Inspection of bride and attendants : Ngqokotho, 1975
- Ingle, Pauline Cornwell, 1915-1999
- Authors: Ingle, Pauline Cornwell, 1915-1999
- Date: 1975
- Subjects: Marriage customs and rites -- South Africa -- Transkei , Xhosa (African people) -- Social life and customs , Photography -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Still image
- Identifier: vital:12010 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1000787 , Marriage customs and rites -- South Africa -- Transkei , Xhosa (African people) -- Social life and customs , Photography -- South Africa
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1975
- Authors: Ingle, Pauline Cornwell, 1915-1999
- Date: 1975
- Subjects: Marriage customs and rites -- South Africa -- Transkei , Xhosa (African people) -- Social life and customs , Photography -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Still image
- Identifier: vital:12010 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1000787 , Marriage customs and rites -- South Africa -- Transkei , Xhosa (African people) -- Social life and customs , Photography -- South Africa
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1975
The use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in labour relations in the workplace in South Africa
- Authors: Rwodzi, Night Tafadzwa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Dispute resolution (Law) -- South Africa Mediation and conciliation, Industrial -- South Africa Industrial relations -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Law
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10907 , vital:35962
- Description: Disputes are part and parcel of human nature and always manifest everywhereincluding the employment arena. It is this inevitability of disputes that warrantsmeasures to be in place so as to effectively and without delay, resolve them in order to realise industrial peace. This study is prompted by the way industrial disputes have been handled in the past and the contemporary era. South African legal system provides Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms to the use of adjudication by the ordinary courts in resolving workplace disputes. However, a set of methods made up of conciliation, mediation and arbitration have not been effective in resolving labour disputes owing to a variety of factors. Failure to provide a speedy resolution of disputes, large number of referrals to the Commissioner for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and a large number of review applications lodged at the Labour Courts are some of the contributory factors that delay matters in bringing to finality. It is therefore the aim of this study, to proffer plausible recommendations that intends to cure and provide a silver bullet to the lacuna which exists in the current labour dispute system. To achieve the above stipulated aim, a general background of the study, accompanied by the chronicles of dispute resolution statutes and mechanisms is deliberated. Thereafter, South African compliance with International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions is discussed to assess the efficacy of labour dispute mechanisms. A critical analyses of the effectiveness of ADR within the scope of Labour Relations Act (LRA) 66 of 1995 will then follow. Although there are some limitations to this study, it should be noted that relevant legislation passed by parliament, cases, together with international and regional conventions ratified by the government, scholarly articles, journals and books are used to strengthen arguments and provide guidance in achieving the aims and objectives of the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Rwodzi, Night Tafadzwa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Dispute resolution (Law) -- South Africa Mediation and conciliation, Industrial -- South Africa Industrial relations -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Law
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10907 , vital:35962
- Description: Disputes are part and parcel of human nature and always manifest everywhereincluding the employment arena. It is this inevitability of disputes that warrantsmeasures to be in place so as to effectively and without delay, resolve them in order to realise industrial peace. This study is prompted by the way industrial disputes have been handled in the past and the contemporary era. South African legal system provides Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms to the use of adjudication by the ordinary courts in resolving workplace disputes. However, a set of methods made up of conciliation, mediation and arbitration have not been effective in resolving labour disputes owing to a variety of factors. Failure to provide a speedy resolution of disputes, large number of referrals to the Commissioner for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and a large number of review applications lodged at the Labour Courts are some of the contributory factors that delay matters in bringing to finality. It is therefore the aim of this study, to proffer plausible recommendations that intends to cure and provide a silver bullet to the lacuna which exists in the current labour dispute system. To achieve the above stipulated aim, a general background of the study, accompanied by the chronicles of dispute resolution statutes and mechanisms is deliberated. Thereafter, South African compliance with International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions is discussed to assess the efficacy of labour dispute mechanisms. A critical analyses of the effectiveness of ADR within the scope of Labour Relations Act (LRA) 66 of 1995 will then follow. Although there are some limitations to this study, it should be noted that relevant legislation passed by parliament, cases, together with international and regional conventions ratified by the government, scholarly articles, journals and books are used to strengthen arguments and provide guidance in achieving the aims and objectives of the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Exploring the practices of school management teams (SMT's) in the promotion of quality teaching and learning: A case study of three rural primary schools in King Williams Town District
- Authors: Blie-Musoke, Nondumiso
- Date: 2012-01
- Subjects: School management teams , Effective teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24671 , vital:63434
- Description: This study sought to investigate the practices that the School Management Teams (SMTs) utilize in promoting and monitoring quality teaching and learning in the rural primary schools. The researcher thought it important due to the fact that such actions form part of their central activities. It also aims to explore the kind of difficulties that may be experienced by these formations in rural settings while supporting quality teaching and learning. The main delineations and limitations of this work was that SMTs are supposed to be operational across the spectrum of schools from the first grade to the last one in the high schools. However, due to time constraints and lack of resources, this study was only carried out in three rural primary schools of the king William’s Town district. SMTs are ideally made up of the Principal, Deputy-Principal and HODs (school heads of Department) of these sampled schools who were interviewed. However, in some of the schools under study, the positions of HOD and deputy-principals had already been abolished. The researcher was informed that this was because they had low numbers of learners. In such instances, Senior Teachers were substituted since they are incorporated in the SMTs of those schools. These educators were purposively selected from the foundation, intermediate and senior phases in each primary school. With the research exploring the practices of the SMTs of three rural primary schools, a case study research design was utilized. The research instruments utilized by the researcher to collect data in this case study were Interviews and Document Analysis. The data collected was put into categories and interpreted into common themes. Sources included responses of the participants, school documents, field notes and other relevant documentation such as minutes of the minutes of the SMTs. Constructs, themes and patterns that speak to the strategies used by SMTs in promoting teaching and learning in schools were explored. Briefly, the main findings indicated that the SMTs of the sampled rural primary schools do understand the Departmental policies, but need to be innovative and create space for the practices that they could employ to promote quality teaching and learning. They seem to be working under difficult circumstances. They are grossly over-loaded as full-time administrators and teachers with many learning areas, as well as being responsible for the school nutrition programme. The vacant posts created by retired caretakers added to the overload. There was a concern about the difficulty they were experiencing in the teaching and learning of Mathematics which is nationally regarded as a scarce skill. As an overview of the researcher’s conclusions, it is noted that the SMTs do support the educators to a certain extent. However, there was no documentation that showed how resolutions were made and implemented to validate the nature of support that they give to them. There seemed to be a lack of meaningful parental involvement in the sampled rural primary schools, possibly due to poverty, lack of education and alcohol abuse in the community. Lastly, it seemed to the researcher that there could be uncertainty and uneasiness about the functionality of the senior teachers. Their job descriptions as members of the SMTs remain vaguely defined. In response to the problem statement posed in this study, six major recommendations were made as follows: • Schools, irrespective of their size, ought to have clerks who are able to deal specifically with office administration and external communications. • The teacher-learner ratio as a means of determining the number of educators a school ought to have, should be reviewed as a matter of urgency, if the vital goal of quality teaching and learning is to be realized. • A clear official mandate concerning the job description of senior teachers ought to be established and their positions advertised in that category. This will ensure their equitable distribution as some schools are having them in excess, while others have none. • The department of Education should work with sister departments in government such as Social Development to enforce the law regarding parental negligence. A data basis of negligence parents should be compiled by the concerned departments and reviewed from time to time. Teachers should attend workshops on various policies that govern their roles in the delivery of quality teaching and learning. They need not be conversant with the subject matter only, but also with the relevant policies as a vehicle that facilitates service delivery in education. The introduction of Mathematics support educators who specialized in the learning area should be introduced in each phase of schooling. Such incumbents would rotate from school to school within a circuit, with special reference to rural schools where they would tackle problematic topics as reported by the educators. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012-01
- Authors: Blie-Musoke, Nondumiso
- Date: 2012-01
- Subjects: School management teams , Effective teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24671 , vital:63434
- Description: This study sought to investigate the practices that the School Management Teams (SMTs) utilize in promoting and monitoring quality teaching and learning in the rural primary schools. The researcher thought it important due to the fact that such actions form part of their central activities. It also aims to explore the kind of difficulties that may be experienced by these formations in rural settings while supporting quality teaching and learning. The main delineations and limitations of this work was that SMTs are supposed to be operational across the spectrum of schools from the first grade to the last one in the high schools. However, due to time constraints and lack of resources, this study was only carried out in three rural primary schools of the king William’s Town district. SMTs are ideally made up of the Principal, Deputy-Principal and HODs (school heads of Department) of these sampled schools who were interviewed. However, in some of the schools under study, the positions of HOD and deputy-principals had already been abolished. The researcher was informed that this was because they had low numbers of learners. In such instances, Senior Teachers were substituted since they are incorporated in the SMTs of those schools. These educators were purposively selected from the foundation, intermediate and senior phases in each primary school. With the research exploring the practices of the SMTs of three rural primary schools, a case study research design was utilized. The research instruments utilized by the researcher to collect data in this case study were Interviews and Document Analysis. The data collected was put into categories and interpreted into common themes. Sources included responses of the participants, school documents, field notes and other relevant documentation such as minutes of the minutes of the SMTs. Constructs, themes and patterns that speak to the strategies used by SMTs in promoting teaching and learning in schools were explored. Briefly, the main findings indicated that the SMTs of the sampled rural primary schools do understand the Departmental policies, but need to be innovative and create space for the practices that they could employ to promote quality teaching and learning. They seem to be working under difficult circumstances. They are grossly over-loaded as full-time administrators and teachers with many learning areas, as well as being responsible for the school nutrition programme. The vacant posts created by retired caretakers added to the overload. There was a concern about the difficulty they were experiencing in the teaching and learning of Mathematics which is nationally regarded as a scarce skill. As an overview of the researcher’s conclusions, it is