Graduation - 2024 - December (Open Access)

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ACCOUNTING- AND VALUE-BASED PERSPECTIVES ON THE LINKAGES BETWEEN WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
(Stellenbosch University, 2024-12) Liam Rory Johnson; Erasmus, P. D.; Mans-Kemp, N.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Business Management.
Financial managers are constantly searching for methods to direct scarce resources toward their optimal uses to enhance financial performance. Prior researchers who considered the relationship between working capital management (WCM) and financial performance focused on accounting-based metrics within developed countries. Value-based financial performance metrics remove some of the distortions associated with accounting-based metrics, thereby contributing to a cycle of sustainable value creation. Against this background, the primary research objective of this study was to assess the linkages between WCM and financial performance by incorporating accounting-based and value-based perspectives. Quantitative data were collected for a sample of companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange over the period 2006 to 2022, thereby including two crisis periods. When considering the outcomes of the panel regression analyses, various statistically significant relationships were noted between working capital and financial performance metrics, mainly from the value-based perspective for the entire sample. A statistically significant negative relationship was noted between net operating working capital (NOWC) and return on invested capital and the spread, respectively. In contrast, a statistically significant positive relationship was observed between NOWC and free cash flow (FCF). Furthermore, a statistically significant negative relationship was reported between the net operating trade cycle and FCF. Based on the reported results, the researcher recommends that managers, directors and investors include value-based measures when reflecting on WCM considerations instead of excessively focussing on short-term profitability. Furthermore, tertiary educators should emphasise the importance of sustainable value creation. As such, they can inspire future managers, directors, and investors to contribute to a more sustainable future.
Adoption of technologies in the Saaf bases in Limpopo
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-12) Maselela, Tebogo Lazarus; Theletsane, Kula Ishmael; Khoza, Lindiwe Mhakamuni; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Military Sciences. School for Organisation and Resource Management.
Society depends on military organisations to defend against both external and internal security threats and violent conflicts. Modern security threats are dynamic, especially in contemporary cyberspace and associated rapid technological advancement. It compels the South African military, as part of the security sector, to create innovative and fit-for-purpose solutions through the adoption and integration of equally advanced information communication technologies (ICTs). This study aimed to explore the adoption of technologies in South African Air Force (SAAF) military bases in Limpopo Province. A qualitative research methodology was employed within an interpretivist research philosophy. Data was collected through a focus group outline that utilized open-ended questions administered to engineering personnel in two SAAF units in Limpopo. The TAM underpinned the analysis of data. The findings revealed that members of the SAAF bases in Limpopo identified obstacles such as electricity load-shedding, questionable leadership practices, limited access to information, constraints in mobile communication networks, and security concerns about data hacking as significant challenges to technology adoption within the military. Additionally, low member morale in adopting new technologies is attributed to a lack of access to information, outdated communication systems, and lack of effective mobile network coverage. The study also found that perceived mistrust in the efficacy of technology and questionable ease of use significantly influenced the attitude of Limpopo SAAF members towards ICT adoption and usage. However, only perceived usefulness significantly influenced their intention to use ICT, suggesting that fundamental changes to the TAM may be necessary for SAAF members in Limpopo. While integrating ICTs into military settings presents challenges and opportunities, the discussion underscores the importance of structured learning experiences, foundational understanding, and leadership in navigating technological advancements within military environments. Addressing these key elements is essential in realising the full potential of ICTs in enhancing military capabilities and operations and contributing to national security.
An Afropolitan Quest: A Contemporary Jeweller’s Inquiry into Identity and Identification in Post-Colonial Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-12) Mashange, Bongani Tendai Percy; Van Robbroeck, Lize; Terreblanche, Carine; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Visual Arts.
In this project, I engage my personal experiences as a cosmopolitan African subject belonging to multiple worlds. My body of work is in celebration of my cultural identity as complex and multifarious. I utilise a visual semiotics that contests fixed notions of cultural identity, that offer a means of expressing a need for recognition, and negotiate the parameters of the intersectionality of cultural and political citizenship. I use my art jewellery as a tool to question the concept of belonging in contemporary Africa. To examine my political subjectivity, I investigate contemporary writings on national and cultural identity politics. This research project not only adds to what is known and understood about identity and identification in postcolonial Africa, but it offers individuals who have struggled with racism, xenophobia, tribalism or any form of alienation, due to complex or hybrid identities, a different way of understanding and engaging their own identity as positive, thereby offering strategies to escape essentialist perceptions of identity and culture.
An analytical investigation of the physiochemical properties of crushed rifapentine administered to paediatricsby
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-12) Janse van Rensburg, Lisa Jane; Kellerman, Tracy; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Medicine.
Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of mortality, particularly in paediatric populations where it accounts for a significant proportion of global TB burden. Rifapentine (RPT), a key antibiotic in TB treatment, poses challenges in paediatric care due to the lack of child-friendly formulations. Children under five years are often unable to swallow whole tablets, leading caregivers to resort to off-label practices like crushing tablets, which can significantly reduce the drug's bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. This study aimed to investigate the physiochemical properties of crushed and dispersible RPT formulations and to explore potential interventions that could improve drug delivery and bioavailability in paediatric patients. Methods: A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed and validated for the quantification of RPT. Three RPT formulations (Rifapentine 150 mg, Rifapentine 150 mg/Isoniazid 150 mg and Rifapentine 300 mg/Isoniazid 300 mg) were crushed and used to determine the aqueous solubility and stability in simulated gastric and intestinal fluid, with and without mechanical and chemical interventions. An extraction method was developed for RPT and used to evaluate its recovery in food and beverage products. The adsorption of crushed drug to a glass beaker and syringe walls was also analysed. The concentration and stability of a partial dose of a dispersible RPT tablet was assessed. Results and Discussion: The HPLC method developed for RPT quantification demonstrated robustness and accuracy across a calibration range of 0.156–10.0 μg/mL, with inter- and intra-day validations confirming precision within acceptable limits. Mechanical interventions and additives (cyclodextrin, NADES, ascorbic acid) improved RPT solubility, with effectiveness varying among formulations. Recovery of crushed RPT tablets from food and beverages was lower than the reference standard, with yogurt yielding the best results. Adsorption studies revealed that glass beakers minimized drug loss compared to syringes, and double rinsing further reduced drug lost due to adsorption. Stability in simulated gastrointestinal fluids varied among formulations, with ascorbic acid showing formulation-specific benefits. The new dispersible tablet formulation demonstrated challenges in achieving consistent dosing, with preparation method significantly influencing final concentrations. Conclusion: This study underscores the critical need for paediatric-specific RPT formulations that ensure adequate drug stability, solubility, and bioavailability. Crushing adult RPT tablets for paediatric use compromises drug efficacy, potentially leading to treatment failure and drug resistance. When crushing RPT tablets is necessary, using a glass beaker rather than a syringe for preparation and administration in liquid vehicles minimizes drug loss. Clinicians should advise caregivers to co-administer the crushed drug with high-fat foods to enhance absorption. Evaluation of the new investigational RPT dispersible tablet revealed challenges in achieving consistent and accurate dosing. The preparation method significantly influenced the final concentration, with dissolution in a glass beaker followed by a 5-minute equilibration period providing the most reliable results in the presence of INH. Future studies should evaluate syrups containing cyclodextrin, NADES, or similar carrier liquids which improve the solubility of the crushed RPT. This also provides an opportunity for flavour masking to make the formulation more tolerable to children.
Antibiotic-resistant Staphylococci in South Africa-A One Health Approach
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-12) Ocloo, Remous; Whitelaw, Andrew Christopher; Newton-Foot, Mae; Ziebuhr, Wilma; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Pathology (Medical Microbiology).
Staphylococci cause a wide range of infections in humans and animals, with Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus hominis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus the most common Staphylococcus species implicated in healthcare and community acquired infections. The emergence and dissemination of antibiotic resistance (ABR) among Staphylococcus species has complicated empiric treatment practices and limited treatment options, leading to increased mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2015) declared antimicrobial resistance a threat to the treatment of infections. The “One Health” initiative addresses health care challenges holistically by including human health, animal health and environmental health to achieve better public health outcomes. This approach is being adopted by the WHO to mitigate the problem of ABR and research across these sectors is required. This study investigated ABR rates and described the molecular resistance mechanisms and population structures of staphylococci from community, clinical and farm settings. This was achieved by employing both traditional culture and phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility testing as well as whole genome sequencing. A systematic review was conducted to understand trends, strengths, and limitations in the area of ABR in staphylococci other than Staphylococcus aureus (SOSA) in animals. The findings suggested that there is high tetracycline and penicillin resistance among SOSA organisms in livestock and companion animals in Africa. The review also highlighted the lack of strain typing of SOSA in Africa and that research was more focused on cattle. To employ a One Health approach, this study therefore included pigs, which are common livestock in the Western Cape province of South Africa, stool samples from healthy children in the community, and clinical isolates. S. haemolyticus and S. epidermidis were identified in all three settings, and S. borealis was identified from the pigs and the healthy community-based children, the first report of this species in Africa. High rates of tetracycline resistance were observed amongst pigs and human contacts on the pig farms. The majority of the healthy community-based children were colonised by methicillin resistant SOSA, and in the clinical isolates high rates of multidrug resistance were observed. The distribution of tetracycline resistance suggests that pig farms might be a “hotspot” for tetracycline resistance which is then transferred via the community with moderate resistance rates, to clinical settings with lower rates of tetracycline resistance. The tetracycline resistance gene tetK was seen across all selected settings in SOSA, as was the erythromycin resistance gene, ermC. No common strain types were circulating across all selected settings. However, certain S. haemolyticus strain types were identified in community and clinical settings. Our ability to conclude on genetic relatedness in the selected settings was limited by inconsistent species distribution and sample size. The findings suggest that S. haemolyticus is predominant in the community and might be spreading into the clinical and farm settings while Mammaliicoccus sciuri is predominant in the farm setting with potential dissemination into the community. Although the number of Staphylococcus aureus from the study was small, SOSA were more resistant than S. aureus with diverse antibiotic resistance genes; evidence of SOSA as a reservoir of ABR genes.
The Application of the 7C- Protocol to Assess Compliance with Public Procurement Prescripts in the Procurement of ICT Services in the Garden Route District Municipality
(Stellenbosch University, 2024-12) Damons, Salman; Quinot, Geo; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.
Understanding non-compliance with legislation that governs procurement in public entities necessitates an understanding of how these rules are experienced by those who implement them. This study investigates the implementation of public procurement policies in municipalities, with a specific focus on the procurement of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services. The core research question investigates how public procurement rules, and their enforcement affect municipalities abilities to procure ICT services. The study assesses the implementation of public procurement regulations using the 7C Protocol to identify areas for improvement and propose measures to strengthen procurement procedures, boost transparency, and minimize corruption in Garden Route District Municipality. According to the research findings, the number of administrative difficulties faced by public procurement practitioners is an indicator of the efficiency and effectiveness of procurement policies. There are noted challenges in implementing supply chain management (SCM) and procurement legislation and procedures. Non-compliance with SCM policy and laws is because of poor procurement planning, a lack of knowledge and skills, insufficient operational capacity, outdated operating systems, and low staff morale and motivation. Furthermore, the study finds that effective leadership and management, integrated ICT solutions, and professionalisation of SCM personnel are all potential critical factors in addressing these challenges and improving procurement implementation. This research yields valuable insights for local governments seeking to enhance their procurement processes to ensure transparency, fairness, and efficiency in acquiring ICT services. Through incorporating the recommended measures, governments can navigate complexities and enhance service delivery to meet the evolving needs of their citizens.
Applied machine learning for radio galaxy classification and anomalous source detection
(Stellenbosch University, 2024-12) Brand, Kevin; Grobler, T. L.; Kleynhans, W.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Computer Science.
