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Land reform and livelihood among subsistence farmers in Great Kei local municipality, South Africa
- Authors: Bani, Tida Witness
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Land reform Subsistence farming Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12870 , vital:39386
- Description: Land reform, as enshrined in the constitution of the Republic of South Africa, aims to foster conditions which enable citizens to gain access to land on equitable basis. Section 25(6) of the constitution states that ‘a person or community whose tenure of land is legally insecure as a result of past racially discriminatory laws or practice is entitled, to the extent provided by an Act of Parliament, either to tenure, which is legally secure, or comparable redress. In addition, section 25(7) states that a person or community dispossessed of property after 19 June 1913 as a result of past racially discriminatory laws or practices is entitled to the extent provided by an Act of Parliament, either to restitution of that property or to equitable redress. Within this context, this study assessed the impact of land reform on the livelihoods of subsistence farmers in Great Kei Local Municipality. The study adopted a qualitative approach in order to get an in-depth understanding of the farming activities of land reform beneficiaries, the contribution of farming activities to agro-based sustainable livelihoods and the general challenges faced by subsistence farmers. The sample comprised of thirty (30) farmers, two focus group discussions which comprised of six (6) farmers each and five key informants from the Department of Rural development and Agrarian Reform, a councillor and a community leader from the local municipality. The study found that most farmers who were allocated land were from different disadvantaged backgrounds. Many of the farmers came from farming backgrounds hence they had the requisite skills and knowledge. Those with relatively limited knowledge and skills were technically supported and subsequently improved their production and livelihoods. Those farmers that were trained in various farming aspects did well as they improved production. However, it was found that those farmers that did not receive training and adequate support yielded negative results in both crop and animal production. Drought has been another major contributor in the decline of the production. It was also found that the post settlement grants, such as Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme and Recapitalization and Agricultural Development, are not enough and regular for infrastructural development on the farms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Bani, Tida Witness
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Land reform Subsistence farming Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12870 , vital:39386
- Description: Land reform, as enshrined in the constitution of the Republic of South Africa, aims to foster conditions which enable citizens to gain access to land on equitable basis. Section 25(6) of the constitution states that ‘a person or community whose tenure of land is legally insecure as a result of past racially discriminatory laws or practice is entitled, to the extent provided by an Act of Parliament, either to tenure, which is legally secure, or comparable redress. In addition, section 25(7) states that a person or community dispossessed of property after 19 June 1913 as a result of past racially discriminatory laws or practices is entitled to the extent provided by an Act of Parliament, either to restitution of that property or to equitable redress. Within this context, this study assessed the impact of land reform on the livelihoods of subsistence farmers in Great Kei Local Municipality. The study adopted a qualitative approach in order to get an in-depth understanding of the farming activities of land reform beneficiaries, the contribution of farming activities to agro-based sustainable livelihoods and the general challenges faced by subsistence farmers. The sample comprised of thirty (30) farmers, two focus group discussions which comprised of six (6) farmers each and five key informants from the Department of Rural development and Agrarian Reform, a councillor and a community leader from the local municipality. The study found that most farmers who were allocated land were from different disadvantaged backgrounds. Many of the farmers came from farming backgrounds hence they had the requisite skills and knowledge. Those with relatively limited knowledge and skills were technically supported and subsequently improved their production and livelihoods. Those farmers that were trained in various farming aspects did well as they improved production. However, it was found that those farmers that did not receive training and adequate support yielded negative results in both crop and animal production. Drought has been another major contributor in the decline of the production. It was also found that the post settlement grants, such as Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme and Recapitalization and Agricultural Development, are not enough and regular for infrastructural development on the farms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The role of psychosocial recuperative therapy in enhancing construction performance on projects
- Authors: Obiozo, Rita Ngozi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Building -- Psychological aspects , Construction industry -- Accidents Building -- Economic aspects Feng shui
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23080 , vital:30414
- Description: Research findings indicate that recent improvements in construction management initiatives have not substantially reduced the incidence of fatal occurrences and accidents in construction due to negligence and error. Some of the traumatic and causative factors include the dissipation of vital energy, health, safety, and wellbeing in the construction workforce due to the lack of contact with nature on construction sites, combined with the exhaustive nature of the work, and multiple stress factors in construction. The resultant effect is visible in the form of increased rework, disputes, and socio-psycho-traumatic factors that result in a reduction in profit margins due to the daily repetition of health and safety (H&S) hazards and quality errors. To address these issues there is a need for the exploration of the inherent potential to achieve exceptional environmental credentials on construction worksites attributable to the biophilic design concept of the intelligent construction workplace. This would involve the introduction of a biophilic construction site model (BCSM) that has the potential of establishing the continuous flow of natural energy that would replenish the vital life force and impact on the improvement of the performance of the construction workforce and management throughout the life cycle of the construction process. The objective of the initiative involves the introduction of dynamic harmonious energy in consonance with the theory of biophilia and feng shui principles of wellness interventions, which would introduce and enhance the flow of natural energy relative to the greening of construction sites in aid of H&S, wellbeing and human factors for ergonomics in construction. The methodology adopted, involved a survey of the related literature, and the triangulation and longitudinal assessment of multiple case studies of viable construction sites in progress. The applied technique included a greening construction site survey, interviews, observations, photo elicitation, questionnaire surveys, and a focus group study conducted with the construction workforce during the construction process. Findings indicate a potential increase in the level of sustainable behaviour in construction that impacts on the enhanced concentration and level of focus of the workforce, as well as a reduction in H&S and quality errors that militate against consistent improvement of the construction process. These efforts add value and novelty to the construction management body of knowledge (CMBOK) with regards to the green building construction and sustainable sites initiative. Research findings established the ‘greening of the construction site / biophilic construction site model (BCSM)’ as a cost-effective strategy towards the healing of the ‘sick construction site syndrome’ and the psychosocial recuperative and rejunative therapy for the workforce in construction for productive performance. It is significant and notable that the empirical findings relative to the BCSM strategy were found to substantiate effectively as the missing link in the establishment and reconstitution of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which according to research findings, is currently conceptual. The recommendations include the suggestions for the ‘informal dynamic rock garden design’ as suitable for the BCSM with the inclusion of ‘plants as a primary indicator’ in construction site premises, site offices, material sheds, welfare facilities including ‘lunch break retreats and outdoor shelters’. The recommendation of the BCSM strategy for the construction site is aimed towards the onset of construction as opposed to the conclusion of works / external works at the end of the project as is currently practiced. For effective application, the empirical findings relative to the study recommend that the procurement of the BCSM as a ‘silent and indispensable team mate’ should commence from the conceptual design, pre-bid / tender stages, to the fiscal planning and setting out of worksites, as well as its inclusion in the ‘curriculum of studies’ for the instruction of emerging construction management practitioners. In furtherance of the CMBOK and the enhancement of the BCSM strategy and the ‘humanistic value of the intelligent construction worksite’, the study recommends that the concept of ‘frozen music’ be addressed in future research relative to the ‘biophilic design concept’ to determine its role in enhancing cost effective performance, H&S, ergonomics, and the health and wellbeing of workers in construction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Obiozo, Rita Ngozi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Building -- Psychological aspects , Construction industry -- Accidents Building -- Economic aspects Feng shui
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23080 , vital:30414
- Description: Research findings indicate that recent improvements in construction management initiatives have not substantially reduced the incidence of fatal occurrences and accidents in construction due to negligence and error. Some of the traumatic and causative factors include the dissipation of vital energy, health, safety, and wellbeing in the construction workforce due to the lack of contact with nature on construction sites, combined with the exhaustive nature of the work, and multiple stress factors in construction. The resultant effect is visible in the form of increased rework, disputes, and socio-psycho-traumatic factors that result in a reduction in profit margins due to the daily repetition of health and safety (H&S) hazards and quality errors. To address these issues there is a need for the exploration of the inherent potential to achieve exceptional environmental credentials on construction worksites attributable to the biophilic design concept of the intelligent construction workplace. This would involve the introduction of a biophilic construction site model (BCSM) that has the potential of establishing the continuous flow of natural energy that would replenish the vital life force and impact on the improvement of the performance of the construction workforce and management throughout the life cycle of the construction process. The objective of the initiative involves the introduction of dynamic harmonious energy in consonance with the theory of biophilia and feng shui principles of wellness interventions, which would introduce and enhance the flow of natural energy relative to the greening of construction sites in aid of H&S, wellbeing and human factors for ergonomics in construction. The methodology adopted, involved a survey of the related literature, and the triangulation and longitudinal assessment of multiple case studies of viable construction sites in progress. The applied technique included a greening construction site survey, interviews, observations, photo elicitation, questionnaire surveys, and a focus group study conducted with the construction workforce during the construction process. Findings indicate a potential increase in the level of sustainable behaviour in construction that impacts on the enhanced concentration and level of focus of the workforce, as well as a reduction in H&S and quality errors that militate against consistent improvement of the construction process. These efforts add value and novelty to the construction management body of knowledge (CMBOK) with regards to the green building construction and sustainable sites initiative. Research findings established the ‘greening of the construction site / biophilic construction site model (BCSM)’ as a cost-effective strategy towards the healing of the ‘sick construction site syndrome’ and the psychosocial recuperative and rejunative therapy for the workforce in construction for productive performance. It is significant and notable that the empirical findings relative to the BCSM strategy were found to substantiate effectively as the missing link in the establishment and reconstitution of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which according to research findings, is currently conceptual. The recommendations include the suggestions for the ‘informal dynamic rock garden design’ as suitable for the BCSM with the inclusion of ‘plants as a primary indicator’ in construction site premises, site offices, material sheds, welfare facilities including ‘lunch break retreats and outdoor shelters’. The recommendation of the BCSM strategy for the construction site is aimed towards the onset of construction as opposed to the conclusion of works / external works at the end of the project as is currently practiced. For effective application, the empirical findings relative to the study recommend that the procurement of the BCSM as a ‘silent and indispensable team mate’ should commence from the conceptual design, pre-bid / tender stages, to the fiscal planning and setting out of worksites, as well as its inclusion in the ‘curriculum of studies’ for the instruction of emerging construction management practitioners. In furtherance of the CMBOK and the enhancement of the BCSM strategy and the ‘humanistic value of the intelligent construction worksite’, the study recommends that the concept of ‘frozen music’ be addressed in future research relative to the ‘biophilic design concept’ to determine its role in enhancing cost effective performance, H&S, ergonomics, and the health and wellbeing of workers in construction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Predicting reintroduction outcomes: assessing the feasibility of reintroducing African wild dog to a small protected area
- Authors: Vogel, John Thomas
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: African wild dog , Wild dogs -- South Africa Wild dogs -- Conservation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36464 , vital:33947
