An investigation of the Social and Structural basis for the emergence of social movements in Zimbabwe. A Comparative study of the Combined Harare Residents Association and Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association
- Authors: Chaitezvi, Trevour
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Social movements
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Sociology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17564 , vital:41091
- Description: The emergence of urban social movements in the Zimbabwean context is mainly attributed to the political economic crisis, which resulted in the decline of municipal services and other socioeconomic rights central to the ordinary people. In the rural areas many scholars have alluded to the failure of the state to institute a radical transformation of the rural areas as the reason for the emergence of land movement and the subsequent land revolutions that followed in the early 2000s. Within this context, this study sought to investigate the social and structural basis for the emergence of social movements in Zimbabwe. The argument of this study hinges on the central premise of the political opportunity structure approach, which states that the emergence and success of social movements depends on certain political opportunities within the political environment. Building upon the guidance of the qualitative paradigm, whose method of investigation includes in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, the findings illustrate that the emergence of rural social movements in Zimbabwe was mainly to address the land question; such initiatives were to be done through fighting imperialism that hinges upon neo-liberal policies. In addition, one of the objectives for the emergence of rural social movements was to complete the objective of the liberation war, which was to give back the land to the indigenous black people. The tactics of the rural social movement included engaging the state and confronting it in other instances. Further, illegal land occupations were also one of the tactics of this movement. Ideologically, the movement used a Pan-African ideology to confront neo-colonization. On the other hand, the findings of the study illustrate that the emergence of urban social movements was mainly to provide a platform for the marginalized people to voice their discontent of the decline of service delivery in the urban context. Since most of these aspects were linked to the broader economic crisis facing the country, urban social movements also intended to initiate a political transition. The tactics of urban social movements included disruption, the establishment of networks with other social movements and the use of media, while constructing their ideology within the human rights framewo
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Chaitezvi, Trevour
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Social movements
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Sociology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17564 , vital:41091
- Description: The emergence of urban social movements in the Zimbabwean context is mainly attributed to the political economic crisis, which resulted in the decline of municipal services and other socioeconomic rights central to the ordinary people. In the rural areas many scholars have alluded to the failure of the state to institute a radical transformation of the rural areas as the reason for the emergence of land movement and the subsequent land revolutions that followed in the early 2000s. Within this context, this study sought to investigate the social and structural basis for the emergence of social movements in Zimbabwe. The argument of this study hinges on the central premise of the political opportunity structure approach, which states that the emergence and success of social movements depends on certain political opportunities within the political environment. Building upon the guidance of the qualitative paradigm, whose method of investigation includes in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, the findings illustrate that the emergence of rural social movements in Zimbabwe was mainly to address the land question; such initiatives were to be done through fighting imperialism that hinges upon neo-liberal policies. In addition, one of the objectives for the emergence of rural social movements was to complete the objective of the liberation war, which was to give back the land to the indigenous black people. The tactics of the rural social movement included engaging the state and confronting it in other instances. Further, illegal land occupations were also one of the tactics of this movement. Ideologically, the movement used a Pan-African ideology to confront neo-colonization. On the other hand, the findings of the study illustrate that the emergence of urban social movements was mainly to provide a platform for the marginalized people to voice their discontent of the decline of service delivery in the urban context. Since most of these aspects were linked to the broader economic crisis facing the country, urban social movements also intended to initiate a political transition. The tactics of urban social movements included disruption, the establishment of networks with other social movements and the use of media, while constructing their ideology within the human rights framewo
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Critical Success Factors for Enhanced Information Systems Capabilities in Water Billing Processes: A Case Study of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Naki, Avuyile
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Information networks -- Security measures Computer security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13793 , vital:39712
- Description: Water is a nation's most precious resource as humans depend upon it for their lives and livelihoods. Water resources, therefore, require efficient and strategic management by those entities tasked with such a responsibility. Municipalities manage the water distribution to local citizens, but experience challenges due to the numerous tasks involved in water management. A major challenge that municipalities face is inefficiencies in water management business processes due to immature information system capabilities. Many studies focus on the infrastructure-related challenges such as ageing pipes, but little emphasis is placed on the information system-based challenges in water management and their relationship to the local water consumer. Therefore, the focus of this research investigation was on the water billing process activities and the information systems involved in these activities. The study collected primary data by conducting a focus group comprising seven respondents working in water billing-related processes and then conducted semi-structured interviews with two managers at the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM). The Nvivo software tool was used to organise the collected data. Finally, the collected data was analysed using the principles of thematic analysis. Firstly, the primary evidence indicates that the water billing information systems that are used at BCMM are unintegrated. Secondly, that there are numerous manual processes in the water billing-related processes, which lead to mistakes in the capturing of consumer data. Thirdly, the analysis confirms that BCMM is faced with water management challenges. Fourthly, the analysis revealed that there is inadequate communication between various water billing information systems that are used, which results in delays in data capturing, errors and outdated information. The findings conclude that BCMM has immature water billing information system capabilities and that there are problems related to water processes. The research investigation derived several critical success factors (CSFs) for BCMM to action to ensure that their water billing information systems are enhanced. The CSFs were reviewed by the two managers used for the study in order to ascertain their relevance to the context and were considered relevant by the managers. Therefore, the recommendation is that BCMM, and other municipalities with similar contexts, should action the proposed CSFs to enhance their water billing-related information systems capabilities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Naki, Avuyile
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Information networks -- Security measures Computer security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13793 , vital:39712
