Welcome to the University of Venda Institutional Repository, an open digital archive of the research output of the University of Venda. Univen IR contains theses and dissertations, research papers as well as conference papers. For further information and assistance please contact Mr Keith Malabi at +27 15 9628564 or +27 15 962 8314 during office hours
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Recent Submissions
Development of Guidelines to Strengthen the Relationship between Western and Indigenous Male Circumcision Practices in Limpopo Province of South Africa
(2026-05-19) Mbara, Fhatuwani Godfrey; Mulaudzi, T. M.; Mudau, A.
The World Health Organization enacted circumcision practice globally in 2007 secondary to the results of a randomized trial study done in 14 African countries, which confirmed 60% partial protection against Human Immunodeficiency Virus transmission. The World Health Organization projected a target of 80% circumcision rate by 2020. However, this target was not achieved globally, with South Africa at a 57% circumcision rate. The current dichotomy of Indigenous and Western circumcision practices has resulted in poor uptake of circumcision, leading to poor implementation of government programs for curbing the Human Immune Deficiency Virus epidemic. Thus, the main objective of this study is to develop context-specific, evidence-based guidelines that strengthen collaboration, mutual understanding, and integration between Western medical male circumcision and indigenous male circumcision practices in Limpopo Province, with the aim of improving safety, cultural acceptability, and uptake of male circumcision services.
To have a thorough grasp of community perspectives and contributing factors, this study used a mixed methods approach to produce guidelines for the dual utilisation of Western and Indigenous male circumcision techniques in Limpopo Province. In this current study, qualitative information was acquired through focus groups and in-depth interviews with parents, young men, healthcare professionals, indigenous healers, and community leaders. In addition, a survey questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data. The findings of the study shows that there exist some negative perceptions about Western male circumcision who believe that it encroaches on the cultural norms that should be strongly preserved. Furthermore, the study shows that there is still a high stigma associated with those who are uncircumcised or circumcised outside the indigenous norms. It was further highlighted that the cost and hygienic factors are becoming more critical when selecting the method of circumcision. This provided nuanced insights into cultural beliefs, social pressures, and health concerns influencing circumcision choices. Quantitative surveys complemented these findings, capturing demographic and statistical information on circumcision uptake, preferences, and perceptions. Using the Precede-Proceed model for developing guidelines for public health interventions, integrating the study findings allowed for a robust analysis of cultural and health-related factors impacting male circumcision in Limpopo Province.
The current study findings highlight a complex interplay of cultural traditions,
healthcare access, and community education as determinants in circumcision choices. Low uptake of male circumcision was often attributed to a lack of trust in medical facilities, misinformation, and a preference for indigenous methods rooted in cultural identity. Based on these findings, a SWOT analysis model was employed to develop practical guidelines promoting collaboration between indigenous leaders and healthcare providers, aiming to bridge the cultural and medical aspects of circumcision. These guidelines provide a framework for improving communication, enhancing community education, and ensuring safer practices, offering a model for integrating indigenous and western healthcare practices in culturally diverse settings.
Understanding the negative impacts and benefits of invasive alien populus Alba L: implications for management in South Africa
(2026-05-19) Tlaamela, Dikonketso Margaret; Tshisikhawe, M. P.; Swanepoel, L. H.; Rahlo, S. J.
Populus alba is an alien tree species that has become invasive in South Africa. Its native region ranges from Asia, Europe, and North Africa, and it was introduced to South Africa as an ornamental plant. However, the species has been reported to escape cultivation, posing threats to native biodiversity and agricultural productivity in the country. This study aimed to address several challenges related to control methods for P. alba. Firstly, a systematic review was conducted to collate information on the ecology of P. alba from peer-reviewed published literature using Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. The review revealed 2767 records with 254 relevant publications included for retrieval. This encompassed nine parameters, including different taxonomic levels, environmental conditions, distributions, and threats. Most publications focused on habitat conditions (25.61%), followed by benefits (24.94%). The systematic review revealed that P. alba can establish in varying climate and habitat conditions and has both negative and positive impacts in some regions.
