DSpace Repository

Welcome to the NWU Repository, the open access Institutional Repository of the North-West University (NWU-IR). This is a digital archive that collects, preserves and distributes research material created by members of NWU. The aim of the NWU-IR is to increase the visibility, availability and impact of the research output of the North-West University through Open Access, search engine indexing and harvesting by several initiatives.

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An Investigation into the role and challenges of machine translation in the process of translating texts from English into Setswana
(North-West University, 2026-07) Ramvubela, H
This study explores the role and challenges of machine translation in the process of translating texts from English into Setswana. As digital language technologies continue to expand, machine translation has become a widely used tool for facilitating communication across languages and improving access to information. Its growing use in educational, professional, and institutional contexts highlights the need to evaluate its effectiveness when applied to African languages such as Setswana. The study adopts an exploratory research design and uses a qualitative approach to analyse machine-translated texts. Data were collected and analysed using a structured template focusing on accuracy, fluency, cultural acceptability, and contextual appropriateness. This approach enabled a systematic evaluation of translation outputs and identification of recurring patterns of errors and challenges.The findings reveal that while machine translation can support basic comprehension and speed up the translation process, it struggles with linguistic accuracy, meaning transfer, grammatical correctness, vocabulary selection, and the interpretation of culturally embedded expressions. Particular challenges were observed in capturing tone, context, idiomatic language, and communicative intent, which affects the reliability and appropriateness of machine-translated texts. This research contributes to ongoing discussions in translation studies and language technology by increasing awareness of the potential and limitations of machine translation in under-resourced languages. It aims to support informed decision-making regarding the use of machine translation in English-Setswana translation and to encourage continued development of language resources and translation technologies that promote linguistic quality and cultural accuracy.
Multimodal analysis of Yoruba language and culture portrayal in contemporary Nigerian superhero comics: Case study of Ireti-Bidemi and Visionary
(North-West University, 2026-05) Ogunsanya, AA; Salawu, AS
After several decades of mixed fortunes and languishing in obscurity, the Nigerian comic industry has been experiencing a phase of silent revitalisation courtesy of the remarkable inroads of indigenous digital publishers such as Comic Republic - reputed as Africa's largest publisher of superhero comics - are making locally and internationally. Comic Republic's main objective is to portray and promote African heritage through superhero stories. This study investigated the multimodal portrayal of Yoruba language and culture in text and pictures in Ireti-Bidemi and Visionary superhero comics published by Comic Republic. Designed as a qualitative enquiry, the study's objectives were achieved using relational content analysis of both comics, interviews with the two creators of both comics, and focus group discussion with six audience drawn from a Facebook Comic Republic fan page. Findings revealed that the creators' motivated sign user agency, determined by their different personal experiences and interests in relation to the Yoruba culture, influenced their respective portrayals. Consequently, Visionary exemplified traditional Yoruba identity using Yoruba language for conversations as well as pronounced presence of Yoruba religious, cosmological, and mythological beliefs while Ireti-Bidemi mirrored contemporary realities in which Yoruba language and culture conforms to urban trends and external influences. Whereas the discussants' views align with this finding, majority of them preferred the conversational style in Ireti-Bidemi in which English language with urban Yoruba language dominated, because they lacked the proficiency to read and/or write their indigenous Yoruba mother tongue. Institutional intentionality failure (government, Yoruba sociocultural institutions, and the comic industry itself) is the major obstacle constraining culture portrayal through superhero comics. The institutional intentionality factor manifests through disregard for cultural values, culture promotion and protection, and lack of support for and investment in the comic industry as well as the absence of ecosystem mindset and quality control standards in the comic industry. These emerged as the major factors that must be remedied to enhance Yoruba culture and language portrayal through superhero comics.