- Description: Water is a nation's most precious resource as humans depend upon it for their lives and livelihoods. Water resources, therefore, require efficient and strategic management by those entities tasked with such a responsibility. Municipalities manage the water distribution to local citizens, but experience challenges due to the numerous tasks involved in water management. A major challenge that municipalities face is inefficiencies in water management business processes due to immature information system capabilities. Many studies focus on the infrastructure-related challenges such as ageing pipes, but little emphasis is placed on the information system-based challenges in water management and their relationship to the local water consumer. Therefore, the focus of this research investigation was on the water billing process activities and the information systems involved in these activities. The study collected primary data by conducting a focus group comprising seven respondents working in water billing-related processes and then conducted semi-structured interviews with two managers at the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM). The Nvivo software tool was used to organise the collected data. Finally, the collected data was analysed using the principles of thematic analysis. Firstly, the primary evidence indicates that the water billing information systems that are used at BCMM are unintegrated. Secondly, that there are numerous manual processes in the water billing-related processes, which lead to mistakes in the capturing of consumer data. Thirdly, the analysis confirms that BCMM is faced with water management challenges. Fourthly, the analysis revealed that there is inadequate communication between various water billing information systems that are used, which results in delays in data capturing, errors and outdated information. The findings conclude that BCMM has immature water billing information system capabilities and that there are problems related to water processes. The research investigation derived several critical success factors (CSFs) for BCMM to action to ensure that their water billing information systems are enhanced. The CSFs were reviewed by the two managers used for the study in order to ascertain their relevance to the context and were considered relevant by the managers. Therefore, the recommendation is that BCMM, and other municipalities with similar contexts, should action the proposed CSFs to enhance their water billing-related information systems capabilities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Cardiovascular disease risk in Black and Caucasian females: an Eastern Cape sample
- Authors: Remsing, Sandra Claudia
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/40737 , vital:25021
- Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate cardiovascular disease risk in Black and Caucasian urban working females of the Makana region of the Eastern Cape. One- hundred and sixty six age-matched urban-working individuals (Black n = 88; Caucasian n = 78) voluntarily participated in this cross-sectional study. Cardiovascular disease risk was assessed in four categories: 1) obesity, classified as ‘morphological risk’, 2) blood pressure, classified as ‘cardiovascular risk’, 3) diet, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption, classified as ‘lifestyle risk’, and 4) education and income, classified as ‘socioeconomic factors’. Results showed that Black females were significantly (p<0.01) heavier than Caucasian females and categorized as ‘obese’ according to BMI classifications (31.19 ± 8.09 kg.m2 and 25.90 ±4.67 kg.m2, respectively). Black females also presented with significantly (p<0.01) higher waist circumferences and waist-to-stature ratios, further confirming the obesity prevalence in this group. When accounting for those who were on anti-hypertensive mediation, Black females additionally presented with significantly (p<0.05) higher blood pressure, categorizing them as ‘pre-hypertensive’ (MAP = 98 ± 16 mmHg and 85 ± 11 mmHg, respectively). These results therefore placed Black females at increased cardiovascular disease risk compared to Caucasian females. With respect to lifestyle factors, Black females consumed significantly (p<0.05) more kilojoules carbohydrates, and total sugar than Caucasian females, and expended more physical activity MET- minutes per week (2688.86 ± 1486.56 MET-minutes and 1828.27 ± 2238.10 MET- minutes, respectively). However, reduced validity of physical activity data as well as poor dietary recall limited the interpretations of these findings. In addition, despite significant differences between smoking and alcohol consumption between groups, the majority of both Black and Caucasian females reported being non-smokers and consumed alcohol minimally. Thus, these were concluded to be unlikely contributors to cardiovascular disease risk in these samples. Socioeconomic results nevertheless expectedly showed that Black females were significantly (p<0.05) less educated, and subsequently earned lower incomes. It was thus concluded that this may be a likely contributor to higher cardiovascular risk in Black females. Future recommendations include the incorporation of exercise intensity measures as well as objective measures of habitual diet. This is in order to get a clearer understanding of the impact of these lifestyle factors on cardiovascular disease risk.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Remsing, Sandra Claudia
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/40737 , vital:25021
- Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate cardiovascular disease risk in Black and Caucasian urban working females of the Makana region of the Eastern Cape. One- hundred and sixty six age-matched urban-working individuals (Black n = 88; Caucasian n = 78) voluntarily participated in this cross-sectional study. Cardiovascular disease risk was assessed in four categories: 1) obesity, classified as ‘morphological risk’, 2) blood pressure, classified as ‘cardiovascular risk’, 3) diet, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption, classified as ‘lifestyle risk’, and 4) education and income, classified as ‘socioeconomic factors’. Results showed that Black females were significantly (p<0.01) heavier than Caucasian females and categorized as ‘obese’ according to BMI classifications (31.19 ± 8.09 kg.m2 and 25.90 ±4.67 kg.m2, respectively). Black females also presented with significantly (p<0.01) higher waist circumferences and waist-to-stature ratios, further confirming the obesity prevalence in this group. When accounting for those who were on anti-hypertensive mediation, Black females additionally presented with significantly (p<0.05) higher blood pressure, categorizing them as ‘pre-hypertensive’ (MAP = 98 ± 16 mmHg and 85 ± 11 mmHg, respectively). These results therefore placed Black females at increased cardiovascular disease risk compared to Caucasian females. With respect to lifestyle factors, Black females consumed significantly (p<0.05) more kilojoules carbohydrates, and total sugar than Caucasian females, and expended more physical activity MET- minutes per week (2688.86 ± 1486.56 MET-minutes and 1828.27 ± 2238.10 MET- minutes, respectively). However, reduced validity of physical activity data as well as poor dietary recall limited the interpretations of these findings. In addition, despite significant differences between smoking and alcohol consumption between groups, the majority of both Black and Caucasian females reported being non-smokers and consumed alcohol minimally. Thus, these were concluded to be unlikely contributors to cardiovascular disease risk in these samples. Socioeconomic results nevertheless expectedly showed that Black females were significantly (p<0.05) less educated, and subsequently earned lower incomes. It was thus concluded that this may be a likely contributor to higher cardiovascular risk in Black females. Future recommendations include the incorporation of exercise intensity measures as well as objective measures of habitual diet. This is in order to get a clearer understanding of the impact of these lifestyle factors on cardiovascular disease risk.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An investigation into how Grade 8 Natural Sciences learners make sense of chemical reactions during lessons involving familiar resources: a case study
- Authors: Mashozhera, Farasten
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/1374 , vital:20051
- Description: My experience of working with science learners for the past 25 years and witnessing their difficulty in comprehending chemical reactions motivated me to investigate how learners make sense of chemical reactions in lessons involving the use of familiar resources. Essentially, this study sought to gain insights into whether engaging learners during practical activities using familiar resources facilitated meaning-making of chemical reactions. There is not much literature on early high school learning of concepts linked to chemical reactions which opened the way for this research. This study was conducted at a public high school comprised of Grades 8-12 (FET band) in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. It is located within the interpretive paradigm. Within this paradigm, both quantitative and qualitative methods were conducted with a Grade 8 Natural Sciences class. Data sets were analysed in relation to the research questions. A variety of data gathering techniques were used, namely diagnostic and summative tests, worksheets and a semistructured interview with a focus group. Both inductive and deductive processes were applied during the data analysis process. The validation process was done through data analysis using mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative), checking transcriptions with the focus group and the use of a research participant. Learners in the focus group verified their responses, checking for any misrepresentations. The main finding of this study is that the use of practical activities, using familiar resources, facilitated learner engagement and meaningful learning. However, this study further revealed that some concepts associated with chemical reactions were challenging to learners. Similarly, that some prior everyday knowledge and experiences that learners bring to the science classroom impede sense-making in Natural Sciences. In addition, the language of learning and teaching (LoLT) and the language of science are other factors impeding sense-making of scientific concepts. It is thus recommended that teachers plan well in order to incorporate the use of practical activities using familiar resources during mediation of learning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mashozhera, Farasten
