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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Public trust in the South African public healthcare sector: Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province
(North-West University, 2026-05) Mashau, NL; De Wet, CH
There is substantial evidence indicating that the quality of healthcare in South Africa has been adversely affected by several factors, including a shortage of skilled healthcare professionals, poor leadership and management, inadequate infrastructure, limited resources, and the influence of social determinants of health. This decline in healthcare quality has greatly diminished public trust in the South African healthcare system (Abrahams et al., 2022:63; Blackmore, 2018:2; Maphumulo & Bhengu, 2019:1; Meiring, 2019:1). The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of public trust in the South African public healthcare sector in Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province. This study employed a qualitative research approach, using an exploratory case study design within an interpretivist paradigm to address the research questions. The target population comprised all South African citizens, aged 21 to 60, residing in the Thohoyandou community, Limpopo Province, who use the public healthcare system. A convenient sampling technique was employed to select respondents for the study, as it is practical and accessible for recruiting participants from the designated community. All respondents were required to be between 21 and 60 years old. A total of 12 respondents were interviewed until data saturation was reached, excluding officials working in the public healthcare sector. A thematic content analysis was performed to analyse the qualitative data. The findings indicate a lack of public trust in the South African public healthcare sector within the Thohoyandou community, Limpopo Province. This distrust appears to arise from issues related to limited accessibility and affordability of public healthcare services, unequal treatment of patients, and prolonged waiting times for medical consultations. The findings of this research have implications for policymakers, health planners, and managers as they make decisions regarding resource distribution and enhance public confidence in healthcare systems. The study recommends that building trust in public health strategies requires the reliable provision of quality services, a well-defined common goal, and principles rooted in moral frameworks. It necessitates a commitment to the welfare of all stakeholders, including employees, along with the incorporation of dependability, honesty, and openness in policies, strategies, and practices.
Constructing a suitable collective bargaining model for the South African Civilian Intelligence Service
(North-West University, 2026-05) Sekoane, OG
South Africa demonstrates similarities with Canada in its commitment to the tenets of liberal democracy and adherence to constitutional mandates. These principles encompass the following key elements: conduct elections regularly; safeguard individual rights; uphold rule of law; and safeguards freedom of speech. These factors contribute towards the enhancement of labour relations through the facilitation of collective bargaining and protects the rights of both the workers and the employers (SA, 1995; Anton, 2017:3). This study critically examined the limitations of the current consultation mechanisms within the South African civilian intelligence services. As these stand, the mechanisms tend to favour management and fail to represent employee interests effectively during conditions of service negotiations. The study does not imply that reliance on consultation mechanisms instead of collective bargaining is inherently flawed. However, to enhance these mechanisms, amendments to the Intelligence Services Act 65 of 2002 will be required. Such enhancements are expected to limit conflict amongst the involved parties and advance a more peaceful and liberated work environment (ILO, 2000; 2013). South Africa has ratified several conventions, which are aligned with the international labour standards advocated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The South African Police Service (SAPS), South African National Defence Force (SANDF), and Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) serve as public service institution examples which engage in collective bargaining. However, there is lack of empirical evidence to support the exclusion of the civilian intelligence service employees from collective bargaining due to the confidential nature of their functions and duties. Therefore, collective bargaining is exempt from national security. The study advocates for an independent and autonomous consultation structure - complete with a dispute resolution mechanism within South Africa's civilian intelligence services to facilitate negotiations which are fair and uphold democratic labour standards. The General Intelligence Laws Amendment Act 37 of 2024 is aimed to strengthen the intelligence services governance and oversight. However, it does not solve problems associated with consultation process due to the lack of autonomous and dispute resolution mechanisms. In doing so, it strengthens the narrative which prioritises secrecy over fair labour practices within civilian intelligence services.
Analytical method development for the simultaneous quantification of creatine and taurine
(North-West University (South-Africa), 2026) van der Merwe, Riane; Lemmer, R van der Kooy , F Liebenberg , W ; ; ;
The consumption of sports supplements containing both creatine and taurine has increased significantly. This rise can be attributed to their synergistic effects on enhancing sports performance and their potential therapeutic benefits. Creatine contributes to muscle contraction and energy metabolism, while taurine is involved in osmoregulation, calcium homeostasis, antioxidant defence, and cardiovascular health. Whether used to supplement physical fitness or for their supposed health benefits, the overall physiological effects of either compound are not fully understood and require further research. To support this, precise and reliable methods are needed to measure creatine and taurine in complex sample matrices. However, simultaneous measurement of both remains challenging. Both lack chromophores, which limits detection using standard HPLC-UV techniques. Furthermore, current analytical methods typically measure them separately, increasing costs, time, and variability. This study aimed to develop and validate analytical techniques for the simultaneous quantitation of creatine and taurine. Two methods were employed: Liquid Chromatography-tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and quantitative Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (qNMR). An isocratic LC-MS/MS method with a run time of 2.5 minutes was developed using a hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography column and multiple reaction monitoring transitions on an Agilent Ultivo triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. qNMR was performed on a 600 MHz Bruker Avance NEO spectrometer, with quantification carried out using 3-(trimethylsilyl)propionic acid-d₄sodium salt (TSP) as the internal standard. Both methods were validated according to FDA and ICH guidelines. All validation parameters fell within acceptable limits, demonstrating high accuracy, specificity, and reproducibility. The methods were stress-tested with seven commercially available sports supplements containing creatine, taurine, and other potential interfering substances such as amino acids, whey protein, plant extracts, and minerals. Label claim deviations of +112.21% for creatine and +141.52% for taurine were observed during analysis. These results point to significant inconsistencies in product labelling, reinforcing the need for accurate analytical methods to ensure product quality and consumer safety. Overall, this study developed and validated two analytical techniques for the simultaneous quantitation of creatine and taurine. These methods not only aid in quality control of supplements but also lay a foundation for future research into the physiological and therapeutic applications of these compounds.
