In vitro antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation of multidrugresistant Acinetobacter baumannii biofilm using Protoporphyrin IX and Methylene blue
- Anane, Yaw Adjei, Apalata, Teke, Vasaikar, Sandeep, Okuthe, Grace Emily, Songca, Sandile Phinda
- Authors: Anane, Yaw Adjei , Apalata, Teke , Vasaikar, Sandeep , Okuthe, Grace Emily , Songca, Sandile Phinda
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2273 , vital:41315
- Full Text:
- Authors: Anane, Yaw Adjei , Apalata, Teke , Vasaikar, Sandeep , Okuthe, Grace Emily , Songca, Sandile Phinda
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2273 , vital:41315
- Full Text:
Molecular Detection of Carbapenemase-Encoding Genes in Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Clinical Isolates in South Africa
- Anane, Yaw Adjei, Apalata, Teke, Vasaikar, Sandeep, Okuthe, Grace Emily, Songca, Sandile
- Authors: Anane, Yaw Adjei , Apalata, Teke , Vasaikar, Sandeep , Okuthe, Grace Emily , Songca, Sandile
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2263 , vital:41314
- Description: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijmicro/2020/7380740/
- Full Text:
- Authors: Anane, Yaw Adjei , Apalata, Teke , Vasaikar, Sandeep , Okuthe, Grace Emily , Songca, Sandile
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2263 , vital:41314
- Description: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijmicro/2020/7380740/
- Full Text:
Molecular Detection of Carbapenemase-Encoding Genes in Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Clinical Isolates in South Africa
- Anane, Yaw Adjei, Okuthe, Grace Emily, Apalata, Teke, Vasaikar, Sandeep, Songca, Sandile
- Authors: Anane, Yaw Adjei , Okuthe, Grace Emily , Apalata, Teke , Vasaikar, Sandeep , Songca, Sandile
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4351 , vital:44108
- Full Text:
- Authors: Anane, Yaw Adjei , Okuthe, Grace Emily , Apalata, Teke , Vasaikar, Sandeep , Songca, Sandile
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4351 , vital:44108
- Full Text:
Prevalence and molecular analysis of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in the extra-hospital environment in Mthatha, South Africa
- Adjei, Anane Yaw, Apalata, Teke, Vasaikar, Sandeep, Okuthe, Grace Emily, Songca, Sandile
- Authors: Adjei, Anane Yaw , Apalata, Teke , Vasaikar, Sandeep , Okuthe, Grace Emily , Songca, Sandile
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Acinetobacter baumannii , Carbapenemase-encoding genes , Multidrug-resistance , ISAba1 , intI1
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2409 , vital:41457 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjid.2019.09.004
- Description: The presence of Acinetobacter baumannii outside hospitals remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of multidrug-resistance (MDR) A. baumannii in the extra-hospital environment in Mthatha, South Africa and to investigate the frequency of carbapenemase-encoding genes. Material and Methods: From August 2016 to July 2017 a total of 598 abattoir samples and 689 aquatic samples were collected and analyzed presumptively by cultural methods for the presence of A. baumannii using CHROMagarTM Acinetobacter medium. Species identification was performed by autoSCAN-4 (Dade Behring Inc., IL) and confirmed by the detection of their intrinsic blaOXA-51 gene. Confirmed MDR A. baumannii isolates were screened for the presence of carbapenemase-encoding genes, ISAba1 insertion sequence and integrase intI1. Results: In total, 248 (19.3%) Acinetobacter species were isolated. Acinetobacter. baumannii was detected in 183 (73.8%) of which 85 (46.4%) and 98 (53.6%) were recovered from abattoir and aquatic respectively. MDR A. baumannii was detected in 56.5% (48/85) abattoir isolates and 53.1% (52/98) aquatic isolates. Isolates showed high resistance to antimicrobials most frequently used to treat Acinetobacter infections such as piperacillin/tazobactam; abattoir (98% of isolates resistant), aquatic (94% of isolates resistant), ceftazidime (84%, 83%), ciprofloxacin (71%, 70%), amikacin (41%, 42%), imipenem (75%, 73%), and meropenem (74%, 71%). All the isolates were susceptible to tigecycline and colistin. All the isolates carried blaOXA-51-like. The blaOXA-23 was detected in 32 (66.7%) abattoir isolates and 11 (21.2%) aquatic isolates. The blaOXA-58-like was positive in 7 (14.6%) and 4 (7.7%) abattoir and aquatic isolates, respectively. Both groups of isolates lacked blaOXA-24-like, blaIMP-type, blaVIM-type, blaNDM-1, blaSIM, blaAmpC, ISAba1 and inI1. Isolates showed high level of Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Index (MARI) ranging from 0.20-0.52. Conclusion: Extra-hospital sources such as abattoir and aquatic environments may be a vehicle of spread of MDR A. baumannii strains in the community and hospital settings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Adjei, Anane Yaw , Apalata, Teke , Vasaikar, Sandeep , Okuthe, Grace Emily , Songca, Sandile
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Acinetobacter baumannii , Carbapenemase-encoding genes , Multidrug-resistance , ISAba1 , intI1
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2409 , vital:41457 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjid.2019.09.004
- Description: The presence of Acinetobacter baumannii outside hospitals remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of multidrug-resistance (MDR) A. baumannii in the extra-hospital environment in Mthatha, South Africa and to investigate the frequency of carbapenemase-encoding genes. Material and Methods: From August 2016 to July 2017 a total of 598 abattoir samples and 689 aquatic samples were collected and analyzed presumptively by cultural methods for the presence of A. baumannii using CHROMagarTM Acinetobacter medium. Species identification was performed by autoSCAN-4 (Dade Behring Inc., IL) and confirmed by the detection of their intrinsic blaOXA-51 gene. Confirmed MDR A. baumannii isolates were screened for the presence of carbapenemase-encoding genes, ISAba1 insertion sequence and integrase intI1. Results: In total, 248 (19.3%) Acinetobacter species were isolated. Acinetobacter. baumannii was detected in 183 (73.8%) of which 85 (46.4%) and 98 (53.6%) were recovered from abattoir and aquatic respectively. MDR A. baumannii was detected in 56.5% (48/85) abattoir isolates and 53.1% (52/98) aquatic isolates. Isolates showed high resistance to antimicrobials most frequently used to treat Acinetobacter infections such as piperacillin/tazobactam; abattoir (98% of isolates resistant), aquatic (94% of isolates resistant), ceftazidime (84%, 83%), ciprofloxacin (71%, 70%), amikacin (41%, 42%), imipenem (75%, 73%), and meropenem (74%, 71%). All the isolates were susceptible to tigecycline and colistin. All the isolates carried blaOXA-51-like. The blaOXA-23 was detected in 32 (66.7%) abattoir isolates and 11 (21.2%) aquatic isolates. The blaOXA-58-like was positive in 7 (14.6%) and 4 (7.7%) abattoir and aquatic isolates, respectively. Both groups of isolates lacked blaOXA-24-like, blaIMP-type, blaVIM-type, blaNDM-1, blaSIM, blaAmpC, ISAba1 and inI1. Isolates showed high level of Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Index (MARI) ranging from 0.20-0.52. Conclusion: Extra-hospital sources such as abattoir and aquatic environments may be a vehicle of spread of MDR A. baumannii strains in the community and hospital settings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Research on indigenous knowledge and its application: A case of wild food plants of Zimbabwe