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/1374 , vital:20051
- Description: My experience of working with science learners for the past 25 years and witnessing their difficulty in comprehending chemical reactions motivated me to investigate how learners make sense of chemical reactions in lessons involving the use of familiar resources. Essentially, this study sought to gain insights into whether engaging learners during practical activities using familiar resources facilitated meaning-making of chemical reactions. There is not much literature on early high school learning of concepts linked to chemical reactions which opened the way for this research. This study was conducted at a public high school comprised of Grades 8-12 (FET band) in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. It is located within the interpretive paradigm. Within this paradigm, both quantitative and qualitative methods were conducted with a Grade 8 Natural Sciences class. Data sets were analysed in relation to the research questions. A variety of data gathering techniques were used, namely diagnostic and summative tests, worksheets and a semistructured interview with a focus group. Both inductive and deductive processes were applied during the data analysis process. The validation process was done through data analysis using mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative), checking transcriptions with the focus group and the use of a research participant. Learners in the focus group verified their responses, checking for any misrepresentations. The main finding of this study is that the use of practical activities, using familiar resources, facilitated learner engagement and meaningful learning. However, this study further revealed that some concepts associated with chemical reactions were challenging to learners. Similarly, that some prior everyday knowledge and experiences that learners bring to the science classroom impede sense-making in Natural Sciences. In addition, the language of learning and teaching (LoLT) and the language of science are other factors impeding sense-making of scientific concepts. It is thus recommended that teachers plan well in order to incorporate the use of practical activities using familiar resources during mediation of learning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Investigating a mathematics recovery program for assessment and intervention with groups of Grade 4 learners
- Authors: Wasserman, Anelia
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Primary) , Mathematics -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2065 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020340
- Description: This study reports on the findings of my research, which was based on an intervention focused on recovery of early arithmetic strategies with one Grade 4 class of learners in a township school in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Learners came from poor socio-economic backgrounds and initial evaluations showed that the majority of learners still relied on concrete methods, like tally counting, to perform addition and subtraction calculations even with numbers less than 10. This is not uncommon in the South African context especially with learners in low Socio-economic Status (SES) schools. The results of numerous assessments including the Department of Education’s Annual National Assessments point to a crisis in primary mathematics education where intermediate phase learners are generally operating several grade levels below the grade they are in. A large drop in mathematics performance is seen in the ANA results in grade 4 learners (the first grade of the transition from foundation phase to intermediate phase). Within this context, and my background in learning support for students, my research aimed to understand the possibilities and constraints of the implementation of a recovery program adapted from the widely implemented work of Wright et al. (2006, 2012). The primary adaptation made to the MR program involved administering the assessments and intervention with groups of (rather than individual) learners. Within the context of the many low SES under-resourced schools in SA, individualised interview based assessments and recovery is not seen as a possible remediation strategy. Drawing on a socio- constructivist perspective, my study used action research with one class of 23 learners and found that adaptation of the MR program for a group, based on eight recovery sessions, was useful for enabling some progress for all learners in terms of their early arithmetic strategies and conceptual place value. Although the need for a longer recovery period is acknowledged, the adapted program enabled some progress in levels and stages of conceptual knowledge (as conceptualized by Wright et al.’s (2006) Learning Framework in Number) for these two domains. The study concludes with some reflections and recommendations for the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Wasserman, Anelia
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Primary) , Mathematics -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2065 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020340
- Description: This study reports on the findings of my research, which was based on an intervention focused on recovery of early arithmetic strategies with one Grade 4 class of learners in a township school in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Learners came from poor socio-economic backgrounds and initial evaluations showed that the majority of learners still relied on concrete methods, like tally counting, to perform addition and subtraction calculations even with numbers less than 10. This is not uncommon in the South African context especially with learners in low Socio-economic Status (SES) schools. The results of numerous assessments including the Department of Education’s Annual National Assessments point to a crisis in primary mathematics education where intermediate phase learners are generally operating several grade levels below the grade they are in. A large drop in mathematics performance is seen in the ANA results in grade 4 learners (the first grade of the transition from foundation phase to intermediate phase). Within this context, and my background in learning support for students, my research aimed to understand the possibilities and constraints of the implementation of a recovery program adapted from the widely implemented work of Wright et al. (2006, 2012). The primary adaptation made to the MR program involved administering the assessments and intervention with groups of (rather than individual) learners. Within the context of the many low SES under-resourced schools in SA, individualised interview based assessments and recovery is not seen as a possible remediation strategy. Drawing on a socio- constructivist perspective, my study used action research with one class of 23 learners and found that adaptation of the MR program for a group, based on eight recovery sessions, was useful for enabling some progress for all learners in terms of their early arithmetic strategies and conceptual place value. Although the need for a longer recovery period is acknowledged, the adapted program enabled some progress in levels and stages of conceptual knowledge (as conceptualized by Wright et al.’s (2006) Learning Framework in Number) for these two domains. The study concludes with some reflections and recommendations for the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
An ethnographic study of business documentation writing practices of selected human resource practitioners in the Nelson Mandela Metropole
- Authors: Blignaut, David Llewellyn
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Business writing English language -- Written English -- South Africa , Written communication -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50077 , vital:42031
