Research capacity development needs for postgraduate students at South African public universities

Research capacity development needs for postgraduate students at South African public universities

by | Dec 6, 2025 | IJAR 2025

Research capacity development needs for postgraduate students at South African public universities

Author: Fulufhelo Malamatsho

ISSN: 3078-2821
Affiliations: University of South Africa
Source: International Journal of African Reflections 2025, p. 41-59
https://doi.org/10.47348/IJAR/2025/a3

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Fulufhelo Malamatsho
Research capacity development needs for postgraduate students at South African public universities
International Journal of African Reflections 2025, p. 41-59

Abstract

Supervisors are the cornerstones of successful postgraduate studies. Once registered, a postgraduate student is allocated a supervisor to oversee research and mentor them. Some universities allocate supervisors and mentors separately depending on their capacity. Although postgraduate students need to lead their academic journey, their supervisors are also responsible for their success. The throughput rate for postgraduates focuses on ensuring that students fulfil the requirements of their degrees within the expected time frames. Challenges may arise in the postgraduate student journey, including emotional, psychological, financial and health – and even the loss of interest in their research. The supervisors are expected to help the students to overcome these challenges through various means, including referral to professional services. Some universities may offer incentives to supervisors should their students graduate on time. However, it is not entirely clear what students would want from their supervisors or universities in order to feel supported. This quantitative study surveyed postgraduate students who were studying at South African public universities from 2010 to 2020 in order to determine who played a role in their studies and what kind of support or research capacity development activities helped them to complete their studies. Cooke’s Framework (2005) was applied in the questionnaire to evaluate the development of the students’ research capacity. The findings highlight the reality that supervisors are key to postgraduate support and throughput rates and that activities such as research workshops and dissertation writing sessions are beneficial to postgraduates. The study recommends adopting Cooke’s Framework at public universities so as to evaluate research capacity, replacing the principle of sustainability and continuity with emotional support and conducting needs assessments, ongoing monitoring and yearend evaluations, while ensuring that supervisors are suitably equipped to meet student needs.

Research capacity development needs for postgraduate students at South African public universities

Restoring dignity for students with disabilities at South African universities

by | Dec 6, 2025 | IJAR 2025

Restoring dignity for students with disabilities at South African universities

Author: Beauty Nonzwakazi Makiwane

ISSN: 3078-2821
Affiliations: Faculty of Management and Public Administration Sciences, Butterworth, Walter Sisulu University, Eastern Cape province, South Africa
Source: International Journal of African Reflections 2025, p. 60-77
https://doi.org/10.47348/IJAR/2025/a4

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Beauty Nonzwakazi Makiwane
Restoring dignity for students with disabilities at South African universities
International Journal of African Reflections 2025, p. 60-77

Abstract

Sections 3 and 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 108 of 1996 state that one automatically has inherent dignity upon gaining South African citizenship. However, students with disabilities perceive that South African universities focus more on acknowledging and recognising dignity while struggling to promote respect for and the protection of individuals with a disability from the stages of studentship, all the way from application to graduation. These perceptions imply abuses against minors with disabilities that negatively affect their dignity. For this reason, the intention to promote respect for and the protection of students with disabilities at South African universities presents an interesting case that warrants examination. A qualitative research approach was preferred for this study in order to indicate those key areas where the dignity of particular individuals was jeopardised. Self-administered questionnaires were given to 15 focus groups of students with disabilities at Walter Sisulu University, who were selected through key informant sampling. This was followed by a semi-structured interview schedule to cover identified gaps in the Walter Sisulu University’s policies and practices. A survey research design was chosen to enable the observation of students with disabilities in their physical environments. Content analysis was used to analyse the collected data. The findings indicate that various interventions, such as disability-specific educational, training and development programmes, are essential to imparting significant knowledge and skills about matters of disability. Recommendations include fostering strong collaborations and partnerships with key stakeholders for meaningful engagement, establishing structures and platforms where students with disabilities participate proactively, and the introduction of prescribed quotas of students with disabilities by the Department of Higher Education and Training to reflect on what South African universities preach.

Research capacity development needs for postgraduate students at South African public universities

Globalisation and Cameroonian worldview: The case of Azanwi Nchami’s Foot prints of destiny and Kenjo Jumbam’s The whiteman of God

by | Dec 6, 2025 | IJAR 2025

Globalisation and Cameroonian worldview: The case of Azanwi Nchami’s Foot prints of destiny and Kenjo Jumbam’s The whiteman of God

Authors: Doreen Mekunda and Woloa Sheriban

ISSN: 3078-2821
Affiliations: University of Buea, Department of English and Cultural Studies, Faculty of Arts, Republic of Cameroon
Source: International Journal of African Reflections 2025, p. 78-96
https://doi.org/10.47348/IJAR/2025/a5

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Doreen Mekunda and Woloa Sheriban
Globalisation and Cameroonian worldview: The case of Azanwi Nchami’s Foot prints of destiny and Kenjo Jumbam’s The whiteman of God
International Journal of African Reflections 2025, p. 78-96

Abstract

Contact between the various peoples in the world, especially between the global North and South, was accentuated through the civilising mission-slavery, colonisation, imperialism and other ever-evolving forms of oppressor–oppressed relationships. With cultural contact as a constant in our evolving world, globalisation aims to referee relations between these interacting cultures on a global scale. This article examines the ways in which globalisation has affected the Cameroonian worldview by discussing excerpts from Kenjo Jumbam’s The whiteman of God (1980) and Azanwi Nchami’s Foot prints of destiny (1985). We build our discourse around Aseh’s concept of the ‘Kamerun Idea’, exploring the tenets of worldview, ontology, values, logic and identity. We answer the question: Could there be any equitable exchanges between the global North and South in the global supermarket of influences? It is the contention of this article that globalisation has become a pressing present reality, especially as culture shock leads to osmotic relationships of exchange between the global North and South. This article reveals that whenever cultures meet, influence is traded and worldviews are affected.