The classification of radio sources and the identification of anomalous sources play a vital role in the development of the understanding regarding various cosmological processes, such as the formation and evolution of galaxies and how they interact with their local environments. As the new generation of radio telescopes — such as the square kilometre array (SKA) — come online, a massive influx is expected with respect to the number of observations of radio sources that will be generated. This increase makes the manual evaluation and classification of radio sources by experts infeasible. Approaches have been considered that enable the general public to assist with these classifications. However, it is not clear whether these approaches will be able to keep up with the growing rates at which radio telescopes produce observations. Thus, a growing body of literature is investigating whether these tasks can be automated by applying machine learning models instead. In this thesis we extended the work conducted in the literature by further investigating the automation of morphological classification and anomalous source detection. We investigated two adaptations when applying convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to morphological classification, as these models have been shown to be particularly useful in this regard. We investigated the impact of standardising source orientation prior to CNN training and found that it leads to improvements in classification performance. However — apart from faster training times — it provided no benefits when compared to rotational augmentation, with rotational augmentation leading to better classification results.
Assessing Non-adherence in South African Women on Tamoxifen Treatment for Breast Cancer
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-12) Govender, Justine Tia; Kellerman, Tracy Ann; Decloedt, Eric Hermann; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Medicine.
Introduction: Adherence to tamoxifen is a major challenge in patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Endoxifen, tamoxifen’s main active metabolite, measured along with the parent drug, can be used as an adherence tool. A pilot study was undertaken to assess adherence in South African women by quantification of tamoxifen and endoxifen in plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Methods: The study recruited 20 oestrogen receptor-positive female breast cancer patients on tamoxifen. An adherence questionnaire was administered, clinical information collected, and plasma samples obtained for concentration measurement. A Shimadzu LCMS-8040 instrument was used to develop and validate a method to quantify tamoxifen and endoxifen in plasma. The transitions of tamoxifen and endoxifen: m/z 372 → 129; 91.1; 128 and m/z 374 → 223; 129; 152, respectively, were monitored in the positive ion mode. The LC-MS/MS method utilises an Agilent Poroshell 120 EC-C18 column and mobile phases of 0.1% formic acid in water (A) and acetonitrile (B) at a flow rate of 0.600 mL/min, together with a protein precipitation (PP) extraction method. Results and Discussion: Participant ages ranged from 32-73 years. Most participants (60%) had stage 4 breast cancer, with others distributed across earlier stages. Tamoxifen was prescribed primarily as palliative treatment (60%), followed by curative (35%) and prophylactic (5%) uses. The sample consisted mostly of preand post-menopausal women (45% each). Regarding comorbidities, 45% had none, 40% had one, and 15% had two. Only 2/20 participants were HIV positive. Tamoxifen and endoxifen plasma concentrations ranged from 11.7-340 ng/mL and 3.64-34.2 ng/mL, respectively. Objective non-adherence was low (5%), while subjective non-adherence was higher (45%). This resulted in failure to reject the null hypothesis of weak agreement between subjective and objective adherence measures. The LC-MS/MS method had quadratic regression weighted calibration curves (1/c) with concentration ranges of 4.69-600 ng/mL and 1.56-200 ng/mL for tamoxifen and endoxifen, respectively. Both analytes were stable under various storage conditions. No matrix effects were observed, and haemolysis at 2.0% did not affect analyte quantification. Average recovery was 89.6% for tamoxifen and 96.8% for endoxifen, with process efficiencies of 92.8% and 75.7%, respectively. Intra- and inter-validations met EMA (2011), FDA (2018) and ICH (2022) guidelines. Calibration standard (STD) % accuracies ranged from 97.6-101.7% for tamoxifen and 97.1-104.5% for endoxifen. Quality control (QC) % accuracies ranged from 104.5-113.2% for tamoxifen and 105.3-110.0% for endoxifen. Both analytes were stable in plasma through three freeze/thaw cycles and on bench for 6 h. Autosampler and re-injection stability was demonstrated at 8.00°C for 24 h. Conclusion: An LC-MS/MS method was successfully validated and applied to a clinical study to assess adherence in South African breast cancer patients. Poor agreement between subjective and objective adherence measures was demonstrated, emphasising the importance of direct measures in adherence assessment. The study highlighted the need to consider the measurement of tamoxifen and endoxifen concentrations to assess adherence and to optimise tamoxifen treatment.
Assessing the Coagulation System in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-12) Nunes, Jean Massimo; Pretorius, Resia; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Physiological Science.