noted that the SMTs do support the educators to a certain extent. However, there was no documentation that showed how resolutions were made and implemented to validate the nature of support that they give to them. There seemed to be a lack of meaningful parental involvement in the sampled rural primary schools, possibly due to poverty, lack of education and alcohol abuse in the community. Lastly, it seemed to the researcher that there could be uncertainty and uneasiness about the functionality of the senior teachers. Their job descriptions as members of the SMTs remain vaguely defined. In response to the problem statement posed in this study, six major recommendations were made as follows: • Schools, irrespective of their size, ought to have clerks who are able to deal specifically with office administration and external communications. • The teacher-learner ratio as a means of determining the number of educators a school ought to have, should be reviewed as a matter of urgency, if the vital goal of quality teaching and learning is to be realized. • A clear official mandate concerning the job description of senior teachers ought to be established and their positions advertised in that category. This will ensure their equitable distribution as some schools are having them in excess, while others have none. • The department of Education should work with sister departments in government such as Social Development to enforce the law regarding parental negligence. A data basis of negligence parents should be compiled by the concerned departments and reviewed from time to time. Teachers should attend workshops on various policies that govern their roles in the delivery of quality teaching and learning. They need not be conversant with the subject matter only, but also with the relevant policies as a vehicle that facilitates service delivery in education. The introduction of Mathematics support educators who specialized in the learning area should be introduced in each phase of schooling. Such incumbents would rotate from school to school within a circuit, with special reference to rural schools where they would tackle problematic topics as reported by the educators. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012-01
Synthesis and characterization of MXS (M = Mo & V) and carbon supported MXS nanocomposites as Pt-free counter electrodes for electrode for DSSC application
- Authors: Bede, Asanda
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Voltammetry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18599 , vital:42612
- Description: It has been reported that the morphology, crystalline phase composition and electrochemical properties of counter electrode materials such MxS (Mo, V) and carbon supported MxS (Mo, V) composite nanomaterials was of considerable importance because it governs the efficiency of many photon assisted chemical and physical reactions in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The efficiency of DSSCs with composite counter electrode materials is reliant on the stability of the photochemistry reactions which can be optimized by appropriate doping levels of the composite materials. Moreover, the microstructure such as surface area, distribution of the MxS (Mo, V) and carbon supported MxS (Mo, V) composite nanomaterials, and the stability of the electrostatic bonds between the MxS (Mo, V) with the carbon support also play a significant role in the performance of the DSSCs. This work evaluates the effect of different mole ratios of the MxS (Mo, V) and carbon supported MxS (Mo, V) composite nanomaterials on the morphological, structural and electrochemical properties of the composite materials. MoS2 nanoflakes nanostructures have been synthesized by hydrothermal technique using sodium orthovanadate (Na2MoO4) as precursor. In this work Carbon supported MoS2 NFs have been prepared by physically/chemically mixing different mole ratios of MoS2 NFs with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and polyvinylidene in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone. The morphological, structural and electrochemical properties of the composite counter electrode materials have been investigated using SEM, XRD FTIR, TEM, RS and CV. SEM analysis has revealed the presence of large MoS2 nanoflakes (NFs) as synthesized. SEM analysis has also revealed significant change in the surface morphology of carbon supported MoS2 composite nanostructures with the change in the mole ratio of the MoS2 NFs and carbon support multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Structural analysis through HRTEM analysis revealed a d-spacing of 0.65 nm with a corresponding (002) lattice plane belonging to a trigonal crystalline phase of MoS2. Also, HRTEM analysis has revealed d-spacing of 0.291 nm corresponding to 002 plane of MWCNTs. Raman spectroscopy has revealed Characteristic Raman vibration frequencies and symmetries at 264.6 cm-1(Eg), 354.2 cm-1 (Ag ) belonging trigonal phase of MoS2 (1T-MoS2). FTIR analysis has revealed a narrow peak at 457.6 cm-1 due Mo-S vibration bond. This observation confirms the success of synthesis of MoS2 nanostructures. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), charge-discharge (CD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements have revealed that the ratio 6:3:1 have shown to be optimum ratio due to its large reduction rate compared to pristine MoS2 NFs and other carbon supported MoS2 NFs. Calculated Rreduction for the carbon supported MoS2 NFs is the order 3:6:1>1:8:1>6:3:1>8:1:1 indicating the trend of ratio 3:6:1 appeared to have higher reduction rate than the rest of the material and it had far less ΔEpp than the rest of other ratios. All CV curves for both pristine MoS2 NFs and carbon supported MoS2 NFs confirmed a distinct Faradic characteristic. The VS2 nanosheets (NSs) and carbon supported VS2 NSs were also effectively synthesized via hydrothermal method. The SEM micrographs for VS2 NSs and carbon supported VS2 NSs samples reveals level increased. Furthermore, SEM-EDX analysis have confirmed the presence of V and S as well as C and O on carbon supported VS2 nanocomposites, and it clearly shown a gradually blending as the ratios increases. The structural studies through XRD analysis have revealed peaks at 2θ angles of 15.4◦, 28.2◦, 34.2◦, 36.2◦, 43.3◦,48.3◦, 54.4◦, 57.7◦ and 66.2◦ which correspond to the lattice planes (001), (002), (100), (011), (102), (003), (110), (103) and (201) belonging to hexagonal VS2 (H-VS2) crystalline phase as per JCPDS card 36-1139. The HRTEM have revealed that the VS2 NSs have an edge to edge length of ~ 0.294 – 1.248 µm. Also, HRTEM micrographs of VS2 NSs have revealed interplanar d spacing of 0.571 nm belonging to the (001) lattice plane of hexagonal VS2 (H-VS2) structure. FTIR analysis have shown a peak at 558 cm-1 attributed to V-S which is evident that sulfur has bonded with the metal (V) and is in agreement with EDS. CV, CD and EIS measurements have shown that the ratio 1:8:1 is more superior to VS2 NSs and other carbon supported VS2 NSs. Based on Rreduction for the carbon supported nanosheets VS2 nanosheets are ordered as 1:8:1>3:6:1>6:3:1>8:1:1. Carbon supported VS2 NSs of the mole ratio 1:8:1 showed a small resistance of 0.32 Ω. This is further evidence that the carbon supported VS2 NSs of the mole ratio 1:8:1 in addition to revealing excellent catalytic behaviour is also more chemically stable and has good conductivity properties._________
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Bede, Asanda
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Voltammetry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18599 , vital:42612
- Description: It has been reported that the morphology, crystalline phase composition and electrochemical properties of counter electrode materials such MxS (Mo, V) and carbon supported MxS (Mo, V) composite nanomaterials was of considerable importance because it governs the efficiency of many photon assisted chemical and physical reactions in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The efficiency of DSSCs with composite counter electrode materials is reliant on the stability of the photochemistry reactions which can be optimized by appropriate doping levels of the composite materials. Moreover, the microstructure such as surface area, distribution of the MxS (Mo, V) and carbon supported MxS (Mo, V) composite nanomaterials, and the stability of the electrostatic bonds between the MxS (Mo, V) with the carbon support also play a significant role in the performance of the DSSCs. This work evaluates the effect of different mole ratios of the MxS (Mo, V) and carbon supported MxS (Mo, V) composite nanomaterials on the morphological, structural and electrochemical properties of the composite materials. MoS2 nanoflakes nanostructures have been synthesized by hydrothermal technique using sodium orthovanadate (Na2MoO4) as precursor. In this work Carbon supported MoS2 NFs have been prepared by physically/chemically mixing different mole ratios of MoS2 NFs with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and polyvinylidene in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone. The morphological, structural and electrochemical properties of the composite counter electrode materials have been investigated using SEM, XRD FTIR, TEM, RS and CV. SEM analysis has revealed the presence of large MoS2 nanoflakes (NFs) as synthesized. SEM analysis has also revealed significant change in the surface morphology of carbon supported MoS2 composite nanostructures with the change in the mole ratio of the MoS2 NFs and carbon support multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Structural analysis through HRTEM analysis revealed a d-spacing of 0.65 nm with a corresponding (002) lattice plane belonging to a trigonal crystalline phase of MoS2. Also, HRTEM analysis has revealed d-spacing of 0.291 nm corresponding to 002 plane of MWCNTs. Raman spectroscopy has revealed Characteristic Raman vibration frequencies and symmetries at 264.6 cm-1(Eg), 354.2 cm-1 (Ag ) belonging trigonal phase of MoS2 (1T-MoS2). FTIR analysis has revealed a narrow peak at 457.6 cm-1 due Mo-S vibration bond. This observation confirms the success of synthesis of MoS2 nanostructures. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), charge-discharge (CD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements have revealed that the ratio 6:3:1 have shown to be optimum ratio due to its large reduction rate compared to pristine MoS2 NFs and other carbon supported MoS2 NFs. Calculated Rreduction for the carbon supported MoS2 NFs is the order 3:6:1>1:8:1>6:3:1>8:1:1 indicating the trend of ratio 3:6:1 appeared to have higher reduction rate than the rest of the material and it had far less ΔEpp than the rest of other ratios. All CV curves for both pristine MoS2 NFs and carbon supported MoS2 NFs confirmed a distinct Faradic characteristic. The VS2 nanosheets (NSs) and carbon supported VS2 NSs were also effectively synthesized via hydrothermal method. The SEM micrographs for VS2 NSs and carbon supported VS2 NSs samples reveals level increased. Furthermore, SEM-EDX analysis have confirmed the presence of V and S as well as C and O on carbon supported VS2 nanocomposites, and it clearly shown a gradually blending as the ratios increases. The structural studies through XRD analysis have revealed peaks at 2θ angles of 15.4◦, 28.2◦, 34.2◦, 36.2◦, 43.3◦,48.3◦, 54.4◦, 57.7◦ and 66.2◦ which correspond to the lattice planes (001), (002), (100), (011), (102), (003), (110), (103) and (201) belonging to hexagonal VS2 (H-VS2) crystalline phase as per JCPDS card 36-1139. The HRTEM have revealed that the VS2 NSs have an edge to edge length of ~ 0.294 – 1.248 µm. Also, HRTEM micrographs of VS2 NSs have revealed interplanar d spacing of 0.571 nm belonging to the (001) lattice plane of hexagonal VS2 (H-VS2) structure. FTIR analysis have shown a peak at 558 cm-1 attributed to V-S which is evident that sulfur has bonded with the metal (V) and is in agreement with EDS. CV, CD and EIS measurements have shown that the ratio 1:8:1 is more superior to VS2 NSs and other carbon supported VS2 NSs. Based on Rreduction for the carbon supported nanosheets VS2 nanosheets are ordered as 1:8:1>3:6:1>6:3:1>8:1:1. Carbon supported VS2 NSs of the mole ratio 1:8:1 showed a small resistance of 0.32 Ω. This is further evidence that the carbon supported VS2 NSs of the mole ratio 1:8:1 in addition to revealing excellent catalytic behaviour is also more chemically stable and has good conductivity properties._________
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The role of custodial grandparents in psychosocial well-being of adolescents from single parents in Buffalo City Municipality of Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Adenike,Folorunsho Fausat
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Grandparents as parents Grandparent and child Grandparenting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Social Work)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17943 , vital:41994
- Description: It has been a historical norm in African societies for children to leave in the homes of caregivers. Among these caregivers are the grandparents, who are from time immemorial, being a pillar of support to their children in caring for their grandchildren. Against this background, the study assesses custodial the role of grandparents in the psychosocial well-being of adolescent children from single parents' homes in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study was guided theoretically by Role and Ryff's psychosocial well-being theories. Four sets of participants totaling 323 gathered using a mixed-method approach comprised of 150 adolescents and 136 custodial grandparents through questionnaires, 30 single parents, through in-depth interviews, and seven social workers through focus group discussions. The study utilized a multi-stage sampling technique to select adolescents and their grandparents, a purposive sampling technique for single parents, and a convenient sampling technique for social workers. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient, while the qualitative data were categorized manually into themes and subthemes. Findings indicated a correlation between the attainment of the adolescent children's psychosocial well-being and the effectiveness of the custodial grandparents' role. More also, the challenges encountered by custodial grandparents do affect the attainment of the psychosocial well-being of adolescent children. Furthermore, finding from the study revealed that non-governmental organizations in the municipality were not rendering social support for the custodial grandparents. Finally, the child-support grant received by poor grandparents is grossly inadequate to meet up with the astronomical needs of the adolescent children. The study concluded that custodial grandparents' social support is an effective mechanism in meeting adolescent children's psychosocial well-being. Several recommendations were made from the conclusions to various stakeholders and proposed a responsive conceptual grand-parenting model to cater for effective parenting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Adenike,Folorunsho Fausat