- Description: Large mammalian carnivores have experienced significant contractions in population sizes and geographical ranges. The conservation of large carnivores is crucially important, particularly due to their vulnerability to extinction and their functional significance and ability to structure ecosystems. Due to an expanding human footprint, large carnivores are increasingly subject to modified and spatially constrained habitats. A growing debate exists as to how to conserve and coexist with large carnivores in an anthropogenically induced environment. Reintroduction, as a conservation tool to restore locally extirpated large carnivores to portions of their former ranges is increasingly being applied. However, in South Africa, habitat to support large carnivores remain small and non-contiguous. Food is a fundamental ecological requirement to sustain reintroduced large carnivores. Therefore, an understanding of large predator foraging patterns can be informative in the context of how the predator species influences and utilises a novel ecosystem. We investigated the foraging behaviour of reintroduced African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) at five small protected areas in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Wild dog utilised 16 prey species, albeit they primarily used nyala (Tragelaphus angasii) and impala (Aepyceros melampus) which collectively form 75 % of their diet. Only nyala was significantly preferred, suggesting that this prey species is used in greater proportion to their abundance. As wild dogs are social cooperative hunters, we tested whether wild dog pack size was correlated to prey mass selection. There was no evidence to suggest that larger packs use larger prey. However, the mean wild dog pack size in our sample sites, was relatively smaller than those encountered elsewhere. Furthermore, wild dog have been shown to modify their hunting behaviour in the presence of wildlife-proof fencing, by using fences to aid in the capture of larger prey species than would innately occur. We compared the prey mass of wild dog kills in relation to proximity of these hard boundaries. Despite the affinity towards kills occurring within 200 m of fences, the upward bias caused by fences on prey mass selection was inconsistent across sample sites. The relatively small size of wild dogs makes them particularly vulnerable to competition. As the energetic output of wild dog is high, interspecific competition can increase foraging costs. The reintroduction of large carnivores to small artificially induced systems may be a contentious issue as resources available to support large carnivores are expected to be relatively more finite. We compared both the potential inter- and intraspecific dietary niche dimensions of an intact large carnivore guild in context of a wild dog reintroduction. We determined cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), leopard (Panthera pardus), and lion (Panthera leo) prey composition, diet breadth, overlap, prey preference and predicted the density of an intact large carnivore guild in a novel landscape. Further, we compared the foraging behaviour of these large carnivores to that of wild dog. Our findings suggest that large African carnivores in small protected areas are subject to a considerable dietary niche overlap. Wild dog and cheetah, particularly reproductive females with dependent offspring, displayed the greatest potential for dietary overlap and subsequent competition. Leopard and lion at the population species level exhibited greater degrees of foraging plasticity. Lion displayed a contrasting prey species preference to sympatric predators as they selected for prey items frequently avoided by cheetah, leopard and wild dog. The proposed wild dog reintroduction site is expected to sustain seven wild dog based on the availability of preferred prey biomass. However, the reintroduction of wild dog to the small protected area is expected to have negative lateral trophic influences on other species of conservation concern. This should be of vital importance to management of the protected area. As the influence of competition in food-web and population dynamics, particularly in resource poor environments may be profound, our research highlights the need to assess the influence of competitive forces in structuring and restoring large predators to portions of their historical range.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Vogel, John Thomas
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: African wild dog , Wild dogs -- South Africa Wild dogs -- Conservation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36464 , vital:33947
- Description: Large mammalian carnivores have experienced significant contractions in population sizes and geographical ranges. The conservation of large carnivores is crucially important, particularly due to their vulnerability to extinction and their functional significance and ability to structure ecosystems. Due to an expanding human footprint, large carnivores are increasingly subject to modified and spatially constrained habitats. A growing debate exists as to how to conserve and coexist with large carnivores in an anthropogenically induced environment. Reintroduction, as a conservation tool to restore locally extirpated large carnivores to portions of their former ranges is increasingly being applied. However, in South Africa, habitat to support large carnivores remain small and non-contiguous. Food is a fundamental ecological requirement to sustain reintroduced large carnivores. Therefore, an understanding of large predator foraging patterns can be informative in the context of how the predator species influences and utilises a novel ecosystem. We investigated the foraging behaviour of reintroduced African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) at five small protected areas in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Wild dog utilised 16 prey species, albeit they primarily used nyala (Tragelaphus angasii) and impala (Aepyceros melampus) which collectively form 75 % of their diet. Only nyala was significantly preferred, suggesting that this prey species is used in greater proportion to their abundance. As wild dogs are social cooperative hunters, we tested whether wild dog pack size was correlated to prey mass selection. There was no evidence to suggest that larger packs use larger prey. However, the mean wild dog pack size in our sample sites, was relatively smaller than those encountered elsewhere. Furthermore, wild dog have been shown to modify their hunting behaviour in the presence of wildlife-proof fencing, by using fences to aid in the capture of larger prey species than would innately occur. We compared the prey mass of wild dog kills in relation to proximity of these hard boundaries. Despite the affinity towards kills occurring within 200 m of fences, the upward bias caused by fences on prey mass selection was inconsistent across sample sites. The relatively small size of wild dogs makes them particularly vulnerable to competition. As the energetic output of wild dog is high, interspecific competition can increase foraging costs. The reintroduction of large carnivores to small artificially induced systems may be a contentious issue as resources available to support large carnivores are expected to be relatively more finite. We compared both the potential inter- and intraspecific dietary niche dimensions of an intact large carnivore guild in context of a wild dog reintroduction. We determined cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), leopard (Panthera pardus), and lion (Panthera leo) prey composition, diet breadth, overlap, prey preference and predicted the density of an intact large carnivore guild in a novel landscape. Further, we compared the foraging behaviour of these large carnivores to that of wild dog. Our findings suggest that large African carnivores in small protected areas are subject to a considerable dietary niche overlap. Wild dog and cheetah, particularly reproductive females with dependent offspring, displayed the greatest potential for dietary overlap and subsequent competition. Leopard and lion at the population species level exhibited greater degrees of foraging plasticity. Lion displayed a contrasting prey species preference to sympatric predators as they selected for prey items frequently avoided by cheetah, leopard and wild dog. The proposed wild dog reintroduction site is expected to sustain seven wild dog based on the availability of preferred prey biomass. However, the reintroduction of wild dog to the small protected area is expected to have negative lateral trophic influences on other species of conservation concern. This should be of vital importance to management of the protected area. As the influence of competition in food-web and population dynamics, particularly in resource poor environments may be profound, our research highlights the need to assess the influence of competitive forces in structuring and restoring large predators to portions of their historical range.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Can Jamaica put music first?: a comment
- Authors: Stanley Niaah, Sonjah
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145941 , vital:38480 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1080/00086495.2018.1480319
- Description: Many development programmes fail because they don’t account for cultural contexts. In a context where cultural and creative industries represent 10% of the GNP in economies such as Brazil, China, India, and Indonesia, there is no doubt that culture is vital for their sustainable development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Stanley Niaah, Sonjah
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145941 , vital:38480 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1080/00086495.2018.1480319
- Description: Many development programmes fail because they don’t account for cultural contexts. In a context where cultural and creative industries represent 10% of the GNP in economies such as Brazil, China, India, and Indonesia, there is no doubt that culture is vital for their sustainable development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Levels of utilisation and alignment of business information technology in small and medium-sized enterprises in Africa : study of Nigeria and South Africa
- Authors: Ajibade, Patrick
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Business -- Data processing Management information systems Entrepreneurship
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10690 , vital:35680
- Description: Information technology (IT) is continuously shaping business operations and business environments, both in Africa and throughout the world. For the past twenty years, the goal of achieving an adequate degree of alignment of business process management and the functions and capabilities of the IT infrastructures which are intended to drive business process has proved to be an elusive one for many business executives. The obstacles to achieve adequate levels of business-IT alignment are particularly evident in the developing countries, where the equivalent of billions of South African rand are wasted annually on IT projects which do not meet the specific needs of businesses in terms of their strategic goals. The fundamental purpose of achieving alignment is to transform business operations and to improve productivity through the meeting of business objectives by means of business processes which are driven by IT. The principal objective of this study was to assess the levels of utilisation of IT and the degree of business-IT alignment which had been achieved by selected small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria and South Africa, through the integration of IT infrastructures into their business strategies and processes, as a means of driving improved levels of performance. The research methods used both quantitative and qualitative data. Stratified purposive sampling techniques were used to select the SMEs according to the industrial sectors in which they operated. the target populations comprised the SMEs in Ibadan in Nigeria and the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the province of the Eastern Cape in South Africa, and 42 interviews were conducted and 340 survey questionnaires were distributed. The findings revealed that although the levels of utilisation of IT among the SMEs were high, however, levels of alignment maturity they had achieved were very low, and mostly between level 2 and 3 levels which were below expected level of alignment for a competitive business environment. However, automotive, hotel and hospitality industries had achieved Levels Four alignment maturity, while the financial and tourism sectors had achieved Level Three alignment with respect to individual alignment criteria such as communication. The scopes of IT infrastructure and BIS architecture integration by SMEs had a mean score of 2.98, which mean the SMEs had almost reach level three of alignment maturity. The utilisation of employees’ skills contributions is higher than IT infrastructure integration processes. The findings (r = -.240; α = .000) also indicated that human skill and training were not efficiently used to the benefit of these SMEs, SME infrastructure and partnership are inversely correlated (r = -.265; α = .000), and between partnership and skill (r = -.167, α = .013). However, there were a strong positive correlation between partnership and governance alignment criteria (r = .306**, α = .000). The level of utilisation and integration achieved by the SMEs based on the six alignment criteria revealed that communication was at Level Two, governance, Level Two governance = 2.46, infrastructure (3.03), skill (3.15), value (2.82), and partnership had a mean score of 2.63. These findings indicated that the levels of alignment achieved by these SMEs indicated they were only at a committed stages of integration, but have not reached an established process. However, the South African SMEs had achieved higher integration based on their IT values and contributions to their operation, infrastructures and governance with a mean scores of 3.801, 3.039 and 3.6244 in contrast of the Nigerian SMES with mean scores of 2.373, 2.974 and 2.989 respectively. The study recommended that training, improve communication might improve integration of IT with business processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ajibade, Patrick
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Business -- Data processing Management information systems Entrepreneurship
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10690 , vital:35680
- Description: Information technology (IT) is continuously shaping business operations and business environments, both in Africa and throughout the world. For the past twenty years, the goal of achieving an adequate degree of alignment of business process management and the functions and capabilities of the IT infrastructures which are intended to drive business process has proved to be an elusive one for many business executives. The obstacles to achieve adequate levels of business-IT alignment are particularly evident in the developing countries, where the equivalent of billions of South African rand are wasted annually on IT projects which do not meet the specific needs of businesses in terms of their strategic goals. The fundamental purpose of achieving alignment is to transform business operations and to improve productivity through the meeting of business objectives by means of business processes which are driven by IT. The principal objective of this study was to assess the levels of utilisation of IT and the degree of business-IT alignment which had been achieved by selected small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria and South Africa, through the integration of IT infrastructures into their business strategies and processes, as a means of driving improved levels of performance. The research methods used both quantitative and qualitative data. Stratified purposive sampling techniques were used to select the SMEs according to the industrial sectors in which they operated. the target populations comprised the SMEs in Ibadan in Nigeria and the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the province of the Eastern Cape in South Africa, and 42 interviews were conducted and 340 survey questionnaires were distributed. The findings revealed that although the levels of utilisation of IT among the SMEs were high, however, levels of alignment maturity they had achieved were very low, and mostly between level 2 and 3 levels which were below expected level of alignment for a competitive business environment. However, automotive, hotel and hospitality industries had achieved Levels Four alignment maturity, while the financial and tourism sectors had achieved Level Three alignment with respect to individual alignment criteria such as communication. The scopes of IT infrastructure and BIS architecture integration by SMEs had a mean score of 2.98, which mean the SMEs had almost reach level three of alignment maturity. The utilisation of employees’ skills contributions is higher than IT infrastructure integration processes. The findings (r = -.240; α = .000) also indicated that human skill and training were not efficiently used to the benefit of these SMEs, SME infrastructure and partnership are inversely correlated (r = -.265; α = .000), and between partnership and skill (r = -.167, α = .013). However, there were a strong positive correlation between partnership and governance alignment criteria (r = .306**, α = .000). The level of utilisation and integration achieved by the SMEs based on the six alignment criteria revealed that communication was at Level Two, governance, Level Two governance = 2.46, infrastructure (3.03), skill (3.15), value (2.82), and partnership had a mean score of 2.63. These findings indicated that the levels of alignment achieved by these SMEs indicated they were only at a committed stages of integration, but have not reached an established process. However, the South African SMEs had achieved higher integration based on their IT values and contributions to their operation, infrastructures and governance with a mean scores of 3.801, 3.039 and 3.6244 in contrast of the Nigerian SMES with mean scores of 2.373, 2.974 and 2.989 respectively. The study recommended that training, improve communication might improve integration of IT with business processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Measuring the elasticity of electricity demand in South Africa: implications for future demand and supply
- Authors: Kosiorek, Sebastian
