Archive of Journal
Volume 79, Issue 8, Aug. 2023

A CENTURY OF AFRICAN INDIGENOUS LITERATURE AND SCHOLARSHIP IN SOUTH AFRICA (1922 TO 2022): A BRIEF REVIEW

Volume 79, Aug 2023
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2023.8.7

Abstract: This article reviews and discusses the development of African Languagesâ€™ literature and scholarship in the past one hundred years, from 1922 to 2022. It outlines some of the major trends and tropes in these literatures and the scholarship thereof. Based on the textual approach, this article is an analysis of analyses in the sense that it analyses existing studies and draw conclusions. The argument put forward in this article is that some of the approaches to literary analyses are so dominant that African indigenous languages literature is synonymous to them. The major defining features of African indigenous language scholarship are structuralism, narratology, and stylistics. The article also argues that scholars should broaden their theories by using other frameworks for the future of these literatures.

Author(s): EDM Sibiya

FEATURES OF ACUTE POISONING IN CHILDHOOD: A FIVE-YEAR EXPERIENCE OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN ISTANBUL

Volume 79, Aug 2023
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2023.8.3

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Abstract: Introduction Poisoning is a preventable public health issue that poses a significant threat to the health and well-being of children worldwide. As such, it is of utmost importance to assess the current situation, update epidemiological data, and establish effective prevention and monitoring strategies for healthcare professionals. This study aims to evaluate the epidemiological data of children who were admitted to our hospital with suspected poisoning and to provide insights that can inform the development of community-based preventive programs. Material-Method The study is a retrospective descriptive cross-sectional analysis that included cases who presented to the pediatric outpatient clinic with suspicion of acute poisoning over a five-year period. The sociodemographic data of the cases, exposure to the toxic substance, and clinical follow-ups were analyzed to provide insights into the epidemiology of childhood poisoning and inform the development of prevention programs. Results A total of 396 cases were included in this study, with an average age of 3.4Â±2.0 years. Of all the poisoning cases, 50.5% were attributed to pharmacological agents. Antipyretics (31.0%), antidepressants (22.8%), and antihistamines (14.2%) were the most frequently implicated agents in drug-related poisonings. As for treatment and follow-up, 86.9% of the cases required hospitalization. Chemical poisoning was observed to be the most prevalent type of poisoning in the 0-11 months and 1-5 years age groups, accounting for 54.5% of cases. Conversely, drug poisoning was the most frequent type of poisoning in the 13-18 years age group, representing 88.5% of cases. Significantly different patterns were observed in the types of drugs involved in poisoning cases across different age groups (p=0.013). Antipyretics were the most commonly involved drugs in 29.8% of poisoning cases in the 1-5 years age group, while antidepressants accounted for 52.2% of poisoning cases in the 13-18 years age group. There was a statistically significant increase in the proportion of adolescents admitted to the intensive care unit compared to other age groups (p&amp;lt;0.001, Ï‡Â² =51.8). Conclusion The current study found significant differences in the etiology and follow-up of poisoning cases among adolescents, which highlights the importance of addressing this age group in preventive efforts and improving their care.

Author(s): Nicel Yildiz Silahli, Betul Orhan Kilic

DO WE HAVE A MASTER PLAN TO PREVENT THE EXTINCTION OF CIVIL TECHNOLOGY WOODWORK SPECIALIZATION IN SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOLS?

Volume 79, Aug 2023
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2023.8.5

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Abstract: In schools, woodworking is offered to equip learners with skills at professional and sub-professional levels. It has contributed immensely to the aesthetic value of most commercial and domestic buildings to date. The purpose of this study was to explore technical schools master plan to prevent the extinction of Civil Technologyâ€™s woodwork specialization in South African schools. This study purposefully sampled nine participants comprising of subject specialist, principals and woodwork teachers. The two qualitative data-collection methods used were open-ended questionnaires and unstructured interviews. In this case study, thematic analysis was employed. Furthermore, the study adapted theory of planning as its framework. The findings of this study revealed that in order to prevent the looming extinction of woodwork specialisation, refurbishment of woodwork workshops, allocation of enough time for woodwork practical sessions and increasing operational budget for woodwork activities was to be done urgently, however, this were found to be long-term plans that could not be implemented by teachers but the department. This study recommended that schools managers, teachers, and specialists in the subject devise short-term to medium term master plans so that woodwork does not go into extinction while waiting for DBEâ€™s interventions.

