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South African women in politics: the case study of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: Sokani, Andile https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3835-3501
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Women -- Political activity -- South Africa , Women government executives
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22340 , vital:52026
  • Description: Many barriers exist for women to participating in local or national politics and decisionmaking. This study, which was conducted in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality of South Africa's Eastern Cape Province, examines and highlights the extent to which South Africa has provided opportunities for women to participate in local politics and decisionmaking in local government. According to research, women face gender discrimination in local politics, particularly in provinces such as the Eastern Cape, where patriarchy still exists. Despite the fact that much work has been done in South Africa to combat gender discrimination, including in politics, women continue to be under-represented in local politics and decision-making. The study was founded on Feminist theory to draw attention to the issue of women's under-representation in politics. Feminists believe that the benefits and burdens of social, economic, and political life are gendered. According to feminist theory, the gender-power-order is always present in our society. The notion that women and their situations are central to political analysis is a central feature of feminist political theory, with its interest in questioning the fact that men appear to have more power and privilege than women and how this can be changed. The mixed-methods research approach was used in the study, and 200 members of the community were given questionnaires. Ten in-depth interviews with female Proportional Representation and Ward Councillors from the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province were conducted. The study's data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for quantitative data and NVivo 12 Pro for qualitative data. Based on the study's theoretical frameworks, the findings revealed that, despite national and international policy and legislative provisions on women's empowerment and gender equality, women continue to face institutional gendered challenges. The researcher observed that, while there are policies encouraging women to participate in politics, the implementation of those policies is not uniform, according to those who participated in the study. The findings argued that existing policies should be implemented in order for women to participate in politics. The government must ensure that these policies are implemented so that women can fully participate in politics. The study's findings revealed that there are ongoing gender dynamics, stereotypes, and perceptions of women in politics and decision-making in local municipalities, particularly in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. According to the study's findings, women should be empowered in the right way. The study also recommended that young females be educated about politics in order to increase their participation in politics. Furthermore, the study suggested that political parties in BCM should encourage women to participate in politics in their constitutions. Political parties in BCM should prioritize women because they are a direct pathway for women to elected office and political leadership. Finally, the study advocated for a greater effort to break down traditional stereotypes and prejudices that make women's ascension and retention in positions of authority difficult. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

Succession politics and state administration in Africa: the case of Zimbabwe

  • Authors: Chikerema, Arthur Fidelis
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Africa -- Politics and government , Public administration , state governments
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21355 , vital:48494
  • Description: The research probes the impact of succession politics on state administration in Africa, Zimbabwe as a case study. Power transition in any political landscape promotes the regeneration and configuration of the political architecture and the functionality of the administrative apparatus of the state. Government performance may thus be viewed as a result of political processes and dynamics that influence governance in a polity. Political succession determines the composition of administrative organs of the state and many political leaders wish to work with administrative apparatus, which are compatible with their ideological orientation. Regular transfer of executive power is the major test of stability, legitimacy and maturity of a nation’s political system, but in Zimbabwe, political leaders have shown a consistent trajectory of violating or amending state and party constitutions to prolong their stay in power (Constitutional coup or a third term tragedy). This has been compelled by ruthless silencing of dissent by suffocating political activism culminating in strong personalities and weak institutions. Succession politics in Zimbabwe resembles executive dominance, egocentrism, excessive appointing powers which are compounded by lack of institutional framework for succession. This undermines the professional independence of the bureaucracy, which in turn inhibits the pursuit of sound governance. Therefore, passing the baton to the next leader has been a challenge; resulting in the personalization of, governments and political parties by leaders. While constitutions provide for elective congress for purposes of electing party leadership and/ or renewing their mandates, there is strong literature pointing to the capture of representative institutions such as Parliaments through strong normative values by leaders. This erodes the role of Parliaments or congresses as a democratic institution, as leaders have used it to “endorse” themselves. The research examines the influence of succession politics on state administration, especially on how the institution of the state and party politics in Zimbabwe conflate with the public administration system leading to state malfunction. This research adopts a qualitative research design that provides an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations on political succession and state administration in Zimbabwe. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, complemented by document review and analyzed through thematic content analysis. The study found out that, despite the existence of the legal frameworks that promote seamless power transition, political, societal and historical factors exacerbate Zimbabwe’s succession dilemma. Colonial legacy, societal laxity, the military factor, capture of state institutions by the political elite, lack of a retirement institutional mechanism, the principle of sovereignty and politicization of the succession process were found as the major hindrances to Zimbabwe’s succession trajectory. It recommends broad based and genuine civil service, electoral, security and political (politics with ethics and values) reforms to dismantle the current legacy imbedded in the political system. , Thesis (PhD) (Public Administration) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

Succession politics and state administration in Africa: the case of Zimbabwe.

  • Authors: Chikerema, Arthur Fidelis
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Public administration , State governments
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21467 , vital:48659
  • Description: The research probes the impact of succession politics on state administration in Africa, Zimbabwe as a case study. Power transition in any political landscape promotes the regeneration and configuration of the political architecture and the functionality of the administrative apparatus of the state. Government performance may thus be viewed as a result of political processes and dynamics that influence governance in a polity. Political succession determines the composition of administrative organs of the state and many political leaders wish to work with administrative apparatus, which are compatible with their ideological orientation. Regular transfer of executive power is the major test of stability, legitimacy and maturity of a nation’s political system, but in Zimbabwe, political leaders have shown a consistent trajectory of violating or amending state and party constitutions to prolong their stay in power (Constitutional coup or a third term tragedy). This has been compelled by ruthless silencing of dissent by suffocating political activism culminating in strong personalities and weak institutions. Succession politics in Zimbabwe resembles executive dominance, egocentrism, excessive appointing powers which are compounded by lack of institutional framework for succession. This undermines the professional independence of the bureaucracy, which in turn inhibits the pursuit of sound governance. Therefore, passing the baton to the next leader has been a challenge; resulting in the personalization of, governments and political parties by leaders. While constitutions provide for elective congress for purposes of electing party leadership and/ or renewing their mandates, there is strong literature pointing to the capture of representative institutions such as Parliaments through strong normative values by leaders. This erodes the role of Parliaments or congresses as a democratic institution, as leaders have used it to “endorse” themselves. The research examines the influence of succession politics on state administration, especially on how the institution of the state and party politics in Zimbabwe conflate with the public administration system leading to state malfunction. This research adopts a qualitative research design that provides an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations on political succession and state administration in Zimbabwe. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, complemented by document review and analyzed through thematic content analysis. The study found out that, despite the existence of the legal frameworks that promote seamless power transition, political, societal and historical factors exacerbate Zimbabwe’s succession dilemma. Colonial legacy, societal laxity, the military factor, capture of state institutions by the political elite, lack of a retirement institutional mechanism, the principle of sovereignty and politicization of the succession process were found as the major hindrances to Zimbabwe’s succession trajectory. It recommends broad based and genuine civil service, electoral, security and political (politics with ethics and values) reforms to dismantle the current legacy imbedded in the political system. , Thesis (PhD) (Public Administration) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

