Dimensions of guest house service: perceptions of owners and expectations of business travellers
- Wang, Yi
- Authors: Wang, Yi
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Hospitality industry -- Customer relations , Boardinghouses -- Customer services -- South Africa , Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9354 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1006215 , Hospitality industry -- Customer relations , Boardinghouses -- Customer services -- South Africa , Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa
- Description: The need for successful management of a guest house in the increasingly competitive hospitality industry in South Africa, compels guest house owners to understand their customers’ needs and deliver service of acceptable quality. The objective of the research is to find out what business travellers expect from a guest house and how these expectations compare with the perceptions of guest house owners in Port Elizabeth. Conclusions drawn from this research would also benefit guest house owners in other parts of the country. A literature review was conducted to provide an understanding of the nature of service and the role “evidence of service” can play in the perception of quality. The empirical study aimed at comparing business travellers’ expectations of guest house service with guest house owners’ perceptions of their guests’ expectations. The empirical findings showed that business travellers deemed secure parking and professionalism of staff as the most important attributes, while guest house owners thought it would be friendliness of front desk staff and efficient handling of complaints. Moreover, both groups indicated that cleanliness of rooms and services performed by staff adequately the first time, were of particular importance. It was also found that the importance rating of the different service dimensions were not significantly influenced by the business travellers’ gender, managerial position, nights of stay or by the guest house grading. The study proposes that guest house owners continue to focus on strategies for training and developing competent employees, simplify the steps of service delivery and improve on the standards of the servcie to ensure that business facilities are in line with the expectations of business travelers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Wang, Yi
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Hospitality industry -- Customer relations , Boardinghouses -- Customer services -- South Africa , Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9354 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1006215 , Hospitality industry -- Customer relations , Boardinghouses -- Customer services -- South Africa , Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa
- Description: The need for successful management of a guest house in the increasingly competitive hospitality industry in South Africa, compels guest house owners to understand their customers’ needs and deliver service of acceptable quality. The objective of the research is to find out what business travellers expect from a guest house and how these expectations compare with the perceptions of guest house owners in Port Elizabeth. Conclusions drawn from this research would also benefit guest house owners in other parts of the country. A literature review was conducted to provide an understanding of the nature of service and the role “evidence of service” can play in the perception of quality. The empirical study aimed at comparing business travellers’ expectations of guest house service with guest house owners’ perceptions of their guests’ expectations. The empirical findings showed that business travellers deemed secure parking and professionalism of staff as the most important attributes, while guest house owners thought it would be friendliness of front desk staff and efficient handling of complaints. Moreover, both groups indicated that cleanliness of rooms and services performed by staff adequately the first time, were of particular importance. It was also found that the importance rating of the different service dimensions were not significantly influenced by the business travellers’ gender, managerial position, nights of stay or by the guest house grading. The study proposes that guest house owners continue to focus on strategies for training and developing competent employees, simplify the steps of service delivery and improve on the standards of the servcie to ensure that business facilities are in line with the expectations of business travelers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Discourses surrounding 'race', equity, disadvantage and transformation in times of rapid social change : higher education in post-apartheid South Africa
- Authors: Robus, Donovan
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Rhodes University , University of Fort Hare , Universities and colleges -- Mergers -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Education and state -- South Africa , Apartheid -- South Africa , Discourse analysis -- Methodology , Discrimination in education -- South Africa , Educational change -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3142 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007196 , Rhodes University , University of Fort Hare , Universities and colleges -- Mergers -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Education and state -- South Africa , Apartheid -- South Africa , Discourse analysis -- Methodology , Discrimination in education -- South Africa , Educational change -- South Africa
- Description: Since the dismantling of Apartheid in South Africa in 1994, the South African socio-political and economic landscape has been characterised by rapid change. In the ten years since the 'new' democratic South Africa emerged, transformation has become a dominant discourse that has driven much action and practice in a variety of public areas. One of the areas of focus for transformation has been Higher Education whereby the Department of Education aimed to do away with disparity caused by Apartheid segregation by reducing the number of Higher Education institutions from 36 to 21. This research draws on Foucauldian theory and post-colonial theories (in particular Edward Said and Frantz Fanon), and the concept of racialisation in an analysis of the incorporation of Rhodes University's East London campus into the University of Fort Hare. Ian Parker's discourse analytic approach which suggests that discourses support institutions, reproduce power relations and have ideological effects, was utilised to analyse the talk of students and staff at the three sites affected by the incorporation (viz. Rhodes, Grahamstown, Rhodes, East London and Fort Hare) as well as newspaper articles and public statements made by the two institutions. What emerged was that in post-Apartheid South Africa, institutional and geographic space is still racialised with virtually no reference to the historical and contextual foundations from which this emerged being made. In positioning space and institutions in this racialised manner a discourse of 'white' excellence and 'black' failure emerges with the notion of competence gaining legitimacy through an appeal to academic standards. In addition to this, transformation emerges as a signifier of shifting boundaries in a post-Apartheid society where racialised institutional, spatial and social boundaries evidently still exist discursively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Robus, Donovan
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Rhodes University , University of Fort Hare , Universities and colleges -- Mergers -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Education and state -- South Africa , Apartheid -- South Africa , Discourse analysis -- Methodology , Discrimination in education -- South Africa , Educational change -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3142 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007196 , Rhodes University , University of Fort Hare , Universities and colleges -- Mergers -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Education and state -- South Africa , Apartheid -- South Africa , Discourse analysis -- Methodology , Discrimination in education -- South Africa , Educational change -- South Africa
- Description: Since the dismantling of Apartheid in South Africa in 1994, the South African socio-political and economic landscape has been characterised by rapid change. In the ten years since the 'new' democratic South Africa emerged, transformation has become a dominant discourse that has driven much action and practice in a variety of public areas. One of the areas of focus for transformation has been Higher Education whereby the Department of Education aimed to do away with disparity caused by Apartheid segregation by reducing the number of Higher Education institutions from 36 to 21. This research draws on Foucauldian theory and post-colonial theories (in particular Edward Said and Frantz Fanon), and the concept of racialisation in an analysis of the incorporation of Rhodes University's East London campus into the University of Fort Hare. Ian Parker's discourse analytic approach which suggests that discourses support institutions, reproduce power relations and have ideological effects, was utilised to analyse the talk of students and staff at the three sites affected by the incorporation (viz. Rhodes, Grahamstown, Rhodes, East London and Fort Hare) as well as newspaper articles and public statements made by the two institutions. What emerged was that in post-Apartheid South Africa, institutional and geographic space is still racialised with virtually no reference to the historical and contextual foundations from which this emerged being made. In positioning space and institutions in this racialised manner a discourse of 'white' excellence and 'black' failure emerges with the notion of competence gaining legitimacy through an appeal to academic standards. In addition to this, transformation emerges as a signifier of shifting boundaries in a post-Apartheid society where racialised institutional, spatial and social boundaries evidently still exist discursively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Effective management of an information technology professional's career
- Authors: Tedder, Derek
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Information technology -- Vocational guidance , Information technology -- Management , Knowledge management , Career development , Computer Science -- Vocational guidance , System analysis -- Vocational guidance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1148 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004543 , Information technology -- Vocational guidance , Information technology -- Management , Knowledge management , Career development , Computer Science -- Vocational guidance , System analysis -- Vocational guidance
- Description: The human resource is constantly cited as an organisation's greatest asset. In a rapidly changing technological environment this is most applicable to the Information Technology (IT) function. Organisations are experiencing IT human resource problems such as low satisfaction, early plateauing, high turnover, burnout, limited advancement potential, nominal corporate commitment, supervisory aversion, poor organisational culture, and exceptional compensation. These problems are directly related to the IT professional's career. There is a lack of information and awareness surrounding IT careers to deal effectively with these problems. The research aims to create increased awareness of IT careers and the inherent problems through the development of a career management model. The research aims to identify the factors that influence IT careers, provide career management with a means to measure compatibility of the factors, and suggest solutions to incompatibility. The solving of this problem will be of mutual benefit to both organisations and individuals as they seek to better manage IT careers. After reviewing research literature relating to career anchors, IT job types, IT skills portfolios, and career dynamics a model for Effective IT Career Management (EITCM) has been constructed. The model represents the dynamic interactions between individual, organisational, and dependent factors. The model examines the compatibility of these interacting factors by measuring the levels of relevant career variables. The model suggests appropriate career management techniques to increase the compatibility of the interacting factors. An empirical study was designed and launched online to provide data that would confirm the seven Critical Success Factors (CSF) relating to the proposed model. The responses from the members of the Computer Society of South Africa (CSSA) allowed the seven hypotheses derived from the CSFs to be tested. The results of the empirical study were positive but required modification to five of the CSFs before they could be confirmed. The EITCM model was modified to reflect the improved CSFs. An awareness of career influencing factors combined with active career management is advantageous to both IT professionals and their organisations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Tedder, Derek
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Information technology -- Vocational guidance , Information technology -- Management , Knowledge management , Career development , Computer Science -- Vocational guidance , System analysis -- Vocational guidance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1148 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004543 , Information technology -- Vocational guidance , Information technology -- Management , Knowledge management , Career development , Computer Science -- Vocational guidance , System analysis -- Vocational guidance