- Authors: Shava, Soul
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/373809 , vital:66725 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122700"
- Description: Research on indigenous knowledge should go beyond documenting and interpreting it. Rather, it should stimulate inquiry into its application in present day community development and education settings. This study intends to steer indigenous knowledge research towards practical application initiatives. The study documents wild food plants of Zimbabwe, highlights some popular wild food plants, and cites some commercially marketed wild food plants and makes recommendations on the application of indigenous knowledge of wild food plants in community and educational settings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Shava, Soul
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/373809 , vital:66725 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122700"
- Description: Research on indigenous knowledge should go beyond documenting and interpreting it. Rather, it should stimulate inquiry into its application in present day community development and education settings. This study intends to steer indigenous knowledge research towards practical application initiatives. The study documents wild food plants of Zimbabwe, highlights some popular wild food plants, and cites some commercially marketed wild food plants and makes recommendations on the application of indigenous knowledge of wild food plants in community and educational settings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
An Investigative Study of Parental Involvement in The Governance of Public and Private Schools in The Matatiele District of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Mnukwa, Zolile Maxwell
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3506 , vital:43617
- Description: This is a comparative study of parental involvement in the governance of public and private schools in the Matatiele District of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Parental involvement can range from occasional attendance of the school functions to partnership through parent teacher organizations and parent management bodies. Education is a national enterprise that requires the co-operation and participation of all the role players who are parents, community, teachers, learners and the Department of Education. The problem to be investigated in this study is: Why is it that parental involvement is more positive in the governance of private schools than that of public schools? Two schools were selected for the study and the researcher administered questionnaires personally by hand and conducted face to face interviews to collect the primary data. The responses of the administered questionnaire were tabulated and recorded in table form so as to give an accurate interpretation of what was revealed in the data. Patterns in the data were considered in order to provide an accurate interpretation of the information. The findings were divided into two, that is: findings from the public school and those from private schools. From the public school it was found that: parents are not involved in the governance of the school; the school does not involve parents on financial matters; parents do not attend meetings when invited; they do not know their roles and responsibilities, for example, according to the South African Schools Act (SASA), parents must be actively involved in the governance of the school in their community and that there is an element of ignorance and negligence on the part of parents towards their children’s education. From the private schools it was found that: parents are more involved in the governance of the school; they attend and participate actively in school meetings; the school involves parents in financial matters and as such the financial support from the parents is very good; parents are much involved in the monitoring of the progress of their learner’s education and are passionate about the school and seem to own the policies and the governance of the whole school system. The conclusion drawn from the study is that private schools allow for parental involvement in the governance of their schools whereas in public schools parental involvement is low. , Thesis (MMED) -- Faculty of Educational Sciences, 2011
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mnukwa, Zolile Maxwell
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3506 , vital:43617
- Description: This is a comparative study of parental involvement in the governance of public and private schools in the Matatiele District of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Parental involvement can range from occasional attendance of the school functions to partnership through parent teacher organizations and parent management bodies. Education is a national enterprise that requires the co-operation and participation of all the role players who are parents, community, teachers, learners and the Department of Education. The problem to be investigated in this study is: Why is it that parental involvement is more positive in the governance of private schools than that of public schools? Two schools were selected for the study and the researcher administered questionnaires personally by hand and conducted face to face interviews to collect the primary data. The responses of the administered questionnaire were tabulated and recorded in table form so as to give an accurate interpretation of what was revealed in the data. Patterns in the data were considered in order to provide an accurate interpretation of the information. The findings were divided into two, that is: findings from the public school and those from private schools. From the public school it was found that: parents are not involved in the governance of the school; the school does not involve parents on financial matters; parents do not attend meetings when invited; they do not know their roles and responsibilities, for example, according to the South African Schools Act (SASA), parents must be actively involved in the governance of the school in their community and that there is an element of ignorance and negligence on the part of parents towards their children’s education. From the private schools it was found that: parents are more involved in the governance of the school; they attend and participate actively in school meetings; the school involves parents in financial matters and as such the financial support from the parents is very good; parents are much involved in the monitoring of the progress of their learner’s education and are passionate about the school and seem to own the policies and the governance of the whole school system. The conclusion drawn from the study is that private schools allow for parental involvement in the governance of their schools whereas in public schools parental involvement is low. , Thesis (MMED) -- Faculty of Educational Sciences, 2011
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An investigative study of parental involvement in the governance of public and private schools in the Matatiele Distict of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Mnukwa, Zolile Maxwell
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Parents -- School governance , South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:18420 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1006644
