UWC Spring Graduation |

20 SEPTEMBER 2024 14H30

MISSION STATEMENT

The University of the Western Cape is a national university, alert to its African and international context as it strives to be a place of quality, a place to grow. It is committed to excellence in teaching, learning and research, to nurturing the cultural diversity of South Africa, and to responding in critical and creative ways to the needs of a society in transition.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHANCELLOR

Dear Graduands,

Welcome to this graduation ceremony! Today is all about you, our graduands—this is the day you have all been working towards. We, all of us in the university community, are ﬁlled with pride and gratitude, not just for you, but for everyone who has supported you along the way, especially your parents, guardians and other loved ones. Today marks the culmination of years of dedication, hard work and perseverance. Congratulations on your achievement!

But now you may ask, what comes next? Some of you may already have an answer to that question. Perhaps you have secured a job, taken the first steps in a profession, or are planning to continue your studies. For others, the future may still be taking shape. No matter what path you choose, I encourage you to recognise the tremendous significance of what you have accomplished here at UWC. Transitioning from a UWC student to a UWC graduate is no easy task, and your success today should be a source of pride as you look forward to the future. As you sit here in the Jakes Gerwel Hall, take a moment to think back on your journey. Remember that first day on campus, the nerves before your first lecture, and the challenges you faced along the way. There were probably times when you wondered if all the effort would be worth it. But look at you now, donning your cap and gown, standing tall as proof that determination and hard work truly do pay off

As you step into the future, remember the lessons you learned during your studies. The perseverance and resilience you have developed will serve you well, no matter which path you choose. The world you are entering is full of possibilities, and it needs people like you—driven by passion, guided by integrity, and committed to making a positive impact. Always remember, the spirit of Ubuntu is at the heart of UWC. Our humanity is interconnected, and we are at our best when we work together for the greater good. You are not just graduates of a university; you are ambassadors of a shared mission to create a more just and equitable world.

Congratulations once again on your extraordinary achievement. We are incredibly proud of you, and we are excited to see the difference you will make in the world.

THE MOST REVEREND DR THABO CECIL MAKGOBA UWC CHANCELLOR

Dear Graduands,

MESSAGE FROM THE RECTOR

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Today’s graduation ceremony at the University of the Western Cape is more than just a celebration of your academic success; it is also a powerful testimony to your determination and resilience. As we reﬂect on the uncertainty that we all faced just a few years ago, it is even more meaningful that we are here today, in person, celebrating your achievements. The obstacles you have encountered—whether adapting to new ways of learning or navigating a rapidly changing world—have only made you stronger.

This adaptability has also been mirrored by UWC itself, as the university continues to push boundaries and forge new paths. From our pioneering research in sustainable development and renewable energy to expanding our global partnerships, we have solidified our position as a leader in addressing some of the world’s most pressing issues. Our campus is a hub of innovation, where ideas are not just confined to paper but are transformed into actions that make a tangible difference. As you stand on the brink of the next chapter of your life, take with you the lessons you have learned here at UWC. You have shown that you can thrive in the face of adversity, and this strength will serve you well in the years to come. Remember, the knowledge and skills you have gained here are not just for your benefit—they are tools that you can use to contribute to a better, more just world. My message to you is this: whatever path you choose, follow your passion, even when the road seems winding. Work hard, enjoy the journey, and stay alert to the changes in the world around you—they bring new opportunities, but also challenges. Keep your mind open to the possibilities that lie ahead.

One last thing—graduation doesn’t necessarily mean goodbye. As UWC alumni, I hope that you will stay connected to UWC—your alma mater. UWC will always be a place where extraordinary and diverse people come together, so make the most of the opportunities to remain active and engaged in our community. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of you. Step forward with conﬁdence, knowing that you have the tools, the support, and the determination to succeed.

Congratulations, and I wish you well on your journey ahead!

PROF. TYRONE PRETORIUS RECTOR AND VICE-CHANCELLOR

UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE FACTS AND FIGURES

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HISTORIC MILESTONES

UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE

1960: The University College of the Western Cape opens its doors.

1970: The institution gains independent university status and is allowed to award its own degrees and diplomas.

1975: Prof Richard van der Ross is appointed as UWC’s ﬁrst black Rector.

1978: UWC’s Cape Flats Nature Reserve is declared a National Monument (now known as a provincial heritage site).

1987: New Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Jakes Gerwel, declares UWC as the ‘university of the left’. The University deracialises and opens its doors to African students.

UWC inaugurates its longest-serving Chancellor, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who would serve for more than 25 years.

1990: UWC becomes the ﬁrst university to award the late President Mandela an honorary doctorate upon his release from prison.

1994: Many academics from UWC join President Mandela’s government and are appointed to ministerial and advisory positions, including its Rector, Prof Gerwel, who became the Director-General in the Presidency.

UWC’s leadership takes part in writing the higher education policy for the incoming government. The South African interim Constitution and ﬁnal Constitution are drafted at UWC.

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1995: UWC launches its ﬁrst website – joining the internet age before other universities in the Mother City.

UWC launches the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS) to engage in research, training, policy development and advocacy in relation to land reform, rural governance and natural resource management.

2002: Under the leadership of Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Brian O’Connell, UWC successfully resists being merged. Instead, its Dentistry Faculty is merged with that of the University of Stellenbosch, making UWC the only dentistry faculty in the Western Cape.

2010: 10 SARChI chairs awarded to UWC, the highest number awarded to any university in SA that year (as of 2018, UWC hosts 17 SARChI Chairs).

2012: UWC launches its Technology Transfer Office to help promote the development and protection of the intellectual property of the University’s research community, staff and students.

UWC is declared Africa’s Greenest Campus in the inaugural African Green Campus Initiative Challenge.

2013: UWC signs the Berlin Declaration on Open Access in the Sciences and Humanities, joining hundreds of institutions around the world dedicated to supporting the principles of open access and working to achieve openness in publicly funded projects.

HISTORIC MILESTONES

UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE

2015: Prof Tyrone Pretorius is inaugurated as the new Rector and Vice-Chancellor.

2016: UWC’s Centre for Humanities Research is awarded the Flagship on Critical Thought in African Humanities by the NRF.

UWC is ranked number 1 in Physical Science – not just in South Africa, but for Africa as a whole – in the 2016 Nature Index.

2017: A group of UWC students, led by Prof Nico Orce, conduct the second major African-led experiment at the CERN laboratory in Switzerland.

UWC’s former Vice-Chancellor, Prof Brian O’Connell, receives the National Research Foundation’s highest honour, the NRF Lifetime Achievement Award.

2018: The Faculty of Dentistry launches a state-of-the-art video conferencing system that allows students to watch live surgeries in class or at home – a ﬁrst for South Africa.

2019: UWC Rugby makes its historical debut in the Varsity Cup, by becoming the ﬁrst team from an historically disadvantaged institution to qualify for the competition.

2020: UWC’s South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI), in collaboration with researchers from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), sequenced the ﬁrst SARS-COV-2 genome in South Africa, providing a

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genetic “ﬁngerprint” helped us understand - and contain - the spread of COVID-19.

UWC celebrates its 60th anniversary.

2022: Professor Russell H Kaschula is appointed as the Research Chair in Forensic Linguistics and Multilingualism – a ﬁrst in Africa.

The UWC Main Hall is renamed the Jakes Gerwel Hall to honour this iconic leader.

2023: Professor Marion Keim is appointed as the UNESCO Chair for Sport, Development, Peace and Olympic Education – the ﬁrst ever awarded UNESCO Chair in Sport in Africa

Four signiﬁcant infrastructure projects are completed in 2022 and 2023, including the Education Faculty building on the main campus, the 2700-bed Unibell Residence complex in Belhar, the Centre for Humanities Research building in Woodstock, and the UWC Innovation Hub in Parow.

2024: The ﬁrst year of the full implementation of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme, which provides full bursaries to 250 undergraduate and 250 Master’s students as part of a seven-year agreement.

OFFICE BEARERS

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CHANCELLOR

The Most Reverend Dr TC Makgoba (PhD, Doctorate of Divinity: Hon. Causa)

CHAIR OF COUNCIL

Ms X Daku (LLM, EMBA, MCom)

RECTOR AND VICE-CHANCELLOR

Prof TB Pretorius (BA, BA (Hons), MA, PhD, DPhil)

VICE-RECTORS & DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLORS

Prof S Pather (Acting) (FDE Cmp. Sc., PGDPA, AUDPA, MPA, D.Tech (Information Technology))

Prof J Frantz (BSc, MSc, PhD)

Prof M Madiba (BA (Paed), B.Ed (Hons), B.Ed (Hons), BA (Hons) (English), MA Linguistics (Applied Studies), PhD)

REGISTRAR

Dr N Lawton-Misra (BA, BEd, MEd (Educational Psychology), PhD (Educational Psychology))

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Mr ME Magida (BProc, LLB, LLM)

Mr M Regal (BCom (Hons), CA (SA), M Dev Studies)

OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE DEANS

Prof MK Ralarala (HDE (Arts); BA (Hons); MA; DLitt; PhD)

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Prof A Padmanabhanunni (BA Hons (Psych), MA (Counselling Psych), PhD)

Prof V Yengopal (BChD, BSc (Hons), PGDip, MChD, PhD)

Prof MV Esau (BAdmin, BAdmin (Hons), MAdmin, PhD)

Prof R Govender (BSc; BSc Honours (Mathematics); MEd and PHD (Mathematics Education))

Prof JR De Ville (BCom, LLB, LLD)

Prof D Holgate (BSc, BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD)

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20 SEPTEMBER 2024 | 14H30 PROGRAMME

FACULTY OF COMMUNITY AND HEALTH SCIENCES

FACULTY OF DENTISTRY

FACULTY OF ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS

1. Academic Procession

(THE AUDIENCE IS REQUESTED TO STAND AS THE PROCESSION ENTERS THE HALL)

2. The Chancellor / Vice-Chancellor constitutes the congregation

3. National Anthem

4. Prayer

5. Address: SRC

6. Address: Rector and Vice-Chancellor

7. Item in song

8. Awarding of the Honorary Doctorate

9. Presentation of Graduands to the Chancellor / Vice-Chancellor

10. The Chancellor / Vice-Chancellor dissolves the congregation

11. The Academic Procession leaves the hall

NB: THE AUDIENCE IS REQUESTED TO REMAIN STANDING UNTIL THE PROCESSION HAS LEFT THE HALL.

TIME AND VENUE

GRADUATION CEREMONY 20 SEPTEMBER 2024 (FRIDAY)

UWC CAMPUS 14H30

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

NATIONAL ANTHEM

Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika Maluphakanyisw’ uphondo lwayo, Yizwa imithandazo yethu, Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo.

Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso, O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho, O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso, Setjhaba sa South Afrika – South Afrika.

Uit die blou van onse hemel, Uit die diepte van ons see, Oor ons ewige gebergtes, Waar die kranse antwoord gee,

Sounds the call to come together, And united we shall stand, Let us live and strive for freedom, In South Africa our land.

HENDRIKUS

HONORARY DOCTORATE

RUTGERUS BERNADUS MARIA KUMMELING

Professor Henk Kummeling, Rector Magniﬁcus of Utrecht University in the Netherlands, earned his doctorate in law at Nijmegen, then served as Professor of Constitutional and Administrative Law at Tilburg University and Professor of Constitutional Law at Utrecht University.

