Exhaustible resources and the hotelling rule : an empirical test of the hotelling rule's significance to gold production in South Africa
- Authors: Mlambo, Courage
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Natural resources -- Mathematical models Econometrics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4738 , vital:28507
- Description: The study sought to test the applicability of the Hotelling rule in South Africa. In environmental economics, the Hotelling rule has come to be a pillar of the exhaustible resources framework and in addition to this, it has presented essential insights into the consumption and extraction of non-renewable resources. Hotelling sought to address one important question which had been unanswered regarding the depletion of exhaustible resources: How much of the natural resource in question should be consumed presently and how much of it should be stocked up for future generations? The focus was to find a solution for those involved in the exploitation of natural resources to choose between the current value of the natural resource if extracted and sold and the future increased value of the asset if left unexploited. According to the Hotelling rule, the extraction path in competitive market economies will, under certain circumstances, be socially optimal. An extraction path that is not socially optimal compromises the welfare of future generations. The welfare of South Africa’s present population and more especially in the future will be greatly determined by the stock of natural resources available and the quality of the environment. Currently, the production processes deplete natural resources. Concern with the supposed increasing scarcity of gold in South Africa, and the possibility of running out of gold, has become a source of concern. South Africa’s gold reserves (gold in the ground that can be extracted profitably) are becoming depleted at an alarming rate. Most reserves are already exhausted; and the costs involved in mining lower-grade ore, and deposits located very deep in the ground, are becoming excessive. In light of this, this study sought to test the applicability of the Hotelling rule in South Africa. In order to empirically test the Hotelling rule, the study was guided by previous literature that had sought to test it. In this regard, the study used both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study has three data analysis chapters. The first two presented and examined the time series properties of gold prices, gold production and gold consumption. The third data analysis chapter examined the relationship between gold price and interest rates. In the first two data analysis chapters, visual inspection, growth rates, variance ratio tests and advanced unit root tests were used to examine the time series properties of gold prices, gold production and gold consumption. Results showed that the behaviour of the gold price series and gold production series in South Africa have a behaviour that is socially optimal. This is in line with the Hotelling rule. The rule predicts exponentially increasing resource prices and this result in mineral resources following the path of the positive trend. The positive trend is prompted by the increasing price reflecting the increasing scarcity of the resource. However, consumption trends were seen to be violating the Hotelling rule. The Hotelling rule predicts that the price increases until it eventually reaches the choke price, where the quantity demanded decreases to zero. However, in contrast to this, results showed that the demand for gold has been increasing instead of decreasing. This is not in line with the Hotelling rule. Furthermore the relationship between interest rate and gold price was negative and this suggested that the price of gold was not rising at the rate of the interest rate. The results of the study suggested that gold production is not following a social optimally path. The study recommended that the government come up with measures that prolong the lifespan of the gold reserves. These included research and development to promote technological innovations in the mining sector. This may make it possible for firms to access lower-grade ores. The study also recommended that since the Hotelling rule partly applied in the gold sector, there is a need to adopt some other theoretical measures that can ensure that the proceeds from the gold taxes are used in the most effective way.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mlambo, Courage
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Natural resources -- Mathematical models Econometrics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4738 , vital:28507
- Description: The study sought to test the applicability of the Hotelling rule in South Africa. In environmental economics, the Hotelling rule has come to be a pillar of the exhaustible resources framework and in addition to this, it has presented essential insights into the consumption and extraction of non-renewable resources. Hotelling sought to address one important question which had been unanswered regarding the depletion of exhaustible resources: How much of the natural resource in question should be consumed presently and how much of it should be stocked up for future generations? The focus was to find a solution for those involved in the exploitation of natural resources to choose between the current value of the natural resource if extracted and sold and the future increased value of the asset if left unexploited. According to the Hotelling rule, the extraction path in competitive market economies will, under certain circumstances, be socially optimal. An extraction path that is not socially optimal compromises the welfare of future generations. The welfare of South Africa’s present population and more especially in the future will be greatly determined by the stock of natural resources available and the quality of the environment. Currently, the production processes deplete natural resources. Concern with the supposed increasing scarcity of gold in South Africa, and the possibility of running out of gold, has become a source of concern. South Africa’s gold reserves (gold in the ground that can be extracted profitably) are becoming depleted at an alarming rate. Most reserves are already exhausted; and the costs involved in mining lower-grade ore, and deposits located very deep in the ground, are becoming excessive. In light of this, this study sought to test the applicability of the Hotelling rule in South Africa. In order to empirically test the Hotelling rule, the study was guided by previous literature that had sought to test it. In this regard, the study used both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study has three data analysis chapters. The first two presented and examined the time series properties of gold prices, gold production and gold consumption. The third data analysis chapter examined the relationship between gold price and interest rates. In the first two data analysis chapters, visual inspection, growth rates, variance ratio tests and advanced unit root tests were used to examine the time series properties of gold prices, gold production and gold consumption. Results showed that the behaviour of the gold price series and gold production series in South Africa have a behaviour that is socially optimal. This is in line with the Hotelling rule. The rule predicts exponentially increasing resource prices and this result in mineral resources following the path of the positive trend. The positive trend is prompted by the increasing price reflecting the increasing scarcity of the resource. However, consumption trends were seen to be violating the Hotelling rule. The Hotelling rule predicts that the price increases until it eventually reaches the choke price, where the quantity demanded decreases to zero. However, in contrast to this, results showed that the demand for gold has been increasing instead of decreasing. This is not in line with the Hotelling rule. Furthermore the relationship between interest rate and gold price was negative and this suggested that the price of gold was not rising at the rate of the interest rate. The results of the study suggested that gold production is not following a social optimally path. The study recommended that the government come up with measures that prolong the lifespan of the gold reserves. These included research and development to promote technological innovations in the mining sector. This may make it possible for firms to access lower-grade ores. The study also recommended that since the Hotelling rule partly applied in the gold sector, there is a need to adopt some other theoretical measures that can ensure that the proceeds from the gold taxes are used in the most effective way.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Exploring and expanding situated cognition in teaching science concepts: the nexus of indigenous knowledge and Western modern science
- Authors: Mukwambo, Muzwangowenyu
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/8382 , vital:21389
- Description: Certain teaching and learning strategies are appropriate in the context of exposing learners to modern science in situated cognition (SC) - the theory that posits that knowing is inseparable from doing - during, for example, visits to industrial operations. The distance and cost of travel, however, excludes most rural teachers and their learners from such SC exposure to Science and technology in industrial settings. To fill this gap between knowledge and practice in the curriculum experience for rural schools, this research investigated the extent to which a SC approach could be used in relation to indigenous knowledge practices (IKP) that have relevance to science teaching for rural science teachers. The study was conducted in three schools in the Zambezi Region of Namibia whereby six science teachers participated in the study. Also, to generate data from the community, the study included Indigenous community members as participants. Only three selected members from the community participated as representatives of the whole community. Essentially, the study explored and expanded possibilities for rural school teachers to use IKP as sites of SC in relation to concepts of pressure in particular and other science concepts. The research thus studied teaching practices as activity systems related to concepts in the school curriculum and the activity system of Indigenous community members. The patterns, regularities and irregularities provided the framing which was used to view SC through the lens of IKP. This framing of SC within the school curriculum was explored using cultural historical activity theory (CHAT) and Engestrom’s expansive learning cycle (ELC). The study was organized into two phases; exploration and the expansive phase. In the exploration phase, interviews, community analysis, document analysis, brainstorming, reflections and audiovisual evidence were used to generate data. The expansive stage used brainstorming, reflections, and interviews, an experimental test, audio-visual evidence, and interviews. Inductive and abductive modes of inference were used to come up with explanations of the research questions. Explanations proceeded using the frameworks of socio-cultural theory and social realism. Some findings from the data generated from the exploration phase revealed that science teachers in the schools studied do not always engage in a SC approach on account of a lack of Western modern science (WMS) resources and factors related to economic marginalization of the learners. Data generated in the same phase revealed that science teachers can engage the SC approach through embracing indigenous knowledge practices (IKP) reflecting Science whereby they can apprentice learners. Some of the other findings from the expansive learning phase show that science teachers in under-resourced schools can engage the SC approach if IK practices are used as mediational tools which can be used as models, icons/symbols, vocabulary, patterns, case studies and practical activities anchored in IKP. From the findings obtained the contribution which the study made was to come up with some methods of infusing indigenous knowledge systems in science teaching. The trend in research related to IK is more aligned to policies rather than how IK can be usefully used for the benefit of science teaching. As the study only looked into the IKP reflecting Science which the participating teachers brainstormed, it provides an insight into how and which other IK practices can be woven into WMS to encourage social transformation accommodative of Afrocentric world views which allows scientific literacy to be achieved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mukwambo, Muzwangowenyu
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/8382 , vital:21389
- Description: Certain teaching and learning strategies are appropriate in the context of exposing learners to modern science in situated cognition (SC) - the theory that posits that knowing is inseparable from doing - during, for example, visits to industrial operations. The distance and cost of travel, however, excludes most rural teachers and their learners from such SC exposure to Science and technology in industrial settings. To fill this gap between knowledge and practice in the curriculum experience for rural schools, this research investigated the extent to which a SC approach could be used in relation to indigenous knowledge practices (IKP) that have relevance to science teaching for rural science teachers. The study was conducted in three schools in the Zambezi Region of Namibia whereby six science teachers participated in the study. Also, to generate data from the community, the study included Indigenous community members as participants. Only three selected members from the community participated as representatives of the whole community. Essentially, the study explored and expanded possibilities for rural school teachers to use IKP as sites of SC in relation to concepts of pressure in particular and other science concepts. The research thus studied teaching practices as activity systems related to concepts in the school curriculum and the activity system of Indigenous community members. The patterns, regularities and irregularities provided the framing which was used to view SC through the lens of IKP. This framing of SC within the school curriculum was explored using cultural historical activity theory (CHAT) and Engestrom’s expansive learning cycle (ELC). The study was organized into two phases; exploration and the expansive phase. In the exploration phase, interviews, community analysis, document analysis, brainstorming, reflections and audiovisual evidence were used to generate data. The expansive stage used brainstorming, reflections, and interviews, an experimental test, audio-visual evidence, and interviews. Inductive and abductive modes of inference were used to come up with explanations of the research questions. Explanations proceeded using the frameworks of socio-cultural theory and social realism. Some findings from the data generated from the exploration phase revealed that science teachers in the schools studied do not always engage in a SC approach on account of a lack of Western modern science (WMS) resources and factors related to economic marginalization of the learners. Data generated in the same phase revealed that science teachers can engage the SC approach through embracing indigenous knowledge practices (IKP) reflecting Science whereby they can apprentice learners. Some of the other findings from the expansive learning phase show that science teachers in under-resourced schools can engage the SC approach if IK practices are used as mediational tools which can be used as models, icons/symbols, vocabulary, patterns, case studies and practical activities anchored in IKP. From the findings obtained the contribution which the study made was to come up with some methods of infusing indigenous knowledge systems in science teaching. The trend in research related to IK is more aligned to policies rather than how IK can be usefully used for the benefit of science teaching. As the study only looked into the IKP reflecting Science which the participating teachers brainstormed, it provides an insight into how and which other IK practices can be woven into WMS to encourage social transformation accommodative of Afrocentric world views which allows scientific literacy to be achieved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Exploring change-oriented learning, competencies and agency in a regional teacher professional development programme's change projects
- Authors: Mandikonza, Caleb
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: SADC Regional Environmental Education Programme Environmental education -- Africa, Southern Education -- Africa, Southern , International Certificate in Environmental Education , Environmental education -- Africa, Southern , Teachers, Training of -- Africa, Southern , Education -- Philosophy , Mediated learning experience , Vygotskiĭ, L. S. (Lev Semenovich), 1896-1934
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4410 , vital:20660
- Description: This aim of this study was to explore the mediatory role of the Rhodes University (RU) / Southern African Development Community (SADC) International Certificate in Environmental Education course in developing capacity for reflexive mainstreaming of environment and sustainability education in teacher education in southern Africa. This course was a change-oriented intervention to support capacity and agency for mainstreaming environmental education across many sectors of education. The discourse of the course included environmental education and education for sustainable development and for this study this was referred to as environment and sustainability education (ESE). Environment and sustainability education is a developing notion in southern Africa and the SADC Regional Environmental Education Programme (REEP) was set up to support capacity for mainstreaming ESE. ESE was one of the responses taken by the SADC region to respond to prevalent environment and sustainability issues across the region. This study focused, in general, on establishing the mediatory roles of the reflexive mediatory tool, the change project in the course. More specifically, the research explores the mediatory role of course interventions and activities that were used to develop understanding of and to frame the change project in fostering agentially motivated changed practice in the teacher education sector. Drawing on realist social theory, which is a form of critical realism, especially the work of Margaret Archer, the study used the principle of emergence to interpret changes in the course participants' practices. The study was framed using the research question: How do mediated actions in a regional professional development programme and the workplace influence Environment and Sustainability (ESE) competencies, practice, learning and agency in Teacher Education for Sustainable Development (TESD) change projects? The following sub-questions refined the study: • What mediated actions on the course influence ESE competences, practice, learning and agency on the professional development programme? • How do these identified mediated actions influence ESE competences, practice and learning on the professional development programme? • What mediated actions in workplaces influence ESE competences, practice, learning and agency in the change projects in teacher education institutions? • How do these identified mediated actions in workplaces influence ESE competences, practices and mediated actions in the workplace? Notions of practice, agency, reflexivity, competences and capabilities were used to sensitise explanations of features emergent from course interactions; the process of analysis was under-laboured by the theoretical lens of critical realism and realist social theory. Mediation theory was used to explain the role of interventions across the course. The study used a case study approach with three cases of teacher educators from two institutions in two southern African countries. Data were generated through document analysis of course portfolios, semi-structured interviews with research participants, observations of participants during their teaching and through group discussions in a change management workshop to establish features that emerged from the course and change project interactions. The principle of emergence recognises that any interactions result in new features of characteristics that are different from the original. In this case, the study investigated those features shown by participants after being exposed to the course's mediatory tools. In order to describe the cases, a narrative approach was used. The study was conducted at the interface of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD) and the Global Action Plan for Education for Sustainable Development, therefore the outcomes have implications for capacity development for ESE during and beyond the Global Action Plan for Education for Sustainable Development. The key finding is that capacity development for ESE needs to foreground reflexive engagement with one's own practice for it to be meaningful and relevant. The change project provided course participants with the opportunity to engage with their own practice and particularly their competences and capabilities through its mediatory tools. Course participants showed emergent properties that were evidence of expanded zones of proximal development (ZPD) in competences, capabilities and agency. The study illustrates that meaningful learning happens when immersed in context and when learners are able to make connections between concepts, practices and experiences (their praxis). The study also illustrates that capacity building creates opportunities for practitioners to expand their repertoire through the course activities. Some of the course activities stimulated, enhanced and gave impetus to their agency or double morphogenesis for them to continue to expand that repertoire by trying and retrying changes in practice that they value on their own and in communities of practice. Capacity development courses need to be structured to involve a variety of mediatory activities as some of these are relevant and are valued for different teacher education contexts. The study also shows how knowledge and understanding of classical Vygotskian mediation can be used to frame and structure courses for developing the ZPD retrospectively and how the repertoire which forms the ZPD has potential to be expanded and to keep expanding, whether at individual level or in community with others, as an object in the post-Vygotskian mediation process. The change project provides the starting point, the vehicle and momentum to teacher educators to critique and to reflexively transform competences or aspects of their practice that they value. The study showed that capacity development through the change project generated momentum for potentially morphogenetic changes in teacher education practice. The course initiated interactions at the phase T2-T3 that disrupted teacher educators' habitus. On-course phase activities such as assignments, lectures, discussions, practical tasks, excursions and regional knowledge exchange groups contributed smaller morphogenetic cycles to the main cycle. Reflexive engagement with one's own practice becomes a useful tool for building capacity for scaling capacity for mainstreaming ESE during and after the Global Action programme for ESD. Contributions of the study therefore go beyond the SADC region to contribute insights into capacity development for ESD in similar conditions of teacher education across the world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mandikonza, Caleb