- Description: This is a comparative study of parental involvement in the governance of public and private schools in the Matatiele District of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Parental involvement can range from occasional attendance of the school functions to partnership through parent teacher organizations and parent management bodies. Education is a national enterprise that requires the co-operation and participation of all the role players who are parents, community, teachers, learners and the Department of Education. The problem to be investigated in this study is: Why is it that parental involvement is more positive in the governance of private schools than that of public schools? Two schools were selected for the study and the researcher administered questionnaires personally by hand and conducted face to face interviews to collect the primary data. The responses of the administered questionnaire were tabulated and recorded in table form so as to give an accurate interpretation of what was revealed in the data. Patterns in the data were considered in order to provide an accurate interpretation of the information. The findings were divided into two, that is: findings from the public school and those from private schools. From the public school it was found that: parents are not involved in the governance of the school; the school does not involve parents on financial matters; parents do not attend meetings when invited; they do not know their roles and responsibilities, for example, according to the South African Schools Act (SASA), parents must be actively involved in the governance of the school in their community and that there is an element of ignorance and negligence on the part of parents towards their children’s education. From the private schools it was found that: parents are more involved in the governance of the school; they attend and participate actively in school meetings; the school involves parents in financial matters and as such the financial support from the parents is very good; parents are much involved in the monitoring of the progress of their learner’s education and are passionate about the school and seem to own the policies and the governance of the whole school system. The conclusion drawn from the study is that private schools allow for parental involvement in the governance of their schools whereas in public schools parental involvement is low.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mnukwa, Zolile Maxwell
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Parents -- School governance , South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:18420 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1006644
- Description: This is a comparative study of parental involvement in the governance of public and private schools in the Matatiele District of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Parental involvement can range from occasional attendance of the school functions to partnership through parent teacher organizations and parent management bodies. Education is a national enterprise that requires the co-operation and participation of all the role players who are parents, community, teachers, learners and the Department of Education. The problem to be investigated in this study is: Why is it that parental involvement is more positive in the governance of private schools than that of public schools? Two schools were selected for the study and the researcher administered questionnaires personally by hand and conducted face to face interviews to collect the primary data. The responses of the administered questionnaire were tabulated and recorded in table form so as to give an accurate interpretation of what was revealed in the data. Patterns in the data were considered in order to provide an accurate interpretation of the information. The findings were divided into two, that is: findings from the public school and those from private schools. From the public school it was found that: parents are not involved in the governance of the school; the school does not involve parents on financial matters; parents do not attend meetings when invited; they do not know their roles and responsibilities, for example, according to the South African Schools Act (SASA), parents must be actively involved in the governance of the school in their community and that there is an element of ignorance and negligence on the part of parents towards their children’s education. From the private schools it was found that: parents are more involved in the governance of the school; they attend and participate actively in school meetings; the school involves parents in financial matters and as such the financial support from the parents is very good; parents are much involved in the monitoring of the progress of their learner’s education and are passionate about the school and seem to own the policies and the governance of the whole school system. The conclusion drawn from the study is that private schools allow for parental involvement in the governance of their schools whereas in public schools parental involvement is low.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Monetary policy and microfinance in Sub-Sahara Africa: Ghana’s perspective
- Authors: Wiredu, Nana Kwame
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Monetary policy -- Ghana , Microfinance -- Ghana Ghana -- Economic policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36037 , vital:33884
- Description: Ghana, like many other developing countries in Sub-Sahara Africa, recognises the important role that the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) play in economic development. These enterprises need an environment conducive to thriving and growth, to contribute to employment and overall output. A key pillar to this is access to affordable credit. Credit in itself is thought to be affected by monetary policy formulated and put forth by the central bank, on behalf of government. The pass-through effect of monetary policy on commercial banking rates, as charged by bank and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), is a concern for MSMEs. Therefore, this study sought to highlight cause and effects relationship between monetary policy, the lending rate and private sector credit, and also sought to find a possible cushion for MSMEs through the microfinance targeting approach. Annual aggregate monetary time series data from the Bank of Ghana (BoG) was analysed. Multiple linear regression and analysis of variance test results reveal evidence of a significant and proportional effect of both the monetary policy rate and commercial banking rate on credit to the private sector. The key implication of the findings is that the pass-through effect of monetary policy negatively affects MSMEs. The study recommends that governments in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), and particularly the government of Ghana, should take into consideration the effects of monetary policy on MSMEs, when formulating monetary policies. It is also recommended that governments in SSA should formulate policies that enhance MSMEs access to adequate and affordable credit to enable it contribute more to economic growth. Perhaps, this can be done through microfinance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Wiredu, Nana Kwame