- Description: The human resource is constantly cited as an organisation's greatest asset. In a rapidly changing technological environment this is most applicable to the Information Technology (IT) function. Organisations are experiencing IT human resource problems such as low satisfaction, early plateauing, high turnover, burnout, limited advancement potential, nominal corporate commitment, supervisory aversion, poor organisational culture, and exceptional compensation. These problems are directly related to the IT professional's career. There is a lack of information and awareness surrounding IT careers to deal effectively with these problems. The research aims to create increased awareness of IT careers and the inherent problems through the development of a career management model. The research aims to identify the factors that influence IT careers, provide career management with a means to measure compatibility of the factors, and suggest solutions to incompatibility. The solving of this problem will be of mutual benefit to both organisations and individuals as they seek to better manage IT careers. After reviewing research literature relating to career anchors, IT job types, IT skills portfolios, and career dynamics a model for Effective IT Career Management (EITCM) has been constructed. The model represents the dynamic interactions between individual, organisational, and dependent factors. The model examines the compatibility of these interacting factors by measuring the levels of relevant career variables. The model suggests appropriate career management techniques to increase the compatibility of the interacting factors. An empirical study was designed and launched online to provide data that would confirm the seven Critical Success Factors (CSF) relating to the proposed model. The responses from the members of the Computer Society of South Africa (CSSA) allowed the seven hypotheses derived from the CSFs to be tested. The results of the empirical study were positive but required modification to five of the CSFs before they could be confirmed. The EITCM model was modified to reflect the improved CSFs. An awareness of career influencing factors combined with active career management is advantageous to both IT professionals and their organisations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Enzymatic recovery of rhodium(III) from aqueous solution and industrial effluent using sulphate reducing bacteria: role of a hydrogenase enzyme
- Authors: Ngwenya, Nonhlanhla
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Enzymes , Rhodium , Enzymes -- Industrial applications , Sulfur bacteria , Hydrogenation , Hydragenase , Factory and trade waste -- Purification
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3956 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004015 , Enzymes , Rhodium , Enzymes -- Industrial applications , Sulfur bacteria , Hydrogenation , Hydragenase , Factory and trade waste -- Purification
- Description: In an attempt to overcome the high maintenance and costs associated with traditional physico-chemical methods, much work is being done on the application of enzymes for the recovery of valuable metals from solutions and industrial effluents. One of the most widely studied enzymatic metal recovery systems uses hydrogenase enzymes, particularly from sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB). While it is known that hydrogenases from SRB mediate the reductive precipitation of metals, the mechanism of enzymatic reduction, however, is not yet fully understood. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the role of a hydrogenase enzyme in the removal of rhodium from both aqueous solution and industrial effluent. A quantitative analysis of the rate of removal of rhodium(III) by a resting SRB consortium under different initial rhodium and biomass concentrations, pH, temperature, presence and absence of SRB cells and electron donor, was studied. Rhodium speciation was found to be the main factor controlling the rate of removal of rhodium from solution. SRB cells were found to have a higher affinity for anionic rhodium species, as compared to both cationic and neutral species, which become abundant when speciation equilibrium was reached. Consequently, a pH-dependant rate of rhodium removal from solution was observed. The maximum SRB uptake capacity for rhodium was found to be 66 mg rhodium per g of resting SRB biomass. Electron microscopy studies revealed a time-dependant localization and distribution of rhodium precipitates, initially intracellularly and then extracellularly, suggesting the involvement of an enzymatic reductive precipitation process. A hydrogenase enzyme capable of reducing rhodium(III) from solution was isolated and purified by PEG, DEAE-Sephacel anion exchanger and Sephadex G200 gel exclusion. A distinct protein band with a molecular weight of 62kDa was obtained when the hydrogenase containing fractions were subjected to a 10% SDS-PAGE. Characterization studies indicated that the purified hydrogenase had an optimum pH and temperature of 8 and 40°C, respectively. A maximum of 88% of the initial rhodium in solution was removed when the purified hydrogenase was incubated under hydrogen. Due to the low pH of the industrial effluent (1.31), the enzymatic reduction of rhodium by the purified hydrogenase was greatly retarded. It was apparent that industrial effluent pretreatment was necessary before the application an enzymatic treatment method. In the present study, however, it has been established that SRB are good candidates for the enzymatic recovery of rhodium from both solution and effluent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Ngwenya, Nonhlanhla
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Enzymes , Rhodium , Enzymes -- Industrial applications , Sulfur bacteria , Hydrogenation , Hydragenase , Factory and trade waste -- Purification
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3956 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004015 , Enzymes , Rhodium , Enzymes -- Industrial applications , Sulfur bacteria , Hydrogenation , Hydragenase , Factory and trade waste -- Purification
- Description: In an attempt to overcome the high maintenance and costs associated with traditional physico-chemical methods, much work is being done on the application of enzymes for the recovery of valuable metals from solutions and industrial effluents. One of the most widely studied enzymatic metal recovery systems uses hydrogenase enzymes, particularly from sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB). While it is known that hydrogenases from SRB mediate the reductive precipitation of metals, the mechanism of enzymatic reduction, however, is not yet fully understood. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the role of a hydrogenase enzyme in the removal of rhodium from both aqueous solution and industrial effluent. A quantitative analysis of the rate of removal of rhodium(III) by a resting SRB consortium under different initial rhodium and biomass concentrations, pH, temperature, presence and absence of SRB cells and electron donor, was studied. Rhodium speciation was found to be the main factor controlling the rate of removal of rhodium from solution. SRB cells were found to have a higher affinity for anionic rhodium species, as compared to both cationic and neutral species, which become abundant when speciation equilibrium was reached. Consequently, a pH-dependant rate of rhodium removal from solution was observed. The maximum SRB uptake capacity for rhodium was found to be 66 mg rhodium per g of resting SRB biomass. Electron microscopy studies revealed a time-dependant localization and distribution of rhodium precipitates, initially intracellularly and then extracellularly, suggesting the involvement of an enzymatic reductive precipitation process. A hydrogenase enzyme capable of reducing rhodium(III) from solution was isolated and purified by PEG, DEAE-Sephacel anion exchanger and Sephadex G200 gel exclusion. A distinct protein band with a molecular weight of 62kDa was obtained when the hydrogenase containing fractions were subjected to a 10% SDS-PAGE. Characterization studies indicated that the purified hydrogenase had an optimum pH and temperature of 8 and 40°C, respectively. A maximum of 88% of the initial rhodium in solution was removed when the purified hydrogenase was incubated under hydrogen. Due to the low pH of the industrial effluent (1.31), the enzymatic reduction of rhodium by the purified hydrogenase was greatly retarded. It was apparent that industrial effluent pretreatment was necessary before the application an enzymatic treatment method. In the present study, however, it has been established that SRB are good candidates for the enzymatic recovery of rhodium from both solution and effluent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Establish to what extent small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Port Elizabeth CBD comply with good governance principles and practices
- Authors: Mpafa, Dumisani
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Corporate governance , Small business -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10904 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/163 , Corporate governance , Small business -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: Throughout the world, corporate or good governance has become such a dominating terminology in the ever -increasing business vocabulary. Its fast rise and strategic relevance to the global business communi ty is part ly due to the desi re by the business leaders wor ldwide to be seen to be doing something about the scourge of corporate failures resulting f rom poor governance. The objective of the research was to establish to what extent Smal l and Medium Enterpr ises (SMEs) comply with good governance principles and practices. The SMEs in the Port Elizabeth CBD were chosen as the representative population of the SME sector throughout the country. The research methodology included: A li terature study to determine, on the one hand the current good governance pract ices global ly, and on the other the role, relevance and the challenges of the SMEs in the South Af rican Economy. An empir ical study in order to obtain the empir ical evidence concerning SME compliance to good governance principles and pract ice. This was done through a survey of SME sector in the Port Elizabeth CBD. Lastly, the conclusion and recommendations. The conclusion was reached, inter alia, that the major ity of SMEs do not comply wi th good governance principles and pract ices for various reasons. Therefore the following recommendations were made: Recommended that the organisational accountants appointed in terms of the law should not confine themselves to the financial aspects of the business only, but also look at governance of these small businesses. Recommended that a sub-code for SMEs be developed. Recommended that the existing code of governance be amended to include a clause that requires large and establish businesses to insist on good governance in the SMEs they deal with at any level. Recommended that the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should develop a qualification or unit standard on good governance to facilitate training on good governance. Since good governance knowledge is a key competence for every manager, especially senior management. It is recommended that institutions of higher learning should have good governance in their curriculum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Mpafa, Dumisani
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Corporate governance , Small business -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10904 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/163 , Corporate governance , Small business -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: Throughout the world, corporate or good governance has become such a dominating terminology in the ever -increasing business vocabulary. Its fast rise and strategic relevance to the global business communi ty is part ly due to the desi re by the business leaders wor ldwide to be seen to be doing something about the scourge of corporate failures resulting f rom poor governance. The objective of the research was to establish to what extent Smal l and Medium Enterpr ises (SMEs) comply with good governance principles and practices. The SMEs in the Port Elizabeth CBD were chosen as the representative population of the SME sector throughout the country. The research methodology included: A li terature study to determine, on the one hand the current good governance pract ices global ly, and on the other the role, relevance and the challenges of the SMEs in the South Af rican Economy. An empir ical study in order to obtain the empir ical evidence concerning SME compliance to good governance principles and pract ice. This was done through a survey of SME sector in the Port Elizabeth CBD. Lastly, the conclusion and recommendations. The conclusion was reached, inter alia, that the major ity of SMEs do not comply wi th good governance principles and pract ices for various reasons. Therefore the following recommendations were made: Recommended that the organisational accountants appointed in terms of the law should not confine themselves to the financial aspects of the business only, but also look at governance of these small businesses. Recommended that a sub-code for SMEs be developed. Recommended that the existing code of governance be amended to include a clause that requires large and establish businesses to insist on good governance in the SMEs they deal with at any level. Recommended that the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should develop a qualification or unit standard on good governance to facilitate training on good governance. Since good governance knowledge is a key competence for every manager, especially senior management. It is recommended that institutions of higher learning should have good governance in their curriculum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Establishing an information security culture in organizations : an outcomes based education approach
- Van Niekerk, Johannes Frederick
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Johannes Frederick
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Computer security , Management information systems -- Security measures , Competency-based education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9742 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/164 , Computer security , Management information systems -- Security measures , Competency-based education
- Description: Information security is crucial to the continuous well-being of modern orga- nizations. Humans play a signfiicant role in the processes needed to secure an organization's information resources. Without an adequate level of user co-operation and knowledge, many security techniques are liable to be misused or misinterpreted by users. This may result in an adequate security measure becoming inadequate. It is therefor necessary to educate the orga- nization's employees regarding information security and also to establish a corporate sub-culture of information security in the organization, which will ensure that the employees have the correct attitude towards their security responsibilities. Current information security education programs fails to pay su±cient attention to the behavioral sciences. There also exist a lack of knowledge regarding the principles, and processes, that would be needed for the establishment of an corporate sub-culture, specific to information security. Without both the necessary knowledge, and the desired attitude amongst the employee, it will be impossible to guarantee that the organi- zation's information resources are secure. It would therefor make sense to address both these dimensions to the human factor in information security, using a single integrated, holistic approach. This dissertation presents such an approach, which is based on an integration of sound behavioral theories.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Establishing an information security culture in organizations : an outcomes based education approach