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Grandparents as parents Grandparent and child Grandparenting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Social Work)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17943 , vital:41994
- Description: It has been a historical norm in African societies for children to leave in the homes of caregivers. Among these caregivers are the grandparents, who are from time immemorial, being a pillar of support to their children in caring for their grandchildren. Against this background, the study assesses custodial the role of grandparents in the psychosocial well-being of adolescent children from single parents' homes in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study was guided theoretically by Role and Ryff's psychosocial well-being theories. Four sets of participants totaling 323 gathered using a mixed-method approach comprised of 150 adolescents and 136 custodial grandparents through questionnaires, 30 single parents, through in-depth interviews, and seven social workers through focus group discussions. The study utilized a multi-stage sampling technique to select adolescents and their grandparents, a purposive sampling technique for single parents, and a convenient sampling technique for social workers. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient, while the qualitative data were categorized manually into themes and subthemes. Findings indicated a correlation between the attainment of the adolescent children's psychosocial well-being and the effectiveness of the custodial grandparents' role. More also, the challenges encountered by custodial grandparents do affect the attainment of the psychosocial well-being of adolescent children. Furthermore, finding from the study revealed that non-governmental organizations in the municipality were not rendering social support for the custodial grandparents. Finally, the child-support grant received by poor grandparents is grossly inadequate to meet up with the astronomical needs of the adolescent children. The study concluded that custodial grandparents' social support is an effective mechanism in meeting adolescent children's psychosocial well-being. Several recommendations were made from the conclusions to various stakeholders and proposed a responsive conceptual grand-parenting model to cater for effective parenting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
In vitro bioactivity of crude extracts of Lippia javanica on clinical isolates of Helicobacter pylori: preliminary phytochemical screening
- Authors: Nkomo, Lindelwa Precious
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Extracts , Helicobacter pylori , Antibiotics , Drug resistance in microorganisms , Materia medica, Vegetable
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11257 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/508 , Extracts , Helicobacter pylori , Antibiotics , Drug resistance in microorganisms , Materia medica, Vegetable
- Description: Helicobacter pylori classified as a class 1 carcinogen is a common human pathogen implicated in certain gastrointestinal diseases. Helicobacter pylori infection is acquired mainly in childhood, especially in developing countries. H. pylori infection causes peptic ulcer, duodenitis, gastritis and cancer. The growing resistance of H. pylori to antibiotics used in its treatment as well as other innate limitations of the triple therapy has necessitated a search for alternative treatment from natural sources which could be readily available, less cost effective. The antimicrobial activity of solvents (acetone, ethanol, methanol, chloroform and water) crude extracts of Lippia javanica were investigated against 31 H. pylori strains by the agar well diffusion technique. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by spectrophotometric analysis at 620 nm using the broth micro dilution method and the rate of kill by broth dilution method. Phytochemical analysis was also performed. H. pylori standard strain NCTC 11638 was included as a positive control. Metronidazole and amoxicillin were used as positive control antibiotics. The ANOVA test was used to analyze the results using SPSS version 17.0. The strains were inhibited by all the extracts with inhibition zones of diameter ranging from 0-36 mm and 0-35 mm for the control antibiotic, clarithromycin. The MIC90 ranged from 0.039- 0.625 mg/mL for acetone; 0.039-1.25mg/mL for methanol, 0.00195-0.313 mg/mL for ethanol; 0.01975-2.5 mg/mL for metronidazole and 0.0048-2.5 mg/mL for amoxicillin. Acetone extract completely inhibited strain PE369C at MIC (0.1 mg/mL) and 2× MIC (0.2 mg/mL) in 18h and at ½× MIC (0.05 mg/mL) in 36h. Strain PE466C was completely inhibited at 4× MIC in 72h. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids and alkaloids. The results indicate that the extracts of the leaves of L. javanica may contain compounds with anti-H. pylori activity and merits further study to identify the compounds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Nkomo, Lindelwa Precious
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Extracts , Helicobacter pylori , Antibiotics , Drug resistance in microorganisms , Materia medica, Vegetable
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11257 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/508 , Extracts , Helicobacter pylori , Antibiotics , Drug resistance in microorganisms , Materia medica, Vegetable
- Description: Helicobacter pylori classified as a class 1 carcinogen is a common human pathogen implicated in certain gastrointestinal diseases. Helicobacter pylori infection is acquired mainly in childhood, especially in developing countries. H. pylori infection causes peptic ulcer, duodenitis, gastritis and cancer. The growing resistance of H. pylori to antibiotics used in its treatment as well as other innate limitations of the triple therapy has necessitated a search for alternative treatment from natural sources which could be readily available, less cost effective. The antimicrobial activity of solvents (acetone, ethanol, methanol, chloroform and water) crude extracts of Lippia javanica were investigated against 31 H. pylori strains by the agar well diffusion technique. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by spectrophotometric analysis at 620 nm using the broth micro dilution method and the rate of kill by broth dilution method. Phytochemical analysis was also performed. H. pylori standard strain NCTC 11638 was included as a positive control. Metronidazole and amoxicillin were used as positive control antibiotics. The ANOVA test was used to analyze the results using SPSS version 17.0. The strains were inhibited by all the extracts with inhibition zones of diameter ranging from 0-36 mm and 0-35 mm for the control antibiotic, clarithromycin. The MIC90 ranged from 0.039- 0.625 mg/mL for acetone; 0.039-1.25mg/mL for methanol, 0.00195-0.313 mg/mL for ethanol; 0.01975-2.5 mg/mL for metronidazole and 0.0048-2.5 mg/mL for amoxicillin. Acetone extract completely inhibited strain PE369C at MIC (0.1 mg/mL) and 2× MIC (0.2 mg/mL) in 18h and at ½× MIC (0.05 mg/mL) in 36h. Strain PE466C was completely inhibited at 4× MIC in 72h. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids and alkaloids. The results indicate that the extracts of the leaves of L. javanica may contain compounds with anti-H. pylori activity and merits further study to identify the compounds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Afro-communitarianism, social architecture, and the moral education of children as strategies for social integration in South Africa
- Authors: Ofana , Diana E
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Social integration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M.A
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17674 , vital:41135
- Description: South African society has long been bedeviled by racial segregation and oppression. Apartheid policies structured South Africa in a segregated and hierarchical manner to prevent inter-group contact and relations. Despite twenty-five years of a democratic dispensation and the many positive institutional and policy changes it has provided, South Africans are still struggling to build an integrated society of equals. This thesis uses Afro-communitarianism as a framework to analyse this challenge of continued racial segregation in post-Apartheid South Africa, and to provide tools to encourage integration. Afro-communitarianism holds that the essence of the human person is incomplete without the recognition of one’s nature as one amongst others. Afro-communitarianism emphasizes deep communal relationships between individuals and their community, it conceptualizes a person as only truly a person in relation to others. Drawing from this core idea, this thesis develops a conception of personhood as complementary. Complementary personhood argues that no human person is self-sufficient, and as such a mutual complementarity between and amongst them serves to positively enhance the quality of one’s social, moral, political, and existential realities. An Afro-communitarian understanding of integration is built upon this mutual complementarity, and as such focuses on the need for interaction, relationship, and communal space. The thesis develops this Afro-communitarian concept of social integration and uses it as a framework to identify the core relational problem underlying racial tensions in contemporary South Africa. I argue that my Afro-communitarian account of complementary personhood provides us with two mutually reinforcing strategies to respond to this core relational problem. First, I present 4 an account of Afro-communitarian social architecture which prioritizes communal engagement through the creation of communal spaces that promote humane relationships. Second, I argue for an Afro-communitarian understanding of moral education that is centred on instilling communal values and a complementary understanding of personhood. Together, these two strategies provide resources toward developing a new and innovative path toward an integrated South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Ofana , Diana E
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Social integration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M.A
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17674 , vital:41135
- Description: South African society has long been bedeviled by racial segregation and oppression. Apartheid policies structured South Africa in a segregated and hierarchical manner to prevent inter-group contact and relations. Despite twenty-five years of a democratic dispensation and the many positive institutional and policy changes it has provided, South Africans are still struggling to build an integrated society of equals. This thesis uses Afro-communitarianism as a framework to analyse this challenge of continued racial segregation in post-Apartheid South Africa, and to provide tools to encourage integration. Afro-communitarianism holds that the essence of the human person is incomplete without the recognition of one’s nature as one amongst others. Afro-communitarianism emphasizes deep communal relationships between individuals and their community, it conceptualizes a person as only truly a person in relation to others. Drawing from this core idea, this thesis develops a conception of personhood as complementary. Complementary personhood argues that no human person is self-sufficient, and as such a mutual complementarity between and amongst them serves to positively enhance the quality of one’s social, moral, political, and existential realities. An Afro-communitarian understanding of integration is built upon this mutual complementarity, and as such focuses on the need for interaction, relationship, and communal space. The thesis develops this Afro-communitarian concept of social integration and uses it as a framework to identify the core relational problem underlying racial tensions in contemporary South Africa. I argue that my Afro-communitarian account of complementary personhood provides us with two mutually reinforcing strategies to respond to this core relational problem. First, I present 4 an account of Afro-communitarian social architecture which prioritizes communal engagement through the creation of communal spaces that promote humane relationships. Second, I argue for an Afro-communitarian understanding of moral education that is centred on instilling communal values and a complementary understanding of personhood. Together, these two strategies provide resources toward developing a new and innovative path toward an integrated South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The choice of idols from a social psychological perspective
- Authors: Lupke, Lynette M
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Identity (Psychology) , Idols and images , Social interaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Psych)
- Identifier: vital:11606 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/132 , Identity (Psychology) , Idols and images , Social interaction
