United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)

The influence of social media on academic performance in secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The influence of social media on academic performance in secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal Ebrahim, Shamshaad Begum This quantitative study investigated the relationship between social media usage and academic performance among secondary school learners in KwaZulu-Natal. Using a descriptive-correlational research approach, data were collected from 300 learners across three secondary schools through structured questionnaires, achieving an 85.7% response rate. The findings revealed intensive social media engagement patterns, with 47.7% of participants spending over two hours daily on platforms during school days, increasing to 64% on weekends. WhatsApp dominated platform usage at 95.7%, followed by TikTok at 66% and YouTube at 63%. Concerning patterns emerged, with 66.3% of learners checking platforms more than five times daily and 66.4% engaging in late-night usage after 10 PM. Statistical analysis demonstrated statistically significant inverse relationships between social media engagement patterns and academic performance measures. Daily usage correlated strongly with study time impact (r = .456, p < .01) and homework distraction (r = .523, p < .01). Multiple regression analysis revealed that social media variables explained 42.1% of academic performance variance, with daily usage emerging as the strongest predictor (β = .423, p < .001). Grade changes showed a concerning 2:1 ratio of decline to improvement (29.3% vs 15%). Despite 66% of learners recognizing social media’s negative academic impact, the use of management strategies remained limited. Only 22% regularly implemented temporal boundaries or notification management, revealing a significant awareness-action gap. Educational usage patterns were limited, with only 29.3% of learners reporting frequent use of social media platforms for academic purposes. The study identified institutional disconnection, with 62.4% of learners reporting limited teacher integration of social media into learning activities. Collaborative potential received the strongest recognition at 56.3% agreement, while motivational impact was predominantly negative at 52% disagreement. These findings provide empirical evidence supporting targeted digital literacy interventions that develop self-regulation skills while harnessing collaborative benefits. Recommendations include comprehensive digital well-being programmes, structured teacher training, and institutional policies promoting balanced pedagogical integration of technology in South African secondary education contexts.; Nalu ucwaningo olwenziwe ngendlela yobuningi (quantitative study) oluhlola ubudlelwano phakathi kokusetshenziswa kwezinkundla zokuxhumana nempumelelo yezemfundo kubafundi bezikole zamabanga aphezulu eKwaZulu-Natal. Kusetshenziswa indlela yocwaningo echazayo nehlobanisa (descriptive-correlational approach), imininingwane yaqoqwa kubafundi abangama-300 abavela ezikoleni ezintathu zamabanga aphezulu ngokusebenzisa imibuzo ehleliwe, kwatholakala izinga lokuphendula elingamaphesenti angu-85.7%. Imiphumela yembule amaphethini okusebenzisa izinkundla zokuxhumana ngokweqile, lapho u-47.7% wabahlanganyeli echitha amahora angaphezu kwamabili ngosuku ezinkundleni ngezinsuku zesikole, kukhuphukela ku-64% ngezimpelasonto. I-WhatsApp iyona ehola ngokusetshenziswa ngamaphesenti angu-95.7%, ilandelwe i-TikTok ngama-66% kanye ne-YouTube ngama-63%. Kwavela amaphethini akhathazayo, lapho u-66.3% wabafundi behlola izinkundla izikhathi ezingaphezu kwezinhlanu ngosuku kanye no-66.4% besebenzisa izinkundla phakathi nobusuku ngemva kwehora leshumi (10 PM). Ukuhlaziywa kwezibalo (statistical analysis) kwabonisa ubudlelwano obuphambene obubalulekile phakathi kwamaphethini okusebenzisa izinkundla nezimpawu zempumelelo yezemfundo. Ukusetshenziswa kwansuku zonke kwahlobana kakhulu nomthelela esikhathini sokufunda (r = .456, p < .01) kanye nokuphazamiseka emisebenzini yasekhaya (r = .523, p < .01). Ukuhlaziywa kokuhlehla okuningi (multiple regression analysis) kwembula ukuthi izinto ezihlobene nezinkundla zichaze amaphesenti angu-42.1% okwehluka kwempumelelo yezemfundo, kanti ukusetshenziswa kwansuku zonke kwaba isibikezelo esinamandla (β = .423, p < .001). Izinguquko emabangeni zikhombise