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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Investigating the use of data analytics towards improved logistics performance for South African imports
(North-West University (South Africa)., 2024) van Rensburg, Jacob; Grater, S; Hoffman, A.J
This thesis undertakes a comprehensive exploration of logistics performance within the context of South African imports, emphasising the pivotal role of efficient logistics in socio-economic development. Adding to the existing literature and evidence indicating an intricate connection between sustained economic growth, reliant on international and domestic trade, and the effective operation of global value chains, the study employs a meticulous, bottom-up, process-driven framework to improve logistics performance. This framework, centred on the perspective of freight forwarders, investigates logistics performance based on time, cost, and service reliability. The primary objective is to contribute to the measurement of the national-level logistics system's performance, focusing on all actors from the freight forwarder's standpoint, with an emphasis on reducing international trade time and cost. By employing data analytics, the thesis systematically assesses existing scholarly works on import flow logistics performance, elucidating potential areas for enhancement in operational and detailed dimensions. The freight forwarder, as the central orchestrator in the logistics system, becomes the focal point for developing an operational framework and a bottom-up diagnostic tool. This tool aims to identify specific areas for improvement based on internationally recognised metrics of time, cost, and service reliability. This study also utilises a Total Economic Cost (TEC) model to convert time delays and variability in time delays into monetary values. Results gleaned from the study illuminate substantial opportunities for enhancing logistics performance from the freight forwarder's viewpoint. Key segments in the end-to-end logistics chain, notably trade lane combinations and customs clearance processes, emerge as critical areas for improvement. The ANOVA analysis showed the various combinations of factors and their influence on time delays, and indicated that several factors have a statistically significant influence on logistics time delays and cost, as different cargo categories, using these factors as categorical variables, display time delays that are different from the population. These included (in order of significance based on the influence of the respective process segments) country of origin, shipping line, and port of loading. In practice, cargo owners manage the impact of time delay variability through buffer stock strategies. Insights into the relationship between buffer stock strategies and various cost components, such as interest cost on inventory and total time delay cost, underscore the complexity of logistics optimisation. Ultimately, the results from the TEC model identify the ocean freight transport leg as the most impactful factor in time delays, emphasising the crucial role of optimal supplier-shipping trade lane selections. Port performance, both waterside and landside, significantly influences delays. Inbound road transport has a minimal impact, but delays in the 96th percentile suggest potential inefficiencies in the short haul–long haul inbound strategy. Optimal buffer stock strategies are shown to be essential to minimise the cost impact of time delays, emphasising the need for strategic planning. Variations in TEC due to time delays among top countries and shipping lines underscore the importance of informed decisions for freight forwarders, regarding the selection of sources of cargo and of service providers to optimise logistics performance. The thesis underscores the importance of concentrating improvement efforts on segments entirely within the freight forwarder's control, such as documentary processes and customs clearance. The framework created serves as both a diagnostic tool and a contribution to the intricate field of logistics performance research, and the study appeals to a diverse audience, including national policymakers, multilateral agencies, economic actors, and logistics service providers. In recommending future research directions, the research suggests extending the framework to investigate logistics performance across different industries and countries. Additionally, expanding the logistics system to encompass the entire supply chain and conducting detailed analyses on factors with significant performance variability, such as the choice of supplier and service provider, offers avenues for further exploration. The thesis envisions an ongoing exploration of data analytics applications in improving logistics performance across various roles and levels of analysis, emphasising the limitless potential for investigation in this dynamic field.
The Impact of the Taung Dam Irrigation Scheme, South Africa, on Local People and the Environment, 1977-2023
(North-West University (South Africa)., 2025) Smit, Annadine; van Eeden, E.S; van Vuuren, L
This study is a historical analysis of the socio-environmental impact of the Taung Dam Irrigation Scheme on the region’s people and environment dating from its inception in 1977 to 2023. To do this the historical method of inquiry was mainly followed while also engaging the multidisciplinary nature of regional history. The study relied on primary and secondary sources and was interpreted from a large corpus of historiography on dam irrigation projects from across the world. Additionally, a part of the approach included in the historical method was to cover diverse community and leadership perspectives from the top down and bottom-up, and to thoroughly scrutinise these voices through a process of internal and external source criticism. An important part of the research was to understand the purpose behind the irrigation scheme since its history shows that only the dam component of the irrigation scheme was completed. Other and especially recreational uses that have since been featured, are covered to some extent. The years between 1977 to 1990 which marks the period of planning the scheme are inundated with political, social, and agricultural nuances as the history of the movement of people and their livelihoods in agricultural practices are contextualised. The timeframe for the completion of the Taung Dam (1990-1993) raised suspicion among some community members (as interviewees) as they relay stories of illicit diamond mining in the vicinity of the Harts River near Manthe village. Additionally, some Environmental Impact Assessments published more than a decade after the completion of the Taung Dam revealed that the scheme could and would never be able to fulfil its intended purpose as a source of additional irrigation. This was due to the poor inflow rate from the Harts River that feeds into the dam. Key motivators for the Taung Dam were therefore captured within three main thoughts, which are, firstly, enshrined in the political socio-economic goals of the newly established Bophuthatswana government in 1977. Secondly, the growing irrigation agriculture sector in Taung features strongly, despite the under-developed state of the existing Taung Irrigation Scheme as part of the adjacent Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme. Lastly, and perhaps most controversial is a growing awareness of the role of illicit mining activities within the 20 km2 radius of the Harts River near Manthe. The history of the socio-environmental impact of the Taung Dam Irrigation Scheme focuses mainly on the dam’s development, subsequent loss of habitat and natural plant life, and its socioeconomic outcome as other ventures towards its utilisation have been attempted until 2023 in planning reports and articles, and a displaced community’s memories and recent views of it. This is done to add to the field of water and regional history as very little on the topic of irrigation histories for South Africa’s homelands era has thus far featured.