Introduction: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating and chronic post-viral disease that is characterized by unresolved fatigue, post-exertional symptom exacerbation (PESE), cognitive dysfunction, orthostatic intolerance, and gastrointestinal disturbances, among other symptoms. ME/CFS shares significant overlap with Long COVID (LC), the post-viral disease associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, in both disease presentation and etiology. A prominent feature of LC pathology is a dysregulated coagulation system, characterized by anomalous clot formation, hyperactivated platelets, and microclots. In ME/CFS, the coagulation system is understudied, and hence represents a gap in knowledge. Therefore, this study aims to assess whether the clotting pathology present in LC is mirrored in ME/CFS. Methods: To assess the coagulation system in ME/CFS, 29 ME/CFS (22 females, 7 males, mean age of 45.7 ± 14.9) and 30 age- and gender-matched control (21 females, 9 males, mean age of 49.1 ± 11.3) blood samples were analyzed. Viscoelastic analysis of blood samples was conducted using thromboelastography (TEG®). Platelet activity was assessed via fluorescent microscopy and the use of two fluorescent markers specific for platelet activation markers, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and P-selectin. Thioflavin T (ThT) was used to visualize microclots using fluorescent microscopy. Representative micrographs and ImageJ processing were used to infer, crudely, concentration values of microclots. To validate this assessment, microclot concentrations were measured by a recently established cell-free flow cytometry technique. To identify differentially expressed proteins, 15 randomly selected ME/CFS and 10 control PPP samples were subject to liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Results: Findings from the TEG® assessment indicate that over half of the ME/CFS WB samples fell out of the standard clinical range, representative of a hypercoagulable profile. This inference is further supported by the analysis of PPP, where the greatest differences were recorded in α-angle (p=0.0006) and maximum rate to thrombus generation (p=0.0001). Roughly half of the ME/CFS cohort demonstrated platelet hyperactivity as determined by spreading, whereas only a quarter of the cohort was positive for significant platelet clumping. Using fluorescent microscopy and ImageJ software, it was inferred that the ME/CFS group contains more than 10x the levels of microclots (0.70 [11.21]) than the controls (0.06 [2.23]) (p<0.0001). Appropriate quantitative analysis with cell-free flow cytometry determined that the ME/CFS group exhibits a microclot burden 5x (27808 [107203]) that of the control group (4898 [20709]) (p<0.0001). Furthermore, ME/CFS PPP sample contain a greater prevalence of large microclots (≤100-400μm2). The proteomics analysis identified 45 differentially expressed proteins. Importantly, proteins related to clotting processes – thrombospondin-1, platelet factor 4, and protein S – were implicated. Complement machinery was also downregulated, whereas lactotransferrin and protein S100-A9 were upregulated. Conclusion: Overall, this study demonstrates that dysregulated clotting processes are an aspect of ME/CFS pathology, and that these abnormalities in coagulation are similar to that observed in LC. These findings provide further overlap between ME/CFS and LC, and has the potential to guide future research and prompt investigations into haematological pathology in ME/CFS. Importantly, this study highlights potential systems and proteins that require further research with regards to their contribution to the pathogenesis of ME/CFS, symptom manifestation, and biomarker potential, and also gives insight into the cardiovascular risk experienced by ME/CFS individuals.
Assessing the effectiveness of municipal standard chart of accounts implementation : a case study of two low-capacity North West Province municipalities
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-12) Moloto, Morufa; Ajam, Tania; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership
This study assesses the effectiveness of the implementation of the municipal standard chart of accounts (mSCOA) in South African municipalities. Two category B municipalities in the North West province were used as case studies. The Municipal Finance Management Act 53 of 2003 (MFMA) places emphasis on enhancing the quality of information to improve the relevance of financial reporting by municipalities. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996) provides that national legislation must prescribe measures to ensure transparency and expenditure control in each sphere of government by introducing generally recognised accounting practice (GRAP), uniform expenditure classifications, and uniform treasury norms and standards. The most recent reform introduced is the mSCOA which came into effect on 1 July 2017. The reform requires that there be a uniform and standardised financial transaction classification framework. This means that mSCOA prescribes the method (the how) and format (the look) that municipalities and their entities should use to record and classify all expenditure (capital and operating), revenue, assets, liabilities, equity, policy outcomes and legislative reporting. Phenomenology is the research paradigm adopted in this study. A total of sixteen (16) participants were selected through purposive sampling to participate in the study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data, using the inductive approach. The knowledge of the objectives of mSCOA by the participants was the limitation of the study. Participant responses are limited to the level of involvement in the project implementation. The study found that, despite the requirements of mSCOA, municipalities in the case study are not mSCOA compliant as not all business processes have been implemented due to challenges ranging from budgetary constraints to human capital capacity challenges. Furthermore, lack of capacity contributed to the system vendors not being able to implement the (7) seven minimum business processes. The increase in the amount of unauthorised expenditure for the municipalities in the study between 2019/20 and 2020/21 financial years suggests that municipal officials are not budgeting, transacting and reporting in alignment with mSCOA. Therefore, the controls built into the mSCOA system, which are aimed at preventing overspending on a vote, can be overridden. The constant version updates of the chart of accounts by National Treasury continue to put financial burdens on municipalities. The mSCOA implementation should be regarded as a continuous learning process to ensure that all stakeholders tasked with implementation are conversant with the objectives and requirements of a complaint mSCOA system. Also, the National Treasury should implement more effective change management as an integral part of any project.
An assessment of the Assemblies of God, Ghana’s Vision 3000 in light of Venn’s Three-Self Mission Model
(Stellenbosch University, 2024-12) Ampofo, Mishael Donkor; White, Peter; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology & Missiology.
The rapid growth of Pentecostalism in Africa has led to an increased interest in understanding effective mission strategies within Christianity. This study assesses the Assemblies of God, Ghana’s (AOGG) Vision 3000 church planting initiative in light of Henry Venn’s Three-Self (3S) mission model. The 3S model, emphasising self-governance, self-support, and self-propagation, has guided AOGG’s mission effort since its establishment in 1931. Vision 3000, launched in 2014, aimed to double AOGG’s churches from 3,000 to 6,000 by 2019. This ambitious project provides a unique opportunity to examine the application and effectiveness of the 3S model in a contemporary African Pentecostal context. The study employs a qualitative research methodology, utilising semi-structured interviews with 57 key stakeholders, including Vision 3000 committee members, executive leadership, pastors, and local church leaders. This approach allows for an in-depth exploration of the lived experiences and perspectives of those directly involved in implementing and experiencing the initiative. Data was also gathered from official reports and relevant literature, providing a comprehensive view of the project’s development and outcomes. The research utilizes Basel’s Vertical Missionary Approach theory as its theoretical framework, offering a lens through which to analyse the holistic nature of AOGG’s mission efforts. The study reveals that Vision 3000 achieved significant success, planting 2,117 new churches and revitalizing evangelistic zeal and evangelical mindset among AOGG members. This numerical growth was accompanied by a renewed sense of mission and purpose within the denomination. However, the research also uncovers several challenges that emerged during the implementation of Vision 3000. These include difficulties in achieving financial self-support in economically disadvantaged areas, particularly in rural regions. And the complex task of balancing centralized oversight with local autonomy. The study highlights the intricate intersection of the 3S model’s implementation with Ghanaian cultural, economic, and social realities, demonstrating the need for ongoing contextualization of mission strategies. This research makes a significant contribution to the field of missiology by providing a nuanced analysis of the 3S model’s application in a specific African context. It goes beyond merely assessing the model’s effectiveness to propose a “3S plus” framework that incorporates self-theologizing and self-missionary components. This expanded model reflects the growing recognition of the need for indigenous theological reflection and cross-cultural mission engagement within African Christianity. The study also offers practical measures for contextualizing the model, including integrating traditional leadership structures and developing community-based financial models that resonate with Ghanaian cultural practices. The research concludes that while the 3S principles remain relevant in contemporary African mission contexts, their application requires ongoing contextualization to address local realities effectively. It demonstrates that successful mission strategies in modern Africa must strike a delicate balance between maintaining fidelity to universal Christian truths and deeply engaging with local contexts. This balance is crucial for developing authentic, sustainable, and culturally relevant expressions of Christianity. This study provides valuable insights for both scholarly research and practical mission strategies. As African Christianity continues to play an increasingly prominent role in global Christianity, understanding effective models for church growth and sustainability becomes ever more critical. The findings of this research offer a roadmap for other denominations and mission organizations seeking to implement large-scale church planting initiatives in Africa and other developing contexts. By examining the successes and challenges of Vision 3000 through the lens of the 3S model, this study contributes to ongoing discussions about indigenization, contextualization, and the future of mission in Africa. It sets the stage for further research into the long-term sustainability of rapid church growth initiatives, the role of technology in mission, and the development of truly African expressions of Christian theology and practice.