The acoustic niche and conservation status of the recently described Hogsback caco, Cacosternum thorini (Amphibia: Pyxicephalidae), Hogsback, Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Kom, Nokuthula
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Amphibians
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20429 , vital:45665
  • Description: Animals may compete for acoustic space (acoustic niche) in the same way they do for habitat space. The most intense competition involves individuals with the most similar resource requirements (i.e. conspecifics), but if competition is interspecific, then mate recognition must occur both within and between species. The coexistence of the bronze caco (Cacosternum nanum) and the Hogsback caco (C. thorini) in the Tor Doone area of Hogsback could be interpreted as a result of past competition, which drove acoustic partitioning by means of the evolution of specific calls that do not overlap in frequency. Frogs are known to coexist well with other frog species because of their highly specific advertisement calls, which differ even between closely related species. One of the main aims of the project was to record and provide a description of the call of the recently described Hogsback caco, C. thorini. I identified 30 calling males and recorded each for 10 min in February 2016, yielding a total of 235 calls. Summary values for the calls include duration of 40 ± 14 ms, with 16 ± 5 pulses produced at a pulse-rate of 46 ± 21 s-1 and a mean dominant frequency of 4.19 ± 0.58 kHz. The call of C. thorini differs from those of all other cacos, by its incremental structure (increased number of pulses within consecutive units). My second goal was to use playbacks to investigate the preferred habitat of C. thorini and to compare it with that of C. nanum. I conducted experiments to measure the propagation of C. thorini and C. nanum calls in three different habitats (C. thorini habitat, C. nanum habitat, and grassland with no water bodies). Finally, I investigated the effect of drought and flood on the pools used by males as calling sites, using a buried basin to which I added water in 10 litre aliquots. The optimal water level for call propagation in the artificial pools was half-full. Using playbacks, I tested whether the two species responded to each other’s calls. I found that, although the two species call at the same time and each call in response to the other’s calls, they do not recognise heterospecific calls; they simply respond to noise. I found no evidence of acoustic competition between the two species, and in fact, the abundant, dominant species, C. nanum, was rare in the C. thorini preferred habitat. The results of this study may assist efforts to conserve endemic amphibians in the Amatola Mountains. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

The Relationship Between Food Sharing and Social Cohesion among Local Farmers: a case study of Ntafufu Location, Port St Johns Municipality.

  • Authors: Mphompo, Aphiwe (https://orcid.org/ 0000-0003-0370-8007)
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Food supply , Social integration , Food relief
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20981 , vital:46876
  • Description: The overall aim of this study was to examine how food sharing at Ntafufu location in Port St Johns (Republic of South Africa), augments social cohesion among local farmers. A mixed-method approach was used for this study. This study used a triangulation research method to measure the correlation between food sharing and social cohesion and to ensure that it is statistically sound, certainly gaining rich data from the study population. Focus groups and questionnaires were used to collect data. The researcher used thematic analysis for qualitative analysis and Statistical Packages for the Social Science (SPSS) for quantitative analysis. The researcher did not include the whole population. The researcher only interviewed selected participants, and these participants were taken from the study population. There were 13 participants for qualitative research and 43 participants for quantitative research totalling 56 participants. The findings revealed that there is a relationship between food sharing and social cohesion. An important finding to emerge in this study is that food sharing alleviates poverty. However, several limitations need to be considered. For instance, witchcraft was mentioned as a challenge for this practice. , Thesis (MSoc) (Anthropology) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

The term structure of interest rate and expected inflation in South Africa

  • Authors: Deve, Richard
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Inflation (Finance) , Rational expectations (Economic theory)| , Inflation (Finance) -- Mathematical models
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20252 , vital:45639
  • Description: One of the questions in the minds of policy-makers, monetary authorities and the government is the nature of South Africa’s yield curve and its ability to predict inflation expectations for this country. This calls for an investigation of the relationship between the term structure of interest rates and expected inflation in South Africa. The study seeks to provide answers to three sequentially structured questions: Is there a long-term relationship between the yield curve and inflation expectations in South Africa? Does interest rate term structure contain information about future inflation movements in an inflation-targeting regime for South Africa? And finally: How useful is the yield spread as a predictor for future inflation in South Africa? To shed light on these questions, monthly data for five core variables covering the period January 2000 to January 2017 was used. In South Africa, a tight monetary policy stance affects economic activity positively. The development of sounder bond markets in developed economies, which enhance economic development, creates predictable monetary policy direction relative to developing economies that are cha-racterised by unstable economic conditions coupled with policy inconsistence. This phenomenon results in less credible central banks, and hence leads to less anchored inflation expectations. However, South Africa has well-anchored inflation expectations and one of the most liquid bond markets in the world, which sets it in an excellent position to compete with developed economies. South Africa’s risk premium and inflation are less volatile than those of other developing countries. This particular study finds that a tight monetary policy stance results in an increase in short-term interest rates, leading consequently to a decline in future inflation expectations, and hence leading to a decrease in long-term interest rates, through which the credibility of the central bank is recognised. The positive marginal effect of the yield spread on inflation expectations suggests that the inflation expectation changes are influenced positively by changes in the yield spread. An observed long-run relationship exists between inflation expectations and the yield spread signals that the yield spread has predictive ability for inflation ex-pectations in South Africa. The forecast inflation mimics realised inflation, which could suggest that the forecast is fairly accurate and valuable in explaining the influence of the inflation targeting regime adopted by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). On the other hand, inflation expectations are viewed as a lagging indicator. In this line of argument, Mishkin (1990b) mentions that past studies have used the yield curve to extract information about future inflation. This is in line with the findings of the SARB (2016). That study (2016) found that the yield spread is useful for predicting expected future yield over 24 quarters in the South African economy. The study found that the yield curve does have a predictive ability with regard to expected inflation, which is moderate. However, it was found that the repo rate and the current levels of inflation had more predictive power than the yield curve. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

Valorization of chicken feather through dekeratinization by keratinolytic Bacillus species to amino acid