- Description: The proposed study will focus on the dominant writing practices in the Human Resources (HR) workplace environment. Business writing is dominated by English and world Englishes as an international language, and users are increasingly second or foreign language speakers. As a result, business environments adopt English-only policies. As a result, the hegemony of English for business use has been entrenched. In addition, English has become a highly influential language in South Africa. As any document production is not simple and spontaneous where rules are visible and can be learned or known independently, this study specifically examines the business documentation writing practices of Human Resource (HR) practitioners in the workplace to evaluate the relevance of the BKH 1120 English in Communication A business writing curriculum. The integration of the workplace social context is essential as writing practices encompass not only the physical act of writing, but include abstract cognitive processes and the contexts of the reader, writer, text and social environment that pertain to text processing and production. Therefore, this study intends to inform current HE academic business writing requirements as well as documentation structures and layout practices for the curriculum development of the BKH1120 Communication in English A module. The study used a qualitative research tool based on an ethnographic design. Although an ethnographic study demands that the researcher spends extensive time in the field, an alternative strategy is to conduct the research based on interviews as a thick description of depth and detail that interviewers seek in interviews can be found in the interviewees’ first hand experiences”. Content analysis was also used to analyse the interview responses as well as the document samples collected from the participants. This research study concluded that HE often does not often adequately prepare students for the social, ideological and collaborative workplace writing expectations. Therefore, HE programmes should make careful decisions on which workplace discourse practices to include in their teaching practices and design meaningful and realistic ways to equip students in to prepare them well to deal with workplace writing challenges.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Blignaut, David Llewellyn
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Business writing English language -- Written English -- South Africa , Written communication -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50077 , vital:42031
- Description: The proposed study will focus on the dominant writing practices in the Human Resources (HR) workplace environment. Business writing is dominated by English and world Englishes as an international language, and users are increasingly second or foreign language speakers. As a result, business environments adopt English-only policies. As a result, the hegemony of English for business use has been entrenched. In addition, English has become a highly influential language in South Africa. As any document production is not simple and spontaneous where rules are visible and can be learned or known independently, this study specifically examines the business documentation writing practices of Human Resource (HR) practitioners in the workplace to evaluate the relevance of the BKH 1120 English in Communication A business writing curriculum. The integration of the workplace social context is essential as writing practices encompass not only the physical act of writing, but include abstract cognitive processes and the contexts of the reader, writer, text and social environment that pertain to text processing and production. Therefore, this study intends to inform current HE academic business writing requirements as well as documentation structures and layout practices for the curriculum development of the BKH1120 Communication in English A module. The study used a qualitative research tool based on an ethnographic design. Although an ethnographic study demands that the researcher spends extensive time in the field, an alternative strategy is to conduct the research based on interviews as a thick description of depth and detail that interviewers seek in interviews can be found in the interviewees’ first hand experiences”. Content analysis was also used to analyse the interview responses as well as the document samples collected from the participants. This research study concluded that HE often does not often adequately prepare students for the social, ideological and collaborative workplace writing expectations. Therefore, HE programmes should make careful decisions on which workplace discourse practices to include in their teaching practices and design meaningful and realistic ways to equip students in to prepare them well to deal with workplace writing challenges.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The role of secondary education in operator employability in the automotive industry
- Authors: Puchert, Juliet
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Operators -- Selection -- Secondary education , Aptitude -- Automotive industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/933 , vital:26510 , Operators -- Selection -- Secondary education , Aptitude -- Automotive industry
- Description: This study was designed to assess the role of secondary education in the employability of operators in the South African automotive industry. Five types of secondary education are referred to, namely, a secondary education including Mathematics and Science as subjects; a matriculation with Mathematics as a subject; a secondary education inclusive of Science as a subject; a technical type Grade 12 qualification and a general form of secondary education. A two-phase aptitude testing selection process, employing three sub-tests from the Differential Aptitude Test (DAT-K) and five from the Trade Aptitude Test (TRAT) batteries, was utilised to assess whether there were significant differences in aptitude test scores of applicants with different types of secondary education. These aptitude measures were administered to 2 463 preselected respondents. Descriptive statistics such as median, mode and frequency distribution graphs were used. Statistical analysis was also carried out, using the Chi-square test of independence, to determine the differences in aptitude test results obtained by the groups in the study. The study‟s findings revealed that the type of Grade 12 qualification held by applicants is an important criterion to be considered in the selection of automotive operators. The findings specifically indicated that a secondary education that included Mathematics and/or Science as subjects resulted in notable performance in the aptitude instruments employed in this study. The findings are broadly relevant to the South African automotive industry and are of value to human resource practitioners, educators, social scientists and other researchers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Puchert, Juliet
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Operators -- Selection -- Secondary education , Aptitude -- Automotive industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/933 , vital:26510 , Operators -- Selection -- Secondary education , Aptitude -- Automotive industry
- Description: This study was designed to assess the role of secondary education in the employability of operators in the South African automotive industry. Five types of secondary education are referred to, namely, a secondary education including Mathematics and Science as subjects; a matriculation with Mathematics as a subject; a secondary education inclusive of Science as a subject; a technical type Grade 12 qualification and a general form of secondary education. A two-phase aptitude testing selection process, employing three sub-tests from the Differential Aptitude Test (DAT-K) and five from the Trade Aptitude Test (TRAT) batteries, was utilised to assess whether there were significant differences in aptitude test scores of applicants with different types of secondary education. These aptitude measures were administered to 2 463 preselected respondents. Descriptive statistics such as median, mode and frequency distribution graphs were used. Statistical analysis was also carried out, using the Chi-square test of independence, to determine the differences in aptitude test results obtained by the groups in the study. The study‟s findings revealed that the type of Grade 12 qualification held by applicants is an important criterion to be considered in the selection of automotive operators. The findings specifically indicated that a secondary education that included Mathematics and/or Science as subjects resulted in notable performance in the aptitude instruments employed in this study. The findings are broadly relevant to the South African automotive industry and are of value to human resource practitioners, educators, social scientists and other researchers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
53 stitches : sustainability, ecology and social engagement in contemporary art
- Authors: Salton, Bronwen Lauren
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Crocheting Community development -- South Africa Ecology in art
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2390 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001580
