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Access status: Open Access ,
Enhancing the Transition of Rural High School Students to TVET College
(University of the Free State, 2024) Puleng Mosa Rasutha; Dr. Moeketsi Elias Dlamini; Mrs. Hadio Rose Motaung
The aim of this study is to enhance the transition of rural high school students to TVET College. Literature indicates that rural high school students are given inadequate career guidance at schools, and when they register with TVET College, they experience the same problem of not being well-orientated to TVET College. Some key elements of this transition are common across students, including an adjustment to college-level academic standards, balancing coursework with other commitments and increased attrition. Rural high school students experience challenges when entering a TVET College since they must cope with basic needs and adjustment issues such as finding classes, changing schedules and dealing with feeling overwhelmed. In addressing the above challenges, the study is responding to the main research question of how to enhance the transition of rural high school students to TVET College to achieve the aim. This study employed a qualitative approach with the principles of participatory (PAR) action research as a methodology to generate data. Data was collected using focus group discussion. Purposive sampling of ten participants interested in getting detailed information about the research aim from one TVET college was employed. Findings were presented thematically by means of direct quotations and giving meaning to participants’ voices. The main finding of the study revealed that insufficient academic support for first-year rural students impacts their academic performance, and their emotional well-being increases the dropout rate at the TVET. The study recommends continuous support to the TVET first-year students as one of the best strategies to enhance the transition from high school.
Access status: Open Access ,
PERCEPTIONS OF NURSES ON INTEGRATING MENTAL HEALTH INTO PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IN THE O.R. TAMBO DISTRICT
(University of the Free State, 2024) BUSISIWE M FEBANA; Dr Mutshidzi Mulondo
A majority of the population in South Africa depends on public health care due to an unequal health system. The most accessible and affordable health care services are through primary health care, which are often public institutions and therefore closer to the people that need them. Integrating mental health care into the primary health care system has been shown to significantly improve mental health care accessibility in the Global North. This research aimed to explore nurses' perceptions of integrating mental health into primary health care in a Global South setting in South Africa at the OR Tambo District Health. The research followed a qualitative research approach to gain more insight into the nurses' perceptions on integrating mental health into the primary health system. The study followed a phenomenological design within a social constructivist paradigm. The research was conducted in four primary health care facilities in the district, involving 12 professional nurses who met the inclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria required participants to be registered professional nurses with a major in psychiatry, possessing at least three years of experience in mental health service delivery within a PHC setting. The selected nurses were directly responsible for assessing, managing, and providing mental health care services to patients within PHC facilities, including screening for mental health conditions, offering basic counselling, administering psychiatric medication, and referring patients to specialized mental health services when necessary. Nurses without psychiatric training or not actively involved in providing mental health care within PHC facilities were excluded. Purposive sampling was used to select participants. Data collection involved in-depth, semi-structured interviews, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis to uncover shared meanings. Measures to ensure trustworthiness included credibility, dependability, conformability, and transferability. Ethical principles, such as informed consent, confidentiality, and beneficence, were strictly adhered to throughout the study. The study's key findings indicated that the integration of mental health into primary health is beneficial as it increases mental health care accessibility, mental health early detection and fosters comprehensive treatment. However, issues such as stigma, lack of trained professionals, and lack of specialists or other health practitioners make it challenging to implement effective integration of mental health into primary health. The study recommends a collaborative effort between the private and public health sectors for effective mental health care services and a follow-up study with a larger sample focusing on more than two Districts.