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: SADC Regional Environmental Education Programme Environmental education -- Africa, Southern Education -- Africa, Southern , International Certificate in Environmental Education , Environmental education -- Africa, Southern , Teachers, Training of -- Africa, Southern , Education -- Philosophy , Mediated learning experience , Vygotskiĭ, L. S. (Lev Semenovich), 1896-1934
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4410 , vital:20660
- Description: This aim of this study was to explore the mediatory role of the Rhodes University (RU) / Southern African Development Community (SADC) International Certificate in Environmental Education course in developing capacity for reflexive mainstreaming of environment and sustainability education in teacher education in southern Africa. This course was a change-oriented intervention to support capacity and agency for mainstreaming environmental education across many sectors of education. The discourse of the course included environmental education and education for sustainable development and for this study this was referred to as environment and sustainability education (ESE). Environment and sustainability education is a developing notion in southern Africa and the SADC Regional Environmental Education Programme (REEP) was set up to support capacity for mainstreaming ESE. ESE was one of the responses taken by the SADC region to respond to prevalent environment and sustainability issues across the region. This study focused, in general, on establishing the mediatory roles of the reflexive mediatory tool, the change project in the course. More specifically, the research explores the mediatory role of course interventions and activities that were used to develop understanding of and to frame the change project in fostering agentially motivated changed practice in the teacher education sector. Drawing on realist social theory, which is a form of critical realism, especially the work of Margaret Archer, the study used the principle of emergence to interpret changes in the course participants' practices. The study was framed using the research question: How do mediated actions in a regional professional development programme and the workplace influence Environment and Sustainability (ESE) competencies, practice, learning and agency in Teacher Education for Sustainable Development (TESD) change projects? The following sub-questions refined the study: • What mediated actions on the course influence ESE competences, practice, learning and agency on the professional development programme? • How do these identified mediated actions influence ESE competences, practice and learning on the professional development programme? • What mediated actions in workplaces influence ESE competences, practice, learning and agency in the change projects in teacher education institutions? • How do these identified mediated actions in workplaces influence ESE competences, practices and mediated actions in the workplace? Notions of practice, agency, reflexivity, competences and capabilities were used to sensitise explanations of features emergent from course interactions; the process of analysis was under-laboured by the theoretical lens of critical realism and realist social theory. Mediation theory was used to explain the role of interventions across the course. The study used a case study approach with three cases of teacher educators from two institutions in two southern African countries. Data were generated through document analysis of course portfolios, semi-structured interviews with research participants, observations of participants during their teaching and through group discussions in a change management workshop to establish features that emerged from the course and change project interactions. The principle of emergence recognises that any interactions result in new features of characteristics that are different from the original. In this case, the study investigated those features shown by participants after being exposed to the course's mediatory tools. In order to describe the cases, a narrative approach was used. The study was conducted at the interface of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD) and the Global Action Plan for Education for Sustainable Development, therefore the outcomes have implications for capacity development for ESE during and beyond the Global Action Plan for Education for Sustainable Development. The key finding is that capacity development for ESE needs to foreground reflexive engagement with one's own practice for it to be meaningful and relevant. The change project provided course participants with the opportunity to engage with their own practice and particularly their competences and capabilities through its mediatory tools. Course participants showed emergent properties that were evidence of expanded zones of proximal development (ZPD) in competences, capabilities and agency. The study illustrates that meaningful learning happens when immersed in context and when learners are able to make connections between concepts, practices and experiences (their praxis). The study also illustrates that capacity building creates opportunities for practitioners to expand their repertoire through the course activities. Some of the course activities stimulated, enhanced and gave impetus to their agency or double morphogenesis for them to continue to expand that repertoire by trying and retrying changes in practice that they value on their own and in communities of practice. Capacity development courses need to be structured to involve a variety of mediatory activities as some of these are relevant and are valued for different teacher education contexts. The study also shows how knowledge and understanding of classical Vygotskian mediation can be used to frame and structure courses for developing the ZPD retrospectively and how the repertoire which forms the ZPD has potential to be expanded and to keep expanding, whether at individual level or in community with others, as an object in the post-Vygotskian mediation process. The change project provides the starting point, the vehicle and momentum to teacher educators to critique and to reflexively transform competences or aspects of their practice that they value. The study showed that capacity development through the change project generated momentum for potentially morphogenetic changes in teacher education practice. The course initiated interactions at the phase T2-T3 that disrupted teacher educators' habitus. On-course phase activities such as assignments, lectures, discussions, practical tasks, excursions and regional knowledge exchange groups contributed smaller morphogenetic cycles to the main cycle. Reflexive engagement with one's own practice becomes a useful tool for building capacity for scaling capacity for mainstreaming ESE during and after the Global Action programme for ESD. Contributions of the study therefore go beyond the SADC region to contribute insights into capacity development for ESD in similar conditions of teacher education across the world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Exploring transformative social learning and sustainability in community based irrigation scheme contexts in Mozambique
- Authors: Baloi, Aristides
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Social learning -- Mozambique , Irrigation -- Social aspects -- Mozambique , Water resources development -- Mozambique , Sustainable agriculture -- Mozambique , Community development -- Mozambique
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/50154 , vital:25963
- Description: This study set out to examine transformative social learning and sustainability in the context of community-based irrigation systems in Mozambique. These irrigation systems are socio-ecological in nature. The history of irrigation systems in Mozambique can be described in two periods: pre-Independence period (mainly the colonial period) and the post-Independence period from 1975 onwards. Most recently, the Mozambique Government has introduced a policy which supports community-based irrigation system implementation and management via irrigation associations in a move to support a shift from rain-fed farming practices to irrigation-supported farming practices amongst smallholder farmers. It is this shift in the object of activity that this study focusses on. It does this by studying learning process in the constituted irrigation associations, examining whether such learning is transformative and sustainability oriented or not, and how such learning can be further expanded and supported. Learning may occur in socio-ecological systems, but whether that learning enables transformation and sustainability of irrigation systems and the constituted associations is as yet under-explored in the Mozambique context and in the context of Education for Sustainable Development in southern Africa. The aim of this research was therefore to understand transformative social learning within the development of sustainable irrigation practices in the context of irrigation associations and new agrarian policy development in Mozambique. To examine transformative social learning in sustainable irrigation system practices (including management practices), the study worked with three research goals, which also formed phases of the study’s design: GOAL 1: Examine how and what transformative social learning has (or has not) emerged in existing activity systems to date (Phase 1: Activity System Analysis). GOAL 2: Examine how transformative social learning could emerge through expansive learning processes (Phase 2: Identification of contradictions and new solution modelling through Developmental Work Research and Change Laboratories). GOAL 3: Identify what opportunities exist for ongoing transformative social learning (Phase 3: Identification of absences and ongoing dialectical transformation possibilities). The study draws on theories of Social Learning, Transformative Learning and Cultural Historical Activity Theory’s (CHAT) expansive learning and formative interventionist research framework to develop insights into the learning processes. It works especially with third generation Cultural Historical Activity Theory which provides a theory of expansive social learning and collective transformative agency formation, which I deemed most appropriate for the need to understand the transformation of farmers’ activities in a collective formation such as an irrigation association. The study involved identification and examination of interacting activity systems, contradictions or dissonances in two case studies of community-based irrigation system development via the respective associations. It involved identifying existing learning, as well as engaging in formative intervention research to expand learning in two case study sites: namely the Macubulane and Massaca Irrigation Associations, located near Maputo, Mozambique in the Inkomati and Umbeluzi river basins. The Macubulane community practices a monocropping system of sugar cane plantations using sprinkler irrigation methods and the Massaca community practices a mixed cropping system growing vegetables using mainly gravity or furrow irrigation methods. The study uses a qualitative research approach and is underlaboured by Dialectical Critical Realism which allowed for a deeper probing of ontology and transformative praxis, and transformative learning. The study used methods which included in-depth interviews, change laboratory workshops, document analysis and focus group interviews with farmers and subjects in associated activity systems. Analysis involved activity system analysis, identification of contradictions, modeling of solutions, transformative agency analysis, as well as analysis of real and nominal absences and generative mechanisms as recommended in dialectical critical realism. I used inductive, abductive and retroductive modes of inference, relying on the latter to identify further potential for transformative learning. The study demonstrates that within the associations, transformative social learning is taking place as farmers seek to address problems and contradictions. This learning leads to the creation of new agency and capabilities by ensuring good yields and continuous improvement of management practices and social status. Learning operates through formal mediation in the irrigation system of workplace-based operation, maintenance and crop management practices (i.e. through workplace learning). Social learning occurs through collective engagement with the constraints that the association faces while applying new knowledge, introducing new technology, in the process of administration and planning of irrigation activities. Expansive learning is possible when mediated actively through formative interventions in change laboratory workshops. All three types of learning were found to be present and possible in the context of the two irrigation scheme contexts. The main study findings are that transformative social learning is a collective object-driven process in the context of a transforming object (from rain-fed to sustainable community-based irrigation scheme farming in this study), that can be explained from the level of generative mechanisms and associated real absences that shape nominal absences and contradictions within and between activity systems. These induce, and have potential to induce, transformative learning in irrigation systems, including the emergence of transformative agency via learning through workplace-based, wider social learning, and expansive learning interaction processes amongst subjects in interacting activity systems. Absenting absences is also crucial for extending the potential of transformative learning in irrigation associations. The study further shows how critical realism helps to interpret learning processes and how it strengthens the empirical findings obtained from qualitative analysis. A key outcome of the study is a model that frames conceptualisation of transformative social learning in irrigation systems. The model and the insights gained into farmers learning around the transformation of the object of activity explored in this study have implications for wider curriculum and policy development interventions. The study therefore also makes recommendations for curriculum development and policy implementation intervention. The curriculum development recommendations are not at the level of making recommendations for new courses only, but frame how the design of new courses should take into account the wider processes of learning and change associated with the transformation of an object of activity as articulated in the study. It recommends an approach that allows for in-field engagement with contradictions and the absenting of absences (a problem-based type of curriculum) that will also allow for conceptual development and understanding of the changing object of activity (i.e. community-based irrigation scheme practice and management). The main policy recommendation made from the study is to invest more in farmer support and farmers’ learning so that they can transition from rain-fed agriculture to sustainable irrigation scheme development and management via their associations. The research contributes to knowledge production on irrigation practices; considering that substantial understandings were generated through analysis of communal irrigation scheme practice and management and its implications, especially from a transformative learning perspective. As shown in this study, transformative social learning theories are still not well understood in the context of irrigation system development, and this study has contributed knowledge to this field. The study contributes towards understanding of sustainability learning in irrigation associations in terms of concepts and practices. The study offers a model for transformative social learning in irrigation scheme development and suggests an expanded curriculum for community-based irrigation association practice and management. Overall, the study contributes to an understanding of transformative, sustainability oriented learning processes as support for the emergence of community-based irrigation associations. Additionally, the study has added perspectives on how to frame transformative social learning from a CHAT and critical realist perspective in Education for Sustainable Development. The study also contributes to a growing body of scholarship in southern Africa which seeks to develop expansive, transformative social learning approaches in response to concerns experienced by communities who are reliant on natural resources and the environment for their livelihoods and well-being, and who are also seeking to emerge out of poverty.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Baloi, Aristides
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Social learning -- Mozambique , Irrigation -- Social aspects -- Mozambique , Water resources development -- Mozambique , Sustainable agriculture -- Mozambique , Community development -- Mozambique
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/50154 , vital:25963
