Mahlapahlapana Johannes Themane
Biographic Data
| ID | 246804 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Mahlapahlapana Johannes Themane |
| GIVEN NAMES | Mahlapahlapana Johannes |
| FAMILY NAME | Themane |
| SIGNATURE | THEMANE M J |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Limpopo |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-2097-8538 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 15 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 4 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 15 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2003 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
The impact of Language of Learning and Teaching on the performance of commercial subjects in South African rural schools
The underperformance and declining enrolment in commercial subjects (Business studies, Economics, and Accounting) in some South African schools in the Capricorn South District have raised concerns about their sustainability. Limited research has explored the role of Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT) in shaping commercial learners’ performance, particularly in rural schools, despite evidence that poor proficiency in the LOLT can hinder comp…
Narratives of neglect
Academic underperformance in the General Education and Training (GET) band, particularly in Grades 8 and 9, remains a persistent crisis in rural South African districts. While substantial policy attention and resources are directed toward Grade 12 outcomes, the foundational years of secondary education suffer from systemic neglect, creating a critical gap in understanding the drivers of early secondary school failure. This qualitative study explo…
Factors Contributing to the Underperformance of Grades 8 and 9 Secondary School Learners in South Africa
The persistent under-performance of Grades 8 and 9 learners in South African schools has led to escalating dropout and repetition rates, necessitating urgent intervention. Despite existing strategies, most efforts focus disproportionately on Grade 12, leaving a critical gap in addressing early high school under-performance. This study was initiated by the Department of Basic Education (Mopani West District, Limpopo Province) in collaboration with…
Learner Discipline and Democratic Rights
This article investigated how school stakeholders perceive the effectiveness of current policies and government Acts on learner discipline. Learner ill-disciplined behaviour is a daily occurrence in today’s classrooms. The question addressed was: What are the stakeholders’ perspectives on the effectiveness of the current policies and government Acts on learner discipline? To answer this question, the study adopted the qualitative approach and a c…
A bibliometric analysis of mental health research in places of higher learning in sub-Saharan Africa
This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of mental health research within higher learning institutions across sub-Saharan Africa. The examination spans from 1974 to the present using a sample of 655 articles published in more than 255 journals. The study findings reveal notable trends in the field's evolution and identify promising scientific patterns that enhance our comprehension of the mental health landscape among tertiary st…
Prostate Cancer Knowledge, Beliefs and Screening Uptake among Black Survivors
Men of African ancestry suffer disproportionately from prostate cancer (PCa) compared to other racial groups in South Africa. Equally concerning is that black South African men generally present later and with higher stages and grades of the disease than their non-black counterparts. Despite this, a small percentage of black South African men participate in screening practices for PCa. This study sought to explore knowledge and beliefs of black S…
Bringing the Science of Learning and Development Into the South African Schools
Transforming the South African education system after decades of apartheid remains a dream for all. This chapter contributes on how this dream can be achieved. To this end, I raise two arguments. First, transformation will require young people to become adept at handling tensions and dilemmas. Second, I propose that the science of learning and development (SoLD) has a possibility to develop such competences. I begin with a look at the colonial ed…
Exploring the use of Heidegger's Phenomenological Approach to Delve Into the Learning Experiences of Homosexual Learners in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
This article explores the use of the phenomenological approach in the learning experiences of homosexual learners in schools. We conducted the research at a time when studies in education rarely use Heidegger's phenomenological approach to explore educational phenomena. The question is: what are the lessons that can be learnt from the use of Heidegger's phenomenological approach in exploring the learning experiences of homosexual learners in rura…
Contributions of Social Research Methodologies to Social Change
Historically, social research methodologies have been construed as being less significant in their contribution to social change. This perception emanates from those who view social research methodologies as an accessory to the natural sciences. Contrary to this view, this article, on the schooling experiences of children who have been left behind by their parents in Zimbabwe, is used to contribute to the debate. It seeks to present our experienc…
Conceptual and Methodological Reflections on the Intersections of Religion, Ethics and Communication in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic
Most of the work done to understand and combat the COVID-19 pandemic has been based on epidemiological models. These models are often devoid of human factors such as ethics, religion and communication. In this article, I endeavour to close this gap by examining whether or not religion can help in the understanding and management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Past research has made contradicting conclusions as to the influence of religion, ethics and …