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Electric power consumption -- South Africa , Electric power distribution -- South Africa , Electric power production -- South Africa , Electric power failures -- South Africa , Electric utilities -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Autoregression (Statistics) , Renewable energy sources -- South Africa , Energy policy -- South Africa , Integrated Resource Plan
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62472 , vital:28196
- Description: A key economic issue for government is the ability to effectively match electricity supply to electricity demand, because of the substantial economic losses in the case of where there is too little supply, or the waste of scarce resources where there is too much supply. In the case of South Africa, this issue, the importance of which was highlighted by the power shortages and associated “rolling blackouts” experience in 2008, has led to the creation of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) as a means to decide how energy policy will be developed. Recently, however, the IRP 2010 and its subsequent 2013 and 2016 (draft) updates have been criticised as being too optimistic in regards to their projections of economic growth and electricity demand, making the recommendations in these documents to be flawed. Using monthly data from January 1990 to May 2017, together with Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing for cointegration, this paper measures changes in the elasticity of electricity demand as a result of the massive price hikes over the past decade. Thereafter, the implications of changed electricity as well as possibly lower Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the future for forecasts of possible future demand for electricity are examined. From these revised forecasts, it is possible to make appropriate recommendations in regards to electricity supply policy for South Africa including what possible energy mix is needed as well as the requirements for creating new supply to meet possible future demand. It is concluded that future electricity demand is likely to be much lower than forecast in the IRP 2010 and IRP 2013 documents. The degree of uncertainty in electricity demand growth suggests that large-scale increases in supply capacity taking years to construct, such as coal or nuclear, should be avoided. Small, incremental increases in supply that are able to come on stream swiftly, such as gas, solar and wind power, are likely to be more appropriate for meeting South Africa’s future needs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kosiorek, Sebastian
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Electric power consumption -- South Africa , Electric power distribution -- South Africa , Electric power production -- South Africa , Electric power failures -- South Africa , Electric utilities -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Autoregression (Statistics) , Renewable energy sources -- South Africa , Energy policy -- South Africa , Integrated Resource Plan
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62472 , vital:28196
- Description: A key economic issue for government is the ability to effectively match electricity supply to electricity demand, because of the substantial economic losses in the case of where there is too little supply, or the waste of scarce resources where there is too much supply. In the case of South Africa, this issue, the importance of which was highlighted by the power shortages and associated “rolling blackouts” experience in 2008, has led to the creation of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) as a means to decide how energy policy will be developed. Recently, however, the IRP 2010 and its subsequent 2013 and 2016 (draft) updates have been criticised as being too optimistic in regards to their projections of economic growth and electricity demand, making the recommendations in these documents to be flawed. Using monthly data from January 1990 to May 2017, together with Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing for cointegration, this paper measures changes in the elasticity of electricity demand as a result of the massive price hikes over the past decade. Thereafter, the implications of changed electricity as well as possibly lower Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the future for forecasts of possible future demand for electricity are examined. From these revised forecasts, it is possible to make appropriate recommendations in regards to electricity supply policy for South Africa including what possible energy mix is needed as well as the requirements for creating new supply to meet possible future demand. It is concluded that future electricity demand is likely to be much lower than forecast in the IRP 2010 and IRP 2013 documents. The degree of uncertainty in electricity demand growth suggests that large-scale increases in supply capacity taking years to construct, such as coal or nuclear, should be avoided. Small, incremental increases in supply that are able to come on stream swiftly, such as gas, solar and wind power, are likely to be more appropriate for meeting South Africa’s future needs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Participatory development communication and the sustainability of poverty alleviation projects in Lesotho : a case of Lifajaneng
- Authors: Ntobo-Letsie, Hlompho
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Communication in economic development Communication in rural development Economic assistance, Domestic
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10244 , vital:35384
- Description: This study aimed at assessing the impact of communication on the sustainability of poverty alleviation programmes established for selected beneficiaries in the rural community of Lifajaneng. This is conducted with the purpose of understanding how the Mafeteng community engages in the poverty alleviation projects carried out within their area of residence, so as to encourage more commitment in participation. The conceptual framework for this study is the empowerment approach and the study is informed by two theories; the participatory communication theory and the diffusion of innovation theory. The study employed the mixed method approach to gather and analyze the data; that is using questionnaires, focus group discussions and face to face interviews to solicit for information from project participants and project managers. The quantitative data was presented and analyzed through charts and graphs buttressed with themes that emerged in the qualitative data. The study revealed that the sustainability of the poverty alleviation projects remains questionable due to a number of challenges. The results reflect that communities are more comfortable when the mother language (Sesotho) is used predominantly as the medium of communication. The results also reflected that meetings had a higher attendance rate if called for by local leaders through word of mouth followed by communications done telephonically. Mainstream media such as radio and newspapers were the least effective when mobilizing the communities for meetings related to the poverty alleviation projects in the poor community. The study also unfolded the following issues; lack of full participation and commitment of the beneficiaries, inadequate funding to allow sufficient training of the beneficiaries. This is because the funds had some strings attached and the beneficiaries had their own expectations of the funds, therefore the objectives and the limits of the funder did not match the objectives and the limitations of the beneficiaries. Hence, the end results are lack of motivation for the beneficiaries.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ntobo-Letsie, Hlompho
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Communication in economic development Communication in rural development Economic assistance, Domestic
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10244 , vital:35384
- Description: This study aimed at assessing the impact of communication on the sustainability of poverty alleviation programmes established for selected beneficiaries in the rural community of Lifajaneng. This is conducted with the purpose of understanding how the Mafeteng community engages in the poverty alleviation projects carried out within their area of residence, so as to encourage more commitment in participation. The conceptual framework for this study is the empowerment approach and the study is informed by two theories; the participatory communication theory and the diffusion of innovation theory. The study employed the mixed method approach to gather and analyze the data; that is using questionnaires, focus group discussions and face to face interviews to solicit for information from project participants and project managers. The quantitative data was presented and analyzed through charts and graphs buttressed with themes that emerged in the qualitative data. The study revealed that the sustainability of the poverty alleviation projects remains questionable due to a number of challenges. The results reflect that communities are more comfortable when the mother language (Sesotho) is used predominantly as the medium of communication. The results also reflected that meetings had a higher attendance rate if called for by local leaders through word of mouth followed by communications done telephonically. Mainstream media such as radio and newspapers were the least effective when mobilizing the communities for meetings related to the poverty alleviation projects in the poor community. The study also unfolded the following issues; lack of full participation and commitment of the beneficiaries, inadequate funding to allow sufficient training of the beneficiaries. This is because the funds had some strings attached and the beneficiaries had their own expectations of the funds, therefore the objectives and the limits of the funder did not match the objectives and the limitations of the beneficiaries. Hence, the end results are lack of motivation for the beneficiaries.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The return-to-work policy for injured and diseased workers
- Authors: Keti, Nosicelo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Employees -- Rehabilitation -- South Africa , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa Workers' compensation Industrial accidents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31064 , vital:31307
- Description: Despite measures undertaken by employers in promoting safety in the workplace, employees become injured or diseased due to work related accidents. When an employee sustains a work related injury or disease that results in their short term or prolonged absence from work, it becomes crucial for the employer to return the injured or diseased employee back to work as quickly as possible. Returning employees back to work as early as possible becomes an important factor in reducing worker’s compensation costs. In South Africa, unlike developed countries like the United Kingdom, there is still a lack or absence of rehabilitation, reintegration and RTW programmes. The lack or absence of suitable rehabilitation, reintegration and RTW programmes that not only ensure that an injured or diseased employee is returned to work, but further enable such injured or diseased employee to attain, keep and progress in employment often results in employees becoming dependent on disability grants or social welfare payments. There is recognition that some effort is required to ensure that employees who have been affected by work related injuries or diseases are returned to gainful employment. The Committee of Inquiry into a Comprehensive System of Social Security for South Africa, in 2002, highlighted that “modern social protection policy making is no longer therapeutic but also pre-emptive and restorative or rehabilitative in nature”. The study investigated the need for the South African government and business to adopt and implement programmes or systems that are targeted at correcting or restoring the damage. This can be achieved through retraining, re-skilling and social integration of the injured or diseased employees. The findings indicate that despite recognition by the Compensation of Occupational Injuries and Disease Act (COIDA) of the need to establish and implement appropriate rehabilitation, reintegration and RTW programmes, such programmes have still not been established in South Africa. There are, however, initiatives directed towards the establishment and implementation of these programmes and these are found in the proposed COIDA amendment Bill which prioritises rehabilitation, reintegration and RTW. Proposed in the Bill, is the imposition of incentives for those employers who successfully implement rehabilitation, reintegration and RTW programmes within their workplaces and penalties against those who fail to comply with the provisions of the proposed Bill. Another relief can be seen in the form of the Road Accident Benefit Scheme (RABS) Bill, which will soon replace the Road Accident Fund (RAF). Unlike the RAF, which is primarily concerned about the compensation of road accident victims through lump sum payments, RABS will particularly focus on rehabilitation and vocational training and will offer payments in a structured manner to not only ensure the continual financial support of the accident victims, but further that the proposed scheme remains sustainable in the long term. Further findings are that although the Constitution of the v Republic of South Africa has adopted an international law friendly approach and the Bill of Rights is in support of the implementation of RTW measures, South African law is not aligned to international and regional standards. South Africa has still not ratified international instruments that promote the early return of injured or diseased employees back to work. In conclusion, South Africa needs to adopt and implement rehabilitation, reintegration and RTW measures or programmes for injured or diseased workers in order to address the high unemployment rate, poverty and dependence on State funded social assistance services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Keti, Nosicelo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Employees -- Rehabilitation -- South Africa , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa Workers' compensation Industrial accidents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31064 , vital:31307
- Description: Despite measures undertaken by employers in promoting safety in the workplace, employees become injured or diseased due to work related accidents. When an employee sustains a work related injury or disease that results in their short term or prolonged absence from work, it becomes crucial for the employer to return the injured or diseased employee back to work as quickly as possible. Returning employees back to work as early as possible becomes an important factor in reducing worker’s compensation costs. In South Africa, unlike developed countries like the United Kingdom, there is still a lack or absence of rehabilitation, reintegration and RTW programmes. The lack or absence of suitable rehabilitation, reintegration and RTW programmes that not only ensure that an injured or diseased employee is returned to work, but further enable such injured or diseased employee to attain, keep and progress in employment often results in employees becoming dependent on disability grants or social welfare payments. There is recognition that some effort is required to ensure that employees who have been affected by work related injuries or diseases are returned to gainful employment. The Committee of Inquiry into a Comprehensive System of Social Security for South Africa, in 2002, highlighted that “modern social protection policy making is no longer therapeutic but also pre-emptive and restorative or rehabilitative in nature”. The study investigated the need for the South African government and business to adopt and implement programmes or systems that are targeted at correcting or restoring the damage. This can be achieved through retraining, re-skilling and social integration of the injured or diseased employees. The findings indicate that despite recognition by the Compensation of Occupational Injuries and Disease Act (COIDA) of the need to establish and implement appropriate rehabilitation, reintegration and RTW programmes, such programmes have still not been established in South Africa. There are, however, initiatives directed towards the establishment and implementation of these programmes and these are found in the proposed COIDA amendment Bill which prioritises rehabilitation, reintegration and RTW. Proposed in the Bill, is the imposition of incentives for those employers who successfully implement rehabilitation, reintegration and RTW programmes within their workplaces and penalties against those who fail to comply with the provisions of the proposed Bill. Another relief can be seen in the form of the Road Accident Benefit Scheme (RABS) Bill, which will soon replace the Road Accident Fund (RAF). Unlike the RAF, which is primarily concerned about the compensation of road accident victims through lump sum payments, RABS will particularly focus on rehabilitation and vocational training and will offer payments in a structured manner to not only ensure the continual financial support of the accident victims, but further that the proposed scheme remains sustainable in the long term. Further findings are that although the Constitution of the v Republic of South Africa has adopted an international law friendly approach and the Bill of Rights is in support of the implementation of RTW measures, South African law is not aligned to international and regional standards. South Africa has still not ratified international instruments that promote the early return of injured or diseased employees back to work. In conclusion, South Africa needs to adopt and implement rehabilitation, reintegration and RTW measures or programmes for injured or diseased workers in order to address the high unemployment rate, poverty and dependence on State funded social assistance services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Exploring lecturer preparedness to apply a critical approach to curriculum implementation: a case study