- Description: The study of adolescents’ idols has an over 100-year tradition. The meta-analysis of Teigen, Normann, Bjorkheim and Helland (2000) showed that idols, which are commonly understood as role models, changed over the last century which is attributed to changes in the social context. The present paper argues that Social Identity Theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979, 1986) offers an appropriate theoretical framework to conceptualize social context by hypothesising a functional relationship between idols and identity management strategies moderated by the status position of the adolescent’s group s/he belongs to. The hypothesised functional relationship was tested in two studies with white and black adolescent South Africans. The results of the two studies supported our assumptions that the functional relationship between idols and identity management strategies is indeed moderated by status position. The results also indicate that Social Identity Theory seems to be an appropriate theoretical framework when social context is particularly conceptualised as social change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Lupke, Lynette M
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Identity (Psychology) , Idols and images , Social interaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Psych)
- Identifier: vital:11606 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/132 , Identity (Psychology) , Idols and images , Social interaction
- Description: The study of adolescents’ idols has an over 100-year tradition. The meta-analysis of Teigen, Normann, Bjorkheim and Helland (2000) showed that idols, which are commonly understood as role models, changed over the last century which is attributed to changes in the social context. The present paper argues that Social Identity Theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979, 1986) offers an appropriate theoretical framework to conceptualize social context by hypothesising a functional relationship between idols and identity management strategies moderated by the status position of the adolescent’s group s/he belongs to. The hypothesised functional relationship was tested in two studies with white and black adolescent South Africans. The results of the two studies supported our assumptions that the functional relationship between idols and identity management strategies is indeed moderated by status position. The results also indicate that Social Identity Theory seems to be an appropriate theoretical framework when social context is particularly conceptualised as social change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Investigating the factors affecting citizen's ability to access e-government services in Nkonkobe municipality in the Easterrn Cape province
- Authors: Ntobongwana,Nolitha
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Internet in public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Electronic government information -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Admin
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1708 , vital:27551
- Description: E-government which refers to electronic Government is the process of transformation of relationships of government with its constituents ie the citizens, the businesses and between its own organs, through the use of the tools of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). E-government services are the outcome of e-governance that come as automated services delivered through ICTs particularly Internet based applications that provide access to and delivery of information or services to the public, businesses, other agencies and governmental departments. This study seeks to examine the factors affecting citizens ability to access e-government services in Nkonkobe Municipality in the province of Eastern Cape and come with recommendations of how to address the issue. E-government services should be developed on platforms with the consideration of devices that people can have access to. The study showed that in as much as one can have cell phone that has access to internet , some website services such as home affairs enquiry applications are not accessible on a phone with a general web browser that has no Java Script capacity but has acces to internet. Therefore developing Short Message Service (SMS) based services or Unstructured Supplementary Serviuce Data (USSD) code that is available on all Globile System for Mobile (GSM) cell phones can increase accessibility of most services at a cheaper cost. The study concludes that although e-government is the future for our country and in this era of technology, much still has to be done in areas like Nkonkobe Municipality in Eastern Cape, as the citizens have no or lack appropriate tools to access the internet, and sometimes citizens are not aware of e-government services available. The research indicates that most citizens have cell phones despite the differences in handset capabilities, which therefore means that applications developed for e-government services can be ported foe accessibility to ordinary GSM cell phone including those without internet access.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Ntobongwana,Nolitha
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Internet in public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Electronic government information -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Admin
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1708 , vital:27551
- Description: E-government which refers to electronic Government is the process of transformation of relationships of government with its constituents ie the citizens, the businesses and between its own organs, through the use of the tools of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). E-government services are the outcome of e-governance that come as automated services delivered through ICTs particularly Internet based applications that provide access to and delivery of information or services to the public, businesses, other agencies and governmental departments. This study seeks to examine the factors affecting citizens ability to access e-government services in Nkonkobe Municipality in the province of Eastern Cape and come with recommendations of how to address the issue. E-government services should be developed on platforms with the consideration of devices that people can have access to. The study showed that in as much as one can have cell phone that has access to internet , some website services such as home affairs enquiry applications are not accessible on a phone with a general web browser that has no Java Script capacity but has acces to internet. Therefore developing Short Message Service (SMS) based services or Unstructured Supplementary Serviuce Data (USSD) code that is available on all Globile System for Mobile (GSM) cell phones can increase accessibility of most services at a cheaper cost. The study concludes that although e-government is the future for our country and in this era of technology, much still has to be done in areas like Nkonkobe Municipality in Eastern Cape, as the citizens have no or lack appropriate tools to access the internet, and sometimes citizens are not aware of e-government services available. The research indicates that most citizens have cell phones despite the differences in handset capabilities, which therefore means that applications developed for e-government services can be ported foe accessibility to ordinary GSM cell phone including those without internet access.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The use of Blackboard as a tool for the teaching and assessment of large classes in mathematics education: a case study of second year level Bachelor of Education students in one university in South Africa
- Authors: Riley, Alanna
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Blackboards , Blackboard drawing , Mathematics -- Study and teaching , College students , Educational change , Information technology , Teaching -- Aids and devices , College teaching , Assessment , Blended learning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16182 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006237 , Blackboards , Blackboard drawing , Mathematics -- Study and teaching , College students , Educational change , Information technology , Teaching -- Aids and devices , College teaching , Assessment , Blended learning
- Description: This study locates the Blackboard Learning Management System as a Technology Enhanced Learning tool within the bounds of the discipline of eLearning and aimed to interrogate the use of Blackboard for the purposes of teaching, learning and assessment in large classes. It is evident from the literature reviewed that changes in both Higher Education in the South Africa with regards to policy and legislation in addition to international shifts towards increased access and participation in a fast paced, ever-evolving knowledge-based economy, providing the context for this work. The theoretical framework for this study is not unidimensional due to the fact that the educational field of eLearning as an area of specialisation draws on a multitude of theories in terms of their utility value for instructional design of courses utilising Information and Communications Technology as a mode of delivery. This study was conducted within the bounds of an interpretivist paradigm as the researcher sought to focus on the use of Blackboard and the experiences of the lecturers and students involved in the implementation thereof. The research design for this study took the form of a case study and a multiple case method was employed. The researcher collected data through personal interviews conducted with participating lecturers, while student data was collected by means of a qualitative survey which was conducted through the Blackboard Learning Management System. The data was analyzed by means of a thematic analysis, consistent with the interpretive paradigm chosen for this study. The findings of this study revealed that Blackboard was utilised effectively in order to facilitate communication, access to course resources and promoted more efficient assessment processes. The implementation was however not without challenges many of which were systemic and focused on the lack of resources available to the students. The implications of using Blackboard for teaching and assessment of large classes include the use of the Learning Management System as part of a multimodal method of course delivery in an effort to reach the multitude of registered students both conceptually as well as electronically. The recommendations arising from this study include consideration on the part of the faculty for a unified approach in the use of Blackboard for communication as well as deployment of resources. Additionally, this study may form the foundation of further studies in this field, with a focus on the active engagement and training of lecturers in order to integrate traditional teaching methods with blended learning opportunities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Riley, Alanna
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Blackboards , Blackboard drawing , Mathematics -- Study and teaching , College students , Educational change , Information technology , Teaching -- Aids and devices , College teaching , Assessment , Blended learning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16182 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006237 , Blackboards , Blackboard drawing , Mathematics -- Study and teaching , College students , Educational change , Information technology , Teaching -- Aids and devices , College teaching , Assessment , Blended learning
- Description: This study locates the Blackboard Learning Management System as a Technology Enhanced Learning tool within the bounds of the discipline of eLearning and aimed to interrogate the use of Blackboard for the purposes of teaching, learning and assessment in large classes. It is evident from the literature reviewed that changes in both Higher Education in the South Africa with regards to policy and legislation in addition to international shifts towards increased access and participation in a fast paced, ever-evolving knowledge-based economy, providing the context for this work. The theoretical framework for this study is not unidimensional due to the fact that the educational field of eLearning as an area of specialisation draws on a multitude of theories in terms of their utility value for instructional design of courses utilising Information and Communications Technology as a mode of delivery. This study was conducted within the bounds of an interpretivist paradigm as the researcher sought to focus on the use of Blackboard and the experiences of the lecturers and students involved in the implementation thereof. The research design for this study took the form of a case study and a multiple case method was employed. The researcher collected data through personal interviews conducted with participating lecturers, while student data was collected by means of a qualitative survey which was conducted through the Blackboard Learning Management System. The data was analyzed by means of a thematic analysis, consistent with the interpretive paradigm chosen for this study. The findings of this study revealed that Blackboard was utilised effectively in order to facilitate communication, access to course resources and promoted more efficient assessment processes. The implementation was however not without challenges many of which were systemic and focused on the lack of resources available to the students. The implications of using Blackboard for teaching and assessment of large classes include the use of the Learning Management System as part of a multimodal method of course delivery in an effort to reach the multitude of registered students both conceptually as well as electronically. The recommendations arising from this study include consideration on the part of the faculty for a unified approach in the use of Blackboard for communication as well as deployment of resources. Additionally, this study may form the foundation of further studies in this field, with a focus on the active engagement and training of lecturers in order to integrate traditional teaching methods with blended learning opportunities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Towards a framework to enhance entry-level national diploma students' learning of computer programming - effects of guided inquiry learning
