OpenUCT is the open access institutional repository of the University of Cape Town (UCT). It preserves and makes UCT scholarly outputs digitally and freely available, including theses and dissertations, journal articles, book chapters, technical and research reports, as well as open educational resources.
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The jointcare study: does owner pain education reduce pain in dogs with OA?
(2026) Van Der Walt, Anna Margaretha; Parker, Romy
Introduction Chronic osteoarthritis (OA) pain in dogs is a major veterinary health burden, affecting both the dog and the human–dog dyad. Although caregiver pain education delivered within a biopsychosocial model has been shown to improve the physical functioning of dependent patients with chronic pain, the application of similar owner-focused education models in dog osteoarthritis management remains unexplored. This study investigates the role of dog owners in shaping the functional adaptation of dogs with chronic pain and evaluates the impact of an evidence-based pain education intervention, The JointCare Programme, on improving outcomes in the management of chronic osteoarthritis pain in dogs. Methods A scoping review examined parallels between chronic pain in dogs and humans, including contemporary pain management strategies, with particular focus on caregiver–patient dyads, such as found in paediatric pain care. Using Intervention Mapping, the JointCare Programme was developed within a biopsychosocial framework to target owner cognitive and behavioural factors influencing dog pain. A mixed-methods pilot feasibility study evaluated the programme's effectiveness, using owner-reported measures of pain severity, pain interference, fear-of-pain, and pain self-efficacy. Participant interviews provided qualitative insights to contextualise the quantitative findings. Results The scoping review confirmed the importance of addressing owner-related factors in dog chronic pain management. Intervention Mapping produced a structured, theory-driven education programme tailored to this need. Compared to usual care, the programme significantly reduced dog pain and owner fear-of-pain. Qualitative findings highlighted improved owner knowledge, skills and peer support as drivers of change. The intervention showed strong feasibility and acceptability in real-world settings. Conclusion This study highlights the potential of dog owner-focused pain education in the management of dog patients with chronic painful OA. The data show that The JointCare Programme is a feasible model for enhancing pain management in dogs. Future research should refine self-efficacy assessments, examine long-term outcomes, and explore the scalability of the intervention.
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Open Access
Using Gamification to enhance student engagement at a South African Private Higher Education Institution: A DBR approach
(2026) Zulu, Remaketse Francis; Ng'ambi, Dickson
This study investigates the use of gamification as an instructional approach to boost student engagement in a Management Information Systems (MIS) course at a South African Private Higher Education Institution (PHEI). Utilizing a Design-Based Research (DBR) framework, the research aims to develop evidence-based design principles for effectively incorporating gamification into teaching practices in higher education. The central research question focused on identifying effective design principles for gamification, while additional questions examined its impact on student engagement, the most effective gamification elements, and the role of tools like Quizalize in achieving these outcomes. The study involved 15 students who chose to take part in the research on a voluntary basis. Findings revealed that gamification significantly enhances student engagement by fostering motivation, encouraging active involvement, and instilling a sense of achievement. The study identified key gamification elements, including leaderboards, badges, and real-time feedback, as especially effective in boosting engagement. Quizalize, as the selected gamification tool, proved instrumental in transforming traditional learning experiences into dynamic, interactive environments that aligned with students' preferences and needs. The research culminated in a series of design principles emphasizing the need to align gamification with educational goals, achieve a harmonious blend of competition and collaboration, and sustain student engagement through varied content and immediate feedback mechanisms. While the study demonstrated the potential of gamification to address challenges related to student disengagement, it also highlighted limitations, including technical constraints and the need for equitable access to resources. This study highlights the impact of gamification in creating engaging, learner-centred educational experiences and offers practical guidance for educators and institutions seeking to incorporate gamification into their teaching strategies.