Utrecht subsequently appointed him Dean of the Faculty of Law, Economics, Governance and Organisation, and distinguished university professor in the ﬁeld of Comparative Constitutional Law. In 2013, UWC awarded him an extraordinary professorship.

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Prof Kummeling was president of the Dutch Electoral Council, chair of the State Committee on the Rule of Law, and has authored books and articles on numerous subjects including freedom of expression and academic freedom, parliamentary law and electoral law. His passion for education is evident through chairing the committee that introduced the “Utrecht educational model”, teaching in numerous countries and being voted ‘Teacher of the Year’ by law students at Utrecht and Tilburg numerous times.

As Rector Magniﬁcus, Prof Kummeling advocates for and emphasises the importance of interdisciplinarity in research and education, international collaboration, small-scale and intensive education, and the university’s social impact. His goal is to ensure that Utrecht University is a place “with a head AND with a heart”.

FACULTY OF COMMUNITY AND HEALTH SCIENCES

DOCTOR’S DEGREES

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

AZIZA KALAM

Department: OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Supervisor: PROF L HESS-APRIL

Co-supervisor: PROF L WEGNER

Thesis:

Development and implementation of an occupation-based community development programme with women to address the prevention of non-communicable diseases in a low socio-economic community of the Western Cape

Description:

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) lead to the death of 71% of the global population, mostly affecting people living in poverty. NCDs are preventable but result from health-risk factors. This study developed and implemented an occupation-based community development programme to address NCD health-risk factors with women in a low socio-economic area. Participants were 27 women aged 20 to 65 years. Data was gathered via interviews, photovoice, workshops and reﬂective-action sessions. Participants and the researcher developed occupation-based strategies for NCD risk factors. The study showed that occupational therapy using a critical approach in community development practice empowers community members to take charge of their health. Participatory methodologies and de-colonial perspectives must be enacted for occupational justice.

NERISA PILIME

Department: SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Supervisor: PROF R SWART

Co-supervisors: PROF C SCHENCK, PROF M KATUNDU

Thesis:

An evaluation of the impact of care groups in Malawi, Ntchisi District on improving nutrition practices and nutrition outcomes

Description:

Malawi faces multiple malnutrition problems including stunting, wasting, underweight and micronutrient deﬁciencies. The Care Group model is central to the scaling up of nutrition interventions in Malawi. Nerisa explored Care Group implementation ﬁdelity and sustainability post external project support in Malawi. Factors associated with sustainability include volunteer motivation which hinged heavily on the quality and quantity of supervision and support from healthcare professions to build volunteer capacity as well as empowering traditional leadership within each community. Active Care Groups also contributed to improved adoption of exclusive breastfeeding, however, it did not affect the dietary diversity of young children or their mothers in these districts.

FACULTY OF DENTISTRY

DOCTOR’S DEGREES DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

MARK MEYER

Department: ORAL MEDICINE AND PERIODONTICS

Supervisor: PROF M CHETTY

Thesis:

Assessment of pain perception linked to COMT activity in diagnostic groups with temporomandibular joint disorders in a South African population

Description:

Pain affects a significant portion of patients with TMD and research highlights the role of genes in pain perception, specifically the COMT gene. This study aimed to correlate pain perception in TMD patients with COMT gene SNPs in a South African population and assess their impact on psychosocial behavior. 196 participants were enrolled, 97 TMD patients and 99 age, gender, ethnicity-matched controls. Data collection included clinical and radiological investigations and saliva samples for genomic DNA analysis of six COMT SNPs. A higher prevalence of TMD was noted among women and white individuals. Psychological factors were significantly associated with TMD. Two specific COMT SNPs were linked to TMD pain and disability. The study concludes that pain is prevalent in TMD patients, and COMT-gene activity is associated with pain in the South African population.

OMNIA ABDELMONEIM KHIDIR AHMED

Department: PROSTHODONTICS

Supervisor: PROF G GEERTS

Co-supervisor: DR E MABOZA

Thesis:

Towards a novel toothpaste: the effect of gum Arabic-silver nanoparticles on the oral bioﬁlm

Description:

In its objectives to improve oral health in Africa, the WHO encourages development, production, and distribution of affordable, quality oral hygiene products. The aim of this PhD was to provide scientiﬁc evidence on topical efficacy of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against oral microbes and working towards a novel toothpaste incorporating green AgNPs. Sudanese gum Arabic (GA) was sourced to synthesize NPs. Different concentrations were tested for in vitro cytotoxicity and antimicrobial efficacy using, inter alia, MTT and XTT assays. Consequently, the most suitable formulation was combined with commercial toothpaste and again tested. Adding GA-AgNPs to toothpaste increased its antimicrobial effect. Further research is planned to improve biocompatibility by adding biopolymers. This study produced four scientiﬁc publications.

FACULTY OF ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

DOCTOR’S DEGREES

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

BOB BONABO MUNENE

DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Supervisor: DR N SIBINDI

Thesis:

Longevity of family-owned businesses in Uganda

Description:

This study contributes significantly to understanding the longevity of family-owned businesses in Uganda, a context with limited prior research. By integrating the Leadership Succession Model, Stewardship Theory, Organisational Learning Theory, and Resource-Based View Theory, the research highlights the crucial roles of succession planning, organizational learning, and innovation capabilities in sustaining these businesses across generations. Notably, the study identifies innovation as a key mediator, linking organisational learning and family involvement to business longevity. These findings provide critical insights for family businesses in developing countries, offering a strategic model for their continued success. This research lays a robust foundation for future exploration of family business longevity.

LAURENCE BENIDICT CORNER

DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Supervisor: PROF A BAYAT

Thesis:

Beyond Legislation: A Case Study of Transformation in a South African Higher Education Institution

Description:

The study explores the state of transformation of a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in the Western Cape. An important ﬁnding of the study is that transformation driven by a legislative compliance goal is anti-transformational. The study proposes a decolonial transformation framework with speciﬁc dimensions that cut across all the contextually diverse transformation needs of different HEIs. The study further developed an action model that facilitates rigorous broad stakeholder engagement to bring about Decolonial Transformation.

FACULTY OF ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

DOCTOR’S DEGREES DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

SOLOMON ERBA

Department: POLITICAL STUDIES

Supervisor: DR N MATSHANDA

Thesis:

Amhara, Oromo, and Tigray political cultures and challenges of political stability in Ethiopia: 1991-2017

Description:

Solomon’s thesis contributes to our understanding of Almond and Verba’s concept of political culture in an African context. The study investigates the behaviours, attitudes, norms, and traditions of elites within the three dominant ethnic groups of Ethiopia – the Amhara, Oromo and Tigrayans. The ﬁndings show that members of each group are deeply entrenched in their individual cultures, with clear distrust of the political motives of other ethnicities. The study helps to explain why Amhara, Oromo and Tigrayan elites live in the same country and yet produce divergent political interests and how this contributes to endemic political instability in Ethiopia.

THEMBINKOSI MAPHOSA

DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Supervisor: PROF A BAYAT

Co-supervisor: PROF H ANNEGARN

Thesis:

The ﬁnancial sustainability challenges of an energy efficient intervention project in a low-income earning urban community: Lessons from the Kuyasa Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

Description:

The study critically analyzed the financial sustainability of a renewable energy efficiency (REE) project in a low-income community in Kuyasa in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. Using a mixed-methods approach, the researcher assessed the state of the project close to a decade after its inception finding that most households still benefited from the energy intervention. The findings revealed that despite the project’s positive social and environmental impact, it lacked sustainable financial mechanisms, resulting in a negative net present value. The implications for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers are that effective renewable energy efficiency solutions for marginalized communities require integrated solutions to be sustainable where diverse sources of financial support are coupled with holistic development within recipient communities.

FACULTY OF ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

DOCTOR’S DEGREES

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

CHUENE ALFRED SEMONO

DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Supervisor: PROF C IWU

Thesis:

Workplace Diversity Management: Performance implications at a research institution in South Africa

Description:

Chuene’s work was about the implications of workplace diversity management on organisational performance at a research institution in South Africa. He assessed this using a qualitative approach that was guided by two theoretical frameworks, namely Lewin’s change model and Young’s theory of structural injustice. While noting that the EEA was important in eliminating structural and functional exclusion as well as racial discrimination, he found that the EEA affects organisational functionality and structure socially, economically, and politically. He further realised that EEA did not translate into enhanced organisational performance as it led to the appointment of underqualiﬁed individuals simply to meet EEA targets. He recommends that organisations implement workplace diversity management with the EEA as components of the overall organisational strategy.

VALDEMAR JOAO UNDJI

Department: ECONOMICS

Supervisor: PROF J SHEEFENI

Thesis:

Determinants of non-performing loans in Namibia’s banking sector

Description:

The study analysed NPLs in Namibia’s banking sector. Using Principal Component Analysis, Autoregressive Distributive Lag, Vector Autoregressive and Granger causality modelling approaches, the findings revealed: 1) composite measures of the macroeconomic and interest rate indices affect NPLs in both the short and long run, 2) macroeconomic and financial indicators are pivotal in countering credit risk, 3) indicators for early warning of a worsening loan portfolio, originates from a positive shock in NPL itself, followed by the monetary, institutional, bank specific, and the interest rate indicators, 4) macroeconomic and interest rate indicators have a long run causal effect on NPL, while in the short run is the macroeconomic indicators only and 5) the quality of the loan portfolio is forecasted to continue decreasing until the end of the year 2024.

FACULTY OF ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

DOCTOR’S DEGREES DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

MAARTJE JACOBA VAN LEEUWEN

Department: INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Supervisor: DR L CRAFFERT

Co-supervisor: PROF A JACOBS

Thesis:

Digital ageing: how ageism and technology inﬂuences the ageing experience of older adults

Description:

The constant presence of digital technology in daily lives means that the ageing experience has become entangled with digital technology. This PhD by articles explores the manner in which ageism and digital technology interact within the lifeworld of older adults. Through analysis of Dutch-language media, it reveals that older adults are often portrayed in reductive, ageist stereotypes as incapable of digital inclusion. It also investigates the invisibility of older adults in data-driven systems, and proposes the PAR4POA method to address this. Finally, it examines how older adults internalize ageist stereotypes to rationalise digital disengagement, resulting in the Digital Ageism Interplay Model, which highlights the complex interplay between ageism, technology, and lived experiences.

The degree is issued jointly by the University of the Western Cape and Vrije Universiteit Brussels.

TEKLA AMUTENYA

SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT

Supervisor: PROF G DAVIDS

Thesis:

Water provision within sub-Saharan Africa: A case study of Namibia

Description:

This study addresses the global imperative of sustainable water provision, focusing on SubSaharan Africa, where nearly two-thirds of the population faces severe water scarcity, and insufficient water supply. The study adopted a qualitative research paradigm using various data collection techniques, including in-depth interviews with council members and employees of key water institutions, and observations. The ﬁndings highlights multifaceted challenges faced by local authorities, spanning decision-making, leadership and capacity challenges ultimately impacting the efficacy of water service delivery. This research contributes to understanding sustainable water provision challenges and provides actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and scholars in the realm of public administration and water governance.