- Authors: Lukose, Jose
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Computer programming -- Study and teaching Computer science -- Study and teaching (Higher)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9522 , vital:34362
- Description: Research reports using global data show that the failure rates in introductory programming courses average about 32 percent. This study assessed the effect of elements of Guided Inquiry Learning (GIL) on enhancing academic performance of first year students in Introduction to Computer Programming course. As learners from schools join the university and enrol for different courses, they find the sudden transformation quite challenging. This makes it more challenging for first year university students, especially in difficult courses such as Introduction to Programming. As times change with advances in technology, the traditional ways of presenting information during teaching–learning interface may not address students’ needs. Lecturers and university stakeholders make efforts to address these challenges by proposing innovative teaching ways. One of the common approaches that have been used profitably in other science and engineering programmes is GIL. It is a form of inductive collaborative learning approach where students are presented with a challenge which challenges them to accomplish the desired learning outcomes in the process of responding to the posed challenge. The strategies in GIL include, among others, learning teams who participate in intra- and inter-learner interactions besides lecturer-learner interactions, linking theory and practical information cementing skills and problem solving strategies, scaffolding information, blended learning by integrating both traditional and technology-assisted learning, inquiry activities such as initiating investigations, gathering data, and critiquing evidence to come up with evidence-based solutions. The objective was to apply GIL to this module and observe if there were gains in students’ academic performance. This study was located in the pragmatic paradigm using action research design and a mixed method approach. The sample consisted offirst year students enrolled for Introduction to programming which was a year-long course (two semesters) at a South African university. The population consisted of the only 49 students who were registered for the module under focus. A group of 20 students were considered for the whole year in the GIL experiment. Although it would students were considered for the whole year in the GIL experiment. Although it would students were considered for the whole year in the GIL experiment. Although it would have been ideal to have experimental and control groups with same number of students, that was not possible in this study, because only 20 out of the 49 who were willing to be included in the experimental group. The present researcher employed willing to be included in the experimental group. The present researcher employed three of these GIL strategies in teaching the module Introduction to Programming to the experimental group while another colleague continued with traditional teaching in the control group. Care was taken to limit the insider outsider conflict. Both groups were assessed by the same assessment tools at the same times. Results from these assessments together with focus group interviews provided the core data for this study. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were carried out on the data, statistical analysis (mainly, chi-Square and t-test) for the former and thematic analysis for the latter. Results indicated gains in the experimental group such as enhanced motivation, interaction, intra-group social cohesion, creativity and provided students the confidence to share knowledge and skills with their peers and keep everyone focused on the course contents. These gains are reflected in higher year marks and pass rates than those in the control group as the analysed data indicate. A study that will pilot the GIL framework in several universities with different teaching modes and large classes are recommended.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Lukose, Jose
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Computer programming -- Study and teaching Computer science -- Study and teaching (Higher)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9522 , vital:34362
- Description: Research reports using global data show that the failure rates in introductory programming courses average about 32 percent. This study assessed the effect of elements of Guided Inquiry Learning (GIL) on enhancing academic performance of first year students in Introduction to Computer Programming course. As learners from schools join the university and enrol for different courses, they find the sudden transformation quite challenging. This makes it more challenging for first year university students, especially in difficult courses such as Introduction to Programming. As times change with advances in technology, the traditional ways of presenting information during teaching–learning interface may not address students’ needs. Lecturers and university stakeholders make efforts to address these challenges by proposing innovative teaching ways. One of the common approaches that have been used profitably in other science and engineering programmes is GIL. It is a form of inductive collaborative learning approach where students are presented with a challenge which challenges them to accomplish the desired learning outcomes in the process of responding to the posed challenge. The strategies in GIL include, among others, learning teams who participate in intra- and inter-learner interactions besides lecturer-learner interactions, linking theory and practical information cementing skills and problem solving strategies, scaffolding information, blended learning by integrating both traditional and technology-assisted learning, inquiry activities such as initiating investigations, gathering data, and critiquing evidence to come up with evidence-based solutions. The objective was to apply GIL to this module and observe if there were gains in students’ academic performance. This study was located in the pragmatic paradigm using action research design and a mixed method approach. The sample consisted offirst year students enrolled for Introduction to programming which was a year-long course (two semesters) at a South African university. The population consisted of the only 49 students who were registered for the module under focus. A group of 20 students were considered for the whole year in the GIL experiment. Although it would students were considered for the whole year in the GIL experiment. Although it would students were considered for the whole year in the GIL experiment. Although it would have been ideal to have experimental and control groups with same number of students, that was not possible in this study, because only 20 out of the 49 who were willing to be included in the experimental group. The present researcher employed willing to be included in the experimental group. The present researcher employed three of these GIL strategies in teaching the module Introduction to Programming to the experimental group while another colleague continued with traditional teaching in the control group. Care was taken to limit the insider outsider conflict. Both groups were assessed by the same assessment tools at the same times. Results from these assessments together with focus group interviews provided the core data for this study. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were carried out on the data, statistical analysis (mainly, chi-Square and t-test) for the former and thematic analysis for the latter. Results indicated gains in the experimental group such as enhanced motivation, interaction, intra-group social cohesion, creativity and provided students the confidence to share knowledge and skills with their peers and keep everyone focused on the course contents. These gains are reflected in higher year marks and pass rates than those in the control group as the analysed data indicate. A study that will pilot the GIL framework in several universities with different teaching modes and large classes are recommended.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Evaluation of groundwater potential using neotectonics and geophysics in the context of post Karoo tectonic framework around Fort Beaufort and Smithfield, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Ndlovu, Nkosilathi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Neotectonics -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Groundwater -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Geophysical surveys -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12687 , vital:39299
- Description: Geological and geophysical methods were used to investigate the Karoo area extending from longitudes 25.50 E to 27.50 E and latitudes 300 S to 330 S in South Africa, particularly Fort Beaufort, Aliwal North, Venterstad and Smithfield. The geology of the area is dominated by the upper Beaufort Group (Adelaide Subgroup) with an extensive network of dolerite sills and dykes that intruded the sedimentary sequence. A relationship between neotectonics, post-Karoo tectonics, groundwater and lithology was investigated to locate suitable groundwater potential sites. Apart from studying the role of neotectonics and the post Karoo tectonics, this research aims at generating groundwater targets to alleviate water shortages mainly for farming and livestock, and prove that neotectonics is still active. Methodologies adopted for obtaining these results included a comprehensive literature review, thin section analysis, scanning electron microscopy, geophysical investigation (magnetic, gravity, and vertical electrical sounding), and the application of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing. Twenty samples were collected at various locations within the study area and were analyzed using the petrographic microscope while others were analyzed with the Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) combined with an Energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry. The results show that the rocks are fractured, porous and have variable mineralogy (presence of heavy minerals) within the rocks. The use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing in geological surveys, especially hydrogeology, has gained momentum over the past few years. This research is no exception as ArcMap software was used to create a map of seismic epicentres of the Eastern Cape Province. From the map it can be observed that seismicity still occurs and thus leading to the notion of neotectonics being active. Lineaments were also automatically extracted using the ENVI 5.1 and Geomatica 2013 software. Lineaments are zones of weakness in the subsurface of the Earth and are very important in locating groundwater potential sites. Geophysical techniques are essential and highly accurate for groundwater studies. Gravity and magnetic techniques were applied on data which was supplied as grids. Analysis using Geosoft Oasis 8.3 revealed extensive lineaments and ring like patterns and these were inferred to be dolerite intrusions (sills and dykes). The morphology of the intrusions help in identifying possible groundwater potential zones and thus they should be investigated. Vertical electrical sounding (VES) technique using the Schlumberger array was carried out at three sites (Fort Beaufort fracture which is possibly related to Quaternary surface uplift of the Amatole-Swaziland axis, splay of the Fort Beaufort fracture and at a site which showed high groundwater potential) to explore subsurface layering. IP2win (lite), 1-D modelling software was used to model the apparent resistivity data to obtain the geoelectric parameters of the subsurface (thickness and resistivity). The VES results are consistent with fractured rocks that aid groundwater movement. The VES data for the three sites was further modelled by the RES2DINV software and this shows low resistivity values associated with loose, water saturated top sandy soil and higher resistivity values associated with sedimentary sequences and dolerite. Moreover, potential sites for citing wells are predicted to be between 79.5 and 128 m on the profile. Further neotectonic studies need to be done, especially on the quaternary sediments as they would have more neotectonic evidence. The use of geophysical techniques for groundwater search need to be intensified, with more emphasis being put to the sedimentary sequences bordered by dolerite intrusions and fractured zones.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ndlovu, Nkosilathi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Neotectonics -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Groundwater -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Geophysical surveys -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12687 , vital:39299