  • Authors: Matches, Lupho
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Proteolytic enzymes , Poultry -- Processing
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20451 , vital:45667
  • Description: The poultry meat processing sector generates chicken feathers as by-products, and they are 90percent keratin in composition. Keratin is an insoluble and structural protein that shows recalcitrance to hydrolysis by classical proteolytic enzymes, including trypsin, pepsin, and papain. Keratinases are a group of proteolytic enzymes endowed with keratin degradation into peptides and amino acids. They are recently gaining traction for their multifaceted potential application in the green industrial space. Hence, keratinolytic bacteria previously isolated from dumpsite were identified using 16S rDNA sequencing. The optimal fermentation conditions were determined for enhanced extracellular keratinase production and chicken feather degradation. Also, the amino acid analysis of the chicken feather hydrolysates was carried out. The biochemical properties of the keratinases were also determined. Based on 16S rDNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, the isolates coded as SSN-02 and HSN-03 showed a high percentage of sequence homology with Bacillus spp.; hence, they were identified as Bacillus sp. NFH5 and Bacillus sp. FHNM, respectively. Bacillus sp. NFH5 showed optimal keratinase production of 1149.99 ± 80.99 U/mL after 96 h of incubation time, in optimized fermentation conditions that included pH (4.0), chicken feather (1.5percent, w/v), inoculum size (3percent, v/v) and temperature (30 oC). Similarly, Bacillus sp. FHNM demonstrated the maximum keratinase production of 480 ± 41.14 U/mL 144 h post cultivation, in optimized fermentation conditions with pH (7.0), chicken feather (2.0percent, w/v), inoculum size (3percent, v/v) and temperature (30 oC). For Bacillus sp. NFH5 chicken feather hydrolysate, the amino acids in relatively higher concentration (>1.0g/100g sample) include arginine (1.8), serine (1.16), aspartic acid (1.95), glutamic acid (2.47), proline (1.16) and glycine (1.45). Bacillus sp. FHNM feather hydrolysates, contained (g/100g of sample): arginine (1.9), serine (1.4), aspartic acid (2.5), glutamic acid (2.51), glycine (1.51), proline (1.13), leucine (1.030, histidine (1.25), and lysine (1.06) (g/100g of sample) in high concentration. The keratinases were optimally active at pH 8.0. Bacillus sp. FHNM showed an optimal temperature of 100 oC; while Bacillus sp. NFH5 keratinase displayed optimal activity at 90 oC. EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline inhibited the keratinases, and the inhibition pattern indicated that they belong to metalloprotease. Keratinase from Bacillus sp. FHNM showed considerable residual activity in the presence of Co²⁺ (93percent), Fe³⁺ (99percent), and K⁺ (94percent). Bacillus sp. NFH5 keratinase retained 92percent, 92percent, 93percent of the original activity against Ba²⁺, Na⁺ and Fe³⁺ treatment. Bacillus sp. FHNM keratinase was remarkably stable after 60 min of detergents treatment with residual activity of 89percent, 96percent, 81percent, 73percent, 96percent, 88percent, 88percent and 98percent for Omo, Surf, Ariel, Sunlight, Prowash, Freshwave, Sky, and Evaklin, respectively. Maq impacted the enzyme stability negatively, with residual activity of 48percent after 60 min of incubation. Additionally, keratinase Bacillus sp. NFH5 retained 68percent, 78percent, 80percent, 84percent, 57percent, 80percent, 98percent, 106percent and 106percent of the original activity against Omo, Surf, Ariel, Sunlight, Maq, Prowash, Freshwave, Sky and Evaklin, respectively. Therefore, these results suggest that Bacillus spp. could be ideal candidates for sustainable production of active keratinases and valorization of the abundantly generated keratinous biomass. The stability displayed by keratinases from Bacillus sp. FHNM and Bacillus sp. NFH5 suggests their promising candidacy for detergent formulation. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

Waste keratinous biomass valorization and characterization of keratinases produced by exiguobacteria species

  • Authors: Dlume, Tutuka
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Factory and trade waste -- Biodegradation , Bioremediation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20695 , vital:46438
  • Description: Keratinous wastes are emanating in a million tons, as by-products, from various agro-industrial processing plants. Consequently, they create a serious solid waste problem in the environment due to poor handling. Microbial keratinases are proteolytic enzymes that effectively participate in keratin-rich biomass hydrolyses such as feathers, nail, hair, hooves, and horns. Therefore, proper management of these wastes via recycling into useful products is ecologically imperative. Biodegradation of keratin-rich biomass has been identified as an economical and environmentally friendly way of transforming these recalcitrant agro wastes into useful products, hence the motivation for this study. Feather degrading bacterial strains previously isolated from a municipal dumpsite and coded as SSB-02 and SSB-03 was identified through 16S rDNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The fermentation conditions for keratinase production were optimized. The protein and amino acids constituents of the hydrolyzed chicken feather were analyzed. The biochemical properties of the keratinase produced were determined. Also, the effect of laundry detergents on the stability of the keratinase was studied. The isolates coded as SSB-02 and SSB-03 showed a high percentage of sequence homology with Exguobacterium spp., hence they were identified as Exiguobacterium sp. FBH5 and Exiguobacterium acetylicum FHBD, respectively. Exiguobacterium sp. FBH5 showed the highest extracellular keratinase production of 934.58 ± 27.27 U/mL at 72 h of incubation; in optimized fermentation conditions that included pH (5.0), temperature (30 oC), and chicken feather (0.5percent, w/v). Similarly, E. acetylicum FHBD displayed optimal keratinase production of 1023.64 ± 25.71 U/mL at 120 h of fermentation and improved fermentation conditions that involved pH (3.0), temperature (35 oC) and chicken feathers (0.5-1.5percent; w/v). The amino acid analysis showed that arginine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid were the most abundant amino acids cleaved from the degradation of chicken feathers by Exiguobacterium sp. FBH5 at a respective concentration of 1.16, 1.28 and 1.45 (g/100g sample). Additionally, hydrolysate that emanated from E. indicum FHBD degradation of feather showed high concentrations of arginine, serine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and glycine at the respective concentration (g/100g sample) of 1.2, 1.12, 1.34, 1.58 and 1.29. The keratinases were optimally active at pH and temperature of 8.0 and 50 oC, respectively. EDTA and PMSF did not highly repress keratinolytic proteases' activity, and this inhibitory pattern suggests that they may belong to a mixed protease family. Keratinase from E. acetylicum FHBD was highly stable in the presence of SDS, with 99percent residual activity and displayed variable stability in other chemical agents tested. A similar stability pattern was observed with keratinase from Exiguobacterium sp. FBH5, although the enzyme lost about 40percent of its original activity in the presence of SDS. Evaluation of metal ion stability indicated that E. acetylicum FHBD keratinase was remarkably stable in the presence of Fe3+, Mg2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Ba2+, with residual activity of 94percent, 88percent, 89percent, 90percent, and 97percent, respectively. Similarly, Exiguobacterium sp. FBH5 keratinase was considerably stable after treatment with Co2+, K+, and Zn2+ as it displayed a residual activity of 85percent, 84percent and 93percent, respectively. The study of the keratinases stability in laundry detergents showed that E. acetylicum FHBD keratinolytic proteases was activated in the presence of Omo, Surf, Sunlight, and Pro wash after 60 min of pre-incubation compared to 30 min, with residual activity of 94 ± 2.94percent, 91 ± 2.53percent, 95 ± 2.89percent and 87 ± 2.89percent respectively. Likewise, Exiguobacterium sp. FBH5 keratinase activity was promoted after 60 min of incubation compared to 30 min, with a residual enzyme activity of 79percent, 84percent, 101percent, 103percent and 105percent and 106percent for Ariel, Surf, Prowash, Freewave, Sky and Evaklin, respectively. Therefore Exiguobacterium spp., demonstrated excellent keratinolytic potentials that could be exploited for sustainable development of bio-innovative products. The study keratinases' properties suggest their industrial and biotechnological application potentials, especially as bio-additive in the formulation of laundry detergents. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

Anti-oxidant and cytotoxicity activity against the HCC70 Breast cancer cell line of aqueous and methanolic extracts of two red algae species from the Eastern Cape Coast, South Africa