Assessment of Uncertainties Associated with the use of Alternative Satellite-Based Rainfall Estimates in Pitman Modelling
(Stellenbosch University, 2024-12) Kibii, Joshua Kiprotich; du Plessis, J. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Civil Engineering.
South Africa is a semi-arid water-scarce country experiencing increased climatic variability and hence the management of its water resources is important to the livelihood of its population. For effective management, there is a need to have a robust system that allows for continuous monitoring and simulation of the available water resources. However, the number of suitable observation stations in South Africa has been observed to be on a declining trend over the past few decades. This impedes the efficient management of water resources. South Africa makes use of the WR2012 database as the reference in the management of its water resources. The database contains at present monthly flows for the period 1921-2009. This database has been outdated for more than a decade and continues to age. The WR2012 report recommends a continuous update of this database. However, the cost and sustainability of a continuous update, given the declining trend in available observed rainfall data, is challenging. This research seeks to find a solution to the identified ever-increasing challenge of declining rainfall datasets. This research identified the availability of easily accessible satellite-based rainfall data products as an alternative to the dwindling observed rainfall data, for the simulation of hydrological flows in the Pitman model. It then developed a CHIRPS-based Pitman model framework, which builds on the existing experience and knowledge of the Pitman model and CHIRPS (Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Station data). The developed framework aimed at providing an alternative dynamic, quantifiable and up-to-date rainfall database while simplifying the process of simulating flows by removing the bottlenecks associated with data accessibility. The outcome of this research also focused on improving credibility, hence confidence in the use of CHIRPS-based simulated flows, for efficient water resources management, by assessment of associated uncertainties. The successful complementary use of CHIRPS rainfall estimates for simulating flows in this research thus provides a positive advancement towards embracing modern technology in the monitoring, simulation and management of water resources for South Africa. In performing this research, study drainage regions (G, B, V & L) were selected based on the existing primary drainage regions and rainfall zones of South Africa. Drainage region G belongs to the winter rainfall zone, drainage region L ‘All year’ rainfall zone, while drainage regions B and V belong to the summer rainfall zone. These rainfall zones have different rainfall mechanisms influencing how CHIRPS estimates correspond to observed rainfall. However, CHIRPS estimates illustrated a strong correlation (R2 > 0.7) in all the study drainage regions apart from drainage region L, experiencing an ‘All-year’ rainfall. The relationships between CHIRPS and observed catchment rainfall were used to adjust CHIRPS data. Calibrated CHIRPS data was then used in setting up and running the Pitman model. Calibration (1981-2009) and validation (2010-2019) were done on the Pitman model and results indicated good similarity between observed flows and simulated CHIRPS-based flows for the period of analysis. Eight hydrological indices were identified and used in assessing the ability of the simulated CHIRPS-based flows to reproduce different aspects of observed catchment hydrological responses. Using a ±15% uncertainty window, hydrological indices were evaluated and CHIRPS-based flows illustrated 78%, 73% and 80% suitability for drainage regions B, V and G respectively. Drainage region L had suspect results owing to the poor quality of data from the available gauge stations. Further, climate change simulations were done in representative quaternary catchments in study drainage regions B, V & G. The Coupled Model Intercomparison Project-Phase 5 (CMIP5) climate change data was downloaded and using a baseline scenario of 1981-2019, climate change signals for the near (2021-2060) and far (2061-2099) future scenarios were computed. The climate change signals were then used to adjust input climate data for the Pitman model and simulate climate change-induced flows. The results of climate change analysis illustrated a general decrease in simulated flows ranging from -0.45% (RCP 4.5, 2061-2099) in drainage region B to -40.31% (RCP 8.5, 2061-2099) in drainage region V. These results are in concurrence with previous research findings towards a consensus of a drier climate change future for South Africa. This research finds CHIRPS-based rainfall estimates to be a suitable alternative to the decreasing observed rainfall data and recommends it for use in the Pitman model simulation of observed and climate change flows for South Africa for the effective management of the available water resources. A novel contribution to the water resources of South Africa is made by this research in providing a framework that allows for the collaboration of the already published WR2012 data with CHIRPS estimates in generating updated flows and climate change-induced flows in a simplified process.