Author(s): Kayela Mabasa, Thokozani Mtshali, Moses Makgato, Ndlelehle Skosana

THE EFFECT OF SHORT-TERM MENTAL AND PHYSICAL STRESS ON HEART RATE VARIABILITY

Volume 79, Aug 2023
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2023.8.2

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Abstract: When individuals experience mental or physical stress, activation of the sympathetic nervous system becomes dominant, leading to various physiological changes. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in heart rate variability (HRV) among athletes exposed to mental and physical stressors, and assess the impact of these changes on performance. A total of 41 athlete-students participated in the study and were randomly assigned to two groups: the Mental Arithmetic Task Group (MATG) and the Neutral Text Group (NTG). HRV measurements were obtained during four phases: Rest, Mental Stressor, Dart Throwing, and Recovery. Initially, resting recordings were collected from both groups for the first 4 minutes. Subsequently, the MATG performed a mental arithmetic task, while the NTG read a neutral text for 4 minutes. In the third phase, both groups engaged in dart throwing for 4 minutes, after which the recovery HRV measurements were taken from both groups for another 4 minutes, concluding the experiment. No significant difference in dart throwing performance was observed before and after the intervention, indicating that the mental arithmetic task and neutral text had no effect on dart performance. During the mental arithmetic task phase, a decrease in the parameters of pNN50, SDNN, RMSSD, and HF, accompanied by an increase in LF/HF, was observed. These changes, presumed to be caused by stress, manifested as a decrease in HF and an increase in LF/HF during the mental arithmetic task phase. Although the study successfully identified the impact of mental and physical stress on HRV, no significant effect on performance was detected. This finding may be attributed to the unique cognitive and perceptual nature of dart throwing, setting it apart from other physical activities such as running, cycling, and resistance training. It is thought that if this study is applied in other branches (football, volleyball, wrestling, etc.) that do not have a cognitive and perceptual structure, different results will be obtained.

Author(s): NilgÃ¼n Vurgun, Nebahat Eler, Serdar Eler, AydÄ±n ÅžentÃ¼rk

THE EFFECT OF METABOLIC RESISTANCE TRAINING ON ANAEROBIC POWER AND BODY COMPOSITION APPLIED IN WRESTLERS

Volume 79, Aug 2023
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2023.8.4

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Abstract: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of eight-week metabolic resistance training applied to wrestlers on anaerobic power, leg strength, arm strength and body composition. The study group consists of 31 male participants (experimental: 16, control: 15) between the ages of 19-25, who have been active in wrestling for at least six years. Participants in the experimental group were given exercise forms in which at least three joint areas were active and only body weight was used for the first two weeks in the eight-week period. After the second week, exercise forms consisting of combined movements using dumbbells, Olympic bars and resistance bands were applied. Metabolic strength training was applied for eight weeks, with the trainings for two hours a day, three days a week. On the other days, when metabolic strength training was not performed, combined metabolic training was performed. On the other hand, the participants in the control group applied the wrestling training program to be performed by the experimental group for three days a week, in a way that the scope and load intensity were parallel to each other. Anaerobic power, leg strength, arm strength and skinfold Caliper body fat measurements were taken from all participants before and after the eight-week program. In the measurement results before and after the training, repeated measurements Anova test were applied in the classes and the value of 0.05 was considered significant.

