https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/30873 2026-09-20T09:09:22Z 2026-09-20T09:09:22Z Tsima, Onalenna https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32983 2026-08-28T11:52:37Z 2025-01-10T00:00:00Z

Development of a programme to manage cancer ser-vice delivery in primary health care clinics in Botswana Tsima, Onalenna Cancer remains a growing public health concern in Botswana, placing a burden on primary health care systems. Effective management and delivery of cancer services at the primary care level are essential to improve early detection, referral, and treat-ment outcomes. Purpose The purpose of this study was to develop a programme for the management of cancer services and treatment for adults in Botswana primary health care clinics. The study was conducted in primary healthcare clinics situated in Molepolole, Kanye and Ramotswa for nurses. Although patients were seen at local clinics for follow-up care, the researcher, through the guidance of oncology nurses, accessed patients’ records pertaining to cancer treatment received at the main oncology clinic situated in Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone. Participants were recruited in these areas, re-spectively, followed by data collection. All sites are in the southern part of Botswana. Methods A convergent parallel mixed methods approach guided the study in three phases. Data were collected simultaneously, analysed independently, and the findings were merged at the end and discussed. Phase 1 addressed two objectives of the study using a qualitative approach to explore the perceptions of Registered nurses in Primary health care clinics regarding the management of cancer patients using a purposive sample consisting of 32 registered nurses. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. A quantitative approach, in line with Objective 2, was utilised to assess cancer patients xii (n = 135), outcomes regarding their quality of life and satisfaction with services re-ceived in primary healthcare clinics, using the EuroQol EQ-5D instrument to collect data and SPSS Version 27 was used to analyse data. Based on a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error of 5%, the sample size for cancer patients was 135 and was recruited at an oncology clinic in a tertiary hospital when they turned up for review, because in primary healthcare clinics they do not keep their records. Phase 2 involved a scoping review to determine and map out the existence of programmes for managing cancer. Phase 3 was the development and validation of a programme to support can-cer care and services in primary health care clinics. Findings In Phase 1 (the qualitative phase), four major themes emerged, which were: Lack of knowledge and skills on cancer care; delays in the diagnosis of cancer; the need to support cancer patients; and a programme to guide cancer care services. The results were consistent with findings from cancer patients (quantitative approach). Out of 135 cancer patients interviewed, most patients (80%) rated services from primary healthcare clinics as unsatisfactory, indicated a lack of support from the local clinics, and rated services as poor. Coclusion The study found that primary healthcare clinics in Botswana are currently not ade-quately equipped to deliver comprehensive cancer care services. There is a need to develop and implement a structured programme that focuses on improving healthcare provider competencies, strengthening early detection and referral systems, and en-hancing psychosocial and clinical support for patients. Recommendations The developed programme is envisioned to improve the quality of care for cancer pa-tients. Findings would inform policymakers to resource primary healthcare clinics, such as availing oncology-trained personnel and upskilling those not trained in oncology. A programme would promote standardisation of care to improve cancer service delivery and may also serve as a model for other countries with similar backgrounds and needs.

2025-01-10T00:00:00Z Motlhapi, Itumeleng Percy https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32951 2026-08-17T12:19:23Z 2026-06-23T00:00:00Z

Sustainable development goals and climate action in government schools in Thembisa township, South Africa Motlhapi, Itumeleng Percy Climate change is the biggest threat of the 21st century. The super wicked problem of climate change threatens the biosphere on which all forms of life depend. Climate change is a threat in itself but also a multiplier of other cultural, economic, and social problems such as poor-quality education, forced migration, reduced economic growth, health pandemics and so forth. This is the reason Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) goals number four (4) on quality education and number thirteen (13) on climate action fits squarely with each other. For example, climate action encompasses diverse areas of action, including Climate Change Education (CCE), which can also be referred to as Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Both CCE and ESD are subfields of Environmental Education (EE). Many actors and sectors recognised the role of different types of education in addressing climate change challenge. Climate Change Education can raise awareness thus promoting behavioural change to mitigate and adapt to climate change. This study explored factors influencing government schools’ engagement with the SDGs (SDG 4 and SDG 13), while promoting action through education. A mixed-methods research design was employed, with the study focusing on government schools in Thembisa, Ekurhuleni North Education District, Gauteng Province. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to select thirty (30) surveyed schools, including twenty (20) primary and ten (10) secondary schools. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics and Microsoft 365 (Excel and Word) to compile the report. Transformative learning theory and Sen’s capability theory were employed as suitable theoretical frameworks for ESD and development. The findings indicated that government schools engaged in climate action and education, focusing mainly on common environmental themes but not in an obvious or large-scale manner. Participation was inspired mainly by external initiatives more than just interest from schools and faced with various challenges related to but not limited to capacity, resources, time, and syllabus. This therefore highlighted the need to integrate climate change into the curriculum and support the compulsory implementation of Climate Change Education and action in schools accurately and comprehensively. The results also showed that there was no variation between climate action activities, reasons for involvement, suggestions for improvements and the type of school. Fundamentally, the study contributes not only to research but also to best practices in implementing climate change-related interventions. The study is also significant in encouraging schools to realise their capabilities, embrace their potential and become agents of change through climate action and education.