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Monetary policy -- Ghana , Microfinance -- Ghana Ghana -- Economic policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36037 , vital:33884
- Description: Ghana, like many other developing countries in Sub-Sahara Africa, recognises the important role that the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) play in economic development. These enterprises need an environment conducive to thriving and growth, to contribute to employment and overall output. A key pillar to this is access to affordable credit. Credit in itself is thought to be affected by monetary policy formulated and put forth by the central bank, on behalf of government. The pass-through effect of monetary policy on commercial banking rates, as charged by bank and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), is a concern for MSMEs. Therefore, this study sought to highlight cause and effects relationship between monetary policy, the lending rate and private sector credit, and also sought to find a possible cushion for MSMEs through the microfinance targeting approach. Annual aggregate monetary time series data from the Bank of Ghana (BoG) was analysed. Multiple linear regression and analysis of variance test results reveal evidence of a significant and proportional effect of both the monetary policy rate and commercial banking rate on credit to the private sector. The key implication of the findings is that the pass-through effect of monetary policy negatively affects MSMEs. The study recommends that governments in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), and particularly the government of Ghana, should take into consideration the effects of monetary policy on MSMEs, when formulating monetary policies. It is also recommended that governments in SSA should formulate policies that enhance MSMEs access to adequate and affordable credit to enable it contribute more to economic growth. Perhaps, this can be done through microfinance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Molecular analysis and Photodynamic inactivation of multidrug-resistant strains of Acinetobacter baumannii from clinical, abattoir and aquatic samples: Public Health Impact
- Authors: ANANE YAW ADJEI
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: PhD Manuscripts
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2080 , vital:40816 , DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PhD) HEALTH SCIENCES (MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY)
- Description: Acinetobacter baumannii is an important hospital-acquired pathogen, frequently associated with morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients causing a wide range of clinical complications, such as pneumonia, septicaemia, urinary tract infection, surgical site infection, wound infection, and meningitis. Much of the interest in A. baumannii has been attributed to its genetic plasticity, with its ability to acquire and express resistance in plasmids and chromosome particularly to carbapenems, the drug of choice to treat Acinetobacter infections. Carbapenem resistance in A. baumannii is a growing public health concern and represents a serious problem for treatment of the infection. This situation is not restricted to only clinical settings but also occurs in the extra-hospital settings where these areas can serve as reservoirs for multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii. The increasing limited access of therapeutic agents against A. baumannii infections and the development of MDR have led to the necessity for alternative strategies to control infections caused by MDR pathogens. Antimicrobial Photodynamic Inactivation (APDI) is a promising treatment modality in the field of biocide research that in the future may have widespread applications, replacing conventional antibiotics. The overall aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of APDI against MDR A. baumannii isolated from clinical, aquatic and abattoir settings, to investigate carbapenem resistance mechanisms and the genetic relationship among isolates circulating in our settings in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The thesis consists of seven chapters. With the exception of chapters 1, 2 and 7, each chapter is designed as a publishable unit. iv The 1 st chapter gives a comprehensive account of the background to the study and the literature review. Here the history of classification, morphology, natural habitat, laboratory diagnosis, infections, epidemiology, virulence and pathogenicity, antimicrobial resistance, A. baumannii in extra-hospital environment (abattoir and aquatic environment), treatment options of A. baumannii and the mechanism of action of APDI were reviewed. Chapter 2 described the techniques and general methods used for sampling, identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, PCR extraction and amplification and sequencing processes involved in this work. It covers the general experimental section of chapters 3, 4, 5 and 6. Chapter 3 evaluated the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and frequency of carbapenemase-encoding genes as well as the roles of insertion sequence one (ISAba1) and class 1 integrons (intI1) in MDR A. baumannii clinical isolates obtained from the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital (NMAH). Between August 2016 to July 2017, 100 non-duplicate MDR A. baumannii strains were recovered from various clinical samples. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility tests of the isolates were performed using the VITEK® 2 automated systems with Gram-negative identification cards and the MicroScan autoSCAN-4 system Gram-negative ID type 2 panel. Minimum inhibitory concentration to imipenem, meropenem and colistin was rechecked by E-test (BioMérieux, France). Colistin susceptibility testing was confirmed using broth microdilution method according to the CLSI and by ComASP™ Colistin according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Suspected colonies were verified using v Acinetobacter specific primer set Ac436f and Ac676r to amplify the 16S rRNA gene and identification was further confirmed by PCR amplification of the intrinsic blaOXA51-like. The detection of oxacillinase carbapenemase genes (blaOXA-23-like, blaOXA-24-like, blaOXA-51-like and blaOXA-58-like) and metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) genes (blaIMP-1, blaVIM, blaNDM-1 and blaSIM) as well as blaAmpC was carried out by real-time PCR assay using Roche LightCycler 2.0. The occurrence of the activating ISAba1 element upstream of the blaOXA-23-like and blaOXA-51-like genes was also carried out in a PCR assay. Isolates were also assayed for intI1. All strains were resistant to penicillins and cephalosporins except cefepime (87%). Resistant rates against other tested antibiotics were as follows: piperacillin/tazobactam (100%), ampicillin/sulbactam (100%), levofloxacin (91%), ciprofloxacin (89%), tobramycin (87%), gentamicin (84%), meropenem (83%), imipenem (81%), tetracycline (64%), amikacin (50%) and tigecycline (48%). All strains were fully susceptible to colistin. The screening of carbapenemase-encoding genes showed that all strains were found to harbour at least one of the OXA-type carbapenemases. The intrinsic blaOXA-51-like gene was detected in all isolates, 70% of the strains had blaOXA-23-like, 5% had blaOXA-24-like and 8% had blaOXA-58-like genes. For the MBLs, 4% isolates were positive for blaIMP-1, 3% strains were positive