Research capacity development needs for postgraduate students at South African public universities

E-waste management and its health and environmental impact in under-resourced villages of South Africa: A case study

by | Dec 6, 2025 | IJAR 2025

E-waste management and its health and environmental impact in under-resourced villages of South Africa: A case study

Authors: Odwa Gazana and Tembisa Grace Nqgondi

ISSN: 3078-2821
Affiliations: Faculty of Informatics and Design, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Western Cape, South Africa; Faculty of Informatics and Design, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Western Cape, South Africa
Source: International Journal of African Reflections 2025, p. 97-115
https://doi.org/10.47348/IJAR/2025/a6

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Odwa Gazana and Tembisa Grace Nqgondi
E-waste management and its health and environmental impact in under-resourced villages of South Africa: A case study
International Journal of African Reflections 2025, p. 97-115

Abstract

The rapid growth of electronic waste (e-waste) has been identified as one contributor to health and environmental risks worldwide. The lack of awareness of the e-waste in the under-resourced villages in South Africa contributes to the environmental risks and health hazards that lead to challenges of climate change due to air and land pollution. It has been established that these villages lack the infrastructure for managing e-waste, which leads to e-waste being disposed in the open land and landfills or burnt or buried underground. Such practices expose communities to toxic chemicals because e-waste is composed of hazardous elements such as lead, mercury and beryllium. If these elements are not properly managed or disposed of, they cause significant danger to the environment and people’s health. This study aimed to assess the level of e-waste awareness and management in the under-resourced villages of South Africa, in particular in the Eastern Cape province. The study adopted a qualitative research approach and embraced a purposive case study method which is underpinned by the Social Capital Theory. Thematic data analysis was used to analyse the data. The study findings demonstrated that the villagers had a lack of awareness of e-waste’s impact on their health and also of the environmental hazards. The Social Capital Theory approach embraced collaboration between a researcher and communities; it resulted in the development of an e-waste awareness and management solution for the villagers and the local municipalities. This article reports on the e-waste awareness process and management.

Research capacity development needs for postgraduate students at South African public universities

Perspectives, challenges and opportunities for water supply management in Rustenburg: A case study of Tlhabane township

by | Dec 6, 2025 | IJAR 2025

Perspectives, challenges and opportunities for water supply management in Rustenburg: A case study of Tlhabane township

Author: Tsie Omphile Mathope

ISSN: 3078-2821
Affiliations: Walter Sisulu University
Source: International Journal of African Reflections 2025, p. 116-159
https://doi.org/10.47348/IJAR/2025/a7

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Tsie Omphile Mathope
Perspectives, challenges and opportunities for water supply management in Rustenburg: A case study of Tlhabane township
International Journal of African Reflections 2025, p. 116-159

Abstract

Water is perceived to be one of the precious resources that should not be denied to any person; however, without the knowledge and attitude of how to sustain it, water will continue to be in short supply. This study aimed to contribute more knowledge about the perspectives on, the challenges of and the opportunities for water supply management in the Rustenburg Local Municipality, specifically in the township of Tlhabane, a small suburb of the municipality situated in North West province, South Africa. The problems leading to poor water supply and management that are experienced by various local communities were explored, with particular reference to Tlhabane township. A descriptive research design was used in this study and the researcher applied the qualitative research method because the two approaches are best used concurrently. The target population identified to respond to the research questions of this study were the community members of Tlhabane who have been facing great water-supply challenges. A probability sampling method was chosen in this study due to its ability to give every person an equal chance of being selected. A systematic random sampling technique was also used in this study, the researcher having determined a sample size of 300 as being sufficient to represent a subset of the Tlhabane community. The data were gathered by distributing open- and close-ended questionnaires to the community members. In addition, five unstructured interviews were conducted with the municipal staff members in the Directorate of Technical and Infrastructure (the Water Supply Unit). The study’s key findings reveal that the community members of Tlhabane expressed frustration at having unreliable access to water. This has led to a growing reliance on self-supply methods. An ageing water infrastructure (eg, asbestos-cement pipes) has led to frequent pipe leaks and bursts. High levels of water loss have been caused by inadequate pipeline maintenance, leading to community protests as a result of persistent water shortages. Limited financial resources have also hindered water infrastructure maintenance and upgrades. The water distribution infrastructure must be upgraded to reduce leaks and wastage. Public–private partnerships must be strengthened for better water management, community participation must be encouraged in water conservation efforts and alternative water sources such as recycled water and sustainable water-supply strategies must be leveraged. Recommendations are made that can be adopted to ensure good service delivery of water to the Tlhabane community. Once these measures are implemented, it is believed the water-supply problems will be overcome. These recommendations are meant to help the municipality to improve its water services to the community by eradicating water shortages. This will serve to ensure that there is economic well-being, employment, peace and stability in the area.