isilinganiso esikhathazayo soku-2:1 phakathi kokwehla nokwenyuka (29.3% kuqhathaniswa no-15%). Nakuba u-66% wabafundi bewubona umthelela ongemuhle wezinkundla emfundweni, ukusetshenziswa kwamasu okulawula kwakukhawulelwe. Ngu-22% kuphela owasebenzisa njalo imingcele yesikhathi noma ukuphatha izaziso, okuveza igebe elikhulu phakathi kokwazi nokusebenza. Amaphethini okusebenzisa izinkundla ngezinjongo zemfundo abelimited, njengoba ngu-29.3% kuphela wabafundi obika ukusebenzisa izinkundla zokuxhumana njalo ngezinjongo zemfundo. Ucwaningo lwahlonza ukungahlangani kwezikhungo (institutional disconnection), lapho u-62.4% wabafundi bebeka umkhawulo wokuhlanganiswa kwezinkundla othishanhloko emisebenzini yokufunda. Amandla okusebenzisana (collaborative potential) athole ukuqashelwa okukhulu ngamaphesenti angu-56.3% abavumelayo, kanti umthelela wokugqugquzela (motivational impact) ubungemuhle kakhulu ngamaphesenti angu-52% abangavumelani. Le miphumela inikeza ubufakazi obusekelayo bokungenelela okuhlosiwe kwe-digital literacy okuthuthukisa amakhono okuzilawula kuyilapho kusetshenziswa izinzuzo zokubambisana. Izincomo zihlanganisa izinhlelo ezibanzi zenhlala-kahle yedijithali, ukuqeqeshwa okuhleliwe kothisha, kanye nezinqubomgomo zezikhungo ezikhuthaza ukuhlanganiswa okulinganiselayo kobuchwepheshe ngokwezemfundo ezimeni zemfundo yamabanga aphezulu eNingizimu Afrika.; Phuputso ena ea bongata (quantitative study) e ile ea fuputsa kamano lipakeng tsa tšebeliso ea li-social media le katleho ea thuto har'a baithuti ba likolo tse mahareng tsa KwaZulu-Natal. Ho sebelisoa mokhoa oa lipatlisiso o hlalosang le o amanyang (descriptive-correlational approach), lintlha li ile tsa bokelloa ho baithuti ba 300 ba tsoang likolong tse tharo tse mahareng ka lipotso tse hlophisitsoeng, ho ile ha fumanoa tekanyo ea karabo ea 85.7%. Liphetho li senotse mekhoa e matla ea ho sebelisa li-social media, moo 47.7% ea bankakarolo ba qetang lihora tse fetang tse peli ka letsatsi li-platform tsa marang-rang matsatsing a sekolo, e nyolohela ho 64% mafelong a beke. WhatsApp e etelletse pele tšebelisong ea platform ka 95.7%, e lateloe ke TikTok ka 66% le YouTube ka 63%. Mekhoa e tšoenyang e ile ea hlaha, ka 66.3% ea baithuti ba hlahlobang li-platform makhetlo a fetang a mahlano ka letsatsi le 66.4% ba sebelisa marang-rang bosiu ka mor'a hora ea leshome (10 PM). Tlhahlobo ea lipalo-palo (statistical analysis) e bontšitse likamano tse khahlanong le tse bohlokoa lipakeng tsa mekhoa ea tšebeliso ea li-social media le litekanyo tsa katleho ea thuto. Tšebeliso ea letsatsi le letsatsi e ile ea amana ka matla le phello ea nako ea ho ithuta (r = .456, p < .01) le tšitiso ea mosebetsi oa lapeng (r = .523, p < .01). Tlhahlobo e ngata ea kheloho (multiple regression analysis) e senotse hore lintho tse amanang le li-social media li hlalositse 42.1% ea phapang ea katleho ea thuto, ka tšebeliso ea letsatsi le letsatsi e le ponelopele e matla (β = .423, p < .001). Liphetoho tsa limaraka li bontšitse tekanyo e tšoenyang ea 2:1 ea ho theoha ho ea ho ntlafatso (29.3% ho fapaneng le 15%). Leha 66% ea baithuti ba lemoha phello e mpe ea li-social media thutong, tšebeliso ea maano a taolo e ile ea lula e lekanyelitsoe. Ke 22% feela ea neng a sebelisa kamehla meeli ea nako kapa taolo ea tsebiso (notification management), e senolang lekhalo le leholo lipakeng sa tsebo le ketso. Mekhoa ea tšebeliso ea thuto e ne e lekanyelitsoe, ka 29.3% feela ea baithuti ba tlalehang ho sebelisa li-platform tsa li-social media kamehla ka merero ea thuto. Phuputso e ile ea khetholla karohano ea setsi (institutional disconnection), moo 62.4% ea baithuti ba tlalehang ho kopanngoa ho lekanyelitsoeng ha li-social media ke matichere mesebetsing ea ho ithuta. Monyetla oa tšebelisano (collaborative potential) o ile oa fumana kananelo e matla ka tumellano ea 56.3%, ha phello ea khothatso (motivational impact) e ne e le mpe haholo ka ho se lumellane ha 52%. Liphetho tsena li fana ka bopaki bo tšehetsang bo keneleng pele bo lebisitsoeng ho digital literacy bo ntlafatsang bokhoni ba ho itaola ha bo ntse bo sebelisa melemo ea tšebelisano. Likhothaletso li kenyelletsa mananeo a batsi a boiketlo ba dijithale (digital well-being programmes), koetliso e hlophisitsoeng ea matichere, le maano a setsi a khothalletsang kopanyo e leka-lekaneng ea theknoloji thutong maemong a thuto e mahareng ea Afrika Boroa. Text in English with abstracts in Zulu and Sesotho