- Authors: Sathorar, Heloise Helena
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Teacher participation in curriculum planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31786 , vital:31828
- Description: This study sought to investigate lecturer preparedness to apply a critical approach to curriculum implementation and to establish their willingness or unwillingness to engage as transformative intellectuals with their students and to apply a problem-posing education in their classrooms. The study investigated lecturers’ critical pedagogy dispositions as well as their orientations towards applying a critical approach to curriculum implementation. A comprehensive literature review was done regarding the concept critical pedagogy, its tenets and principles as well as what it entails to apply a critical approach to curriculum implementation. In particular the literature review highlighted the responsibilities of a transformative intellectual as well as the requirements of applying a problem-posing education. The study was conducted through a constructivist lens and theoretically framed by referring to specific critical pedagogy concepts. The study is located in the interpretive paradigm and a qualitative research approach was followed. In particular, an instrumental case study analysis was used as research method. The sample consisted of 20 permanently employed lecturers from the School for Initial Teacher Education in the Faculty of Education at Nelson Mandela University who volunteered to participate in an online investigation regarding their critical pedagogy dispositions as well as their orientations towards applying a critical approach to curriculum implementation. The findings of the study revealed that lecturers generally have a positive disposition towards critical pedagogy as well as towards the application of a critical approach to curriculum implementation. Despite this positive picture there were pockets of resistance towards critical pedagogy and the application of a critical approach to curriculum implementation. Finally, the study proposes a critical approach model that could be employed to enhance lecturer preparedness to apply a critical approach in their classes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Sathorar, Heloise Helena
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Teacher participation in curriculum planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31786 , vital:31828
- Description: This study sought to investigate lecturer preparedness to apply a critical approach to curriculum implementation and to establish their willingness or unwillingness to engage as transformative intellectuals with their students and to apply a problem-posing education in their classrooms. The study investigated lecturers’ critical pedagogy dispositions as well as their orientations towards applying a critical approach to curriculum implementation. A comprehensive literature review was done regarding the concept critical pedagogy, its tenets and principles as well as what it entails to apply a critical approach to curriculum implementation. In particular the literature review highlighted the responsibilities of a transformative intellectual as well as the requirements of applying a problem-posing education. The study was conducted through a constructivist lens and theoretically framed by referring to specific critical pedagogy concepts. The study is located in the interpretive paradigm and a qualitative research approach was followed. In particular, an instrumental case study analysis was used as research method. The sample consisted of 20 permanently employed lecturers from the School for Initial Teacher Education in the Faculty of Education at Nelson Mandela University who volunteered to participate in an online investigation regarding their critical pedagogy dispositions as well as their orientations towards applying a critical approach to curriculum implementation. The findings of the study revealed that lecturers generally have a positive disposition towards critical pedagogy as well as towards the application of a critical approach to curriculum implementation. Despite this positive picture there were pockets of resistance towards critical pedagogy and the application of a critical approach to curriculum implementation. Finally, the study proposes a critical approach model that could be employed to enhance lecturer preparedness to apply a critical approach in their classes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The foraging ecology of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters (Ardenna Pacifica) in the tropical Western Indian Ocean
- Authors: Keys, Danielle Zuanda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Birds of prey -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Animal behavior Wildlife conservation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31251 , vital:31348
- Description: The distribution and abundance of prey largely influences how marine predators forage. Thus, understanding how marine predators respond to such changes becomes imperative when making decisions in marine spatial planning, especially in light of global climate change. Tropical marine systems are known for their relatively low productivity and high unpredictability of prey resources. Compared to higher latitudes, very few studies on seabirds have been implemented in the tropics. The Wedge-tailed Shearwater Ardenna pacifica is an Indo-Pacific tropical seabird with a wide distributional range. However, like many other seabirds, its population numbers are currently declining. Very little is known about the at-sea distribution of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters in the tropical western Indian Ocean. Therefore, this thesis investigates the foraging ecology of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters in the western Indian Ocean by tracking the fine scale movements of individuals at sea. This study was conducted in two different oceanic environments, namely D’Arros Island and Fouquet Island, St Joseph Atoll in the Amirantes Group in Seychelles archipelago as well as Réunion Island in the Mascarene archipelago during the Wedge-tailed Shearwaters breeding seasons. Here I aimed to investigate the foraging distribution of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters on Réunion Island in relation to different stages of the breeding period. I also compared the foraging ecology of all three populations, subjected to different abiotic and biotic factors. Furthermore, I investigated foraging site fidelity in individuals and repeatability within individual flight characteristics. To my knowledge, this is the first study to comprehensively investigate the foraging ecology of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters using global positioning system (GPS) loggers. This study demonstrated that the Wedge-tailed Shearwaters implement flexible foraging strategies throughout different stages of their breeding period and between different islands. In Réunion, during the shearwater breeding season, sexual segregation was prominent during early chick rearing and both sexes implemented dual foraging. As suggested by previous studies, it is likely that long trips were implemented for self-maintenance, whereas multiple short trips were implemented to meet the high energetic demands of the chicks. Several important foraging areas were identified for these Wedge-tailed Shearwaters. During incubation, shearwaters from Réunion faithfully foraged towards the south east of Madagascar near the East Madagascar Current and flew over large areas of the Mascarene Basin. During chick rearing, shearwaters significantly constricted their range closer to the colony and exploited deep waters on the south-west of Réunion Island. Shearwaters concentrated near oceanographic features such as the Pérouse Seamount (which is a known area of high productivity) as well as the Bourdonnais Ridge. There was no clear evidence for spatial or sexual segregation between individuals from the two study colonies in Seychelles during incubation and birds utilized a broader foraging range than birds from Réunion. This is likely to be the result of a large annual phytoplankton bloom which coincides with the shearwater breeding season in Seychelles, providing many foraging opportunities within the Seychelles Basin. The shearwaters from Seychelles exploited the Amirante Basin, East Somali Basin, and parts of the Seychelles archipelago. Shearwaters from D’Arros flew further east and foraged in the Mascarene Basin. Shearwaters from all populations foraged over deep, relatively unproductive waters with relatively high sea surface temperatures which are similar oceanographic features favoured by tuna. Foraging plasticity between individuals from different colonies was observed with varying flight bearings, flight durations and the maximum distances travelled from their respective colonies. Shearwaters displayed dissimilar levels of site fidelity, where shearwaters from Réunion faithfully foraged towards south east Madagascar, while shearwaters from Seychelles foraged over a wide range over the Seychelles Basin. Foraging effort for shearwaters from Fouquet was lower than shearwaters from Reunion and they spent less time at sea and foraged closer to their colony. These difference in behaviour responses between colonies may be advantageous to shearwaters, indicating that they may be able to respond to some level of environmental variability resulting from climate change and anthropogenic pressures. Lastly, during chick rearing, though shearwaters showed low levels of repeatability in flight characterising, foraging site fidelity was high amongst some of the individuals. Here we see that shearwaters continuously rely on permanent features, like seamounts and possibly fish aggregating devices, which are known to attract high abundances of tuna. Shearwaters may to some extent be relying on memory to find prey in a seemingly unpredictable environment. This study has helped us gain valuable insight about the foraging ecology of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters in the western Indian Ocean. Together with similar studies determining the at-sea behaviour of seabirds, better informed recommendations can be made to marine spatial planners as to where much needed pelagic marine protection should be implemented to preserve marine life in this fascinating part of the global ocean.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Keys, Danielle Zuanda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Birds of prey -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Animal behavior Wildlife conservation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31251 , vital:31348
- Description: The distribution and abundance of prey largely influences how marine predators forage. Thus, understanding how marine predators respond to such changes becomes imperative when making decisions in marine spatial planning, especially in light of global climate change. Tropical marine systems are known for their relatively low productivity and high unpredictability of prey resources. Compared to higher latitudes, very few studies on seabirds have been implemented in the tropics. The Wedge-tailed Shearwater Ardenna pacifica is an Indo-Pacific tropical seabird with a wide distributional range. However, like many other seabirds, its population numbers are currently declining. Very little is known about the at-sea distribution of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters in the tropical western Indian Ocean. Therefore, this thesis investigates the foraging ecology of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters in the western Indian Ocean by tracking the fine scale movements of individuals at sea. This study was conducted in two different oceanic environments, namely D’Arros Island and Fouquet Island, St Joseph Atoll in the Amirantes Group in Seychelles archipelago as well as Réunion Island in the Mascarene archipelago during the Wedge-tailed Shearwaters breeding seasons. Here I aimed to investigate the foraging distribution of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters on Réunion Island in relation to different stages of the breeding period. I also compared the foraging ecology of all three populations, subjected to different abiotic and biotic factors. Furthermore, I investigated foraging site fidelity in individuals and repeatability within individual flight characteristics. To my knowledge, this is the first study to comprehensively investigate the foraging ecology of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters using global positioning system (GPS) loggers. This study demonstrated that the Wedge-tailed Shearwaters implement flexible foraging strategies throughout different stages of their breeding period and between different islands. In Réunion, during the shearwater breeding season, sexual segregation was prominent during early chick rearing and both sexes implemented dual foraging. As suggested by previous studies, it is likely that long trips were implemented for self-maintenance, whereas multiple short trips were implemented to meet the high energetic demands of the chicks. Several important foraging areas were identified for these Wedge-tailed Shearwaters. During incubation, shearwaters from Réunion faithfully foraged towards the south east of Madagascar near the East Madagascar Current and flew over large areas of the Mascarene Basin. During chick rearing, shearwaters significantly constricted their range closer to the colony and exploited deep waters on the south-west of Réunion Island. Shearwaters concentrated near oceanographic features such as the Pérouse Seamount (which is a known area of high productivity) as well as the Bourdonnais Ridge. There was no clear evidence for spatial or sexual segregation between individuals from the two study colonies in Seychelles during incubation and birds utilized a broader foraging range than birds from Réunion. This is likely to be the result of a large annual phytoplankton bloom which coincides with the shearwater breeding season in Seychelles, providing many foraging opportunities within the Seychelles Basin. The shearwaters from Seychelles exploited the Amirante Basin, East Somali Basin, and parts of the Seychelles archipelago. Shearwaters from D’Arros flew further east and foraged in the Mascarene Basin. Shearwaters from all populations foraged over deep, relatively unproductive waters with relatively high sea surface temperatures which are similar oceanographic features favoured by tuna. Foraging plasticity between individuals from different colonies was observed with varying flight bearings, flight durations and the maximum distances travelled from their respective colonies. Shearwaters displayed dissimilar levels of site fidelity, where shearwaters from Réunion faithfully foraged towards south east Madagascar, while shearwaters from Seychelles foraged over a wide range over the Seychelles Basin. Foraging effort for shearwaters from Fouquet was lower than shearwaters from Reunion and they spent less time at sea and foraged closer to their colony. These difference in behaviour responses between colonies may be advantageous to shearwaters, indicating that they may be able to respond to some level of environmental variability resulting from climate change and anthropogenic pressures. Lastly, during chick rearing, though shearwaters showed low levels of repeatability in flight characterising, foraging site fidelity was high amongst some of the individuals. Here we see that shearwaters continuously rely on permanent features, like seamounts and possibly fish aggregating devices, which are known to attract high abundances of tuna. Shearwaters may to some extent be relying on memory to find prey in a seemingly unpredictable environment. This study has helped us gain valuable insight about the foraging ecology of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters in the western Indian Ocean. Together with similar studies determining the at-sea behaviour of seabirds, better informed recommendations can be made to marine spatial planners as to where much needed pelagic marine protection should be implemented to preserve marine life in this fascinating part of the global ocean.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Establishment of “The South African Bioinformatics Student Council” and activity highlights:
- Rafael, Candice Nancy, Ambler, Jon, Niehaus, Antoinette, Ross, James, Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Authors: Rafael, Candice Nancy , Ambler, Jon , Niehaus, Antoinette , Ross, James , Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148250 , vital:38723 , https://doi.org/10.14806/ej.23.0.903
- Description: The South African Society for Bioinformatics1 (SASBi) was officially formed in September 2012 during a joint Congress with the South African Genetics Society (SAGS). Prior to this there was no official body to represent bioinformatic researchers and students in the country. The establishment of SASBi also led to the establishment of the Student Society as a platform for students to meet and discuss their research activities, but also to socialise and broaden their network of knowledge and friendships. A small group of students joined as volunteers to pioneer and set up a SASBi Student Council (SASBiSC). As a first step, one representative, selected from the attendees present at the first Joint Congress of SASBi and SAGS, was elected to the main SASBi Council.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Rafael, Candice Nancy , Ambler, Jon , Niehaus, Antoinette , Ross, James , Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148250 , vital:38723 , https://doi.org/10.14806/ej.23.0.903
- Description: The South African Society for Bioinformatics1 (SASBi) was officially formed in September 2012 during a joint Congress with the South African Genetics Society (SAGS). Prior to this there was no official body to represent bioinformatic researchers and students in the country. The establishment of SASBi also led to the establishment of the Student Society as a platform for students to meet and discuss their research activities, but also to socialise and broaden their network of knowledge and friendships. A small group of students joined as volunteers to pioneer and set up a SASBi Student Council (SASBiSC). As a first step, one representative, selected from the attendees present at the first Joint Congress of SASBi and SAGS, was elected to the main SASBi Council.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The design of a community owned winery in Philippi informal settlement Cape Cape
- Authors: Steytler, Willem
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Wineries -- South Africa -- Cape Town -- Designs and plans , Wine and wine making -- South Africa -- Cape Town
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MArch
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39196 , vital:35057
- Description: The study focuses on Philippi as a particular place and the communities that dwell there. It aims to study the spatial dispositions caused by apartheid and colonialism. The dissertation highlights the inequality of South African cityscapes which is then extrapolated in the conditions that exists on the Cape Flats. A core focus of the study is the way in which architecture might aid the spatial inequality in a post-apartheid South Africa. The first bottle of wine was bottled in South Africa seven years after the Cape had been colonized. This means that the wine industry has always been synonymous of colonialization to a certain degree. Further research reveals that the part of the Cape Flats that is today known as Philippi Township was used for grapevine cultivation by German settlers from the 1830s, but with the advent of the forced removals, the 1950 Groups Area Act zoned that land for the relocation of the non-white community. The community on the Cape Flats experiences a significantly lower quality of life than many of the suburbs in Cape Town. (http://journals.sagepub.com) It can be noted that the areas surrounding Cape Town have an abundance of vineyards owned mostly by a singular demographic with a significantly higher income than those living in the townships. Research has indicated that the ‘terroir’, (climatic and environmental conditions) of Philippi is ideal for grapevine cultivation and there are upwards of 250 hectares of open land. The viticulture industry is one of the biggest sources of income for the Western Cape but the problem lies in the fact that the revenue created is channeled only to an elite group of people. To counteract the repercussions of apartheid many strategies have been implemented by the government; among these is land reform. The physical and spatial nature of this place is investigated to create an architectural viewpoint on the matter. The treatise explores the design of a community-owned winery in the Philippi Informal Settlement and examines how the resultant architecture might address the impaired configuration of the urban make-up while strengthening the sense of identity. The idea is that through leap-frog development locals will plant vineyards in open spaces, making the township a greener space to live in, whilst also generating income for the local inhabitants and allowing for the transfer of knowledge. The use of precedent studies into the nature of building type, site visits as well as site- and precinct investigations were necessary to reach an understanding of the building type and a possible architectural response to the sensitive topic. All research is qualitative using inductive reasoning. Qualtative research is based on observation to gather non-numerical data. Inductive reasoning is reasoning where the premises support the conclusion, which means that the conclusion is the part of reasoning that inductive reasoning is trying to prove. The understanding gained from the above-mentioned methods led to an appropriate architectural response in the form of a design. The design is the conclusion and proposed solution of the treatise.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Steytler, Willem
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Wineries -- South Africa -- Cape Town -- Designs and plans , Wine and wine making -- South Africa -- Cape Town
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MArch
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39196 , vital:35057
- Description: The study focuses on Philippi as a particular place and the communities that dwell there. It aims to study the spatial dispositions caused by apartheid and colonialism. The dissertation highlights the inequality of South African cityscapes which is then extrapolated in the conditions that exists on the Cape Flats. A core focus of the study is the way in which architecture might aid the spatial inequality in a post-apartheid South Africa. The first bottle of wine was bottled in South Africa seven years after the Cape had been colonized. This means that the wine industry has always been synonymous of colonialization to a certain degree. Further research reveals that the part of the Cape Flats that is today known as Philippi Township was used for grapevine cultivation by German settlers from the 1830s, but with the advent of the forced removals, the 1950 Groups Area Act zoned that land for the relocation of the non-white community. The community on the Cape Flats experiences a significantly lower quality of life than many of the suburbs in Cape Town. (http://journals.sagepub.com) It can be noted that the areas surrounding Cape Town have an abundance of vineyards owned mostly by a singular demographic with a significantly higher income than those living in the townships. Research has indicated that the ‘terroir’, (climatic and environmental conditions) of Philippi is ideal for grapevine cultivation and there are upwards of 250 hectares of open land. The viticulture industry is one of the biggest sources of income for the Western Cape but the problem lies in the fact that the revenue created is channeled only to an elite group of people. To counteract the repercussions of apartheid many strategies have been implemented by the government; among these is land reform. The physical and spatial nature of this place is investigated to create an architectural viewpoint on the matter. The treatise explores the design of a community-owned winery in the Philippi Informal Settlement and examines how the resultant architecture might address the impaired configuration of the urban make-up while strengthening the sense of identity. The idea is that through leap-frog development locals will plant vineyards in open spaces, making the township a greener space to live in, whilst also generating income for the local inhabitants and allowing for the transfer of knowledge. The use of precedent studies into the nature of building type, site visits as well as site- and precinct investigations were necessary to reach an understanding of the building type and a possible architectural response to the sensitive topic. All research is qualitative using inductive reasoning. Qualtative research is based on observation to gather non-numerical data. Inductive reasoning is reasoning where the premises support the conclusion, which means that the conclusion is the part of reasoning that inductive reasoning is trying to prove. The understanding gained from the above-mentioned methods led to an appropriate architectural response in the form of a design. The design is the conclusion and proposed solution of the treatise.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
A performance management model for organisational performance excellence in the South African railway industry
- Authors: Mtati, Tabisa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Performance -- Management , Success in business -- South Africa Railroads -- South Africa -- Track
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/33043 , vital:32501
- Description: The South African railway industry has seven times more of labour productivity than its counterparts within Sub-Saharan Africa. Though, when compared to countries in Europe, the United States of America, and China, the South African railway industry is non-competitive. The National Railway Safety Regulator of South Africa (NRSR) has been gradually considering novel ways of measuring organisational performance which encompass a broad approach that goes beyond infrastructure. To that end, a business excellence model adoption is proposed for an integrated agile performance management system. Performance management is viewed as a method that involves measuring goals against a set of standards within an organisation so as to evaluate whether or not the intended objectives have been (successfully) accomplished. Management quality systems (MQS) is one seamless system which integrates the Individual Performance Assessments, ISO-Systems, and Total Quality Management (TQM) in order to achieve the operational distinction in pursuit of the organisational performance excellence. Similarly, organisational excellence is continuous efforts made to build an internal framework of standards and processes intended to involve and motivate employees to deliver products and services within organisational expectations. Various business excellence models, such as the European Framework of Quality Management (EFQM), Common Assessment Framework (CAF), Malcolm Bridge National Quality Awards (MBNQA), International Standard Organisation (ISO) 9000/1/4 and South African Excellence Models (SAEM) have been proposed as continuous improvement (CI) tools. Embedded within these frameworks are areas such as leadership, strategic planning, total quality human resources management, CI, communications, culture, process management and organisational results. Even though attention has been paid to quality performance management in literature, limited empirical research has been conducted on the impact of these models to organisational performance in the railway industry. Moreover, few studies have been conducted to investigate this within the South African context. In this study, the difference in perceptions regarding the envisioned model will be measured to determine the level of employee awareness on quality management. Secondly, the impact of the implementation of MQS factors on organisational performance is investigated to determine critical success factors. Lastly, the barriers to effective MQS implementation are explored and discussed. The study focuses on enablers (i.e. leadership, strategy planning, total quality human resources management, CI, communications, culture and process management) and their impact on organisational performance. An empirical survey has been conducted in this study to examine the influence of the identified factors on business performance. In order to measure the impact of the above factors on improving of organisational performance, the MQS model has been used. The data collected has been statistically analysed using descriptive statistics, correlational relationships and regression analysis. The results of the study indicate that the MQS is useful and effective for the improvement of organisational performance in pursuit of organisational excellence. Furthermore, the critical success factors that, when prioritised, will directly influence organisational performance have been identified. Also, all the measured factors are correlated with organisational performance. It has been proven that though there are signs of implementation of MQS, the employees have not yet owned the process and do not implement quality practises in their daily operations. It is recommended that for future studies a more representative sample be sought in order to validate the relationship between strategy planning; communication and organisational performance, and the overall impact of implementing of MQS in the rail industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mtati, Tabisa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Performance -- Management , Success in business -- South Africa Railroads -- South Africa -- Track
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/33043 , vital:32501
- Description: The South African railway industry has seven times more of labour productivity than its counterparts within Sub-Saharan Africa. Though, when compared to countries in Europe, the United States of America, and China, the South African railway industry is non-competitive. The National Railway Safety Regulator of South Africa (NRSR) has been gradually considering novel ways of measuring organisational performance which encompass a broad approach that goes beyond infrastructure. To that end, a business excellence model adoption is proposed for an integrated agile performance management system. Performance management is viewed as a method that involves measuring goals against a set of standards within an organisation so as to evaluate whether or not the intended objectives have been (successfully) accomplished. Management quality systems (MQS) is one seamless system which integrates the Individual Performance Assessments, ISO-Systems, and Total Quality Management (TQM) in order to achieve the operational distinction in pursuit of the organisational performance excellence. Similarly, organisational excellence is continuous efforts made to build an internal framework of standards and processes intended to involve and motivate employees to deliver products and services within organisational expectations. Various business excellence models, such as the European Framework of Quality Management (EFQM), Common Assessment Framework (CAF), Malcolm Bridge National Quality Awards (MBNQA), International Standard Organisation (ISO) 9000/1/4 and South African Excellence Models (SAEM) have been proposed as continuous improvement (CI) tools. Embedded within these frameworks are areas such as leadership, strategic planning, total quality human resources management, CI, communications, culture, process management and organisational results. Even though attention has been paid to quality performance management in literature, limited empirical research has been conducted on the impact of these models to organisational performance in the railway industry. Moreover, few studies have been conducted to investigate this within the South African context. In this study, the difference in perceptions regarding the envisioned model will be measured to determine the level of employee awareness on quality management. Secondly, the impact of the implementation of MQS factors on organisational performance is investigated to determine critical success factors. Lastly, the barriers to effective MQS implementation are explored and discussed. The study focuses on enablers (i.e. leadership, strategy planning, total quality human resources management, CI, communications, culture and process management) and their impact on organisational performance. An empirical survey has been conducted in this study to examine the influence of the identified factors on business performance. In order to measure the impact of the above factors on improving of organisational performance, the MQS model has been used. The data collected has been statistically analysed using descriptive statistics, correlational relationships and regression analysis. The results of the study indicate that the MQS is useful and effective for the improvement of organisational performance in pursuit of organisational excellence. Furthermore, the critical success factors that, when prioritised, will directly influence organisational performance have been identified. Also, all the measured factors are correlated with organisational performance. It has been proven that though there are signs of implementation of MQS, the employees have not yet owned the process and do not implement quality practises in their daily operations. It is recommended that for future studies a more representative sample be sought in order to validate the relationship between strategy planning; communication and organisational performance, and the overall impact of implementing of MQS in the rail industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Perceptions, knowledge and attitudes of women towards maternal deaths at Qaukeni Sub-district in OR Tambo Health District in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Mayekiso, Nomahlubi Dorcas