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Johannes Frederick
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Computer security , Management information systems -- Security measures , Competency-based education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9742 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/164 , Computer security , Management information systems -- Security measures , Competency-based education
- Description: Information security is crucial to the continuous well-being of modern orga- nizations. Humans play a signfiicant role in the processes needed to secure an organization's information resources. Without an adequate level of user co-operation and knowledge, many security techniques are liable to be misused or misinterpreted by users. This may result in an adequate security measure becoming inadequate. It is therefor necessary to educate the orga- nization's employees regarding information security and also to establish a corporate sub-culture of information security in the organization, which will ensure that the employees have the correct attitude towards their security responsibilities. Current information security education programs fails to pay su±cient attention to the behavioral sciences. There also exist a lack of knowledge regarding the principles, and processes, that would be needed for the establishment of an corporate sub-culture, specific to information security. Without both the necessary knowledge, and the desired attitude amongst the employee, it will be impossible to guarantee that the organi- zation's information resources are secure. It would therefor make sense to address both these dimensions to the human factor in information security, using a single integrated, holistic approach. This dissertation presents such an approach, which is based on an integration of sound behavioral theories.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Establishment and impact of the sap-sucking mirid, Falconia intermedia (Distant) (Hemiptera: Miridae) on Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) varieties in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Heshula, Unathi-Nkosi Lelethu Peter
- Authors: Heshula, Unathi-Nkosi Lelethu Peter
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Lantana camara -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biological pest control agents -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hemiptera -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Miridae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5832 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008085
- Description: The biological control of the weedy complex Lantana camara (L.) (Verbenaceae) has been ongoing in South Africa for over 40 years. Despite this, the weed is still not under sufficient control and continues to invade new territories in the country. The biological control programme needs to be bolstered with releases of new and potentially damaging biological control agents. A promising biological control agent endemic to Central America, Falconia intermedia (Distant) (Hemiptera: Miridae), was imported into quarantine from Jamaica in 1994. This agent was released on sites in KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo provinces of South Africa in 1999. Even though it initially established and damaged L. camara, populations died out at most of the release sites. As varietal difference and adverse climate have been cited as the reason for non-establishment and ineffective control in L. camara biocontrol programmes worldwide, this study attempts to investigate the role that these two factors play in this weed herbivore relationship. Laboratory no-choice trials were conducted to determine the varietal performance of F intermedia, among five Eastern Cape varieties of the weed from East London, Whitney Farm, Heather Glen Farm, Port Alfred and Lyndhurst Farm, and a variety from the Plant Protection Research Institute (PPRI), Pretoria. However, there were differences in performance as the adult mirids performed better on white-pink varieties from Whitney Farm and Heather Glen Farm. To test varietal preference in field conditions, field releases of F intermedia were also made at East London, Whitney Farm, Heather Glen Farm, Port Alfred and Lyndhurst Farm. Post release evaluations were conducted monthly for two years (2002 and 2003). The insect established at East London and Whitney Farm, both of which have white-pink varieties. Insect populations quickly died out at the Lyndhurst Farm and Port Alfred sites, which have dark pink varieties. It is suggested that field conditions may have resulted in poor plant quality and led indirectly to varietal preference, and to non-establishment at these two sites. With the onset of cooler weather, populations disappeared at Heather Glen Farm. This suggested that F. intermedia was suitable for release in more subtropical areas within South Africa where climatic conditions would be suitable throughout the year. The mirid performed well at Whitney Farm, resulting in significant reduction in plant growth parameters such as height and percentage cover, and increasing the cover of other flora growing beneath L. camara plants. Finally, ways to improve the efficacy of this agent are considered in an effort towards better control of L. camara in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Heshula, Unathi-Nkosi Lelethu Peter
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Lantana camara -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biological pest control agents -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hemiptera -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Miridae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5832 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008085
- Description: The biological control of the weedy complex Lantana camara (L.) (Verbenaceae) has been ongoing in South Africa for over 40 years. Despite this, the weed is still not under sufficient control and continues to invade new territories in the country. The biological control programme needs to be bolstered with releases of new and potentially damaging biological control agents. A promising biological control agent endemic to Central America, Falconia intermedia (Distant) (Hemiptera: Miridae), was imported into quarantine from Jamaica in 1994. This agent was released on sites in KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo provinces of South Africa in 1999. Even though it initially established and damaged L. camara, populations died out at most of the release sites. As varietal difference and adverse climate have been cited as the reason for non-establishment and ineffective control in L. camara biocontrol programmes worldwide, this study attempts to investigate the role that these two factors play in this weed herbivore relationship. Laboratory no-choice trials were conducted to determine the varietal performance of F intermedia, among five Eastern Cape varieties of the weed from East London, Whitney Farm, Heather Glen Farm, Port Alfred and Lyndhurst Farm, and a variety from the Plant Protection Research Institute (PPRI), Pretoria. However, there were differences in performance as the adult mirids performed better on white-pink varieties from Whitney Farm and Heather Glen Farm. To test varietal preference in field conditions, field releases of F intermedia were also made at East London, Whitney Farm, Heather Glen Farm, Port Alfred and Lyndhurst Farm. Post release evaluations were conducted monthly for two years (2002 and 2003). The insect established at East London and Whitney Farm, both of which have white-pink varieties. Insect populations quickly died out at the Lyndhurst Farm and Port Alfred sites, which have dark pink varieties. It is suggested that field conditions may have resulted in poor plant quality and led indirectly to varietal preference, and to non-establishment at these two sites. With the onset of cooler weather, populations disappeared at Heather Glen Farm. This suggested that F. intermedia was suitable for release in more subtropical areas within South Africa where climatic conditions would be suitable throughout the year. The mirid performed well at Whitney Farm, resulting in significant reduction in plant growth parameters such as height and percentage cover, and increasing the cover of other flora growing beneath L. camara plants. Finally, ways to improve the efficacy of this agent are considered in an effort towards better control of L. camara in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Euphausiid population structure and grazing in the Indian sector of the Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone, during austral autumn
- Bernard, Anthony Thomas Firth
- Authors: Bernard, Anthony Thomas Firth
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Euphausiacea -- Antarctic Ocean , Euphausiacea -- Feeding and feeds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5913 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015960
- Description: The trophodynamics of the numerically dominant euphausiid species within a region of high mesoscale oceanographic variability in the southwest Indian sector of the Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone (PFZ) were investigated during the austral autumns April/May) of 2004 and 2005. During the 2004 survey, sub-surface (200 m) temperature profiles indicated that an intense frontal feature, formed by the convergence of the Sub-Antarctic Front (SAF) and the Antarctic Polar Front (APF) bisected the survey area into two distinct zones, the Sub- Antarctic Zone (SAZ) and the Antarctic Zone (AAZ). Total integrated chlorophyll-a (chl-a) biomass was typical for the region (< 25 mg chl-a m⁻²), and was dominated by picophytoplankton. Total euphausiid abundance and biomass ranged from 0.1 to 3.1 ind m⁻³ and 0.1 to 8.1 mg dwt m⁻³, respectively, and did not differ significantly between the stations occupied in the SAZ and AAZ (p > 0.05). The multivariate analysis identified two interacting mechanisms controlling the distribution patterns, abundance and biomass of the various euphausiid species, namely (1) diel changes in abundance and biomass, (2) and restricted distribution patterns associated with the different water masses. Ingestion rates were determined for five euphausiid species. E. triacantha was found to have the highest daily ingestion rate ranging from 1 226.1 to 6 029.1 ng pigm ind⁻¹d⁻¹, while the lowest daily ingestion rates were observed in the juvenile Thysanoessa species (6.4 to 943.0 ng pigm ind⁻¹ d⁻¹). The total grazing impact of the selected euphausiids ranged from < 0.1 to 20.1 μg pigm m⁻²d⁻¹, corresponding to < 0.15 % of the areal chl-a biomass. The daily ration estimates of autotrophic carbon for the euphausiids suggested that phytoplankton represented a minor component in their diets, with only the sub-adult E. vallentini consuming sufficient phytoplankton to meet their daily carbon requirements. A cyclonic cold-core eddy spawned from the region of the APF located in the southwest Indian sector of the PFZ was the dominant feature during the 2005 survey. The total areal chl-a biomass throughout the region was low, ranging between 5.6 and 11.4 mg chl-a m⁻², and was significantly higher within the core of the eddy compared to the surrounding waters (p < 0.05). RMT-8 and WP-2 total euphausiid abundance and biomass estimates were high, and ranged from 0.004 to 0.36 ind m⁻³ and 0.065 to 1.21 mg dwt m⁻³, and from 0.01 to 18.2 ind m⁻³ and 0.01 to 15.7 mg dwt m⁻³, respectively. A distinct spatial pattern in the euphausiid community was evident with the Antarctic species, Euphausia frigida, E. triacantha and E. superba predominating within the core of the eddy, while the PFZ waters were characterized by the sub-Antarctic species, E. longirostris, Stylocheiron maximum, Nematoscelis megalops and Thysanoessa gregaria. The eddy edge acted as a transition zone where species from both regions co-occurred. Within the survey area the combined ingestion rate of the six numerically dominant euphausiid species ranged between 0.02 and 5.31 μg pigm m⁻²d¹, which corresponded to a loss of between < 0.001 and 0.11 % of the available chl-a biomass. E. triacantha and juvenile T. macura were identified as the dominant grazers. There was no apparent spatial pattern in the grazing activity of the euphausiids within the region of investigation. The average daily rations of the euphausiids examined were < 2 % of their body carbon. The low daily ration of the euphausiids could be ascribed to the predominance of small picophytoplankton in the region of investigation, which are too small to be grazed efficiently by larger zooplankton. The marked spatial patterns in species composition and the elevated abundance and biomass of euphausiids, suggest that the mesoscale eddies contribute to the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the planktonic community of the PFZ and may represent important foraging regions for many of the apex predators within the region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Bernard, Anthony Thomas Firth
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Euphausiacea -- Antarctic Ocean , Euphausiacea -- Feeding and feeds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5913 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015960