- Description: Geological and geophysical methods were used to investigate the Karoo area extending from longitudes 25.50 E to 27.50 E and latitudes 300 S to 330 S in South Africa, particularly Fort Beaufort, Aliwal North, Venterstad and Smithfield. The geology of the area is dominated by the upper Beaufort Group (Adelaide Subgroup) with an extensive network of dolerite sills and dykes that intruded the sedimentary sequence. A relationship between neotectonics, post-Karoo tectonics, groundwater and lithology was investigated to locate suitable groundwater potential sites. Apart from studying the role of neotectonics and the post Karoo tectonics, this research aims at generating groundwater targets to alleviate water shortages mainly for farming and livestock, and prove that neotectonics is still active. Methodologies adopted for obtaining these results included a comprehensive literature review, thin section analysis, scanning electron microscopy, geophysical investigation (magnetic, gravity, and vertical electrical sounding), and the application of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing. Twenty samples were collected at various locations within the study area and were analyzed using the petrographic microscope while others were analyzed with the Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) combined with an Energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry. The results show that the rocks are fractured, porous and have variable mineralogy (presence of heavy minerals) within the rocks. The use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing in geological surveys, especially hydrogeology, has gained momentum over the past few years. This research is no exception as ArcMap software was used to create a map of seismic epicentres of the Eastern Cape Province. From the map it can be observed that seismicity still occurs and thus leading to the notion of neotectonics being active. Lineaments were also automatically extracted using the ENVI 5.1 and Geomatica 2013 software. Lineaments are zones of weakness in the subsurface of the Earth and are very important in locating groundwater potential sites. Geophysical techniques are essential and highly accurate for groundwater studies. Gravity and magnetic techniques were applied on data which was supplied as grids. Analysis using Geosoft Oasis 8.3 revealed extensive lineaments and ring like patterns and these were inferred to be dolerite intrusions (sills and dykes). The morphology of the intrusions help in identifying possible groundwater potential zones and thus they should be investigated. Vertical electrical sounding (VES) technique using the Schlumberger array was carried out at three sites (Fort Beaufort fracture which is possibly related to Quaternary surface uplift of the Amatole-Swaziland axis, splay of the Fort Beaufort fracture and at a site which showed high groundwater potential) to explore subsurface layering. IP2win (lite), 1-D modelling software was used to model the apparent resistivity data to obtain the geoelectric parameters of the subsurface (thickness and resistivity). The VES results are consistent with fractured rocks that aid groundwater movement. The VES data for the three sites was further modelled by the RES2DINV software and this shows low resistivity values associated with loose, water saturated top sandy soil and higher resistivity values associated with sedimentary sequences and dolerite. Moreover, potential sites for citing wells are predicted to be between 79.5 and 128 m on the profile. Further neotectonic studies need to be done, especially on the quaternary sediments as they would have more neotectonic evidence. The use of geophysical techniques for groundwater search need to be intensified, with more emphasis being put to the sedimentary sequences bordered by dolerite intrusions and fractured zones.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Applied Remote Sensing: GIS 502
- Authors: Tyson, C , Thompson, M
- Date: 2009-11
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17918 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011163
- Description: Applied Remote Sensing: GIS 502, Honours examination November 2009.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2009-11
- Authors: Tyson, C , Thompson, M
- Date: 2009-11
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17918 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011163
- Description: Applied Remote Sensing: GIS 502, Honours examination November 2009.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2009-11
Land rental policy and land market in Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe: implications on farmer decisions, efficiency and equity under A1 and A2 models
- Authors: Tatsvarei , Simbarashe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Farms, Small Agricultural extension work
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15666 , vital:40501
- Description: Government promulgated the land rental policy starting in the year 2007. The policy required that A1 (market residual) and A2 (indigenous commercial) farmers pay rentals to the state. Since then, there has also been an emerging trend in which farmers have been renting in and out land, resulting in an informal market for land rentals. The study therefore assessed farmers’ perceptions of land rental policy and evaluated the possible association of this policy to farmers’ decision making on land rental markets as well as its implications on farmers’ efficiency and equity. The study was carried out in Mashonaland East Province of Zimbabwe, covering two districts, Goromonzi and Marondera. The focus was specifically on A1 and A2 farmers, as the rental policy was directed at these resettlement models only and much of the informal land rental markets were prevalent among these categories of farmers. Data collection utilised the survey approach. This was supported by key informant interviews and focus group discussions, with a final sample of 339 households selected using multi-stage sampling method. Survey data were transcribed on CsPro 6, and analysed using Stata, SPSS and Frontier 4.1. Results showed that about a third of household respondents was from Marondera and twothirds was from Goromonzi, while 79% and 21% was A1 and A2 farmers respectively. About 80% was male headed households and the remainder was female headed households. About half of the households were not participating in land rental markets while the other half was split almost equally between those renting-in and renting-out land. In general, A2 farmers were better in agricultural productivity than A1 farmers. It was concluded that farmers had a fairly good knowledge of the agricultural land rental policy enunciated in the Finance Bills. A1 farmers were more knowledgeable than A2 farmers, but no vii significant differences were observed between male and female headed households and farmers involved and not involved in land rental markets. Farmers’ attitudes in relation to policy were categorised as fair, with significant differences based on gender and land market participation. Practice scores showed a poor adherence to policy for all categories of farmers. Overall perceptions of farmers on rental policy was inferred as fair with significant differences existing between land rental market participants and non-participants (autarky). The results of a bivariate Tobit model results showed that the decision to rent-in land was significantly influenced by gender, household income, permanent labour, cultivated area, tenure certainty, irrigable land size and crop diversification. On the other hand, age, permanent labour, irrigable land size and crop diversification significantly influenced farmers’ decisions to rent-out land. The conclusion was that household characteristics, land endowments and transaction costs significantly influenced the decision to rent-in land while the former two were strong in influencing renting-out decisions. Results from the linearized Cobb Douglas model showed that economic efficiency for most farmers was above 50%. Farmers renting-out land under A1 were found to be the most economically efficient, followed by those who were renting-in and least efficient were farmers not participating in land rental markets, though the differences were marginal. For the A2 model, renting-in farmers were the most efficient, followed by those in autarky position, while renting-out farmers were the least. Overall, the most efficient farmers were those renting-in, followed by those renting-out while farmers in autarky were the least efficient. Overall efficiency was higher for A2 farmers than for A1 farmers. For farmers not participating in rental markets, the sources of inefficiency were crop type, crop area and labour. For farmers renting-in, it was proportion of irrigable land, size of irrigable land, crop type, crop area and viii labour, while inefficiency drivers for renting-out farmers were crop type and associated area. Equity analysis showed that participation in land rental markets reduced inequality for farmers in the two districts and male and female headed households. Inequality was increased among A1 farmers and remained unchanged among A2 farmers. Overall, the emerging position was that participation in land rental markets resulted in higher efficiency and reduced inequality in land holding among the sampled farmers. It is recommended that government should be consistent on land rental policy and bring into place effective administration of land rental policy. Government may also consider formal acceptance of land rental markets in light of the marginal efficiency and equity benefits shown in the study. However, formalizing land rental markets alone may not be a panacea to improved efficiency and needs to be supported by other productivity measures given the average efficiency values for farmers. Crop and livestock production based on compatibility with the natural regions and defined minimum size of land should be encouraged to improve efficiency
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Tatsvarei , Simbarashe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Farms, Small Agricultural extension work
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15666 , vital:40501
- Description: Government promulgated the land rental policy starting in the year 2007. The policy required that A1 (market residual) and A2 (indigenous commercial) farmers pay rentals to the state. Since then, there has also been an emerging trend in which farmers have been renting in and out land, resulting in an informal market for land rentals. The study therefore assessed farmers’ perceptions of land rental policy and evaluated the possible association of this policy to farmers’ decision making on land rental markets as well as its implications on farmers’ efficiency and equity. The study was carried out in Mashonaland East Province of Zimbabwe, covering two districts, Goromonzi and Marondera. The focus was specifically on A1 and A2 farmers, as the rental policy was directed at these resettlement models only and much of the informal land rental markets were prevalent among these categories of farmers. Data collection utilised the survey approach. This was supported by key informant interviews and focus group discussions, with a final sample of 339 households selected using multi-stage sampling method. Survey data were transcribed on CsPro 6, and analysed using Stata, SPSS and Frontier 4.1. Results showed that about a third of household respondents was from Marondera and twothirds was from Goromonzi, while 79% and 21% was A1 and A2 farmers respectively. About 80% was male headed households and the remainder was female headed households. About half of the households were not participating in land rental markets while the other half was split almost equally between those renting-in and renting-out land. In general, A2 farmers were better in agricultural productivity than A1 farmers. It was concluded that farmers had a fairly good knowledge of the agricultural land rental policy enunciated in the Finance Bills. A1 farmers were more knowledgeable than A2 farmers, but no vii significant differences were observed between male and female headed households and farmers involved and not involved in land rental markets. Farmers’ attitudes in relation to policy were categorised as fair, with significant differences based on gender and land market participation. Practice scores showed a poor adherence to policy for all categories of farmers. Overall perceptions of farmers on rental policy was inferred as fair with significant differences existing between land rental market participants and non-participants (autarky). The results of a bivariate Tobit model results showed that the decision to rent-in land was significantly influenced by gender, household income, permanent labour, cultivated area, tenure certainty, irrigable land size and crop diversification. On the other hand, age, permanent labour, irrigable land size and crop diversification significantly influenced farmers’ decisions to rent-out land. The conclusion was that household characteristics, land endowments and transaction costs significantly influenced the decision to rent-in land while the former two were strong in influencing renting-out decisions. Results from the linearized Cobb Douglas model showed that economic efficiency for most farmers was above 50%. Farmers renting-out land under A1 were found to be the most economically efficient, followed by those who were renting-in and least efficient were farmers not participating in land rental markets, though the differences were marginal. For the A2 model, renting-in farmers were the most efficient, followed by those in autarky position, while renting-out farmers were the least. Overall, the most efficient farmers were those renting-in, followed by those renting-out while farmers in autarky were the least efficient. Overall efficiency was higher for A2 farmers than for A1 farmers. For farmers not participating in rental markets, the sources of inefficiency were crop type, crop area and labour. For farmers renting-in, it was proportion of irrigable land, size of irrigable land, crop type, crop area and viii labour, while inefficiency drivers for renting-out farmers were crop type and associated area. Equity analysis showed that participation in land rental markets reduced inequality for farmers in the two districts and male and female headed households. Inequality was increased among A1 farmers and remained unchanged among A2 farmers. Overall, the emerging position was that participation in land rental markets resulted in higher efficiency and reduced inequality in land holding among the sampled farmers. It is recommended that government should be consistent on land rental policy and bring into place effective administration of land rental policy. Government may also consider formal acceptance of land rental markets in light of the marginal efficiency and equity benefits shown in the study. However, formalizing land rental markets alone may not be a panacea to improved efficiency and needs to be supported by other productivity measures given the average efficiency values for farmers. Crop and livestock production based on compatibility with the natural regions and defined minimum size of land should be encouraged to improve efficiency
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The contribution of the citrus sub-sector to the economy of Sundays River Valley Local Municipality
- Authors: Smith, Siphelele Ricardo