Secondly, a species distribution model (SDM) was developed to determine the potential suitability of P. alba in South Africa under current and future climate scenarios (2041-2060 and 2061-2080). The model predictions under current climate data projected high suitability across the country, except for Northern Cape Province. The predictions of P. alba under the future climate for 2050 indicate higher suitability levels across Gauteng, Northwest, and Mpumalanga provinces. There was a reduction in suitability in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng provinces in 2070.
Ground-truthing was conducted to validate model predictions and identify new infestations in Limpopo Province. It revealed 26 new P. alba populations that were hence incorporated in the distribution map. Thirdly, semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data on its introduction and dispersal pathways, benefits, negative impacts, and management efforts. Interviews with varying stakeholders, including experts and indigenous and local communities (IPLCs), were conducted in-person and on Google Forms platforms with the aid of a questionnaire. The number of responses per question
was 13 for introduction pathways, 15 for dispersal pathways, 13 for negative impacts, 33 for benefits, and 5 for management attempts. The most dominant pathways for introduction and dispersal were intentional use (10) and natural dispersal (11), respectively. Some participants perceived P. alba as an important species with no negative impacts in their regions (12), while others mentioned its competitive behaviour (12) and high-water use (11). The most dominant benefits of P. alba were firewood production (9), roofing, and matchstick production (7 each).
Fourthly, the current distribution of P. alba was mapped using the occurrence records from online databases [Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), Southern African Plant Invaders Atlas (SAPIA)], herbarium records, and records obtained from ground truthing. Most populations were reported in Mpumalanga, Gauteng and Limpopo provinces. These records ranged from 1968 to 2024, with most records reported in 1969 (65). In terms of biomes, most populations were distributed in the Grassland (167), followed by the Savanna (141).
Lastly, possible control methods were discussed to develop an adaptive management plan for Populus alba in South Africa. The possible control methods, in compliance with the legal framework, inter alia, the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act No. 43, 1983), National Environment Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10, 2004), The Fertiliser, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stick Remedies Act, 1947 (Act No. 36,1947), were discussed. These resulted in four control methods, including mechanical, chemical, burning, and biological control. There are no registered pesticides and biological agents to control P. alba in South Africa. Mechanical control results in resprouts, but it becomes effective when used in combination with chemical control.
Multiscale Modelling of Hepatic Viral Infection
(2026-05-19) Ogunfowote, Oladele Toyis; Muzhinji, K.; Garira, W.
The multiscale modelling of hepatic viral infection was introduced in this work and various approaches
were carried out to contribute effectively to the control and eradication of viral hepatitis in sub-saharan
Africa. A nested multiscale model was developed by applying the Replication-Transmission Theory at
the cell level of biological organisation. In addition, a hybrid model was developed with the inclusion of
the life-cycle of the pathogen which represents the within-cell submodel of the nested multiscale model
and the comparative analysis of the two models were carried out. Stochasticity was incorporated into the
nested multiscale modeling and it was analysed mathematically and computationally to understand their
effects and influences on the control and eradication of the pathogen in the study of infectious disease
systems. The mathematical and numerical analysis of various models developed were carried out and
the effects of within-scale were analysed to justify the preferability of multiscale model over single scale
model of infectious disease system. The heterogeneity of the models were also considered by introducing
stochasticity to the multiscale model addresses the problem of the emergence of resistance in the treatment
of viral heptitis as well as drug resistance. Throughout the study, the focus was on process-based multiscale
modeling, which is rooted in the Replication-Transmission Relativity Theory. This approach aimed
to determine the suitability of nested multiscale models compared to hybrid models for a comprehensive
and detailed understanding of multiscale modelling in hepatic viral infection studies. The multiscale models
developed have the potential to assess the efficacy of control and preventive interventions, especially
when integrated with mechanism-based multiscale modelling of hepatic viral infections. The formulated
models showed that the within-cell time scale, the between-cell time scale and the age of infection should
be taken into consideration in the formulation of a model that will incorporate both medical and health
interventions for the effective treatment of hepatic viral infections. This study gives a better description
of dynamics of the disease with significant complex behaviours observed at different level of biological
organisation compared to when the dynamics of the disease is investigated at only one time scale.