- Description: The trophodynamics of the numerically dominant euphausiid species within a region of high mesoscale oceanographic variability in the southwest Indian sector of the Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone (PFZ) were investigated during the austral autumns April/May) of 2004 and 2005. During the 2004 survey, sub-surface (200 m) temperature profiles indicated that an intense frontal feature, formed by the convergence of the Sub-Antarctic Front (SAF) and the Antarctic Polar Front (APF) bisected the survey area into two distinct zones, the Sub- Antarctic Zone (SAZ) and the Antarctic Zone (AAZ). Total integrated chlorophyll-a (chl-a) biomass was typical for the region (< 25 mg chl-a m⁻²), and was dominated by picophytoplankton. Total euphausiid abundance and biomass ranged from 0.1 to 3.1 ind m⁻³ and 0.1 to 8.1 mg dwt m⁻³, respectively, and did not differ significantly between the stations occupied in the SAZ and AAZ (p > 0.05). The multivariate analysis identified two interacting mechanisms controlling the distribution patterns, abundance and biomass of the various euphausiid species, namely (1) diel changes in abundance and biomass, (2) and restricted distribution patterns associated with the different water masses. Ingestion rates were determined for five euphausiid species. E. triacantha was found to have the highest daily ingestion rate ranging from 1 226.1 to 6 029.1 ng pigm ind⁻¹d⁻¹, while the lowest daily ingestion rates were observed in the juvenile Thysanoessa species (6.4 to 943.0 ng pigm ind⁻¹ d⁻¹). The total grazing impact of the selected euphausiids ranged from < 0.1 to 20.1 μg pigm m⁻²d⁻¹, corresponding to < 0.15 % of the areal chl-a biomass. The daily ration estimates of autotrophic carbon for the euphausiids suggested that phytoplankton represented a minor component in their diets, with only the sub-adult E. vallentini consuming sufficient phytoplankton to meet their daily carbon requirements. A cyclonic cold-core eddy spawned from the region of the APF located in the southwest Indian sector of the PFZ was the dominant feature during the 2005 survey. The total areal chl-a biomass throughout the region was low, ranging between 5.6 and 11.4 mg chl-a m⁻², and was significantly higher within the core of the eddy compared to the surrounding waters (p < 0.05). RMT-8 and WP-2 total euphausiid abundance and biomass estimates were high, and ranged from 0.004 to 0.36 ind m⁻³ and 0.065 to 1.21 mg dwt m⁻³, and from 0.01 to 18.2 ind m⁻³ and 0.01 to 15.7 mg dwt m⁻³, respectively. A distinct spatial pattern in the euphausiid community was evident with the Antarctic species, Euphausia frigida, E. triacantha and E. superba predominating within the core of the eddy, while the PFZ waters were characterized by the sub-Antarctic species, E. longirostris, Stylocheiron maximum, Nematoscelis megalops and Thysanoessa gregaria. The eddy edge acted as a transition zone where species from both regions co-occurred. Within the survey area the combined ingestion rate of the six numerically dominant euphausiid species ranged between 0.02 and 5.31 μg pigm m⁻²d¹, which corresponded to a loss of between < 0.001 and 0.11 % of the available chl-a biomass. E. triacantha and juvenile T. macura were identified as the dominant grazers. There was no apparent spatial pattern in the grazing activity of the euphausiids within the region of investigation. The average daily rations of the euphausiids examined were < 2 % of their body carbon. The low daily ration of the euphausiids could be ascribed to the predominance of small picophytoplankton in the region of investigation, which are too small to be grazed efficiently by larger zooplankton. The marked spatial patterns in species composition and the elevated abundance and biomass of euphausiids, suggest that the mesoscale eddies contribute to the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the planktonic community of the PFZ and may represent important foraging regions for many of the apex predators within the region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Exploring learners' mathematical understanding through an analysis of their solution strategies
- Authors: Penlington, Thomas Helm
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) Mathematics -- Problems, exercises, etc. Problem solving -- Study and teaching Reasoning Mathematical ability
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1934 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007642
- Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate various solution strategies employed by Grade 7 learners and their teachers when solving a given set of mathematical tasks. This study is oriented in an interpretive paradigm and is characterised by qualitative methods. The research, set in nine schools in the Eastern Cape, was carried out with nine learners and their mathematics teachers and was designed around two phases. The research tools consisted of a set of 12 tasks that were modelled after the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), and a process of clinical interviews that interrogated the solution strategies that were used in solving the 12 tasks. Aspects of grounded theory were used in the analysis of the data. The study reveals that in most tasks, learners relied heavily on procedural understanding at the expense of conceptual understanding. It also emphasises that the solution strategies adopted by learners, particularly whole number operations, were consistent with those strategies used by their teachers. Both learners and teachers favoured using the traditional, standard algorithm strategies and appeared to have learned these algorithms in isolation from concepts, failing to relate them to understanding. Another important finding was that there was evidence to suggest that some learners and teachers did employ their own constructed solution strategies. They were able to make sense of the problems and to 'mathematize' effectively and reason mathematically. An interesting outcome of the study shows that participants were more proficient in solving word problems than mathematical computations. This is in contrast to existing research on word problems, where it is shown that teachers find them difficult to teach and learners find them difficult to understand. The findings of this study also highlight issues for mathematics teachers to consider when dealing with computations and word problems involving number sense and other problem solving type problems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Penlington, Thomas Helm
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) Mathematics -- Problems, exercises, etc. Problem solving -- Study and teaching Reasoning Mathematical ability
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1934 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007642
- Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate various solution strategies employed by Grade 7 learners and their teachers when solving a given set of mathematical tasks. This study is oriented in an interpretive paradigm and is characterised by qualitative methods. The research, set in nine schools in the Eastern Cape, was carried out with nine learners and their mathematics teachers and was designed around two phases. The research tools consisted of a set of 12 tasks that were modelled after the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), and a process of clinical interviews that interrogated the solution strategies that were used in solving the 12 tasks. Aspects of grounded theory were used in the analysis of the data. The study reveals that in most tasks, learners relied heavily on procedural understanding at the expense of conceptual understanding. It also emphasises that the solution strategies adopted by learners, particularly whole number operations, were consistent with those strategies used by their teachers. Both learners and teachers favoured using the traditional, standard algorithm strategies and appeared to have learned these algorithms in isolation from concepts, failing to relate them to understanding. Another important finding was that there was evidence to suggest that some learners and teachers did employ their own constructed solution strategies. They were able to make sense of the problems and to 'mathematize' effectively and reason mathematically. An interesting outcome of the study shows that participants were more proficient in solving word problems than mathematical computations. This is in contrast to existing research on word problems, where it is shown that teachers find them difficult to teach and learners find them difficult to understand. The findings of this study also highlight issues for mathematics teachers to consider when dealing with computations and word problems involving number sense and other problem solving type problems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Exploring the developmental profile of Black HIV positive/AIDS infants and children a longitudinal study
- Authors: Sandison, Alida
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Infants -- Development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Longitudinal studies , Child development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Longitudinal studies , HIV-positive persons -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , AIDS (Disease) in children -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Griffiths Scales of Mental Development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9848 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/357 , Infants -- Development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Longitudinal studies , Child development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Longitudinal studies , HIV-positive persons -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , AIDS (Disease) in children -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Griffiths Scales of Mental Development
- Description: This study aimed at exploring the developmental profile of HIV positive/AIDS infants and children (three to 35 months) over a period of 11 months in the Nelson Mandela Metropole, utilising the Revised Extended Griffiths Scales of Mental Development (GSMD). The purpose was to generate information about the development of HIV positive/AIDS infants and children, highlighting developmental strengths and weaknesses to ultimately aid the custodians of these children with their interventions. A non-probability purposive sampling method was applied, and a longitudinal profile was generated as participants were assessed twice. Participants were all outpatients at Kwazakhele Day Clinic, Dora Nginza and Livingstone Hospitals in the Nelson Mandela Metropole, and were located for the study through their caregiver’s attendance of an HIV support groups at the Dora Nginza Hospital. Data was analysed statistically using descriptive statistics and Hotelings-T² tests. Results indicated a significant difference between first and second assessment on the General Quotient and on two of the six subscales, namely Eye-Hand Co-ordination (D) and Practical Reasoning (F). It was deduced that development declined or did not improve as participants aged.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Sandison, Alida
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Infants -- Development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Longitudinal studies , Child development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Longitudinal studies , HIV-positive persons -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , AIDS (Disease) in children -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Griffiths Scales of Mental Development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9848 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/357 , Infants -- Development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Longitudinal studies , Child development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Longitudinal studies , HIV-positive persons -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , AIDS (Disease) in children -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Griffiths Scales of Mental Development
- Description: This study aimed at exploring the developmental profile of HIV positive/AIDS infants and children (three to 35 months) over a period of 11 months in the Nelson Mandela Metropole, utilising the Revised Extended Griffiths Scales of Mental Development (GSMD). The purpose was to generate information about the development of HIV positive/AIDS infants and children, highlighting developmental strengths and weaknesses to ultimately aid the custodians of these children with their interventions. A non-probability purposive sampling method was applied, and a longitudinal profile was generated as participants were assessed twice. Participants were all outpatients at Kwazakhele Day Clinic, Dora Nginza and Livingstone Hospitals in the Nelson Mandela Metropole, and were located for the study through their caregiver’s attendance of an HIV support groups at the Dora Nginza Hospital. Data was analysed statistically using descriptive statistics and Hotelings-T² tests. Results indicated a significant difference between first and second assessment on the General Quotient and on two of the six subscales, namely Eye-Hand Co-ordination (D) and Practical Reasoning (F). It was deduced that development declined or did not improve as participants aged.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Factors influencing employees to seek supervisory positions in manufacturing
- Authors: Ficker, Liezel
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Supervisors, Industrial , Supervision of employees
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8539 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/190 , Supervisors, Industrial , Supervision of employees
- Description: This research was undertaken at a hosiery manufacturing plant situated in Cape Town. The two research questions were: 1) What are the main factors that influenced, as well as previously discouraged, current supervisors to seek supervisory positions? and 2) What are the main factors that influence employees to want to become a supervisor, and what factors would discourage them from wanting to become a supervisor? Questionnaires were used as the measuring instrument. The results revealed that internal motivation was the most important factor that positively influenced current supervisors to seek a supervisory position. This was followed by self-perceived management ability, self-belief and confidence factors. Supervisors revealed a low social and affiliation need. Factors that discouraged current supervisors from seeking a supervisory position were limited management involvement, negative work related issues, and self-doubt factors. Most employees, who were not interested in seeking a supervisory position, indicated that there were no factors that would motivate them to want to become supervisors. Amongst the four content theories of motivation, the most relevant theory in interpreting the results was the Herzberg’s two factor theory. He stated that “employees are motivated by their own inherent need to succeed at a challenging task”. This is exactly what was also found in this research. One of the interesting findings is that Herzberg’s hygiene factors played almost no role as a motivator or demotivator for either current supervisors or employees. The significance of the findings for managers is that they should not strive to motivate employees to become supervisors, but rather select people who already have a high level of internal self-motivation. If they are simply looking for good workers, they should select a different type of employee who does not have a high need for achievement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Ficker, Liezel
