University of South Africa

A semi-systematic qualitative evidence synthesis of South African public-school choir participation for adolescent HIV prevention education

Purpose: This article examines the potential of South African school choral music, particularly the ABC Motsepe South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE), as a culturally embedded platform for strengthening HIV prevention education among adolescents in public schools. Metho...

Mapping satellite based research on climate change impacts and environmental responses through bibliometric analysis

Climate change affects ecosystems, water resources, and human systems worldwide, while satellite remote sensing provides large-scale and repeated observations of environmental change. However, existing bibliometric assessments often examine individual environmental applications,...

Computational systems immunology and multi-scale modeling for the design of a Multi-Epitope Vaccine (MEV) against emerging multidrug-resistant Klebsiella michiganensis

Klebsiella michiganensis, an emerging multidrug-resistant member of the Klebsiella oxytoca complex, has become an important opportunistic pathogen responsible for nosocomial infections, including bacteremia and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Owing to its rapidly evolving resist...

A Critical Reflection on the Eroded Burial Rites Among the Zezuru People of Chiota Area in Zimbabwe

In African societies, death is never viewed as the end of life but as a transition to another life. Among the Zezuru People of Zimbabwe, words such as watisiya, “he has left us”, and waenda, “he has gone”, present death as not the end but a rite of passage to the spiritual life....

Investigating the Impact of El Niño–Southern Oscillation on Rangeland Productivity in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

ABSTRACT The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a major driver of climate variability that influences rainfall patterns and vegetation productivity across semi‐arid regions of southern Africa. Understanding how ENSO affects rangeland productivity is essential for improving cl...

Association of self-reported asthma symptoms and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis with truck traffic frequency and environmental tobacco smoke exposure among preschool children in Gauteng townships, South Africa

This study aimed to investigate the association between self-reported asthma symptoms, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, truck traffic frequency, and environmental tobacco smoke exposure among preschool children in Gauteng townships, South Africa. This cross-sectional study was condu...

Antiquity in the Construction of Diasporic Greek Identity in Johannesburg

Ancient Greece is often portrayed as the birthplace of diverse intellectual and cultural traditions. In Johannesburg, the Greek diaspora draws on such associations with antiquity to signal authentic group belonging. This article examines how references to antiquity are used to co...

Protecting the Learner in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: An Educational Psychology Policy Agenda for Student Well-Being, Agency and Resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa

Background Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing education through generative AI, adaptive learning systems, automated assessment, intelligent teaching, and data-driven learning support. More and more AI-powered systems are mediating learning, communication, informatio...

Reimagining quality assurance in African universities through UNESCO’s Futures of Education 2050: a critical policy analysis

Purpose This paper aims to examine how UNESCO’s Futures of Education 2050 vision can inform the transformation of quality assurance in selected African university systems. Design/methodology/approach It uses critical policy analysis and thematic document analysis to examine UNESC...

Evaluation of microstructure and mechanical performance of spark plasma sintered TiAl alloy reinforced with Si3N4 and TiCN additives

Abstract This work evaluates the microstructure and mechanical characteristics of spark plasma sintered TiAl-matrix composites containing 3 wt% Si 3 N 4 and 3 wt% TiCN additives. Microstructural and phase studies reveal the development of TiAl and Ti 3 Al phases in monolithic TiA...

Discovery of a Compact Hub-Filament System in G286.21+0.17 with JWST and ALMA: Insights into Protocluster Formation and Competitive Accretion

Abstract We present a multi-wavelength study of the massive protocluster G286.21+0.17 (G286) using JWST near-infrared (NIR) imaging and ALMA H13CO+(1–0) observations. The JWST images uncover a compact (∼0.5 pc) hub-filament system (HFS), comprising a dense central hub connected b...

Behind the Screens: A Qualitative Study of University Staff Well-Being in Distance Learning

This qualitative study investigates how academic and professional staff at a large distance-learning university understand and experience well-being within digitally mediated work environments. Qualitative data were generated from open-ended responses included in a mixed-methods...

Explainable LLM-assisted fault diagnosis for smart manufacturing using multi-trace diagnostic rationales and verification

Abstract Smart manufacturing systems increasingly rely on data-driven fault diagnosis to support condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, and operational decision-making. Although conventional machine-learning and deep-learning models can achieve high diagnostic accuracy, th...

Process Modelling and Comparative Evaluation of Syngas Production Pathways from Biomass and Biogas

Abstract A comparative analysis of hydrogen-rich syngas production based on biogas reforming and biomass gasification process configurations using an Aspen Plus simulation was conducted. Results showed that biogas steam reforming achieved higher H 2 content than biomass gasificat...

Beyond Supervision: Developing a Measure of Supervisory Support for Innovation and Creativity in Higher Education

Innovation and creativity have become strategic priorities for higher education institutions (HEIs), placing increasing emphasis on supervisory behaviours that foster innovative employee performance. Despite growing interest in innovation-supportive leadership, there is limited r...

Hybrid Nanocatalysts Coupled with Advanced Oxidation and Reduction Processes for Emerging Organic Pollutants, Focusing on Design Evidence, Reactor Configurations, and Sustainability Metrics

Emerging organic pollutants, principally antibiotics, synthetic dyes and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), persist in aquatic systems because of chemical stability, incomplete metabolic transformation and limited removal in conventional biological and physical treatment...

Electrochemical sensors for melamine and clenbuterol in food

Food safety remains a critical global concern as escalating demand and intensified market competition continue to drive economically motivated adulteration (EMA). The unauthorized inclusion of substances such as melamine (MEL) and clenbuterol (CLB) poses a severe public health ri...

Microstructural evolution, hardness and wear properties of WS₂ films deposited by RF magnetron sputtering at varying times

Abstract In the present work, WS₂ thin films were deposited on hot-working steel substrates by RF magnetron sputtering at different deposition times (600, 900, 1200, 1500, and 1800 s). The films were systematically characterized using cross-sectional analysis for thickness measur...

Population and economic growth nexus in South Africa

The study applies the Engle-Granger cointegration approach to estimate the long-run impact of population growth on GDP growth in South Africa, as well as the attainment of United Nations SDG 8, which advocates for the promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The study...

Electrochemical Performance of Palladium-Doped Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanocomposite Material in Detecting Diclofenac Spiked in Lake Water

The increasing human impact on aquatic ecosystems due to the widespread use of pharmaceuticals such as diclofenac calls for the development of innovative and affordable techniques for detecting and quantifying these contaminants in water. Herein, a technique for detecting diclofe...