for blaVIM and 2% positive for blaNDM-1. Genes encoding blaSIM and blaAmpC enzymes were absent in all the strains. Co-occurrence of blaOXA-23-like and blaIMP-1 or blaOXA-58-like was detected in 1% and 2% MDR A. baumannii strains respectively. A key feature of this study was the co-harbouring of blaOXA-23-like, blaOXA-58-like and blaIMP-1 detected in 2% of the strains and this is the first report in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The ISAba1/blaOXA-51-like and ISAba1/blaOXA-23-like were detected in 15% and 40% vi isolates respectively whilst intI1 was detected in 80% isolates. Our data revealed a high antibiotic resistance to carbapenems and provide direct evidence of the spread of carbapenemase-encoding genes especially blaOXA-23-like in our local settings. Also the high presence of ISAba1 element upstream of the blaOXA-51-like and blaOXA-23-like increases expression of these carbapenemases and presents an emerging threat in our study setting. The study has also revealed specific insights into the interplay of different mechanisms causing rapid increase in antibiotic resistance in A. baumannii in our local setting. To prevent the development of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB), routine implementation of simple and cost-effective screening methods to detect carbapenemase production in our hospitals is crucial in enhancing infection control practices and finally establishing antimicrobial stewardship programs. Chapter 4 investigated the prevalence of MDR A. baumannii strains in extra-hospital settings, to study its susceptibility to antibiotics and to determine the frequency of carbapenemase-encoding genes. Various samples were obtained from Umzikantu Red Meat Abattoir and Mthatha Dam. Isolates were presumptively identified by direct plating on chromogenic CHROMagar Acinetobacter with supplement Ref. CR102 which allows the growth of CRAB isolates. Species identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were carried out using MicroScan autoSCAN-4 automated System. Confirmation of A. baumannii isolates were carried out by PCR analysis of the presence of inherent blaOXA-51-like genes. The presence of the carbapenemase-encoding genes was assessed. Results for 48 and 52 MDR A. baumannii isolated recovered from the abattoir and dam respectively revealed a high resistance rate to some frequently used antimicrobials such as piperacillin [abattoir vii (84%), aquatic (73%)], ceftazidime [abattoir (84%), aquatic (83%)], ciprofloxacin [abattoir (71%), aquatic (70%)]. The percentage of resistant strains to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, amikacin, gentamycin, cefotaxime, and cefepime in abattoir and aquatic isolates were (100%, 92%), (41%, 42%), (81%, 75%), (81%, 79%) and (72%, 72%) respectively. High resistance of (75%, 73%) and (74%, 71%) to imipenem and meropenem were observed in abattoir and aquatic strains respectively. The detection of carbapenemase-encoding genes showed that all MDR A. baumannii strain were positive for blaOXA-51-like. The blaOXA-23-like was detected in 32 (66.7%) of the abattoir strains whereas 11 (21.2%) of the aquatic strains had blaOXA23-like. The blaOXA-58-like was detected in 7 (14.6%) and 4 (7.7%) of abattoir and aquatic isolates respectively. No strain had blaOXA-24-like, blaIMP-type, blaVIM-type, blaNDM-1, blaSIM, and blaAmpC genes among both groups of strains. All the strains lacked ISAba1/blaOXA-23-like and ISAba1/blaOXA-51-like as well as intI1. A high level of multiple antibiotic resistance indexes ranging from 0.22-0.51 indicates that the strains emerged from high-risk sources, in line with conventional standards. In conclusion, the presence of MDR A. baumannii in the extra-hospital environment such as abattoir and aquatic environments may be a threat to public health considering that this may provide an extra-hospital reservoir for the spread of these opportunistic pathogen into both community and hospital settings. Chapter 5 was designed to investigate the genetic relationship among CRAB strains obtained from clinical and extra-hospital sources using the Pasteur MLST scheme. A phylogenetic analysis was performed on 33 representative proportions of A. baumannii strains from clinical, abattoir and aquatic sources. Multi-locus sequence typing was performed using seven fragments of housekeeping genes cpn60, fusA, viii gltA, pyrG, recA, rplB and rpoB provided by Pasteur Institute MLST. Five existing sequence types (STs) were identified in the clinical strains by eBURST algorithm. The most dominant ST for clinical strains was ST2 accounting for 68.8 % (n = 11), followed by ST25 12.5% (n = 2) and 3 STs (ST1, ST85 and ST215) represented by a single strain (singletons) were identified. Extra-hospital isolates had two existing STs, ST1 and ST2 identified in three and fourteen strains respectively. Clonal relation analysis revealed that ST1, ST2, ST25, ST85 and ST215 belonged to the CC1, CC2, CC25, CC85 and CC215 lineage respectively. Phylogenetic tree analysis show that most of the extra-hospital strains were related to each other and also did cluster among the clinical strains. Resistance to carbapenems was related to blaOXA-23-like (all strains), blaOXA-58-like (2 strains) and blaOXA-24-like (1 strain). This study highlights the wide dissemination of highly related blaOXA-23-like producing CRAB belonging to the international clonal complex 2 in Mthatha, South Africa. Thus, appropriate infection control measures are recommended in order to control this clone. As a whole, phylogenetic analysis provided a global view of the molecular epidemiology of A. baumannii in Mthatha, South Africa. In chapter 6, in vitro APDI effect mediated by Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) and methylene blue (MB) as photosensitizers and with halogen lamp as a light source on A. baumannii biofilm was evaluated. Three MDR A. baumannii strains recovered from clinical, abattoir and aquatic samples were used. The irradiation source has a maximum light dose of 30 Jcm-2 . We studied the APDI according to low or high concentration of MB and PpIX along with exposure time. After treatment, the antibacterial effect of the APDI was assessed by counting colony-forming units per millilitre (CFU/mL). Antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation test groups (L+P1+ and ix L+P2+) showed significant reduction of CFUs compared to the control group (L−P−). The log survival fraction of the treated groups as a percentage of that of L−P− at a concentration of 20 µM is as follows: L+P1+ (5×10-6%), L+P2+ (2×10- 6%); L−P− (100%). (L+P2+ P = 0.0001). The most effective dye was MB which showed higher bacterial reduction of 7.0 log10 whilst PpIX yielded 6.0 log10 CFU/mL at a concentration of 20 µM and light dose of 30 Jcm-2 . Results showed that the efficacy of APDI is dependent on PpIX and MB concentration and light dose. Similar APDI effectiveness was achieved regardless of the origin and minimum inhibitory concentration of isolate indicating that regardless of the origin and resistant rate of isolate, similar APDI effectiveness could be reached. Lastly, general conclusions and recommendations on various parts of findings were captured in chapter 7. The study provides a comprehensive data and information on antimicrobial drug resistance, genes coding for resistance and phylogenetic profiles of local MDR A. baumannii strains and highlights the importance of surveillance. This is essential for epidemiological purposes and specifically in situation requiring empirical treatment. Also in vitro APDI could be considered as an alternative approach to traditional antibiotic therapy if there is an optimized interplay between combinations of different types of photosensitisers and their concentrations, exposure time and light dose. Further research studies employing whole genome sequencing and next generation sequencing, massively parallel or deep technologies are required to understand greater detail of these many unique findings