Development of greener preconcentration and extraction techniques using emerging solvents and alternative sorbents for pesticide analysis
(2026-05-19) Musarurwa, Herbert; Selahle, S. K.; Madala, N. E.; Tavengwa, N. T.; Mokgehle, T. M.
The increase in the human population has placed a serious strain on global food security. In an effort to restore food security, the agricultural sector has increased its use of pesticides to mitigate pest damage to crop yields. As a result, pesticides are widely present in food products and the environment, posing serious health risks. The problem is aggravated by the fact that pesticides can have detrimental effects on living organisms even at trace concentrations. This realization prompted regulatory agencies and food safety authorities to place significant emphasis on developing effective green sample preparation techniques for the enrichment of pesticides prior to instrumental analysis. Thus, various green micro-extraction techniques, such as Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction (DLLME), Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction (SBSE), Thin Film Microextraction (TFME), and Quick Easy Cheap Effective Rugged Safe (QuEChERS), have been developed. Most of these techniques use organic solvents at microliter levels. Some organic solvents are toxic and persistent in the environment. Consequently, they may enter food chains, where they may undergo bioaccumulation, leading to concentrations exceeding the maximum allowable limits. Thus, the toxicity of organic solvents is a major factor that motivated the development of microextraction techniques that use alternative green solvents in this research. On the other hand, the commercial sorbents used in different formats of solid phase microextraction are prohibitively expensive, and some are not eco-friendly. This puts a deep dent in the greenness of these micro-extraction techniques. The environmental sustainability of microextraction techniques can be enhanced by utilizing green, emerging solvents and sorbents, which is the primary focus of this study. The successive paragraphs summarize the findings of this study.
Firstly, a novel medicine dropper-assisted solvent bar micro-extraction (MD-SBME) method was developed, utilizing the meltdown layer of a facemask (MLF) as a solvent holder. A hydrophobic natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) made from thymol and menthol was used as the extraction solvent during the MD-SBME analysis of imidacloprid pesticide in fruit samples. Under the optimum conditions, detection and quantification limits were in the range of 0.007 – 0.02 μg g-1 and 0.02 – 0.069 μg g-1, respectively. The correlation of determinations (R2) for pineapple, pear, and apple samples were 0.9986, 0.9982, and 0.9973, respectively, and the extraction recoveries ranged from 72 – 110%. Good precision was achieved when the developed method was applied to real sample analysis, with all %RSD values less than 5%. The greenness of the MD-SBME technique was evaluated using the ComplexMoGapi algorithm, yielding a total score of 85. A total score of 65 was obtained when the practicality of the MD-SBME procedure was evaluated using the BAGI metric tool. Thus, the technique has good greenness and practicality profiles.
Secondly, a novel chemical mop-based solvent bar micro-extraction (CM-SBME) method was developed, utilizing a polyester dish sponge (PDS) as the solvent holder for extraction. The limits of detection of the pesticides in the milk samples, under optimal conditions, were found to be in the range of 0.014 –0.03 mg L-1. The limits of quantification for the pesticides in the milk samples ranged from 0.045 to 0.096 mg L-1, while percentage extraction recoveries ranged from 72% to 90% for glyphosate and from 72% to 95.6% for fenitrothion. The CM-SBME procedure was evaluated using the Blue Applicability Grade Index (BAGI) and the Analytical Greenness Metric for Sample Preparation (AGREEprep) algorithms to assess practicality and greenness, respectively. Overall scores of 0.71 and 62.5 were obtained for AGREEprep and BAGI, respectively. These were relatively good scores, indicating that the developed CM-SBME procedure had a favorable green profile and practicality.