Hazardous biological agents and the occupational exposure risks thereof in an animal testing facility
(North-West University (South-Africa), 2026) Lucas , Lelani; Horn , S ; Franken , A ; ;
Animal testing facilities play a vital role in the world of biomedical research. However, the presence of hazardous biological agents (HBAs) introduces potential health risks for personnel involved. This risk arises from possible exposure to HBAs through inhalation of urinary proteins and faecal matter from the animal's bedding, animal dander or accidental animal bites and scratches. Exposure to HBAs could lead to a variety of negative health effects that include inflammatory responses, respiratory diseases, digestive tract infections and general discomfort. This study aimed to determine the presence and identify potential HBAs in an animal testing facility. Active and passive biological sampling were performed using both culture-dependent methods, such as active air sampling on agar plates, settle plates, surface swabs, and contact plates and culture-independent methods, including the bioaerosol cyclone, a size-selective sampler. Metabarcoding was carried out using nanopore sequencing to identify potential HBAs present in the facility at both the genus and species levels. Furthermore, physical parameters were measured to assess their influence on the abundance of microbial growth, while chemical parameters (dust particulate matter) were measured to evaluate their role as carriers and the potential risk of HBA inhalation. A total of 62 HBAs were identified in the facility, five of which are toxin-producing, and 53 classified as bacterial risk group 2 agents according to the Regulations for Hazardous Biological Agents, 2022 (South Africa). Six HBAs were identified as fungal risk group 2 agents, and three risk group 3 agents. The highest average concentration of microbial growth was in the cloak room collected by use of the microbial air sampler. The high microbial concentrations in the cloak room indicate that the area, which is supposed to be clean when donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE), is actually a hazard area and a source of contamination for the workers in this area and the rest of the facility. There were no statistically significant correlations between the environmental parameters and the microbial growth quantified within the facility. The combination of low air velocity and a high concentration of small dust particles(< 1 µm) suggests that the smallest particles (potentially containing HBAs) remain suspended in the air for extended periods, increasing the risk of inhalation and deep lung penetration. The variety of risk group 2 and 3 HBAs present in the facility and inadequacies of the control measures, such as the PPE and poor ventilation systems, lead to the conclusion that the HBAs found in the animal testing facility pose a potential moderate risk to its workers' health
Strategic crisis communication in facilitating effective teaching and learning during the Covid-19 Pandemic
(North-West University, 2026-07) Seete, K; Mmutle, T; Chaka, M
This study aimed to explore the strategic role of crisis communication in facilitating effective teaching and learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic. There has been ample research on crisis in organisations, including institutions of higher learning. However, the COVID-19 pandemic created a unique crisis that has not been experienced before. This prompted interest in understanding the strategic role of communication in dealing with a complex and unexpected health crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the day-to-day operations of institutions of higher learning which made it a crisis. Institutions of higher learning were forced to move from the tradition face-to-face teaching and learning environment to the emergency remote teaching and learning. Although, studies have been conducted on teaching and learning during the pandemic, this study explored the strategic role of communication in the management of the crisis and facilitation of effective teaching and learning. Thestudy contributes largely to the research done on COVID-19 in higher education (HE) institutions from a communication perspective. It also contributes to crisis communication research from the global south context as many of the research on crisis is Western centric. This exploratory study using the North-West University, Mahikeng campus as a research context drew on Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT) to explore the strategic role of crisis communication in facilitating effective teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study employed a qualitative research approach using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions as data collection methods. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with a sample of 5 faculty management officials and four focus group discussions, amounting to a total of 37 final-year students interviewed. For the purpose of this study, the researcher used a deductive thematic analysis for both semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The researcher selected a deductive approach because of its efficiency in ensuring that relevant data is organised in answering the study's research questions. This approach allowed the researcher to use a top-down approach and to gain a deeper understanding on crisis response strategies for effective teaching and learning during a crisis. The findings outlined that connectivity, digital devices and the efficiency of using these technologies were the major challenges encountered during the implementation of the emergency remote teaching and learning. However, despite the challenges the study revealed that students appreciated the efforts made by the institution during the pandemic. Further, outlining that communication served a dual purpose. Firstly, to convey information pertaining to classroom instruction and secondly to provide details about the institution's support services. The findings indicates that conducive teaching and learning environment involved attending to students' psychological well-being to foster their active engagement and participation. Furthermore, the findings acclaimed that communication played a strategic role in facilitating effective teaching and learning environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the findings of the study, future research could explore how demographic variables such as gender, age and mental health can influence the experiences identified in the study. Additionally, future research could explore how the usage of multiple digital platforms can lead to missed instruction and inconsistent feedback resulting in communication breakdowns. Comparative studies between institutions using multiple platforms and those using unified platforms would provide insight into communication structures that best support and enhance communication coherence during a crisis.