FACULTY OF ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

DOCTOR’S DEGREES

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

SHAMISO MANDIOMA

INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Supervisor: DR A KARRIEM

Thesis:

Participation as a Developmental Strategy:A Critical Appraisal of Women’s Access to Participation and Experiences in Local Government Structures in the Mazowe Rural District Council in Zimbabwe

Description:

The thesis examines the nature and extent of women’s participation in local government structures in the Mazowe Rural District Council in Zimbabwe. The ﬁndings indicate regular participation of women as voters but very low participation as candidates and officials in local government structures. In addition, women’s participation in local government structures is passive and tokenistic. The study shows that gendered division of household roles, cultural values and a lack of government support inﬂuences the extent of women’s participation at grassroot level. The thesis recommends implementing quota systems at local government level, rolling out capacity building workshops, increasing women access to legal literacy, civil and political education and incorporating gender-based budgeting.

ROSE SALLEMA MTUI

INSTITUTE FOR POVERTY, LAND AND AGRARIAN STUDIES

Supervisor: PROF M ISAACS

Co-supervisor: DR P ONYANGO

Thesis:

Blue Economy Investments and Injustices around Marine Protected Areas: The Case of Mtwara Coast, Tanzania

Description:

The thesis raises critical questions on BE investments for oil and gas exploitation in MPAs and its impact on fishing communities in Mtwara coastal region, Tanzania. It provides rich qualitative and quantitative evidence of BE investments to the state in period from 20052019 and measures the environmental impacts on the marine biodiversity and fishing activities. It draws on concepts of accumulation by dispossession to highlight the displacements of fishing communities by the state for BE development projects. The study found when fishers return to their fishing grounds in MPAs their livelihoods activities are now criminalised and adds to their dispossession. It argues for blue justice for small scale fishers to protect their livelihoods, food and cultural practices from BE investments and conservation.

FACULTY OF ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

DOCTOR’S DEGREES DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

GRACE NKOMO

INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Supervisor: PROF J MAY

Thesis:

Do school food gardens contribute towards food and nutrition security for Primary school aged children? A comparative case study of the beneﬁts of and resources needed for school food gardens using selected schools in Cape Town, South Africa

Description:

In the rural villages along the N2 in the Eastern Cape province, groups of women collects scrap metal and e-waste, transported over 500km, to be sold to scrap metal dealers in Durban. Through a collective case study, the livelihoods of 35 scrap metal collectors were analysed using the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF). The study highlights the multiple innovative strategies employed by the participants to secure their means of subsistence. The study convey the sense of dignity held by the women; they take great pride in their self- employment, their ability to provide for their families. They recognize the importance of the collective support they provide one another. Recommendations are made for the incorporation of the women into local development plans and initiatives.

OLUWASEUN OWOEYE

Department: INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Supervisor: PROF O JOKONYA

Thesis:

Towards a framework for improving unstructured supplementary data service (ussd) technology adoption for digital ﬁnancial services

Description:

Owoeye’s study examines the role of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) technology in enhancing digital financial inclusion in Nigeria. The study is set against increasing mobile technology adoption in developing countries, where USSD technology has been pivotal in facilitating digital financial services (DFS). By developing a USSD technology adoption framework, the study aims to provide insights into the factors influencing consumer decisions. The study employed a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data. The study contributes to the field of Information Systems by providing a new framework for understanding USSD technology adoption.

FACULTY OF ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

DOCTOR’S DEGREES

DOCTOR OF

PHILOSOPHY

SIVENKOSI ARETHA RASHE

SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT

Supervisor: PROF G RUITERS

Thesis:

The politics of coordination in the Western Cape: The case of the National, Provincial and local government: 2010 - 2018

Description:

Sivenkosi Rashe’s Phd critically analysed the complexities of coordination and alignment of policies within the context of South Africa’s complex and often contradictory intergovernmental system. Based on intensive interviews with government officials, the thesis focuses on the politics of multi-level coordination in the Western Cape. It provides a comprehensive exploration of how managers reshape both power dynamics and navigate formal rules across different geographical scales – from national to provincial to local. The thesis shows that strong informal ties between key managers based on mutual respect allow for more effective coordination than hierarchy and prescription. The paper argues that in the Western Cape, compliance often takes precedence over the actual substance of issues.

STELLA MUMBI ZULU-NWANKWO

DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Supervisor: PROF R SHAMBARE

Co-supervisor: PROF Z NYANDORO

Thesis:

The effect of informal iChilimba ﬁnance societies on the growth of microbusinesses in Lusaka, Zambia

Description:

The qualitative research study examined the inﬂuence of the Ubuntu philosophy within women’s participation in social networks and social capital formation in the iChilimba rotating and saving schemes in Lusaka, Zambia. Women’s social networks and the Ubuntu social capital formation enabled women to engage in entrepreneurial activities and the growth of women-owned microbusinesses. Women engage in life changing entrepreneurial activities and improvement of the quality of life through accessing informal ﬁnance. The study developed the iChilimba Empowerment Framework for Women Entrepreneurs.

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

DOCTOR’S DEGREES DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

KAYLIANNE APLOON-ZOKUFA

INSTITUTE FOR POST SCHOOL STUDIES

Supervisor: PROF Z GROENER

Co-supervisor: PROF J PAPIER

Thesis:

Patched Pathways, Dead End Dreams: Articulation and Access to Higher Education for Mature Women in Early Childhood Development

Description:

In this detailed study, Kaylianne Aploon-Zokufa gathered extensive qualitative and quantitative data to explore the trajectories and aspirations of mature adult black women who had completed Early Childhood Development training at TVET colleges in South Africa. Using a narrative life history methodology, her research revealed the factors that promoted and impeded these women’s access to university, as well as the many ways in which broader social and economic factors in post-apartheid South Africa impacted on their life chances and choices. Her study showed how issues of race, class, gender, and their intersections, shaped these mature women’s lived experiences. Ms Aploon-Zokufa’s research offers fresh insights into problems manifest across the globe where barriers to education access and limited institutional articulation are evident.

MARISSA DE WEE

INSTITUTE FOR POST SCHOOL STUDIES

Supervisor: PROF J PAPIER

Co-supervisor: DR P JACOBS

Thesis:

Exploring the design and implementation of an entrance readiness assessment and its relationship with performance outcomes among ﬁrst year TVET college students

Description:

The aim of Marissa Persens De Wee’s study was to explore the development of an appropriate entry-level readiness assessment for first-year TVET college students and to examine how their profiles at entry might relate to performance. Using a pragmatic approach and a convergent parallel research design, an internationally tested model was applied as a framework into which expert local input was integrated to produce an alternative instrument. Qualitative and quantitative data were juxtaposed with first-year students’ performance outcomes, and statistical analyses conducted that indicated how significant variables were related to performance. Ms Persens De Wee’s research ultimately revealed the many taken-for-granted assumptions about TVET college students that require ongoing interrogation, and that would assist with tailoring interventions to contextual realities rather than relying on what may be outdated norms and stereotypes.

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

DOCTOR’S DEGREES

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

SAMANTHA MELISSA HOFFMAN

Department: EDUCATIONAL STUDIES

Supervisor: PROF R MAARMAN

Thesis:

A case study exploring teachers’ perceptions of capability enhancement in South African schooling: towards quality education

Description:

The absence of a shared understanding of quality education for South African schools, prompted Hoffman to apply the capability approach of Amartya Sen to investigate the productive qualities of teachers. Probing the voices of teachers in the quality education discourse enabled Hoffman to unpack the nexus of the capability sets of teachers and the modalities of quality education. The study revealed that limitations put on teachers’ voices rendered the understanding of quality education a bureacratic discourse instead of a transformational idea and surpresses evaluative reasoning and the pursuit of interconnected teaching and learning freedoms in schools. Hoffman developed a framework to foreground teachers’ voices towards quality education in schools.

ADHIR HURJUNLAL

Department: EDUCATIONAL STUDIES

Supervisor: PROF J PAPIER

Co-supervisor: DR P JACOBS

Thesis:

Exploring competence development through the transfer of specialist knowledge and skills from engineering lecturers to students in South African Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges: A COMET study

Description:

Adhir Hurjunlal’s doctoral study investigated the potential of the COMET diagnostic model of competence development to assist college lecturers in transferring skills and competencies to their students by applying the dynamics of the model and through various pedagogical strategies. Achieving holistic problem-solving competence is a fundamental goal of the COMET framework and is embedded in eight competence criteria that focus on complex, work-related problems. A mixed-method, explanatory sequential design was adopted to measure the occupational competence of TVET students and lecturers. Through systematic analysis of the data, Mr Hurjunlal’s study demonstrated areas in which areas of learning transfer were strong, as well as those that could be enhanced by applying the COMET model pedagogy. The evidence also indicated that a variety of strategies are used to enhance transfer, but they are most effective when integrated or used interchangeably.

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

DOCTOR’S DEGREES DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

THEMBISA SELDA KOSI

Department: LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT

Supervisor: PROF V NOMLOMO

Thesis:

Cross-curricular connections: The use of an Integrated and Theme-Based Approach for Grade 3 IsiXhosa Home Language Literacy in selected Western Cape Primary schools

Description:

Drawing on constructivist and interactionist theories, Ms. Kosi’s qualitative study investigated the use of the integrated and theme-based approach (ITBA) in IsiXhosa home language literacy in two selected Grade 3 classrooms in the Western Cape province. The data collection methods included semi-structured interviews with teachers, classroom observations, and document analysis. The key ﬁndings revealed that teachers had a limited understanding of ITBA, and the use of context and text-based themes contributed positively to learning. The study concludes that interactive and engaging instructional strategies and resources are crucial for effective ITBA implementation. It recommends a model for ITBA implementation and the enhancement of pre- and in-service teacher development programmes.

KEITH LONG

Department: EDUCATIONAL STUDIES

Supervisor: DR K KOOPMAN

Co-supervisor: PROF J SMITH

Thesis:

A phenomenological investigation into the lived experiences of selected high school principals focussing on the school as a learning organisation

Description:

This study explores the lived experiences of principals carrying out their strategic leadership responsibilities in leading their schools towards becoming learning organisations. This study draws on the foundational principles of Husserl’s transcendental (descriptive) phenomenology and Heidegger’s hermeneutical (interpretive) phenomenology. These two distinctly different schools of thought in phenomenology integrates with Senge’s ﬁve disciplines provided insight into developing an understanding of the lived experiences of the principals. The study provides guidelines to the WCED about policy and procedures to develop principals as strategic leaders in promoting schools as learning organisations.

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

DOCTOR’S DEGREES

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

ALEXANDRA CLAIRE NOBLE

INSTITUTE FOR POST SCHOOL STUDIES

Supervisor: PROF V BOZALEK

Co-supervisor: PROF D GACHAGO

Thesis:

(Re)conﬁguring socially just pedagogies with posthumanism and decoloniality: Experimenting with processual learning in the Architectural Technology extended curriculum programme in the Western Cape, South Africa

Description:

This thesis investigates the potential of processual learning to challenge conventional architectural education paradigms and foster transformative learning experiences in the Architectural Technology extended curriculum programme in South Africa. The study aimed to capacitate socially conscious architectural practitioners, capable of contributing to the improvement of human settlements and the built environment. Using posthuman and decolonial theories, the study employed postqualitative research practices and researchcreation inquiry to gather data from three experiential, artful and experimentally open pedagogical interventions. The signiﬁcance of the research lies in its potential for tackling local and global challenges faced by practitioners in this rapidly changing world.