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Maternal health services--South Africa--Eastern Cape Mothers--Mortality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Public Health
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11194 , vital:37203
- Description: BACKGROUND AND AIM: Maternal mortality is a global problem, with the risk of deathever present during pregnancy, labour and postnatal, particularly in developing countries. The purpose of the study was to explore the perceptions, knowledge and attitudes of women of child-bearing age concerning maternal deaths in Qaukeni Sub-District, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. METHODS: A descriptive, contextual, exploratory research design was used to explore the perceptions, knowledge and attitudes of child-bearing-age women. Interviews were conducted with 21 purposively selected multiparous pregnant women. FINDINGS: Some of the participants knew signs and symptoms of pregnancy as well as danger signs during pregnancy such as haemorrhage, sepsis, high blood pressure and complications of unsupervised home deliveries; while others had little knowledge about these signs and symptoms. Some participants knew about the causes of maternal deaths and a number of them had beliefs that can be construed as myths. The use of herbal medications in pregnancy, such as gwarugwaru and mbelekisane, were highlighted as a problem in maternal health, with serious complications that can lead to maternal deaths. The participants have negative attitudes towards the clinics and hospitals due to the ill treatment they received from health professionals in labour wards, which may have led to the loss of lives of women and children. Lack of resources, unskilled traditional birth attendants, lack of accountability and responsibility by health professionals were contributory factors towards maternal deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of resources, unskilled traditional birth attendants, lack of accountability and the irresponsibility of professional nurses and doctors were all pointed out by participants as either direct or indirect causes of maternal deaths. The recommendations include frequent in-service training for unskilled birth attendants, and the provisions of more professional nurses and doctors. Campaigns also need to be held to highlight the risks that women are exposed to during pregnancy, and the importance of early interventions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mayekiso, Nomahlubi Dorcas
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Maternal health services--South Africa--Eastern Cape Mothers--Mortality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Public Health
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11194 , vital:37203
- Description: BACKGROUND AND AIM: Maternal mortality is a global problem, with the risk of deathever present during pregnancy, labour and postnatal, particularly in developing countries. The purpose of the study was to explore the perceptions, knowledge and attitudes of women of child-bearing age concerning maternal deaths in Qaukeni Sub-District, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. METHODS: A descriptive, contextual, exploratory research design was used to explore the perceptions, knowledge and attitudes of child-bearing-age women. Interviews were conducted with 21 purposively selected multiparous pregnant women. FINDINGS: Some of the participants knew signs and symptoms of pregnancy as well as danger signs during pregnancy such as haemorrhage, sepsis, high blood pressure and complications of unsupervised home deliveries; while others had little knowledge about these signs and symptoms. Some participants knew about the causes of maternal deaths and a number of them had beliefs that can be construed as myths. The use of herbal medications in pregnancy, such as gwarugwaru and mbelekisane, were highlighted as a problem in maternal health, with serious complications that can lead to maternal deaths. The participants have negative attitudes towards the clinics and hospitals due to the ill treatment they received from health professionals in labour wards, which may have led to the loss of lives of women and children. Lack of resources, unskilled traditional birth attendants, lack of accountability and responsibility by health professionals were contributory factors towards maternal deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of resources, unskilled traditional birth attendants, lack of accountability and the irresponsibility of professional nurses and doctors were all pointed out by participants as either direct or indirect causes of maternal deaths. The recommendations include frequent in-service training for unskilled birth attendants, and the provisions of more professional nurses and doctors. Campaigns also need to be held to highlight the risks that women are exposed to during pregnancy, and the importance of early interventions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Distribution of virulence determinants in Plesiomonas shigelloides and Vibrio species isolated from selected hospital wastewater effluents in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Mashudu, Mavhungu
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Vibrio
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14505 , vital:39996
- Description: Plesiomonas shigelloides and some Vibrio species are amongst the bacteria species classified into the emerging pathogenic bacteria grouping, and they portend increasing virulence and high resistance to some of the most potent antimicrobial agents used as most important and critical lines of defence against pathogenic infectious agents. Hospital wastewater has attracted significant attention as a pool for the regurgitation of pathogens into the environment which eventually becomes a problem to public health. It has been variously reported that hospital wastewater critically serves also as a puddle for microbial genetic interaction with outcomes including the development of resistance to antimicrobial agents among other pathogenic traits. And, in the same vein, exchanges and gene recombination may have been leading to the emergence of virulence determinants not previously known owing to the capacity of hospital wastewater to encompass a vast diversity of pathogenic bacteria and antimicrobial agents at the same material time. Hence, this research aimed at the evaluation of the prevalence of virulence and antibiotic resistance in Plesiomonas shigelloides and some human pathogenic Vibrio species isolated from selected hospital wastewater in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Wastewater samples were collected at two weeks intervals throughout three months sampling duration from hospital wastewater facility in the Eastern Cape Province. The wastewater samples were from the secondary hospital and, tertiary hospital along with Limbede community wastewater facilities based in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The wastewater samples were aseptically screened for the presence of presumptive Plesiomonas shigelloides and selected Vibrio species using the culture-based method. The identity of the presumptive Plesiomonas shigelloides and Vibrio species (Vibrio cholerae, V. fluvialis, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus) isolates were confirmed using species specific primers. After that, the presence 14 of virulence determinants and the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the positive strains as well as the antimicrobial resistance factors were all determined. The distribution of the presumptive isolates was as follows; 322 Plesiomans shigelloides and 378 Vibrio species respectively. However, upon molecular confirmation studies, 85 out of 322; 26% of the total presumptive isolates, were confirmed as positive for Plesiomans shigelloides and, on the other hand, from the 378 presumptive Vibrio species, 71% (270) was as positive to Vibrio genus, and upon speciation of the positive isolates; 27% (73) was confirmed as Vibrio cholerae, 9% (24) as Vibrio parahaemolyticus, 4% (12) as Vibrio vulnificus and 3% (8) as Vibrio fluvialis. The remaining 57% (153) which was unaccounted for may belong to other Vibrio species not included in this studies. Various virulence determinants were shown to be present in the Vibrio species identified and the degree varied in line with the species. P. shigelloides showed high levels of resistance to impregnated antibiotics (18 different types). The antibiogram characteristics showed P. shigelloides to possess 100% resistance to Ciprofloxacin, Nalidixic acid, Trimethoprim, Ampicillin, Penicillin, Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Erythromycin, and Cephalothin. These findings are of crucial importance to public health and the science of infectology as it gives insight into the role of the hospital wastewater as a puddle for the recombination of antibiotic resistance determinants and virulence emergence in bacteria. On the strength of the finding of this research, it is essential to indicate that there is a need for an immediate review of hospital wastewater disposal process. Some form of treatment or pretreatment of the hospital wastewater is required before discharge into municipal wastewater treatment facilities. And, perhaps, continuous monitoring of hospital wastewater to reduce the risk posed to public health.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mashudu, Mavhungu
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Vibrio
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14505 , vital:39996
- Description: Plesiomonas shigelloides and some Vibrio species are amongst the bacteria species classified into the emerging pathogenic bacteria grouping, and they portend increasing virulence and high resistance to some of the most potent antimicrobial agents used as most important and critical lines of defence against pathogenic infectious agents. Hospital wastewater has attracted significant attention as a pool for the regurgitation of pathogens into the environment which eventually becomes a problem to public health. It has been variously reported that hospital wastewater critically serves also as a puddle for microbial genetic interaction with outcomes including the development of resistance to antimicrobial agents among other pathogenic traits. And, in the same vein, exchanges and gene recombination may have been leading to the emergence of virulence determinants not previously known owing to the capacity of hospital wastewater to encompass a vast diversity of pathogenic bacteria and antimicrobial agents at the same material time. Hence, this research aimed at the evaluation of the prevalence of virulence and antibiotic resistance in Plesiomonas shigelloides and some human pathogenic Vibrio species isolated from selected hospital wastewater in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Wastewater samples were collected at two weeks intervals throughout three months sampling duration from hospital wastewater facility in the Eastern Cape Province. The wastewater samples were from the secondary hospital and, tertiary hospital along with Limbede community wastewater facilities based in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The wastewater samples were aseptically screened for the presence of presumptive Plesiomonas shigelloides and selected Vibrio species using the culture-based method. The identity of the presumptive Plesiomonas shigelloides and Vibrio species (Vibrio cholerae, V. fluvialis, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus) isolates were confirmed using species specific primers. After that, the presence 14 of virulence determinants and the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the positive strains as well as the antimicrobial resistance factors were all determined. The distribution of the presumptive isolates was as follows; 322 Plesiomans shigelloides and 378 Vibrio species respectively. However, upon molecular confirmation studies, 85 out of 322; 26% of the total presumptive isolates, were confirmed as positive for Plesiomans shigelloides and, on the other hand, from the 378 presumptive Vibrio species, 71% (270) was as positive to Vibrio genus, and upon speciation of the positive isolates; 27% (73) was confirmed as Vibrio cholerae, 9% (24) as Vibrio parahaemolyticus, 4% (12) as Vibrio vulnificus and 3% (8) as Vibrio fluvialis. The remaining 57% (153) which was unaccounted for may belong to other Vibrio species not included in this studies. Various virulence determinants were shown to be present in the Vibrio species identified and the degree varied in line with the species. P. shigelloides showed high levels of resistance to impregnated antibiotics (18 different types). The antibiogram characteristics showed P. shigelloides to possess 100% resistance to Ciprofloxacin, Nalidixic acid, Trimethoprim, Ampicillin, Penicillin, Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Erythromycin, and Cephalothin. These findings are of crucial importance to public health and the science of infectology as it gives insight into the role of the hospital wastewater as a puddle for the recombination of antibiotic resistance determinants and virulence emergence in bacteria. On the strength of the finding of this research, it is essential to indicate that there is a need for an immediate review of hospital wastewater disposal process. Some form of treatment or pretreatment of the hospital wastewater is required before discharge into municipal wastewater treatment facilities. And, perhaps, continuous monitoring of hospital wastewater to reduce the risk posed to public health.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Generalized linear models, with applications in fisheries research
- Authors: Sidumo, Bonelwa
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61102 , vital:27975
- Description: Gambusia affinis (G. affinis) is an invasive fish species found in the Sundays River Valley of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, The relative abundance and population dynamics of G. affinis were quantified in five interconnected impoundments within the Sundays River Valley, This study utilised a G. affinis data set to demonstrate various, classical ANOVA models. Generalized linear models were used to standardize catch per unit effort (CPUE) estimates and to determine environmental variables which influenced the CPUE, Based on the generalized linear model results dam age, mean temperature, Oreochromis mossambicus abundance and Glossogobius callidus abundance had a significant effect on the G. affinis CPUE. The Albany Angling Association collected data during fishing tag and release events. These data were utilized to demonstrate repeated measures designs. Mixed-effects models provided a powerful and flexible tool for analyzing clustered data such as repeated measures data and nested data, lienee it has become tremendously popular as a framework for the analysis of bio-behavioral experiments. The results show that the mixed-effects methods proposed in this study are more efficient than those based on generalized linear models. These data were better modeled with mixed-effects models due to their flexibility in handling missing data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Sidumo, Bonelwa
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61102 , vital:27975