Access status: Open Access ,
A critical assessment of the legal effect of disbanding the Southern African Development Community Tribunal
(University of the Free State, 2024) Matshidiso Alfred MODISE; Prof Elizabeth Snyman- Van Deventer; Dr Shelton Mota Makore
This thesis presents a panoramic exploration of the legal effects of the suspension and subsequent dismantlement of the South African Development Communities (SADC) Tribunal after the regional court’s watershed ruling against the Zimbabwean government land reform. The classic case of Mike Campbell (Pty) Ltd and Another v Minister of National Security Responsible, the SADC Tribunal ruled that the government of Zimbabwe should stop continuing with the invasion of white farmers in Zimbabwe and those whose farms had been confiscated should be compensated. Zimbabwe contested the jurisdictional competence of the tribunal to preside over the expropriation of white farms. Their reason was based on Protocol under which the tribunal had been established, and the amendment of the SADC Treaty. The government of Zimbabwe argued that the Protocol was not binding upon them, in that it has not yet been ratified by the requisite two third of the total membership. The primary argument concerns the government of Zimbabwe’s denial to be bound by the rulings of the SADC Tribunal. Article 21 (b) of the SADC Protocol on Tribunal forms the basis of their ruling because this provision gives the tribunal the powers "to develop its own jurisprudence, having regard to applicable treaties, general principles and rules of public international law" which are the sources of law. Out of three presiding judges, two concur that the tribunal have jurisdiction to preside over human rights matters and they made reference of art.21 of the Protocol on SADC Tribunal. The other judge gave a dissenting view and he indicated that the tribunal could not legislate on behalf of SADC member states by developing its own jurisprudence. The amendment of the Constitution of Zimbabwean to allow the government to effect changes by inserting Amendment 17, which allowed the expropriation of land without compensation, and these changes also, denied the property owners right to seek legal redress to local courts. These changes affected the fundamental clauses of the constitution and such changes are tantamount to constitutional dismemberments. The ramifications of the suspension of the tribunal is that individuals and legal persons within SADC region have no regional court to ventilate their complaints when they are denied a legal redress by local courts. This study dissects the legal implication of the dismantlement of the SADC tribunal and its negative impact towards protection of human rights, democratic values and the rule of law in the SADC region. The study provided significant recommendations to the SADC Heads of State and Government particularly the resuscitation of the SADC Tribunal.
Access status: Open Access ,
DROUGHT IMPACTS ON POTENTIAL MAIZE YIELD IN THE FREE STATE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA
(University of the Free State, 2023) Vuwani Makuya; Dr Weldemichael Tesfuhuney; Dr Mokhele Edmond Moeletsi; Dr Zaid Bello
Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most-grown rainfed crop in South Africa and is consumed by most people as their staple food. However, due to recurring droughts, which are predicted to intensify in severity and occurrence, its production is challenged, leading to lower yields. In order to address this issue, the study pursued two specific objectives. Objective a) analyzed the impacts of drought on maize yield, focusing on the selected maize-producing areas (Bethlehem, Bloemfontein and Bothaville) within the Free State Province over the historical period (1990- 2020). In pursuit of this objective, the study employed widely used methodologies, including the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), to dissect the temporal- seasonal variations in drought occurrence and severity. Additionally, the coefficient of variation (CV) was used to measure the variability in seasonal climate patterns, providing insights into erratic climate patterns. The modified Mann-Kendall trend test was applied to pinpoint drought trends in the maize growing season (at monthly and seasonal scales). The correlation between drought indices (SPI and SPEI) and maize yield was systematically explored using the Pearson correlation coefficient to evaluate drought impact. The utilization of yield loss rate further enhances the understanding of the detrimental impact of drought on maize production, highlighting the urgency of effective adaptive strategies. The study results indicated that the highest variability in rainfall, maximum and minimum temperatures was 46.62%, 5.31% and 22.66%, respectively. Based on SPI and SPEI, drought frequently occurred