INSTITUTE FOR POST SCHOOL STUDIES

Supervisor: PROF P LANGA

Thesis:

Exploring Trajectories of Success in Research and Innovation: A Comparative Study of Women in Academic Careers in South Africa and Sweden

Description:

This study examines factors affecting women’s academic success in South Africa and Sweden using constructivist grounded theory, qualitative methods and data analysis. In both study settings, women’s career success relied on their characteristics and proactive behaviours. Successful women, full professors, have a typical proﬁle: passion for work, meaningful contribution, autonomy, creativity, self-expression, and ﬂexible schedules for family life. These inherent motivations enable resilience, adaptability, and proactive career management behaviours, even in a constrained environment.

IVETE SALOMAO NHANTUMBO TEMBE

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

DOCTOR’S DEGREES DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

VANESSA ANNABEL EDWINA VAN STADEN

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

Supervisor: DR K LANGENHOVEN

Thesis:

Exploring storytelling as a pedagogy to enhance preservice Life Sciences teachers’ understanding of Inquiry-Based Science Education

Description:

Participatory action research study, evaluated preservice Life Sciences teachers’ use of storytelling as a pedagogy, to enhance Inquiry-Based Science Education. The study focussed on integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science cosmologies. The selected ﬁeld study theme was, river ecology, and Contiguity Argumentation Theory was applied as an analytical and sociocultural theory. A Dialogical Argumentation Instuctional Model was used as an intervention instrument to create dialogical teaching and learning spaces. The ﬁndings pointed to one way for the decolonsing of science curricula.

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

DOCTOR’S DEGREES DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

DYLAN THOMAS CLARKE

Department: BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

Supervisor: PROF M GIBBONS

Co-supervisor: DR W FLORENCE

Thesis:

South-West African Polychaete Diversity and Biogeography

Description:

Polychaetes are a diverse group of segmented worms that play important roles in our marine environment. From museum and other records/collections, Dylan consolidates information about the distribution of these animals around southern and SW Africa (N to Gabon), to generate a validated, annotated, regional checklist. This large dataset is then mobilised to explore patterns in both regional biogeography and richness. A total of 399 species, in 61 families and 303 genera, are identiﬁed and analyses suggest that there is a clear geographic structure to the composition of regional assemblages and that richness increases towards the equator: in both instances regardless of whether the data are analysed at the level of species, genus or family. Although his results are unsurprising, they clearly demonstrate the value of museum collections and our need to maintain them.

SIMTHEMBILE THEMBELANI DLAMINI

Department: PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

Supervisor: PROF R MAARTENS

Co-supervisor: DR S JOLICOEUR

Thesis:

Using SKAO and other surveys to study the large-scale structure of the universe

Description:

In his thesis, Mr Dlamini presented research that led to two papers which were published in a peer-reviewed international journal. His work focused on two key properties of the Universe that are contained in cosmological surveys - one giving information about the birth of the Universe, and one measuring the effect of dark energy and gravity on the growth rate of galaxies. He showed that the combination of two surveys could lead to signiﬁcantly improved precision in the measurement of both properties. By combining already planned surveys from the Square Kilometre Array (based in South Africa), the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument and the Euclid satellite, the improvements enhance the capabilities of each survey - and they are possible at no extra cost.

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

DOCTOR’S DEGREES DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

DAVID ELAGO

Department: MATHEMATICS AND APPLIED MATHEMATICS

Supervisor: PROF K PATIDAR

Co-supervisors: PROF F GIDEON, DR S NUUGULU

Thesis:

Robust numerical methods for solving fractional differential equations

Description:

Due to advances in analysis and simulation techniques, the fractional order differential equations and their systems have gained enormous popularity with regards to their applications to various ﬁelds of Natural Sciences and Engineering. Their usage in modelling problems in mathematical biology has seen tremendous growth in recent years. Being nonlinear and highly complex, their studies require rigorous theoretical analysis and robust simulation methods. In this thesis, Elago investigated several fractional order biological and ecological models. He presented relevant theoretical and numerical analysis.

AHMED ABDELKARIM ELDUD OMER ELDUD

Department: STATISTICS AND POPULATION STUDIES

Supervisor: PROF G TATI

Co-supervisor: PROF N STIEGLER

Thesis:

Estimating household vulnerability to poverty at municipality level in South Africa using the cluster analysis approach

Description:

This innovative research using different advanced statistical methods, is of utmost importance in the South African context as it analyses the risk of poverty of households at the small area level, in a country where a large section of the population is living below the breadline. The study finds that the dependency ratio, lack of access to water inside a dwelling or yard, lack of access to flush toilets, female-headed households, and lack of access to housing were the five factors that contributed the most to district vulnerability to poverty in South Africa. The most vulnerable districts were Alfred Nzo, O. R. Tambo, and Joe Gqabi districts from Eastern Cape and uMkhanyakude and uMzinyathi districts from KwaZulu-Natal, and Greater Sekhukhune and Vhembe districts from Limpopo.

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

DOCTOR’S DEGREES

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

NICOLE HAINES-ARRIES

Department: MEDICAL BIOSCIENCES

Supervisor: PROF R HENKEL

Thesis:

The effect of an aqueous Typha capensis extract on the reproductive system in ageing males

Description:

Typha capensis is a medicinal plant used for various ailments including low libido in men. This study aimed at investigating the effects of Typha on TM3 Leydig and TM4 Sertoli cells in vitro and in vivo. Nicole Haines-Arries exposed TM3 and TM4 cells to the extract. The crude extract promoted cell viability while increasing testosterone production in a dosedependent manner. The F1 extract only decreased cell viability at the highest concentration. The testosterone production increased in a biphasic manner. Treating aging male rats resulted in decreased body weight and adipose tissue, while muscle mass and testosterone increased. These data open new avenues for the treatment of aging males’ symptoms. Nicole presented her work at 5 conferences indicating the high quality of her work.

BAKULIKIRA IRAGI

Department: MATHEMATICS AND APPLIED MATHEMATICS

Supervisor: PROF D HOLGATE

Co-supervisor: DR A RAZAFINDRAKOTO

Thesis:

Topogenous orders and their applications on lattices

Description:

Over the years, many mathematicians have proposed theoretical structures that permit the study of topological properties; properties of shapes that are preserved under continuous deformation. Two notable contributions are Császár’s syntopogenous structures and Herrlich’s nearness spaces. In this thesis, Bakulikira Iragi introduces topogenous orders on lattices that allow him to generalise the structures introduced by both Császár and Herrlich in a contemporary setting. He demonstrates their application to uniform topology and, in the process, pioneers a new study of uniformities on a complete lattice. He then links his work with that done in so-called point-free topology, showing how topogenous orders provide a bridge between disparate structures introduced in the point-free setting.

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

DOCTOR’S DEGREES DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

BRIDGET CEBISILE LANGA

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BIOINFORMATICS INSTITUTE

Supervisor: DR J GAMIELDIEN

Co-supervisor: PROF B FIELDING

Thesis:

Semantic discovery and computational ﬁltering to identify potentially novel breast cancer genes and signatures in omics data

Description:

Bridget Cebisile Langa’s thesis tackles an important issue in cancer research. With the advent of new technologies, we can now analyze genetic variations and gene expression changes in diseases like breast cancer. However, the challenge lies in identifying relevant mutations in a sea of other mutations in large databases. Bridget’s PhD work aims to overcome this challenge by using existing knowledge of gene functions and interactions to highlight important breast cancer-related genetic variations. She developed a method leveraging bioinformatics tools to re-analyze data, making the information more accessible to researchers. By prioritizing breast cancer data computationally, her study aimed to uncover new genes and pathways contributing to early detection of breast cancer together with the disease development and its prognosis.

CORNELIA KOLEKA MAKANDA

Department: EARTH SCIENCE

Supervisor: PROF T KANYERERE

Thesis:

Application of results-oriented monitoring approach to assess feasibility of adaptive management practice for improved water resources protection, Vaal River Catchment, South Africa

Description:

The student applied results-oriented monitoring approach to assess feasibility of adaptive management practice for improved protection of water resources. The Vaal River catchment in South Africa was used as case study. A conceptual model of results-oriented monitoring was developed to operationalize adaptive management practices and fed into a decision support system for water resource protection. The applicability of the model was veriﬁed with primary data when it was validated in the study catchment, as it provided a basis for policy reinforcement regarding the improvement of protecting water resources. The novelty of the study refers to publications. Three papers in international peer-reviewed journals have been already published in addition to three conference proceedings outputs for local and international conferences.

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

DOCTOR’S DEGREES DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

PALESA MAKOTI

Department: MEDICAL BIOSCIENCES

Supervisor: PROF B FIELDING

Thesis:

Molecular characterisation and immune-reactivity of human coronavirus NL63 and SARS-CoV Nucleocapsid proteins

Description:

Four known human coronaviruses (hCoVs) are much less deadly than the coronavirus (CoV) causing COVID-19, and contribute to about 10% of annual mild respiratory infections worldwide. Among these, HCoV-NL63 is the most common, primarily affecting children under ﬁve. In some cases, HCoV-NL63 can lead to bronchiolitis and pneumonia. For Palesa’s PhD research, an important CoV protein called the nucleocapsid (N) from both NL63 and SARS-CoV was produced using an insect cell expression system in the laboratory. These recombinant N-proteins were then used to study human immune responses in stimulated whole blood cultures. The ﬁndings suggest that recombinant CoV N-proteins can be used for measuring immune responses, coronavirus diagnosis, predicting disease severity and identifying drug targets.

AFIKA-AMAZIZI NALEDI MBUYISWA

Department: BIOTECHNOLOGY

Supervisor: PROF N LUDIDI

Co-supervisor: DR I EGBICHI

Thesis:

Effect of introduction of marama bean and soybean on insect diversity in conﬁned trial site under maize cultivation

Description:

The thesis identified insects in the natural habitats of marama bean in the provinces of the NorthWest, Limpopo and Mpumalanga; and compared the insects to those occurring in a confined trial site in the Matatiele in the Eastern Cape where the main crop produced is maize, but where recent production of soybean has occurred. Plant beneficial insects, but also insect pests, were identified in the marama bean habitat. Some were unique to these habitats, but others occurred both in the marama bean habitats and the trial site. The thesis concluded that introduction of marama bean to this cropping system in Matatiele may bring some crop beneficial insects (e.g. pollinators and insect pest predators) and detrimental insect pests in the cropping system. This indicates the relevance of agroecological and integrated pest management when marama beans are cultivated in maize producing areas and has significant implications for food security.

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

DOCTOR’S DEGREES DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

YAMKELA MGWATYU

Department: BIOTECHNOLOGY

Supervisor: DR U HESSE

Thesis:

Rooibos-speciﬁc polyphenol biosynthesis genes, a genome-wide analysis

Description:

Ms Yamkela Mgwatyu’s PhD thesis presents the first fully annotated genome of an endemic medicinal plant – rooibos (Aspalathuls linearis) – that has been analysed in its entirety in South Africa. Her work included establishment of all procedures essential for plant genome analysis: plant sampling, DNA extraction and purification, DNA sequencing, biocomputational data analysis (incl. genome assembly, structural and functional genome annotation); and characterization of gene families involved in the production of medicinally active rooibos compounds. Her methods for long-read plant DNA sequencing and subsequent big-data analysis (published) are driving local application of this cutting edge technology. Her work ensures a leading role for South Africa in the ethical bioprospecting of the local flora.

