Research Outputhttp://hdl.handle.net/10394/18652024-03-28T00:10:38Z2024-03-28T00:10:38ZUnlocking water potential in drylands: Quicklime and fly ash enhance soil microbiome structure, ecological networks and function in acid mine drainage water-irrigated agricultureRabelani, MunyaiOgola, Henry Joseph OduorKimani, Virginia WambuiModise, David Mxolisihttp://hdl.handle.net/10394/424462024-03-27T01:08:27Z2024-01-01T00:00:00ZUnlocking water potential in drylands: Quicklime and fly ash enhance soil microbiome structure, ecological networks and function in acid mine drainage water-irrigated agriculture
Rabelani, Munyai; Ogola, Henry Joseph Oduor; Kimani, Virginia Wambui; Modise, David Mxolisi
In water-stressed regions, treated acid mine drainage (AMD) water for irrigated agriculture is a potential solution to address freshwater scarcity. However, a significant knowledge gap exists on the short and long-term effects of treated AMD water on soil health. This study used high-throughput Illumina sequencing and predictive metagenomic profiling to investigate the impact of untreated AMD (AMD), quicklime- (A1Q and A2Q) and quicklime and fly ash-treated AMD water (AFQ) irrigation on soil bacterial diversity, co-occurrence networks and function. Results showed that untreated AMD water significantly increased soil acidity, electrical conductivity (EC), sulfate (SO42−), and heavy metals (HM), including reduced microbial diversity, disrupted interaction networks, and functional capacity. pH, EC, Cu, and Pb were identified as key environmental factors shaping soil microbial diversity and structure. Predominantly, Pseudomonas, Ralstonia picketti, Methylotenera KB913035, Brevundimonas vesicularis, and Methylobacterium oryzae, known for their adaptability to acidic conditions and metal resistance, were abundant in AMD soils. However, soils irrigated with treated AMD water exhibited significantly reduced acidity (pH > 6.5), HM and SO42− levels, with an enrichment of a balanced bacterial taxa associated with diverse functions related to soil health and agricultural productivity. These taxa included Sphingomonas, Pseudoxanthomonas, Achromobacter, Microbacterium, Rhodobacter, Clostridium, Massillia, Rhizobium, Paenibacillus, and Hyphomicrobium. Moreover, treated AMD water contributed to higher connectivity and balance within soil bacterial co-occurrence networks compared to untreated AMD water. These results show that quicklime/fly ash treatments can help lessen impacts of AMD water on soil microbiome and health, suggesting its potential for irrigated agriculture in water-scarce regions.
2024-01-01T00:00:00ZKinderkinetics motor intervention framework for children with developmental coordination disorder: an e-delphi perspectiveDu Plessis, Aletta MDe Milander, MoniqueCoetzee, Frederik FCoetzee, Danéhttp://hdl.handle.net/10394/424132024-02-22T01:15:47Z2023-01-01T00:00:00ZKinderkinetics motor intervention framework for children with developmental coordination disorder: an e-delphi perspective
Du Plessis, Aletta M; De Milander, Monique; Coetzee, Frederik F; Coetzee, Dané
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a motor coordination disorder
that persists if intervention is not provided. Local guidelines are unavailable for
intervention in children with probable DCD (p-DCD), and the aim of this study
was to develop a motor intervention framework focusing specifically on the
South African population within the scope of kinderkinetics, based on expert
information, as a guideline for children with DCD or p-DCD. Twenty-nine
kinderkinetics experts from South Africa participated in a three-round e-Delphi
process. Round one obtained consensus and opinions from the experts by
reviewing literature findings on intervention for children with DCD or p-DCD.
Rounds two and three were based on answers and opinions provided in round
one to determine an 80% agreement to accept the statement. Ten main elements
formed the foundation for the motor intervention framework. The main focus
areas of the framework were intervention planning, goal setting, intervention
approaches, intervention apparatus, intervention delivery mode, additional role
players, settings, dosage (time, duration, frequency and number of sessions), and
evaluation. Understanding that the causes of DCD are heterogeneous was
essential in finalising the framework. The research provided unique and collated
feedback from kinderkinetics experts to develop a motor intervention framework
for children with DCD or p-DCD within the scope of kinderkinetics in South
Africa.
2023-01-01T00:00:00ZThe principals’ role in developing social capital for the promotion of healthy school environmentsKwatubana, Siphokazihttp://hdl.handle.net/10394/423352023-11-08T08:34:09Z2017-01-01T00:00:00ZThe principals’ role in developing social capital for the promotion of healthy school environments
Kwatubana, Siphokazi
School leaders’ individual and collective efforts are essential in the promotion of healthy school environments. In this respect, the building of social capital is very important for a school’s improvement. The aim of this paper was to determine the role principals played in developing social capital to enhance healthy school environments. The study was conducted in two districts, one in the Gauteng and the other in the Free State provinces of South Africa. It was undertaken as a qualitative research study that involved seven participants. Data collection strategies employed included narratives, individual interviews and field notes. The study was considered important in its application of the social capital theory to
determine the role of principals in soliciting economic resources for their schools. From the findings, the main challenge that was common in all the participating schools was the lack of resources for the Promotion of Healthy School Environments. It was found that some principals were able to identify and approach companies that could assist their schools but were then unable to build trusting relationships. In view of the findings, this research recommends training to equip principals with skills to enable them to mobilise resources by taking advantage of social capital in their communities
2017-01-01T00:00:00ZStakeholder perceptions of the determinants of reputation in South African public schoolsKwatubana, Siphokazihttp://hdl.handle.net/10394/423342023-11-08T08:32:13Z2014-01-01T00:00:00ZStakeholder perceptions of the determinants of reputation in South African public schools
Kwatubana, Siphokazi
This research focuses on perceptions of reputation in black township schools in South Africa. The call for the provision of equal education compels school managers to be proactive in their efforts to build reputation for continuity and to remain educationally effective. Data was generated from four categories of stakeholders: parents, educators, school managers and clerks by means of narratives and semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed reputation as multi-dimensional and that there were main reputational signals that stakeholders focused on when making their judgments, these included academic performance, organisational climate and emotional appeal. All participants regarded character, academic and experiential reputations as the main determinants of a general school’s reputation. Only internal stakeholders regarded social responsibility as important in determining reputation
2014-01-01T00:00:00Z