in Bethlehem than Bloemfontein and Bothaville, particularly during the ONDJFM season. Regarding drought severity, the moderate droughts were prevalent in Bethlehem, while severe droughts were common in both areas (Bethlehem, Bloemfontein and Bothaville) and extreme droughts in Bloemfontein. Trends indicated that significant decreasing trends (indicating drier conditions) on monthly and seasonal scales were prevalent over Bethlehem under SPI and over Bloemfontein under SPEI. The impact of drought on maize was different during different growing seasons across all areas, where a strong relationship (r = 0.82, p = 1.3e-08) was noted between SPEI and maize yield over Bloemfontein during the ONDJFM season. Regarding calculated yield loss, the highest maize yield loss recorded was -83.86% for Bethlehem, while Bloemfontein and Bothaville were -75.26% and -58.93%, respectively due to extreme drought. In tandem with these findings, the study objective b) evaluated planting dates as an adaptation strategy under changing climate for the mid-century period (2040-2069) using the AquaCrop model. The AquaCrop model, calibrated and validated with meticulous attention to detail, emerges as a robust tool for assessing the potential outcomes of adjusted planting dates. Ensemble climate projections sourced from multiple climate models under Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 were harnessed to decipher shifting rainfall and temperature patterns in the mid-century (2040-2069). These projections unveiled a complex landscape of shifting climatic conditions, with an overall increase in seasonal rainfall, except for some months with a decline in rainfall across all study areas. Moreover, the anticipated rise in maximum and minimum temperatures across the maize growing season reinforces the urgency of proactive measures. A noteworthy aspect of the study is its elucidation of projected maize yield changes under RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. The anticipated changes in yield, ranging from positive to negative, were contextualized for each study area, offering valuable insights into the intricate interplay between changing climate and agricultural outcomes. The study identified optimal planting dates for each study area and RCP scenario by analyzing model simulation outputs (i.e. yield). The study results revealed that the optimum planting dates could be 1 st November for RCP 4.5 and 15th November (conventional planting date) for RCP 8.5 in Bethlehem, 29 th December for both RCPs in Bloemfontein, and 13th December for both RCPs in Bothaville. These insights not only provide a practical roadmap for adapting maize production to changing climate conditions but also contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable agricultural practices in the face of a changing climate. In essence, this study underscores the imperative of proactive, science-driven strategies to safeguard South Africa’s maize production and food security in the years ahead.
Access status: Open Access ,
The Recovery of Gallium and Germanium from Mine Tailings
(University of the Free State, 2024) Boingotlo Tshabang; Prof. W. Purcell
Gallium (Ga), a posttranslational element, and germanium (Ge), a metalloid, are critical materials widely used in electronics, transport, defense, and renewable energy industries. The demand of these two elements far exceeds their supply, mainly due to these materials only being mined as by-products during the mining of other metals. This deficit will probably continue because these two materials are not found or produced in significant quantities. To address these supply challenges, attention is being given to secondary sources of Ga and Ge, such as electronic waste, coal fly ash, and mine waste. This study aimed to recover Ga and Ge from tailings from the Tsumeb mine in Namibia. Chemical and mineralogical characterizations using various analytical techniques were performed on the sample. The total dissolution of the tailings sample revealed that the sample comprised 1.870(5) % Ga and 0.0300(2) % Ge. Other notable elements in the sample were 23(2) % Zn, 9.01(12) % Cu and 0.740(5) % Pb. H2SO4 achieved the highest extraction of Ge of 40.63 % from four different mineral acids; H2SO4, H3PO4, HCl, and HNO3 were evaluated as a suitable extraction candidate, while H3PO4 was the most effective for Ga (25.00 %). The optimal dissolution conditions for Ga were determined to be 2 M H3PO4, solid-to- liquid ratio of 0.7 g:10 mL, at 90 °C, for one hour leaching with stirring speed of 100 rpm. For Ge, the optimal conditions were 3 M H2SO4, solid-to-liquid ratio of 0.1 g:10 mL, at 90 °C, for one hour leaching with 100 rpm stirring. Ge was isolated at pH 8 from the H2SO4 leachate, while Ga was isolated at pH 4 from the H3PO4 leachate. Products containing 5 % Ge and 25 % Ga were isolated.