- Description: This study set out to examine transformative social learning and sustainability in the context of community-based irrigation systems in Mozambique. These irrigation systems are socio-ecological in nature. The history of irrigation systems in Mozambique can be described in two periods: pre-Independence period (mainly the colonial period) and the post-Independence period from 1975 onwards. Most recently, the Mozambique Government has introduced a policy which supports community-based irrigation system implementation and management via irrigation associations in a move to support a shift from rain-fed farming practices to irrigation-supported farming practices amongst smallholder farmers. It is this shift in the object of activity that this study focusses on. It does this by studying learning process in the constituted irrigation associations, examining whether such learning is transformative and sustainability oriented or not, and how such learning can be further expanded and supported. Learning may occur in socio-ecological systems, but whether that learning enables transformation and sustainability of irrigation systems and the constituted associations is as yet under-explored in the Mozambique context and in the context of Education for Sustainable Development in southern Africa. The aim of this research was therefore to understand transformative social learning within the development of sustainable irrigation practices in the context of irrigation associations and new agrarian policy development in Mozambique. To examine transformative social learning in sustainable irrigation system practices (including management practices), the study worked with three research goals, which also formed phases of the study’s design: GOAL 1: Examine how and what transformative social learning has (or has not) emerged in existing activity systems to date (Phase 1: Activity System Analysis). GOAL 2: Examine how transformative social learning could emerge through expansive learning processes (Phase 2: Identification of contradictions and new solution modelling through Developmental Work Research and Change Laboratories). GOAL 3: Identify what opportunities exist for ongoing transformative social learning (Phase 3: Identification of absences and ongoing dialectical transformation possibilities). The study draws on theories of Social Learning, Transformative Learning and Cultural Historical Activity Theory’s (CHAT) expansive learning and formative interventionist research framework to develop insights into the learning processes. It works especially with third generation Cultural Historical Activity Theory which provides a theory of expansive social learning and collective transformative agency formation, which I deemed most appropriate for the need to understand the transformation of farmers’ activities in a collective formation such as an irrigation association. The study involved identification and examination of interacting activity systems, contradictions or dissonances in two case studies of community-based irrigation system development via the respective associations. It involved identifying existing learning, as well as engaging in formative intervention research to expand learning in two case study sites: namely the Macubulane and Massaca Irrigation Associations, located near Maputo, Mozambique in the Inkomati and Umbeluzi river basins. The Macubulane community practices a monocropping system of sugar cane plantations using sprinkler irrigation methods and the Massaca community practices a mixed cropping system growing vegetables using mainly gravity or furrow irrigation methods. The study uses a qualitative research approach and is underlaboured by Dialectical Critical Realism which allowed for a deeper probing of ontology and transformative praxis, and transformative learning. The study used methods which included in-depth interviews, change laboratory workshops, document analysis and focus group interviews with farmers and subjects in associated activity systems. Analysis involved activity system analysis, identification of contradictions, modeling of solutions, transformative agency analysis, as well as analysis of real and nominal absences and generative mechanisms as recommended in dialectical critical realism. I used inductive, abductive and retroductive modes of inference, relying on the latter to identify further potential for transformative learning. The study demonstrates that within the associations, transformative social learning is taking place as farmers seek to address problems and contradictions. This learning leads to the creation of new agency and capabilities by ensuring good yields and continuous improvement of management practices and social status. Learning operates through formal mediation in the irrigation system of workplace-based operation, maintenance and crop management practices (i.e. through workplace learning). Social learning occurs through collective engagement with the constraints that the association faces while applying new knowledge, introducing new technology, in the process of administration and planning of irrigation activities. Expansive learning is possible when mediated actively through formative interventions in change laboratory workshops. All three types of learning were found to be present and possible in the context of the two irrigation scheme contexts. The main study findings are that transformative social learning is a collective object-driven process in the context of a transforming object (from rain-fed to sustainable community-based irrigation scheme farming in this study), that can be explained from the level of generative mechanisms and associated real absences that shape nominal absences and contradictions within and between activity systems. These induce, and have potential to induce, transformative learning in irrigation systems, including the emergence of transformative agency via learning through workplace-based, wider social learning, and expansive learning interaction processes amongst subjects in interacting activity systems. Absenting absences is also crucial for extending the potential of transformative learning in irrigation associations. The study further shows how critical realism helps to interpret learning processes and how it strengthens the empirical findings obtained from qualitative analysis. A key outcome of the study is a model that frames conceptualisation of transformative social learning in irrigation systems. The model and the insights gained into farmers learning around the transformation of the object of activity explored in this study have implications for wider curriculum and policy development interventions. The study therefore also makes recommendations for curriculum development and policy implementation intervention. The curriculum development recommendations are not at the level of making recommendations for new courses only, but frame how the design of new courses should take into account the wider processes of learning and change associated with the transformation of an object of activity as articulated in the study. It recommends an approach that allows for in-field engagement with contradictions and the absenting of absences (a problem-based type of curriculum) that will also allow for conceptual development and understanding of the changing object of activity (i.e. community-based irrigation scheme practice and management). The main policy recommendation made from the study is to invest more in farmer support and farmers’ learning so that they can transition from rain-fed agriculture to sustainable irrigation scheme development and management via their associations. The research contributes to knowledge production on irrigation practices; considering that substantial understandings were generated through analysis of communal irrigation scheme practice and management and its implications, especially from a transformative learning perspective. As shown in this study, transformative social learning theories are still not well understood in the context of irrigation system development, and this study has contributed knowledge to this field. The study contributes towards understanding of sustainability learning in irrigation associations in terms of concepts and practices. The study offers a model for transformative social learning in irrigation scheme development and suggests an expanded curriculum for community-based irrigation association practice and management. Overall, the study contributes to an understanding of transformative, sustainability oriented learning processes as support for the emergence of community-based irrigation associations. Additionally, the study has added perspectives on how to frame transformative social learning from a CHAT and critical realist perspective in Education for Sustainable Development. The study also contributes to a growing body of scholarship in southern Africa which seeks to develop expansive, transformative social learning approaches in response to concerns experienced by communities who are reliant on natural resources and the environment for their livelihoods and well-being, and who are also seeking to emerge out of poverty.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Factor analysis for dtetermination of metabolic syndrome components of anthropometric data from Kinshasa hiterland of the Democractic Republic of Congo
- Authors: Nasila, John Sungwacha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Factor analysis Multivariate analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14032 , vital:39799
- Description: Factor analysis is a multivariate statistical approach commonly used in psychology, education, and more recently in the health-related professions. This thesis will attempt to provide novice and experienced researchers an application of two factor analysis methods which are; exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to medical data. As Biostatistics knowledge continues to grow, it is timely that this thesis contributes immensely; firstly to the discipline of Biostatistics and secondly to Medicine both nationally and internationally. Factor analysis is an important tool that can be used in the development, refinement, and evaluation of tests, scales, and measures that can be used in education and in health-related professions such as medicine. This thesis is focused on applying Factor Analysis on medical data, specifically on data obtained from patients that suffer from Metabolic Syndrome and patients who don’t suffer from Metabolic Syndrome. Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is a constellation of components (factors) such as obesity, lipid-lipoprotein (fats) disorders, increase in glucose (sugar), hypertension (blood pressure), and inflammation/ hypercoagulability (clotting). MS and other risk factors; (smoking, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol intake, and inappropriate diet) determine high morbidity and mortality for the cardiovascular disease (CVD=heart attack, brain attack, peripheral vascular disease) or cardio-metabolic risk (CMR=type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, retinopathy). Obesity, CVD, and CMR are emerging as epidemic conditions worldwide. However, Africa is not paying priority to early detection, treatment, prevention and control of atherosclerotic diseases (MS, CMR) from valid and reliable data. The aim of this thesis was to examine anthropometry, glucose and blood pressure (non-lipid components of MS) as most valid, reliable, less time-consuming, less complex and less expensive procedure of identifying people at high risks of CVD and CMR. A further contribution of this thesis was its understanding of the economic implications of the burden of Metabolic Syndrome. Other burden factors have been identified and also discussed. The study has revealed that the presence of metabolic syndrome has contributed to an enormous economic burden by about 20percent of the total economic loss experienced by many countries. The prevalence has risen recently and elevated patients’ use of more health care resources, and face higher morbidity and mortality, resulting in an enormous economic burden. Some studies have shown healthcare costs to be as much as 20percent higher than those accrued by patients without the risk factors. Patients with the Metabolic Syndrome have been shown to have greater drug expenditures, more frequent hospitalizations, and higher utilization of outpatient and physician services. When considered alone, the individual risk factor components account for a substantial economic burden to patients, health plans, and society as a whole. Overall, this has had serious economic impacts on many countries. The diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome as a condition may encourage appropriate management and thus help prevent disease progression and reduce the considerable economic impact. This study was a cross-sectional, comparative, and correlational survey conducted between January and April 2005, in Kinshasa Hinterland, DRC. Participants were black Bantu Africans. In this study, the researcher attempted to determine latent factors that could explain the variability in a large set of data collected on many individuals of mixed health statuses. The original population consisted of 9770 people of whom, only 977 (10percent) participated. Factor analysis and interpretation of the results were based on anthropometric parameters (body mass index or BMI and waist circumference or WC), blood pressure (BP), lipid (triglycerides)-lipoprotein (HDL-C) and glucose with different numbers and cutoffs of components of Metabolic Syndrome. A number of different statistical procedural methods have been employed to clearly scrutinize and bring out the information which is concealed in a variety of variables observed/collected on many human participants. A large portion of these approaches was based on multivariate statistical methods. The approach, in this case, was the application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA); a multivariate statistical approach used under Factor Analysis to reduce many variables into a few latent variables which are seen as capable of explaining the variability. The approach was effected under both conditions of presence and absence of metabolic risk. Other data settings were: within males, within females, in the rural and in urban communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Nasila, John Sungwacha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Factor analysis Multivariate analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14032 , vital:39799
- Description: Factor analysis is a multivariate statistical approach commonly used in psychology, education, and more recently in the health-related professions. This thesis will attempt to provide novice and experienced researchers an application of two factor analysis methods which are; exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to medical data. As Biostatistics knowledge continues to grow, it is timely that this thesis contributes immensely; firstly to the discipline of Biostatistics and secondly to Medicine both nationally and internationally. Factor analysis is an important tool that can be used in the development, refinement, and evaluation of tests, scales, and measures that can be used in education and in health-related professions such as medicine. This thesis is focused on applying Factor Analysis on medical data, specifically on data obtained from patients that suffer from Metabolic Syndrome and patients who don’t suffer from Metabolic Syndrome. Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is a constellation of components (factors) such as obesity, lipid-lipoprotein (fats) disorders, increase in glucose (sugar), hypertension (blood pressure), and inflammation/ hypercoagulability (clotting). MS and other risk factors; (smoking, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol intake, and inappropriate diet) determine high morbidity and mortality for the cardiovascular disease (CVD=heart attack, brain attack, peripheral vascular disease) or cardio-metabolic risk (CMR=type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, retinopathy). Obesity, CVD, and CMR are emerging as epidemic conditions worldwide. However, Africa is not paying priority to early detection, treatment, prevention and control of atherosclerotic diseases (MS, CMR) from valid and reliable data. The aim of this thesis was to examine anthropometry, glucose and blood pressure (non-lipid components of MS) as most valid, reliable, less time-consuming, less complex and less expensive procedure of identifying people at high risks of CVD and CMR. A further contribution of this thesis was its understanding of the economic implications of the burden of Metabolic Syndrome. Other burden factors have been identified and also discussed. The study has revealed that the presence of metabolic syndrome has contributed to an enormous economic burden by about 20percent of the total economic loss experienced by many countries. The prevalence has risen recently and elevated patients’ use of more health care resources, and face higher morbidity and mortality, resulting in an enormous economic burden. Some studies have shown healthcare costs to be as much as 20percent higher than those accrued by patients without the risk factors. Patients with the Metabolic Syndrome have been shown to have greater drug expenditures, more frequent hospitalizations, and higher utilization of outpatient and physician services. When considered alone, the individual risk factor components account for a substantial economic burden to patients, health plans, and society as a whole. Overall, this has had serious economic impacts on many countries. The diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome as a condition may encourage appropriate management and thus help prevent disease progression and reduce the considerable economic impact. This study was a cross-sectional, comparative, and correlational survey conducted between January and April 2005, in Kinshasa Hinterland, DRC. Participants were black Bantu Africans. In this study, the researcher attempted to determine latent factors that could explain the variability in a large set of data collected on many individuals of mixed health statuses. The original population consisted of 9770 people of whom, only 977 (10percent) participated. Factor analysis and interpretation of the results were based on anthropometric parameters (body mass index or BMI and waist circumference or WC), blood pressure (BP), lipid (triglycerides)-lipoprotein (HDL-C) and glucose with different numbers and cutoffs of components of Metabolic Syndrome. A number of different statistical procedural methods have been employed to clearly scrutinize and bring out the information which is concealed in a variety of variables observed/collected on many human participants. A large portion of these approaches was based on multivariate statistical methods. The approach, in this case, was the application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA); a multivariate statistical approach used under Factor Analysis to reduce many variables into a few latent variables which are seen as capable of explaining the variability. The approach was effected under both conditions of presence and absence of metabolic risk. Other data settings were: within males, within females, in the rural and in urban communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Faith-based organisations and social reintegration of recovering drug-addicts in South-Western Nigeria : a sociological evaluation
- Authors: Faloore, Omiyinka Olutola
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Drug addiction -- Treatment -- Religious aspects Recovering addicts -- Nigeria Religious institutions -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5741 , vital:29373
- Description: Against the backdrop of debates and contestations in the literature on the efficacy of interventions of Faith-based organisations (FBOs) with regard to vulnerable people, this study subjects the social reintegration programmes of three selected FBOs working with recovering drug-addicts in South-western Nigeria to a sociological scrutiny so as to understand the social character, effectiveness and local appropriateness of their programmes. Specifically, the study examined the key attributes of the social reintegration programmes offered by the selected FBOs as well as the level and extent of compliance of such programmes with the prescriptions and idealisations as enunciated in relevant global and national policies and institutional frameworks. The theoretical underpinning of this study was derived from assumptions of structural-functionalism of Durkheim and Expectancy disconfirmation theory. Adopting an exploratory approach, the study utilised a blend of survey, key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, observation and document review to gather data. Survey data were collected from a random sample of 156 inmates of the social reintegration facilities of three (3) FBOs in Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states in South-West Nigeria. Qualitative data were sourced through 15 in-depth interviews, 9 key informant interviews and scientific information generated from observation and document review. The quantitative data gathered were analysed using descriptive statistics, while the qualitative data were processed with the use of content analysis. Findings from the study indicate that the selected FBOs have only recorded little success in terms of addressing the social needs of the inmates. For one thing, FBOs’ detoxification programme for recovering drug-addicts tilted more towards human rights violation than serve as an exercise that aided recovery. One key finding was that there was a huge disconnect between global prescriptions on social reintegration services and what the selected FBOs offered to the inmates. The study concluded from its findings that any social reintegration programmes aimed at protecting recovering drug-addicts from further social exclusion and facilitate their social inclusion in South-West Nigeria must extend beyond mere spiritual provisioning to upholding their rights to human dignity and providing opportunities and tools that address their crucial social needs in terms of housing, education, vocation and employment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Faloore, Omiyinka Olutola