- Full Text:
- Authors: ANANE YAW ADJEI
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: PhD Manuscripts
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2080 , vital:40816 , DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PhD) HEALTH SCIENCES (MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY)
- Description: Acinetobacter baumannii is an important hospital-acquired pathogen, frequently associated with morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients causing a wide range of clinical complications, such as pneumonia, septicaemia, urinary tract infection, surgical site infection, wound infection, and meningitis. Much of the interest in A. baumannii has been attributed to its genetic plasticity, with its ability to acquire and express resistance in plasmids and chromosome particularly to carbapenems, the drug of choice to treat Acinetobacter infections. Carbapenem resistance in A. baumannii is a growing public health concern and represents a serious problem for treatment of the infection. This situation is not restricted to only clinical settings but also occurs in the extra-hospital settings where these areas can serve as reservoirs for multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii. The increasing limited access of therapeutic agents against A. baumannii infections and the development of MDR have led to the necessity for alternative strategies to control infections caused by MDR pathogens. Antimicrobial Photodynamic Inactivation (APDI) is a promising treatment modality in the field of biocide research that in the future may have widespread applications, replacing conventional antibiotics. The overall aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of APDI against MDR A. baumannii isolated from clinical, aquatic and abattoir settings, to investigate carbapenem resistance mechanisms and the genetic relationship among isolates circulating in our settings in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The thesis consists of seven chapters. With the exception of chapters 1, 2 and 7, each chapter is designed as a publishable unit. iv The 1 st chapter gives a comprehensive account of the background to the study and the literature review. Here the history of classification, morphology, natural habitat, laboratory diagnosis, infections, epidemiology, virulence and pathogenicity, antimicrobial resistance, A. baumannii in extra-hospital environment (abattoir and aquatic environment), treatment options of A. baumannii and the mechanism of action of APDI were reviewed. Chapter 2 described the techniques and general methods used for sampling, identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, PCR extraction and amplification and sequencing processes involved in this work. It covers the general experimental section of chapters 3, 4, 5 and 6. Chapter 3 evaluated the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and frequency of carbapenemase-encoding genes as well as the roles of insertion sequence one (ISAba1) and class 1 integrons (intI1) in MDR A. baumannii clinical isolates obtained from the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital (NMAH). Between August 2016 to July 2017, 100 non-duplicate MDR A. baumannii strains were recovered from various clinical samples. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility tests of the isolates were performed using the VITEK® 2 automated systems with Gram-negative identification cards and the MicroScan autoSCAN-4 system Gram-negative ID type 2 panel. Minimum inhibitory concentration to imipenem, meropenem and colistin was rechecked by E-test (BioMérieux, France). Colistin susceptibility testing was confirmed using broth microdilution method according to the CLSI and by ComASP™ Colistin according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Suspected colonies were verified using v Acinetobacter specific primer set Ac436f and Ac676r to amplify the 16S rRNA gene and identification was further confirmed by PCR amplification of the intrinsic blaOXA51-like. The detection of oxacillinase carbapenemase genes (blaOXA-23-like, blaOXA-24-like, blaOXA-51-like and blaOXA-58-like) and metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) genes (blaIMP-1, blaVIM, blaNDM-1 and blaSIM) as well as blaAmpC was carried out by real-time PCR assay using Roche LightCycler 2.0. The occurrence of the activating ISAba1 element upstream of the blaOXA-23-like and blaOXA-51-like genes was also carried out in a PCR assay. Isolates were also assayed for intI1. All strains were resistant to penicillins and cephalosporins except cefepime (87%). Resistant rates against other tested antibiotics were as follows: piperacillin/tazobactam (100%), ampicillin/sulbactam (100%), levofloxacin (91%), ciprofloxacin (89%), tobramycin (87%), gentamicin (84%), meropenem (83%), imipenem (81%), tetracycline (64%), amikacin (50%) and tigecycline (48%). All strains were fully susceptible to colistin. The screening of carbapenemase-encoding genes showed that all strains were found to harbour at least one of the OXA-type carbapenemases. The intrinsic blaOXA-51-like gene was detected in all isolates, 70% of the strains had blaOXA-23-like, 5% had blaOXA-24-like and 8% had blaOXA-58-like genes. For the MBLs, 4% isolates were positive for blaIMP-1, 3% strains were positive for blaVIM and 2% positive for blaNDM-1. Genes encoding blaSIM and blaAmpC enzymes were absent in all the strains. Co-occurrence of blaOXA-23-like and blaIMP-1 or blaOXA-58-like was detected in 1% and 2% MDR A. baumannii strains respectively. A key feature of this study was the co-harbouring of blaOXA-23-like, blaOXA-58-like and blaIMP-1 detected in 2% of the strains and this is the first report in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The ISAba1/blaOXA-51-like and ISAba1/blaOXA-23-like were detected in 15% and 40% vi isolates respectively whilst intI1 was detected in 80% isolates. Our data revealed a high antibiotic resistance to carbapenems and provide direct evidence of the spread of carbapenemase-encoding genes especially blaOXA-23-like in our local settings. Also the high presence of ISAba1 element upstream of the blaOXA-51-like and blaOXA-23-like increases expression of these carbapenemases and presents an emerging threat in our study setting. The study has also revealed specific insights into the interplay of different mechanisms causing rapid increase in antibiotic resistance in A. baumannii in our local setting. To prevent the development of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB), routine implementation of simple and cost-effective screening methods to detect carbapenemase production in our hospitals is crucial in enhancing infection control practices and finally establishing antimicrobial stewardship programs. Chapter 4 investigated the prevalence of MDR A. baumannii strains in extra-hospital settings, to study its susceptibility to antibiotics and to determine the frequency