  • Authors: Basera, Afra Tsitsi
  • Date: 2021
  • Subjects: Drug resistance in cancer cells , Oxidative stress
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22589 , vital:52586
  • Description: Cancer, despite extensive research, remains one of the leading causes of mortality. Research into plant-derived compounds has gained traction, as some are not cytotoxic towards healthy cells and pose fewer side effects. Marine algae produce secondary metabolites, protecting them from oxidative stress, which causes cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the anticancer potential of selected red algae species, collected from Humewood Beach, Gqeberha in South Africa, against HCC70 (human breast adenocarcinoma) cancer cells. Identification of the species was made through DNA barcoding of the rbcL gene. Methanolic and aqueous extracts of Gelidium pristoides and Laurencia natalensis were evaluated for antioxidant activity, phytochemical content, and anticancer potential. The phytochemical composition was determined using the phenol, flavonoid, flavonol, tannin, and proanthocyanidin content assays. Antioxidant potential was evaluated using the Ferric reducing antioxidant potential, Diphenyl-1- Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide, 2, 2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assays. The resazurin assay was used to determine the antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity of the methanolic extracts and solid-phase extraction fractions against the HCC70 breast cancer cells. The red algae species were identified as G. pristoides and L. natalensis. The aqueous extract of G. pristoides exhibited significantly higher phenols (24.0 mg/g GAE), tannins (31.6 mg/g TAE), and flavonols content (20.5 mg/g RE) than its methanolic extract, or the aqueous and methanolic extracts of L. natalensis. Methanolic extracts of G. pristoides and L. natalensis exhibited significantly higher proanthocyanidin contents (19.4 mg/g and 15.7 mg/g CE) than their respective aqueous extracts (13.0 mg/g and 11.8 mg/g CE). Flavonoids, however, were absent in both species. The aqueous and methanol extracts of Laurencia natalensis and Gelidium pristoides exhibited low inhibitory activities (less than 50%) against DPPH, ABTS, and nitric oxide radicals. Both species also showed low ferric reducing power. All the extracts were antiproliferative and cytotoxic against the HCC70 breast cancer cells, with L. natalensis exhibiting more significant inhibitory activity. However, its Solid Phase Extraction fractions did not display antiproliferative potential, unlike fraction 4 of G. pristoides. The study results suggest that both G. pristoides and L. natalensis possess bioactive compounds with potential anticancer activity. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021

Pharmacological investigation of Citrus limon leaf extract and its efficacy as biofungicide against potato rot disease

  • Authors: Ehiobu, John Meomikem
  • Date: 2021
  • Subjects: Potatoes -- Diseases and pests , Potato ring rot , Bacterial wilt of potato
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23666 , vital:58278
  • Description: Potato, the fourth major staple and economic food crop is readily attacked by fungal pathogens. This is of public and economic importance. Interests have shifted from the age-old rot management by synthetic fungicide to botanicals due to the attended negative effects of the former. The bioactive molecules domicile in plants have been found to possess pharmacological properties against diverse pathogens of plants and animals. This study investigated the pharmacological properties of the Citrus limon leaf extracts of using different leaf solvent extracts and the potential utilization of these extracts in managing potato rot diseases. The tubers were purchased from selected supermarkets within Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. A survey study was carried out by using a well-structured designed questionnaire administered to selected supermarkets in three major towns namely; Alice, King Williams Town and Fort Beaufort. The questionnaires were randomly administered to 62 supermarket owners in each of the selected super markets. Rotten potato tubers were randomly collected from these supermarkets. On each occasion, the tubers were packaged in a sterile polythene bag and taken to the laboratory for isolation and identification of the pathogens associated with the disease (rot) using standard mycological techniques. Fresh leaves of Citrus limon were collected from a residential area within the study location, processed and extracted using water, ethanol and acetone solvents before analysing their phytochemical contents, antioxidant properties and antifungal activites against the rotten potato tuber pathogens at graded concentrations of 25g/l, 50g/l and 100g/l. Effects of different temperatures (10-40oC) on the tuber weight loss and mycelia growth were also evaluated. Analysis of the results revealed that the supermarket owners incurred economic loss of 43percentwith annual potato loss incurement of R1501- 2000. The losses occurred more in the warmer summer seasons. About 91percent of the respondents agreed to use any novel botanicals, as alternatives to the increasing artificial fungicides due to their high costs, toxic nature and the environmental hazard effects. Phytochemical results showed that the ethanol extracts yielded the highest total flavonoid quantification of 1052.58±39.44mg GAE/g, followed by phenols (209.72 ± 6.38 GAE/g), alkaloid (12.23percent) and saponin (5.53percent). There was no significant difference in phenol content between the acetone and ethanol; but a significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed for the aqueous extracts of C. limon leaf. The aqueous, acetone and ethanol leaf extracts also showed significantly high antioxidant capacity with the ABTS (67.85percent - 90.85percent), FRAP (128.26 - 182.12 mgRE/g) and DPPH (28.72percent - 33.64percent). The fungal pathogens isolated from rotten potato tubers were identified as Curvularia mebaldsii, Fusarium oxysporum and Penicillium species. The effect of C. limon leaf extracts on the isolates was concentration and extracting solvent dependent. For the aqueous solvent, the mycelial growth of Penicillium species were most inhibited with 95.82 ± 0.11percent, 89.1 ± 0.19percent and 74.81 ± 0.82 percent, followed by F. oxysporum with 76 ± 2.83, 76percent ± 5.95percent and 29.05 ± 3.17percent and Curvularia mebaldsii (68.46 ± 3.0percent, 63.76 ± 2.87 percent and 53.47± 3.64percent) respectively. However, the ethanol and acetone extracts at 100g/l concentrations displayed a 100percent growth inhibition against the three rot fungi. The effects 50g/l ethanol concentration also showed 100percent against both F. oxysporum and C. mebaldsii, but 90.97percent against Penicillium sp. The growth inhibition at 25g/l extract against F. oxysporum were 99percent and 96.52percent for acetone and ethanol extracts respectively, but 96.52percent and 85.57percent against C. mebaldsii and Penicillium sp. respectively. The effects of temperature on the average radial mycelial growth of fungal isolates at 10oC, 20oC, 30oC, and 40oC were 17.53 mm, 28.33 mm, 42.33 mm, and 34.50 mm respectively. The highest percentage weight loss of infected potato was 19.53percent at 30oC, while the lowest was 5.12percent at 10oC. The optimal temperature of maximum activities of the isolates was 30oC and this indicates that healthy potato tubers stored at 30oC will undergo faster fungal deterioration and spoilage than those stored at 10oC. The findings indicated that the ethanol and acetone extracts displayed significantly higher phytochemicals, antioxidant properties and in vitro antifungal activity against the potato rot disease fungal pathogens. Hence, the plant leaf could be considered as a potent bio-fungicides against potato rot disease. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021

The nature of violence in South African universities African universities: The politics of process