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Supervisors, Industrial , Supervision of employees
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8539 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/190 , Supervisors, Industrial , Supervision of employees
- Description: This research was undertaken at a hosiery manufacturing plant situated in Cape Town. The two research questions were: 1) What are the main factors that influenced, as well as previously discouraged, current supervisors to seek supervisory positions? and 2) What are the main factors that influence employees to want to become a supervisor, and what factors would discourage them from wanting to become a supervisor? Questionnaires were used as the measuring instrument. The results revealed that internal motivation was the most important factor that positively influenced current supervisors to seek a supervisory position. This was followed by self-perceived management ability, self-belief and confidence factors. Supervisors revealed a low social and affiliation need. Factors that discouraged current supervisors from seeking a supervisory position were limited management involvement, negative work related issues, and self-doubt factors. Most employees, who were not interested in seeking a supervisory position, indicated that there were no factors that would motivate them to want to become supervisors. Amongst the four content theories of motivation, the most relevant theory in interpreting the results was the Herzberg’s two factor theory. He stated that “employees are motivated by their own inherent need to succeed at a challenging task”. This is exactly what was also found in this research. One of the interesting findings is that Herzberg’s hygiene factors played almost no role as a motivator or demotivator for either current supervisors or employees. The significance of the findings for managers is that they should not strive to motivate employees to become supervisors, but rather select people who already have a high level of internal self-motivation. If they are simply looking for good workers, they should select a different type of employee who does not have a high need for achievement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Feminisation a period of labour market changes in South Africa
- Authors: Lee, Deborah Ellen
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Women -- Employment -- South Africa , Discrimination in employment -- South Africa , Wages -- Women -- South Africa , Labor supply -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:11008 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/363 , Women -- Employment -- South Africa , Discrimination in employment -- South Africa , Wages -- Women -- South Africa , Labor supply -- South Africa
- Description: The post-1994 role of women in the South African economy is changing with respect to issues such as education and employment opportunities. In the past, men tended to hold the primary or ‘good’ jobs, which have the greatest stability and promotional potential, whilst women tended to hold the secondary or ‘poor’ jobs, which have lower stability and lower wages (Kelly, 1991). Women’s labour force participation has risen significantly over the years since 1994, but more in depth research is needed in order to determine where and how changes could be implemented to ensure that any past gender inequalities fall away with minimal impact on the economy as a whole. As such, certain dynamics within the labour market need to be considered. Firstly, pre-market types of discrimination, including issues such as gender discrimination during the acquisition of human capital through educational attainment should be considered. In most countries, women enter the labour market with severe disadvantage in that they have been subject to discrimination in schooling opportunities (Standing, Sender & Weeks, 1996). Secondly, the feminisation of the labour force is dealt with, as well as what factors affect the female labour force participation decision (i.e. the decision of whether to participate in the labour market or not). iv Thirdly, employment discrimination is investigated, including the concept of ‘occupational crowding’. An analysis of trends in the occupational structure of economically active women in South Africa shows the typical shift out of agriculture into industrial related jobs (Verhoef, 1996). Lastly, wage discrimination is analysed, in order to determine if women get lower rates of pay for ‘equal work’. The objectives of this study are aimed at determining whether there have been any positive changes with respect to women in any of these focal areas mentioned above. There are studies that have established gender differentials when it comes to formal education, and these place women at the disadvantaged end (Bankole & Eboiyehi, 2000). If one considers the educational measures, namely, the levels of literacy, years of education, and overall educational attainment, employed by this country to determine whether there are in fact observed differences between the education of boys and girls, the following was found: Males rate higher with respect to two of these measures, namely literacy and educational attainment, and are thus able to exhibit lower levels of poverty than females in South Africa. Men exhibit slightly higher literacy rates than women of the same age (Statistics South Africa, 2002), and men also rate higher than women when it comes to university education. With regards to primary and secondary school attainment v since 1994, the gender gap does appear to have disappeared. The ‘neoclassical model of labour-leisure choice’, as applied in this study, shows that as the wage rate increases, women have an incentive to reduce the time they allocate to the household sector and are more likely to enter the labour market. In South Africa, however, the increase in the female participation rate has merely translated into a rise in unemployment and has not been associated with an increase in the demand for female labour. This implies that South African women are being ‘pushed’ into the labour market due to economic need, rather than being ‘pulled’ into the labour market in order to earn a higher wage. Women are gradually becoming better represented at all levels across a wide range of occupations. Women, however, continue to face greater prospects of unemployment and to earn less than their male counterparts even when they do find employment. These lower female wages are partly as a result of ‘occupational crowding’, whereby women are over-represented in certain occupations resulting in excess labour supply which drives down the wage rate. It has been determined that the problem of occupational crowding is a real and immediate one and has been found to depress wages within certain female specific occupations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Lee, Deborah Ellen
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Women -- Employment -- South Africa , Discrimination in employment -- South Africa , Wages -- Women -- South Africa , Labor supply -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:11008 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/363 , Women -- Employment -- South Africa , Discrimination in employment -- South Africa , Wages -- Women -- South Africa , Labor supply -- South Africa
- Description: The post-1994 role of women in the South African economy is changing with respect to issues such as education and employment opportunities. In the past, men tended to hold the primary or ‘good’ jobs, which have the greatest stability and promotional potential, whilst women tended to hold the secondary or ‘poor’ jobs, which have lower stability and lower wages (Kelly, 1991). Women’s labour force participation has risen significantly over the years since 1994, but more in depth research is needed in order to determine where and how changes could be implemented to ensure that any past gender inequalities fall away with minimal impact on the economy as a whole. As such, certain dynamics within the labour market need to be considered. Firstly, pre-market types of discrimination, including issues such as gender discrimination during the acquisition of human capital through educational attainment should be considered. In most countries, women enter the labour market with severe disadvantage in that they have been subject to discrimination in schooling opportunities (Standing, Sender & Weeks, 1996). Secondly, the feminisation of the labour force is dealt with, as well as what factors affect the female labour force participation decision (i.e. the decision of whether to participate in the labour market or not). iv Thirdly, employment discrimination is investigated, including the concept of ‘occupational crowding’. An analysis of trends in the occupational structure of economically active women in South Africa shows the typical shift out of agriculture into industrial related jobs (Verhoef, 1996). Lastly, wage discrimination is analysed, in order to determine if women get lower rates of pay for ‘equal work’. The objectives of this study are aimed at determining whether there have been any positive changes with respect to women in any of these focal areas mentioned above. There are studies that have established gender differentials when it comes to formal education, and these place women at the disadvantaged end (Bankole & Eboiyehi, 2000). If one considers the educational measures, namely, the levels of literacy, years of education, and overall educational attainment, employed by this country to determine whether there are in fact observed differences between the education of boys and girls, the following was found: Males rate higher with respect to two of these measures, namely literacy and educational attainment, and are thus able to exhibit lower levels of poverty than females in South Africa. Men exhibit slightly higher literacy rates than women of the same age (Statistics South Africa, 2002), and men also rate higher than women when it comes to university education. With regards to primary and secondary school attainment v since 1994, the gender gap does appear to have disappeared. The ‘neoclassical model of labour-leisure choice’, as applied in this study, shows that as the wage rate increases, women have an incentive to reduce the time they allocate to the household sector and are more likely to enter the labour market. In South Africa, however, the increase in the female participation rate has merely translated into a rise in unemployment and has not been associated with an increase in the demand for female labour. This implies that South African women are being ‘pushed’ into the labour market due to economic need, rather than being ‘pulled’ into the labour market in order to earn a higher wage. Women are gradually becoming better represented at all levels across a wide range of occupations. Women, however, continue to face greater prospects of unemployment and to earn less than their male counterparts even when they do find employment. These lower female wages are partly as a result of ‘occupational crowding’, whereby women are over-represented in certain occupations resulting in excess labour supply which drives down the wage rate. It has been determined that the problem of occupational crowding is a real and immediate one and has been found to depress wages within certain female specific occupations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Field and laboratory measurements of polarization mode dispersion in optical fibres
- Authors: Viljoen, Lawrence
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Optical fibers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10513 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/375 , Optical fibers
- Description: In this dissertation, the PMD measurements of field and laboratory optical fibre will be discussed. In the laboratory, temperature cycling of different configurations of fibre were tested. It is shown that the environmental temperature plays a significant role in determining the behaviour of PMD. The PMD of all fibres tested showed changes in the PMD when the environmental temperature was changing, but remained constant for constant temperatures. This is explained by the structure and thermal coefficients of the materials used to make up the fibres. It is found that the temperature gradient has a large effect on the magnitude of the PMD fluctuations. Field measurements were conducted on buried and aerial cable. It is shown that the PMD of aerial cables shows a higher degree of scatter than the PMD of buried cables. The scatter seen in the PMD can be attributed to changing environmental temperature as well as movement of the cable. The PMD of the deployed fibre is in all cases found to be considerably higher than the PMD of laboratory fibre. Age of the fibre, deployment conditions and installation procedures are believed to be responsible for the higher value. Long term monitoring of the PMD is also found to be critical when testing fibres. Over- or underestimations of the average PMD are often made in the field due to only a limited number of readings being taken. Having a large test ensemble of input states of polarization is shown to increase the accuracy of the results. For aerial cables, movement of the cable has the same effect as scrambling the input SOP and hence the results will be more accurate. Buried cables on the other hand show little movement and hence only one input SOP is often tested. Scrambling the input SOP will therefore increase the accuracy of these results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Viljoen, Lawrence
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Optical fibers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10513 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/375 , Optical fibers