of carbapenemase-encoding genes. Various samples were obtained from Umzikantu Red Meat Abattoir and Mthatha Dam. Isolates were presumptively identified by direct plating on chromogenic CHROMagar Acinetobacter with supplement Ref. CR102 which allows the growth of CRAB isolates. Species identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were carried out using MicroScan autoSCAN-4 automated System. Confirmation of A. baumannii isolates were carried out by PCR analysis of the presence of inherent blaOXA-51-like genes. The presence of the carbapenemase-encoding genes was assessed. Results for 48 and 52 MDR A. baumannii isolated recovered from the abattoir and dam respectively revealed a high resistance rate to some frequently used antimicrobials such as piperacillin [abattoir vii (84%), aquatic (73%)], ceftazidime [abattoir (84%), aquatic (83%)], ciprofloxacin [abattoir (71%), aquatic (70%)]. The percentage of resistant strains to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, amikacin, gentamycin, cefotaxime, and cefepime in abattoir and aquatic isolates were (100%, 92%), (41%, 42%), (81%, 75%), (81%, 79%) and (72%, 72%) respectively. High resistance of (75%, 73%) and (74%, 71%) to imipenem and meropenem were observed in abattoir and aquatic strains respectively. The detection of carbapenemase-encoding genes showed that all MDR A. baumannii strain were positive for blaOXA-51-like. The blaOXA-23-like was detected in 32 (66.7%) of the abattoir strains whereas 11 (21.2%) of the aquatic strains had blaOXA23-like. The blaOXA-58-like was detected in 7 (14.6%) and 4 (7.7%) of abattoir and aquatic isolates respectively. No strain had blaOXA-24-like, blaIMP-type, blaVIM-type, blaNDM-1, blaSIM, and blaAmpC genes among both groups of strains. All the strains lacked ISAba1/blaOXA-23-like and ISAba1/blaOXA-51-like as well as intI1. A high level of multiple antibiotic resistance indexes ranging from 0.22-0.51 indicates that the strains emerged from high-risk sources, in line with conventional standards. In conclusion, the presence of MDR A. baumannii in the extra-hospital environment such as abattoir and aquatic environments may be a threat to public health considering that this may provide an extra-hospital reservoir for the spread of these opportunistic pathogen into both community and hospital settings. Chapter 5 was designed to investigate the genetic relationship among CRAB strains obtained from clinical and extra-hospital sources using the Pasteur MLST scheme. A phylogenetic analysis was performed on 33 representative proportions of A. baumannii strains from clinical, abattoir and aquatic sources. Multi-locus sequence typing was performed using seven fragments of housekeeping genes cpn60, fusA, viii gltA, pyrG, recA, rplB and rpoB provided by Pasteur Institute MLST. Five existing sequence types (STs) were identified in the clinical strains by eBURST algorithm. The most dominant ST for clinical strains was ST2 accounting for 68.8 % (n = 11), followed by ST25 12.5% (n = 2) and 3 STs (ST1, ST85 and ST215) represented by a single strain (singletons) were identified. Extra-hospital isolates had two existing STs, ST1 and ST2 identified in three and fourteen strains respectively. Clonal relation analysis revealed that ST1, ST2, ST25, ST85 and ST215 belonged to the CC1, CC2, CC25, CC85 and CC215 lineage respectively. Phylogenetic tree analysis show that most of the extra-hospital strains were related to each other and also did cluster among the clinical strains. Resistance to carbapenems was related to blaOXA-23-like (all strains), blaOXA-58-like (2 strains) and blaOXA-24-like (1 strain). This study highlights the wide dissemination of highly related blaOXA-23-like producing CRAB belonging to the international clonal complex 2 in Mthatha, South Africa. Thus, appropriate infection control measures are recommended in order to control this clone. As a whole, phylogenetic analysis provided a global view of the molecular epidemiology of A. baumannii in Mthatha, South Africa. In chapter 6, in vitro APDI effect mediated by Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) and methylene blue (MB) as photosensitizers and with halogen lamp as a light source on A. baumannii biofilm was evaluated. Three MDR A. baumannii strains recovered from clinical, abattoir and aquatic samples were used. The irradiation source has a maximum light dose of 30 Jcm-2 . We studied the APDI according to low or high concentration of MB and PpIX along with exposure time. After treatment, the antibacterial effect of the APDI was assessed by counting colony-forming units per millilitre (CFU/mL). Antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation test groups (L+P1+ and ix L+P2+) showed significant reduction of CFUs compared to the control group (L−P−). The log survival fraction of the treated groups as a percentage of that of L−P− at a concentration of 20 µM is as follows: L+P1+ (5×10-6%), L+P2+ (2×10- 6%); L−P− (100%). (L+P2+ P = 0.0001). The most effective dye was MB which showed higher bacterial reduction of 7.0 log10 whilst PpIX yielded 6.0 log10 CFU/mL at a concentration of 20 µM and light dose of 30 Jcm-2 . Results showed that the efficacy of APDI is dependent on PpIX and MB concentration and light dose. Similar APDI effectiveness was achieved regardless of the origin and minimum inhibitory concentration of isolate indicating that regardless of the origin and resistant rate of isolate, similar APDI effectiveness could be reached. Lastly, general conclusions and recommendations on various parts of findings were captured in chapter 7. The study provides a comprehensive data and information on antimicrobial drug resistance, genes coding for resistance and phylogenetic profiles of local MDR A. baumannii strains and highlights the importance of surveillance. This is essential for epidemiological purposes and specifically in situation requiring empirical treatment. Also in vitro APDI could be considered as an alternative approach to traditional antibiotic therapy if there is an optimized interplay between combinations of different types of photosensitisers and their concentrations, exposure time and light dose. Further research studies employing whole genome sequencing and next generation sequencing, massively parallel or deep technologies are required to understand greater detail of these many unique findings
- Full Text:
Influences on productivity of construction projects with particular reference to core labour, unskilled labour and leadership style of managers
- Authors: Mathura, Gonasagree Sindy
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Labor productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Unskilled labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Construction workers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6851 , vital:21154