Experiences of teachers and learners who are left-behind in Zimbabwe by emigrating parents
Since the year 2000, most parents have emigrated en masse due to a deepening socio-political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe, leaving their school-going children in the country. This paper assesses the experiences and challenges faced by these Left-Behind Learners (LBL), and ascertain the challenges faced by teachers in meeting the needs of these learners through inclusive education. The study followed a qualitative research approach with data co…
Experiences of Educational Researchers in the Use of the Case Study Design During the Covid-19 Pandemic
This article explores the usefulness of the case study design in the creation of educational knowledge during uncertain times such as wars, disease outbreaks, famine, and pandemics, including Covid-19 pandemic. This is done at a time when others still doubt its contribution to the creation of knowledge. They criticize it for among other things, its lack of robustness and, its dependency on single case occurrences. In the current Covid-19 pandemic…
Do or die
Despite numerous supports for undergraduates, low success rate has been a growing concern in the South African university system. Guided by Moore’s [1993. “Theory of Transactional Distance.” In Theoretical Principles of Distance Education, edited by Keegan, 22–38. London: Routledge.] transactional distance theory, this mixed-methods study measured suppositions that providing support to undergraduates result in continued survival of open and dista…
Teachers as change agents in making teaching inclusive in some selected rural schools of Limpopo Province, South Africa
This paper reports on teachers as change agents to implement inclusive education in some rural secondary schools in South Africa. The study followed a qualitative case study research methodology. Eight teachers were recruited to form part of the study through a purposive sampling strategy. Data were collected through interviews, observations and document analysis. The study found that: (a) teachers were resilient in the face of lack of resources …
The relationship between health (malnutrition) and educational achievements (Maths and English) in the rural children of South Africa
Contributions of Social Research Methodologies to Social Change
Historically, social research methodologies have been construed as being less significant in their contribution to social change. This perception emanates from those who view social research methodologies as an accessory to the natural sciences. Contrary to this view, this article, on the schooling experiences of children who have been left behind by their parents in Zimbabwe, is used to contribute to the debate. It seeks to present our experienc…
Exploring the use of Heidegger's Phenomenological Approach to Delve Into the Learning Experiences of Homosexual Learners in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
This article explores the use of the phenomenological approach in the learning experiences of homosexual learners in schools. We conducted the research at a time when studies in education rarely use Heidegger's phenomenological approach to explore educational phenomena. The question is: what are the lessons that can be learnt from the use of Heidegger's phenomenological approach in exploring the learning experiences of homosexual learners in rura…
The relationship between health (malnutrition) and educational achievements (Maths and English) in the rural children of South Africa
The relationship between health (malnutrition) and educational achievements (Maths and English) in the rural children of South Africa
Teachers as change agents in making teaching inclusive in some selected rural schools of Limpopo Province, South Africa
This paper reports on teachers as change agents to implement inclusive education in some rural secondary schools in South Africa. The study followed a qualitative case study research methodology. Eight teachers were recruited to form part of the study through a purposive sampling strategy. Data were collected through interviews, observations and document analysis. The study found that: (a) teachers were resilient in the face of lack of resources …
Do or die
Despite numerous supports for undergraduates, low success rate has been a growing concern in the South African university system. Guided by Moore’s [1993. “Theory of Transactional Distance.” In Theoretical Principles of Distance Education, edited by Keegan, 22–38. London: Routledge.] transactional distance theory, this mixed-methods study measured suppositions that providing support to undergraduates result in continued survival of open and dista…
Conceptual and Methodological Reflections on the Intersections of Religion, Ethics and Communication in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic
Most of the work done to understand and combat the COVID-19 pandemic has been based on epidemiological models. These models are often devoid of human factors such as ethics, religion and communication. In this article, I endeavour to close this gap by examining whether or not religion can help in the understanding and management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Past research has made contradicting conclusions as to the influence of religion, ethics and …
Experiences of teachers and learners who are left-behind in Zimbabwe by emigrating parents
Since the year 2000, most parents have emigrated en masse due to a deepening socio-political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe, leaving their school-going children in the country. This paper assesses the experiences and challenges faced by these Left-Behind Learners (LBL), and ascertain the challenges faced by teachers in meeting the needs of these learners through inclusive education. The study followed a qualitative research approach with data co…