- Description: Gambusia affinis (G. affinis) is an invasive fish species found in the Sundays River Valley of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, The relative abundance and population dynamics of G. affinis were quantified in five interconnected impoundments within the Sundays River Valley, This study utilised a G. affinis data set to demonstrate various, classical ANOVA models. Generalized linear models were used to standardize catch per unit effort (CPUE) estimates and to determine environmental variables which influenced the CPUE, Based on the generalized linear model results dam age, mean temperature, Oreochromis mossambicus abundance and Glossogobius callidus abundance had a significant effect on the G. affinis CPUE. The Albany Angling Association collected data during fishing tag and release events. These data were utilized to demonstrate repeated measures designs. Mixed-effects models provided a powerful and flexible tool for analyzing clustered data such as repeated measures data and nested data, lienee it has become tremendously popular as a framework for the analysis of bio-behavioral experiments. The results show that the mixed-effects methods proposed in this study are more efficient than those based on generalized linear models. These data were better modeled with mixed-effects models due to their flexibility in handling missing data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The role of upwelling in determining the composition, species distribution and genetic structure of intertidal communities in a time of climate change
- Lourenço, Carla Sofia Emídio Rodrigues
- Authors: Lourenço, Carla Sofia Emídio Rodrigues
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Upwelling (Oceanography) , Intertidal organisms -- Morocco -- Atlantic Coast , Intertidal organisms -- Canary Current -- Effect of water currents on , Intertidal animals -- Canary Current -- Effect of water currents on , Intertidal animals -- Morocco -- Atlantic Coas , Mytilus galloprovincialis -- Morocco -- Atlantic Coast , Mytilus galloprovincialis -- Canary Current -- Effect of water currents on , Intertidal ecology -- Canary Current , Sea surface microlayer -- Morocco -- Atlantic Coast
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61614 , vital:28042
- Description: Upwelling is an oceanographic process that strongly influences coastal species and the communities they belong to. In upwelling areas, colder, denser, nutrient-rich subsurface waters are transported to the nearshore surface, replacing warmer superficial waters that are advected offshore. Such effects influence the composition and dynamics of coastal communities, for example by affecting species abundance, recruitment, dispersal and distribution. Upwelling areas are key model regions to study the responses of coastal species to climate change because they are characterized by cooler conditions and experience lower warming rates than adjacent regions. In particular, intertidal rocky shore species are ideal coastal sentinel organisms to study distributional changes driven by climate warming because they inhabit the interface between marine and terrestrial habitats and are exposed to extremely severe environmental conditions. In fact, sharp distributional shifts have been reported for multiple intertidal species as a response to ocean warming. Although some studies have investigated the role of upwelling in influencing abundance and distribution of intertidal species, little is known about its potential as refugia against climate warming and the degree to which upwelling shapes species genetic structure is yet not fully understood. The aim of this thesis is to understand the influence of the Canary Current upwelling system on intertidal community composition, including species distribution and the genetic structure of intertidal species under current climate change. To do this, I investigated community structure of intertidal assemblages along the Atlantic shores of Morocco and Western Sahara, performed large scale surveys on species distribution, evaluated species abundance and frequency of parasitism and examined species genetic patterns. I further coupled biological data with upwelling indices, sea surface temperatures (SST) and the rate of SST warming. I demonstrate that strong upwelling influences abundance and distribution of intertidal rocky shore species and that upwelling cells can act as refugia from climate change by ameliorating thermal conditions. Upwelling cells also conserve the genetic diversity of the marine macroalga Fucus guiryi, promoting intraspecific genetic diversity by preserving unique genetic lineages. However, no evidence was found that upwelling affects the genetic structure for either F. guiryi or the brown mussel Perna perna. Instead, the genetic patterns presented in this thesis seem to result from a combination of species’ life history traits, population size and habitat suitability. My results also suggest that upwelling intensity affects the frequency of endolithic parasitism on the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. In times of climate change, upwelling events provide suitable environmental conditions for species to counter act climatic change. As upwelling is project to intensify in the future, its influence on benthic intertidal species might be greater than previously anticipated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Lourenço, Carla Sofia Emídio Rodrigues
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Upwelling (Oceanography) , Intertidal organisms -- Morocco -- Atlantic Coast , Intertidal organisms -- Canary Current -- Effect of water currents on , Intertidal animals -- Canary Current -- Effect of water currents on , Intertidal animals -- Morocco -- Atlantic Coas , Mytilus galloprovincialis -- Morocco -- Atlantic Coast , Mytilus galloprovincialis -- Canary Current -- Effect of water currents on , Intertidal ecology -- Canary Current , Sea surface microlayer -- Morocco -- Atlantic Coast
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61614 , vital:28042
- Description: Upwelling is an oceanographic process that strongly influences coastal species and the communities they belong to. In upwelling areas, colder, denser, nutrient-rich subsurface waters are transported to the nearshore surface, replacing warmer superficial waters that are advected offshore. Such effects influence the composition and dynamics of coastal communities, for example by affecting species abundance, recruitment, dispersal and distribution. Upwelling areas are key model regions to study the responses of coastal species to climate change because they are characterized by cooler conditions and experience lower warming rates than adjacent regions. In particular, intertidal rocky shore species are ideal coastal sentinel organisms to study distributional changes driven by climate warming because they inhabit the interface between marine and terrestrial habitats and are exposed to extremely severe environmental conditions. In fact, sharp distributional shifts have been reported for multiple intertidal species as a response to ocean warming. Although some studies have investigated the role of upwelling in influencing abundance and distribution of intertidal species, little is known about its potential as refugia against climate warming and the degree to which upwelling shapes species genetic structure is yet not fully understood. The aim of this thesis is to understand the influence of the Canary Current upwelling system on intertidal community composition, including species distribution and the genetic structure of intertidal species under current climate change. To do this, I investigated community structure of intertidal assemblages along the Atlantic shores of Morocco and Western Sahara, performed large scale surveys on species distribution, evaluated species abundance and frequency of parasitism and examined species genetic patterns. I further coupled biological data with upwelling indices, sea surface temperatures (SST) and the rate of SST warming. I demonstrate that strong upwelling influences abundance and distribution of intertidal rocky shore species and that upwelling cells can act as refugia from climate change by ameliorating thermal conditions. Upwelling cells also conserve the genetic diversity of the marine macroalga Fucus guiryi, promoting intraspecific genetic diversity by preserving unique genetic lineages. However, no evidence was found that upwelling affects the genetic structure for either F. guiryi or the brown mussel Perna perna. Instead, the genetic patterns presented in this thesis seem to result from a combination of species’ life history traits, population size and habitat suitability. My results also suggest that upwelling intensity affects the frequency of endolithic parasitism on the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. In times of climate change, upwelling events provide suitable environmental conditions for species to counter act climatic change. As upwelling is project to intensify in the future, its influence on benthic intertidal species might be greater than previously anticipated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Synthesis, characterization and application of novel acetals derived from Eucalyptus oil
- Authors: Burger, Kirstin.
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Plasticizers , Eucalyptus citriodora
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23548 , vital:30579
- Description: The aim of the project was to develop new bio-plasticizer compounds which could be incorporated into infant plastics. Plasticizers increase flexibility of plastic. These plasticizer compounds were derived from crude natural oils such as Eucalyptus citriodora oil and virgin coconut oil. A reagent which could be synthesized from Eucalyptus citriodora oil was, para-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) which was present in a 60:40 ratio of cis and trans isomers of the diol. A green procedure to synthesize the diol, where an environmentally friendly catalyst, citric acid was used. Optimal conditions were 7% aqueous citric acid as the catalyst and 12 hour reaction which resulted in a citronellal conversion of 88.4 ± 0.80% and PMD selectivity of 75.4 ± 1.22%. As the diol was present in isomers, it was of interest to separate the cis and trans isomers for characterization purposes and later for subsequent individual isomer acetalization reactions. Yields obtained for the reaction for cis and trans-PMD were 51% and 36%, respectively. The kinetics for PMD synthesis from Eucalyptus citriodora oil was determined as second order with a rate constant of 0.0008hr-1 and Ea of 15.77kJ/mol. The isomers of para-menthane-3,8-diol could be separated from the isomeric mixture by solvent extraction at -78°C with n-heptane. Individual rod-shaped crystals could be isolated with this procedure and was characterized by X-ray crystallography techniques and identified as cis-para-menthane-3,8-diol. The trans-para-menthane-3,8-diol was successfully separated, however adequate crystals were not grown for X-ray crystallography analysis. Another method of isomer separation was investigated for PMD by the formation of a complex where anhydrous copper chloride could only form a novel complex with cis-para-menthane-3,8-diol. The trans isomer remained unreacted in the filtrate. The cis-para-menthane-3,8-diol isomer could be freed from the complex to yield pure cis isomer. Aldehydes could be synthesized from virgin coconut oil with carboxylic acid extraction procedures of the crude oil. Subsequent synthesis reactions from carboxylic acid to form aldehydes were performed and octanal (85% yield), decanal (88% yield), dodecanal (86% yield) and tetradecanal (14% yield) could be successfully synthesized as precursors to the novel acetalization reactions. Eight novel cyclic acetals with a characteristic 1,3-dioxine ring were successfully synthesized. However, diastereoisomers of cis-acetal and trans-acetal were present and required separation for characterization 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, FT-IR, GC-MS and optical rotation techniques. The eight novel acetals were further characterized according to their physical properties such as there was no data available for these compounds. The following properties were determined: molecular mass, molecular formula, density, viscosity, boiling point, refractive index, enthalpy of vaporization, flash point, UV-VIS compatibility, solubility’s, colour and odour determination. Yields of up to 97% were obtained for these acetal compounds. The synthesis of acetals was optimized with batch reactions and optimum conditions were determined where eight catalysts were screened. These catalysts included: scandium triflate, Zeolite, sulphuric acid, p-toluene-sulfonic acid, Amberlyst 15®, Amberlyst 36®, Amberlite® IRA-120 and formic acid. Optimal conditions were with Amberlyst 15® catalyst, 50 minute reaction time at 65°C reaction temperature. The kinetics of the reaction was determined as zero order with a rate constant of 11.92 hr-1 and Ea of 0.050 kJ/mol. The acetalization reaction was evaluated using a UniQsis FlowSyn continuous flow reactor. One of the eight acetals (hexanal acetal) was used for the optimization study and the remaining acetals were evaluated with the optimum flow conditions. The reaction was improved with the use of continuous flow chemistry techniques by lowering of the optimum batch conditions. Various residence times (3.46-17.30 minutes) and temperature range (25-85°C) were studied to obtain optimum conditions. This process was efficient and low maintenance, which produced high acetal product selectivity of Optimum continuous flow conditions were determined at 55°C and 17.30 minute residence time with the flow rate of 0.1 ml/min. Heterogeneous catalysts such as Amberlyst 15® and Zeolite were screened and Amberlyst 15® determined as most favourable. The effect of Amberlyst 15® catalyst loading (0.5-2 g) was investigated over a temperature range of 25-85°C. Optimum catalyst loading was determined at 1g. The 8 compounds were tested for potential as plasticizers. This included mechanical, thermal, migratory and aesthetic testing. The novel acetals had to be compared to known plasticizers. Therefore, their plasticizer properties were compared to two commercial plasticizers: DBP and Eastman 168. As the compounds were derived from natural resources, they would be classified as bio-plasticizers if they exhibited such properties. Therefore, it was of interest to compare the novel compounds to a known bio-plasticizer: PMD-citronellal acetal. This compound was also present as a diastereoisomers mixture of cis and trans isomers. Therefore, diastereoisomers of the 8 acetals were separated as cis and trans isomers in high yields for plasticizer testing purposes. All 11 compounds (8 novel acetals, PMD-citronellal acetal, DBP and Eastman 168) were formulated in PVC to produce plastic films. As previously stated, isomers were present for the acetal compounds and these individual isomers were formulated into PVC formulations to evaluate if there was an effect of stereochemistry in the plastic films. Studies on this phenomenon were limited and therefore of interest. For isomeric plasticizer testing, 9 acetals (8 novel acetals and PMD-citronellal acetal) were used in the testing. Therefore 18 test compounds were formulated in PVC films for isomer plasticizer testing. The effect of increasing the compound amount in the PVC formulation was investigated in the range of 3-12% (w/w). The following tests were evaluated for all PVC test films: elongation, stress to fracture, glass transition temperature, leaching rate, flexibility, gloss and opacity. To validate the data and observations made, statistical validation models were developed to justify experimental design and trends observed. All novel compounds had plasticizer properties and one acetal compound was concluded as superior to DBP and Eastman 168, within the testing scope of the research. It was observed that higher molecular mass acetal compounds had increased plasticizer properties. Isomers for all acetal compounds were concluded to affect plasticizer properties differently and were highly significant. As the novel acetal compounds could be synthesized from natural crude resources, it was interesting to investigate if the synthesized acetals retained their anti-bacterial properties which the precursor oils possessed. Anti-bacterial testing of isomeric mixtures of C5-C12 acetal was investigated and compared to PMD-citronellal acetal and the two commercial plasticizers: DBP and Eastman 168. As the scope of the research focussed on bio-plasticizers for infant plastic products, test bacterial strains were chosen based on the pathogenic strains which cause diseases in babies. Six strains of bacteria were evaluated. It was of interest to evaluate the potency of the compounds by determining the minimum concentration of the compounds which would be potent enough to inhibit the bacteria. The commercial plasticizers inhibited no bacteria within the scope of the research. The acetals retained their anti-bacterial properties where C12 acetal was superior in 4/6 strains of bacteria and PMD-citronellal acetal was superior in 2/6 strains of bacteria. This research is novel and there are presently no data available on this. It was concluded that 8 new bio-plasticizers were synthesized, optimized and tested, within the scope of this research. These compounds were comparable to industry standards in all tests and possessed anti-bacterial properties which the industrial standards don’t possess.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Burger, Kirstin.