Lastly, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were utilized in this research to modify cellulose acetate cigarette filters (CFs), which were then employed as adsorbents during microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) for chlorpyrifos and fenitrothion in vegetable samples. Under optimum conditions, the developed DES-modified CF–based MEPS method was used to analyse chlorpyrifos and fenitrothion residues in cucumber and tomato samples. The LODs of fenitrothion and chlorpyrifos in the vegetable samples ranged from 0.05 μg g-1 - 0.10 μg g-1, while the LOQs ranged from 0.08 - 0.29 μg g-1. The percentage extraction recoveries (%ER) ranged from 74.8% to 81.5% for chlorpyrifos and from 79.5% to 90.3% for fenitrothion. These were satisfactory %ER values that demonstrated the high efficiency of the DES-modified CF-based MEPS technique. The intra-day %RSDs for the pesticides in the vegetable samples ranged from 1.76% to 8.22%, while the inter-day %RSDs ranged from 7.48% to 9.03%. The developed method, therefore, demonstrated acceptable precision and reproducibility. The greenness of the DES-modified CF–based MEPS procedure was evaluated using ComplexGAPI and AGREE metric tools. The complexGAPI pictogram was dominated by yellow and green colours, with very few sections featuring red, and its overall AGREE score is 0.72. This indicates a high degree of greenness.
An implementation framework to address spatial planning constraints in the former Venda homeland, South Africa (1979-2023)
(2026-05-19) Nyamwanza, Shylet Anesu; Chakwizira, James; Beattie, Michelle; Ingwani, Emaculate
The spatial planning legacy of colonialism remains visible in both the global north and south, though it manifests in profoundly different ways. In many African cities, the institutional and administrative arrangements imposed during colonial rule continue to shape the spatial structure, settlement patterns, and everyday urban interactions and lived experiences. In South Africa, spatial segregation through the creation of homelands, or Bantustans, produced a discriminatory spatial planning landscape legacy whose effects remain deeply embedded in contemporary development outcomes. Addressing the spatial planning constraints that persist in these areas is essential for reducing inequalities and advancing sustainable development in the 21st century. However, in the former Venda homeland, the absence of a spatial planning implementation framework to address long-standing spatial planning constraints has perpetuated spatial inequalities. The aim of the study was to develop an implementation framework that addresses spatial planning constraints in the former Venda homeland. The study’s objectives were: (i) To review evidence on spatial planning constraints with implications for policy in historically marginalised areas (ii) To examine spatio-temporal patterns of built-up change in the former Venda homeland across spatial planning regimes (iii) To explore the experiences of utilising spatial planning tools to facilitate development in the former Venda homeland; and (iv) To develop an implementation framework that responds to these spatial planning constraints. The study adopted an interpretivist paradigm and employed a qualitative research design to generate an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences and institutional dynamics shaping spatial planning in the area. The research was primarily informed by the left-behind places theory as the overarching theoretical lens. Data was collected through 11 in-depth key informant interviews with government officials (municipal, provincial, and national) and traditional leaders who played central roles in spatial planning within the former Venda homeland, complemented by a spatio-temporal analysis of built-up change and a structured, evidence-based analytical review of spatial planning constraints in historically marginalised areas. An inductive and iterative data analysis process using reflexive thematic analysis was employed. The findings of the study contribute to knowledge on spatial planning in uneven geographies by providing empirically grounded insights into planning practices within such contexts, extending the application of left-behind places theory within an African rural setting, and highlighting operational gaps in spatial planning implementation. The findings informed the development of a Context Attuned Spatial Planning Implementation (CASPI) framework, which provides a context-specific and practice-oriented approach to addressing spatial planning constraints in historically marginalised areas.