KOENA LEAH MOABELO

Department: BIOTECHNOLOGY

Supervisor: PROF A MADIEHE

Co-supervisors: PROF M MEYER, PROF A DUBE

Thesis:

Development of an aptamer-based drug delivery system for the treatment of obesity

Description:

The epidemic of obesity poses serious threats to human health globally. Management of obesity through medications induce toxic side effects due to non-speciﬁcity, which leads to their recall from the market. Koena was tasked with developing a novel targeted-drug delivery system (DDS) with high efficacy and safety to treat obesity using short, singlestranded oligonucleotides capable of binding to their targets with high speciﬁcity and affinity, called aptamers. She successfully developed a drug-loaded aptamer-based DDS, and applied it for treatment of high fat diet-induced obesity. The treatment reduced body and fat tissue masses without any severe side effects. This strategy is currently under review for intellectual property protection at UWC for anti-obesity treatment in the future.

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

DOCTOR’S DEGREES

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

NASTARAN GHAFFARI

Department: CHEMISTRY

Supervisor: DR K POKPAS

Co-supervisors: PROF P BAKER, PROF M JAHED

Thesis:

Graphene-metal nano-composite on Carbon based Electrodes for the high sensitivity detection of Trace Metals by Stripping Voltammetry

Description:

Ms. Ghaffari’s research addresses water pollution caused by priority pollutants like Indium and Gallium, which are prevalent in electronic displays and pose significant risks to human health. She has developed three novel water sensing platforms using bimetallic bismuth-mercury films and carbon nanostructured composites. Her cost-effective electroanalysis methods utilising graphite rod arrays and carbon paste substrates offer good accuracy, sensitivity, and stability, crucial for environmental monitoring below WHO standards, in underdeveloped regions. Ms. Ghaffari’s work, detailed in three manuscripts, promises to significantly improve water analysis methods, particularly benefiting regions in Africa, and contribute to the mitigation of water pollution’s adverse effects on human health and the environment.

LITHEKO LEGAPA NKABITI

Department: CHEMISTRY

Supervisor: PROF P BAKER

Thesis:

The application of earth abundant metals in the design of polymer photoelectrodes for energy conversions

Description:

The pursuit of fuel cells which maximize energy production at minimum fuel and energy input and that use environmentally benign fuels, are of paramount importance, in the context of the prevailing energy crisis. The physical and chemical properties of ammonia render it one of the best and safest fuels in hydrogen generation technology. Legapa Nkabiti employed earth abundant metals encased in polymer matrices for improved catalytic efficiency in converting ammonia to hydrogen with an efficiency of up 32 %, starting from commercial cleaning reagents as fuel source. The candidate has demonstrated a high level of competence, intellectual rigor, and originality.

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

DOCTOR’S DEGREES DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

MARLON ORANZIE

Department: CHEMISTRY

Supervisor: PROF E IWUOHA

Co-supervisor: DR S DOUMAN

Thesis:

Emerging myocardial infarction biomarker aptasensors for B-type natriuretic peptide and C-reactive protein

Description:

Myocardial infarction or heart attack is a leading cause of death as it is responsible for 27% of death worldwide. Nationally, it accounts for 1 in every 6 deaths or 17.3% of deaths in South Africa. Scientists are working vigorously to develop next generation diagnostic technologies for early detection of myocardial infarction. Marlon Oranzie invented a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor test protocol that uses DNA fragments called aptamers to detect brain natriuretic peptide and C-reactive protein, which are two emerging disease biomarkers that indicate high probability of heart attack. The work is an elegant combination of bioelectronics and nanoelectrochemistry in the development of diagnostic aptasensor technology for early sensing, signalling and warning of myocardial infarction.

FATIMA PARKER-ALLIE

Department: BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

Supervisor: PROF M GIBBONS

Thesis:

Using Data driven Approaches to Develop the Field of Biodiversity Informatics in South Africa

Description:

South Africa is one of the world’s most mega biodiverse countries. Biodiversity plays a critical role in, inter alia, sustainable development and is one of our greatest national assets. However, to manage these assets, we need to manage the information related to it. In 2003, the national DSI, through SANBI, decided that the country join the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. This would help us to develop the science of biodiversity informatics, to grow a network of professional informaticians, and to expedite the dissemination of biodiversity data using common standards/tools. Fatima’s thesis provides the roadmap for SA in this regard and is based on a data-driven and conceptual approach. Distinct chapters tackle the issues of curricula, data mobilisation, and data use and dissemination in an interdependent way, and she explores the impact of our data on the international ﬁeld.

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

DOCTOR’S DEGREES

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

BONKE PHATHEKILE

Department: CHEMISTRY

Supervisor: PROF M ONANI

Co-supervisor: PROF M MEYER

Thesis:

Natural polymer based nanocarriers as delivery systems for antimicrobial peptides for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STI’s)

Description:

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as AIDS, syphilis and chlamydia are caused by infectious microorganisms. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) can be used as vaginal microbicidal drugs to kill these organisms. However, many microbicidal drugs have failed due the acidic vaginal environment which diminishes drug activity. To overcome these obstacles, Ms. Phathekile encapsulated an AMP drug in polymer-based nanocarrier systems which also have mucus penetrating properties. Her research shows that while the free AMP drug is not active under acidic conditions, the nanocarrier systems very effectively killed bacteria at these conditions. The drug delivery systems produced by Ms. Phathekile’s show great potential for the development of more effective treatments for the prevention of STDs.

MADAN SAI POKA

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

Supervisor: PROF M AUCAMP

Co-supervisors: DR M MILNE, PROF A WESSELS

Thesis:

Selected polyols as co-formers for pharmaceutical solid dispersions

Description:

In his study, selected polyols as co-formers for pharmaceutical solid dispersions, Madan critically evaluated the potential of well-known and naturally occurring polyols to be used in the preparation of pharmaceutical solid dispersions as a pre-formulation strategy. His work highlighted enhanced drug particle wettability facilitated by the hydrophilic polyols, contributing towards signiﬁcantly improved drug solubility and permeability. Factors such as glass forming ability of the drug, miscibility of the drug in the polyol carrier and polyol concentration were found to be contributing factors in the successful preparation of carbamazepine, isoniazid and pyrimethamine solid dispersions. Two published papers emanated from this study with a third paper currently under peer-review.

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

DOCTOR’S DEGREES DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

LIANTSOA FINARITRA RANDRIANJANAHARY

Department: PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

Supervisor:

Thesis:

PROF R MAARTENS

Cosmological constraints using 2- and 3-point correlations with MeerKAT, the SKA and other surveys

Description:

The thesis of Mr Randrianjanahary investigated extending the traditional analysis of cosmological surveys, which is based on the 2-point power spectrum. The 3-point bispectrum is considerably more complicated than the power spectrum but it contains additional information. By adding the bispectrum to the standard analysis, he showed that there are signiﬁcant improvements in the precision and the accuracy of measurements which tell us about the dark matter, the dark energy and gravity itself. As example surveys, he investigated MeerKAT, the Square Kilometre Array and HIRAX, all based in South Africa. His research led to two papers which were published in peer-reviewed international journals.

HAOYONG SHEN

Department: EARTH SCIENCE

Supervisor: PROF Y XU

Thesis:

Estimating groundwater recharge in Jinci karst groundwater system, North China

Description:

The thesis is about groundwater recharge mechanism and estimation in karst aquifer systems in the northern China. Jinci karst groundwater system is used as the case study where a complex karst groundwater system is composed of multiple elements, including precipitation, surface water from river or reservoir, groundwater in pore or karst aquifer. As recharge estimation for the karst systems are very difficult to make, the thesis conducted a comprehensive review of recharge related issues and offered scientiﬁcally reliable estimates for the region in general and Jinci system in particular, which serves as a much-needed guidelines for sustainable utilization of karst water resources.

2024

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

DOCTOR’S DEGREES DOCTOR OF

PHILOSOPHY

DAVID ESWALD VLOTMAN

Department:

Supervisor:

Thesis:

CHEMISTRY

PROF B BLADERGROEN

Shear Enhanced Flotation Separation Technology for Winery Wastewater Processing

Description:

The South African wine industry contributes roughly 5% to agricultural GDP but faces challenges from a competitive export market, climate change, and alignment with sustainable development goals. This research project focused on winery wastewater treatment using Shear Enhanced Flotation Separation technology, which removed 99.6% of particulate matter, 10 times more than the industrial standard known as DAF. As a result, the processed effluent shows exceptional clarity and contains a substantially reduced amount of dissolved organic matter, making it suitable for secondary treatment technology and reuse of water in times of drought. This work resulted in three research papers and contributed to the academic understanding of hydrodynamic shear mixing in primary water treatment technology.

MASTER OF DENTAL SURGERY

MOLOI MPHO

Thesis:

In-vitro study to investigate the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of a periodontal pocket gel (Pocket-XR gel)

Department: ORAL MEDICINE AND PERIODONTICS

FACULTY OF DENTISTRY

MASTER’S DEGREES 2024

SINGH NUERISHA

Thesis:

A comparative analysis of traditional dental screening versus phone screening

Department: COMMUNITY DENTISTRY

Supervisor: PROF S NAIDOO

Supervisor: PROF S MULDER-VAN STADEN

Co-supervisor: MR E MABOZA

MASTER OF SCIENCE

ABDELRAHMAN SHAHAD KARAMALLA ALI

Thesis:

A comparative study evaluating physical properties of four tissues conditioners relined to modelling plastic material

Department: PROSTHODONTICS

Supervisor: DR W ASIA-MICHAELS

Co-supervisor: DR R MAART

ELMAHDI ELBARA

Thesis:

Microhardness and bleaching effectiveness on human tooth enamel after the application of nano hydroxyapatite

Department: PROSTHODONTICS

Supervisor: PROF R ADAM

Co-supervisor: DR S AHMED

AHMED RAMIZ

Thesis:

Antifungal and mechanical properties of tissue conditioner containing plantderived component

Department: PROSTHODONTICS

Supervisor: DR R MAART

Co-supervisor: DR W FARAO

LAYLOO NAZREEN

Thesis:

Salivary carriage of candida species in children and their mothers in a Western Cape population

Department: PROSTHODONTICS

Supervisor: PROF R ADAM

Co-supervisor: PROF C AFRICA

FACULTY OF DENTISTRY

MASTER’S DEGREES

MASTER OF SCIENCE

Thesis:

An in vitro study on the effect of organic derived nano hydroxyapatite in dentine permeability

Department: PROSTHODONTICS

Supervisor: PROF R ADAM

Co-supervisor: DR W FARAO

SULIMAN AHMED ABDELAZIZ ABDELMONEM

Thesis:

The association of periodontal disease with metabolic control in type 1 diabetic adults at Tygerberg Hospital

Department: ORAL MEDICINE AND PERIODONTICS

Supervisor: PROF A JEFTHA

MASTER OF SCIENCE DENTISTRY

Thesis:

Fibrous dysplasia of the jaws: A clinical and systematic panoramic radiological evaluation at the University of the Western Cape Oral Health Centre