- Description: In this dissertation, the PMD measurements of field and laboratory optical fibre will be discussed. In the laboratory, temperature cycling of different configurations of fibre were tested. It is shown that the environmental temperature plays a significant role in determining the behaviour of PMD. The PMD of all fibres tested showed changes in the PMD when the environmental temperature was changing, but remained constant for constant temperatures. This is explained by the structure and thermal coefficients of the materials used to make up the fibres. It is found that the temperature gradient has a large effect on the magnitude of the PMD fluctuations. Field measurements were conducted on buried and aerial cable. It is shown that the PMD of aerial cables shows a higher degree of scatter than the PMD of buried cables. The scatter seen in the PMD can be attributed to changing environmental temperature as well as movement of the cable. The PMD of the deployed fibre is in all cases found to be considerably higher than the PMD of laboratory fibre. Age of the fibre, deployment conditions and installation procedures are believed to be responsible for the higher value. Long term monitoring of the PMD is also found to be critical when testing fibres. Over- or underestimations of the average PMD are often made in the field due to only a limited number of readings being taken. Having a large test ensemble of input states of polarization is shown to increase the accuracy of the results. For aerial cables, movement of the cable has the same effect as scrambling the input SOP and hence the results will be more accurate. Buried cables on the other hand show little movement and hence only one input SOP is often tested. Scrambling the input SOP will therefore increase the accuracy of these results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Fisheries management, fishing rights and redistribution within the commercial chokka squid fishery of South Africa
- Authors: Martin, Lindsay
- Date: 2005 , 2013-06-05
- Subjects: Fishery management -- South Africa , Squids -- South Africa , Squid fisheries -- South Africa , Fishery law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1059 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007500 , Fishery management -- South Africa , Squids -- South Africa , Squid fisheries -- South Africa , Fishery law and legislation -- South Africa
- Description: The objective of this thesis is to analyse the management and redistribution policies implemented in the South African squid industry. This is done within the broader context of fisheries policies that have been implemented within the South African fishing industry as the squid industry has developed. The study therefore has an institutional basis, which reviews the development of institutional mechanisms as they have evolved to deal fisheries management problems. These mechanisms (which can either be formal or informal) consist of committees, laws and constitutions that have developed as society has progressed. Probably the most prominent of these, in terms of current fisheries policy, is the Marine Living Resources Act (MLRA) of 1998. The broad policy prescription of the MLRA basically advocates the sustainable utilisation of marine resources while outlining the need to restructure the fishing industry to address historical imbalances and to achieve equity. It is this broad objective that this thesis applies to the squid fishery. The primary means of achieving the above objective, within the squid industry, has been through the reallocation of permit rights. These rights also provide the primary means by which effort is managed. A disruption in the rights allocation process therefore has implications for resource management as well. Permits rights can be described as a form of use right or propertY right. These rights are structured according to their operational-level characteristics, or rules. Changing these rules can thus affect the efficiency or flexibility of a rights based system. This is important because initial reallocation of rights, by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT), was based on an incomplete set of rights. This partly led to the failure of early redistribution attempts resulting in a "paper permit" market. Nevertheless, this thesis argues that redistribution attempts were based on ill-defined criteria that contributed to the failure described above. In addition to this the method through which redistribution was attempted is also questionable. This can be described as a weak redistribution strategy that did not account for all equity criteria (i.e. factors like capital ownership, employment or relative income levels). This thesis thus recommends, among other things, that an incentive based rights system be adopted and that the design of this system correctly caters of the operational-level rules mentioned above. In addition to this a strong redistribution, based on fishing capital, ownership, income and the transfer of skills, should be implemented. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Martin, Lindsay
- Date: 2005 , 2013-06-05
- Subjects: Fishery management -- South Africa , Squids -- South Africa , Squid fisheries -- South Africa , Fishery law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1059 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007500 , Fishery management -- South Africa , Squids -- South Africa , Squid fisheries -- South Africa , Fishery law and legislation -- South Africa
- Description: The objective of this thesis is to analyse the management and redistribution policies implemented in the South African squid industry. This is done within the broader context of fisheries policies that have been implemented within the South African fishing industry as the squid industry has developed. The study therefore has an institutional basis, which reviews the development of institutional mechanisms as they have evolved to deal fisheries management problems. These mechanisms (which can either be formal or informal) consist of committees, laws and constitutions that have developed as society has progressed. Probably the most prominent of these, in terms of current fisheries policy, is the Marine Living Resources Act (MLRA) of 1998. The broad policy prescription of the MLRA basically advocates the sustainable utilisation of marine resources while outlining the need to restructure the fishing industry to address historical imbalances and to achieve equity. It is this broad objective that this thesis applies to the squid fishery. The primary means of achieving the above objective, within the squid industry, has been through the reallocation of permit rights. These rights also provide the primary means by which effort is managed. A disruption in the rights allocation process therefore has implications for resource management as well. Permits rights can be described as a form of use right or propertY right. These rights are structured according to their operational-level characteristics, or rules. Changing these rules can thus affect the efficiency or flexibility of a rights based system. This is important because initial reallocation of rights, by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT), was based on an incomplete set of rights. This partly led to the failure of early redistribution attempts resulting in a "paper permit" market. Nevertheless, this thesis argues that redistribution attempts were based on ill-defined criteria that contributed to the failure described above. In addition to this the method through which redistribution was attempted is also questionable. This can be described as a weak redistribution strategy that did not account for all equity criteria (i.e. factors like capital ownership, employment or relative income levels). This thesis thus recommends, among other things, that an incentive based rights system be adopted and that the design of this system correctly caters of the operational-level rules mentioned above. In addition to this a strong redistribution, based on fishing capital, ownership, income and the transfer of skills, should be implemented. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Formulation and assessment of verapamil sustained release tablets
- Khamanga, Sandile Maswazi Malungelo
- Authors: Khamanga, Sandile Maswazi Malungelo
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Verapamil , Tablets (Medicine) , Drugs -- Administration , Cardiovascular agents , Calcium -- Antagonists , Drugs -- Controlled release
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3869 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018236
- Description: The oral route of drug administration is most extensively used due to the obvious ease of administration. Verapamil hydrochloride is a WHO listed phenylalkylarnine, L-type calcium channel antagonist that is mainly indicated for cardiovascular disorders such as angina pectoris, supraventricular tachycardia and hypertension. Due to its relatively short half-life of approximately 4.0 hours, the formulation of a sustained-release dosage form is useful to improve patient compliance and to achieve predictable and optimized therapeutic plasma concentrations. Direct compression and wet granulation were initially used as methods for tablet manufacture. The direct compression method of manufacture produced tablets that exhibited formulation and manufacturing difficulties. Mini-tablets containing veraparnil hydrochloride were then prepared by wet granulation using Surelease® E-7-19010.and Eudragit® NE 30D as the granulating agents after which the granules were incorporated with an hydrophilic matrix material, Carbopol® 974P NF. Granule and powder blends were evaluated using the angle of repose, loose and tapped bulk density, Can's compressibility index, Hausner's ratio and drug content. Granules with good flow properties and satisfactory compressibility were used for further studies. Tablets were subjected to thickness, diameter and weight variation tests, crushing strength, tensile strength, friability and content uniformity studies. Tablets that showed acceptable pharmaco-technical properties were selected for further analysis. Drug content uniformity and dissolution release rates were determined using a validated isocratic HPLC method. Initially, USP apparatus 1 and 3 dissolution apparatus were used to determine in-vitro drug release rates from the formulations over a 22-hour period. USP apparatus 3 was finally selected as it offers the advantages of mimicking, in part, the changes in the physicochemical environment experienced by products in the gastro-intestinal tract. Differences in release rates between the test formulations and a commercially available product, Isoptin® SR were observed at different pH's using USP apparatus 1. The release of veraparnil hydrochloride from matrix tablets was pH dependent and was markedly reduced at higher pH values. This may be due, in part, to the poor solubility of veraparnil hydrochloride at these pH values and also the possible interaction of verapamil hydrochloride with anionic polymers used in these formulations. Swelling and erosion behaviour of the tablets were evaluated and differences in behaviour were observed which may be attributed to the physico-chemical characteristics of the polymers used in this study. In-vitro dissolution profiles were characterized by the difference (j1) and similarity factor (j2) and also by a new similarity factor, Sct. In addition, the mechanism of drug release from these dosage forms was mainly evaluated using the Korsmeyer-Peppas model and the kinetics of drug release assessed using other models, including Zero order, First order, Higuchi, HixsonCrowell, Weibull and the Baker-Lonsdale model. Dissolution kinetics were best described by application of the Weibull model, and the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. The release exponent, n, confirmed that drug release from these dosage forms was due to the mixed effects of diffusion and swelling and therefore, anomalous release kinetics are predominant. In conclusion, two test batches were found to be comparable to the reference product Isoptin® SR with respect to their in-vitro release profiles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Khamanga, Sandile Maswazi Malungelo
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Verapamil , Tablets (Medicine) , Drugs -- Administration , Cardiovascular agents , Calcium -- Antagonists , Drugs -- Controlled release
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3869 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018236
- Description: The oral route of drug administration is most extensively used due to the obvious ease of administration. Verapamil hydrochloride is a WHO listed phenylalkylarnine, L-type calcium channel antagonist that is mainly indicated for cardiovascular disorders such as angina pectoris, supraventricular tachycardia and hypertension. Due to its relatively short half-life of approximately 4.0 hours, the formulation of a sustained-release dosage form is useful to improve patient compliance and to achieve predictable and optimized therapeutic plasma concentrations. Direct compression and wet granulation were initially used as methods for tablet manufacture. The direct compression method of manufacture produced tablets that exhibited formulation and manufacturing difficulties. Mini-tablets containing veraparnil hydrochloride were then prepared by wet granulation using Surelease® E-7-19010.and Eudragit® NE 30D as the granulating agents after which the granules were incorporated with an hydrophilic matrix material, Carbopol® 974P NF. Granule and powder blends were evaluated using the angle of repose, loose and tapped bulk density, Can's compressibility index, Hausner's ratio and drug content. Granules with good flow properties and satisfactory compressibility were used for further studies. Tablets were subjected to thickness, diameter and weight variation tests, crushing strength, tensile strength, friability and content uniformity studies. Tablets that showed acceptable pharmaco-technical properties were selected for further analysis. Drug content uniformity and dissolution release rates were determined using a validated isocratic HPLC method. Initially, USP apparatus 1 and 3 dissolution apparatus were used to determine in-vitro drug release rates from the formulations over a 22-hour period. USP apparatus 3 was finally selected as it offers the advantages of mimicking, in part, the changes in the physicochemical environment experienced by products in the gastro-intestinal tract. Differences in release rates between the test formulations and a commercially available product, Isoptin® SR were observed at different pH's using USP apparatus 1. The release of veraparnil hydrochloride from matrix tablets was pH dependent and was markedly reduced at higher pH values. This may be due, in part, to the poor solubility of veraparnil hydrochloride at these pH values and also the possible interaction of verapamil hydrochloride with anionic polymers used in these formulations. Swelling and erosion behaviour of the tablets were evaluated and differences in behaviour were observed which may be attributed to the physico-chemical characteristics of the polymers used in this study. In-vitro dissolution profiles were characterized by the difference (j1) and similarity factor (j2) and also by a new similarity factor, Sct. In addition, the mechanism of drug release from these dosage forms was mainly evaluated using the Korsmeyer-Peppas model and the kinetics of drug release assessed using other models, including Zero order, First order, Higuchi, HixsonCrowell, Weibull and the Baker-Lonsdale model. Dissolution kinetics were best described by application of the Weibull model, and the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. The release exponent, n, confirmed that drug release from these dosage forms was due to the mixed effects of diffusion and swelling and therefore, anomalous release kinetics are predominant. In conclusion, two test batches were found to be comparable to the reference product Isoptin® SR with respect to their in-vitro release profiles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Geology, structure and mineralization of the Onguati area, Karibib district, central Namibia