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Drug addiction -- Treatment -- Religious aspects Recovering addicts -- Nigeria Religious institutions -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5741 , vital:29373
- Description: Against the backdrop of debates and contestations in the literature on the efficacy of interventions of Faith-based organisations (FBOs) with regard to vulnerable people, this study subjects the social reintegration programmes of three selected FBOs working with recovering drug-addicts in South-western Nigeria to a sociological scrutiny so as to understand the social character, effectiveness and local appropriateness of their programmes. Specifically, the study examined the key attributes of the social reintegration programmes offered by the selected FBOs as well as the level and extent of compliance of such programmes with the prescriptions and idealisations as enunciated in relevant global and national policies and institutional frameworks. The theoretical underpinning of this study was derived from assumptions of structural-functionalism of Durkheim and Expectancy disconfirmation theory. Adopting an exploratory approach, the study utilised a blend of survey, key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, observation and document review to gather data. Survey data were collected from a random sample of 156 inmates of the social reintegration facilities of three (3) FBOs in Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states in South-West Nigeria. Qualitative data were sourced through 15 in-depth interviews, 9 key informant interviews and scientific information generated from observation and document review. The quantitative data gathered were analysed using descriptive statistics, while the qualitative data were processed with the use of content analysis. Findings from the study indicate that the selected FBOs have only recorded little success in terms of addressing the social needs of the inmates. For one thing, FBOs’ detoxification programme for recovering drug-addicts tilted more towards human rights violation than serve as an exercise that aided recovery. One key finding was that there was a huge disconnect between global prescriptions on social reintegration services and what the selected FBOs offered to the inmates. The study concluded from its findings that any social reintegration programmes aimed at protecting recovering drug-addicts from further social exclusion and facilitate their social inclusion in South-West Nigeria must extend beyond mere spiritual provisioning to upholding their rights to human dignity and providing opportunities and tools that address their crucial social needs in terms of housing, education, vocation and employment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Fans of film franchises - the online alien universe: a study of online participation as a catalyst for fan-created objects that expand the film universe
- Vermaak, Janelle Leigh, Moodley, Subeshini
- Authors: Vermaak, Janelle Leigh , Moodley, Subeshini
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Motion picture audiences Fans (Persons) Motion picture industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13938 , vital:27359
- Description: This thesis will analyse the ways in which fan participation and creation in online communities extends the film world beyond the film object, and the extent to which fandom influences identity within the fan group. The study will seek to determine the ways in which fans become part of the franchise through online engagement, as well as the manner in which they appropriate the franchise identity through their creations. The central hypothesis of the study is that online participation and creation amplifies fan connection with the film franchise, and increases the sense of identification with the world and characters of the films. By being or becoming fans, and engaging with other fans in online and real spaces, they are joining a larger community of people who seem to have blurred the lines between fiction and reality by engaging in a fictional, virtual space as a source of real personal entertainment, based on an anchor media product. This appropriation is enabled through digital communities which expand and extend the reach of fan interaction and further develop the identity of the individual as ‘fan’. Thus, the study will reflect on the implications of fan engagement with the film franchise in the digital space.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Vermaak, Janelle Leigh , Moodley, Subeshini
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Motion picture audiences Fans (Persons) Motion picture industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13938 , vital:27359
- Description: This thesis will analyse the ways in which fan participation and creation in online communities extends the film world beyond the film object, and the extent to which fandom influences identity within the fan group. The study will seek to determine the ways in which fans become part of the franchise through online engagement, as well as the manner in which they appropriate the franchise identity through their creations. The central hypothesis of the study is that online participation and creation amplifies fan connection with the film franchise, and increases the sense of identification with the world and characters of the films. By being or becoming fans, and engaging with other fans in online and real spaces, they are joining a larger community of people who seem to have blurred the lines between fiction and reality by engaging in a fictional, virtual space as a source of real personal entertainment, based on an anchor media product. This appropriation is enabled through digital communities which expand and extend the reach of fan interaction and further develop the identity of the individual as ‘fan’. Thus, the study will reflect on the implications of fan engagement with the film franchise in the digital space.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Financial development in the SADC: growth and cross-country spatial spill-over effects
- Authors: Bara, Alex
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa Economic assistance -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14950 , vital:27943
- Description: This study was prompted by the prevailing imbalance in financial development across SADC countries, which is not consistent with the linkages and interconnectedness of financial systems of these economies. South Africa is the most financially developed country in Africa, yet it is surrounded by economies with relatively small and underdeveloped financial systems, contrary to the spatial proximity theory in finance. The study performed a number of empirical estimations in respect of the spatiality of financial development, motivated by the intention to assess the growth and spatial spill-over effects of financial development in SADC. The study provides new information in spatial spill-over dynamics of financial development, which could inform policy development particularly in view of the on-going financial integration in the SADC region. The study also contributes to regional economic development in SADC from a finance perspective. The analysis was performed using annual data for all the 15 SADC countries, spanning for the period 1985 to 2014. Using the Generalised Method of Moments approach, the study finds that financial development does not support economic growth in SADC. Financial reforms were found to be insufficient to drive growth. A bi-directional causality between financial development and economic growth was established with causality being strong when flowing from economic growth to financial development. The extended Aghion, Howitt and Mayer-Foulkes Model, estimated by an Autoregressive Distributive Lag approach, established that financial innovation has a positive relation to economic growth in SADC, particularly in the long-run. There is no causality, in either direction, between financial innovation and economic growth in both the short and long-run. The Spatial Durbin Model reveals a presence of positive spatial effects on financial development in the region and that proximity to South Africa yields consistent effects of spatial externality in money markets and inconsistent spatial externality in credit markets. The monetary union has no influence on spatial dynamics of financial development in SADC. The generalised impulse response analysis of a Bayesian VAR model indicate that shocks in South Africa’s financial sector has positive, but constrained and in some cases weak, financial spill-over effects on both economic growth and financial development of other SADC countries. The study established, using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index, a high level of financial market concentration for SADC, cantered in South Africa, and a fair distribution when South Africa is excluded. Dynamic panel models established that financial market concentration reduces financial development in SADC. South Africa’s financial development has mixed and opposing effects on financial market concentration in SADC. The findings also show that international finance has a positive, but currently weak, effect on financial development in SADC and countries with international financial centres contribute more to financial development than countries without. Proximity to South Africa creates huge potential for increasing financial development in SADC through spill-overs and more benefits of spatial proximity are realised in the long-run. Given the strong spatial effects in money markets and significant positive spill-overs in credit markets in the region, countries closer to South Africa need to link their money and credit markets to the South African markets and possibly benchmark to the Rand so as to benefit from proximity and spill-overs from South Africa. The results also suggest that SADC countries need to capitalise on their proximity to South Africa to enhance financial development by promoting economic growth, financial innovation, opening and diversification of financial sectors and linkages to global financial markets. Financial innovation supports financial inclusion, cross-border flows of funds, remittances and trade in SADC and has effects of enabling integration with developed markets and facilitating economic activity. Opening financial sectors enhances diversification of financial systems, increases competition and efficiency. To enhance access to international finance, the study suggests the creation of information centres in South Africa with SADC countries as economic hinterlands, commercialisation of solutions to SADC countries financial challenges, financial integration and support for deepening of financial systems in these countries. Strengthening economic growth could also increase financial development given a strong demand-following causality. The major challenge, however, is that some of the SADC countries have underdeveloped and highly concentrated financial systems characterised by high financial intermediation inefficiencies, high financial exclusion, weak financial infrastructure and regulations. Consequently, countries suffer financial leakages, are not receptive to spatial externalities and financial spill-overs from South Africa and often generate financial spillbacks to South Africa. SADC countries should, however, first address the issue of financial exclusion, financial infrastructure and regulation as well as efficiency in the financial markets. The SADC countries need mechanisms to attract financial development from South Africa to benefit from positive spill-overs and instruments to deal with negative externalities of financial shocks in South Africa. Overall, there is potential for increased financial development in SADC by consolidating absorption of positive financial spill-overs and externalities of proximity to South Africa -particularly in the medium to long term. Heterogeneity among SADC countries and the varying levels of financial development, however, dictates that the region should promote financial integration in order to enhance development of underdeveloped financial systems through spatial spill-over gains.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Bara, Alex
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa Economic assistance -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14950 , vital:27943
- Description: This study was prompted by the prevailing imbalance in financial development across SADC countries, which is not consistent with the linkages and interconnectedness of financial systems of these economies. South Africa is the most financially developed country in Africa, yet it is surrounded by economies with relatively small and underdeveloped financial systems, contrary to the spatial proximity theory in finance. The study performed a number of empirical estimations in respect of the spatiality of financial development, motivated by the intention to assess the growth and spatial spill-over effects of financial development in SADC. The study provides new information in spatial spill-over dynamics of financial development, which could inform policy development particularly in view of the on-going financial integration in the SADC region. The study also contributes to regional economic development in SADC from a finance perspective. The analysis was performed using annual data for all the 15 SADC countries, spanning for the period 1985 to 2014. Using the Generalised Method of Moments approach, the study finds that financial development does not support economic growth in SADC. Financial reforms were found to be insufficient to drive growth. A bi-directional causality between financial development and economic growth was established with causality being strong when flowing from economic growth to financial development. The extended Aghion, Howitt and Mayer-Foulkes Model, estimated by an Autoregressive Distributive Lag approach, established that financial innovation has a positive relation to economic growth in SADC, particularly in the long-run. There is no causality, in either direction, between financial innovation and economic growth in both the short and long-run. The Spatial Durbin Model reveals a presence of positive spatial effects on financial development in the region and that proximity to South Africa yields consistent effects of spatial externality in money markets and inconsistent spatial externality in credit markets. The monetary union has no influence on spatial dynamics of financial development in SADC. The generalised impulse response analysis of a Bayesian VAR model indicate that shocks in South Africa’s financial sector has positive, but constrained and in some cases weak, financial spill-over effects on both economic growth and financial development of other SADC countries. The study established, using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index, a high level of financial market concentration for SADC, cantered in South Africa, and a fair distribution when South Africa is excluded. Dynamic panel models established that financial market concentration reduces financial development in SADC. South Africa’s financial development has mixed and opposing effects on financial market concentration in SADC. The findings also show that international finance has a positive, but currently weak, effect on financial development in SADC and countries with international financial centres contribute more to financial development than countries without. Proximity to South Africa creates huge potential for increasing financial development in SADC through spill-overs and more benefits of spatial proximity are realised in the long-run. Given the strong spatial effects in money markets and significant positive spill-overs in credit markets in the region, countries closer to South Africa need to link their money and credit markets to the South African markets and possibly benchmark to the Rand so as to benefit from proximity and spill-overs from South Africa. The results also suggest that SADC countries need to capitalise on their proximity to South Africa to enhance financial development by promoting economic growth, financial innovation, opening and diversification of financial sectors and linkages to global financial markets. Financial innovation supports financial inclusion, cross-border flows of funds, remittances and trade in SADC and has effects of enabling integration with developed markets and facilitating economic activity. Opening financial sectors enhances diversification of financial systems, increases competition and efficiency. To enhance access to international finance, the study suggests the creation of information centres in South Africa with SADC countries as economic hinterlands, commercialisation of solutions to SADC countries financial challenges, financial integration and support for deepening of financial systems in these countries. Strengthening economic growth could also increase financial development given a strong demand-following causality. The major challenge, however, is that some of the SADC countries have underdeveloped and highly concentrated financial systems characterised by high financial intermediation inefficiencies, high financial exclusion, weak financial infrastructure and regulations. Consequently, countries suffer financial leakages, are not receptive to spatial externalities and financial spill-overs from South Africa and often generate financial spillbacks to South Africa. SADC countries should, however, first address the issue of financial exclusion, financial infrastructure and regulation as well as efficiency in the financial markets. The SADC countries need mechanisms to attract financial development from South Africa to benefit from positive spill-overs and instruments to deal with negative externalities of financial shocks in South Africa. Overall, there is potential for increased financial development in SADC by consolidating absorption of positive financial spill-overs and externalities of proximity to South Africa -particularly in the medium to long term. Heterogeneity among SADC countries and the varying levels of financial development, however, dictates that the region should promote financial integration in order to enhance development of underdeveloped financial systems through spatial spill-over gains.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Financing sustainable cities in South Africa
- Authors: Ducie, Gregory Justin
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- South Africa , Cities and towns -- South Africa -- Economic conditions Finance -- South Africa Developing countries -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15577 , vital:28273
- Description: Although directives exist with respect to promoting sustainable development, financial strategies to cater for collective sustainable development, along with an increasing population, need to be formulated relevant to metropolitan and urban areas. This study determined the infrastructure investment basis of a sustainable city to investigate various funding mechanisms resulting in the design of a model for the financing of sustainable cities. For the study, first the various infrastructure investment alternatives were established from the literature, and thirteen themes and their relevant interventions were identified. Tangible and intangible methods of assessment were then identified as ways to calculate the acceptability of an intervention. A case study based on a hypothetical city was developed to determine the infrastructure investment base. Initially, only one intervention of a theme was populated and then confirmed by city development experts. Thereafter, all the themes were populated, and the acceptability of the interventions were determined. This provided an overview of the investment base of a sustainable city. The investment base facilitated deriving applicable tools and instruments to finance it. As a result, possible finance alternatives were derived for each of the identified themes. Although most of the financing of sustainable cities revolved around public sector finance, the private sector also played an important role for the financing of sustainable cities. Based on the investment base for sustainable cities and the resultant financing thereof, a model for the financing of sustainable cities was developed. The model consisted of four components. Firstly, the model included an application of financing tools and instruments relevant to the identified themes of sustainable city development. Secondly, the model included the application of financing tools and instruments with respect to an immediate interventionist focus, a facilitative focus, a gradual intervention and an enabling intervention. Thirdly, the model included financing tools and instrument types in terms of incentive, opportunity, punitive and mandatory interventions. Fourthly, the model included the application of financing tools and instruments with respect to scale in terms of a city-wide application, sector-wide application, urban application or suburban application. In addition, the model included the application of financing tools and instruments and their relation to addressing poverty within the city context. Although the public sector will always remain the key initiator behind infrastructure development, various mechanisms of financing, along with applicable financing partners and the basis of investment, are required to address future sustainable cities. This study may potentially form the basis of that platform.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ducie, Gregory Justin