Access status: Open Access ,
Combining drill-core hyperspectral and geochemical data by deep learning to enhance drill-core mineral mapping
(University of the Free State, 2025) Marimba, Dzhavhelo Keystone; Carranza, E. J. M
Drill-core mineral mapping is critical in orebody modelling, but traditional analysis based on manual geological logging is time-consuming, subjective, and prone to bias. Hyperspectral (HS) imaging provides a quick, high-resolution, and non-invasive alternative; however, traditional approaches to analyse HS data also rely on human interpretation, which limits efficiency and reliability. Recent advances in deep learning (DL) offer ways to handle these challenges by automatically extracting complex spatial and spectral features from massive datasets (e.g., HS data), eliminating the need for human feature engineering. This study integrated drill-core HS data (in a form of reflectance spectra) and geochemical data (geochemical assay) with DL methods to enhance drill-core mineral mapping. The research was guided by three objectives: (i) quantifying uncertainty in drill-core mineral mapping using DL approaches, (ii) evaluating and comparing the performance of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and recurrent neural networks (RNNs), specifically long-short term memory (LSTM) models, and (iii) developing a hybrid CNN-LSTM model to enhance mineral mapping. The results demonstrated that all three models had high predictive performances with low MAEs and uncertainty. The hybrid CNN-LSTM model outperformed the stand-alone models, with lowest MAE (0.0258), followed by the LSTM model (MAE = 0.0278), and CNN model (MAE = 0.0312). The improved performance of the hybrid model demonstrated the benefit of integrating spatial–spectral feature extraction with sequential dependency modelling, whereas the relative strength of LSTM over CNN emphasizes the importance of sequential features. This research demonstrated that integrating drill-core HS and geochemical data using DL methods can significantly enhance drill-core mineral mapping and mineral abundance estimation in drill-core datasets, while acquiring low MAEs.
Access status: Open Access ,
Social and environmental aspects of menstruation
(University of the Free State, 2025) Ferreira, Jani-Mari; De Wet, Katinka; Redelinghuys, Nola
Menstruation is a multifaceted phenomenon that carries significant social and environmental implications, especially in the Global South, where period poverty prevails. An estimated seven million girls in South Africa cannot afford adequate menstrual products due to resource limitations, which forces them to use rags or newspapers to manage menstruation (O’Reilly 2023). This study focused on exploring the experiences and perceptions of menstruation among menstruating university students at the University of the Free State. Together with this, the social aspects (embodied experiences and emancipatory discourses and practices) and environmental aspects (awareness that menstruators have regarding menstrual product choices and options) of this complex phenomenon were explored. The study adopted a qualitative research design, which aids in exploring a phenomenon from a subjective perspective through phenomenological inquiry. A total sample of 15 participants was utilised, which comprised registered students at the University of the Free State who identify as female and menstruate. A semi-structured interview schedule, utilised in focus groups and one-on-one interviews, was employed to obtain qualitative data. Thematic analysis was conducted using ATLAS.ti (version 25) to analyse and categorise the data into themes and subthemes. The findings revealed that the majority of the participants held a problematic view of menstruation, which was influenced by various factors, including extreme menstruation-related symptoms, stigma that evokes feelings of shame and the need for concealment, and pessimistic cultural and religious perspectives. Additionally, the study found that most participants were aware of and concerned about the environmental harm associated with menstrual products, particularly disposable menstrual products (DMPs). However, only a minority of the participants indicated that they took, or would consider taking, measures to actively reduce menstrual product waste. Despite their concerns about the environmental impact of DMPs, the majority of the participants were not open to switching to reusable menstrual products (RMPs), instead opting for single-use sanitary pads and/or tampons due to considerations of comfort and hygiene. Moreover, the reviewed literature indicates the need for adequate menstrual health management (MHM) practices, as many individuals lacked education on how to manage menstruation appropriately. Additionally, many individuals, especially in the Global South, do not have adequate access to clean water, soap, and menstrual products, which increases the risk of developing health issues such as infections. The participants also emphasised the importance of MHM concerning menstruation-related conditions, such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome, as awareness of these conditions, including the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, is limited in the Global South. It is therefore essential to study the social and environmental aspects of menstruation and the experiences and perceptions related to the topic.