2026-06-23T00:00:00Z Kovacik, Miroslav https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32773 2026-08-04T19:53:36Z 1998-10-01T00:00:00Z

Increasing foreign trade activities of the South African telecommunication industry in Sub-Saharan Africa Kovacik, Miroslav The growth of the telecommunications industry has triggered one of the most significant world-wide export programmes. Telecommunications is part of the chain, who directly participated promoting the industry in Sub-Saharan Africa. This thesis analyses the telecommunications industry and briefly reflects historical, political, economical and technical changes over time. It also highlights the potential for further stability. Liberalisation and stabilisation of the telecommunications industry are the main goals in the thrust into Sub-Saharan Africa. Major members of the industry that participate in the telecommunications sector are continually introducing new products and technologies. As they strive to increase business opportunities and build up the networks, they strive to develop rural areas, create jobs and educate masses of previously disadvantaged people. ln order to comprehend the growth of telecommunications in Sub-Saharan African countries, it is essential to understand the complex economic relationships that exist. Population, Gross National Product, GNP per capita, annual growth per country and the telecommunications market structure are used in this thesis to analyse the future growth of foreign trade to Sub-Saharan Africa. Part of the research conducted also examined the various financial resources and explained how to maximise the telecommunications sector in poor countries. Foreign capital, coupled to special soft terms, is playing a role in restructuring the sector, where this is needed. This study analyses some of the factors regarding export and import in relation to the development of the telecommunications industry in Sub-Saharan Africa. It incorporates special trade operations, the relationship between demand, offer, selling and production prices. A few statistical-mathematical models and indexes, which are part of this study, aim at analysing their relationship to each other and will reveal future growth and development possibilities. The study of the non-stop movement of the economic factors shows that on the one side the costs must be minimised and, on the other side, export, quality and services must be adequately maximised. Telecommunications has reached all economic sectors in African countries. It is envisaged that at the threshold of the new millennium, these telecommunications development procedures will continue and will be extended to every interacting industrial and non-industrial sector. Text and astract in English

1998-10-01T00:00:00Z Van Loggerenberg, Carl https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32647 2026-08-04T19:56:59Z 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z

Outsourcing in the forestry industry in South Africa: a study of the indicators for long-term sustainability Van Loggerenberg, Carl The business environment is changing globally more rapidly than most individuals and organisations are willing to accept or are prepared to anticipate. The forestry industry itself is faced with various changes in the political, economical and social environment. Change is marked by the globalisation of timber markets, new technology, reformed political regulations and changing values in rural societies. Initially outsourcing was all about costs - finding someone who could do the same job, better, faster, cheaper or all three. Outsourcing then became strategic - the focus encompassing the even larger opportunity costs savings that come when an organisation reinvests the freed resources back into even higher value producing processing capabilities. Management is currently looking at their outsourcing partners to do all these things and to become sources of innovation - helping them to create new ways of doing business. However, companies often do not choose outsourcing partners with any degree of science or structure and then they fail to appreciate that business is dynamic. The deal negotiated today will probably be obsolete before pen is put to paper. Outsourcing initiatives require governance and ongoing management to ensure success. Governance ensures that the partners understand the what, when and how of the outsourcing agreement, as well as the roles and responsibilities of each partner. Ongoing management ensures cost savings don't just come from labour arbitrage but from improved productivity as well. Outsourcing does not remove the principle companies need to manage the process. A comprehensive outsourcing arrangement requires monitoring and redefining as well as strategic management and other retained functions. Every time an organisation outsources successfully, it lowers its costs, improves its balance sheet, reduces its business risks, and expands its capabilities. If outsourcing is to continue to grow over the next ten years and to be sustainable then organisations will have to produce better results with greater regularity and at lower costs. Doing this will take a collaborative effort from all the stakeholders. This research document will explore the presence of indicators for sustainable outsourcing. The approach will be to deal with both the 'hard' management tools and processes which should be uitilised and the 'softer' issues of what should be being communicated and the personal styles and attributes required to achieve outstanding sustainable results

2006-01-01T00:00:00Z