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- South Africa , Cities and towns -- South Africa -- Economic conditions Finance -- South Africa Developing countries -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15577 , vital:28273
- Description: Although directives exist with respect to promoting sustainable development, financial strategies to cater for collective sustainable development, along with an increasing population, need to be formulated relevant to metropolitan and urban areas. This study determined the infrastructure investment basis of a sustainable city to investigate various funding mechanisms resulting in the design of a model for the financing of sustainable cities. For the study, first the various infrastructure investment alternatives were established from the literature, and thirteen themes and their relevant interventions were identified. Tangible and intangible methods of assessment were then identified as ways to calculate the acceptability of an intervention. A case study based on a hypothetical city was developed to determine the infrastructure investment base. Initially, only one intervention of a theme was populated and then confirmed by city development experts. Thereafter, all the themes were populated, and the acceptability of the interventions were determined. This provided an overview of the investment base of a sustainable city. The investment base facilitated deriving applicable tools and instruments to finance it. As a result, possible finance alternatives were derived for each of the identified themes. Although most of the financing of sustainable cities revolved around public sector finance, the private sector also played an important role for the financing of sustainable cities. Based on the investment base for sustainable cities and the resultant financing thereof, a model for the financing of sustainable cities was developed. The model consisted of four components. Firstly, the model included an application of financing tools and instruments relevant to the identified themes of sustainable city development. Secondly, the model included the application of financing tools and instruments with respect to an immediate interventionist focus, a facilitative focus, a gradual intervention and an enabling intervention. Thirdly, the model included financing tools and instrument types in terms of incentive, opportunity, punitive and mandatory interventions. Fourthly, the model included the application of financing tools and instruments with respect to scale in terms of a city-wide application, sector-wide application, urban application or suburban application. In addition, the model included the application of financing tools and instruments and their relation to addressing poverty within the city context. Although the public sector will always remain the key initiator behind infrastructure development, various mechanisms of financing, along with applicable financing partners and the basis of investment, are required to address future sustainable cities. This study may potentially form the basis of that platform.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Forest governance, conservation and livelihoods: the case of forest protected areas and local communities in north-western Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mutekwa, Vurayai
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7396 , vital:21254
- Description: Forest protected areas (FPAs) constitute one of the main strategies for achieving the triple benefits of biodiversity conservation, livelihoods sustenance and climate regulation. The quality of FPA governance plays a major role in the achievement of these conservation objectives. Governance encompasses policies, institutions, actors, processes and power and how they interplay to determine conservation outcomes. Currently, no research has systematically explored the historical and contemporary governance of Zimbabwe’s protected indigenous forests and its implications on forest condition and local communities’ livelihoods. This is despite the fact that improving forest governance depends on learning from those that prevailed in the past as well as those currently obtaining on the ground in terms of how they have performed in relation to conservation and livelihood sustenance. This study assessed Zimbabwe’s historical and contemporary FPA governance and its implications on social and ecological outcomes. The overall rationale of the study was to provide evidence of the impact of past governance arrangements on forest condition and local communities’ livelihoods, improve understanding of the current governance arrangements and propose future FPA governance strategies and mechanisms to enhance conservation and local communities’ livelihood outcomes. Accordingly, the specific objectives of the study were to: 1) characterize and collate historical governance of FPAs in western Zimbabwe, 2) evaluate the impact of governance on forest condition and local communities’ livelihoods, 3) explore the nature of contemporary governance at the forest level, and 4) propose the governance model for Zimbabwe’s FPAs into the future. The study employed a combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods including the systematic literature review methodology. Using specific case studies of indigenous FPAs in western Zimbabwe as examples, the study initially evaluated through literature review (Chapter 2) the history of forest governance in Zimbabwe showing how four main powers (force, regulation, market and legitimation) led to different types of local community exclusion and how community agency countered exclusion especially from the year 2000 to date. Chapter 3 uses six case study forests to assess the quality of historical FPA governance by analyzing the application of seven governance principles. The results showed that the quality of governance was high during precolonial times, deteriorated with the inception of colonialism and remained poor after independence in 1980. Forest condition also varied in tandem with the quality of governance variations showing a positive relationship between the two variables. Participation in decision making, fairness in sharing benefits and effective rule enforcement emerged as key principles for FPA authorities to earn local community support and improve forest condition. Chapter 4 employed remote sensing techniques to determine the impact of governance on FPA land cover change by comparing FPAs with in situ and ex situ inhabitants. Results revealed that there was a significant relationship between governance quality and land cover change. FPAs with in situ inhabitants experienced higher forest loss than those with ex situ inhabitants. Poor governance accelerated forest conversion to other land uses particularly agriculture and settlement. Chapter 5 explored contemporary FPA governance at the forest level. Results showed that human agency that led to the invasion of FPAs from the year 2000 onwards disrupted the governance arrangements that were previously in place subjecting Zimbabwe’s FPAs to near open access by local communities and other actors. The FPAs’ contemporary governance is characterized by involvement of multiple actors with diverse interests, lack of Forestry Commission legitimacy, very low levels of local people’s participation in decision making and rule enforcement, lack of compliance with FPA rules and actual benefits that do not match local communities’ expectations. Overall, the study has revealed the ineffectiveness of the conventional centralized FPA governance in achieving positive conservation and local communities’ livelihoods outcomes. The study recommended a shift from conventional centralized governance to pro-people adaptive collaborative management (ACM). This has the potential to address most of the governance ills affecting Zimbabwe’s FPAs if it is designed and implemented with the full commitment of all relevant actors. This governance approach should, however, avoid some of the pitfalls such as elite capture, corruption in benefit sharing, gender inequality and technocratic professional management approaches that have characterized some collaborative governance systems in developing countries further perpetuating marginalization and poverty amongst local communities. Forestry Commission must also exercise visionary leadership and motivation. ACM becomes possible through leadership, vision, establishment and maintenance of links through culture and management and high levels of motivation. Designing and implementing ACM avoiding the highlighted pitfalls improves the capacity of the FPAs to continue providing social and ecological benefits such as improvement of local communities’ livelihoods, biodiversity protection and climate change mitigation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mutekwa, Vurayai
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7396 , vital:21254
- Description: Forest protected areas (FPAs) constitute one of the main strategies for achieving the triple benefits of biodiversity conservation, livelihoods sustenance and climate regulation. The quality of FPA governance plays a major role in the achievement of these conservation objectives. Governance encompasses policies, institutions, actors, processes and power and how they interplay to determine conservation outcomes. Currently, no research has systematically explored the historical and contemporary governance of Zimbabwe’s protected indigenous forests and its implications on forest condition and local communities’ livelihoods. This is despite the fact that improving forest governance depends on learning from those that prevailed in the past as well as those currently obtaining on the ground in terms of how they have performed in relation to conservation and livelihood sustenance. This study assessed Zimbabwe’s historical and contemporary FPA governance and its implications on social and ecological outcomes. The overall rationale of the study was to provide evidence of the impact of past governance arrangements on forest condition and local communities’ livelihoods, improve understanding of the current governance arrangements and propose future FPA governance strategies and mechanisms to enhance conservation and local communities’ livelihood outcomes. Accordingly, the specific objectives of the study were to: 1) characterize and collate historical governance of FPAs in western Zimbabwe, 2) evaluate the impact of governance on forest condition and local communities’ livelihoods, 3) explore the nature of contemporary governance at the forest level, and 4) propose the governance model for Zimbabwe’s FPAs into the future. The study employed a combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods including the systematic literature review methodology. Using specific case studies of indigenous FPAs in western Zimbabwe as examples, the study initially evaluated through literature review (Chapter 2) the history of forest governance in Zimbabwe showing how four main powers (force, regulation, market and legitimation) led to different types of local community exclusion and how community agency countered exclusion especially from the year 2000 to date. Chapter 3 uses six case study forests to assess the quality of historical FPA governance by analyzing the application of seven governance principles. The results showed that the quality of governance was high during precolonial times, deteriorated with the inception of colonialism and remained poor after independence in 1980. Forest condition also varied in tandem with the quality of governance variations showing a positive relationship between the two variables. Participation in decision making, fairness in sharing benefits and effective rule enforcement emerged as key principles for FPA authorities to earn local community support and improve forest condition. Chapter 4 employed remote sensing techniques to determine the impact of governance on FPA land cover change by comparing FPAs with in situ and ex situ inhabitants. Results revealed that there was a significant relationship between governance quality and land cover change. FPAs with in situ inhabitants experienced higher forest loss than those with ex situ inhabitants. Poor governance accelerated forest conversion to other land uses particularly agriculture and settlement. Chapter 5 explored contemporary FPA governance at the forest level. Results showed that human agency that led to the invasion of FPAs from the year 2000 onwards disrupted the governance arrangements that were previously in place subjecting Zimbabwe’s FPAs to near open access by local communities and other actors. The FPAs’ contemporary governance is characterized by involvement of multiple actors with diverse interests, lack of Forestry Commission legitimacy, very low levels of local people’s participation in decision making and rule enforcement, lack of compliance with FPA rules and actual benefits that do not match local communities’ expectations. Overall, the study has revealed the ineffectiveness of the conventional centralized FPA governance in achieving positive conservation and local communities’ livelihoods outcomes. The study recommended a shift from conventional centralized governance to pro-people adaptive collaborative management (ACM). This has the potential to address most of the governance ills affecting Zimbabwe’s FPAs if it is designed and implemented with the full commitment of all relevant actors. This governance approach should, however, avoid some of the pitfalls such as elite capture, corruption in benefit sharing, gender inequality and technocratic professional management approaches that have characterized some collaborative governance systems in developing countries further perpetuating marginalization and poverty amongst local communities. Forestry Commission must also exercise visionary leadership and motivation. ACM becomes possible through leadership, vision, establishment and maintenance of links through culture and management and high levels of motivation. Designing and implementing ACM avoiding the highlighted pitfalls improves the capacity of the FPAs to continue providing social and ecological benefits such as improvement of local communities’ livelihoods, biodiversity protection and climate change mitigation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Fraction-specific geochemistry across the Asbestos Hills BIF of the Transvaal Supergroup, South Africa: implications for the origin of BIF and the history of atmospheric oxygen
- Oonk, Paul Bernardus Hendrikus
- Authors: Oonk, Paul Bernardus Hendrikus
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/50721 , vital:26021
- Description: Banded iron formations (BIF), deposited prior to and concurrent with the Great Oxidation Event (GOE) at ca. 2.4 Ga, record changes in oceanic and atmospheric chemistry during this critical time interval. Four previously unstudied drill-cores from the Griqualand West Basin, South Africa, capturing the rhythmically mesobanded, deep-water Kuruman BIF and the overlying granular, shallower Griquatown BIF, were sampled every ca. 10 m along core depth. Mineralogically, these BIFs consist of three iron-bearing fractions: (1) Fe-Ca-Mg-Mn carbonates, (2) magnetite with/without minor hematite and (3) Fe-silicates. These fractions are typically fine-grained on a sub-μm scale and their co-occurrence in varying amounts means that bulk-rock or microanalytical geochemical and stable isotope data are influenced by mineralogy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Oonk, Paul Bernardus Hendrikus
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/50721 , vital:26021
- Description: Banded iron formations (BIF), deposited prior to and concurrent with the Great Oxidation Event (GOE) at ca. 2.4 Ga, record changes in oceanic and atmospheric chemistry during this critical time interval. Four previously unstudied drill-cores from the Griqualand West Basin, South Africa, capturing the rhythmically mesobanded, deep-water Kuruman BIF and the overlying granular, shallower Griquatown BIF, were sampled every ca. 10 m along core depth. Mineralogically, these BIFs consist of three iron-bearing fractions: (1) Fe-Ca-Mg-Mn carbonates, (2) magnetite with/without minor hematite and (3) Fe-silicates. These fractions are typically fine-grained on a sub-μm scale and their co-occurrence in varying amounts means that bulk-rock or microanalytical geochemical and stable isotope data are influenced by mineralogy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Freshwater invertebrate assemblages of the Eastern Cape Karoo region (South Africa) earmarked for shale gas exploration
- Authors: Mabidi, Annah
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Invertebrates -- South Africa -- Karoo , Shale gas -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Karoo Freshwater animals -- South Africa -- Karoo Stream ecology -- South Africa -- Karoo
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13713 , vital:27301
- Description: The Eastern Cape Karoo region is semi-arid with highly variable rainfall. This variability in rainfall sustains a mosaic of surface freshwater bodies that range from permanently to temporarily inundated. These waterbodies provide habitats for diverse invertebrate assemblages. The imminent hydraulic fracturing for shale gas has a potential to modify the water regime, with particular risk of salinisation. Accumulation of salts in freshwater wetlands results in loss of biodiversity, as invertebrate species shift from salt intolerant to salt tolerant species. This study therefore aims to expand on existing knowledge and provide new information on the distribution, diversity and structure of macroinvertebrate assemblages associated with various freshwater bodies in the region prior to shale gas exploration. Limnological and ecological aspects of thirty-three waterbodies (rivers, dams and depression wetlands) were investigated between November 2014 and March 2016. An experimental study on the effects of salinity on hatching success of branchiopod resting eggs was also included in the research. Rivers were characterised by high conductivity and depression wetlands by high turbidity, while dams had relatively higher pH than the other two waterbody types. In terms of global phosphorus interpretation guidelines, the results indicate that freshwater systems in the study region are predominantly eutrophic, indicating that agricultural run-off, particularly from livestock dung (goats, cattle and sheep), is an important source of phosphorus in the freshwater systems studied. Our results revealed new distribution records for branchiopod crustaceans in the Eastern Cape region, including the first record of Laevicaudata. Results showed that the sampled variables were unable to explain the variation in physicochemistry and invertebrate assemblage of several sites. Waterbody type, whether a depression wetland or a river, was the only factor that consistently showed an effect on the composition of both physicochemical data and invertebrate data. Depression wetlands ranged from completely bare to being extensively covered by macrophytes. Therefore, the effect of macrophyte cover in structuring macroinvertebrate assemblages was the focus of further investigation. The results indicated that the macrophyte cover gradient had little influence on the structure of the invertebrate assemblages in the depression wetlands, while only the presence/absence of vegetation significantly influenced the structure of the invertebrate assemblages in these systems. Surface area, dissolved inorganic nitrogen and pelagic chlorophyll-a were the environmental variables that best explained the variation in the macroinvertebrate assemblages among the sites. However, the differences in macroinvertebrate richness, abundance and distribution patterns among sites were only weakly influenced by local and regional environmental factors. These findings suggest that invertebrate in temporary wetland systems are adapted to the highly variable nature of temporary habitats, thus the influence of local variables is negligible. Results of the experimental study, on the effect of salinity on hatching success of branchiopod resting eggs, revealed that hatchling abundance and diversity of large branchiopods was significantly reduced at salinities of 2.5 g L−1 and above. Salt-tolerant taxa such as Copepoda and Ostracoda were the only ones to emerge in the highest salinity of 10 g L−1. Thus, should the region continue to experience increasing aridity and possible shale gas development, which all aggravate the salinisation problem, severe loss of branchiopod diversity (Anostraca, Laevicaudata, Spinicaudata and Notostraca) is likely to occur. This may lead to considerable decline in invertebrate diversity in the region, with cascading effects on food webs and ecosystem functions. The findings of this study can potentially be used in comparative studies on wetland invertebrate ecology in other semi-arid regions and in the formulation of policy and strategies for biodiversity conservation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mabidi, Annah