- Description: Through an exploration of both the sculptural and socially-engaged art practices undertaken in creating my Master of Fine Art exhibition, 53 Stitches, I unpack some of the possibilities pertaining to the practice of sustainability, ecology and social engagement in contemporary art. This thesis explores the history and concepts of sustainable development and what the implications are of the far-reaching global consideration of sustainability for contemporary art production. Looking at the writings of Felix Guattari’s (2000 [1989]) and Suzi Gablik’s (1992) on the effects of the economic model of capitalism on our environmental, social and mental ecologies, I discuss the necessary paradigm shift of the artists’ identity from the ‘individual self’ towards the ‘relational self’, affirming our interdependence upon our social and natural environments. With reference to the writings of Maja and Reuben Fowkes (2008), I explore the principles of sustainability in contemporary art and discuss the notion of ‘sustainability of form’ through insight into dematerialisation, recycling and the prospect of artists now becoming knowledge producers/facilitators. This is supportive of my personal exploration and experimentation with recyclable materials as a creative medium, used as a means of knowledge and skills facilitation in socially-engaged arts practice and the process of art-making as research. I refer to the sculptural and ‘painterly’ constructions of Sofi Zezmer and Mbongeni Buthelezi, respectively, as a means to elucidate a practical contextualisation of my practical work, particularly with regard to the use of plastic as a constructive medium. Looking at the works of Linda Weintraub (2006), Marnie Badham (2010) and Miwon Kwon (2002), I expand on the theoretical discourse pertaining to sociallyengaged art practices, and elucidate the reconfiguration of the role of the artist towards now becoming a cultural service administrator, organiser and knowledge facilitator. With reference to Arjen Wals and Johnson et al., I further discuss the role of education in sustainability and explore the necessary reconciliation between university institutions and the social and environmental context in which they are located, in the form of place-based capacity building and service learning. I explore within this thesis the concepts and processbased research of my own sculptures
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Salton, Bronwen Lauren
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Crocheting Community development -- South Africa Ecology in art
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2390 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001580
- Description: Through an exploration of both the sculptural and socially-engaged art practices undertaken in creating my Master of Fine Art exhibition, 53 Stitches, I unpack some of the possibilities pertaining to the practice of sustainability, ecology and social engagement in contemporary art. This thesis explores the history and concepts of sustainable development and what the implications are of the far-reaching global consideration of sustainability for contemporary art production. Looking at the writings of Felix Guattari’s (2000 [1989]) and Suzi Gablik’s (1992) on the effects of the economic model of capitalism on our environmental, social and mental ecologies, I discuss the necessary paradigm shift of the artists’ identity from the ‘individual self’ towards the ‘relational self’, affirming our interdependence upon our social and natural environments. With reference to the writings of Maja and Reuben Fowkes (2008), I explore the principles of sustainability in contemporary art and discuss the notion of ‘sustainability of form’ through insight into dematerialisation, recycling and the prospect of artists now becoming knowledge producers/facilitators. This is supportive of my personal exploration and experimentation with recyclable materials as a creative medium, used as a means of knowledge and skills facilitation in socially-engaged arts practice and the process of art-making as research. I refer to the sculptural and ‘painterly’ constructions of Sofi Zezmer and Mbongeni Buthelezi, respectively, as a means to elucidate a practical contextualisation of my practical work, particularly with regard to the use of plastic as a constructive medium. Looking at the works of Linda Weintraub (2006), Marnie Badham (2010) and Miwon Kwon (2002), I expand on the theoretical discourse pertaining to sociallyengaged art practices, and elucidate the reconfiguration of the role of the artist towards now becoming a cultural service administrator, organiser and knowledge facilitator. With reference to Arjen Wals and Johnson et al., I further discuss the role of education in sustainability and explore the necessary reconciliation between university institutions and the social and environmental context in which they are located, in the form of place-based capacity building and service learning. I explore within this thesis the concepts and processbased research of my own sculptures
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A case study of the research careers of women academics: constraints and enablements
- Authors: Obers, Nöelle Marie Thérèse
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Career success , Research , Women college teachers , Women in higher education , Sex discrimination in higher education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1313 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001575
- Description: The purpose of this research is to investigate constraints that women academics experience in their research careers and how enablements, particularly in the form of mentoring relationships and support structures, can impact on their research career development in the context of the new knowledge economy of Higher Education. The research was a case study of one South African Institution and used a mixed method approach. Social realism underpinned the research. Data was collected and analysed within the spheres of structure, culture and agency, using critical discourse analysis, interpretation and abstraction strategies. I investigated how women researchers understand and experience career success and what they perceive and experience as enablements and constraints to their research careers. Institutional support structures and cultures were examined with a focus on the role of the Head of Department. I explored mentoring and questioned whether the agency of women academics is empowered by mentoring and supportive structures to overcome constraints to their research productivity and the development of their careers. Gender-based issues of inequity, low self-esteem and accrual of social capital appear to be the underlying factors affecting how women perform in the research arena and advance within the institution. It was found that mentoring is a generative mechanism that has a favourable impact on women academics as it enables them to overcome obstacles to research productivity and career advancement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Obers, Nöelle Marie Thérèse
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Career success , Research , Women college teachers , Women in higher education , Sex discrimination in higher education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1313 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001575
- Description: The purpose of this research is to investigate constraints that women academics experience in their research careers and how enablements, particularly in the form of mentoring relationships and support structures, can impact on their research career development in the context of the new knowledge economy of Higher Education. The research was a case study of one South African Institution and used a mixed method approach. Social realism underpinned the research. Data was collected and analysed within the spheres of structure, culture and agency, using critical discourse analysis, interpretation and abstraction strategies. I investigated how women researchers understand and experience career success and what they perceive and experience as enablements and constraints to their research careers. Institutional support structures and cultures were examined with a focus on the role of the Head of Department. I explored mentoring and questioned whether the agency of women academics is empowered by mentoring and supportive structures to overcome constraints to their research productivity and the development of their careers. Gender-based issues of inequity, low self-esteem and accrual of social capital appear to be the underlying factors affecting how women perform in the research arena and advance within the institution. It was found that mentoring is a generative mechanism that has a favourable impact on women academics as it enables them to overcome obstacles to research productivity and career advancement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The teaching of mathematics in multigrade classrooms at the upper primary phase in selected Namibian schools
- Authors: Kapenda, Loide Ndakondjelwa
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Education, Elementary -- Namibia Combination of grades -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1796 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003681