Audience trust in journalism: an exploratory case study of the youth in Philippi East
(Stellenbosch University, 2024-12) Ginya, Sive Faith; Wasserman, Herman; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
The South African mainstream media has been criticised for catering to the elite audience to generate revenue while neglecting the realities of the citizens who live in townships and informal settlements. It has been asserted that many black, poor young South Africans do not recognise the stories of their communities in the mainstream news media. This study explored the experiences of the youth between the ages of 18 to 35 years in Philippi East. The study examined whether these youths find the news content of the South African mainstream media relevant to their lived realities, and if they feel like they are represented in the news content. The researcher conducted a thorough literature review looking at the different aspects of trust in journalism, the South African media landscape, the role of the South African news media, and criticism of the South African news media. The researcher utilised the folk theory of trust in journalism, which refers to the popular existing beliefs that the audience or the public have about journalism, and the place theory as this study's theoretical points of departure. The study employed the qualitative exploratory case study design to gain an in-depth understanding of the perceptions of these youth and collected data using semi-structured focus group interviews and individual interviews. The non-probability sampling procedure was employed to recruit and select participants. The researcher used inductive thematic analysis to analyse the data collected. The study found that the youth in Philippi East trust the news media as an institution that educates and informs the public about things happening around the world and in their communities. However, the Philippi East youth feel like they are not well represented in the news content of the South African mainstream media because the media only focuses on the mass shootings and seasonal floods that occur in Philippi East and excludes the art and educational events hosted in this community. In addition, these youth expressed confidence and satisfaction with the accuracy of the stories shown on the news about Philippi East. Finally, the study found that the youth in Philippi East expressed different views on whether they find the news content relevant to their lived realities. While some said they find the news content of the South African mainstream media relevant to their lived realities some said they find the news content irrelevant to their experiences claiming that the news media focuses on stories of rich people, and political content and neglects the realities of township residents.
Automatic orthography standardisation for under-resourced languages
(Stellenbosch University, 2024-12) Barends, Umr; Niesler, Thomas; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical & Electronic Engineering.
This work addresses the normalization of the orthography of a severely under-resourced language, taking as a specific example the West African language known as Bambara. One aspect of the lack of resources for such languages is that spelling and orthographic conventions are not firmly established. This for example leads to variations in how speech is transcribed by mother-tongue speakers, which in turn leads to inconsistencies in the annotations found in a speech corpus. According to our investigation, there is no data available for the normalization of the Bambara language other than the very small corpus used in this work. To our knowledge, this is also the only corpus of transcribed Bambara speech. Normalizing the spelling of Bambara spellings is important for systems such as ASR or text to speech, where more consistent spellings equate to better performance of such language model based systems. The baseline method, known as anagram hashing, uses word anagrams and word n-grams to perform the normalization. These methods have been used by other researches to normalize historical text to modern spellings. In addition, we determine the performance that can be achieved by applying the machine learning methods: softmax regression, LSTM and bi-LSTM. Our experiments indicate that the neural network models out-performed the anagram hashing algorithm on the task of normalization of the Bambara orthography. We also found that word-level models performed better than character-level models. Among the machine learning models, the softmax regression model performed best at normalizing the Bambara orthography. We conclude that it is possible to perform automatic normalization of orthography using machine learning models that is superior to the current state-of-the -art, but that the small size of the traning set does not allow the recurrent architecture to surpass the performance of softmax regression.
Becoming and Unbecoming: Black Students’ Identity Paralysis at Stellenbosch University
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-12) Lefika, Jimmy M.; Painter, Desmond; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Psychology.
This is a qualitative, exploratory study of Black students’ self-reports and narratives of their perceptions and experiences of being students at Stellenbosch University, a Historically White Institution (HWI): how they navigate and negotiate space and a sense of self in the context of historical and contemporary racism and limits to transformation. Almost three decades post-1994, race and racism continue to affect many South Africans’ lives. The institutional cultures and environments of HWI’s are embedded in the historical legacies of apartheid and Whiteness, and this hinders transformation. Research has indicated that Black students experience alienation and perceive a lack of transformation at Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s) and especially HWI’s in South Africa. However, many of these institutions have indeed amended their old policies and have transformation agendas aimed at welcoming students of the historically excluded groups and meeting government transformation requirements. The discrepancy between research findings on black student experiences and the universities’ stance regarding the exclusion, marginalization and racism, requires critical exploration. Based on a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with nine Black students at Stellenbosch University, the thesis shows that Whiteness and racism continues to mark students’ lived experiences on campus and that transformation policies without changes that are meaningful from the vantage point of Black experiences, often fall prey to becoming an illusionary, tokenistic façade that further fuels feelings of alienation. Black students experience immense pressure to assimilate and acculturate, and they are fraught with perceptions of being negated. As such “becoming” what institutional culture embraces and assimilating into campus culture becomes a priority; however, this also means “unbecoming” that which Whiteness categorizes and negates as inferior, a contradiction that leads to identity paralysis. This research sought to afford Black students a platform and a voice to share their experiences and perceptions of the campus environment, to explore their feelings of being welcome or unwelcome at the university and their perception of what a transformed HWI would look like. Findings reveal that Black students do not feel fully welcome, and that they experience a sense of being tolerated and offered a space to study at the institution as form of tokenism. Across participants, there seems to be a common sentiment of fighting: to study at Stellenbosch University, for space and recognition, to graduate and to disprove Black inferiority stereotypes.
A behavioural asset pricing approach: Perspectives from the South African stock market
(Stellenbosch University, 2024-12) de Vries, Annalien; Erasmus, Pierre; Gorgens, Gina; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Business Management.