Experiences of Educational Researchers in the Use of the Case Study Design During the Covid-19 Pandemic
This article explores the usefulness of the case study design in the creation of educational knowledge during uncertain times such as wars, disease outbreaks, famine, and pandemics, including Covid-19 pandemic. This is done at a time when others still doubt its contribution to the creation of knowledge. They criticize it for among other things, its lack of robustness and, its dependency on single case occurrences. In the current Covid-19 pandemic…
Contributions of Social Research Methodologies to Social Change
Historically, social research methodologies have been construed as being less significant in their contribution to social change. This perception emanates from those who view social research methodologies as an accessory to the natural sciences. Contrary to this view, this article, on the schooling experiences of children who have been left behind by their parents in Zimbabwe, is used to contribute to the debate. It seeks to present our experienc…
Bringing the Science of Learning and Development Into the South African Schools
Transforming the South African education system after decades of apartheid remains a dream for all. This chapter contributes on how this dream can be achieved. To this end, I raise two arguments. First, transformation will require young people to become adept at handling tensions and dilemmas. Second, I propose that the science of learning and development (SoLD) has a possibility to develop such competences. I begin with a look at the colonial ed…
Exploring the use of Heidegger's Phenomenological Approach to Delve Into the Learning Experiences of Homosexual Learners in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
This article explores the use of the phenomenological approach in the learning experiences of homosexual learners in schools. We conducted the research at a time when studies in education rarely use Heidegger's phenomenological approach to explore educational phenomena. The question is: what are the lessons that can be learnt from the use of Heidegger's phenomenological approach in exploring the learning experiences of homosexual learners in rura…
Learner Discipline and Democratic Rights
This article investigated how school stakeholders perceive the effectiveness of current policies and government Acts on learner discipline. Learner ill-disciplined behaviour is a daily occurrence in today’s classrooms. The question addressed was: What are the stakeholders’ perspectives on the effectiveness of the current policies and government Acts on learner discipline? To answer this question, the study adopted the qualitative approach and a c…
A bibliometric analysis of mental health research in places of higher learning in sub-Saharan Africa
This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of mental health research within higher learning institutions across sub-Saharan Africa. The examination spans from 1974 to the present using a sample of 655 articles published in more than 255 journals. The study findings reveal notable trends in the field's evolution and identify promising scientific patterns that enhance our comprehension of the mental health landscape among tertiary st…
Prostate Cancer Knowledge, Beliefs and Screening Uptake among Black Survivors
Men of African ancestry suffer disproportionately from prostate cancer (PCa) compared to other racial groups in South Africa. Equally concerning is that black South African men generally present later and with higher stages and grades of the disease than their non-black counterparts. Despite this, a small percentage of black South African men participate in screening practices for PCa. This study sought to explore knowledge and beliefs of black S…
Factors Contributing to the Underperformance of Grades 8 and 9 Secondary School Learners in South Africa
The persistent under-performance of Grades 8 and 9 learners in South African schools has led to escalating dropout and repetition rates, necessitating urgent intervention. Despite existing strategies, most efforts focus disproportionately on Grade 12, leaving a critical gap in addressing early high school under-performance. This study was initiated by the Department of Basic Education (Mopani West District, Limpopo Province) in collaboration with…
The impact of Language of Learning and Teaching on the performance of commercial subjects in South African rural schools
The underperformance and declining enrolment in commercial subjects (Business studies, Economics, and Accounting) in some South African schools in the Capricorn South District have raised concerns about their sustainability. Limited research has explored the role of Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT) in shaping commercial learners’ performance, particularly in rural schools, despite evidence that poor proficiency in the LOLT can hinder comp…
Narratives of neglect
Academic underperformance in the General Education and Training (GET) band, particularly in Grades 8 and 9, remains a persistent crisis in rural South African districts. While substantial policy attention and resources are directed toward Grade 12 outcomes, the foundational years of secondary education suffer from systemic neglect, creating a critical gap in understanding the drivers of early secondary school failure. This qualitative study explo…
Sociology (11 works) · Psychology (9 works) · Qualitative research (8 works) · Social science (8 works) · Medicine (6 works) · Early Childhood Education and Development (5 works) · Pedagogy (5 works) · Political science (5 works) · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare (5 works) · Population (4 works)