- Authors: Viljoen, Wayne
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Geology -- Namibia -- Karibib , Geology, Structural -- Namibia -- Karibib , Mines and mineral resources -- Namibia -- Karibib
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4964 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005576 , Geology -- Namibia -- Karibib , Geology, Structural -- Namibia -- Karibib , Mines and mineral resources -- Namibia -- Karibib
- Description: The study area is situated in the Southern Central Zone of the intracontinental Pan-African Damara Orogen, approximately 20km NNE of Navachab Gold Mine in the Karibib district of Namibia. Mesothermal vein systems with Cu-Fe±Au mineralization are hosted by amphibolite facies calcitic and dolomitic marbles belonging to the Navachab Member of the Karibib Formation, and are best developed around the defunct Onguati Copper Mine, Brown Mountain and Western Workings areas. The Onguati study area is located in the saddle region of a moderately-to-gently inclined anticlinorium that experienced significant flattening during NNW-SSE-directed compression. The parallelogram arrangement of ENE- and NNE-trending thrusts and reverse faults that surround the Onguati study area may have developed when the direction of greatest principle subregional stress was oriented WSW-ESE. These structures define part of a Riedel shear system and later faults may have developed in the position of R and P shears respectively. Significant strain partitioning occurred between the ductile calcitic marbles which host the best developed, shear-related vein systems and the more competent dolomitic marbles. The thickness distributions of veins in the marbles of the Onguati Mine, Brown Mountain and Western Workings areas conform to a fractal or power-law distribution, The most intensely mineralized vein systems in the Onguati Mine and Western Workings calcitic marbles share similar low fractal dimensions (D-values) of 0.41 and 0.37 respectively. Veins In the calcitic and dolomitic marbles of the Brown Mountain area and in the dolomitic marbles of Western Workings have elevated D-values (>0.60) and are poorly mineralized. The low D-values «0.40) of the well mineralized vein systems reflect the higher degree of fracture connectivity. These vein systems were capable of efficiently draining and localizing large volumes of mineralizing fluids from crustal-scale structures. A metamorphic devolatization model is proposed where the entire Damaran metasedimentary and meta-volcanic package is seen as a large source area of very low concentrations of Cu, Au and other metals. Localization of deformation into crustal-scale faults and shear zones led to regional-scale hydrothermal fluid flow and focussing into the upstream fracture networks of the Onguati study area. Strong mineralization resulted when fluids encountered the reactive marble lithologies
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Viljoen, Wayne
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Geology -- Namibia -- Karibib , Geology, Structural -- Namibia -- Karibib , Mines and mineral resources -- Namibia -- Karibib
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4964 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005576 , Geology -- Namibia -- Karibib , Geology, Structural -- Namibia -- Karibib , Mines and mineral resources -- Namibia -- Karibib
- Description: The study area is situated in the Southern Central Zone of the intracontinental Pan-African Damara Orogen, approximately 20km NNE of Navachab Gold Mine in the Karibib district of Namibia. Mesothermal vein systems with Cu-Fe±Au mineralization are hosted by amphibolite facies calcitic and dolomitic marbles belonging to the Navachab Member of the Karibib Formation, and are best developed around the defunct Onguati Copper Mine, Brown Mountain and Western Workings areas. The Onguati study area is located in the saddle region of a moderately-to-gently inclined anticlinorium that experienced significant flattening during NNW-SSE-directed compression. The parallelogram arrangement of ENE- and NNE-trending thrusts and reverse faults that surround the Onguati study area may have developed when the direction of greatest principle subregional stress was oriented WSW-ESE. These structures define part of a Riedel shear system and later faults may have developed in the position of R and P shears respectively. Significant strain partitioning occurred between the ductile calcitic marbles which host the best developed, shear-related vein systems and the more competent dolomitic marbles. The thickness distributions of veins in the marbles of the Onguati Mine, Brown Mountain and Western Workings areas conform to a fractal or power-law distribution, The most intensely mineralized vein systems in the Onguati Mine and Western Workings calcitic marbles share similar low fractal dimensions (D-values) of 0.41 and 0.37 respectively. Veins In the calcitic and dolomitic marbles of the Brown Mountain area and in the dolomitic marbles of Western Workings have elevated D-values (>0.60) and are poorly mineralized. The low D-values «0.40) of the well mineralized vein systems reflect the higher degree of fracture connectivity. These vein systems were capable of efficiently draining and localizing large volumes of mineralizing fluids from crustal-scale structures. A metamorphic devolatization model is proposed where the entire Damaran metasedimentary and meta-volcanic package is seen as a large source area of very low concentrations of Cu, Au and other metals. Localization of deformation into crustal-scale faults and shear zones led to regional-scale hydrothermal fluid flow and focussing into the upstream fracture networks of the Onguati study area. Strong mineralization resulted when fluids encountered the reactive marble lithologies
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Growth, feeding and sex change in the sequential protandric shrimp Nauticaris marionis Bate 1888 at the Prince Edward Islands (Southern Ocean)
- Authors: Vumazonke, Lukhanyiso Unam
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Shrimps -- Prince Edward Islands , Shrimps -- Feeding and feeds , Shrimps -- Nutrition , Shrimps -- Growth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5704 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005390 , Shrimps -- Prince Edward Islands , Shrimps -- Feeding and feeds , Shrimps -- Nutrition , Shrimps -- Growth
- Description: Demographic parameters and the general biology of the subantarctic shrimp Nauticaris marionis from the Prince Edward Islands were investigated. The carapace length is the most accurate indicator of body size and it was confirmed that N. marionis is a partially protandric hermaphrodite. Gravid females of N. marionis observed mainly in March with negligible hatching persisting until April/May. The majority of juveniles develop into males. Juveniles are characterised by an appendage on the endopodite of the first pleopod called the appendix interna or a.i.1. Juveniles that develop into males do so by growing a further appendage on the endopodite of the second pleopod. This appendage characterises males and is called the appendix masculina (or a.m.). Juveniles may develop directly into primary females through the development of an ovary and the loss of the a.i.1. The sequence differs among individuals, with some developing the ovary before losing the a.i.1 and others losing the a.i.1 first. Loss of the a.i.1 appears to be by shedding during a single moult, rather than by atrophy. Females can also develop by an alternative route as secondary females. Such animals first become males with an a.m. and then develop an ovary, thus forming an intermediate form called a tertium quid, or “third thing”. Again, there are two forms of tertium quid. Tertia quae a have the a.m. as well as the a.i.1. Tertia quae b have the a.m. in combination with an ovary but no a.i.1. Either form of tertium quid can develop into a secondary female through loss of the a.m., and in the case of the tertium quid a, loss of the a.i.1. It is unclear whether sexual differentiation occurs in the plankton or just after N. marionis settles on the benthos. The results of gut content analysis suggest that N. marionis is an opportunistic feeder, preying on a variety of prey with a preference for detritus, benthic amphipods and gastropods. Cannibalism of conspecific pleopods by large individuals of N. marionis occurred mostly in females, particularly in incubation containers. Cannibalism also occurs in males, and its occurrence depends on individual size, not gender. No diel patterns were observed in the feeding activity of N. marionis. In situ daily rations of males (carapace length <7mm) and females (>7mm) were equivalent to ≈10% and ≈5% of body dry weight, respectively. The von Bertalanffy growth curve parameters were empirically identified, by cohort analysis of data collected during 4 years, as K = 0.22239/year, L[subscript]∞ = 14.05789mm, t₀ = -0.05174, L₀ = 0.16083mm. N. marionis can survive up to seven years under natural conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Vumazonke, Lukhanyiso Unam
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Shrimps -- Prince Edward Islands , Shrimps -- Feeding and feeds , Shrimps -- Nutrition , Shrimps -- Growth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5704 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005390 , Shrimps -- Prince Edward Islands , Shrimps -- Feeding and feeds , Shrimps -- Nutrition , Shrimps -- Growth
- Description: Demographic parameters and the general biology of the subantarctic shrimp Nauticaris marionis from the Prince Edward Islands were investigated. The carapace length is the most accurate indicator of body size and it was confirmed that N. marionis is a partially protandric hermaphrodite. Gravid females of N. marionis observed mainly in March with negligible hatching persisting until April/May. The majority of juveniles develop into males. Juveniles are characterised by an appendage on the endopodite of the first pleopod called the appendix interna or a.i.1. Juveniles that develop into males do so by growing a further appendage on the endopodite of the second pleopod. This appendage characterises males and is called the appendix masculina (or a.m.). Juveniles may develop directly into primary females through the development of an ovary and the loss of the a.i.1. The sequence differs among individuals, with some developing the ovary before losing the a.i.1 and others losing the a.i.1 first. Loss of the a.i.1 appears to be by shedding during a single moult, rather than by atrophy. Females can also develop by an alternative route as secondary females. Such animals first become males with an a.m. and then develop an ovary, thus forming an intermediate form called a tertium quid, or “third thing”. Again, there are two forms of tertium quid. Tertia quae a have the a.m. as well as the a.i.1. Tertia quae b have the a.m. in combination with an ovary but no a.i.1. Either form of tertium quid can develop into a secondary female through loss of the a.m., and in the case of the tertium quid a, loss of the a.i.1. It is unclear whether sexual differentiation occurs in the plankton or just after N. marionis settles on the benthos. The results of gut content analysis suggest that N. marionis is an opportunistic feeder, preying on a variety of prey with a preference for detritus, benthic amphipods and gastropods. Cannibalism of conspecific pleopods by large individuals of N. marionis occurred mostly in females, particularly in incubation containers. Cannibalism also occurs in males, and its occurrence depends on individual size, not gender. No diel patterns were observed in the feeding activity of N. marionis. In situ daily rations of males (carapace length <7mm) and females (>7mm) were equivalent to ≈10% and ≈5% of body dry weight, respectively. The von Bertalanffy growth curve parameters were empirically identified, by cohort analysis of data collected during 4 years, as K = 0.22239/year, L[subscript]∞ = 14.05789mm, t₀ = -0.05174, L₀ = 0.16083mm. N. marionis can survive up to seven years under natural conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Habitat suitability and behaviour of springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) at Augrabies Falls National Park, South Africa
- Authors: Reid, Caroline
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Springbok -- Habitat suitability index models -- South Africa -- Augrabies Falls National Park , Springbok -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Augrabies Falls National Park
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:11079 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/362 , Springbok -- Habitat suitability index models -- South Africa -- Augrabies Falls National Park , Springbok -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Augrabies Falls National Park