The estimation of a company’s cost of equity has been the subject of extensive debate due to its subjective nature. Existing asset pricing models being employed to estimate the cost of equity (returns) assume investors have homogeneous beliefs and expectations pertaining to expected returns. There is, however, heterogeneity in investors’ expectations of returns. Due to this heterogeneity not being accounted for, the accuracy of existing asset pricing models is questioned. To improve its accuracy, sentiment stochastic processes can be incorporated into asset pricing models to account for the heterogeneity in the decision-making of multiple investors in the market, during different market conditions. Prior research in South Africa has concluded that investor sentiment should be considered an explanatory variable in asset pricing models; however, none of these studies have augmented existing asset pricing models such as the Carhart four-factor (CH4) model, with an investor sentiment variable. The primary objective of the current research was, therefore, to account for the human element in the South African stock market, by investigating the impact of investor sentiment on the cross-sectional variation of the cost of equity for securities listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) for the period 2003 to 2019. To address this aim, the CH4-model was augmented with investor sentiment as an affective risk factor. One indirect measure (composite sentiment index) and three direct measures (survey and textual analysis-based measures) were empirically tested. By employing a judgement sampling technique, the final sample comprised of 321 securities that formed part of the FTSE/JSE All share index (ALSI) over the 17-year study period. Variations of regression analyses were employed for hypothesis testing. Ordinary least squares (OLS) time-series regressions revealed that a statistically significant relationship exists between returns and the direct measures of investor sentiment only. These results indicated that direct and indirect measures of investor sentiment contain unique information. A further finding was that the two direct proxies that resembled sentiment toward the economic and business conditions in South Africa, reported significant explanatory power for returns, of which the proxy measured by means of textual analysis was the most significant predictor. OLS regressions were also conducted for high and low sentiment periods, to assess the statistical significance of the CH4-model risk factors during different sentiment periods. The regressions uncovered contrasting results for only the momentum risk factor. During low sentiment periods, the relationship between the momentum factor and returns was negative and not significant, whilst high sentiment periods revealed a positive and statistically significant relationship. It was, thus, concluded that trading behaviour in the South African stock market, vary across high and low sentiment periods. This finding is in line with Lo’s (2004) adaptive market hypothesis. The Fama and Macbeth (FM) (1973) two-stage regression approach confirmed that investor sentiment does have a statistically significant impact on the cross-sectional variation of the cost of equity for JSE-listed securities. Similar to the OLS regressions, the two direct measures that reflect investors’ overall sentiment towards the country and the business climate within the country, were significant predictors of returns. Furthermore, contrasting relationships were reported between the use of constant and rolling betas. The difference in the direction of the cross-sectional association, confirms the argument that the association between sentiment and returns can be either positive or negative, depending on conditions within the market and economy. The current research makes an important theoretical contribution to asset pricing research and behavioural finance research in South Africa, by providing a theoretical justification for why investor sentiment should be incorporated into asset pricing models. A methodological contribution was also made by constructing a composite investor sentiment index for the South African stock market, and by investigating and comparing several diverse measures of investor sentiment. Educators, investors, financial managers and policymakers are encouraged to incorporate investor sentiment in their curriculums, investment strategies, cost of equity estimations and monetary policies, to reap the potential benefits from emphasising the individuals, whose collective behaviour ultimately drives markets.
A benchtop investigation into the removal of fungicide from citrus packhouse wash water in South Africa
(Stellenbosch University, 2024-12) Ikin, Ross Patrick; Bosman, Adele; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Civil Engineering.
Polluted effluent water, particularly wash water from citrus packhouses, has become a significant environmental concern in the citrus industry due to the use of fungicides procedures. In South Africa there is limited research on developing effective and environmentally sustainable treatment technologies for citrus packhouse wash water. This research report aims to determine suitable treatment options for reducing fungicide concentrations in citrus packhouse wash water. The research began with a comprehensive review of the existing literature to understand the operational procedures of South African citrus packhouses, their fruit washing processes, and current wash water treatment methods. Concurrently, on-site visits to packhouses were conducted to gather practical insights into their specific treatment. Data collection was performed at three selected packhouses in the Paarl/Franschhoek region of the Western Cape. Samples were taken from key points within the packhouses and analysed by an offsite specialist laboratory. The results analysis revealed that Imazalil is the most commonly used fungicide, prompting its selection as the primary fungicide used for further benchtop scale testing. To ensure accuracy, six potential treatment processes were selected based on the packhouse requirements and initial data findings. These processes included plant biofilters, sand filters, bacteria sand filters, flocculation, oxidation and granular activated carbon. Each process was tested in triplicate using identical benchtop setups to ensure a more accurate and reliable representation of the results gathered. The benchtop testing results indicated that the plant biofilter was the most effective in removing fungicide from the wash water. Based on the requirements of the packhouses, the available literature, and the results gathered in this report, the plant biofilter is recommended as a viable treatment method to remove fungicide from citrus packhouse wash water.
BEYOND CRITICAL REALISM? REVISITING J. WENTZEL VAN HUYSSTEEN’S RATIONALITY
(Stellenbosch University, 2024-12) Lange, Hans-Christoph Thapelo; Vosloo, Robert; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Systematic Theology & Ecclesiology.
The apparent tension between religion and science was exacerbated by the rise of the logical positivist ideal of science. The pathos of much of the work of South African theologian J. Wentzel van Huyssteen was to develop a credible way to reestablish theology as a rational discipline within the wider academic community and culture. Motivated by contextual factors, van Huyssteen therefore proposed his critical realist approach in contrast to positivist theology via a metaphoric referential theory. In attempting to ascertain how his approach develops, an analysis of a selection of his works was undertaken. Writing from Princeton, van Huyssteen engaged the philosophical roots of modernity and postmodernity in foundationalism and nonfoundationalism respectively, finally proposing a postfoundational model for rationality as a third way. In his Gifford lectures—for which he refigured the directives with which the Gifford lectures were decreed— he sets out on the interdisciplinary quest of developing a nuanced doctrine on human uniqueness. The philosophical framework for this quest was given in van Huyssteen’s earlier work on postfoundationalism. For this reason, the disciplines of cognitive epistemology, paleoanthropology, neuroscience, and evolutionary psychology were investigated in terms of the perspectives they can provide on what makes humans unique. Their influence on the theology with which van Huyssteen participates in the interdisciplinary conversation was analysed. The salient features of van Huyssteen’s work and consequent development are thus outlined and highlighted. Moreover, his proposed theology was analysed for consistency with his own criteria of critical realism. It was found that van Huyssteen remains consistent with his intent and largely—though not fully—conforms to these criteria. A remaining positivist influence on critical realism was identified, but was nuanced by considering van Huyssteen’s chosen audience and also the potential theologies that a postfoundational rationality could host.