Access status: Open Access ,
A competency framework for academic advisors at the University of the Free State
(University of the Free State, 2022) Aucamp, Ninette; Markham, Lyle; Van Zyl, Ebben
Academic advising is one of the cornerstones of academic success in the higher education sector. To strengthen the university’s mission and strategic direction, establishing professional and effective advising practices is crucial. Without developing an established competency framework for professional advisors in South Africa, the field is underdeveloped, and questions persist on the competencies necessary for professional advisors in this context to be effective in their jobs. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to develop a competency framework for academic advisors in the South African milieu. Competencies are identified as core skills, knowledge, attitudes, and behavioural competencies associated with a specific job. The study was designed to identify the core skills, knowledge, attitudes, and behavioural attributes of academic advisors, in creating work performance standards, training programmes, and advising practices, which may further develop and enhance the competencies professional advisors need to perform their duties successfully. This was done through a process of competency modelling according to the steps identified by Dalton (as cited in Keller, 2016). Literature concerning advising and the professional development thereof, and existing competency frameworks and models of occupations related to advising were studied. A job analysis was then completed on academic advisors at the UFS to identify competencies related to professional advising. Data were triangulated, and a competency framework for academic advisors at the UFS was presented. The results firstly argued that academic advising cannot be classified as a profession in South Africa at this stage, despite many efforts to professionalise this occupation. Although many professional skills are related to this occupation, formal educational pathways, as well as formal governing structures, should be established. The results further showed consensus on what literature identifies as essential competencies for academic advisors, and what are critical competencies for academic advisors at the UFS. Academic advisors at the UFS follow a developmental approach to advising and competencies identified as critical for advisors echo this perspective. These competencies include knowledge, skills, and attributes in the five components of advising, namely conceptual, informational, relational, technological, and professional. The study further identified three possible abilities related to advising, namely emotional intelligence, language ability, and reasoning ability. Recommendations for future research are made. The findings of this study may help inform the development of professional advising practices at the UFS and in South Africa, as the need for professional academic advising persists. This competency framework may also guide the recruitment, selection, training, and development of professional academic advisors at the UFS, and promote professional and effective advising practices. Professional and effective advising practices may increase the likelihood of students connecting to campus support networks and succeeding in their studies.
Access status: Open Access ,
Developing Grade R learners’ oral language proficiency for Afrikaans through play: teachers' perceptions in Mangaung Metropolitan Education District (MMED)
(University of the Free State, 2025) Van Wyk, Elzaan; Khosa, Martha
Play-based pedagogy serves as a vital tool for developing oral language in early childhood education, laying the groundwork for further literacy development. However, implementing this approach remains challenging, particularly in under-resourced contexts. This study explored how Afrikaans oral language developed through play in Grade R classrooms. Guided by Froebel’s theory of learning and Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, the study was situated within an interpretivist paradigm and employed a qualitative case study design. Data were collected through classroom observations and semi-structured interviews with three Grade R teachers at an Afrikaans-medium school in the Mangaung Metropolitan Education District (MMED), in Free State, selected through convenience and purposive sampling. The interpretivist lens enabled a deeper understanding of teachers’ lived experiences and the meanings they attached to play-based oral language instructions. The findings revealed that play offers valuable opportunities for teachers to engage learners through various strategies, including visual aids, songs, drawings, role play, and collaborative group work. These playful approaches create a meaningful, enjoyable context for oral language development, especially in linguistically diverse classrooms. Teachers adapted their strategies to accommodate multilingual learners by using code-switching, repetition, and scaffolded support, in line with the Zone of Proximal Development. Despite these strengths, the study found that limited parental involvement hindered learner progress in developing oral proficiency. Teachers expressed concern that without support from home, learners, particularly those who do not speak Afrikaans as a first language, face significant barriers in achieving oral milestones. The study therefore recommends stronger collaboration between teachers and parents to reinforce language acquisition in multilingual settings and highlight the importance of play, teacher scaffolding, and home-school partnerships in promoting oral language proficiency in Afrikaans or any first language.