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Invertebrates -- South Africa -- Karoo , Shale gas -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Karoo Freshwater animals -- South Africa -- Karoo Stream ecology -- South Africa -- Karoo
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13713 , vital:27301
- Description: The Eastern Cape Karoo region is semi-arid with highly variable rainfall. This variability in rainfall sustains a mosaic of surface freshwater bodies that range from permanently to temporarily inundated. These waterbodies provide habitats for diverse invertebrate assemblages. The imminent hydraulic fracturing for shale gas has a potential to modify the water regime, with particular risk of salinisation. Accumulation of salts in freshwater wetlands results in loss of biodiversity, as invertebrate species shift from salt intolerant to salt tolerant species. This study therefore aims to expand on existing knowledge and provide new information on the distribution, diversity and structure of macroinvertebrate assemblages associated with various freshwater bodies in the region prior to shale gas exploration. Limnological and ecological aspects of thirty-three waterbodies (rivers, dams and depression wetlands) were investigated between November 2014 and March 2016. An experimental study on the effects of salinity on hatching success of branchiopod resting eggs was also included in the research. Rivers were characterised by high conductivity and depression wetlands by high turbidity, while dams had relatively higher pH than the other two waterbody types. In terms of global phosphorus interpretation guidelines, the results indicate that freshwater systems in the study region are predominantly eutrophic, indicating that agricultural run-off, particularly from livestock dung (goats, cattle and sheep), is an important source of phosphorus in the freshwater systems studied. Our results revealed new distribution records for branchiopod crustaceans in the Eastern Cape region, including the first record of Laevicaudata. Results showed that the sampled variables were unable to explain the variation in physicochemistry and invertebrate assemblage of several sites. Waterbody type, whether a depression wetland or a river, was the only factor that consistently showed an effect on the composition of both physicochemical data and invertebrate data. Depression wetlands ranged from completely bare to being extensively covered by macrophytes. Therefore, the effect of macrophyte cover in structuring macroinvertebrate assemblages was the focus of further investigation. The results indicated that the macrophyte cover gradient had little influence on the structure of the invertebrate assemblages in the depression wetlands, while only the presence/absence of vegetation significantly influenced the structure of the invertebrate assemblages in these systems. Surface area, dissolved inorganic nitrogen and pelagic chlorophyll-a were the environmental variables that best explained the variation in the macroinvertebrate assemblages among the sites. However, the differences in macroinvertebrate richness, abundance and distribution patterns among sites were only weakly influenced by local and regional environmental factors. These findings suggest that invertebrate in temporary wetland systems are adapted to the highly variable nature of temporary habitats, thus the influence of local variables is negligible. Results of the experimental study, on the effect of salinity on hatching success of branchiopod resting eggs, revealed that hatchling abundance and diversity of large branchiopods was significantly reduced at salinities of 2.5 g L−1 and above. Salt-tolerant taxa such as Copepoda and Ostracoda were the only ones to emerge in the highest salinity of 10 g L−1. Thus, should the region continue to experience increasing aridity and possible shale gas development, which all aggravate the salinisation problem, severe loss of branchiopod diversity (Anostraca, Laevicaudata, Spinicaudata and Notostraca) is likely to occur. This may lead to considerable decline in invertebrate diversity in the region, with cascading effects on food webs and ecosystem functions. The findings of this study can potentially be used in comparative studies on wetland invertebrate ecology in other semi-arid regions and in the formulation of policy and strategies for biodiversity conservation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
From dialect to ‘official’ language: towards the intellectualisation of Ndau in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Sithole, Emmanuel
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6086 , vital:21030
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Sithole, Emmanuel
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6086 , vital:21030
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Gang and gang related incidents in selected correctional centres in the Eastern Cape : a behaviour analysis
- Authors: Fitz, Lincoln Gustav
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Prison gangs -- South Africa Corrections -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Prisons -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9297 , vital:34319
- Description: Institutional gangs, also known as the numbers gangs, have become a serious threat to the effective administration of correctional facilities in South Africa. Prior the 1980s, these gangs were active only in correctional centres, but due to modern trends in criminal activity and the gangs’ extensive drug operations, they have become active within communities too. The numbers gangs have a national network that controls activities in all correctional centres across South Africa; this network operates effectively and independently of geographical areas. The numbers gangs contribute a large proportion of all disciplinary offences (e.g., assault, smuggling, escape, sodomy, etc.) that take place in South African correctional centres. The purpose of this study was to explore the social and cultural dynamics of selected correctional centres, in order to understand the extent to which institutional gangs control and manipulate the correctional environment. The study also focussed on the individual-level characteristics of inmates as a contributing factor for deviant behaviour. The social processes that manifest in institutional misconduct and violence in correctional centres have been explained in the literature according to three theoretical perspectives; namely, the importation, deprivation and situational contextual perspectives. To develop a better understanding of the phenomenon of gang activities in correctional centres, this study is grounded in the Social Structure and Social Learning theory to explore the individual, social and cultural dynamics of the centre, making reference to these three perspectives. A mixed research design, comprising both qualitative and quantitative aspects, characterised the methodology used in this study. The data informing the study consisted of primary data (observations, interviews and questionnaires) and secondary data (source documents), with 151 inmates and several centre officials in three Eastern Cape correctional centres participating. This study was substantial for several reasons. It confirmed the findings of prior studies with respect to personal and social characteristics that inmates import into correctional centres, and, in addition, it expanded the existing literature with respect to how and why inmates import their deviant behaviour into correctional centres. It further brought a new element to the field of criminology, in identifying the demographic characteristics of inmates that contribute towards institutional gang membership and violence in correctional centres. The study also expanded upon prior findings regarding risk factors associated with institutional gang membership by developing a prediction model to predict possible gang membership prior to and after incarceration. Finally, this is the first known empirical study to examine the social and cultural contexts of gang membership in correctional centres in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Fitz, Lincoln Gustav
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Prison gangs -- South Africa Corrections -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Prisons -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9297 , vital:34319
- Description: Institutional gangs, also known as the numbers gangs, have become a serious threat to the effective administration of correctional facilities in South Africa. Prior the 1980s, these gangs were active only in correctional centres, but due to modern trends in criminal activity and the gangs’ extensive drug operations, they have become active within communities too. The numbers gangs have a national network that controls activities in all correctional centres across South Africa; this network operates effectively and independently of geographical areas. The numbers gangs contribute a large proportion of all disciplinary offences (e.g., assault, smuggling, escape, sodomy, etc.) that take place in South African correctional centres. The purpose of this study was to explore the social and cultural dynamics of selected correctional centres, in order to understand the extent to which institutional gangs control and manipulate the correctional environment. The study also focussed on the individual-level characteristics of inmates as a contributing factor for deviant behaviour. The social processes that manifest in institutional misconduct and violence in correctional centres have been explained in the literature according to three theoretical perspectives; namely, the importation, deprivation and situational contextual perspectives. To develop a better understanding of the phenomenon of gang activities in correctional centres, this study is grounded in the Social Structure and Social Learning theory to explore the individual, social and cultural dynamics of the centre, making reference to these three perspectives. A mixed research design, comprising both qualitative and quantitative aspects, characterised the methodology used in this study. The data informing the study consisted of primary data (observations, interviews and questionnaires) and secondary data (source documents), with 151 inmates and several centre officials in three Eastern Cape correctional centres participating. This study was substantial for several reasons. It confirmed the findings of prior studies with respect to personal and social characteristics that inmates import into correctional centres, and, in addition, it expanded the existing literature with respect to how and why inmates import their deviant behaviour into correctional centres. It further brought a new element to the field of criminology, in identifying the demographic characteristics of inmates that contribute towards institutional gang membership and violence in correctional centres. The study also expanded upon prior findings regarding risk factors associated with institutional gang membership by developing a prediction model to predict possible gang membership prior to and after incarceration. Finally, this is the first known empirical study to examine the social and cultural contexts of gang membership in correctional centres in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Genetic diversity, evolutionary relationships and conservation of southern African Labeo fishes in relation to water management
- Authors: Ramoejane, Mpho
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5209 , vital:20786
- Description: Labeo spp. are large, herbivorous fishes that are important components of aquatic ecosystems and are a high conservation priority in South Africa. This thesis contributes to determination of conservation priorities for Labeo umbratus (Smith 1841) by resolving the taxonomic status of this species in the evolutionary context of southern African Labeo spp., assessing the presence of unique lineages in historically isolated river basins, and assessing the threat of intra- and interspecific hybridisation associated with introductions. Phylogenetic analyses of five DNA sequence data sets (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene [COI], cytochrome b gene [Cyt b], Recombination activating gene 1 [Rag1], COI+Rag1 and COI+Cyt b+Rag1) showed that the Labeo umbratus group (sensu Reid, 1985), which comprises the species Labeo umbratus, Labeo capensis (Smith 1841), Labeo seeberi Gilchrist and Thompson 1911 and Labeo rubromaculatus Gilchrist and Thompson 1913, is monophyletic, morphologically distinct and geographically disjunct from other African Labeo spp. groups except in the Tugela River system were L. rubromaculatus co-occurs with Labeo molybdinus Du Plessis 1963. Phylogeographic analysis of mitochondrial DNA (Cyt b) sequence data demonstrated that the populations of the L. umbratus from the Orange and the southward-flowing river systems are reciprocally monophyletic and were identified as evolutionary significant units. The populations in the southward-flowing river systems were further divided into southwestern (Gourits and Gamtoos) and southeastern (Sundays, Bushmans, Great Fish, Keiskamma, Buffalo and Nahoon) polyp hyletic sublineages. Four management units (Gourits Basin; Gamtoos Basin; Sundays+Bushmans+Great Fish River Basins; and Keiskamma+Buffalo+Nahoon River Basin) were not reciprocally monophyletic but were proposed on the basis of containing unique haplotype frequencies for conservation purposes. To evaluate the threat of hybridisation to the genetic integrity of L. umbratus, the occurrence of Labeo umbratus x L. capensis hybrids was investigated using mtDNA Cyt b and nDNA S7 intron sequence data and morphological data. Genetic evidence for interspecific hybridisation was detected for populations in two impoundments, Hardap Dam (Orange River Basin) and Darlington Dam (Sundays River Basin, Eastern Cape, South Africa). Some putative hybrids were identifiable morphologically on account of intermediacy between the parental species in meristic and morphometric characters. Translocation via direct stocking (Hardap Dam) or via an inter-basin water transfer scheme (Darlington Dam) was identified as a driver for hybridisation. Introductions associated with an inter-basin water transfer scheme has resulted in introgression between the previously isolated Orange River and southern lineages of L. umbratus. Further translocation of fish from these affected areas to non-contaminated river systems and impoundments such as Kat River (Great Fish River) and Slagboom (Sundays River) should be avoided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ramoejane, Mpho
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5209 , vital:20786
- Description: Labeo spp. are large, herbivorous fishes that are important components of aquatic ecosystems and are a high conservation priority in South Africa. This thesis contributes to determination of conservation priorities for Labeo umbratus (Smith 1841) by resolving the taxonomic status of this species in the evolutionary context of southern African Labeo spp., assessing the presence of unique lineages in historically isolated river basins, and assessing the threat of intra- and interspecific hybridisation associated with introductions. Phylogenetic analyses of five DNA sequence data sets (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene [COI], cytochrome b gene [Cyt b], Recombination activating gene 1 [Rag1], COI+Rag1 and COI+Cyt b+Rag1) showed that the Labeo umbratus group (sensu Reid, 1985), which comprises the species Labeo umbratus, Labeo capensis (Smith 1841), Labeo seeberi Gilchrist and Thompson 1911 and Labeo rubromaculatus Gilchrist and Thompson 1913, is monophyletic, morphologically distinct and geographically disjunct from other African Labeo spp. groups except in the Tugela River system were L. rubromaculatus co-occurs with Labeo molybdinus Du Plessis 1963. Phylogeographic analysis of mitochondrial DNA (Cyt b) sequence data demonstrated that the populations of the L. umbratus from the Orange and the southward-flowing river systems are reciprocally monophyletic and were identified as evolutionary significant units. The populations in the southward-flowing river systems were further divided into southwestern (Gourits and Gamtoos) and southeastern (Sundays, Bushmans, Great Fish, Keiskamma, Buffalo and Nahoon) polyp hyletic sublineages. Four management units (Gourits Basin; Gamtoos Basin; Sundays+Bushmans+Great Fish River Basins; and Keiskamma+Buffalo+Nahoon River Basin) were not reciprocally monophyletic but were proposed on the basis of containing unique haplotype frequencies for conservation purposes. To evaluate the threat of hybridisation to the genetic integrity of L. umbratus, the occurrence of Labeo umbratus x L. capensis hybrids was investigated using mtDNA Cyt b and nDNA S7 intron sequence data and morphological data. Genetic evidence for interspecific hybridisation was detected for populations in two impoundments, Hardap Dam (Orange River Basin) and Darlington Dam (Sundays River Basin, Eastern Cape, South Africa). Some putative hybrids were identifiable morphologically on account of intermediacy between the parental species in meristic and morphometric characters. Translocation via direct stocking (Hardap Dam) or via an inter-basin water transfer scheme (Darlington Dam) was identified as a driver for hybridisation. Introductions associated with an inter-basin water transfer scheme has resulted in introgression between the previously isolated Orange River and southern lineages of L. umbratus. Further translocation of fish from these affected areas to non-contaminated river systems and impoundments such as Kat River (Great Fish River) and Slagboom (Sundays River) should be avoided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Geomorphological connectivity and sensitivity examined in a recently degraded gravel-bed stream: implications for river-floodplain rehabilitation
- Authors: Powell, Rebecca
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/53722 , vital:26313