BOARD INDEPENDENCE AND DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTIONS IN LISTED FAMILY FIRMS IN SOUTH AFRICA
(Stellenbosch University, 2024-12) dos Santos, Gabriela; Viviers, Suzette; Venter, Elmarie; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Business Management.
Family firms (FFs) are significant contributors to economic growth and employment in South Africa. Given their substantial socio-economic impact, more researchers are showing an interest in researching various aspects of FFs. Concerns regarding internal corporate governance mechanisms, such as the independence of the Board of directors (board), have for example, received more attention from researchers in recent years. Given the distinctive ownership, management and governance dynamics of FFs, strategic decisions vary amongst FFs and when compared to non-family firms. One such decision relates to the distribution of cash dividends to ordinary shareholders. Past empirical research investigating the relationship between dividend distributions and board independence in FFs has yielded mixed results. These studies were predominantly conducted in developed economies and used traditional theoretical lenses, notably the agency theory. As far as could be determined, no academic research has been conducted to date on the link between dividend distributions and board independence among FFs listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Furthermore, existing studies lack a behavioural perspective that is especially applicable to FFs. As such, the socioemotional wealth theory and catering theory of dividends were used as additional theoretical lenses to explain the complex relationship between the considered variables. To address the identified research gaps, this study investigated the association between dividend distributions and board independence in a carefully selected sample of 34 JSE-listed FFs from 2006 to 2022. Data for the dependent, independent and control variables were collected from the Bloomberg database and annual integrated company reports. The dependent variable, dividend payments, was measured through three proxies, namely the dividend payout ratio, the propensity to pay a dividend and dividend per share. The independent variable, board independence, was examined according to the percentage of independent non-executive directors (INEDs) on a board as reported by each FF and as reclassified by the researcher based on these directors’ tenure and family association. Control variables included firm size, growth opportunities, board size, profitability, and free cash flow. Mixed model analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests reported significant changes in dividend per share and the percentage INEDs as reported and as reclassified over time. Panel regressions revealed a negative relationship between dividend distributions and board independence at the sampled FFs. Consequently, enhanced independence of the board may not alleviate minority shareholder wealth expropriation as proposed by some theories, but rather act as a substitute monitoring mechanism for dividend distributions. The significant increase in board independence over the research period suggests that FFs are heeding the recommendations of corporate governance policy makers in South Africa. Dividend distributions fluctuated over the research period. One of the foremost recommendations of this study is that educators and researchers in the field of commerce provide more in-depth training on FF governance. As most corporate governance codes are agency-based, they tend to ignore the benefits of having family members in top decision-making roles. This investigation revealed several unique corporate governance characteristics present in FFs that could be regarded as a competitive advantage rather than a concern for non-family shareholders and other key stakeholders. Given that FF-related research in South Africa among listed companies is still relatively novel, this study contributed to the body of knowledge and encourages future researchers to further explore this field.
Board processes, task performance and effectiveness: A South African perspective
(Stellenbosch University, 2024-12) Coetzee, Dominique; de Vries, A.; Mans-Kemp, N.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Business Management.
The board of directors is deemed the focal internal corporate governance mechanism. The primary role of this leading corporate team is to act in the best interests of shareholders and other key stakeholders. The way in which board members interact with each other and how they work together as a team should be explored to ultimately understand the effectiveness of a board. In turn, research shows that board effectiveness has a substantial impact on corporate financial performance and the board’s ability to add value to the company. Prior researchers primarily followed a direct approach to board research (i.e. the so-called input-output model) by incorporating board characteristics and corporate financial performance. To combat the criticism raised against this method, other researchers implemented the procedural approach (i.e. the process-output model). The latter approach incorporates board processes, thereby allowing researchers to investigate directors’ decision-making capabilities and ultimately, board performance. However, very few researchers have combined these approaches to follow an integrative approach to board research (i.e. the input-process-output (I-P-O) model). To the best of the researcher’s knowledge, this model or any variation thereof has not been applied in South Africa to conduct board research. Given the identified gap in the literature to explore the application of the I-P-O model in the local context, the primary objective of this study was to determine whether board task performance mediates the relationship between board processes and board effectiveness. Additionally, the inter-relationships between the underlying constructs of the I-P-O model, i.e. board characteristics, processes, task performance and board effectiveness were also investigated. Directors of public and private companies in South Africa were invited to participate in this study, irrespective of their specific board position (executive, non-executive or independent non-executive). Quantitative data were gathered by means of an electronic questionnaire. A total of 105 complete responses were collected from directors. Pertaining to the descriptive results of the investigated board processes, most respondents had positive perceptions concerning the interactions and behaviour of their board members. The sampled directors also viewed their boards as effective, cohesive units that add value to their companies. Areas for improvement were, however, identified, namely that boards should pay more attention to their mentoring role and the formal evaluation of board members. Directors should also increase their engagement in their chief executive officer’s succession planning. The relevance of affective conflict in the boardroom was also highlighted. The study’s inferential results show that board processes are stronger predictors of board effectiveness than board characteristics in the South African context. Significant direct paths were established between the various board processes and board effectiveness. All but one of the 21 investigated mediating relationships (indirect paths) were statistically significant. The effect of board cohesiveness on board effectiveness, when mediated via the service task, was non-significant. Boards of directors are, therefore, encouraged to reflect on the reported results to enhance their collaboration and decision-making capabilities in the boardroom. Nomination committees should also give attention to the optimal utilisation of human resources in the upper echelons to ensure that board processes and the completion of board tasks ultimately enhance board effectiveness. Training sessions can be facilitated for current and prospective directors on how certain socio-psychological aspects could impact the effectiveness of their boards. If board effectiveness can be improved, various stakeholders might benefit from the related outcomes.

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