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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(North West University, 2025) Msindisi
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Effects of a sleep hygiene period on the match-loads and performance indicators of male university-level soccer players during a tournament
(North-West University (South-Africa), 2024-05) Prevoo, M.G.; ; ; ;
Effects of a sleep hygiene period on the match-loads and performance indicators of male university-level soccer players during a tournament. With soccer being one of the most popular sports worldwide and players training harder and competing in more competitions, a greater physiological demand is placed on their bodies. Recovery strategies are used to help athletes recover between training sessions, matches, and competitions. Athletes are advised to obtain eight hours of sleep per night to improve their mood, cognitive performance and decrease daytime sleepiness. Over the years, sleep hygiene principles have been implemented to aid in the quality and quantity of sleep obtained. Despite numerous publications, a gap still exists on what effect a Sleep Hygiene Intervention Period (SHP) has on real-life match Performance Indicators (PIs). Therefore, the main objectives of this study were to determine the effects of an SHP on the physical performance indicators of male university-level soccer players during a soccer tournament. Secondly, to determine the effect of an SHP on the internal [HR] and external (GPS) match demands of male university-level soccer players during a soccer tournament. Sixteen soccer players from the North-West University participated in the study. Internal- and external match demands (rate of perceived exertion - RPE, heartrate - HR and global positioning systems - GPS), as well as numerous (PIs), were analysed over an entire tournament. For objective one, 14 matches (five matches: no-SHP, four matches consisting of SHP, and five matches: no-SHP), and for objective two, eight matches (two matches: no-SHP, four matches consisting of SHP, and two matches of no-SHP) were analysed. During the no-SHP, players continued with their own, normal sleep routines. For the SHP, players were required to adhere to at least 10 of a possible 16 sleep hygiene principles daily in their own home setting for at least a week prior to the match. Comparing the different halves between the no-intervention and post-intervention conditions, the minimum HR (p = 0.006) and time spent in the medium HR zone (p = 0.040) were significantly higher during the SHP period compared to the second half. Following the intervention period total distance (p = 0.003), distance covered while running (p = 0.006), and jogging (p = 0.001) was higher than the no-SHP. Distances covered at different intensities showed significantly higher values for moderate (p = 0.018) and low intensities (p = 0.009). There were significantly more decelerations below -4 m/s² (p = 0.033) and between -3 to -4 m/s² (p = 0.047), as well as more accelerations between 3 – 4 m/s² (p = 0.001), and above four m/s² (p = 0.005). A higher number of connections (p = 0.05) and dribbles (p = 0.01) were reported during the SHP. The number of passes (p = 0.09, ES = 1.1) and crosses (p = 0.20, ES = 0.8) demonstrated a large and moderate effect size, respectively. Successful passes (24.9%), connections (38%), dribbles (47.3%), crosses (28.6%), successful passes in opposition half (10.2%), and shots taken in the penalty area (24.7%) improved during the SHP. In conclusion, an SHP can lead to significantly better physical output measures as well as improvements in (PIs) during a soccer match of university-level soccer players when comparing an SHP to a no-SHP. Therefore, emphasising the importance of implementing sleep as a recovery tool for athletes and coaching staff to implement over a competitive season.
Towards modelling the linguistic execution of communicative goals of political persuasion in selected presidential Covid-19 related speeches
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024) Nendauni, Lutendo; Van den Berg, Karien; 12120391- Van den Berg, Karien
The Covid-19 pandemic triggered a significant surge in speeches from political leaders, aimed at persuading the public to adhere to strict social distancing measures to mitigate the spread of the virus. This study was designed to comprehensively model the linguistic execution of communicative goals of political persuasion in selected presidential Covid-19 related speeches. In this study, persuasion was analysed from communicative, linguistic, and pragmatic perspectives. The study aimed to shed light on how language was strategically employed during the pandemic to influence public behaviours and perspectives concerning Covid-19 as well as compliance with the recommended protocols. The primary focus of this study centred on the speeches delivered by three presidents: Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China, Donald Trump of the United States of America, and Cyril Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa. To achieve a comprehensive understanding of persuasion, the study employed theory triangulation, incorporating Systemic Functional Linguistics (Halliday, 1965) as the central framework operationalised through the Goals-Plans-Actions theory (Dillard, 1989), Speech Act theory (Austin, 1962; Searle, 1969), and Linguistic Propaganda Identification model (Maritz, 2009). Theory triangulation enabled a thorough comprehension of the communicative goals, elements of persuasion, and strategies of persuasion used by the three presidents in their Covid-19 related speeches. In addition, it highlighted that persuasion is multi-faceted. Therefore, exploring it accordingly from an interdisciplinary theoretical framework brings to the fore a tapestry of interlinked components; one weave reinforcing the other. Modelling this intricate interplay of goals, elements and strategies set this thesis apart from other studies conducted on persuasion, Covid-19 related communication and presidential speech styles. The study’s methodology embraced an interpretivist qualitative paradigm, amalgamating theory triangulation and discourse-textual analysis. Data for the study was drawn from purposively sampled fifteen (15) speeches, to map the linguistic traits of persuasion while striving for data saturation through an inductive logical approach. The data analysis process involved a thorough two-staged examination of the sampled speeches, employing a manual close-reading and ATLAS.ti software analysis techniques. During the analysis, a provisional model specifically designed for this study served as a comprehensive checklist for identifying communicative goals, elements of persuasion, and strategies of persuasion. This model was developed based on an extensive review of the literature pertaining to persuasion in the context of political discourse. Stringent ethical considerations were accurately addressed, including requisite approvals from pertinent committees. The central finding of the study spotlights the prevalence of primary and secondary communicative goals within presidential Covid-19 speeches, accentuating calculated endeavours to achieve persuasive outcomes. These goals