- Description: The study of river complexity and sensitivity to future human land-use activities and climate change is a fast growing field within the discipline of fluvial geomorphology. Associated with this is a need to improve river rehabilitation and catchment management approach, design and effectiveness. This study aimed to investigate drivers of the recent geomorphological sensitivity of the Baviaanskloof River-floodplain, an upland system in South Africa, by integrating the concepts of geomorphological connectivity and Panarchy. The understanding generated was used to evaluate the approach of the State agency, Working for Wetlands (WfWet), to river-floodplain rehabilitation in the catchment.The concepts of geomorphological connectivity and Panarchy provide useful frameworks for understanding interactions between geomorphological processes and structure across scales of space and time. Geomorphological connectivity explains the degree to which water and sediment is linked in a river landscape, determined by the distribution of erosional and depositional landforms (Brierley et al. 2006; Fryirs et al. 2007a; Fryirs et al. 2007b). Panarchy attempts to explain lagged response to disturbances, non-linear interactions, and sudden shifts in system state, and has been applied largely to ecological systems. Panarchy theory, when combined with the concept of geomorphological connectivity, provides a guiding framework for understanding river complexity in greater depth. The first results chapter of this study investigated river long-term and recent geomorphological history, towards understanding the nature and timing of river geomorphological cycling between erosion and deposition. Optically Stimulated Luminescence dating of alluvial fan and floodplain sedimentary units was conducted, for analysis of river-floodplain long-term history (100s to 1 000s of years). Interviews with 11 local landowners, combined with analysis of historic aerial imagery and river-floodplain topographic surveys, provided a means of describing recent (last few decades) geomorphological dynamics. The results indicated that the Baviaanskloof is naturally a cut- and-fill landscape over scales of several hundred to thousands of years, characterized by the alternation between phases of high fluvial energy and alluvial fan expansion, and low energy conditions associated with floodplain accretion. Recent and widespread river-floodplain degradation was compressed into a short period of approximately 30 years, suggesting that one or more drivers have pushed the system beyond a threshold, resulting in increased water and sediment connectivity. The second results chapter investigated the role of human land-use activities and flooding frequency and magnitude, as drivers of recent river-floodplain degradation. Human impacts were investigated by describing land-use activities for the preceding 80 years, and relating these activities to changes in river-floodplain form and behavior. Temporal trends in flood events of different frequency and magnitude were investigated by analyzing rainfall data, integrated with landowner reports of flood-inducing rainfall magnitudes. The findings indicated that human land-use activities have been an important driver of recent river- floodplain degradation, through the enhancement of water and sediment connectivity across spatial scales of the catchment. Episodic and high magnitude floods synergized with human driven increased connectivity, precipitating stream power and geomorphological threshold breaches, resulting in a shift in river behaviour. The third results chapter investigated the influence of tributary-junction streams and fans on the geomorphological form, behavior and sensitivity of the Baviaanskloof River. Local- scale topographic impacts of tributary fans and streams were described using topographic surveys and geomorphological mapping techniques. Tributary streams form a major control on the behaviour of the river, by influencing the degree of coarse sediment connectivity with the main channel. Although tributary fans buffer the river from disturbances occurring in the wider catchment, they initiate topographic variations along the floodplain, influencing local-scale patterns of deposition and erosion along the river. The main river responds to water and sediment inputs from tributary junction streams by locally adjusting longitudinal slope, maintaining an overall constant slope of 0.0066 m/m. The response of the Baviaanskloof River to tributary junction fans and streams is however variable, and is fashioned by complex interactions between geomorphological and anthropogenic factors. The final two chapters of the thesis evaluate the findings of the study within the context of river-floodplain rehabilitation approaches in South Africa, and within the theoretical, philosophical and methodological context of the research. The first of these two chapters evaluates the approach of the WfWet programme to river-floodplain rehabilitation in the Baviaanskloof. The chapter indicates that the present practice of WfWet is to reinstate a pre-degradation state, which is not suited to the Baviaanskloof River-floodplain, since the river-floodplain has passed a geomorphological threshold, resulting in a new set of interacting processes and landforms. The author presents a conceptual model illustrating the existence of geomorphological adaptive cycles interacting across spatial and temporal scales, thereby attempting to explain a river Panarchy specific to the Baviaanskloof. From this conceptual model, a hierarchical rehabilitation framework, targeting geomorphological processes and structure situated at different spatial and temporal scales of the landscape is suggested. The final chapter discusses the implications of integrating the concepts of geomorphological connectivity and river Panarchy theory in studies of river complexity and sensitivity to geomorphological change. The author suggests that there is scope for further investigation of the application of the two concepts within the discipline of fluvial geomorphology, particularly with regard to developing quantitative approaches to measuring and describing connectivity and Panarchy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Powell, Rebecca
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/53722 , vital:26313
- Description: The study of river complexity and sensitivity to future human land-use activities and climate change is a fast growing field within the discipline of fluvial geomorphology. Associated with this is a need to improve river rehabilitation and catchment management approach, design and effectiveness. This study aimed to investigate drivers of the recent geomorphological sensitivity of the Baviaanskloof River-floodplain, an upland system in South Africa, by integrating the concepts of geomorphological connectivity and Panarchy. The understanding generated was used to evaluate the approach of the State agency, Working for Wetlands (WfWet), to river-floodplain rehabilitation in the catchment.The concepts of geomorphological connectivity and Panarchy provide useful frameworks for understanding interactions between geomorphological processes and structure across scales of space and time. Geomorphological connectivity explains the degree to which water and sediment is linked in a river landscape, determined by the distribution of erosional and depositional landforms (Brierley et al. 2006; Fryirs et al. 2007a; Fryirs et al. 2007b). Panarchy attempts to explain lagged response to disturbances, non-linear interactions, and sudden shifts in system state, and has been applied largely to ecological systems. Panarchy theory, when combined with the concept of geomorphological connectivity, provides a guiding framework for understanding river complexity in greater depth. The first results chapter of this study investigated river long-term and recent geomorphological history, towards understanding the nature and timing of river geomorphological cycling between erosion and deposition. Optically Stimulated Luminescence dating of alluvial fan and floodplain sedimentary units was conducted, for analysis of river-floodplain long-term history (100s to 1 000s of years). Interviews with 11 local landowners, combined with analysis of historic aerial imagery and river-floodplain topographic surveys, provided a means of describing recent (last few decades) geomorphological dynamics. The results indicated that the Baviaanskloof is naturally a cut- and-fill landscape over scales of several hundred to thousands of years, characterized by the alternation between phases of high fluvial energy and alluvial fan expansion, and low energy conditions associated with floodplain accretion. Recent and widespread river-floodplain degradation was compressed into a short period of approximately 30 years, suggesting that one or more drivers have pushed the system beyond a threshold, resulting in increased water and sediment connectivity. The second results chapter investigated the role of human land-use activities and flooding frequency and magnitude, as drivers of recent river-floodplain degradation. Human impacts were investigated by describing land-use activities for the preceding 80 years, and relating these activities to changes in river-floodplain form and behavior. Temporal trends in flood events of different frequency and magnitude were investigated by analyzing rainfall data, integrated with landowner reports of flood-inducing rainfall magnitudes. The findings indicated that human land-use activities have been an important driver of recent river- floodplain degradation, through the enhancement of water and sediment connectivity across spatial scales of the catchment. Episodic and high magnitude floods synergized with human driven increased connectivity, precipitating stream power and geomorphological threshold breaches, resulting in a shift in river behaviour. The third results chapter investigated the influence of tributary-junction streams and fans on the geomorphological form, behavior and sensitivity of the Baviaanskloof River. Local- scale topographic impacts of tributary fans and streams were described using topographic surveys and geomorphological mapping techniques. Tributary streams form a major control on the behaviour of the river, by influencing the degree of coarse sediment connectivity with the main channel. Although tributary fans buffer the river from disturbances occurring in the wider catchment, they initiate topographic variations along the floodplain, influencing local-scale patterns of deposition and erosion along the river. The main river responds to water and sediment inputs from tributary junction streams by locally adjusting longitudinal slope, maintaining an overall constant slope of 0.0066 m/m. The response of the Baviaanskloof River to tributary junction fans and streams is however variable, and is fashioned by complex interactions between geomorphological and anthropogenic factors. The final two chapters of the thesis evaluate the findings of the study within the context of river-floodplain rehabilitation approaches in South Africa, and within the theoretical, philosophical and methodological context of the research. The first of these two chapters evaluates the approach of the WfWet programme to river-floodplain rehabilitation in the Baviaanskloof. The chapter indicates that the present practice of WfWet is to reinstate a pre-degradation state, which is not suited to the Baviaanskloof River-floodplain, since the river-floodplain has passed a geomorphological threshold, resulting in a new set of interacting processes and landforms. The author presents a conceptual model illustrating the existence of geomorphological adaptive cycles interacting across spatial and temporal scales, thereby attempting to explain a river Panarchy specific to the Baviaanskloof. From this conceptual model, a hierarchical rehabilitation framework, targeting geomorphological processes and structure situated at different spatial and temporal scales of the landscape is suggested. The final chapter discusses the implications of integrating the concepts of geomorphological connectivity and river Panarchy theory in studies of river complexity and sensitivity to geomorphological change. The author suggests that there is scope for further investigation of the application of the two concepts within the discipline of fluvial geomorphology, particularly with regard to developing quantitative approaches to measuring and describing connectivity and Panarchy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Hearing the citizens: inequality, access to journalists and the prospects for inclusively mediated spaces of political deliberation in South Africa
- Authors: Oelofsen, Marietjie
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/35030 , vital:24309
- Description: This study examines the extent to which material and social inequality in post-apartheid South Africa affect possibilities for poor citizens to gain access to mainstream spaces of mediated political deliberation. Access is problematized in terms of the possibilities that exist for poor citizens to ‘appear’ in these spaces as emancipated citizens with political agency. The study is motivated by a perception that South Africa’s middle-class and privileged citizens have more access to political deliberation because mainstream journalists pay more attention to their political concerns. Because mediated political deliberation provides a space for articulating the political will of citizens it is important that it reflects the multiple, and diverse range of voices that make up South Africa’s polity. If the experience of socioeconomically marginalised citizens is not registered in the same way as the experience of citizens with economic and political power, the balance of political decision-making continues to be skewed against the interests of the poor. Rather than a media-centric approach, the study centres on perceptions and views of poor citizens about their relationship with mainstream journalists. The study combines information from group interviews with citizens from Hangberg, Cape Town with 410 news reports in 18 mainstream newspapers about Hangberg citizens over a 20-year period. The interviews show that poor citizens feel largely excluded from mediated political deliberation; not because they do not appear in the news but because of how they appear in the news. The news reports confirm that mainstream journalists pay more attention to voices with political and economic power than to the voices of poor citizens. Even in news reports about Hangberg citizens, political leaders and non-governmental experts often talk about the problems in Hangberg more than the citizens of Hangberg themselves talk about these problems. Building on a relatively new scholarly interest in ‘active’ and ‘political’ listening in media studies and democratic theory (Bickford 1996, Dreher 2009, Couldry 2009, Dobson 2014, Wasserman 2013, Garman and Malila 2014), I consider listening as a constitutive element of the way in which journalists engage with poor citizens in mediated deliberative spaces. I ask whether different practices of listening can enable journalists to construct narratives that provide marginalised groups with different possibilities for equal access to, and participation in these spaces?
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Oelofsen, Marietjie
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/35030 , vital:24309
- Description: This study examines the extent to which material and social inequality in post-apartheid South Africa affect possibilities for poor citizens to gain access to mainstream spaces of mediated political deliberation. Access is problematized in terms of the possibilities that exist for poor citizens to ‘appear’ in these spaces as emancipated citizens with political agency. The study is motivated by a perception that South Africa’s middle-class and privileged citizens have more access to political deliberation because mainstream journalists pay more attention to their political concerns. Because mediated political deliberation provides a space for articulating the political will of citizens it is important that it reflects the multiple, and diverse range of voices that make up South Africa’s polity. If the experience of socioeconomically marginalised citizens is not registered in the same way as the experience of citizens with economic and political power, the balance of political decision-making continues to be skewed against the interests of the poor. Rather than a media-centric approach, the study centres on perceptions and views of poor citizens about their relationship with mainstream journalists. The study combines information from group interviews with citizens from Hangberg, Cape Town with 410 news reports in 18 mainstream newspapers about Hangberg citizens over a 20-year period. The interviews show that poor citizens feel largely excluded from mediated political deliberation; not because they do not appear in the news but because of how they appear in the news. The news reports confirm that mainstream journalists pay more attention to voices with political and economic power than to the voices of poor citizens. Even in news reports about Hangberg citizens, political leaders and non-governmental experts often talk about the problems in Hangberg more than the citizens of Hangberg themselves talk about these problems. Building on a relatively new scholarly interest in ‘active’ and ‘political’ listening in media studies and democratic theory (Bickford 1996, Dreher 2009, Couldry 2009, Dobson 2014, Wasserman 2013, Garman and Malila 2014), I consider listening as a constitutive element of the way in which journalists engage with poor citizens in mediated deliberative spaces. I ask whether different practices of listening can enable journalists to construct narratives that provide marginalised groups with different possibilities for equal access to, and participation in these spaces?
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Identifying growth criteria and sediment movement mechanisms of needle ice using high-frequency environmental and visual monitoring
- Authors: Borg, Carl-Johan
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Frazil ice , Sediment transport , Ice mechanics , Photography -- Digital techniques , Environmental monitoring
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/17656 , vital:22268
- Description: Environmental growth conditions and mechanisms involved in sediment transport by needle ice have historically been difficult to assess and are poorly documented. The spatial and temporal dynamics that relate to the environment, growth and decay of needle ice are not fully understood. This study monitored needle ice growth, melt and visually identified sediment displacement mechanisms by needle ice, with the aim of revealing environmental growth criteria, timing of growth/melt, ground-surface-air energy balance and sediment displacement mechanisms. Furthermore, the impact of needle ice displacement on vegetation and patterned ground formation was analysed. High-frequency visual monitoring, using three cameras, supplemented by high-frequency measurements of air temperature, soil moisture and wind speed was used to investigate needle ice growth and decay dynamics. Results from visual and environmental monitoring of needle ice growth, showed that the needle ice growing environment was more dynamic, especially in terms of surface temperature, than previously argued. Needle ice growth was observed to occur during surface temperatures from -2.0°C to 2.2°C, soil moisture levels from 0.4% to 37.4% and in winds speeds of 0 m/s to 12.6 m/s. Needle ice initiation was documented a few minutes to hours before or after the onset of surface temperature dropping to below 0°C. Imagery displayed that the depth of ice nucleation was variable within the soil column, possibly relating to the energy balance of radiative cooling, convective heat loss, ground conductivity and latent heat release at the air-surface-ground boundary. Heaving and resettling, toppling and rolling were identified as slope displacement mechanisms when needle ice decayed. Animal trampling and hail were additionally documented as substantial surface altering processes. Furthermore, no impact of needle ice reducing vegetation stability was identified, although a tendency to hinder vegetation expansion was noted. Also, no creation of patterned ground was observed as a result of needle ice decay.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Borg, Carl-Johan
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Frazil ice , Sediment transport , Ice mechanics , Photography -- Digital techniques , Environmental monitoring
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/17656 , vital:22268
- Description: Environmental growth conditions and mechanisms involved in sediment transport by needle ice have historically been difficult to assess and are poorly documented. The spatial and temporal dynamics that relate to the environment, growth and decay of needle ice are not fully understood. This study monitored needle ice growth, melt and visually identified sediment displacement mechanisms by needle ice, with the aim of revealing environmental growth criteria, timing of growth/melt, ground-surface-air energy balance and sediment displacement mechanisms. Furthermore, the impact of needle ice displacement on vegetation and patterned ground formation was analysed. High-frequency visual monitoring, using three cameras, supplemented by high-frequency measurements of air temperature, soil moisture and wind speed was used to investigate needle ice growth and decay dynamics. Results from visual and environmental monitoring of needle ice growth, showed that the needle ice growing environment was more dynamic, especially in terms of surface temperature, than previously argued. Needle ice growth was observed to occur during surface temperatures from -2.0°C to 2.2°C, soil moisture levels from 0.4% to 37.4% and in winds speeds of 0 m/s to 12.6 m/s. Needle ice initiation was documented a few minutes to hours before or after the onset of surface temperature dropping to below 0°C. Imagery displayed that the depth of ice nucleation was variable within the soil column, possibly relating to the energy balance of radiative cooling, convective heat loss, ground conductivity and latent heat release at the air-surface-ground boundary. Heaving and resettling, toppling and rolling were identified as slope displacement mechanisms when needle ice decayed. Animal trampling and hail were additionally documented as substantial surface altering processes. Furthermore, no impact of needle ice reducing vegetation stability was identified, although a tendency to hinder vegetation expansion was noted. Also, no creation of patterned ground was observed as a result of needle ice decay.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Impact of formulated soil types on growth performance, phytochemical constituents and pharmacological properties of solanum nigurm L. : a wild vegetable in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Ogundola, Adijat Funke
