http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1280 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:44:11 GMT 2026-04-13T13:44:11Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1655 The adoption and utilisation of information systems in farming at Limpopo province Vhembe district Murovhi, Lucky The goal of this research was to evaluate the level of information systems adoption and utilisation among small-scale farmers in the Vhembe district of Limpopo province, South Africa. Since agri culture is among the most crucial economic activities in the region, this research sought to evaluate attitudes of small-scale farmers, the contribution of extension officers, and factors that affect the implementation of technology in information systems for farming. The study relied on a positivist research paradigm and was conducted through a quantitative cross sectional survey approach in which 306 farmers were interviewed using structured questionnaires. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) level of 0.917 and Cronbach’s values of 0.779-0.945 proved the reliability and internal consistency of the instrument. Exploratory factor analysis revealed five key factors influencing technology adoption: Extension Officers’ involvement and support for the adoption and usage of information systems, perceived attitude towards information systems, per ceived barriers to adoption of information systems, and the perceived usual source of agricultural information. The results showed a gender gap with the participants being 63.7% male and 36.3% female. Other notable factors included higher education as an influential factor, with 40.2% participant small scale farmers possessing a degree showing a tendency to adopt information systems and a greater likelihood having bachelor level or better degree. Support from extension officers was also critical in affecting both the perception and real adoption of information systems. The findings of this study, therefore, support the need to utilize the extension officers, foster pos itive attitudes, and disseminate relevant information to increase the uptake of information systems in agriculture. These views are in support of the Diffusion of Innovation Theory where more effort needs to be applied towards increasing the perceived relative advantage and lack of trialability of information systems among the small-scale farmers. Report Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1655 2025-07-28T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1573 Test submission Mon, 19 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1573 2024-08-19T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1563 Death and Mourning Rituals in the South African Church: Towards a Biblical Model for Counselling Bereaved Families of Emmanuel Assemblies in Bolobedu South, Limpopo Province Modiba, CFE Death is an inevitable occurrence that affect most human beings one way or another such that some people engage in several activities in response to its affects and to obtain spiritual healing or closure (Baloyi 2016, 201-216, Itsweni and Tshifhumulo 2018, 11705-11727). Among the Balobedu people of Bolobedu south in Limpopo prov ince, South Africa, there were speculations about death and mourning rituals that be reaving members observed which left some who fellowshipped in Emmanuel Assem blies Church not sure as how to respond to the call of rituals. They used the Bible as their guide to evaluate the situation so that their faith would not be compromised. This gave birth to researching these rituals by purposefully sampling 39 participants from Ga-Motupa, Kgwekge, Relela, Morutjie and Motlhomeng, to establish the reality of the matter. The objective of the study was to investigate the death and mourning rituals that Balobedu people of Bolobedu south in Limpopo province, South Africa; performed with a view of formulating a biblical counselling model that can assist Emmanuel As semblies church members residing in the same vicinity to deal with death-related ritu als that directly need their engagements. With an approved consent form signed by the participants, various one-on-one inter views, pre-arranged by the participants recruiter, using semi-structured questions translated into Khelobedu (a dialect of Balobedu People) were conducted to collect data after the permission from both the royal house in Khetlhakong and their respec tive headmen were obtained. The research findings indicate that death and mourning rituals are performed by some nations around the globe, Balobedu included, to honour the deceased, to appease the dead and to obtain healing from the loss. The study also found that, Emmanuel mem bers lack a biblical counselling model to assist them on matters related to death and mourning rituals. The researcher also proposed a biblical counselling model to Em manuel leadership for adoption and use among their churches for them to obtain guid ance in the event of loss. The model combines Magezi’s seven approaches of pastoral care and Steward’s three steps of counselling. Thesis Tue, 04 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1563 2024-06-04T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1562 An Exploratory Study on the Challenges Faced by Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in the Schools of Maleboho East Circuit of the Capricorn District of Limpopo Province to Develop a Multi-Disciplinary Model Ntjana, NE Society faces the serious challenges of having to find solutions to look after orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC), who often survive against all odds, and are exposed to more threatening or challenging environments than other children. Although this is a widespread and global problem, in sub-Saharan Africa it is exacerbated by other precarious social conditions such as poverty, unemployment, inequality and domestic violence, among other factors. South Africa is no exception to these challenges. Being a developing country, it is still faced with an escalating problem of vulnerable children. This scenario is complicated by the fact that the scope of vulnerable children is vast and complex, but OVCs form the most vulnerable group, as they experience multiple dimensions of vulnerabilities. The South African Government took a positive step and responded with a series of legislations, policies and programmes to mitigate the vulnerability of children. However, despite these responses, the issue of vulnerability continues to grow. In schools, vulnerability makes it extremely difficult for OVC to cope with the demands of academic work and causes them to repeat their grades several times. The present study explored the challenges facing OVC in schools of the Maleboho East Circuit. The communities around the Maleboho East Circuit are termed multi-risks communities, where social issues such as poverty, unemployment, inequality and substance abuse are prevalent. The study anchored itself on ecosystem theory, emphasising the importance of a person in context, strength-based, which was a shift from deficiencies to strengths and resilience theory. This approach provided a lens and mind map that guided the study. This was paramount for a study of this nature, as the problems experienced by the child at home will eventually cascade into the school environment, where academic performance is needed. The three theories were complementary to each other, as they were used to compensate each other’s deficiencies. The study followed an interpretive paradigm, which placed emphasis on the participants’ 2 lived experiences. In a study such as this one, where in-depth data was required; this paradigm allowed the researcher to enter the participants’ lived world through a focus group discussion and personal interviews. From the interviews, themes and sub-themes were generated that were informed by the participants’ responses. Findings indicated that the OVC face many challenges both in school and in their homes as well as their communities. In their homes, they are heavily burdened with household chores that consume most of their time, making it difficult for OVC to juggle both household duties and academic work, causing serious barriers that hinder their academic progress, and results in them often failing and repeating their grades multiple times. They are also challenged by other psychosocial issues such as anger and frustration, and emotional difficulties caused by their lack of basic and school necessities. Though faced with these challenges, they developed their own coping strategies to manage their situation. However, the researcher concluded that the OVC’s challenges made them feel and become educationally excluded. As most OVC are coming from impoverished homes, they will fail to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty they are subjected to. Therefore, the researcher recommended that the government as a custodian of children’s welfare should create an environment that is more conducive for the policy for inclusive education to be implemented. Schools should adopt a responsibility, where the focus is not only on education, but on creating an environment where all learners will be catered for holistically, irrespective of their background, thereby enabling them to become better citizens of tomorrow. This is in line with the spirit of the Constitution of South Africa, 1996. Thesis Tue, 04 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1562 2024-06-04T00:00:00Z