Department: ORAL HYGIENE

Supervisor: PROF C NORTJE

HAMADELNEIL NADINE OSMAN AHMED

Thesis:

To determine the efficacy of laser treatment as an adjunct to conventional endodontic treatment. An overview of systematic reviews

Department: PROSTHODONTICS

Supervisor: PROF S KHAN

Thesis:

Oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice of Miswak use among a South African-based Somali population

Department: COMMUNITY DENTISTRY

Supervisor: PROF D SMIT

Co-supervisor: PROF R ADAM

Thesis:

Dental Practitioners Knowledge and Attitude towards Ultrasonography at the UWC Faculty of Dentistry

Department: CRANIOACIAL BIOLOGY, PATHOLOGY AND RADIOLOGY

Supervisor: DR T VAN ZYL

Co-supervisor: PROF R BARRIE

NYONGESA CHRISTINE KHANILI

HAMID YOUSRA

SIMPSON JESSICA AMY

DAWRAY NAAZIA

FACULTY OF ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMAS

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

MENZE ZOLISA

MTIMKULU SIPHO

2024

RULULU MPHUMZI

ZITHA VUYO

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND MEDIA APPLICATION

KEWUTI SINETEMBA

KHUSU MICHELLE

MARAM NTOMBIZIVUMILE

MARANTSELE BABALO

MASHIGO KEGOMODITSWE

AUDREY

MAZHAWIDZA DION

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN FINANCE

NTLANYANA LISOLETHU

NAKO LUYANDA

SIDIYA SISIPHO

SWARTBOOI APHIWE

THOMPSON ALISTAIR DAVID

VALENTYN JODIE STEFANIE

WALLENDORF INGE SUSAN

WILLIAMS TENILLE ANN

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN POVERTY, LAND AND AGRARIAN STUDIES

MKHIZE THABANI

SOTYATO ODWA CHURCHILL

FACULTY OF ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES 2024

BACHELOR OF ADMINISTRATION

HASSEN SIMONÉ CHANTALLE

HLATSHWAYO WENDY EMMACULATE

LANDINGWE OLWAM MIHLE

MOORE REEMEN

ONIWE VENNESSA BUSISIWE

YEDWA LUTHO

WILLIAMS NATHACIA SHAWNETTE

FACULTY OF ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

BACHELOR OF COMMERCE

ALI AMINAH

COETZEE QUAHIR

CUPIDO AIMEE CAITLIN

DOMINGOS SIMTHANDILE

HERMANUS DECLAN ARDEN

JOHANNES CHEZELLE ELAINE

FRANCES

LUTHULI SMETHEMBILE

ASANDA

MAPISA SUSELA SIYOLISIWE

MCWHITE WAKEEL

MDIYA SIMAMKELE

MONARENG MMANKELE

BACHELOR OF COMMERCE IN ACCOUNTING

TYOKWANA SIMBULELE

NOYILA FIKILE NTOMBEBHONGO OPHOLA

PARKER KHALIED

PERIN ANEEQAH

POOLE ERIN

QOKOLISA BUHLE

SEDICK MOGAMAD NUH BIN

SHAHEEM

SIBANDA PHUMLA GAYLEE

TARENTAL MEAGAN

TURNER JORDAN

VALENTINE BLAISE BRONWEN

VAN DER VENT WARDAH

BACHELOR OF COMMERCE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING

DYANTYI SIVIWE

GODUKA SIMBONGILE

JATTIEM FAYYAAD

KHAN ZAAHID

KUMALO GABISILE

LIKHWILI ONIKA

MALULEKE MASANA

MAPHUMULO BONGOKUHLE

VELENKOSINE

BACHELOR OF COMMERCE IN LAW

MKWENKWE LIYABONA

MENE BAVUZE

MGCINENI ZOLEKA KHANYISILE

NAIK LEANDRA SOPHIA

PONO UZIGCINE

QINA ABENATHI

ROSS LIZAAN

SAMSODIEN NASEEMA

XAKANA ANATHI

FACULTY OF ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES DIPLOMAS

ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

ALEXANDER TAMLYNN

BENU MICHAEL MWELI

CARELSE MICHELLE

CONRADIE CLAUDIO

DAYIMANI BANTU BETHWELL

DE OLIVEIRA

OPPERMAN ROSITA CARMELINA

DLAMINI KWANDA

DU PLESSIS PIERRE TIMOTHY

ESSA THAANIYA

GONA NGQONDI

KELLEM LULEKA

KINNEAR ASHLEIGH SIOBHAN

MAKASI XOLELWA

MALOKA LERATO FRANCINA

MATYILA NOMFUNDO ELNA

MBEWU VANESSA

MOHETOA LAZARUS MAKGABO

MONZI NOMBUYISELO

MOSHANE TSHEGOFATSO

NDWANDWE NKOSINATHI GADI

NIKANI ZANELE PRIMROSE

NTANTISO BUKELWA

SHIKWAMBANA ISABEL

SIYEKA AKHONA

SWANEPOEL ETTIENNE BENJAMIN

GEORGE

TUTU THABISA

TWETWA ANDISWA

TYWABI GREENWOOD SIPHELO

VILO TEMBILE

FACULTY OF ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

HIGHER CERTIFICATE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

AFRIKA BRENT

ALLIE DILSHAAD

MENTOR JORDAN GRAEME

MEYER ADRIAN PHILLIP

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

MASTER’S DEGREES

MASTER OF EDUCATION

BERGSTEDT JOSMORINE GUSHWONITA

Thesis:

Exploring the use of tablets to improve reading in a Grade 2 Afrikaans Home Language classroom

Department: EDUCATIONAL STUDIES

Supervisor: DR L DU PLOOY

Co-supervisor: DR N DLAMINI

HENDRICKS WAYNE OSWALL

Thesis:

The lived experiences of grade 12 life sciences teachers conducting practicals during the covid-19 pandemic in selected high schools in the Western Cape Province

Department: EDUCATIONAL STUDIES

Supervisor: DR K KOOPMAN

Co-supervisor: MR S DINIE

PETERSEN PAUL SERBASTIAN

Thesis:

A case study investigating family-school partnerships in a high-performing primary school serving ‘low-income’ urban households in the Western Cape

Department: EDUCATIONAL STUDIES

Supervisor: DR L DU PLOOY

FELIX CAROL EMILY

Thesis:

An analysis of grade 3 learners ‘ways of working in the annual Systemic Assessment in Mathematics

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

Supervisor: DR M SIMONS

MUBERARUGO JEANNE D ARC

Thesis:

An analysis of learners’ ways of working when constructing and solving equations: the case of grade 10 learners in the Western Cape

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

Supervisor: DR M SIMONS

RUKUNDO ADELINE

Thesis:

A newly qualiﬁed teacher’s competency in addressing diversity: An autoethnography

Department: LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT

Supervisor: PROF R CHETTY

MASTER OF EDUCATION

THEYS VALENCIA

Thesis:

Intermediate and Senior Phase English

Language subject advisors’ perceptions of text-based theory as realised in the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement

Department: LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT

Supervisor: DR P PLUDDEMANN

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

MASTER’S DEGREES 2024

Thesis:

Exploring the challenges encountered by Foundation Phase teachers when addressing learner discipline on the Cape Flats in the Western Cape

Department: EDUCATIONAL STUDIES

Supervisor: DR L DU PLOOY

MASTER OF EDUCATION IN ADULT LEARNING AND GLOBAL CHANGE

MUTENDA

NICHOLETTE NACHILIMWE

Thesis:

The contribution of literacy education in raising the standard of living: A case study of two Namibian informal settlements

INSTITUTE FOR POST SCHOOL STUDIES

Supervisor: DR C FEBRUARY

WAKEFIELD DAWOOD

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

HONOURS’

DEGREES

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION HONOURS

BENYA UNATHI

MANIRAHO MARCELLIN

MTYINGIZANE AKHONA EMIHLE

NCUBE CYNTHIA HLENGIWE SKHOSANA TSHEGOFATSO VALENCIA

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATES 2024

POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION

POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION IN FURTHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING TEACHING HOMU LINET

MAKWELO THOZAMA

JOHANNES WILLEM

KUSASA NCEBA

MEYSON MUHAMMAD SAABIR

NGCONGOLO LINDA PIETERSEN NICOLE VAN SCHALKWYK NATALIE

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION IN LANGUAGE AND LIFE ORIENTATION

DYANTYI BABALWA FAITH

GEDULD MAXINE DESMAY

KHOTA AMARA

DAVIDS AISHAH

DISTON ETHAN WILL

GOEIEMAN PATLYNN CHARN-KAY

MASANGO VIKELIZWE NAMRHALI

MBOVANE KWANGA ZOMISA

OKTOBER RUCHANDRÉ

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION IN MATHEMATICS AND NATURAL SCIENCES

HOLIDAY MLUNGISI

JUMAT MOGAMAD AADIL

SOLOMONS KEANE QUINTIN THOMAS MISCHQA

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION IN LANGUAGES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

VANA CINGOKUHLE

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION IN LANGUAGES AND MATHEMATICS

KINNEAR DILLON CHARLES

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION FOUNDATION PHASE TEACHING

ABDOL MADEEGA

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION IN SENIOR PHASE AND FURTHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING TEACHING

BRAAF IBTISHAAM

MAARMAN JACO GERRIT

MYNHARDT TASRIQ

SCHEEPERS MATTHEW LUKE

MATHEKGA KGAOGELO

BOTHA CHANTE ELRIZE

GOMANA ODWA

JANSEN ROANN MIKE

MILLER SAKEENA

PHEIFFER NICOLE

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

HIGHER DIPLOMA IN EDUCATION

PANDA THENJELWA THEODORA

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

MASTER’S DEGREES 2024

MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN POPULATION STUDIES

MBUNGA KHANYISA

Magna Cum Laude

Thesis:

The determinants of municipality water supply interruption in South Africa: insight from Eastern Cape Province

Department: STATISTICS AND POPULATION STUDIES

Supervisor: DR P NSENGIYUMVA

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

KIPLING JESSICA PAIGE

Thesis:

Diversity and abundance of mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) associated with the African penguin (Spheniscus demersus)

Department: BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

Supervisor: PROF A ENGELBRECHT

Co-supervisors: PROF C MATTHEE, PROF S MATTHEE

NGOEPE MAPHUTI EVA

Thesis:

Establishing a relatively simple and reliable small-scale production of the local marine calanoid copepod Acartia sp. as a potential live feed

Department: BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

Supervisor: PROF M GIBBONS

Co-supervisors: DR R CEDRAS

MAKHOBA THULI CAROL Cum Laude

Thesis:

Systematics of Struthiola and a revision of the S. striata and S. mundii groups (Thymelaeoideae, Thymelaeaceae)

Department: BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

Supervisor: PROF J BOATWRIGHT

Co-supervisors: DR A MAGEE, PROF J MANNING

THOMAS LUANNE SAMANTHA

Thesis:

Latitudinal changes in the composition and diversity of neuston along the west coast of Africa

Department: BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

Supervisor: PROF M GIBBONS

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

MASTER’S DEGREES

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

MASHILO CATE MALOPE

Cum Laude

Thesis:

Green synthesis and characterisation of silver nanoparticles from the cocktail of Capparis sepiaria- Tabernaemontana elegans extract and assessment of their biological effects in vitro

Department: BIOTECHNOLOGY

Supervisor: PROF A MADIEHE

Co-supervisor: PROF S MOTAUNG

NSUMPI AURELIE NGALULA

Magna Cum Laude

Thesis:

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Indian Hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis indica) and the investigation of their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and their cytotoxic effects

Department: BIOTECHNOLOGY

Supervisor: PROF A MADIEHE

Co-supervisor: DR N SIBUYI

SELEPE KGOTHATSO LETSOALO

Thesis:

Population data and forensic parameters for 12 X-chromosome short tandem repeats in South Africa

Department: BIOTECHNOLOGY

Supervisor: PROF M D’ AMATO

Co-supervisor: DR M KASU

MATSHAYA ALUWANI

Thesis:

Green synthesis and characterisation of gold nanoparticles from Capparis sepiaria-Tabernaemontana elegans cocktail and investigation of their biological effects in vitro

Department: BIOTECHNOLOGY

Supervisor: PROF A MADIEHE

Co-supervisor: DR M RAZWINANI

SAULSE CRISHÉ

Thesis:

Biocontrolling Fusarium oxysporum using fungal endophytes in Pisum sativum

Department: BIOTECHNOLOGY

Supervisor: PROF M KEYSTER

Co-supervisors: PROF A KLEIN, DR A GOKUL

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

MASTER’S DEGREES 2024

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CHEMICAL SCIENCE

SITOLE SOYAMA

Thesis:

Synthesis and characterisation of optimized spinel zinc cobaltite inorganic hole transporting material for photovoltaics

Department: CHEMISTRY

Supervisor: DR N ROSS

Co-supervisor: DR M BILIBANA

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

JAFTA YAHLIEEL DEDJAZMATCH STEPHEN

Thesis:

Semantic data access for relational databases using an Ontology

Department: COMPUTER SCIENCE

Supervisor: PROF L LEENEN

Co-supervisor: PROF T MEYER

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND WATER SCIENCE

DUBE THANDEKILE

Cum Laude

Thesis:

An assessment of wetland vulnerability to artisanal mining in Zimbabwe

Department: EARTH SCIENCE

Supervisor: PROF T DUBE

Co-supervisor: DR T MARAMBANYIKA

FENI NTOMBIZANELE

Thesis: The Impact of Wastewater effluent discharge on water quality of the Vaal River System, Bloemhof, North West Province

Department: EARTH SCIENCE

Supervisor: DR S CLARKE

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

MASTER’S DEGREES

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND WATER SCIENCE

MEYER CELINE

Thesis:

Using stable isotopes and hydrochemistry to quantify end-member source dynamics in the Berg River of the Franschhoek and Paarl Valley

Department: EARTH SCIENCE

Supervisor: DR S CLARKE

Co-supervisor: DR J MILLER

SWARTZ BERTRAM JOHN

Thesis:

Groundwater management strategy for the Kalahari Ohangwena aquifer system in the Cuvelai-Etosha basin, Namibia

Department: EARTH SCIENCE

Supervisor: PROF Y XU

Co-supervisor: PROF T KANYERERE

MOTSEI NONOFO

Summa Cum Laude

Thesis:

Quantifying the consumptive water use of Japanese plum orchards in the Western Cape province using the SEBS and SEBAL models

Department: EARTH SCIENCE

Supervisor: PROF N JOVANOVIC

Co-supervisor: PROF T DUBE

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MATHEMATICAL SCIENCE

MAPHALLE PRETTY JOSIAS

Thesis:

Topological Data Analysis and Applications

Department: MATHEMATICS

Supervisor: DR C RATHILAL

MATHEBULA PROMISE

Thesis:

Variable Annuities with GMDB and GMIB: Generating Datasets of Pricing Parameters (DPPs)

Department: MATHEMATICS

Supervisor: DR J NZEUTCHAP

Co-supervisor: DR I MBONDA

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

MASTER’S DEGREES 2024

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MATHEMATICAL SCIENCE

MTHIMKULU SIYABONGA

Thesis:

Topogenous orders on faithful functors

Department: MATHEMATICS

Supervisor: PROF D HOLGATE

SEKHOLOMI LITEBOHO SAMUEL

Thesis:

Number of subtrees of caterpillars with given degree sequence

Department: MATHEMATICS

Supervisor: PROF E ANDRIANTIANA

NEMUKULA THIFUNDEDZWI

Thesis:

Bond immunisation

Department: MATHEMATICS

Supervisor: PROF G VAN VUUREN

SIBUYI NEO KEVIN

Thesis:

Value at risk and expected shortfall

Department: MATHEMATICS

Supervisor: PROF G VAN VUUREN

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MEDICAL BIOSCIENCE

BADENHORST LINDA CHARNELLE

Thesis:

An investigation of the anabolic signalling proteins in skeletal muscle from ICU patients subjected to a nutrition and mobilisation intervention

Department: MEDICAL BIOSCIENCES

Supervisor: PROF T KOHN

Co-supervisor: MRS L VELDSMAN

BROWN NTHABELENG

Cum Laude

Thesis:

Investigating hypoglycaemic effects and safety of a herbal product - JT2016 in vivo study

Department: MEDICAL BIOSCIENCES

Supervisor: DR X MA

Co-supervisors: PROF T LIU, PROF R HENKEL

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

MASTER’S DEGREES

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MEDICAL BIOSCIENCE

MPEKE DIMPHO

Thesis:

The antioxidant potential of indigenous herbal extracts and their antimicrobial effect on human keratinocytes

Department: MEDICAL BIOSCIENCES

Supervisor: DR F RAHIMAN

Co-supervisor: PROF J KLAASEN

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NANOSCIENCE

COX MELESKOW

Thesis:

Aptameric-type electrochemiluminescent sensing platform for ultrasensitive detection of interferon gamma

Department: CHEMISTRY

Supervisor: PROF E IWUOHA

Co-supervisor: DR S DOUMAN

MERCUUR JAMES WINSTON

Thesis:

Hybrid two-dimensional perovskite semiconductor layers for electronic applications

Department: PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

Supervisor: PROF C ARENDSE

Co-supervisors: DR K POKPAS, DR S NGQOLODA

SIEBRITS MICHAELA NICOLE

Thesis:

To explore the effect of Prednisolone on Blood-Brain Barrier Endothelial Cells treated with Lipopolysaccharides

Department: MEDICAL BIOSCIENCES

Supervisor: DR K MAKHATHINI

Co-supervisor: PROF D FISHER

MABHUDE YANDISWA

Thesis: Development of gold nanoparticles based lateral ﬂow assay for detection of food and water borne pathogens

Department: BIOTECHNOLOGY

Supervisor: DR N SIBUYI

Co-supervisors: DR A FADAKA, DR S MEYER

NENDOUVHADA LIVHUWANI PORTIA

Thesis:

Effect of green synthesized metal nanoparticles on gene expression in an in-vitro model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Department: BIOTECHNOLOGY

Supervisor: DR N SIBUYI

Co-supervisors: DR A FADAKA, DR K GABUZA

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

MASTER’S DEGREES 2024

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NANOSCIENCE

SITHARI ADIVHAHO

Thesis:

Structurally Reﬁned Single-Crystal

Nanocomposite Cathode towards Enhanced Electrochemical Performance

Department: CHEMISTRY

Supervisor: DR N ROSS

Co-supervisor: PROF E IWUOHA

Thesis:

Impact of different chemical synthesis techniques on the structural and photoluminescence properties of Zn4B6O13: RE3+ (where RE3+ = Sm3+, Eu3+ and Dy3+) nanophosphors

Department: PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

Supervisor: DR S HALINDINTWALI

Co-supervisor: PROF L REDDY, DR A BALAKRISHNA

WILLIAMS LETOYA

Thesis:

Biogenic silver nanoparticles synthesized using Eucomis autumnalis bulb aqueous extract, their characterization and in vitro antibacterial activity

Department: BIOTECHNOLOGY

Supervisor: PROF A MADIEHE

Co-supervisor: DR N SIBUYI

SIYALO ATHENKOSI

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

MASTER’S DEGREES

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PHARMACY ADMINISTRATION

BESTER EZANDA

Thesis:

eHealth and Telepharmacy: Knowledge, perception, and adoption of health technology by pharmacists in a Western Cape private sector context

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

Supervisor: DR J MCCARTNEY

FLANDORP SIMONE

Thesis:

Compliance with labelling regulations for complimentary medicine products from companies not registered with The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

Supervisor: PROF K OBIKEZE

HATTINGH ANRI

Thesis:

Transition of MCC to SAHPRA: a comparative analysis

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

Supervisor: PROF M VILJOEN

MOREMI LESEDI MAIPHEPI

Thesis:

Competition in the Radioisotopes Market: Evaluation and analysis of drivers which affect Mo-99 market share

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

Supervisor: DR E KAPP

KOSHY KENNETH

Thesis:

Exploring the knowledge, attitudes and self-reported practices in relation to generic medicine substitution among pharmacists in South Africa

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

Supervisor: MS Y KHAN

Co-supervisor: MRS R SHAIKH

MOTSE EVETTE ROSLYN

Thesis:

Comparative analysis of universal health coverage in high-performing health systems in Europe and Africa: measuring progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 3.8

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

Supervisor: DR E EGIEYEH

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

MASTER’S DEGREES 2024

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PHARMACY ADMINISTRATION

NAIK YUGESHNEE

Thesis:

Attitudes and knowledge of CBD and non-medical Cannabis amongst retail pharmacists in South Africa

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

Supervisor: DR N EBRAHIM

NKUKU KHANYISILE

Thesis:

Feasibility of an internationally recognised CE equivalent mark for medical devices (MD) in Africa: A review of current literature

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

Supervisor: PROF S EGIEYEH

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

SHAMIDO SEAN

Thesis:

Investigating FadD32 as a target for 7-substituted coumarin derivatives and other potential antimycobacterial agents

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

Supervisor: DR E KAPP

Co-supervisors: PROF J JOUBERT, PROF S SAMPSON

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PHYSICAL SCIENCE

MAXENGANA MIHLALI

Magna Cum Laude

Thesis:

The effects of ion beams on nonlinear electrostatic waves in space plasmas

Department: PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

Supervisor: DR S MAHARAJ

Co-supervisor: PROF R BHARUTHRAM

MOHALE KOKETSO

Summa Cum Laude

Thesis:

Unsupervised machine learning applied to radio data

Department: PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

Supervisor: DR M LOCHNER

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

MASTER’S DEGREES

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PHYSICAL SCIENCE

PETERSEN-CHARLES

JADE LINDSAY

Thesis:

Detecting anomalous transients in MeerTRAP data

Department: PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

Supervisor: DR M LOCHNER

Co-supervisor: PROF B STAPPERS

THERON CLEEVE

Cum Laude

Thesis:

Production and evaluation of Capacitive Deionisation Electrode earmarked for the removal of ions from winery wastewater

Department: PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

Supervisor: PROF B BLADERGROEN

Co-supervisors: DR S HALINDINTWALI, DR E BOTHA

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN STATISTICAL SCIENCE

WU MAN WAI

Thesis:

DataRobot vs SAS Viya: A comprehensive evaluation of automated machine learning platforms in the context of predictive fraud modelling