Prevalence of mites and associated risk factors in village chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) of Libode in Nyandeni Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Prevalence of mites and associated risk factors in village chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) of Libode in Nyandeni Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa Ngombane, Mvelisi Background: Farming poultry chicken sustains the livelihoods in rural areas where chickens are used as source of proteins and to generate extra income. However, there is an increase of chicken-related health problems in rural poultry which are mostly caused by ectoparasite. Hence, there is a critical need to conduct comparative studies in rural villages to manage the spread of ectoparasite in backyard poultry systems. The study was conducted at six villages located in the Nyandeni Local Municipality (Nyandeni LM), which is part of the OR Tambo District Municipality. These villages are Coza, Ethumbeni, Luthubeni, Mjobeni, Mhlanganisweni-B and Phezukwamawa. Methodology: A cross-sectional epidemiological questionnaire was done to assess the farmers’ chicken farming system, knowledge of ectoparasite infestation and their remedies to treat mites and lice. Screening for mites and lice involved a thorough examination of the chicken’s visible affected areas. Samples were identified following standard parasitological methods and examined under stereo microscope. Results: About 197 chickens (70 males and 127 females) were examined from six Nyandeni villages in the Eastern Cape Province. The overall prevalence of mites recorded was 14.7% (95% Cl =39-46) among 197 poultry farmers examined. More than 15.7% of chickens were infested with lice while 14.7% infestation was due to mites. Of the insecticide used to control the mites and lice, 21% was Madubula followed by Bulala Zonke (15.5%), Blue Death (11%), and Karbadust (8%), and about 90% of farmers agreed that these remedies are reliable with no side effect. The lowest prevalence of mite infestation was in Mjobeni with the prevalence of 7.1% (95% CI = 0-23). The highest prevalence of mite infestation was in Coza with 25.0% (95% CI = 6-47). The difference in overall prevalence between male and female chickens was statistically significant (p ˂ 0.05). In addition, the prevalence of mites and lice infestation was higher in female chickens (mites,18%; lice,18.7%) while male had lower mites (14.4%) and lice (10%) infestations. About 49 chicken farmers participated in the survey with male contributing to 73% and 27% were female. At the time of survey, 14% chicken farmers that were employed and 86% unemployed farmers were fully depending on farming chicken for sustenance and extra cash. Chicken farmers had clear knowledge of mites and lice and the use of alternative method to control the spread of ectoparasite. Conclusion: The prevalence of these mites and lice in the rural villages is the confirmation of poor parasite control and management practices. This suggests the need to develop relevant VII control strategies and train chicken farmers on how to prevent ectoparasite infestations in rural village chickens.

Medium and large mammal site use and environmental correlates in riparian habitats of the Western Cape

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Medium and large mammal site use and environmental correlates in riparian habitats of the Western Cape Le Roux, Barbara Anne-Marie Riparian zones are vital for biodiversity and ecosystem health. This study investigated the site use and detection of riparian mammals at two sites in the Breede–Gouritz Water Management Area using camera traps. Multispecies occupancy models were used to evaluate how variation in habitat characteristics such as vegetation and water quality influenced species site use across two sites and seasons. Site use responses varied across species, sites and seasons: both vegetation structure and water-quality covariates were consistently associated with higher site use of species in summer, while in winter the association was weaker. Water quality covariates overall showed more variable, often weaker effects across both seasons. The findings suggest that riparian mammals are possibly more strongly influenced by vegetation structure than by water quality at both study areas. Future research should focus on additional drivers of site use, such as prey availability and diet composition, especially for semi-aquatic species such as African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) and water mongoose (Atilax paludinosis)

Assessing financial management skills among spaza shop owners in Mamelodi Township, South Africa

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Assessing financial management skills among spaza shop owners in Mamelodi Township, South Africa Phiri, Theresa The study assessed informal spaza shop business owners' finance management skills. The assessment may lead to more fluid practical interventions that may help informal businesses to improve their operations, grow and ultimately formalise their businesses. The composite measures for the study were expense tracking skills, cash flow management skills, calculating profit skills and finance skills needs. A new questionnaire was developed because no available instrument perfectly addressed the problem. The choice of methodology in the informal sector is limited, characterised by a lack of resources and databases from which to choose. Therefore, non-probability convenience sampling was employed for the study. The study outcome revealed that spaza shop business owners know the importance of finance management skills. However, there was low confidence and knowledge in accurately executing these tasks, indicating a gap between recognising the value of the skills and applying them in practice.