- Description: Habitat selection may be considered a behavioural consequence of an individual actively selecting where it lives or passively persisting in a certain habitat. There are a variety of approaches to assessing habitat selection, including relating densities to predefined habitats and the characteristics of these habitats, measuring the behaviour of animals within predefined habitats in order to assess the relative benefits to the animal and comparing these between habitats, and using optimality theory to allow the animal to provide measures of its preference for particular habitats or patches. Each approach provides different perspectives on an animal’s choice and use of habitat, with some approaches working more effectively with certain species or habitats than others. There have, however, been no attempts to apply all these approaches to a single species at a single site. The objective of this study was therefore to apply the three above-mentioned approaches to assess habitat use and quality to a single species, the springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) at the Augrabies Falls National Park (AFNP), on the northern bank of the Orange River, in order to provide the basis for further work on comparing and integrating these approaches. The relative abundance of springbok in Augrabies Falls National park was used to develop a habitat suitability model for the park, and thus determine the habitat variables that influenced habitat suitability. Isodar analysis revealed information on the mechanisms underlying habitat preference. Behavioural models were developed to improve our understanding of how springbok behaviour changes in relation to the habitat, and incorporated the variables identified in the habitat suitability model. The different spatial and temporal scales influencing springbok habitat selection were determined using optimal foraging theory and giving-up densities. Springbok preferred open habitats providing high food quality. Springbok behaviour was related to the foraging and predation risk characteristics of the habitat, and springbok varied their temporal and spatial utilisation so as to minimise their risk of predation and maximise their food intake. The habitat suitability model, behaviour models and giving-up densities were compared for ease of use and applicability. Using giving-up densities to reveal habitat suitability had greater applicability and was both efficient and objective.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Reid, Caroline
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Springbok -- Habitat suitability index models -- South Africa -- Augrabies Falls National Park , Springbok -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Augrabies Falls National Park
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:11079 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/362 , Springbok -- Habitat suitability index models -- South Africa -- Augrabies Falls National Park , Springbok -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Augrabies Falls National Park
- Description: Habitat selection may be considered a behavioural consequence of an individual actively selecting where it lives or passively persisting in a certain habitat. There are a variety of approaches to assessing habitat selection, including relating densities to predefined habitats and the characteristics of these habitats, measuring the behaviour of animals within predefined habitats in order to assess the relative benefits to the animal and comparing these between habitats, and using optimality theory to allow the animal to provide measures of its preference for particular habitats or patches. Each approach provides different perspectives on an animal’s choice and use of habitat, with some approaches working more effectively with certain species or habitats than others. There have, however, been no attempts to apply all these approaches to a single species at a single site. The objective of this study was therefore to apply the three above-mentioned approaches to assess habitat use and quality to a single species, the springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) at the Augrabies Falls National Park (AFNP), on the northern bank of the Orange River, in order to provide the basis for further work on comparing and integrating these approaches. The relative abundance of springbok in Augrabies Falls National park was used to develop a habitat suitability model for the park, and thus determine the habitat variables that influenced habitat suitability. Isodar analysis revealed information on the mechanisms underlying habitat preference. Behavioural models were developed to improve our understanding of how springbok behaviour changes in relation to the habitat, and incorporated the variables identified in the habitat suitability model. The different spatial and temporal scales influencing springbok habitat selection were determined using optimal foraging theory and giving-up densities. Springbok preferred open habitats providing high food quality. Springbok behaviour was related to the foraging and predation risk characteristics of the habitat, and springbok varied their temporal and spatial utilisation so as to minimise their risk of predation and maximise their food intake. The habitat suitability model, behaviour models and giving-up densities were compared for ease of use and applicability. Using giving-up densities to reveal habitat suitability had greater applicability and was both efficient and objective.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Hijacking feminism: representations of the new woman in South African television advertising practice
- Authors: Klokow, Nicole Ann
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Feminism and mass media -- South Africa , Television advertising -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8372 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/381 , Feminism and mass media -- South Africa , Television advertising -- South Africa
- Description: This study examines the extent to which feminism has been appropriated by the consumer culture. As the relationship between consumerism and patriarchy continues to dominate global economic and social practices, this appropriation points to a denial of the social and political importance of the feminist movement. An acknowledgement of our own complicity in the perpetuation of a sexist, racist and classist ideology – along with an understanding of the complicity of the media – is crucial in explaining relations of domination within our society (Thompson 1990). A study of television advertising practice allows us to “explore meaning as a social product, enmeshed in webs of power” (Jordan and Wheedon 1995:543). Consumer ‘freedom’ is the compulsory freedom (Slater 1997), as we buy as many symbols as products. This study shows that for all the ‘strides’ feminism has made, media images of women are largely traditional, prescriptive (although an ironic distance is often implied) or overtly sexualised. Feminism is never mentioned, as women’s gains are presented as ahistorical in a ‘post-feminist’ world. Third wave feminism is an attempt to embrace all feminisms and feminists, working to inject some substance and truth behind advertising’s feminist veneer.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Klokow, Nicole Ann
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Feminism and mass media -- South Africa , Television advertising -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8372 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/381 , Feminism and mass media -- South Africa , Television advertising -- South Africa
- Description: This study examines the extent to which feminism has been appropriated by the consumer culture. As the relationship between consumerism and patriarchy continues to dominate global economic and social practices, this appropriation points to a denial of the social and political importance of the feminist movement. An acknowledgement of our own complicity in the perpetuation of a sexist, racist and classist ideology – along with an understanding of the complicity of the media – is crucial in explaining relations of domination within our society (Thompson 1990). A study of television advertising practice allows us to “explore meaning as a social product, enmeshed in webs of power” (Jordan and Wheedon 1995:543). Consumer ‘freedom’ is the compulsory freedom (Slater 1997), as we buy as many symbols as products. This study shows that for all the ‘strides’ feminism has made, media images of women are largely traditional, prescriptive (although an ironic distance is often implied) or overtly sexualised. Feminism is never mentioned, as women’s gains are presented as ahistorical in a ‘post-feminist’ world. Third wave feminism is an attempt to embrace all feminisms and feminists, working to inject some substance and truth behind advertising’s feminist veneer.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
How policy discourses and contextual realities influence environmental teaching and learning processes in early childhood development: a case study of the Raglan Road child care centre
- Authors: Vallabh, Priya
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Early childhood education -- South Africa , Health education -- South Africa , Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Day care centers -- South Africa , Child development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1559 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003441 , Early childhood education -- South Africa , Health education -- South Africa , Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Day care centers -- South Africa , Child development
- Description: This case study considers the relationship between context, school policy and environmental teaching and learning processes at a community-based early childhood development centre in South Africa. The study recognises that educational practices in the early childhood development field are shaped by historical, cultural, economic and political realities at both local and national levels. It is from the understanding that each school is a unique composition of these shaping factors that the research was designed to consider the community-based school participating in this study. By compiling a contextual profile, this study attempts to consider dominant contextual factors affecting the school. Through the critical discourse analysis of a school policy document, this study considers local level policy, and through the literature chapter, national policy. Teacher interviews provide insight into teacher understanding of school policy in response to contextual issues, as well as providing insight into how teachers perceive their translation of policy into teaching practice. Observations of lessons in the centre provided an. opportunity to see how context and policy translated into and influenced environmental teaching and learning processes. This study looks at how environmental education is addressed in the Raglan Road Child Care Centre, and provides insight into how environmental education within the context of the school and in relation to school policy may be strengthened. It comments on the tensions and ambivalences arising from the relationships between context, policy and environmental teaching and learning processes and makes recommendations to address these ambivalences in ways that are contextually relevant. The main recommendations were designed to be practically useful for the school involved in the study and are focused around engaging the ambivalences emerging from this study to open up 'spaces' for deliberating environmental teaching and learning processes and other tensions arising out of the study at an ECD level. Recommendations included: 1) engaging with the strong development focus in school policy and the educational focus in national policy and teacher discourse; 2) deliberating the ways in which school policy and national policy respond to risk; 3) engaging with the ambivalence in the school-parent relationship; 4) the re-alignment of the explicit curriculum and broadening the contextually-based view of whole child development; and 5) engaging the ambivalence in approaches to education at the centre.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Vallabh, Priya
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Early childhood education -- South Africa , Health education -- South Africa , Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Day care centers -- South Africa , Child development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1559 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003441 , Early childhood education -- South Africa , Health education -- South Africa , Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Day care centers -- South Africa , Child development
- Description: This case study considers the relationship between context, school policy and environmental teaching and learning processes at a community-based early childhood development centre in South Africa. The study recognises that educational practices in the early childhood development field are shaped by historical, cultural, economic and political realities at both local and national levels. It is from the understanding that each school is a unique composition of these shaping factors that the research was designed to consider the community-based school participating in this study. By compiling a contextual profile, this study attempts to consider dominant contextual factors affecting the school. Through the critical discourse analysis of a school policy document, this study considers local level policy, and through the literature chapter, national policy. Teacher interviews provide insight into teacher understanding of school policy in response to contextual issues, as well as providing insight into how teachers perceive their translation of policy into teaching practice. Observations of lessons in the centre provided an. opportunity to see how context and policy translated into and influenced environmental teaching and learning processes. This study looks at how environmental education is addressed in the Raglan Road Child Care Centre, and provides insight into how environmental education within the context of the school and in relation to school policy may be strengthened. It comments on the tensions and ambivalences arising from the relationships between context, policy and environmental teaching and learning processes and makes recommendations to address these ambivalences in ways that are contextually relevant. The main recommendations were designed to be practically useful for the school involved in the study and are focused around engaging the ambivalences emerging from this study to open up 'spaces' for deliberating environmental teaching and learning processes and other tensions arising out of the study at an ECD level. Recommendations included: 1) engaging with the strong development focus in school policy and the educational focus in national policy and teacher discourse; 2) deliberating the ways in which school policy and national policy respond to risk; 3) engaging with the ambivalence in the school-parent relationship; 4) the re-alignment of the explicit curriculum and broadening the contextually-based view of whole child development; and 5) engaging the ambivalence in approaches to education at the centre.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005