Political interference in administrative institutions at local government: The Case of Phokwane Local Municipality
(North-West University, 2026-05) Moleleki, TT; Modise, ON
This study examines political interference in administrative institutions at local government within the Phokwane Local Municipality, Northern Cape, South Africa. This research explores how politics influence the administrative structure in service delivery, governance and human resource practices. The study examines how political dynamics undermine the integrity and efficiency of the administrative structure. The study adopted a qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews with municipal councillors and officials from the political and administrative structures to gather insights into the perceptions and experiences. The findings reveal that political interference greatly affects the administrative structure's autonomy, the decision-making process, accountability and the recruitment and selection processes. It was revealed that the recruitment process is dominated by politics through bypassing formal appointment processes of the human resources department, leading to institutional and governance issues, low staff morale, lack of capacity and a challenge to service delivery. It was noted that the blurred boundaries between politics and administration are created by actors in the political structure, resulting in administrative instability. The study concludes that Phokwane Local Municipality should reinforce the relationship between the political and administrative structure, the administrative autonomy, and promote the merit-based system to enhance governance and service delivery in the municipality.
African Union peace and security architecture: Interrogating the efficacy of the PSC in East Africa in the case of Sudan RSF vs SAF 2023-2025
(North-West University, 2026-05) Muranda, P; Omeje, K Rapanyane, B
This research investigates the African Union Peace and Security Council's efficiency in responding to conflicts, with a particular emphasis on the Sudanese civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from 2023 to 2025. While current literature has comprehensively analysed the PSC's institutional design, there is still a gap in understanding its operational effectiveness inexternally driven and fragmented conflict contexts. The research uses a qualitative research design, with secondary data sources that include academic literature, policy reports, and institutional documents. Using New Institutionalism as a theoretical framework, the analysis evaluates the PSC's actions based on important concepts such as path dependency, institutional norms, and political restrictions. The findings reveal that, while the PSC has established comprehensive normative frameworks, such as the AU PSC Roadmap and engagement with initiatives like the Jeddah Declaration, its effectiveness is severely hampered by limited enforcement mechanisms, financial dependencies on external actors, and a lack of political will among member states. Furthermore, the presence of multiple mediation frameworks has led to institutional fragmentation, diminishing coherence in conflict resolution attempts. The study concludes that the PSC is institutionally strong but operationally restricted. It adds to the literature by demonstrating how institutional limitations within the APSA impede the implementation of peace initiatives in complex conflict settings, emphasizing the need for stronger coordination, enforcement capacity, and political commitment to improve the PSC's effectiveness.
Exploring the survival strategies of unemployed graduates in Madibogo village in Ratlou Local Municipality, South Africa
(North-West University, 2026-05) Nkuyagae, MC; Molope, MP
The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the survival strategies of unemployed graduates in Madibogo village, Ratlou local municipality. Guided by social capital theory, the study employed semi structured interviews with 20 young unemployed graduates and two focus group discussions of six participants each. All the data were analysed thematically to understand how the young unemployed graduates survive during a period of high unemployment which stands at 38,1 %, in the North West province. The key findings reveal that young unemployed graduates in Madibogo village survive through entrepreneurship, government social assistance, social networks, casual jobs, and online betting. However, the strategies are hindered by non-payment, lack of market access and trust, limited funding, gardening constraints, inconsistent access to government social assistance, financial dependency, competition for casual jobs leading to and inconsistent income, financial losses and addiction. The participants implemented the strategies to deal with the challenges and those include demanding upfront payments, reliance on personal savings and family financial support, adopting environmental resilience techniques, social media, referrals, prioritizing basic needs, practising financial discipline in betting. The participants identified long term income generating opportunities such as selling goods, tutoring, offering administrative services, hairdressing, providing electrical service stores, rendering transportation services, money lending and engaging in social activities. The study concludes that most of the survival strategies employed by young unemployed graduates only offer temporary relief for them and fail to offer long-term sustainability. However, the income generating opportunities identified by young unemployed graduates have the potential to foster sustainable development if adequately supported. The study recommends that institutions such as National Youth Development Agency, Small Enterprise Development Agency, Department of Agriculture, and local municipality must collaborate with these youth by providing mentorship, access to financial resources and infrastructural support to enhance business sustainability.