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Solanum Materia medica, Vegetable Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8758 , vital:33519
- Description: Solanum nigrum L. is a wild vegetable that is highly recognised for its high nutiritional and therapeutical purposes. However, proper identification of the plant is essential not only to plant scientists but to a wide range of users. Therefore, the plant’s roots, stems and leaves cultivated on different soil types were viewed under the Scanning Electron Microscope while the leaves were further viewed under the Light Microscope. significant increase was observed in densities of stomata, guard and subsidiary cells of leaves of S. nigrum grown on silty clay loam soil. The SEM analysis revealed abundant glandular and non-glandular trichromes on both surfaces of the leaves. The glandular trichome is known to be responsible for the storage of bioactive compounds for which this plant is well known. Cultivation was embarked upon, for the availability of the plant at all times. However, propagation was by seed alone, therefore, quality seed is necessary for cultivation. Study was carried out on seeds extracted from plants growing in the wild in Alice for the seed viability, germination and seedling emergence when subjected to different soil texture types and sowing depths. The seeds were 98.3 percent viable. Highest germination (94.66 percent) was recorded in sand paper scarification, 15, 20 and 25ºC. Continuous darkness and temperatures lower than 5ºC and higher than 35ºCwere detrimental to the seeds. Silty clay loam soil and a depth of 2 cm had the highest seedling emergence 90 percent and recommended as the ideal condition for seedlings emergence. The growth, yield and physiological response of S. nigrum to sandy clay loam, silty clay loam, clay loam, loam soils and control soil (sandy loam) were investigated in the glasshouse in two separate trials. The ANOVA analysed data results indicated that plant samples on silty clay loam significantly increased in height, stem girth, plant root, leaf area, number of leaves, number of branches, number of flowers, number of fruit bunch per plant dry weight, as well as weight of fruit bunch. However, plant samples grown on clay loam and loam soils recorded increased chlorophyll and produced dark green leaves. It is conceivable that silty clay loam soils have a strong ability to support the physiological growth and the yield of S. nigrum. These soils are therefore recommended for the cultivation of this plant. S. nigrum cultivated on these soils was evaluated for proximate compositions, anti-nutrients, vitamins A, C and E and mineral compositions using standard analytical methods. Using the translocation factor, the minerals’ toxicity accumulation levels in the plant were also determined. Accumulation of proximate parameters in the first and second trials are: ash (11.25-12.25 percent and 11.14- 11.54 percent), crude fibre (19.24-19.95 percent and 18.71-19.35 percent), protein (36.72-38.98 percent and 34.47-37.00 percent), phytate (0.84-1.17 and 0.88-1.15 mg/ml), saponnin (94.10-97.00 and 94.17-97.00 percent) and alkaloids (43.03-45.76 and 42.08- 44.10 percent) respectively. Vitamin A ranged between 117 and 137 mg/kg and betweens 108 and 128 mg/kg, vitamin C between 100 and 118 mg/kg and between 96 and 108 mg/kg and vitamin E between 250 and 269 mg/kg and between 227 and 261 mg/kg in the first and second trials respectively. The quantities of macro and micro-nutrients recorded in S. nigrum showed that this plant is a reservoir of nutrients. Plants cultivated on clay loam, silty clay loam and loam soils accumulated elevated nutritients compositions. Investigation was made on the ability of S. nigrum cultivated on different soil texture types to synthesise phytochemicals such as phenol, flavonoid, alkaloid proanthocyanidins, tannins, saponins and antioxidant. Highest concentrations of phenolics (73.87 mg/g), flavonoids (58.41 mg/g), proanthocyanidins (875.74 mg/g), tannins (49.32 mg/g), saponins (875.74 mg/g) and alkaloid (47.50 mg/g) contents were recorded in plant sample cultivated on silty clay loam soil. Also, highest radical scavenging power using DPPH (0.0102 mg/g), ABTS (0.1062 mg/g) and FRAP (0.8395 mg/g) were recorded in plant samples grown on silty clay loam and the next high values were recorded in plant samples grown on clay loam soil. It is showed in this study that silty clay loam soil and clay loam soils are the best soil types for cultivation of S. nigrum for increased antioxidant properties/ oxygen radical scavenging activities. Investigation was made on chemical compositions and antioxidant properties of essential oil extracts of S. nigrum shoot and root cultivated on different soil textures. The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling revealed variations in the quality index (QI) and number of chemical constituents of the oil of S. nigrum cultivated on different soil texture types. Geraniol and citronellol were two principal components of high quality common to oil from shoots and roots fromplants cultivated on all soil types. Results of DPPH and ABTS assays of the shoot oil showed that S. nigrum cultivated on clay loam soil had the highest antioxidant power. The presence of citronellol and geraniol among the major compounds is an indicaton of the plant’s role in defensive mechanisms. The work indicated that soil texture has effect on the quality, quantity and chemical compounds synthesised in the shoots and roots of S. nigrum. Antibacterial activities and the efficacy of S. nigrum cultivated on different soil types were carried out on reference strains of 4 gram-positive and 4 gram-negative bacteria. Toxicity evaluation of the plant’s acetone extract and water extract were also assessed on lethality of brine shrimp eggs. Plant water and acetone extracts exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Pseudomona aeruginosa, acetone extracts against Bacillus cereus, Listeria and Escherichia coli. Significantly (p< 0.05) low concentration (0.25 mg/mL) of acetone extracts from plant shoot cultivated on silty clay loam and clay loam soils inhibited B. cereus and P. aeruginosa. Antimicrobial activities of extracts of plant cultivated on clay loam appeared to be more superior to extracs from plants grown on other soil types. Toxicity of the plant extracts (water and acetone) was concentration and time dependent. The LD50 values for all plant extracts were greater than 1000 mg/mL which showed they are non-toxic.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ogundola, Adijat Funke
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Solanum Materia medica, Vegetable Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8758 , vital:33519
- Description: Solanum nigrum L. is a wild vegetable that is highly recognised for its high nutiritional and therapeutical purposes. However, proper identification of the plant is essential not only to plant scientists but to a wide range of users. Therefore, the plant’s roots, stems and leaves cultivated on different soil types were viewed under the Scanning Electron Microscope while the leaves were further viewed under the Light Microscope. significant increase was observed in densities of stomata, guard and subsidiary cells of leaves of S. nigrum grown on silty clay loam soil. The SEM analysis revealed abundant glandular and non-glandular trichromes on both surfaces of the leaves. The glandular trichome is known to be responsible for the storage of bioactive compounds for which this plant is well known. Cultivation was embarked upon, for the availability of the plant at all times. However, propagation was by seed alone, therefore, quality seed is necessary for cultivation. Study was carried out on seeds extracted from plants growing in the wild in Alice for the seed viability, germination and seedling emergence when subjected to different soil texture types and sowing depths. The seeds were 98.3 percent viable. Highest germination (94.66 percent) was recorded in sand paper scarification, 15, 20 and 25ºC. Continuous darkness and temperatures lower than 5ºC and higher than 35ºCwere detrimental to the seeds. Silty clay loam soil and a depth of 2 cm had the highest seedling emergence 90 percent and recommended as the ideal condition for seedlings emergence. The growth, yield and physiological response of S. nigrum to sandy clay loam, silty clay loam, clay loam, loam soils and control soil (sandy loam) were investigated in the glasshouse in two separate trials. The ANOVA analysed data results indicated that plant samples on silty clay loam significantly increased in height, stem girth, plant root, leaf area, number of leaves, number of branches, number of flowers, number of fruit bunch per plant dry weight, as well as weight of fruit bunch. However, plant samples grown on clay loam and loam soils recorded increased chlorophyll and produced dark green leaves. It is conceivable that silty clay loam soils have a strong ability to support the physiological growth and the yield of S. nigrum. These soils are therefore recommended for the cultivation of this plant. S. nigrum cultivated on these soils was evaluated for proximate compositions, anti-nutrients, vitamins A, C and E and mineral compositions using standard analytical methods. Using the translocation factor, the minerals’ toxicity accumulation levels in the plant were also determined. Accumulation of proximate parameters in the first and second trials are: ash (11.25-12.25 percent and 11.14- 11.54 percent), crude fibre (19.24-19.95 percent and 18.71-19.35 percent), protein (36.72-38.98 percent and 34.47-37.00 percent), phytate (0.84-1.17 and 0.88-1.15 mg/ml), saponnin (94.10-97.00 and 94.17-97.00 percent) and alkaloids (43.03-45.76 and 42.08- 44.10 percent) respectively. Vitamin A ranged between 117 and 137 mg/kg and betweens 108 and 128 mg/kg, vitamin C between 100 and 118 mg/kg and between 96 and 108 mg/kg and vitamin E between 250 and 269 mg/kg and between 227 and 261 mg/kg in the first and second trials respectively. The quantities of macro and micro-nutrients recorded in S. nigrum showed that this plant is a reservoir of nutrients. Plants cultivated on clay loam, silty clay loam and loam soils accumulated elevated nutritients compositions. Investigation was made on the ability of S. nigrum cultivated on different soil texture types to synthesise phytochemicals such as phenol, flavonoid, alkaloid proanthocyanidins, tannins, saponins and antioxidant. Highest concentrations of phenolics (73.87 mg/g), flavonoids (58.41 mg/g), proanthocyanidins (875.74 mg/g), tannins (49.32 mg/g), saponins (875.74 mg/g) and alkaloid (47.50 mg/g) contents were recorded in plant sample cultivated on silty clay loam soil. Also, highest radical scavenging power using DPPH (0.0102 mg/g), ABTS (0.1062 mg/g) and FRAP (0.8395 mg/g) were recorded in plant samples grown on silty clay loam and the next high values were recorded in plant samples grown on clay loam soil. It is showed in this study that silty clay loam soil and clay loam soils are the best soil types for cultivation of S. nigrum for increased antioxidant properties/ oxygen radical scavenging activities. Investigation was made on chemical compositions and antioxidant properties of essential oil extracts of S. nigrum shoot and root cultivated on different soil textures. The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling revealed variations in the quality index (QI) and number of chemical constituents of the oil of S. nigrum cultivated on different soil texture types. Geraniol and citronellol were two principal components of high quality common to oil from shoots and roots fromplants cultivated on all soil types. Results of DPPH and ABTS assays of the shoot oil showed that S. nigrum cultivated on clay loam soil had the highest antioxidant power. The presence of citronellol and geraniol among the major compounds is an indicaton of the plant’s role in defensive mechanisms. The work indicated that soil texture has effect on the quality, quantity and chemical compounds synthesised in the shoots and roots of S. nigrum. Antibacterial activities and the efficacy of S. nigrum cultivated on different soil types were carried out on reference strains of 4 gram-positive and 4 gram-negative bacteria. Toxicity evaluation of the plant’s acetone extract and water extract were also assessed on lethality of brine shrimp eggs. Plant water and acetone extracts exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Pseudomona aeruginosa, acetone extracts against Bacillus cereus, Listeria and Escherichia coli. Significantly (p< 0.05) low concentration (0.25 mg/mL) of acetone extracts from plant shoot cultivated on silty clay loam and clay loam soils inhibited B. cereus and P. aeruginosa. Antimicrobial activities of extracts of plant cultivated on clay loam appeared to be more superior to extracs from plants grown on other soil types. Toxicity of the plant extracts (water and acetone) was concentration and time dependent. The LD50 values for all plant extracts were greater than 1000 mg/mL which showed they are non-toxic.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Implementation of gender policies to promote gender parity in leadership in academia : a case study of two universities in Bindura Urban Mashonaland Central Province Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mandoga, Edward
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Women in higher education -- Zimbabwe Education, Higher -- Zimbabwe Sex discrimination in higher education -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5260 , vital:29178
- Description: The study is premised on the assumptions that the under-representation of women in leadership in academia is aggravated by weak implementation of gender policies. In light of this, the aim of the current study was to assess the nature and extent of the implementation of gender policy frameworks as a way of engendering gender parity in leadership in academia. The study was informed by the socialist-feminist theory and John Rawls’ and David Millers’ theory of social justice. The theories were chosen on the basis of their socialist-scientific approach to gender issues and also because of their resonance with the situation in Zimbabwe’s tertiary institutions. The theories were analysed within the context of Agenda 2063. The relevance of the agenda’s vision for this study is its recognition of gender equality, particularly in leadership in academia, as a critical cog for Africa’s development agenda. The researcher opted to use the qualitative approach which is embedded within the interpretivist research paradigm. The interpretivist approach makes use of qualitative methods of data collection, presentation and analysis. Data were generated from a sample of twenty four lecturers, two vice-chancellors, two pro-vice-chancellors and two registrars from two universities, a private church-run institution and a state university, mainly through interviews. Data were also generated through focus group discussions and document analysis. Data from documents were used to buttress data from the interviews and focus group discussions. The findings of this study showed that the male-management norm dominated in almost every strategic section of the structures of the two institutions. This was attributable to weak implementation of gender policies. The failure of the gender policies to bring a visible change to the institutional landscape in terms of gender equality was a result of an interplay of personal, cultural and organisational factors. Some of the factors that thwarted women’s career progression to leadership positions included, lack of inspiration from role models, lack of support from colleagues, lack of training in leadership, and the Zimbabwe Council of Higher Education’s (ZIMCHE) indiscriminate policy on recruitment of staff members. All the factors however, were encapsulated within the patriarchal stereotypical conception of a women as fit for domesticity. Within the same conception, men were considered to be imbued with the clout and traits consistent with leadership demands. Studies carried out elsewhere in Zimbabwe and outside the boarders of Zimbabwe have yielded similar results. This explains the continuing and relentless nature of gender inequality in academic institutions. In order to increase the participation of women in leadership positions, the study recommends the following: establishment of a monitoring and evaluation exercise designed to audit the effectiveness of the gender policies; establishment of a review of the university programmes with the aim of establishing or intensifying training programmes in academic leadership and management; establishment of a scholarship and research fund to encourage women to undertake higher degrees studies, and the intense application of affirmative action policies and gender mainstreaming in the universities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mandoga, Edward
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Women in higher education -- Zimbabwe Education, Higher -- Zimbabwe Sex discrimination in higher education -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5260 , vital:29178
- Description: The study is premised on the assumptions that the under-representation of women in leadership in academia is aggravated by weak implementation of gender policies. In light of this, the aim of the current study was to assess the nature and extent of the implementation of gender policy frameworks as a way of engendering gender parity in leadership in academia. The study was informed by the socialist-feminist theory and John Rawls’ and David Millers’ theory of social justice. The theories were chosen on the basis of their socialist-scientific approach to gender issues and also because of their resonance with the situation in Zimbabwe’s tertiary institutions. The theories were analysed within the context of Agenda 2063. The relevance of the agenda’s vision for this study is its recognition of gender equality, particularly in leadership in academia, as a critical cog for Africa’s development agenda. The researcher opted to use the qualitative approach which is embedded within the interpretivist research paradigm. The interpretivist approach makes use of qualitative methods of data collection, presentation and analysis. Data were generated from a sample of twenty four lecturers, two vice-chancellors, two pro-vice-chancellors and two registrars from two universities, a private church-run institution and a state university, mainly through interviews. Data were also generated through focus group discussions and document analysis. Data from documents were used to buttress data from the interviews and focus group discussions. The findings of this study showed that the male-management norm dominated in almost every strategic section of the structures of the two institutions. This was attributable to weak implementation of gender policies. The failure of the gender policies to bring a visible change to the institutional landscape in terms of gender equality was a result of an interplay of personal, cultural and organisational factors. Some of the factors that thwarted women’s career progression to leadership positions included, lack of inspiration from role models, lack of support from colleagues, lack of training in leadership, and the Zimbabwe Council of Higher Education’s (ZIMCHE) indiscriminate policy on recruitment of staff members. All the factors however, were encapsulated within the patriarchal stereotypical conception of a women as fit for domesticity. Within the same conception, men were considered to be imbued with the clout and traits consistent with leadership demands. Studies carried out elsewhere in Zimbabwe and outside the boarders of Zimbabwe have yielded similar results. This explains the continuing and relentless nature of gender inequality in academic institutions. In order to increase the participation of women in leadership positions, the study recommends the following: establishment of a monitoring and evaluation exercise designed to audit the effectiveness of the gender policies; establishment of a review of the university programmes with the aim of establishing or intensifying training programmes in academic leadership and management; establishment of a scholarship and research fund to encourage women to undertake higher degrees studies, and the intense application of affirmative action policies and gender mainstreaming in the universities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017