  • Authors: Mutongoza, Bonginkosi Hardy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2939-1274
  • Date: 2021
  • Subjects: Education, Higher -- Political aspects , Universities and colleges -- South Africa , Campus violence
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27909 , vital:70816
  • Description: The high levels of violence that plague South Africa’s universities are symptomatic of an education system that is under attack, with institutions of higher learning not reflecting the peacefulness and safety which are oftentimes associated with the pursuit of learning. While violence in societies and educational institutions globally continues to intensify in viciousness and frequency, this is especially worrisome for South Africa, a country regarded as one of the most violent in the world. South African education institutions are admittedly extremely violent, yet there are relatively few mechanisms to enable the verification of trends in violence, or to cross-reference and compare incidents, thus making the reduction of violence problematic. The contention is that the general outlook of violence at educational institutions appears to echo the relentless violence which haunts South African communities in general. Against this background, the current study sought to explore the nature of violence in South African universities. To achieve this, the study was guided by an exploration of student and staff experiences of violence in universities, the causes of violence in such sites, and the recording thereof. Underpinned by a pragmatist paradigm, this study utilised a mixed-methods approach to ‘get under the skin’ of the problem of violence in universities. Within the mixed-methods approach, the study employed a single-phase convergent design, which enabled the researcher to reach comprehensive conclusions on violence in universities, by merging and comparing qualitative and quantitative datasets. In the quantitative phase of the study, a simple random sampling technique was used to select a total of 1 776 students and 250 staff, while 32 students and four staff were conveniently sampled during the qualitative phase. The data for this study were collected using an online survey in the quantitative phase, and semi-structured interviews and document reviews in the qualitative phase. The findings of this investigation revealed that violence happened in six main configurations, namely student-on-student violence, staff-on-student violence, staff-on-staff violence, student-on-staff violence, self-directed violence, and protest-related violence. In addition, the findings revealed diverse causes of violence in universities, chief of which were alcohol and drug abuse, poor security, the abuse of power or authority, impunity, and psychosocial factors, among others. Factors that impeded the recording of violence in universities included the normalisation of violence, a lack of consequences for the perpetrators, a lack of procedural awareness, cronyism and brotherhoods, and a lack of protection from reprisal for reporting perpetrators. The production of violence in South African universities was also found to be significantly shaped by wider structures that included sexuality, gender, age, socioeconomic status, and race and ethnicity. These structures were found to be prominent in increasing the likelihood of violence being perpetrated. Based on the reported findings, the study moved to recommend that, in order to reduce experiences of violence in South African universities, institutions adopt multidimensional approaches to combatting this scourge. The fact that violence was noted to occur in multiple configurations, means multiple viewpoints are required to reduce and ultimately combat it. This calls for a multi-stakeholder approach that transcends a reliance on the traditional university policymakers, and a concerted consultative process to formulate and renew policies that can help to address university violence. The study further recommended that reporting structures be decentralised at universities, in a bid to improve the smoothness of related processes. In this respect, it will be essential for universities to consider setting up anonymous reporting platforms online, to move with the times and ensure more urgent responses, as opposed to a continued reliance on present systems that are replete with red tape. Additionally, universities may consider outsourcing divisions that deal with violence reporting, to minimise conflicts of interest when dealing with such cases. The researcher concluded that violence in universities threatens the very purpose of tertiary education – members of the university community must be able to freely pursue their aspirations in peaceful environments. As such, for as long as campuses experience violence in any of its varied forms, a proverbial dark cloud will forever frustrate the quest for quality and transformative education that has the potential to reverse-engineer inequality, poverty, and underdevelopment in South Africa, as contemplated in various development plans. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021

The perception of police officers towards corruption in South African police services: a case study of Polokwane cluster policing area in Limpopo Province

  • Authors: Rathogwa, Emmah Mufanadzo
  • Date: 2021
  • Subjects: Corruption , Police corruption , Police misconduct
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27314 , vital:66935
  • Description: The 1996 National Crime Prevention Strategy identified corruption within the criminal justice sector as the greatest threat to the governance of security. Police corruption has been a huge obstacle within the South African Police Service’s endeavours to tackle improper activities of police officers. A general definition of corruption is “use of public office for private gain”; this includes bribery and extortion, which involves at least two parties, and other types of malfeasance that a public official can carry out alone, including fraud and embezzlement. The corruption of police officers impinges on the capacity and ability of the entire force in ensuring that all citizens abide by the law. This study explored the perceptions of police officers towards corruption activities in South African Police Services (SAPS) within the Polokwane Cluster (Capricorn District) Policing Area in Limpopo province. In this study, a qualitative research design was used. The researcher used purposive sampling to select participants. For collection of data, semi-structured interviews were used where the researcher interviewed police officers within the Polokwane Cluster Capricorn District Policing Area. The researcher conducted fifty 50 interviews with five police officers from 10 police stations within the Polokwane Cluster Capricorn District Policing Area, namely: Botlokwa, Lebowakgomo, Polokwane,Westernburg, Seshego, Mankweng, Mashashane, Matlala, Mogwadi and Zebediela police stations. In addition, secondary sources were used where the researcher relied on documents from the Independent Police Investigations IPID on statistics on police corruption, among other scales of measurements. For the analysis of data, thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data collected through interviews whilst document analysis was used for analysing data collected from secondary sources. The findings gathered in this study revealed that police corruption is widespread within the Polokwane Cluster Capricorn District Policing Area in Limpopo province due some police officers’ fear of victimisation of their families or loved ones if they expose corrupt acts by other police officers. Furthermore, corruption of the South African Police Services personnel has been reported where potential police recruits are required to pay bribes for them to be placed for the job. Weak leadership within the South African police service and poor policy formulation and implementation have been identified by participants to be some of the main determinants of corruption within the South African Police Services. As a recommendation to counter the adverse effects of police corruption, a number of strategies have been formulated in this study such as the establishment of vibrant anticorruption mechanisms. It is essential for the government to recall passionate former police officials to investigate all the corrupt officials. The South African government should establish a very sophisticated anti-corruption body independent from the SAPS to spearhead the strategy to combat corruption. The recruitment of police personnel should culminate into hiring individuals who would see the police job as a calling and do it passionately. They should firstly target people who choose police related courses are already studying courses in crime investigation from grassroots level. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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Analysing writing competence of learners in selected secondary schools in Zimbabwe

  • Authors: Dube, Precious https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9715-4609
  • Date: 2021-01
  • Subjects: English language -- Composition and exercises , English language -- Rhetoric
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21246 , vital:47436
  • Description: Writing has been identified as one of the most essential skills that learners require for their personal development and academic success because the world has become so text-oriented. However, learning to master writing skills is a problem that learners face in Zimbabwean secondary schools. Subsequently, the purpose of this study was to analyse the writing competence of learners in selected secondary schools in the Midlands province of Zimbabwe. Using some aspects of the product-process approach and the cognitive process theory of writing, the study intended to assess the level of writing competence of learners in selected schools in Zimbabwe. The study followed a qualitative approach and adopted a case study research design. A purposive selected sample for the interviews consisted of 40 learners and 8 teachers. Another set of data were collected through document analysis. Both sets of data were analysed thematically. Findings indicated that the secondary school learners in Zimbabwe had challenges related to contextualising the topic, coherence and cohesion. The results further revealed that the language of instruction had an effect on the writing competence of learners and primary school background influenced competence later in secondary schools. The results also showed that although competent and not-so-competent learners shared some similar writing strategies, most of the strategies they used when writing were different. It was also noted that most secondary school teachers did not teach writing skills and most of their teaching methods were teacher centred and therefore unlikely to promote competence in learners. The researcher recommended professional training courses and workshops for teachers, which would help them to teach learners to become competent in writing and in incorporation of ICT in the learning of English Language in secondary schools. It was further recommended that learners should be trained and encouraged to develop a culture of reading, as this is likely to effectively promote their writing skills. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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Effects of paclobutrazol and plant spacing on growth, yield, and after effect on sprout development in seed potatoes (solanum tuberosum l.)