Author(s): Ismail KAYA, Kubra Kaya, Cetin Ozdilek, AydÄ±n Senturk

STRATEGIES THAT A STAFF DEVELOPMENT TEAM CAN USE TO DEVELOP TEACHERS IN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Volume 79, Aug 2023
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2023.8.6

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Abstract: This article explores the strategies that a typical school Staff Development Team (SDT) can use to promote teacher professional development in schools. The study is part of a larger South African study that probed teacher development and the strategies that can be employed to ensure an improvement in the quality and effectiveness of teaching and learning in some South African secondary schools. Informed by the professional learning communitiesâ€™ theory, the paper views a school and the staff development team as a professional learning community that aims to lead to an improvement of the quality of teaching and learning. The qualitative research approach was used to generate data. Data were generated through interviewing two teachers and a principal from each of three conveniently selected secondary schools (N=9). Data were analysed by discerning emerging themes. The results indicated that the Staff Development Teams (SDTs) and School Management Teams (SMTs) needed to proffer effective ways of developing staff members. The SDTs and SMTs grapple with both the planning and translation of plans into action regarding development of teachers. A variety of strategies for developing teachers were suggested by the teachers. We suggest that local social and political factors should be considered in improving the quality of teaching and learning. The study suggests that SMTs and SDTs be consistently trained (in order) to empower them with the necessary knowledge and skills for developing other teachers.

Author(s): John Z. Nxele, Sylvan Blignaut, Alfred Henry Makura

UTILIZING LEAN TECHNIQUES THROUGH A P-D-C-A APPROACH TO DRIVE BUILT-IN-QUALITY IN A THERMOFORMING LINE FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENT MANUFACTURER

Volume 79, Aug 2023
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2023.8.1

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Abstract: Automotive component manufacturers are faced with competitive challenges globally. At the heart of these challenges is the need to produce parts that are of high-quality standards. Now more than ever before, organizations need to work as a unit to drive the fundamentals of built-in-quality if they are to maintain good quality standards and overall cost competitive leadership. An automotive component manufacturer was struggling with managing the thermoforming line outflow of defects to their customers. Substantial amounts of resources in the form of inspectors were being added on their manufacturing lines to form quality gates and inspect for quality. This has resulted in cost implications and major profitability losses and further expanded their cost of quality. The severity of the problem was further exacerbated by the acceptance of the quality gates as a status quo with little or no initiatives to turn around the situation. The aim of this study was to subdue the traditional quality management approach of inspecting for quality by introducing a series of lean manufacturing techniques that process capability and built-in-quality. The study streamlined a sequence of lean manufacturing techniques that supported each other in their findings and results to develop a Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) based strategic approach to drive in-process quality capability in the manufacturerâ€™s Thermoforming line. The results of study were significant manpower reduction on the lines, improved quality capability results, reduced expected scrap rates and reworks, and an overall strategic guideline for the implementation of built-in-quality in automotive component manufacturerâ€™s thermoforming line.

Author(s): Edward Sontaga Makua, Bakhe Nleya, Mendon Dewa

THE CHALLENGES FACED BY HIGH SCHOOL LEARNERS IN CIRCLE GEOMETRY

Volume 79, Aug 2023
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2023.8.8

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Abstract: The teaching and understanding of geometry, especially grade 11 circular geometry, is a serious challenge in South Africa. The problems that learners encounter when learning circular geometry are increasing. The aim of the study was to identify the factors that contribute to learners' hurdles and misconceptions when studying circular geometry in grade 11, as well as suggestions for improving performance and overcoming the issues they face. A descriptive survey research design was used in this study. 130 participants from five distinct district regions, that is, 25 maths teachers, 100 students, and five principals made up the sample size. An online interview, a suggestion box, and three questionnaires, one for learners, teachers, and school principals, were used to collect data for the study. Learnersâ€™ views toward circle geometry are that they are attending fewer lessons than expected due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and a lack of prior knowledge are all contributing to the challenges and misconceptions they face. The study also found out that learners confuse theorem proof with reasoning. The findings of the study research are expected to give curriculum developers new insights into using Van Hiele theory-based education, innovative tactics for teaching circular geometry, getting students interested in the topic material, and providing more learning programs like the Secondary School Improving Program (SSIP). The sampled five district regions that used Van Hiele theory-based education and attended the Secondary School Improving Program (SSIP) continued to improve on content curricula, overall performance, misconceptions decreased, and learners developed a love for circle geometry and their attitude toward it changed.

Author(s): Amos K. Matsepe, Jeremiah Madzimure