Efficacy of technical vocational education and training college internship programme for mainstreaming youth transition to employment: In Ekurhuleni
(North-West University (South Africa)., 2025) Notsi, Palesa; Mzini, L.B
Facilitating the participation of the youth in the labour market is crucial to mainstreaming youth economic participation, especially in South Africa, where limited youth economic participation is a challenge. Structured internships are one way of integrating the youth into the labour market. Understanding the efficacy of internships, therefore, is crucial and a motivation for the study. Using mixed methods, this study investigated the efficacy of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College internship programmes with Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality as a case study. The objectives of the study, therefore, were to lay a theoretical understanding of internships, explore the contributions of partners, identify key elements of an efficacious internship, and propose an effective model for implementing TVET internships effectively. To pursue the objectives of the study, a survey sample of 200 was drawn (193 participated) using stratified random sampling, and seven key informants (7) using purposive sampling. The study found that well-structured institutional arrangements, quality mentorship, deliberate integration of theory and practice, and partnerships that are informed by a unity of purpose between TVET colleges, service partners, and industry are essential components for the efficacy of internships. Furthermore, a combination of these elements is not only necessary for the smooth running of internships, but it is also necessary to provide meaningful learning for the interns through integrating theory and practice, and through making internships accessible. Based on these findings, the theoretical framework (Theory of Change, Logic Model, and Transactional Partnering Model), and lessons from international experiences, a model for an efficacious internship programme was proposed. This study contributed to the TVET internship discourse and youth development body of knowledge by proposing a model for an effective TVET internship programme. Furthermore, contribution was made through the use of an innovative theoretical framework and by making academic and practical recommendations for understanding internships better and for improving their efficacy.
Health clinic gardens as models for social-ecological systems: Floristic composition and potential utilization of plants in the Bojanala Platinum District North-West Province, South Africa
(ELSEVIER GMBH, 2024) Gwedla, Nanamhla; Cornelius, Susanna Francina Ancia; Du Toit, Mari´e Jane; Cilliers, Sarel
Health clinic gardens (HCGs) are social-ecological systems (SESs) associated with health clinics on government land and are intended to provide fresh vegetables and fruits to patients struggling to keep healthy immune systems. Little is known about their comparability to other garden types with regards to plant distribution and potential utilization, and thus their potential to address some of the challenges limiting ecosystem services (ESs) provision in other garden types. In this study, we report on the floristic composition and presence of utilitarian plant species at 105 HCGs across a district municipality in the North-West Province, South Africa. Different micro-gardens, including vegetable, medicinal, ornamental, natural vegetation, bare soil, orchard, hedge, and lawn micro-gardens, were identified. To understand plant composition, species were classified according to status of origin, invasive characteristics, Raunkiaer’s life-forms, growth forms, and potential usefulness. To determine the frequency of species occurrence we enumerated the number of gardens containing the respective species. Six-hundred and thirty-three species from 404 genera and 116 plant families were encountered. Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. and Urochloa mosambicensis (Hack.) Dandy, found in 91 % and 79 % of gardens, respectively, occurred the most. Herbaceous species were the most dominant, with Schkuhria pinnata (Lam.) Kuntze ex Thell. and Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist occurring the most. Plant species richness was greater in the ornamental (282 species) and natural area (naga) (281 species) micro-gardens, while the hedge had the least (8 species). Fifty-five percent of species in the natural vegetation micro-garden were indigenous, compared to 44 % in the ornamental micro-garden. There was greater diversity in fruit-bearing plants, and most medicinal plant species (70 %) are used as a tonic. Health clinic gardens resemble home gardens and are well positioned to enhance ESs provision at the community scale. Future HCGs research should evaluate community usage of the gardens and the extent to which knowledge of useful plants and efficient gardening practices is upscaled to home gardens around HCGs.
A duoethnography about musicking at an older adult care home during COVID-19.
(Approaches, 2024) Wentink, Catrien; van der Merwe, Liesl
Loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a global problem. Older adults, who are considered high-risk individuals, have been particularly impacted and have experienced increased isolation and loneliness. Musicians also experienced loneliness during the lockdown period. Therefore, the purpose of this duoethnography is to explore the culturally situated meanings two research participants ascribe to musicking at an older adult care home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research participants are two community musicians who have facilitated weekly musicking sessions at an older adult care home for the past five years. During the hard lockdown, we serenaded the older adults in the street in front of the care home. Our data collection was stimulated by photos, session plans, song choices, diary reflections, and individual accounts. To explore our dialogical understanding, we used storytelling and Pinar’s (1975) four step method of currere, namely regressive, progressive, synthesis and analysis. The findings indicated that musicking during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed us to share and express compassion and care towards the older adult residents and each other. We, therefore, argue that musicking, with the necessary hygienic precautions, should be encouraged as a form of reciprocal care during a global pandemic.