  • Authors: Jokazi, Khuselo Bernad https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8620-9838
  • Date: 2021-01
  • Subjects: Potatoes , Plant regulators
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21323 , vital:48406
  • Description: Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an herbaceous plant that belongs to the genus Solanum, in the Solanaceae family which is comprised of about 2 800 species (Sahair et al., 2018). Potato domestication can be traced back to the sixteenth century in the South American continent (Hawkes, 1978). The potato crop became a staple food for greater parts of the world towards the end of the seventeenth century. It is not clear when the crop was introduced to the African continent, although the literature indicates that it was grown in some parts of the continent by the late seventeenth century (Hawkes, 1978). Potato is a very bulky crop and is a source of high energy per given area of land (Tsegaw, 2005). Nutritionally, the crop is rich in carbohydrates and provides a considerable amount of protein, with a good balance of amino acids, vitamins (C, B6, and B1, folate), minerals (potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium), and the micronutrients iron and zinc. Potatoes are also a source of high dietary fiber, especially when eaten unpeeled. In addition, potatoes are rich in antioxidants, including polyphenols, vitamin C, carotenoids, and tocopherols (Bradshaw and Ramsay, 2009). Potatoes play a very important role in the global food system. It is South Africa’s most important vegetable crop (DAFF, 2012). Worldwide, it ranks fourth topmost important food crops following wheat, maize, and rice (Esmaielpour et al., 2011; Bradshaw and Ramsay, 2009), followed by barley (Allemann et al., 2003). South Africa is the 27th largest producer in the world and the 3rd largest producer in Africa after Egypt and Malawi (FAOSTAT, 2015). In the year 2014, potatoes were produced in 51 435 hectares of land, which yielded over 2 million tons (DAFF, 2015). This crop is produced in sixteen producing regions throughout South Africa with the Limpopo, Free State, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, and Eastern Cape provinces being the leading regions (DAFF, 2015). Because of the different climatic regions in South Africa, potatoes are planted at different times of the year. As a result, the country enjoys fresh potatoes throughout the year (DAFF, 2014). According to the Potato Industry Research Strategy 2014-17 under Potato South Africa, the past few years have seen a decrease in the area of land under potato production, with an increase in the average yield per area. This yield increment can be accredited to an increase in the production under irrigation system, the use of improved cultivars and seed quality, and the application of research results (PSA, 2014). World potato production indicates that intensive cultivation has led to an increment of potato yields between 1960 and 1999, even though there was a reduction in the area planted with the crop (Fabeiro et al., 2001). However, there is a large gap between potential potato yield and actual yield per hectare. Research undoubtedly holds great potential for narrowing this gap. In order to do so, there is a need to understand the factors limiting potato yield. Temperature, plant spacing, and seed tuber quality are amongst the most significant factors affecting potato growth, yield, and quality. Potatoes are very adaptive; at present, they can be produced in different climatic regions. They are temperate crops, which prefer a cool and humid climate (Haverkort, 1990), but care should be taken to avoid high-stress periods such as temperature extremes. The optimum temperature for haulm growth and net photosynthesis is in the range between 15℃ and 25℃, and 20℃ is the optimum temperature for tuberization. Tuberization is inhibited by temperatures above 29℃, as the photoassimilate partitioning towards the tubers is decreased, leading to an increase in shoot growth (Gawronska et al., 1992). Plant spacing is usually determined by the target market and cultivar. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
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Parenting and moral behaviour: an exploration of young mothers raising children in golf course, Alice, Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Nyatanga, Georgina
  • Date: 2021-01
  • Subjects: Parenting , Child rearing
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22339 , vital:52027
  • Description: Regardless of the efforts that have been put forward to reduce adolescent pregnancies on a global scale, the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy is still on the rise, and this has ultimately led to young motherhood to be a common feature in many societies, South Africa inclusive. A number of factors have contributed towards the parenting capacity of young mothers to nurture their children towards developing warranted behavior to be questioned. Owing to this, this study embarked on a journey to explore how young motherhood influences the development of immoral or unwarranted behavior in children in Golf Course, Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Informed by the theoretical lenses of the Moral Development Theory, Social Learning Theory, and the Systems Theory; the study aimed to answer the following questions: (i) How does young motherhood influence the development of immoral behavior in children? (ii) What are the types of immoral behaviors that children raised by young mothers are involved in? (iii) What are the possible strategies that can be implemented to curb the prevalence of immoral behavior in children raised by young mothers? The study adopted a qualitative research approach with a case study research design. Data was collected through in depths interviews from the young mothers and key informants. A semi structured interview schedule was used as a data collection instrument. Non-probability sampling technique was used, and the sample of the study was obtained through purposive sampling. Twenty-five participants (twenty young mothers and five key informants) were recruited to participate in the study using the fore mentioned technique. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected data. The study revealed the following aspects: young mothers are confronted with a number of challenges which affect their parenting capacity and nurturing of their children; a majority of children raised by young mothers in Golf Course exhibit a number of unwarranted behavior which is influenced by their family situation and the nature of parenting they receive; lastly training in parenting, availability of child protection services and development of support group services for young mothers were identified as the strategies that can be employed to reduce the development of unwarranted behavior in children raised by young mothers. Based on the findings, the study recommends that government entities together with non-governmental social service providers provide the financial, social support and mental support to young mothers to empower and capacitate them so that they can be able to adopt positive parenting skills which are necessary towards nurturing warranted behavior in children. The study also recommends that young mothers must be conscious of their lifestyle and life choices as these have a direct impact on the behavior of their children. The study concludes that if the conditions of children raised by young mothers are to be enhanced, the prevalence of immoral or unwarranted behavior amongst children raised by young mothers will drop drastically. , Thesis (MSW) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-01

Scholarly utilization of Liberation Archives at the University of Fort Hare, with a view to their transformative, emancipatory purpose

  • Authors: Booi, Vuyani Gweki
  • Date: 2021-01
  • Subjects: Archives , Documentation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21157 , vital:47185
  • Description: The aim of the study is to assess the scholarly utilization of the liberation struggle archives in South Africa, and to determine their transformative and emancipatory purpose; focusing particularly on the archives at the University of Fort Hare, the historic alma mater of many liberation leaders. The objectives of this study are: to determine the purpose of the of deposit of documents in the archives, to investigate the ease of accessto the documents and their utilization, as well as to establish standards of assessment and to make recommendations for a more efficacious use of these valuable assets The nature of this study is interdisciplinary andcalls for the use of qualitative methodologies, including archival research and historic research. The primary sources for this research include administrative files, minutes, memos, reports, correspondence, newspaper articles, speeches, and audio-visual sources at the National Heritage and Cultural Studies Centre (NAHECS), at the University of Fort Hare. The analysis of organizational texts, citations and content analyses arethe tools that the researcher used. The study looks at the historiography of archives in general, with a focus on contested historical processes, and crossed purposes in theestablishment of political archives. The thesis draws on theoriesof the role of “liberation archives” in societies in transition to analyze the South African liberation archive as an alternative subtext, presenting distinct signposts of transformation of the national archival landscape. Key to the analysis and historiography of the South African liberation archives project is the role that the University of Fort Hare played, in cooperation with the liberation movements, including the African National Congress, the Pan African Congress, the Azanian People’s Organization /Black Consciousness Movement and the New Unity Movement, as well as the contribution made by individual prominent leaders of these organizations, in ensuring the liberation archives are housed at University of Fort Hare. The study provides an overview of the context in which the liberation archives were deposited at Fort HareUniversityand it identifies the objectives and expectations of the organizations in making this decision, including internal contestations and controversies that surrounded the Fort Hare Archives Project. The study discloses critical contestations over the project, evident in, (i.) the African National Congress (ANC) Archives dispute and its implications for the Liberation Archives at the University of Fort Hare (UFH), (ii). UFH`s attempts to resolve the dispute, (iii). the transfer of archives from the Center for Cultural Studies to the Fort Hare Library, the Commission of enquiry, or Task Team instigated to consider the significance of the dispute and controversy, key objectives, and key expectations for the liberation archives organizations and of the role of theUFH, for the transformative, emancipatory role of the archives. All these considerations bear crucial implications for the conclusion and recommendations of the study.The researcher argues that the historic speeches of Mr. Tambo and Mr. Mandela at UFHhad a significant impact on the considerations of the liberation organizations and their leaders regarding the placing of the archives atUFH, and it persuaded these organizations to see value and significance in choosing the university as the historic site where their liberation archives and materials ought to be housed. Despite good intentions regarding the value of these archives for decolonization of knowledge, there has been no systematic effort to encourage the integration of archival material into the curricula, learning materials, teaching, research or community engagement programs, where these documents are stored, in the rural Eastern Cape. There has been no internally driven strategy at Fort Hare to attract university academics and researchers to do in-depth research on the liberation archives. There are few incentives to encourage postgraduate students to undertake research on themes covered by the liberation archives. Because ofa lack of financial and material resources, personnel and instruments, there are few community engagement and outreach programs. The researcher recommends, on this basis, that the University of Fort Hare promote systematic research on the liberation archives, establish a research chair in liberation history studies; and that liberation archives be used as a vehicle to develop an emancipatory curriculum, where liberation archives are repositioned, especially in the Humanities and Social Sciences. UFH should also revive oral history on the liberation struggle as part of research that should transform scholarship. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, 2021
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Sedimentology, petrography and geochemistry of the Kuruman Banded Iron Formation in the Prieska area, Northern Cape Province of South Africa