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Agric (Agric Extension)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18861 , vital:42878
- Description: Neither the South African government, nor organised agriculture, nor the research community, has an accurate understanding of the role that the citrus sub-sector plays in the local economy of the main producing areas. There are in fact few studies in South Africa on the linkages between agriculture and other economic sectors at the local level. Through understanding the backward and forward linkages in the citrus sub-sector in Sundays River Valley, one of South Africa’s main citrus areas, it is possible to obtain a better understanding of how investment and expenditure in this sub-sector might influence other related subsectors. The main objective of the study is to assess and understand the citrus industry's contribution to the local economy of Sundays River Valley Local Municipality. This is done through the estimation of an input-output table which differentiates local from non-local economic linkages, and which also, given the labour intensity of the citrus subsector, is closed with respect to households, i.e. households are treated as an endogenous sector with interrelationships with the other sectors captured. The other sectors captured include agroprocessing, utilities, transport and retail. The input-out table, which is estimated based on primary surveys as well as secondary data, is thereafter used to perform input-output analysis on the basis of which the impact of different types of sectoral development are simulated. Results show that jobs can be created through expansion of area under citrus. In addition, more income to farm workers translates into higher income into the local retail sector. However, labour-saving technology could lead to job losses in both citrus and agroprocessing sectors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Smith, Siphelele Ricardo
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Agric (Agric Extension)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18861 , vital:42878
- Description: Neither the South African government, nor organised agriculture, nor the research community, has an accurate understanding of the role that the citrus sub-sector plays in the local economy of the main producing areas. There are in fact few studies in South Africa on the linkages between agriculture and other economic sectors at the local level. Through understanding the backward and forward linkages in the citrus sub-sector in Sundays River Valley, one of South Africa’s main citrus areas, it is possible to obtain a better understanding of how investment and expenditure in this sub-sector might influence other related subsectors. The main objective of the study is to assess and understand the citrus industry's contribution to the local economy of Sundays River Valley Local Municipality. This is done through the estimation of an input-output table which differentiates local from non-local economic linkages, and which also, given the labour intensity of the citrus subsector, is closed with respect to households, i.e. households are treated as an endogenous sector with interrelationships with the other sectors captured. The other sectors captured include agroprocessing, utilities, transport and retail. The input-out table, which is estimated based on primary surveys as well as secondary data, is thereafter used to perform input-output analysis on the basis of which the impact of different types of sectoral development are simulated. Results show that jobs can be created through expansion of area under citrus. In addition, more income to farm workers translates into higher income into the local retail sector. However, labour-saving technology could lead to job losses in both citrus and agroprocessing sectors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Span of oxen in Qebe valley, 1959
- Ingle, Pauline Cornwell, 1915-1999
- Authors: Ingle, Pauline Cornwell, 1915-1999
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Xhosa (African people) -- Social life and customs , Photography -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Identifier: vital:12035 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1000812 , Xhosa (African people) -- Social life and customs , Photography -- South Africa
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
- Authors: Ingle, Pauline Cornwell, 1915-1999
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Xhosa (African people) -- Social life and customs , Photography -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Identifier: vital:12035 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1000812 , Xhosa (African people) -- Social life and customs , Photography -- South Africa
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Relative deprivation and relative gratification as predictors of intergroup discrimination: can prejudice be reduced by equality?
- Authors: Neuwenhuis, Bridgitte
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Collective behavior , Social perception , Intergroup relations , Deprivation (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Psych)
- Identifier: vital:11608 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/147 , Collective behavior , Social perception , Intergroup relations , Deprivation (Psychology)
- Description: It has long been identified that relative deprivation increases prejudice. Guimond and Dambrun (2002) demonstrated that relative gratification, as the opposite of relative deprivation, is also an important variable in predicting intergroup discrimination. Guimond and Dambrun (2002), further suggest that in order to prevent destructive conflicts between groups, such as intergroup discrimination, the goal of equality rather than economic improvements has to be kept in mind. The present paper will report three experiments which aimed to replicate Guimond and Dambrun’s (2002) findings on relative deprivation and relative gratification and which further aimed to test their proposal that equality would reduce prejudice. The results of the three experiments confirmed the predicted effects of relative deprivation and relative gratification on intergroup discrimination. However, the results did not confirm that equality reduces prejudice. Methodological and theoretical reasons for these results are provided and discussed in detail.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Neuwenhuis, Bridgitte
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Collective behavior , Social perception , Intergroup relations , Deprivation (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Psych)
- Identifier: vital:11608 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/147 , Collective behavior , Social perception , Intergroup relations , Deprivation (Psychology)
- Description: It has long been identified that relative deprivation increases prejudice. Guimond and Dambrun (2002) demonstrated that relative gratification, as the opposite of relative deprivation, is also an important variable in predicting intergroup discrimination. Guimond and Dambrun (2002), further suggest that in order to prevent destructive conflicts between groups, such as intergroup discrimination, the goal of equality rather than economic improvements has to be kept in mind. The present paper will report three experiments which aimed to replicate Guimond and Dambrun’s (2002) findings on relative deprivation and relative gratification and which further aimed to test their proposal that equality would reduce prejudice. The results of the three experiments confirmed the predicted effects of relative deprivation and relative gratification on intergroup discrimination. However, the results did not confirm that equality reduces prejudice. Methodological and theoretical reasons for these results are provided and discussed in detail.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Biochemical evaluation of Tulbaghia violacea harv.rhizomes in diet induced hypercholestrolemic rats
- Olorunnisola, Olubukola Sinbad
- Authors: Olorunnisola, Olubukola Sinbad
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Violaceae , Anticoagulants (Medicine) , Antineoplastic agents , Rats , Hypercholesteremia , Cardiovascular agents , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Biochemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11273 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006900 , Violaceae , Anticoagulants (Medicine) , Antineoplastic agents , Rats , Hypercholesteremia , Cardiovascular agents , Medicinal plants
- Description: Discovery of cheap, nontoxic and readily available antiatherosclerotic drugs is an extraordinary challenge in this modern world. Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases have been predicted to be the leading cause of death by the year 2030. Hence, this thesis was designed to search for plant (s) with anti-atherogenic properties, investigate its possible side effects and extrapolate its likely mechanism(s) of action. An ethnobotanical survey was employed in identification of locally important plants used for the management and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and its predisposing factors in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape in South Africa. Information on the names of plants, their parts used and methods of preparation was collected through a questionnaire which was administered to herbalists, traditional healers and rural dwellers. The most frequently used plant (Rhizomes of Tulbaghia violacea Harv.) was investigated for toxicity using brine shrimp lethality (in vitro) and in vivo toxicity test (acute and subchronic) on rats to determine safety dosage. The in vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of the plant was investigated using models such as 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO), 2,2’- azinobis [3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid] diammonium salt (ABTS), lipid peroxidation inhibition and the ferric reducing agent. Phytochemical content and the effect of oral administration of fresh methanolic extract rhizomes of Tulbaghia violacea (250, 500 mg/kg. bwt/day) on Lipid peroxidation (TBARS), serum and tissue antioxidant enzymes in normal, hypercholesterolemic and diet induced atherogenic rats were also assessed. More so, the potential of the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg. bwt) to protect against atherogenic diet (4 percentage cholesterol 1 pecentage cholic acid and 0.5 percentage thiouracil) induced fatty streaks formation, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction was also investigated. Ethnobotanical study revealed that 19 plant species are used for the treatment of heart related diseases in the Municipality. 53 percentage of the plants mentioned were used for the management of chest pain, 47 percentage for high blood pressure, 42 percent for heart disease, 16 percentage for stroke and 11 percentage for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Tulbaghia violacea was repeatedly mentioned as the plant species used for the treatment of high blood pressure and predisposing factors in the study area. The brine shrimp cytotoxicity test revealed that fresh, dried methanolic extracts and essential oil of the T. violacea exhibited a high degree of cytotoxic activity with IC50 values of 18.18 (fresh) and 19.24 (dried) μg/ml. An IC50 value of 12. 59 μg/ml was obtained for the essential oil of the plant. The low cytotoxicity values obtained, suggested that rhizome of T. violacea may serve as a potential source of antimicrobial and anticancer agents. In vivo acute study of single oral administration of 5g/kg dose does not produce mortality or significant behavioral changes during 14 days observation. In the sub-chronic study, the extract (250, 500 mg/kg/bwt/ day) administered for a period of 28 days showed no mortality or morbidity. The weekly body and organ weight of the rats showed no significant differences between the control and the rats treated with the extract. The extract at all doses does not show any effect on of biomarkers of liver or renal damage. However, a significant decrease in the activity of ƔGT was observed in the extract treated groups. Hematological evaluation revealed that oral administration of fresh methanolic extracts of rhizomes of T. violacea does not cause anaemia or leucocytosis in the animals. Furthermore, histopathology results of the internal organs revealed no detectable inflammation. These results demonstrated that the rhizome extract of T. violacea was potentially safe for consumption orally even in chronic concentration. In vitro antioxidant evaluation showed that the essential oil, fresh and dried methanolic extracts exhibited potent antioxidant activities in a concentration dependent manner. Phytochemical investigation reveals that the fresh and the dry extract of RTV are rich in flavonoid, flavonol, phenols, tannin and proanthocyanidin, while the essential oil contained dimethy disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, (methyl methylthio) methyl, 2,4-dithiapentane (11.35 percent) and (methylthio) acetic acid, 2- (methylthio) ethanol, 3-(methylthio) - and propanenitrile (7.20 percent). The fresh extract had higher radicals scavenging activity than the essential oil or dried extract, with 50 percentage inhibition of DPPH, hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation at a concentration of 35.0 ± 0.12, 19.3 ± 0.11 and 17.9 ± 0.15 μg/ml respectively. Oral administration of methanolic extract of RTV in 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg to female Wistar rats significantly inhibited reduction of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). The extracts also inhibited (p< 0.05) lipid peroxidation in normal, high cholesterol and diet induced atherosclerosis fed rats in a dose dependant manner. Also the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg/bwt/day) caused a significant (p<0.05) improvement in body weight of treated animals compared with untreated hypercholesterolemia control rats. The extracts also protected significantly (p<0.05) against atherogenic diet induced liver damage or fatty streaks formation in the aorta as revealed by histological examination. The anti-cholesterolemia and anti-atherosclerotic activities of the extract compared favorably well with standard drugs Gemfibrozil and Atorvastatin respectively. Conclusively, rhizomes of T. violacea possess significant anti-atherogenic activity and its mechanism of action(s) may be due to its antioxidant and anti-hypercholesterolemia properties. The results of this study also suggested that rhizome of T. violacea is relatively safe for human consumption and it may be used as an alternative to garlic.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Olorunnisola, Olubukola Sinbad