were strategically deployed to sway public attitudes and conduct towards Covid-19, thereby manifesting a nuanced interplay between primary and secondary goals, and their consequential impact on the elements and strategies of persuasion. This implies that primary goals guide cognitive processes in encoding and retrieval, while secondary goals set boundaries for linguistic and communicative choices to initiate and maintain social action. Subsequent in-depth analyses revealed a comprehensive spectrum of communicative, linguistic, and pragmatic elements of persuasion that were adroitly harnessed by the three presidents to mold public perceptions and attitudes during the Covid-19 pandemic. Also, communicative strategies of persuasion emerged as particularly conspicuous, succeeded by pragmatic and linguistic strategies of persuasion. Ultimately, the study culminated in the reconstruction of the provisional model, resulting in the development of a comprehensive model that guides the linguistic execution of communicative goals in the context of political persuasion. The resultant comprehensive model integrates six intricate categories: message, elements of persuasion, strategies of persuasion, communicative goals, goal influence factors, and the theoretical properties of persuasion. This model augments the comprehension of how linguistic constituents were wielded in the domain of political persuasion against the backdrop of Covid-19-related presidential speeches. The study underscores the perpetual significance of the message as the central conduit for persuasion, encompassing linguistic tools to mold attitudes, convictions, and behaviours of the targeted audience. While acknowledging its groundbreaking contributions, the resultant comprehensive model is acknowledged to be context-bound, bearing limitations concerning its extensibility to disparate political contexts and communicators. The study advocates adopting longitudinal approaches, comparative analyses, and quantitative methodologies to broaden the model’s scope and applicability. In its entirety, this thesis has advanced the boundaries of knowledge in linguistics, political communication, and crisis management, with practical implications for public health communication and governance during pandemics.
Political leadership and human security in Lesotho (1993 to 2020): An analysis
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024) Makubakube, Khosi Emmanuel; Heydenrych, Pieter Willem; 10085203- Heydenrych, Pieter Willem
For a country to enjoy sustainable development and human security it requires accountable and transparent governance that respects the fundamental human rights and rule of law, functional institutions, and successful service delivery. This study adopts a political leadership perspective to analyse human security in Lesotho from 1993 to 2020. The research explored the nature of political leadership in Lesotho in the period under review. Furthermore, it sought to understand the conceptualization of political leadership and human security concepts. In addition, it examined the linkage of political leadership and human security. The study argued that without effective political leadership in Lesotho, it would be difficult to overcome human insecurity. Lastly, it recommended ways to promote effective political leadership so as to foster human security. The research employed the qualitative research approach. It further reviewed literature and used Thematic Qualitative Analysis to analyse data to identify recurrent issues. The research focused on the research findings and discussions. It discovered that Lesotho has a political leadership deficit since 1993 to 2020 which is central to human insecurity. Finally, the research concluded that political leadership and human security are interconnected, imperative and interdependent concepts and without effective political leadership, human security is impossible in Lesotho.
Participatory Budgeting in rural councils: The case of Mangwe District Council, Zimbabwe
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024) Ndlovu, T; Van der Waldt. Gerrit; 12330841- Van der Waldt, Gerrit
Participatory Budgeting (PB) lies at the core of the New Public Management reforms, which seek to reform public finances through increased citizen participation. Participatory Budgeting is fundamental for democratic governance and for empowering communities to play an active role in shaping local fiscal decisions. The adoption of PB in Zimbabwe was motivated by the need to enhance citizen participation, service delivery, transparency and accountability, and responsiveness to the needs of the citizens. This study investigated the intricate dynamics of PB's implementation, and its diverse outcomes within the unique context of Mangwe Rural District Council (RDC) in Zimbabwe. This research is underpinned by a qualitative approach using semi-structured key informant interviews. Extensive fieldwork within the local context provided in-depth understanding of the intricate dynamics at play. These qualitative insights are supplemented by meticulous document analysis which further enriches the empirical fabric of the study. The findings are in sync with the problem which necessitated this study, which is that despite adopting PB, Zimbabwean local councils are failing to attain positive PB outcomes. The research findings yielded an array of PB outcomes ranging from the lack of empowerment of citizens through limited engagement in the PB process, to grappling with accountability and transparency challenges, and navigating constraints in service delivery. In response to these findings, the fifth objective of this study sought to develop a participatory financial model for use in Mangwe RDC, and in other similar environments. Grounded in a robust theoretical foundation, this study seamlessly amalgamates empirical insights garnered from extensive fieldwork with well-established public management paradigms, theoretical frameworks, and globally recognized best practices. Informed by this comprehensive understanding, the study crafts a comprehensive financial model akin to a strategic blueprint. This is done with the aim of strengthening PB within rural local governments. The proposed model underscores the significance of the theoretical frameworks that advocate citizen participation and bottom-up engagement approaches. Moreover, the model recognizes the need to address the dynamics in the political, technological, economic and legislative environments in-order to ensure the efficacy of PB in Mangwe RDC. Going beyond the realms of theoretical discourse, the financial model provides a proactive strategy to overcome barriers to effective implementation of PB in rural local governments. Through fostering synergy between stakeholders, judicious resource allocation, capacity building and empowerment, affording citizens an oversight role, and fostering the evaluation and feedback loop, the model emerges as a citizen-oriented approach, which upholds the ideals of PB. In essence, this study aspires to contribute substantially to the ongoing discourse surrounding PB implementation, underscoring its pivotal role in enhancing local governance and steering community development across the distinct landscape of Zimbabwe.