  • Authors: Mbongonya, Mainly Abongile https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2241-8558
  • Date: 2021-01
  • Subjects: Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa , Sedimentology
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21345 , vital:48492
  • Description: The sedimentary sequences hosted by the Griqualand West Basin within the Transvaal Supergroup, Northern Cape Province of South Africa, contain several iron and manganese ore deposits. Many studies have been conducted in the Griqualand West basin, particularly within the northern Ghaap plateau compartment where most iron and manganese mines are located, with less attention to the southern Prieska Compartment. Thus, the current study is targeted at the Kuruman Formation in the Prieska area to investigate the geological occurrence, including sedimentology, geochemistry, origin, and post-depositional alteration of the banded iron formation (BIF). Four stratigraphic sections were measured, and the fifth section was only mapped for lithology and sedimentary facies. These sections constitute portions of the stratigraphic sequence of the Transvaal Supergroup that occurs within the study area. The stratigraphic sequence of the area comprises nine successional cycles with five upward fining cycles and four upward-coarsening cycles. These cycles reflect fluctuation of the sea level and shallowing- and filling-up processes of the final basin. Four mineral paragenetic groups constituting primary minerals, diagenetic minerals, low-grade minerals, and weathering mineral assemblages were encountered in the area. The primary mineral assemblage includes magnetite, hematite, siderite, chert, quartz, and smectite. The diagenetic assemblage minerals in the area are martite, quartz (cement), illite, calcite, ankerite, and stilpnomelane. Low-grade assemblage minerals are riebeckite, crocidolite, and minnesotaite, whereas goethite, limonite, calcite (calcrete), quartz (silcrete), and clay minerals are the supergene (weathering) assemblage minerals. These mineral assemblages were confirmed by microscope petrography, XRD, SEM-EDX, and diagenesis studies. Eight sedimentary facies including Horizontal-laminated BIF facies (Hlb), Horizontal thin to medium bedded BIF facies (Hbb), Ripple laminated BIF facies (Rlb), Thin to medium bedded mudstone facies (Mbm), Medium to thick-bedded mudstone facies (Tbm), Medium to thick-bedded fine-sandstone facies (Mts), Laminated dolomite stromatolite facies (Ld), and Dome-shaped stromatolitic BIF facies (Dbif) were identified in the field. Five facies associations including Facies association 1 (Hlb + Hbb), Facies association 2 (Hlb + Hbb + Mbm + Tbm), Facies association 3 (Hlb + Hbb + Mbm + Tbm + Rlb), Facies association 4 (Mbm + Tbm + Mts), and Facies association 5 (Ld + Dbif + Mts) have been recognised. Mineralogy, petrography, and geochemical studies indicate that the studied samples have all been subjected to recent weathering that altered the primary mineralogy and the geochemical composition. Mineral assemblages of the Kuruman BIF within the Prieska area are dominated by quartz, which constitutes about 53 wt.percent, followed by the iron oxides averaging about 44 wt.percent. Other minerals such as carbonates and silicates are only occurring in concentrations of less than 3 wt. percent combined. The Prieska BIF is enriched in cobalt, tungsten, molybdenum, barium (Ba), and nickel compared to the BIF in the northern parts of the Griqualand West basin and other localities. Post-depositional mineral alteration studies show that most of the primary minerals had suffered various degrees of alteration. The bulk of quartz, silicate, and iron oxide minerals in the area have been recrystallized, partially replaced, dissolved, or leached out. Multiple formation processes were involved in the origin of the banded iron formation: (1). Deposition of iron-rich mud material in the deep ocean floor and formation of a mixture of iron-rich mud (felutite) on the seafloor; (2). Differentiation of felutite and formation of disseminated iron-oxide from mud; (3). Cohesion and diagenesis of disseminated iron-oxide and formation of iron-rich (magnetite/hematite) and silica-rich (chert/quartz) patches, lenses (pod), microbands, and laminations; (4). Consolidation and compaction, leading to the formation of the final banded iron formation (BIF). , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
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Socio-cultural factors influencing the interpretation of public health communication of HIV/AIDS messages in selected villages in Lesotho

  • Authors: Moqasa, Nketsi Abel
  • Date: 2021-01
  • Subjects: Mass media in health education , Communication in medicine
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21235 , vital:47431
  • Description: HIV/AIDS remain a major public health concern in Lesotho. The spread of the virus has increased exponentially in recent years despite concerted efforts by government to combat the pandemic through public health communication. Both the literature in health and cultural communication attributes the failure of public health messages on HIV/AIDS to resonate with the target audience to several socio-cultural factors including norms, religion and poverty. Using a qualitative research approach within the theoretical framework of the Culturally Sensitive Model of Communicating Health messages, this study investigated the socio-cultural factors influencing the interpretation of public health communication of HIV/AIDS messages in selected villages in Lesotho. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions involving participants from four villages namely, Ha-Makebe, Ha-Fusi, Ha-Foso and Maqhaka. Findings of the study revealed that various cultural factors including multiple sex partners, inconsistent use of condoms and lack of education contribute to the pervasiveness of HIV/AIDS in Lesotho. The influence of these socio-cultural factors on the understanding of public health communication varies among individuals. The results suggest that some certain socio-cultural factors prevalent in several Lesotho communities encourage people to practise unhealthy lifestyle that increases the chances of contracting HIV/AIDS. Although participants admitted that they were aware of HIV/AIDS messages, they were unanimous that they did not receive the messages as they were intended or expected suggesting that their understanding or interpretation of the messages was moderated by cultural factors. The comments provided by participants attest to the importance of culture in the acceptance and understanding of PHC messages by the target audience. The findings indicate that language and culture exert both positive and negative effects on the reception and acceptance of HIV/AIDS messages. It was also noted by chiefs that the factors aforementioned are not strongly emphasised in the public health communication campaigns aimed at eradication of HIV/AIDS in Lesotho hence, communities are severely impacted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Health workers on the other hand, confirmed that messages conveyed to communities are culturally sensitive because they consider the culture of the target audience which is Basotho.This study, therefore, recommends that public health communicators should also encourage other stakeholders who are working hard to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS to consider the implementation of socio-cultural factors when designing HIV/AIDS prevention strategies as this will allow the target audience to accept and interpret HIV/AIDS messages positively. Based on the data analysed, it was identified that there are no policies that link HIV/AIDS message design to the local culture which results in a lack of acceptance of PHC messages related to this pandemic. As noted by some participants, most HIV/AIDS messages reflect perspectives of western culture where unlike Lesotho society, some issues like language, age, poverty are not considered. Therefore, HIV/AIDS messages that reflect the culture of the target audience must be taken into consideration during the design and implementation of cultural policies and interventions. It further recommends that clear policies that deal with HIV/AIDS campaigns and culture in Lesotho be formulated. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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Strategies employed by teachers to assist Grade 4 learners transition from mother tongue instruction to English as a medium of instruction