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Plasticizers , Eucalyptus citriodora
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23548 , vital:30579
- Description: The aim of the project was to develop new bio-plasticizer compounds which could be incorporated into infant plastics. Plasticizers increase flexibility of plastic. These plasticizer compounds were derived from crude natural oils such as Eucalyptus citriodora oil and virgin coconut oil. A reagent which could be synthesized from Eucalyptus citriodora oil was, para-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) which was present in a 60:40 ratio of cis and trans isomers of the diol. A green procedure to synthesize the diol, where an environmentally friendly catalyst, citric acid was used. Optimal conditions were 7% aqueous citric acid as the catalyst and 12 hour reaction which resulted in a citronellal conversion of 88.4 ± 0.80% and PMD selectivity of 75.4 ± 1.22%. As the diol was present in isomers, it was of interest to separate the cis and trans isomers for characterization purposes and later for subsequent individual isomer acetalization reactions. Yields obtained for the reaction for cis and trans-PMD were 51% and 36%, respectively. The kinetics for PMD synthesis from Eucalyptus citriodora oil was determined as second order with a rate constant of 0.0008hr-1 and Ea of 15.77kJ/mol. The isomers of para-menthane-3,8-diol could be separated from the isomeric mixture by solvent extraction at -78°C with n-heptane. Individual rod-shaped crystals could be isolated with this procedure and was characterized by X-ray crystallography techniques and identified as cis-para-menthane-3,8-diol. The trans-para-menthane-3,8-diol was successfully separated, however adequate crystals were not grown for X-ray crystallography analysis. Another method of isomer separation was investigated for PMD by the formation of a complex where anhydrous copper chloride could only form a novel complex with cis-para-menthane-3,8-diol. The trans isomer remained unreacted in the filtrate. The cis-para-menthane-3,8-diol isomer could be freed from the complex to yield pure cis isomer. Aldehydes could be synthesized from virgin coconut oil with carboxylic acid extraction procedures of the crude oil. Subsequent synthesis reactions from carboxylic acid to form aldehydes were performed and octanal (85% yield), decanal (88% yield), dodecanal (86% yield) and tetradecanal (14% yield) could be successfully synthesized as precursors to the novel acetalization reactions. Eight novel cyclic acetals with a characteristic 1,3-dioxine ring were successfully synthesized. However, diastereoisomers of cis-acetal and trans-acetal were present and required separation for characterization 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, FT-IR, GC-MS and optical rotation techniques. The eight novel acetals were further characterized according to their physical properties such as there was no data available for these compounds. The following properties were determined: molecular mass, molecular formula, density, viscosity, boiling point, refractive index, enthalpy of vaporization, flash point, UV-VIS compatibility, solubility’s, colour and odour determination. Yields of up to 97% were obtained for these acetal compounds. The synthesis of acetals was optimized with batch reactions and optimum conditions were determined where eight catalysts were screened. These catalysts included: scandium triflate, Zeolite, sulphuric acid, p-toluene-sulfonic acid, Amberlyst 15®, Amberlyst 36®, Amberlite® IRA-120 and formic acid. Optimal conditions were with Amberlyst 15® catalyst, 50 minute reaction time at 65°C reaction temperature. The kinetics of the reaction was determined as zero order with a rate constant of 11.92 hr-1 and Ea of 0.050 kJ/mol. The acetalization reaction was evaluated using a UniQsis FlowSyn continuous flow reactor. One of the eight acetals (hexanal acetal) was used for the optimization study and the remaining acetals were evaluated with the optimum flow conditions. The reaction was improved with the use of continuous flow chemistry techniques by lowering of the optimum batch conditions. Various residence times (3.46-17.30 minutes) and temperature range (25-85°C) were studied to obtain optimum conditions. This process was efficient and low maintenance, which produced high acetal product selectivity of Optimum continuous flow conditions were determined at 55°C and 17.30 minute residence time with the flow rate of 0.1 ml/min. Heterogeneous catalysts such as Amberlyst 15® and Zeolite were screened and Amberlyst 15® determined as most favourable. The effect of Amberlyst 15® catalyst loading (0.5-2 g) was investigated over a temperature range of 25-85°C. Optimum catalyst loading was determined at 1g. The 8 compounds were tested for potential as plasticizers. This included mechanical, thermal, migratory and aesthetic testing. The novel acetals had to be compared to known plasticizers. Therefore, their plasticizer properties were compared to two commercial plasticizers: DBP and Eastman 168. As the compounds were derived from natural resources, they would be classified as bio-plasticizers if they exhibited such properties. Therefore, it was of interest to compare the novel compounds to a known bio-plasticizer: PMD-citronellal acetal. This compound was also present as a diastereoisomers mixture of cis and trans isomers. Therefore, diastereoisomers of the 8 acetals were separated as cis and trans isomers in high yields for plasticizer testing purposes. All 11 compounds (8 novel acetals, PMD-citronellal acetal, DBP and Eastman 168) were formulated in PVC to produce plastic films. As previously stated, isomers were present for the acetal compounds and these individual isomers were formulated into PVC formulations to evaluate if there was an effect of stereochemistry in the plastic films. Studies on this phenomenon were limited and therefore of interest. For isomeric plasticizer testing, 9 acetals (8 novel acetals and PMD-citronellal acetal) were used in the testing. Therefore 18 test compounds were formulated in PVC films for isomer plasticizer testing. The effect of increasing the compound amount in the PVC formulation was investigated in the range of 3-12% (w/w). The following tests were evaluated for all PVC test films: elongation, stress to fracture, glass transition temperature, leaching rate, flexibility, gloss and opacity. To validate the data and observations made, statistical validation models were developed to justify experimental design and trends observed. All novel compounds had plasticizer properties and one acetal compound was concluded as superior to DBP and Eastman 168, within the testing scope of the research. It was observed that higher molecular mass acetal compounds had increased plasticizer properties. Isomers for all acetal compounds were concluded to affect plasticizer properties differently and were highly significant. As the novel acetal compounds could be synthesized from natural crude resources, it was interesting to investigate if the synthesized acetals retained their anti-bacterial properties which the precursor oils possessed. Anti-bacterial testing of isomeric mixtures of C5-C12 acetal was investigated and compared to PMD-citronellal acetal and the two commercial plasticizers: DBP and Eastman 168. As the scope of the research focussed on bio-plasticizers for infant plastic products, test bacterial strains were chosen based on the pathogenic strains which cause diseases in babies. Six strains of bacteria were evaluated. It was of interest to evaluate the potency of the compounds by determining the minimum concentration of the compounds which would be potent enough to inhibit the bacteria. The commercial plasticizers inhibited no bacteria within the scope of the research. The acetals retained their anti-bacterial properties where C12 acetal was superior in 4/6 strains of bacteria and PMD-citronellal acetal was superior in 2/6 strains of bacteria. This research is novel and there are presently no data available on this. It was concluded that 8 new bio-plasticizers were synthesized, optimized and tested, within the scope of this research. These compounds were comparable to industry standards in all tests and possessed anti-bacterial properties which the industrial standards don’t possess.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Painting our stories and legacies: historical evidences through Nigerian paintings
- Fọlárànmí, Stephen, Umoru-Ọ̀kẹ, Nanashaitu, Adéyanjú, Ìdòwú F
- Authors: Fọlárànmí, Stephen , Umoru-Ọ̀kẹ, Nanashaitu , Adéyanjú, Ìdòwú F
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145908 , vital:38477 , http://www.ijhcs.com/index.php/ijhcs/article/view/3276
- Description: One of the functions art serves is to visually document history for generations to come. Even with the development of writing, the artists have continued to document various aspects of what they encounter in their various communities. In Nigeria with particular reference to painting, several artists have used their paintings as visual documentaries. The introduction of the camera as a tool for documenting did little to dissuade these painters from continuing this role. This paper therefore examined selected paintings of artists in Nigeria, whose works reveal historical evidences and culture of a people. Paintings cutting across the various genres such as portraits, landscapes scenes, architecture, festivals and cultural issues from pre-independence Nigeria to the present were selected for examination and analysis. The paper explores a descriptive and comparative analysis of the selected paintings vis-à-vis the various subjects they have recorded. It concludes that these paintings show significant historical evidences that can be used to reconstruct history and others aspects of the society where the need may arise. Painters in Nigeria more than other artists have been able to record history with their works because of the pictorial and compositional peculiarity of painting as an art form.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Fọlárànmí, Stephen , Umoru-Ọ̀kẹ, Nanashaitu , Adéyanjú, Ìdòwú F
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145908 , vital:38477 , http://www.ijhcs.com/index.php/ijhcs/article/view/3276
- Description: One of the functions art serves is to visually document history for generations to come. Even with the development of writing, the artists have continued to document various aspects of what they encounter in their various communities. In Nigeria with particular reference to painting, several artists have used their paintings as visual documentaries. The introduction of the camera as a tool for documenting did little to dissuade these painters from continuing this role. This paper therefore examined selected paintings of artists in Nigeria, whose works reveal historical evidences and culture of a people. Paintings cutting across the various genres such as portraits, landscapes scenes, architecture, festivals and cultural issues from pre-independence Nigeria to the present were selected for examination and analysis. The paper explores a descriptive and comparative analysis of the selected paintings vis-à-vis the various subjects they have recorded. It concludes that these paintings show significant historical evidences that can be used to reconstruct history and others aspects of the society where the need may arise. Painters in Nigeria more than other artists have been able to record history with their works because of the pictorial and compositional peculiarity of painting as an art form.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The influence of legislation and regulations on strategy in public entities
- Authors: Govender, Kasavan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Government business enterprises -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Government corporations -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Industrial development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22178 , vital:29866
- Description: While citizens require products and services to meet their needs, government goes about designing systems and processes to meet that need through the setting of goals and objectives. Many methods are adopted for that to happen. However, one of the ways that this occurs is through legislation and regulations and the formation of public entities. On the other hand, strategy is needed to devise techniques and plans to meet needs, goals and aspirations of government in the most efficient manner. At face value it would seem that the enactment of certain legislation and regulations seems to make the need for strategy obsolete especially since there is proliferation of national, provincial and local strategies that only need implementation. The purpose of this research is to determine the influence of legislation and regulations on strategy in public entities focusing on the Eastern Cape Province and using the Eastern Cape Development Corporation as a case study. The study focused on the assessment of the relationship between the public entities and the shareholder through the use of legislation and regulations. The context for the research is prefixed on creating an understanding of the public administrative system and especially the components of the New Public Management approach that deal with the principal-agent and public choice theory. The study assessed the public administrative system and its relationships in order to locate the use of legislation and regulations and public entities to deliver products and services to citizens. Likewise the concept of strategy was examined from three perspectives namely that strategy is about goal consciousness, strategy involves leadership and strategy is multifaceted in its nature. In order to undertake the study a document review was conducted on the legislation and regulations, semi-structured interviews were held with the principal or shareholder and a questionnaire was administered to executives and senior managers in public entities in the Eastern Cape Province. The findings revealed that there is a relationship between legislation and regulations and strategy on the one hand and on the other strategy appears to be ineffective due to a lack of planning, key role players’ involvement in the process, leadership, inflexible compliance and restrictive conditions. The research further found that strategy involves implementation of legislation and regulations which support the rise of the regulatory state. The study proposes a normative model that is built around defining the nature of strategy and predetermining the definition of roles in the system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Govender, Kasavan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Government business enterprises -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Government corporations -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Industrial development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22178 , vital:29866
- Description: While citizens require products and services to meet their needs, government goes about designing systems and processes to meet that need through the setting of goals and objectives. Many methods are adopted for that to happen. However, one of the ways that this occurs is through legislation and regulations and the formation of public entities. On the other hand, strategy is needed to devise techniques and plans to meet needs, goals and aspirations of government in the most efficient manner. At face value it would seem that the enactment of certain legislation and regulations seems to make the need for strategy obsolete especially since there is proliferation of national, provincial and local strategies that only need implementation. The purpose of this research is to determine the influence of legislation and regulations on strategy in public entities focusing on the Eastern Cape Province and using the Eastern Cape Development Corporation as a case study. The study focused on the assessment of the relationship between the public entities and the shareholder through the use of legislation and regulations. The context for the research is prefixed on creating an understanding of the public administrative system and especially the components of the New Public Management approach that deal with the principal-agent and public choice theory. The study assessed the public administrative system and its relationships in order to locate the use of legislation and regulations and public entities to deliver products and services to citizens. Likewise the concept of strategy was examined from three perspectives namely that strategy is about goal consciousness, strategy involves leadership and strategy is multifaceted in its nature. In order to undertake the study a document review was conducted on the legislation and regulations, semi-structured interviews were held with the principal or shareholder and a questionnaire was administered to executives and senior managers in public entities in the Eastern Cape Province. The findings revealed that there is a relationship between legislation and regulations and strategy on the one hand and on the other strategy appears to be ineffective due to a lack of planning, key role players’ involvement in the process, leadership, inflexible compliance and restrictive conditions. The research further found that strategy involves implementation of legislation and regulations which support the rise of the regulatory state. The study proposes a normative model that is built around defining the nature of strategy and predetermining the definition of roles in the system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018