- Description: The Namibian curriculum favours knowledge with understanding and application of knowledge and skills, because facts that are learned with understanding are easier to remember. This made learners to be able to represent mathematical situations in different ways and for different purposes. It also motivates teachers to contextualise the content to make mathematics teaching and learning more interesting and enjoyable to teachers and learners. However, some mathematics teachers are challenged by being required to teach multigrade classes, due to a massive response to improved access to education.Multigrade teaching is seen as a difficult practice especially when teachers are not well prepared to teach combined grades. This case study focused on the teaching of mathematics at Upper Primary Phase. An Interpretive paradigm was used to understand the teachers’ experiences and their teaching ethods. Hence the study aimed to investigate how teachers deliver their mathematics lessons in multigrade classrooms, considering the good practices and challenges that may occur. The findings revealed that teachers mostly use their monograde pedagogical knowledge,resulting in using quasi-monograde with a common timetable approach when teaching mathematics in multigrade settings. Although learners have access to the common mathematics syllabus, the quality of teaching the subject in multigrade classrooms seems to be affected due to the lack of teacher training in multigrade teaching. Also, equity and democracy need to be considered more than it currently is in terms of resource distribution to multigrade schools. Good practice of multigrade teaching existed in building on lower grade competencies, introducing lessons with common activities, as well as the concentration on lower grades which make learners independent. However, insufficient time, lack of knowledge in multigrade and curriculum knowledge in particular seem to challenge teachers and learners. Therefore, multigrade teachers need to be part of curriculum development for them to master the syllabus. These teachers will assist in developing multigrade resources for integration, contextualisation and more enrichment activities for high achievers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Kapenda, Loide Ndakondjelwa
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Education, Elementary -- Namibia Combination of grades -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1796 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003681
- Description: The Namibian curriculum favours knowledge with understanding and application of knowledge and skills, because facts that are learned with understanding are easier to remember. This made learners to be able to represent mathematical situations in different ways and for different purposes. It also motivates teachers to contextualise the content to make mathematics teaching and learning more interesting and enjoyable to teachers and learners. However, some mathematics teachers are challenged by being required to teach multigrade classes, due to a massive response to improved access to education.Multigrade teaching is seen as a difficult practice especially when teachers are not well prepared to teach combined grades. This case study focused on the teaching of mathematics at Upper Primary Phase. An Interpretive paradigm was used to understand the teachers’ experiences and their teaching ethods. Hence the study aimed to investigate how teachers deliver their mathematics lessons in multigrade classrooms, considering the good practices and challenges that may occur. The findings revealed that teachers mostly use their monograde pedagogical knowledge,resulting in using quasi-monograde with a common timetable approach when teaching mathematics in multigrade settings. Although learners have access to the common mathematics syllabus, the quality of teaching the subject in multigrade classrooms seems to be affected due to the lack of teacher training in multigrade teaching. Also, equity and democracy need to be considered more than it currently is in terms of resource distribution to multigrade schools. Good practice of multigrade teaching existed in building on lower grade competencies, introducing lessons with common activities, as well as the concentration on lower grades which make learners independent. However, insufficient time, lack of knowledge in multigrade and curriculum knowledge in particular seem to challenge teachers and learners. Therefore, multigrade teachers need to be part of curriculum development for them to master the syllabus. These teachers will assist in developing multigrade resources for integration, contextualisation and more enrichment activities for high achievers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Visual literacy in adult basic education : a study of ABET learners' visual perception with regard to their general level of English second language learning
- Authors: Bouwer, Anne Margaret
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Foreign speakers Visual literacy -- South Africa Adult education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1821 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003707
- Description: Adult learners face many difficulties in their learning programmes, particularly due to the fact that having mastered literacy in their mother tongues, they move on to further educational programmes which are mostly produced in English. In contemporary society, people need to be adept in a number of literacies, termed multiliteracies. Adult learners are rarely taught visual competence as visual images are relegated to illustrations for written texts, and attention is mainly focussed on the all-important written word. Adult basic education learners need to be able to interpret pictures in books, newspapers and magazines, just as much as they need to be able to read and write. It is the premise of this research that visual literacy enhances thinking skills and that adult learners need to be actively taught how to interpret visual images in order to more ably deal with the written word, the more 'important' part of literacy. The goals of this research are to develop understanding of the processes which go into understanding images and text, and to examine how pictures can be used to help adult learners develop proficiency in English. Another goal is to teach learners the basics of visual literacy so as to improve their comprehension of the plethora of images surrounding them. The research findings could help to inform adult educators facing the current crisis in Adult Basic Education and Training in South Africa, focusing on a little-studied aspect of literacy, visual literacy, one of the critical outcomes in the new South African curriculum for Adult Education and one of the multiliteracies required by citizens of today's world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Bouwer, Anne Margaret
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Foreign speakers Visual literacy -- South Africa Adult education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1821 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003707
- Description: Adult learners face many difficulties in their learning programmes, particularly due to the fact that having mastered literacy in their mother tongues, they move on to further educational programmes which are mostly produced in English. In contemporary society, people need to be adept in a number of literacies, termed multiliteracies. Adult learners are rarely taught visual competence as visual images are relegated to illustrations for written texts, and attention is mainly focussed on the all-important written word. Adult basic education learners need to be able to interpret pictures in books, newspapers and magazines, just as much as they need to be able to read and write. It is the premise of this research that visual literacy enhances thinking skills and that adult learners need to be actively taught how to interpret visual images in order to more ably deal with the written word, the more 'important' part of literacy. The goals of this research are to develop understanding of the processes which go into understanding images and text, and to examine how pictures can be used to help adult learners develop proficiency in English. Another goal is to teach learners the basics of visual literacy so as to improve their comprehension of the plethora of images surrounding them. The research findings could help to inform adult educators facing the current crisis in Adult Basic Education and Training in South Africa, focusing on a little-studied aspect of literacy, visual literacy, one of the critical outcomes in the new South African curriculum for Adult Education and one of the multiliteracies required by citizens of today's world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
The taxonomy and life-history of Argyrosomus japonicus and A. inodorus, two important sciaenids off the South African coast
- Authors: Griffiths, Marc H
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: Argyrosomus Sciaenidae -- South Africa Sciaenidae -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5323 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005169