  • Authors: Butler, Cynthia Desiree
  • Date: 2021-01
  • Subjects: English language -- Grammar -- Study and teaching , English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20035 , vital:45029
  • Description: In most South African schools, there is a transition period, where lower primary learners receive instruction in their mother tongue from grades 1-3 and from grade 4 onwards, English becomes the medium of instruction. This study explored how learners in primary schools in Grade 4 learn through the medium of English, since IsiXhosa is their home language and they come from a community of pre-dominantly IsiXhosa speakers where English is seldom heard or spoken. The study is concerned with the language and literacy practices at this crucial transition, and investigated to what extent learners in the Grade 4 have learnt / been taught / have developed sufficient basic inter-personal communication skills, BICS, (Cummins, 2000), in isiXhosa to make the switch to learning all subjects in English. The theoretical frameworks adopted for this study was Cummins Language theories. Within this study an interpretive paradigm aligned with the qualitative approach and the case study design for understanding the phenomena, were adopted. The study covered three primary schools which were purposively selected. The participants comprised of six female teachers teaching Life Skills in Grade 4 from five mainstream schools were also purposively selected. Semi structured interviews, observation and document analyses were used as data collection instruments. A qualitative thematic approach was used for data analyses and the emerging results were organised into different themes reflecting participant’s responses. The findings revealed that teachers did not use lesson plans as they have indicated. Even though literature emphasises the importance of lesson planning, teachers find it tedious to plan. It was established that no assessment tasks were done when the lesson was concluded. Effective teaching without valid and reliable assessment tasks would result in meaningless teaching and learning interactions. It was revealed that teachers used teaching aids, but only a few. The information demonstrated that teachers did not code switch to assist with learner understanding. Instead, they presented their lessons in English which hampered learning. The study discovered that teachers used the old traditional style of teaching, instead of learner-centred instruction, which is interactive and participatory. The study exposed that the biggest challenges learners encountered, was the language of teaching and learning, English. However, the findings established that learners where unable to understand and express themselves in English. English lessons had minimal learner participation, because learners did not have the necessary competence and English was not their home language. The study further revealed that the English language leads to a barrier of effective learning and placed learners at a disadvantage. The findings further suggested that a lack of resources had an impact on teaching and learning which affected learners’ acquisition and understanding of the medium of instruction. The findings claimed that slow and progressed learners exist in classrooms and need individualised and specialised teaching. It was found that parental involvement, translation, learner participation, group work and teaching aids assisted with the challenges teachers encounter during transitioning in the subject Life Skills. It is recommended that the school develop a structured programme to provide support and assistance for teachers with lesson planning. Assessment task should be included in each lesson and should be viewed as an essential part of teaching and learning. Teachers should make use of multiple and a variety of teaching aids. Code switching and translation should be used, as it assists with understanding, accuracy and clarity. An appropriate mix of teaching styles should be used, to reach all leaners in a classroom. Teachers can improve learners English, by incorporating learners’ home language, code-switching and teaching aids in class. Slow and progressed learners could be assisted by using a variety of teaching materials, individual attention, remedial education, peer tutoring, differentiated teaching and curriculum adaptation. A structured learning support programme providing learning support for learners with barriers to learning, can be utilised. It is recommended that parents be involved in their children’s learning. The schools should set up effective monitoring and support mechanism for teachers in order to ensure that quality teaching and learning takes place in schools. Regular monitoring and evaluation by the DoE might assist to support teachers. A suggested framework of strategies in Life Skills, based on the findings of the study and extensive literature review, should contribute and assist with transitioning in Grade 4 in schools. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Education, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-01

The effects of Zimbabwe’s economic crises on child welfare: a case of Chitungwiza Town

  • Authors: Midzi, Tendai
  • Date: 2021-01
  • Subjects: Child welfare -- Economic aspects , Crisis management -- Economic aspects
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22401 , vital:52045
  • Description: This study examined the effects of Zimbabwe’s economic crisis on the welfare of children (analysed in terms of two indicators of health and education) in Chitungwiza. The study endeavoured to achieve the following specific objectives: (i).to assess the effect of Zimbabwe’s economic crisis on the welfare of children in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe. (ii). to examine child support strategies that are implemented to sustain children during economic crisis in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe. The economic exigencies and shocks spawned by economic crisis on the weak welfare systems of the developing world countries drastically undermine the wellbeing of children. Therefore, this study focused on analysing the economic crises-spawned form and scale of child vulnerabilities at the household and national level because these units provide primary child care in Zimbabwe. This study was underpinned by two frameworks namely, the Social Risk Management Approach (SRMA) and the Transformative Social Protection Framework (T.S.P). The study used a mixed methods or triangulation approach, through use of primary data (quantitative and qualitative data) and secondary data (archival data) as the basis for data collection as well as the analysis. This was guided by a mixed research design specifically a case study and a mini survey. Complementarity of the research methods was achieved through the use of data from household surveys with 100 heads of households (selected through a combination cluster and random sampling) in Chitungwiza Town and in-depth interviews with 1 official from each of the following units; Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Ministry of Public Service Labor, and Social Welfare, Ministry of Health and Child care, UNICEF, the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) and Child Line Zimbabwe (selected through a purposive sampling technique). Data was analyzed qualitatively through thematic analysis, while descriptive statistics was used to analyze quantitative data through the use of SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Version 25) and Microsoft Excel 2007. The study revealed that there are so many child vulnerabilities entrenched by the country’s chronic economic crisis that include poor education and health outcomes, drug abuse and juvenile delinquency, early pregnancies and child marriages, child labour and exploitation among others. Social safety nets in place such as BEAM, AMTO and HSCT are to some extent helping vulnerable children but currently these are not covering a significant percentage of children from poor households due to budget, capacity and fund appropriation challenges at the behest of the country’s economic crisis. Household child support strategies such as smallholder agriculture and gardening, informal trading and jobs are to some extent helping in promoting child wellbeing but their potential is undercut by challenges relating to inter alia the hyperinflationary economic environment, regulation and suppressed markets. The study inter alia recommends the institution of transparency and accountability as provided in the 2013 constitution to curb leakages and misallocation of the few resources, the reinstatement of the multicurrency monetary system in order to stabilise the country’s hyperinflationary environment, a transformation of the delivery of social safety nets in terms of targeting and coverage of the poor households, more effective budgeting and resource allocation system, supporting the informal sector and enhanced integration of social work practise in government social protection programs. , Thesis (MSW) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-01
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