and to assess LVEF values' accuracy using four commercial software programs.
We utilised anthropomorphic 4D-XCAT models to generate 64 clinically realistic GBP-P studies with Monte Carlo simulations. Four commercial software programs (Alfanuclear, Siemens, General Electric Xeleris, and Mediso Tera-Tomo) were used to process these simulated studies. The accuracy and reproducibility of the LVEF values determined with these software programs and the intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of the LVEF values were assessed.
Our study revealed a strong correlation between LVEF values calculated by the software programs and the true LVEF values derived from the 4D-XCAT models. However, all the software programs slightly underestimated LVEF at lower LVEF values. Intra- and inter-observer reliability for LVEF measurements was excellent.
Accurate LVEF assessment is crucial for determining the patient's cardiac function before initiating and during chemotherapy treatment. The observed underestimation, particularly at lower LVEF values, emphasises the need for the accurate and reproducible determination of these values to avoid excluding suitable candidates for chemotherapy. The software programs' excellent intra- and inter-observer reliability highlights their potential to reduce subjectivity when using the semi-automatic processing option.
This study confirms the accuracy and reliability of these commercial software programs in determining LVEF values from simulated GBP-P studies. Future research should investigate strategies to mitigate the underestimation biases and extend findings to diverse patient populations.
Die krygsoptrede van Boer en Brit in Noordoos-Kaapland gedurende die Anglo-Boereoorlog, 1899-1900
(Universiteit van die Vrystaat, 1986) Botha, Christoffel Johannes Francois; van Schoor, M. C. E.
Alhoewel daar al talle werke oor die Anglo-Boereoorlog ver= skyn het, is daar nie veel oor die krygsoptrede van Boer en Brit in Noordoos-Kaapland geskryf nie. Die doel van hier= die studie is om meer lig op die krygsoptrede van Boer en Brit in hierdie streke te laat val. Die gebeure tydens die Anglo-Boereoorlog bied interessante feite en gegewens, en die navorsing wat vir hierdie verhandeling gedoen is, was dan ook besonder insiggewend.
'n Studie van die krygsoptrede in Noordoos-Kaapland bring opnuut die besef dat die hele Suid-Afrika in n mindere of meerdere mate by die oorlog betrek was. In die geval van Noordoos-Kaapland was dit aan die begin van die oorlog be=slis in 'n meerdere mate die ·geval. Aanvanklik wou dit voor=kom of die Boeremagte se krygsoptrede die gewenste uitwerking op die Britse leerleiding se veldtogplanne gehad het, maar die latere Britse herstel en opmars het die teendeel bewys. Die sukses wat die Britse magte hier behaal het, was slegs van beperkte omvang en optrede van die Boeremagte het hulle in staat gestel om weer Noordoos-Kaapland te beset. Dit kan nie as 'n krygsoptrede wat die gang van die oorlog bepaal het beskou word nie, maar eerder as 'n sinnelose vermorsing van tyd en mannekrag.
Daar is heelwat primêre en sekondêre bronne wat oor die onderwerp geraadpleeg kon word - veral primêre bronne soos die Leyds-versameling, die Renier-versameling, Kommandant-generaal-versameling, 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘙𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘗𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴 en die Blouboeke was van groot waarde vir hierdie studie. As sekondêre bronne het die werke van LS Amery en J H Breytenbach as belangrike rigtinggewende werke gedien.
𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗪𝗬𝗦 𝗡𝗔 𝗗𝗜𝗘 𝗔𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗛𝗘𝗚𝗧𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗞𝗨𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗩𝗜𝗥 '𝗡 𝗩𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗘 𝗢𝗣𝗦𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚!
Nursing education leadership strengths in South Africa: an exploratory study
(Elsevier, 2024) Mogakwe, Lebuile John; Van Jaarsveldt, Deirdre
𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱
Numerous multifaceted issues continue to pose a serious challenge to the success of nursing education and training worldwide. In South Africa, distinct situations, such as the transitioning of public nursing colleges to higher education to be part of a unified higher education system, amplify the problems faced by nursing education leaders. To unravel these complexities, an exploration of South Africa’s existing nursing education leadership strengths was undertaken.
𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲
To describe the leadership competencies deemed as an existing leadership strength in a challenged and transforming South African nursing education context.
𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱
As part of a larger study, embedded in social constructionism, an exploration of the country’s existing nursing education leadership strengths was conducted with the purposefully selected nursing education leadership experts. Qualitative, descriptive, and contextual data yielded by the ten participants were analysed using thematic analysis.
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀
Four main themes emerged namely, leadership competencies; governance, leadership, legislation, and policy; staff development as well as community engagement.
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻
The authors propose that the described leadership competencies offered by the nursing education leadership experts as the existing nursing education leadership strengths in the country be considered as a foundational basis to navigate emergent challenges in wider contexts.
𝘎𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘣𝘦 in Badagry, Nigeria: Ogu women’s performance practice, social status, and creative agency
(Cambridge University Press, 2023) Kunnuji, Joseph, JOSEPH
Before colonialism, Gbe women enjoyed a social status on par with men. However, there has been a shift in the postcolonial social structure of Gbe societies. Modern capitalism, which accompanied colonial structures, privileged men, eroding many woman-empowering practices. This article examines Ogu women’s marginality through an ethnographic study of 𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘣𝘦 (a musical genre exclusive to married Ogu women). I argue that the sources of Ogu women’s marginality are interlocking, involving oppression stemming from colonial structures and the values of contiguous Yorùbá people. I propose a collaborative intervention that upends typical power structures that privilege Western and Yorùbá ideation over Indigenous Ogu knowledge, values, and practices.
Exploring health research priority setting in a South African Province: a nominal group technique approach
(MDPI, 2024) Heunis, Christo; van Jaarsveldt, Deirdre; Chikobvu, Perpetual; Kigozi-Male, Gladys; Litheko, Moroesi
In August 2022, the Free State Provincial Health Research Committee used the online nominal group technique (NGT) for Health Research Priority Setting (HRPS) for the Free State Department of Health (FSDoH) and the research community, considering various stakeholders’ perspectives. This paper explores and describes the identified health research priorities. It also assesses their alignment with the National Health Research Strategy. Additionally, it provides an opinion on the feasibility of using the online NGT for collaborative co-creation of provincial-level health research priorities. Most of the identified health research priorities resonate with the national health research priorities identified by the National Health Research Committee. However, research to “𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦” was uniquely perceived to be a priority by the participants in the Free State HRPS exercise. A plausible reason for this might be their heightened awareness of the vital role optimal surveillance systems play in coordinating intersectoral responses to pandemics, particularly considering the serious challenges emerging during the initial stages of the COVID-19 outbreak.
A leadership competence framework for sustainable development in the manufacturing industry in a developing country context: the bicycle metaphor
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2024) Ruwanika ,Eliot Quinz Farai; Massyn ,Liezel
The article presents a leadership competence framework for sustainable development (LCFSD) contextualized to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to drive businesses to contribute to the achievement of these goals. A synthesis of metatheories and leadership theories produced a three-pillar draft leadership competence framework (LCF) that informed the field enquiry. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 12 executives (five CEOs; six executives; one former executive) in the beverage manufacturing industry in Zimbabwe using the snowball sampling technique. Data were transcribed and analysed thematically. The results were incorporated in the development of a reconstructed LCF. Four experts validated the LCFSD, confirming its applicability and transferability; thus, their suggestions were incorporated. The outcome is a LCFSD depicted by a bicycle metaphor comprising five pillars, namely strategic competences (presencing, intergenerational systemic behaviour, reflexivity, stakeholder engagement, strategic awareness, sustainability thinking, knowledge of metrics of measurement, inclusivity skills, multiple leadership styles); core competences (social responsiveness, ecosystem thinking, self-leadership, knowledge of SDGs, innovative thinking); core values (ethical; caring for all, respect for all, doing the best for local communities, diplomacy, beliefs in sustainable development); collaborative competences (build diverse teams, partnering skills); and person-leader competencies (leadership competences at exercised at personal level).