- Description: A study of the biology, anatomy and taxonomy of the sciaenid fishes of the genus Argyrosomus from South Africa and Namibia revealed that three species were confused under the name "Argyrosomus Izololepidotus (Lacepède 1801)". Comparison of morphometric and meristic data, otoliths, swim-bladders, drumming muscles, and other morphological features of specimens from southern Africa, Madagascar, the Mediterranean, the eastern Atlantic Ocean, Japan and Australia, revealed that "A. hololepidotus" is a complex of four species: A. japonicus (Temminck & Schlegel 1843), which occurs off southern Africa, Japan and Australia; A. inodorus sp. nov., which is known from Namibia to the Kei River (32°40'S) on the east coast of South Africa; A. coronus sp. nov., which is known from central and northern Namibia and Angola, and A. hololepidotus, which appears to be endemic to Madagascar. Both A. japonicus and A. inodorus are important recreational and commercial linefish species in South Africa. Although A. inodorus occurs on the east and west coasts of South Africa, and A. japonicus is found between Cape Point and Mozambique, the former species is abundant only between Cape Point and the Kei River, and the latter species from Cape Agulhas to northern KwaZulu/Natal. The life-histories of Argyrosomus japonicus and A. inodorus, within these respective ranges, were elucidated using length-at-age, reproductive, catch and effort, size composition, otolith dimension/fish length and tagging data. Median sizes at maturity (L₅₀) for A. japonicus were 920 mm TL (5 years) for males and 1070 mm TL (6 years) for females. All males >1100 mm TL (7 years) and all females >1200 mm TL (8 years) were mature. Females grew faster than males, but in both sexes growth slowed dramatically after maturity. Maximum age recorded was 42 years, but fish older than 27 years were rare. Adult A. japonicus were predominantly found in the nearshore marine environment, but also occurred in estuaries and in the surf zone. Spawning takes place in the nearshore environment, from August to November in Natal, and from October to January in the Southern and South-Eastern Cape regions. A large proportion of the adult population migrate to Natal to spawn, although spawning may continue once they return to the Cape. Early juveniles of 20-30 mm TL recruit into turbid estuaries along the entire east coast, possibly aided by olfactory cues. They appear to remain in the upper reaches of the estuaries where they find suitable food and refuge from predators until they grow to about 150 mm TL. Juveniles larger than this size were found in the middle and lower reaches of estuaries and also in the surf zone. Juvenile A. japonicus (<1000 mm TL) generally did not migrate long distances, but remained as separate sub-stocks until they reached maturity. A. inodorus grows more slowly than A. japonicus, and attains a lower maximum age (25 years) and a smaller maximum size (34 vs 75 kg). There was no significant difference between the growth rates of male and female A. inodorus. Those in the South-Westem Cape initially grew faster than those on the east coast, but growth slowed sooner in the former region with the result that these fish attained a smaller maximum size. Although ripe A. inodorus were sampled throughout the year, there was a distinct spawning season from August to December, with a peak in spring (Sept-Nov). Spawning occurred throughout the study area for this species, in <50 m depth. Size at sexual maturity for A. inodorus was smaller in the South-Eastern Cape than in the Southern Cape. Median size at maturity for females was attained at 310 mm TL (1.3 years) in the former and at 375 mm TL (2.4 years) in the latter region, and the length at which all females were mature was 400 mm (3.5 years) and 550 mm (4.7 years) respectively. For males the estimates of Lso and total maturity were 200 mm (1 year) and 400 mm (2.8 years) for the SouthEastern Cape and 250 mm (1.5 years) and 450 mm (3.4 years) in the Southern Cape. East of Cape Agulhas, A. inodorus was found from just beyond the surf zone to depths of 120 m. Adults occurred predominantly on reef (>20 m) while juveniles were found mainly over soft substrata of sand/mud (5-120 m depth). Early juveniles do not enter estuaries, but apparently recruit to nursery areas immediately beyond the backline of breakers (5-10 m depth), and then move seawards with growth. No juveniles were obtained from the area west of Cape Agulhas as substrates <200 m depth were unsuitable for trawling. Due to lower water temperatures, the adults in this area were found from within the surf zone to depths of only 20 m. East and west of Cape Agulhas there was evidence of offshore dispersal in winter, in response to oceanographic changes. Based upon otolith morphology, juvenile and adult distribution patterns, sizes at sexual maturity and on tagging data, A. inodorus between Cape Point and the Kei River apparently exist as three separate stocks, one in the South-Eastern Cape, one in the Southern Cape and one in the South-Western Cape, with limited exchange. The life-histories of A. japonicus and A. inodorus are discussed in terms of their management. The large size at maturity of A. japonicus together with evidence for considerable human impact on the early juvenile, juvenile, and the adult phases of the life-cycle indicate that estuarine nursery habitats need to be conserved, that the minimum size limit should be increased, and that current bag limits for this species should be reviewed. Although the current minimum size limit provides protection for A. illodorus until maturity, evidence is presented which indicates that at least one and possibly all of the stocks of this species are currently over-exploited. Stock assessment of the South African A. japonicus and A. inodorus resources, and the implementation of effective management strategies, are therefore a matter of urgency.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
- Authors: Griffiths, Marc H
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: Argyrosomus Sciaenidae -- South Africa Sciaenidae -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5323 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005169
- Description: A study of the biology, anatomy and taxonomy of the sciaenid fishes of the genus Argyrosomus from South Africa and Namibia revealed that three species were confused under the name "Argyrosomus Izololepidotus (Lacepède 1801)". Comparison of morphometric and meristic data, otoliths, swim-bladders, drumming muscles, and other morphological features of specimens from southern Africa, Madagascar, the Mediterranean, the eastern Atlantic Ocean, Japan and Australia, revealed that "A. hololepidotus" is a complex of four species: A. japonicus (Temminck & Schlegel 1843), which occurs off southern Africa, Japan and Australia; A. inodorus sp. nov., which is known from Namibia to the Kei River (32°40'S) on the east coast of South Africa; A. coronus sp. nov., which is known from central and northern Namibia and Angola, and A. hololepidotus, which appears to be endemic to Madagascar. Both A. japonicus and A. inodorus are important recreational and commercial linefish species in South Africa. Although A. inodorus occurs on the east and west coasts of South Africa, and A. japonicus is found between Cape Point and Mozambique, the former species is abundant only between Cape Point and the Kei River, and the latter species from Cape Agulhas to northern KwaZulu/Natal. The life-histories of Argyrosomus japonicus and A. inodorus, within these respective ranges, were elucidated using length-at-age, reproductive, catch and effort, size composition, otolith dimension/fish length and tagging data. Median sizes at maturity (L₅₀) for A. japonicus were 920 mm TL (5 years) for males and 1070 mm TL (6 years) for females. All males >1100 mm TL (7 years) and all females >1200 mm TL (8 years) were mature. Females grew faster than males, but in both sexes growth slowed dramatically after maturity. Maximum age recorded was 42 years, but fish older than 27 years were rare. Adult A. japonicus were predominantly found in the nearshore marine environment, but also occurred in estuaries and in the surf zone. Spawning takes place in the nearshore environment, from August to November in Natal, and from October to January in the Southern and South-Eastern Cape regions. A large proportion of the adult population migrate to Natal to spawn, although spawning may continue once they return to the Cape. Early juveniles of 20-30 mm TL recruit into turbid estuaries along the entire east coast, possibly aided by olfactory cues. They appear to remain in the upper reaches of the estuaries where they find suitable food and refuge from predators until they grow to about 150 mm TL. Juveniles larger than this size were found in the middle and lower reaches of estuaries and also in the surf zone. Juvenile A. japonicus (<1000 mm TL) generally did not migrate long distances, but remained as separate sub-stocks until they reached maturity. A. inodorus grows more slowly than A. japonicus, and attains a lower maximum age (25 years) and a smaller maximum size (34 vs 75 kg). There was no significant difference between the growth rates of male and female A. inodorus. Those in the South-Westem Cape initially grew faster