Department: STATISTICS AND POPULATION STUDIES

Supervisor: DR H BRYDON

Co-supervisor: MRS L BOSMAN

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

HONOURS’

DEGREES

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS IN APPLIED GEOLOGY

CLOETE JOSEPH MICHAEL

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS IN CHEMISTRY

COLBIE SUHAYLAH DE KOCK MIA

JULIUS CASSIDY ANDREA

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

ARENDSE MATTHEW ROBIN

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS IN POPULATIONS STUDIES

MPETSHENI SIVUYISIWE

MVELASE NTOMBIKAYISE

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES DIPLOMAS

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 2024

KGOKONG MMATSOGO EDITHMDLULI PHEPHILE

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

BACHELOR OF PHARMACY

GWAYI ONGEZO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED GEOLOGY

MASUTHA THABELO

MOIMANA LERATO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

COKOTO SIXOLILE FAITH MATHANJANA LUYATHENJWA

MUKWEVHO PFANO ZENGELE SIPHIWE BRIGHT

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

DLAMINI LUSANDA BUYS LLEWELLYN OSWALD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CHEMICAL SCIENCE

HENDRICKS AQEELAH

SIBIZO NONKCUBEKO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

CENGE PHUMELA

HENDRICKS JORDAN

MAKETELA MAFA MAHMOOD

MNGOMEZULU SIBONGAKONKE

YVONNE

NGEMA ZWELIHLE

NXOKWANA LELETU

SKHOSANA SIBUSISO GOODWELL

TIBANE ZOLILE KHUTJO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND WATER SCIENCE

MASOKA LIYEMA

MKHIZE NONDUMISO

NKWEBE LINDOKUHLE

NTSHIQA MATHABO

RASIVHETSHELE PHINDULO

SANA ZANELE

SONQAYI ASEMAHLE

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MATHEMATICAL AND STATISTICAL SCIENCE

ADAMS ZULFAH

KALAKO MBALI

KOFI ESETHU

MIA MISKA

NCETANI NONTANDO

NDLELENI MBALI

WALKER CASEY

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MEDICAL BIOSCIENCE

BOGOPA ANGEL BONTLE

DLEPU KHANYISO

JOHN LITHA BRIAN

NELSON SIBULELE

TSOBO LUNTUKAZI

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PHYSICAL SCIENCE

KHOZA NDZALAMA

MTSOLONGO AVUZWA

HONORARY DEGREE AWARDEES

1983

S. Motsuenyane, Doctor Commercii

M.C. O’Dowd, Doctor Commercii

1984

E. Theron, Doctor Legum

1987

B. Breytenbach, Doctor Litterarum

R.E. van de Ross, Doctor Educationis

1989

J.C. de Villiers, Doctor Scientiae

G.A.M. Mbeki, Doctor Philosophiae

1990

N.R. Mandela, Doctor Legum

O.R. Tambo, Doctor Legum

1991

R.E. Alexander, Doctor Commercii

G.S. Machel, Doctor Legum

D. Mitterand, Doctor Litterarum

D. Zihlangu, Doctor Educationis

1993

G. Boonzaaier, Doctor Litterarum

B. Head, Doctor Litterarum (posthumous)

A. Ibrahim, Doctor Litterarum

E. Mancoba, Doctor Litterarum

1995

G.J. Gerwel, Doctor Educationis

P.M. Sonn, Doctor Legum

1996

G.H. Brundtland, Doctor Legum

T.N. Chapman, Doctor Commercii

J.J.F. Durand, Doctor Philosophiae

P. Gorvalla, Doctor Commercii

HEADER SUB-HEADER

1997

B. Davidson, Doctor Litterarum

E.L. King, Doctor Theologiae

I. Mohamed, Doctor Scientiae

F.B. Naude, Doctor Theologiae

J.N. Scholten, Doctor Legum

R. Turner, Doctor Educationis

1998

J. Derrida, Doctor Litterarum

M. Nuttall, Doctor Theologiae

M.A Oduyoye, Doctor Theologiae

J. Reddy, Doctor Educationis

2001

V.H. Faigle, Doctor Theologiae

G. ‘t Hooft, Doctor Scientiae

P.N. Langa, Doctor Legum

A. Small, Doctor Litterarum

2002

W.H. Gray III, Doctor Philosophiae

C.L.R.Hirschsohn, Doctor Philosophiae

T. Manuel, Doctor Commercii

D. Philip, Doctor Litterarum

M. Philip, Doctor Litterarum

D.M.B. Tutu, Doctor Legum

2003

K. Mokhele, Doctor Scientiae

T. D. Fredericks, Doctor Educationis

P.D. Uys, Doctor Educationis

2004

K. Asmal, Doctor Legum

E. de Keyser, Doctor Commercii

G. Fitzgerald, Doctor Litterarum

A. Omar, Doctor Legum (posthumous)

A. Sachs, Doctor Litterarum

A. Sisulu, Doctor Curationis

W. Sisulu, Doctor Legum (posthumous)

HONORARY DEGREE AWARDEES

2005

A. Achmat, Doctor Philosophiae

C.J Bundy, Doctor Philosophiae

E.K.M. Dido, Doctor Litterarum

T. Jones, Doctor Philosophiae

J. Fagan, Doctor Legum

I. Mahomed, Doctor Legum (posthumous)

2006

F. Ginwala, Doctor Administrationis

2007

E. Abrahams, Doctor Philosophiae

E. Braune, Doctor Philosophiae

A. Chaskalson, Doctor Legum

D. Jordaan, Doctor Philosophiae

R. Kadalie, Doctor Litterarum

P. Mlambo-Ngcuka, Philosophiae Doctor

Y. Mokgoro, Doctor Legum

V.G. Shubin, Doctor Philosophiae

2008

W.E. Morrow, Doctor Educationis

2009

P. Govender, Doctor Legum

2010

A. Adebajo, Doctor Philosophiae

M.S. Dien, Philosophiae Doctor (posthumous)

B.L. Fanaroff, Doctor Philosophiae

P. Olumfemi-Kayode, Doctor Philosophiae

R. Simonsen, Doctor Philosophiae

P.K. Tergat, Doctor Philosophiae

D. Tulu, Doctor Philosophiae

2011

S.B. Biko, Doctor Philosophiae (posthumous)

S.B.A. Isaacs, Doctor Educationis

P. Magrath, Doctor Litterarum

M. Shear, Doctor Philosophiae

M. Temmerman, Doctor Philosophiae

R.B. Wolf, Doctor Philosophiae

2012

B. Gawanas, Doctor Legum

E. Moosa, Doctor Legum

R.E. Reddock, Doctor Philosophiae

H. Shaper, Doctor Philosophiae (posthumous)

A. Sheiham, Doctor Philosophiae

2013

H. Howa, Doctor Philosophiae

T. Jones, Doctor Philosophiae

J. Matthews, Doctor Philosophiae

G. Merino O.P, Doctor Theologiae

2014

A. Haron, Doctor Philosophiae (posthumous)

2015

A. Jedaar, Doctor Philosophiae

2016

H. Adams, Doctor Philosophiae

F. Robertson, Doctor Philosophiae

M. Tsedu, Doctor Philosophiae

2017

M. Lapsley, Doctor Philosophiae

2018

Z Skweyiya, Doctor Philosophiae (posthumous)

2021

Z. Wicomb, Doctor Philosophiae

A.A. Boesak, Doctor Philosophiae

W. Kentridge, (jointly awarded with Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Ghent University)

2022

K.K. Prah, Doctor Philosophiae

I. Sooliman, Doctor Philosophiae

HONORARY DEGREE AWARDEES

SUB-HEADER 1983-2024

2023

C. Hani, Doctor Philosophiae (posthumous)

D.E. Moseneke, Doctor Philosophiae

S.Z. Zotwana, Doctor Philosophiae

2024

M.Y. Choi, Doctor Philosophiae

H. Kummeling, Doctor Philosophiae

C. Pauwels, Doctor Philosophiae (posthumous)

2018

Ebrahim Rhoha

2021

AB Mahomed

Derek Joubert

Peter Takelo

HEADER SUB-HEADER 2018-2024 GOLD MEDALISTS

2022

Sean Patrick Lance

Peter Wilson

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

2024

Albert Lois Sachs

UWC GRADUATION ATTIRE

MEANING AND SYMBOLISM

HEADER SUB-HEADER

The three proteas symbolise Teaching, Culture and Education.

The stepped pattern represents the steps that lead to the Greek temple. This is the international symbol for academia and our recognition that we are a part of it.

The laurel leaves indicate competition and victory.

The diamond-shaped protea petal represents strength of character, ethics and faithfulness to oneself and others.

The continuous pattern that extends from the front to the back speaks to Respice Prospice, which means to look back, to look forward. Take what is good from the past and build the future.

The beaded effect is meant to reﬂect African craft and creativity.

The colours that make up the band are derived from those that represent the seven Faculties that make up the University.

CAP Black John Knox cap with silver tassel.

Peony red edged with silver trim.

THE CAP

Black John Knox cap with gold tassel. BACK OF THE YOKE

Black edged with gold trim.

THE SLEEVE

Open sleeves, looped up with gold cord and lined with gold satin.

THE GOWN

Black with full facings of gold and trimmed yoke.

Black John Knox cap with silver tassel.

Black edged with silver trim.

SLEEVE

Open sleeves, looped up with silver cord and lined with empire blue satin.

GOWN

Black with full facings of empire blue.

GRADUATION ATTIRE

AND HOODS GOWN

1 THE GOWN

Black (all degrees, diplomas and certificates, except Doctoral degrees)

Arts and Humanities

Community and Health Sciences

Dentistry

Economic and Management

Sciences

Education

Law

Natural Sciences

THE MOTIF

Black, edged with symbolic print in the Faculty colour.

THE COWL

Trimmed based on the type of qualification being conferred.

THE NECKBAND

The neckband emblazoned with the protea in the Faculty colour.

THE HOOD

Full hood in black.

CERTIFICATES AND DIPLOMAS

(NQF LEVEL 5 AND 6)

Black, with gold and blue strips.

GRADUATION ATTIRE

HOODS

3 BACHELORS

(NQF LEVEL 7)

Black, edged with symbolic print in the Faculty colour; the neckband emblazoned with the protea in the Faculty colour.

Degrees: BA, BSc, BCom, BAdmin, BA (SRES), BSc (Complementary Health Sciences), BOH, PGCE

ADVANCED BACHELORS

(NQF LEVEL 8)

Black, edged with symbolic print in the Faculty colour and trimmed on the cowl with cord in platinum colour; the neckband emblazoned with the protea in the Faculty colour.

Degrees and Diplomas: All Honours degrees and Postgraduate Diplomas

PROFESSIONAL/SENIOR BACHELORS

(NQF LEVEL 8)

Black, edged with symbolic print in the Faculty colour and trimmed on the cowl with cord in gold colour; the neckband emblazoned with the protea in the Faculty colour.

Degrees: BPharm, BSW, BSc (Dietetics, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy), BLIS, BNur, BDS, LLB, BEd.

6 MASTERS (NQF LEVEL 9)

Black, lined with the Faculty colour, edged with symbolic print in the Faculty colour and trimmed on the cowl with cord in the Faculty colour; the neckband emblazoned with the protea in the Faculty colour.