Access status: Open Access ,
Critical factors affecting seed dispersal and germination of invasive alien 𝘙𝘰𝘴𝘢 𝘳𝘶𝘣𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘴𝘢 in the eastern Free State
(University of the Free State, 2023) Masole, Patricia; Martin, Grant Douglas; Steenhuisen, Sandy-Lynn; Payne, Stephanie Louise
Rosa rubiginosa L. (Rosaceae) is a common woody plant invader in the grassland biome of South Africa. It is originally from Eurasia and is classified as a category 1b invader in South Africa under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004. This act prohibits the planting or harvesting of this species in South Africa. However, the impacts of R. rubiginosa on the environment and economy are complex, with both positive and negative effects that warrant further investigation. The objectives of this study were to investigate (1) various aspects of the reproductive ecology of R. rubiginosa, including fruit and seed production, the abundance and viability/longevity of seeds in the soil seed bank, and the importance of cold stratification for seed germination; (2) the impact of the seed predator Megastigmus aculeatus wederus (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) on R. rubiginosa seeds; and (3) the potential for R. rubiginosa to facilitate woody invasions into the grassland biome of South Africa. This study showed that for invading populations of R. rubiginosa on farms outside Clarens in the Free State of South Africa, seed germination successis low. An overall percentage of 1.25% of seeds exposed to cold stratification were observed to germinate within 24 months, while no seeds germinated from the control treatment (seeds stored at ambient temperature for the same amount of time) or from seeds collected every two weeks from the field. Seeds buried in material bags and having been exposed to soil ambient temperature in the soil, however, showed high levels of viability (90%), decreasing to only 83% after being buried in the soil for 17 months. Significantly more seeds were found in the soil under the R. rubiginosa canopy, compared to 2 and 8 m away from the parent shrub. The maximum number of fruits produced per shrub was 1 950 fruits on a shrub with a volume of 78 m3‏, while the minimum number of fruits produced was 118 fruits by a shrub with a volume of 5 m3. On average, R. rubiginosa shrubs in the studied populations had an average (± standard error) volume of 25 ± 3 m3, produced an average of 480 ± 57 fruits per shrub, and fruits produced an average of 18 seeds per fruit. The potential of Megastigmus aculeatus to limit the spread of R. rubiginosa, and the proportion of seeds predated by the wasp was assessed. One hundred rosehips were randomly collected every month from March until September 2021. Only a total of 148 M. aculeatus emerged from some of the 700 R. rubiginosa fruits, giving an overall percentage of 1.28% of seeds predated. This showed that the seed predator M. aculeatus does not have a large impact on the number of seeds entering the environment, produced by R. rubiginosa shrubs. Differences in woody plant (> 10 cm height) diversity and abundance were assessed under three treatments: R. rubiginosa canopy, Leucosidea sericea Eckl. & Zeyh. (native) canopy, and open plots of herbaceous grassland (control), to assess if R. rubiginosa acts as a nurse plant and facilitates the recruitment of woody plant species. This study showed that R. rubiginosa had a more significant nurse plant effect compared to both L. sericea and open grassland (control), facilitating the establishment of both native and invasive species. There were significantly more native species than invasive species under all three treatments. Furthermore, more invasive species (13 species) were recorded growing under R. rubiginosa compared to both L. sericea (11 species) and in the control plots (11 species). Shrub size also affected the number of plant species recorded underneath each focal species with larger shrubs having more woody plant species underneath. To investigate if R. rubiginosa is creating a different microclimate under its canopy, two temperature and light loggers were placed under R. rubiginosa shrubs and in open grassland. This showed that plants under R. rubiginosa experienced both lower average temperatures and light intensity (14.6 oC, 3940.5 lux respectively) while open grassland sites experienced both a higher average temperature and more light (17.7 oC, 17544.36 lux respectively). Thus R. rubiginosa created a different microclimate compared to open grassland. This study provides valuable insights into the reproductive ecology of R. rubiginosa, a species that has significant impacts on the environment and economy in South Africa. This study showed that cold stratification is needed for R. rubiginosa seeds to germinate and M. aculeatus has a poor limiting potential on R. rubiginosa. Furthermore, R. rubiginosa shrubs have been shown to produce many fruits, each of which have many seeds and these seeds can stay viable in the soil for a long time. Rosa rubiginosa is demonstrated to act as a nurse plant to both native and invasive species when compared to both native L. sericea and control sites, since it accommodates more seedlings of native species than invasive species when compared to both treatments. However, more research is needed to fully understand the complex relationships between R. rubiginosa and other plant species and investigate more effective potential biocontrol agents to further slow the spread of R. rubiginosa in South Africa. The experiments conducted here will add to the current knowledge of R. rubiginosa here in South Africa, aiding in determining the stage that is most feasible for their management.