than those on the east coast, but growth slowed sooner in the former region with the result that these fish attained a smaller maximum size. Although ripe A. inodorus were sampled throughout the year, there was a distinct spawning season from August to December, with a peak in spring (Sept-Nov). Spawning occurred throughout the study area for this species, in <50 m depth. Size at sexual maturity for A. inodorus was smaller in the South-Eastern Cape than in the Southern Cape. Median size at maturity for females was attained at 310 mm TL (1.3 years) in the former and at 375 mm TL (2.4 years) in the latter region, and the length at which all females were mature was 400 mm (3.5 years) and 550 mm (4.7 years) respectively. For males the estimates of Lso and total maturity were 200 mm (1 year) and 400 mm (2.8 years) for the SouthEastern Cape and 250 mm (1.5 years) and 450 mm (3.4 years) in the Southern Cape. East of Cape Agulhas, A. inodorus was found from just beyond the surf zone to depths of 120 m. Adults occurred predominantly on reef (>20 m) while juveniles were found mainly over soft substrata of sand/mud (5-120 m depth). Early juveniles do not enter estuaries, but apparently recruit to nursery areas immediately beyond the backline of breakers (5-10 m depth), and then move seawards with growth. No juveniles were obtained from the area west of Cape Agulhas as substrates <200 m depth were unsuitable for trawling. Due to lower water temperatures, the adults in this area were found from within the surf zone to depths of only 20 m. East and west of Cape Agulhas there was evidence of offshore dispersal in winter, in response to oceanographic changes. Based upon otolith morphology, juvenile and adult distribution patterns, sizes at sexual maturity and on tagging data, A. inodorus between Cape Point and the Kei River apparently exist as three separate stocks, one in the South-Eastern Cape, one in the Southern Cape and one in the South-Western Cape, with limited exchange. The life-histories of A. japonicus and A. inodorus are discussed in terms of their management. The large size at maturity of A. japonicus together with evidence for considerable human impact on the early juvenile, juvenile, and the adult phases of the life-cycle indicate that estuarine nursery habitats need to be conserved, that the minimum size limit should be increased, and that current bag limits for this species should be reviewed. Although the current minimum size limit provides protection for A. illodorus until maturity, evidence is presented which indicates that at least one and possibly all of the stocks of this species are currently over-exploited. Stock assessment of the South African A. japonicus and A. inodorus resources, and the implementation of effective management strategies, are therefore a matter of urgency.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
A comparison of nesting behaviour and prey selection in some Southern African species of Ammophila (Hymenoptera : Sphecidae)
- Authors: Weaving, Alan James Shelley
- Date: 1987
- Subjects: Hymenoptera
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5600 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002050
- Description: Nesting behaviour and prey selection was compared in eight species of Ammophila. The frequent sympatry of these species was a central point of interest in the study. Nest siting differed markedly in several species. A. ferrugineipes, A. dolichodera, A. dolichocephala and, probably, A. conifera nested mostly in open habitats, this being regarded as the most common situation for the majority of Ammophila. A. beniniensis was unusual in nesting in well vegetated habitats, A. vulcania doing so amongst small clumps of vegetation in otherwise open habitats. A. insignis nested in vertical banks or old animal burrows and A. braunsi utilised abandoned burrows of other wasps situated in non-friable clay soils. This is the first time such nest siting has been reported for Ammophila and each of these two species is consequently unique. Many aspects of nest construction behaviour, in particular methods of soil waste disposal, sealing of nests and their final coverage, differed interspecifically, in some cases intraspecifically, but often apparently in response to the habitat. With regard to nest provisioning strategies, all species hunted after digging their nests, except A. dolichodera which is the first Afrotropical Ammophila reported to hunt before excavating its nest. This brings the total number of the world's species of Ammophila showing this behaviour to three. This species, A. beniniensis, A. braunsi and A. vulcania provided one caterpillar per nest; the others supplied several, A. insignis being the only mass provisioner. A. ferrugineipes showed a form of progressive provisioning and maintained several nests at a time; it is the only Afrotropical species known so far to do so. Only two extra-limital species have been reported showing similar behaviour. The observed variations in provisioning strategies can most easily be explained in relation to the habitat. Investigation of prey selection showed that there was very little interspecific overlap in the species of caterpillars used for provisioning nests. This was shown to be due mainly to differing hunting habitat preferences. The various overall patterns of nesting behaviour, and variations in the different components within these patterns, were considered most likely to have resulted from allopatric speciation in different types of vegetation, the more advanced patterns arising in open habitats. The frequent occurrence of sympatry appears to be a reflection of a shifting distribution of mosaic patterns of vegetation types and the post-speciation spread of species. This influence of habitat on behaviour and prey selection has emphasised the need for caution in drawing phylogenetic conclusions from ethology. Further, these considerations provide an alternative to competition in attempting to explain the observed behaviour patterns and distribution of these wasps.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987
- Authors: Weaving, Alan James Shelley
- Date: 1987
- Subjects: Hymenoptera
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5600 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002050
- Description: Nesting behaviour and prey selection was compared in eight species of Ammophila. The frequent sympatry of these species was a central point of interest in the study. Nest siting differed markedly in several species. A. ferrugineipes, A. dolichodera, A. dolichocephala and, probably, A. conifera nested mostly in open habitats, this being regarded as the most common situation for the majority of Ammophila. A. beniniensis was unusual in nesting in well vegetated habitats, A. vulcania doing so amongst small clumps of vegetation in otherwise open habitats. A. insignis nested in vertical banks or old animal burrows and A. braunsi utilised abandoned burrows of other wasps situated in non-friable clay soils. This is the first time such nest siting has been reported for Ammophila and each of these two species is consequently unique. Many aspects of nest construction behaviour, in particular methods of soil waste disposal, sealing of nests and their final coverage, differed interspecifically, in some cases intraspecifically, but often apparently in response to the habitat. With regard to nest provisioning strategies, all species hunted after digging their nests, except A. dolichodera which is the first Afrotropical Ammophila reported to hunt before excavating its nest. This brings the total number of the world's species of Ammophila showing this behaviour to three. This species, A. beniniensis, A. braunsi and A. vulcania provided one caterpillar per nest; the others supplied several, A. insignis being the only mass provisioner. A. ferrugineipes showed a form of progressive provisioning and maintained several nests at a time; it is the only Afrotropical species known so far to do so. Only two extra-limital species have been reported showing similar behaviour. The observed variations in provisioning strategies can most easily be explained in relation to the habitat. Investigation of prey selection showed that there was very little interspecific overlap in the species of caterpillars used for provisioning nests. This was shown to be due mainly to differing hunting habitat preferences. The various overall patterns of nesting behaviour, and variations in the different components within these patterns, were considered most likely to have resulted from allopatric speciation in different types of vegetation, the more advanced patterns arising in open habitats. The frequent occurrence of sympatry appears to be a reflection of a shifting distribution of mosaic patterns of vegetation types and the post-speciation spread of species. This influence of habitat on behaviour and prey selection has emphasised the need for caution in drawing phylogenetic conclusions from ethology. Further, these considerations provide an alternative to competition in attempting to explain the observed behaviour patterns and distribution of these wasps.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987
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