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Violaceae , Anticoagulants (Medicine) , Antineoplastic agents , Rats , Hypercholesteremia , Cardiovascular agents , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Biochemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11273 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006900 , Violaceae , Anticoagulants (Medicine) , Antineoplastic agents , Rats , Hypercholesteremia , Cardiovascular agents , Medicinal plants
- Description: Discovery of cheap, nontoxic and readily available antiatherosclerotic drugs is an extraordinary challenge in this modern world. Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases have been predicted to be the leading cause of death by the year 2030. Hence, this thesis was designed to search for plant (s) with anti-atherogenic properties, investigate its possible side effects and extrapolate its likely mechanism(s) of action. An ethnobotanical survey was employed in identification of locally important plants used for the management and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and its predisposing factors in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape in South Africa. Information on the names of plants, their parts used and methods of preparation was collected through a questionnaire which was administered to herbalists, traditional healers and rural dwellers. The most frequently used plant (Rhizomes of Tulbaghia violacea Harv.) was investigated for toxicity using brine shrimp lethality (in vitro) and in vivo toxicity test (acute and subchronic) on rats to determine safety dosage. The in vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of the plant was investigated using models such as 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO), 2,2’- azinobis [3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid] diammonium salt (ABTS), lipid peroxidation inhibition and the ferric reducing agent. Phytochemical content and the effect of oral administration of fresh methanolic extract rhizomes of Tulbaghia violacea (250, 500 mg/kg. bwt/day) on Lipid peroxidation (TBARS), serum and tissue antioxidant enzymes in normal, hypercholesterolemic and diet induced atherogenic rats were also assessed. More so, the potential of the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg. bwt) to protect against atherogenic diet (4 percentage cholesterol 1 pecentage cholic acid and 0.5 percentage thiouracil) induced fatty streaks formation, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction was also investigated. Ethnobotanical study revealed that 19 plant species are used for the treatment of heart related diseases in the Municipality. 53 percentage of the plants mentioned were used for the management of chest pain, 47 percentage for high blood pressure, 42 percent for heart disease, 16 percentage for stroke and 11 percentage for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Tulbaghia violacea was repeatedly mentioned as the plant species used for the treatment of high blood pressure and predisposing factors in the study area. The brine shrimp cytotoxicity test revealed that fresh, dried methanolic extracts and essential oil of the T. violacea exhibited a high degree of cytotoxic activity with IC50 values of 18.18 (fresh) and 19.24 (dried) μg/ml. An IC50 value of 12. 59 μg/ml was obtained for the essential oil of the plant. The low cytotoxicity values obtained, suggested that rhizome of T. violacea may serve as a potential source of antimicrobial and anticancer agents. In vivo acute study of single oral administration of 5g/kg dose does not produce mortality or significant behavioral changes during 14 days observation. In the sub-chronic study, the extract (250, 500 mg/kg/bwt/ day) administered for a period of 28 days showed no mortality or morbidity. The weekly body and organ weight of the rats showed no significant differences between the control and the rats treated with the extract. The extract at all doses does not show any effect on of biomarkers of liver or renal damage. However, a significant decrease in the activity of ƔGT was observed in the extract treated groups. Hematological evaluation revealed that oral administration of fresh methanolic extracts of rhizomes of T. violacea does not cause anaemia or leucocytosis in the animals. Furthermore, histopathology results of the internal organs revealed no detectable inflammation. These results demonstrated that the rhizome extract of T. violacea was potentially safe for consumption orally even in chronic concentration. In vitro antioxidant evaluation showed that the essential oil, fresh and dried methanolic extracts exhibited potent antioxidant activities in a concentration dependent manner. Phytochemical investigation reveals that the fresh and the dry extract of RTV are rich in flavonoid, flavonol, phenols, tannin and proanthocyanidin, while the essential oil contained dimethy disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, (methyl methylthio) methyl, 2,4-dithiapentane (11.35 percent) and (methylthio) acetic acid, 2- (methylthio) ethanol, 3-(methylthio) - and propanenitrile (7.20 percent). The fresh extract had higher radicals scavenging activity than the essential oil or dried extract, with 50 percentage inhibition of DPPH, hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation at a concentration of 35.0 ± 0.12, 19.3 ± 0.11 and 17.9 ± 0.15 μg/ml respectively. Oral administration of methanolic extract of RTV in 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg to female Wistar rats significantly inhibited reduction of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). The extracts also inhibited (p< 0.05) lipid peroxidation in normal, high cholesterol and diet induced atherosclerosis fed rats in a dose dependant manner. Also the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg/bwt/day) caused a significant (p<0.05) improvement in body weight of treated animals compared with untreated hypercholesterolemia control rats. The extracts also protected significantly (p<0.05) against atherogenic diet induced liver damage or fatty streaks formation in the aorta as revealed by histological examination. The anti-cholesterolemia and anti-atherosclerotic activities of the extract compared favorably well with standard drugs Gemfibrozil and Atorvastatin respectively. Conclusively, rhizomes of T. violacea possess significant anti-atherogenic activity and its mechanism of action(s) may be due to its antioxidant and anti-hypercholesterolemia properties. The results of this study also suggested that rhizome of T. violacea is relatively safe for human consumption and it may be used as an alternative to garlic.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Exercise Physiology: HUS 511
- Van Ghent, Maya, Lyoka, P, Coetzee, Ben
- Authors: Van Ghent, Maya , Lyoka, P , Coetzee, Ben
- Date: 2011-06
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18246 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011239
- Description: Exercise Physiology: HUS 511, honours degree examination June 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2011-06
- Authors: Van Ghent, Maya , Lyoka, P , Coetzee, Ben
- Date: 2011-06
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18246 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011239
- Description: Exercise Physiology: HUS 511, honours degree examination June 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2011-06
Customary marriage and family practices that discriminate against amaXhosa women: a critical study of selected isixhosa literary text
- Authors: Mbatyoti, Pheliwe Yvonne
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Forced marriage -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Customary law -- South Africa Xhosa (African people) -- Social life and customs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , D Litt et Phil (African Studies)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10736 , vital:35731
- Description: In many parts of Africa, the cultural practices and customs that were in use over the ages are still largely in place today. Many of these practices discriminate against individuals and compromise their human rights, particularly the rights of African women. The aim of this investigation is to study customary marital practices among the amaXhosa in order to establish their effect on modern amaXhosa society. In addition, this includes other discriminatory practices, such as the diminished status of wedded women. Within the study, the social status of women before and after 1994 is dealt with as depicted in the selected texts. The study further determines the current social status of married women under the current dispensation and finds out whether the rights of married women are sufficiently recognised in the texts under discussion. It is clear therefore that whilst Africa has made good progress on the political front, the same cannot be said for some of the cultural values that are still adhered to in the present age. This applies in particular to the rights of women in an African society. Globally, women and girls suffer the harmful and life-threatening effects of discriminatory traditional and cultural practices that continue under the guise of social, cultural and religious ceremonies. In the democratic South Africa, there is growing concern and awareness that some cultural practices are harmful to women and girls. The study analyses a number of texts namely, novels and drama, that were published before and after the 1994 era in South Africa with aims and objectives being outlined in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 is devoted to the theoretical framework, which includes the general theory pertaining to the status of women, feminism and human rights. Secondly, it deals with African theory pertaining to the status of African women as well as their rights; finally, it reflects on the role of women in societies where traditional marriage custom is still in use. Chapter 3 analyses the depiction of customary marriage as a theme in isiXhosa prose before and after 1994. Chapter 4 examines the depiction of customary marriage in v isiXhosa drama before and after 1994 and focuses more on human rights elements. Chapter 5 summarises the arguments distilled from the analysed works. The researcher came to the conclusion that the practice of forced marriage does not occur in amaXhosa society only but it is also found on a wider scale on the rest of the African continent and beyond. The study was concluded with a set of recommendations that were made to combat the scourge of anti-feminism that is found in modern society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mbatyoti, Pheliwe Yvonne
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Forced marriage -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Customary law -- South Africa Xhosa (African people) -- Social life and customs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , D Litt et Phil (African Studies)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10736 , vital:35731
- Description: In many parts of Africa, the cultural practices and customs that were in use over the ages are still largely in place today. Many of these practices discriminate against individuals and compromise their human rights, particularly the rights of African women. The aim of this investigation is to study customary marital practices among the amaXhosa in order to establish their effect on modern amaXhosa society. In addition, this includes other discriminatory practices, such as the diminished status of wedded women. Within the study, the social status of women before and after 1994 is dealt with as depicted in the selected texts. The study further determines the current social status of married women under the current dispensation and finds out whether the rights of married women are sufficiently recognised in the texts under discussion. It is clear therefore that whilst Africa has made good progress on the political front, the same cannot be said for some of the cultural values that are still adhered to in the present age. This applies in particular to the rights of women in an African society. Globally, women and girls suffer the harmful and life-threatening effects of discriminatory traditional and cultural practices that continue under the guise of social, cultural and religious ceremonies. In the democratic South Africa, there is growing concern and awareness that some cultural practices are harmful to women and girls. The study analyses a number of texts namely, novels and drama, that were published before and after the 1994 era in South Africa with aims and objectives being outlined in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 is devoted to the theoretical framework, which includes the general theory pertaining to the status of women, feminism and human rights. Secondly, it deals with African theory pertaining to the status of African women as well as their rights; finally, it reflects on the role of women in societies where traditional marriage custom is still in use. Chapter 3 analyses the depiction of customary marriage as a theme in isiXhosa prose before and after 1994. Chapter 4 examines the depiction of customary marriage in v isiXhosa drama before and after 1994 and focuses more on human rights elements. Chapter 5 summarises the arguments distilled from the analysed works. The researcher came to the conclusion that the practice of forced marriage does not occur in amaXhosa society only but it is also found on a wider scale on the rest of the African continent and beyond. The study was concluded with a set of recommendations that were made to combat the scourge of anti-feminism that is found in modern society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019