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North-West University 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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Recent Submissions

Communication, Media, Culture, and Evolving Trends in the World of Indigenous Languages
(North-West University (South Africa), 2025) Toyin, Falola
Indigenous language is a significant component of the cultural heritage of every community or nation. Aside from serving as a medium of communication, language serves as a window into a community or nation’s historical and cultural heritage. Unfortunately, in the past century, many indigenous languages have suffered threats to their survival and continued use. This development is due mainly to colonialism and the wave of globalization that started on the eve of the 20th century. The so-called “world languages,” such as English, French, Spanish, German, and Chinese are taking over as more preferred and widely spoken in indigenous communities despite their foreign origin and the long history of indigenous languages in these communities. Unless effective revitalization programs are embarked upon, the loss of more indigenous languages is imminent. The positive news, however, is that certain trends have evolved in the application of indigenous languages which portend opportunities for the revitalization and flourishing of indigenous languages in this present age of globalization. This lecture examines the connections between indigenous languages, communications, media and globalization, as well as evolving trends and future trajectories in the application of indigenous languages, with a view to advocating for more deliberate steps in the preservation of indigenous languages by respective stakeholders.
Burnout amongst Generalist and Forensic SocialWorkers: A Comparative Study
(University of Stellenbosch, 2024) Lee Hunter, Claudia; Boshoff, Pieter; Fourie, Erika
Forensic social work poses obstacles that can increase the risk of burnout amongpractitioners. Prior research studies have explored burnout among generalistsocial workers; however, there is a noticeable deficiency in the literatureregarding burnout among forensic social workers, as well as the absence ofcomparisons between these two professions to discern variations in burnoutpatterns. The aim of this study was to compare burnout patterns amonggeneralist and forensic social workers using a quantitative approach and acomparison group design. Qualified generalist and forensic social workers froman accredited South African university participated in an all-inclusive willingparticipation sample approach. The study found that, while both groups hadmoderate degrees of emotional exhaustion, forensic social workers experiencedhigher levels. There were also significant disparities in depersonalisation, withforensic social workers suggesting higher levels. This study contributes tounderstanding burnout patterns in forensic social workers, highlighting the needfor targeted efforts to mitigate their effects
Insights into the life‑cycle development of Meloidogyne enterolobii, M. incognita and M. javanica on tomato, soybean and maize
(Springer Netherlands, 2023) Collett, Raymond Lesley; Rashidifard, Milad; Marais, Mariette; Daneel, Mieke; Fourie, Hendrika
Meloidogyne enterolobii is a highly pathogenic nematode species that renders host plant resistance ineffective that exists for other species. The life-cycle development and duration of three Meloidogyne species, viz. M. enterolobii, M. incognita and M. javanica was determined in roots of three crops: tomato (‘Moneymaker’), soybean (‘DM-5953-RSF’) and maize (‘P-2432-R’) under glasshouse conditions. At different time intervals, 3-, 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, and 25-days after inoculation (DAI), 20 randomly selected individuals, representing different life-stages of each species, were isolated from roots. Meloidogyne enterolobii had a quicker life cycle development compared to the other two species. Mature females were observed 15 DAI for all three species, but single eggs of M. enterolobii were present at 15 DAI opposed to egg masses only found 20 and 25 DAI for the other two species. Second generation motile J2 were observed for M. enterolobii and M. javanica from 20 DAI and at 25 DAI for M. incognita. Substantially less degree days (DD) were recorded for M. enterolobii being 216 for tomato, 195 for soybean and 232 for maize; for M. incognita it was 292 for tomato, 264 for soybean and 314 for maize; and for M. javanica it was 276 for tomato, 248 for soybean and 298 for maize. The use of genotypes with shorter growing periods is suggested to reduce the number of generations of M. enterolobii which is foreseen to potentially result in lower population densities and less crop damage
The significance of nematode communities in South African citrus decline orchards
(Springer International Publishing AG, 2024) Pretorius, M. C.; McLeod, Adele; Fourie, Hendrika; Danee, Mieke
Citrus slow decline is a slow developing disease occurring in citrus orchards rendering the citrus orchards uneconomical in a decade or two. Causal agents have not been identified and therefore a study was initiated to identify parameters or combination of parameters that could be useful in early detection of the disease. Four citrus orchards in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, were identified where citrus slow disease decline was present. Twenty trees of each of the three disease categories including healthy, slight sick and sick trees, were randomly selected and sampled in each orchard. Among the many parameters measured, nematode communities were evaluated as they might show differences between the three tree categories. Results showed that Tylenchulus semipenetrans was the most abundant nematode species present in the three tree categories making up more than 90% of the nematode communities. Nine other plant-parasitic and 21 free-living nematodes were identified among the three tree categories with Acrobeloides being the most abundant nematode genus followed by Prismatolaimus. Among the feeding groups, 73% belonged to bacterivores followed by about 10% to the fungivores. Metabolic foot prints for the three tree categories were very small and closely together in the depleted and degraded quadrat.
Leisure participation and leisure constraints of individuals with lower-limb amputations in SA
(South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation, 2024) Visser, Adri; Kriel, Cindy Kriel; Swanepoel, Mariette; Cockeran, Marike; 12262404
This study aimed to determine leisure participation and constraints experienced by individuals with lower limb amputation (LLA) in South Africa. A one-time, crosssectional quantitative approach was used, incorporating the Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scale–Revised (TAPES-R questionnaire) and the Constraints to Participation Questionnaire. These instruments were integrated into an electronic survey hosted on Google Forms. Fifty participants, with an average of 10 years since their amputation, were included in the study, with 62% having undergone below-knee LLA. Data were analysed using SPSS (version 27). Participants enjoyed a variety of recreational programme areas/activities: sport (52%), aquatics (14%), going to church (14%), adventure (8%) and social recreation (2%), and 10% did not report any recreational activity participation. The frequency of activity participation was high: 56% of participants reported engagement in recreational activities more than once a week or even daily, 16% participated moderately, 20% reported low participation and 8% gave no response. The Constraints to Participation Questionnaire showed overall low values for intrapersonal (1.89±0.38) and interpersonal (1.88±0.22) constraints and slightly higher values for structural constraints (2.22±0.46). Results indicated that individuals with LLA continued to engage in leisure activities by negotiating leisure constraints.