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Open Access
Reimagining development through BRICS: South African scholarly perspectives on inclusive development
(2026) Zhang, Charli Sitong; Siachiwena, Hangala
This dissertation investigates South African scholarly perspectives on the BRICS formation as both a mechanism for addressing national development challenges and a platform for reshaping global development governance. It explores two core research questions: (1) how South African scholars perceive BRICS's capacity to address South Africa's domestic development priorities, and (2) how they interpret BRICS's potential to advance inclusive, equitable global development governance. Drawing on qualitative interviews with South African academics and policy researchers, and situated within a conceptual framework of African agency, epistemic justice, and inclusive development, the study identifies a cautiously optimistic assessment of BRICS's relevance. Scholars highlight the New Development Bank's sovereign, non-conditional lending; its support for infrastructure and green development; and initiatives to promote local currency financing as positive departures from traditional conditionalities. BRICS is viewed as a complementary platform—one that provides political space for asserting development sovereignty and challenging dominant global governance norms. While recognising internal and domestic constraints, scholars contend that South Africa's engagement with BRICS can be strategically leveraged to support national priorities and epistemic reform. This dissertation contributes to African-centred scholarship by foregrounding local voices and proposing BRICS as a site for reimagining development governance beyond the confines of Western-led institutions.
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Open Access
Unravelling corporate crimes within listed companies: a multi-case study of selected South African and German companies
(2026) Yingwane, Themba Trevor; Mupangavanhu, Brighton; Thabane, Tebello; Louw, Michelle
This study offers critical insight into the influence of director–shareholder relationships on the emergence of corporate criminogenic practices, with particular reference to the Steinhoff, Volkswagen, and Wirecard cases. It further interrogates the potential of shareholder activism as a mechanism for curtailing such practices. The study employs a doctrinal methodology, systematically analysing case law, statutory frameworks, and governance structures in relation to the selected case studies. The research also adopts a quasi-hybrid approach, integrating both meta-analysis and case-law analysis derived from doctrinal and qualitative methodologies, respectively. The study demonstrated that Steinhoff, Volkswagen, and Wirecard managers engaged in criminogenic practices autonomously, without shareholders' influence. This phenomenon was primarily influenced by micro-drivers such as avarice, pathogenic narcissistic characters, and intricate corporate structures, as well as macro-drivers such as unfavourable relationships with stakeholders, ambiguous regulations, and auditors' deficient scepticism. Accordingly, the injurious managerialism culture further enabled managers to pursue profit maximisation without regard for consequences, to appease shareholders, as highlighted by the annual report syndrome. Similarly, the involvement of the majority shareholders on the supervisory board or as CEO potentially compromised their oversight role and moral judgement, as accentuated by shareholder risk theory. Moreover, the study found that shareholder activism can contribute to curtailing corporate criminogenic practices, especially when they apply decisive shareholder activism. These results make a unique contribution to the existing knowledge within corporate law and governance (including shareholder activism), corporate crime, compliance, and ethics literature. The study further sparks a discourse on the potential of shareholder activism in curtailing corporate criminogenic practices.
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Open Access
Representation, advocacy and justice - the role of civil society organisations in South African climate policy
(2026) Whelan, Anna; Rennkamp, Britta
Climate justice is a multidimensional framework that addresses the disproportionate and unequal impacts of climate change, advocating for fair and equitable solutions that prioritise marginalised communities. It frames climate change not only as a scientific, financial, or technological issue but as a fundamental matter of justice, requiring inclusive governance and rights-based responses. Civil society organisations (CSOs) play a critical role in advancing climate justice by amplifying the voices of vulnerable populations, advocating for policy reform, and holding governments accountable. However, their influence in climate governance is often constrained by structural barriers, power asymmetries, and institutional limitations. This dissertation examines the role of CSOs in South African climate policy-making, focusing on their representation and advocacy functions in shaping justice-oriented climate policies. The study introduces a conceptual Climate Justice Framework, integrating procedural, recognitional, distributive, and restorative justice principles to evaluate CSO engagement in climate governance. Using content analysis and developing a justice rubric, it assesses the extent to which CSOs potentially influenced the development of South Africa's Climate Change Act (2024) with regards to justice considerations. The findings reveal notable progress in procedural justice, particularly through enhanced public participation and accountability mechanisms. However, recognitional and restorative justice remain limited, with marginalised groups largely absent from key policy provisions. Additionally, distributive justice considerations, essential for ensuring equitable climate responses, are significantly lacking, raising concerns about the fairness of climate governance in addressing historical and socioeconomic disparities. This research contributes to climate governance literature by providing empirical insights into the effectiveness of CSO advocacy and representation in climate policy-making. It also offers a structured framework for evaluating climate justice within legislative processes, which can be applied in other national contexts. The findings have broader implications for global climate governance, underscoring the need for stronger legal and institutional mechanisms to support civil society engagement, democratise climate policymaking, and promote justice-oriented climate action.