- Description: Construction productivity is an interesting phenomenon which was an initial study into time and motion. However this remains a vital part of the construction industry today as it takes into consideration cost-savings, a precise timeous delivery of projects and the correct usage of materials. This phenomenon itself is a huge challenge to many companies in South Africa. The construction industry in South Africa is seen as a tool to alleviate the increasing unemployment and poverty levels. The ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), has made statements to decrease the unemployment rate and due to these promises, the imposition of the use of local unskilled labour from the local communities has become the norm on the majority of construction projects. This formed the basis of the Expanded Public Works Programme. This initiative has indeed shown a huge success but the programme lacks long-term support. The majority of these workers are taken on short-term projects and thereafter the workers are returned to the unemployment pool. The workers are also aware of the short-term projects and therefore there is a lack of motivation which inevitably affects the productivity on any construction site. This study looks at the challenges faced by contractor's in the Eastern Cape and analyses the effects of the use of unskilled labour from the local community. Questionnaires were completed as a measurement instrument to determine the motivation, leadership style and the communication levels among the unskilled, core and the managers on construction projects. The productivity achievements of the unskilled labour and the core labour will be measured and compared and the findings are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mathura, Gonasagree Sindy
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Labor productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Unskilled labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Construction workers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6851 , vital:21154
- Description: Construction productivity is an interesting phenomenon which was an initial study into time and motion. However this remains a vital part of the construction industry today as it takes into consideration cost-savings, a precise timeous delivery of projects and the correct usage of materials. This phenomenon itself is a huge challenge to many companies in South Africa. The construction industry in South Africa is seen as a tool to alleviate the increasing unemployment and poverty levels. The ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), has made statements to decrease the unemployment rate and due to these promises, the imposition of the use of local unskilled labour from the local communities has become the norm on the majority of construction projects. This formed the basis of the Expanded Public Works Programme. This initiative has indeed shown a huge success but the programme lacks long-term support. The majority of these workers are taken on short-term projects and thereafter the workers are returned to the unemployment pool. The workers are also aware of the short-term projects and therefore there is a lack of motivation which inevitably affects the productivity on any construction site. This study looks at the challenges faced by contractor's in the Eastern Cape and analyses the effects of the use of unskilled labour from the local community. Questionnaires were completed as a measurement instrument to determine the motivation, leadership style and the communication levels among the unskilled, core and the managers on construction projects. The productivity achievements of the unskilled labour and the core labour will be measured and compared and the findings are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Epistemological access as an open question in education
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:21219 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7123 , http://joe.ukzn.ac.za/Libraries/No_46_June_2009/Epistemological_access_as_an_open_question_in_education.sflb.ashx
- Description: In his book Learning to Teach in South Africa Morrow (2007)1 argues that teacher education’s ultimate aim is to enable epistemological access2 to knowledge in the modern world, and that there is a need to find new ways of thinking about teaching in South Africa if we are to meet the challenge of enabling all learners to gain such epistemological access. Morrow relates problems of epistemological access to the dominance of an empiricist epistemology in education, and he also comments on how this is obscured by the ideologies of Outcomes Based Education and learner-centred education (with attendant constructivist, relativist assumptions about knowledge). These problems, he argues, have come to shape curriculum thinking, and hence teaching practice, creating a muddled epistemological context in which teaching practices are taking place. He argues for a realist focus but he does not elaborate on what such a realist focus might mean for enabling epistemological access or for associated teaching practice or for teacher education. He does, however, propose that systematic learning is a necessary way forward.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:21219 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7123 , http://joe.ukzn.ac.za/Libraries/No_46_June_2009/Epistemological_access_as_an_open_question_in_education.sflb.ashx
- Description: In his book Learning to Teach in South Africa Morrow (2007)1 argues that teacher education’s ultimate aim is to enable epistemological access2 to knowledge in the modern world, and that there is a need to find new ways of thinking about teaching in South Africa if we are to meet the challenge of enabling all learners to gain such epistemological access. Morrow relates problems of epistemological access to the dominance of an empiricist epistemology in education, and he also comments on how this is obscured by the ideologies of Outcomes Based Education and learner-centred education (with attendant constructivist, relativist assumptions about knowledge). These problems, he argues, have come to shape curriculum thinking, and hence teaching practice, creating a muddled epistemological context in which teaching practices are taking place. He argues for a realist focus but he does not elaborate on what such a realist focus might mean for enabling epistemological access or for associated teaching practice or for teacher education. He does, however, propose that systematic learning is a necessary way forward.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Factors influencing the performance of staff members in a tertiary hospital
- Combrink, Cornelius Johannes
- Authors: Combrink, Cornelius Johannes
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Community health services
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21642 , vital:51737
- Description: Healthcare services within a hospital setting are the basic aspects for the success of service delivery and staff performance in this regard. The paramount component of human resources makes a positive contribution to a healthcare system. Recently, it has been recognised that the performance of healthcare personnel ought to be a key factor for a sustainable performance system. Nevertheless, it is generally known that healthcare workers fail to accomplish the anticipated outcomes of health interventions. This concept leads to the research question: Why is the public sector known for poor service delivery and poor performance? This study aims to determine the factors that impact on the health worker’s performance in a tertiary hospital in South-Africa. A framework will be carefully constructed and cautiously implemented to improve and develop the performance of healthcare workers in this hospital. The vast scope and population involved in this study make a quantitative research approach most suitable, along with a non-probability purposive sampling method. A survey method using an electronic questionnaire that was circulated via a web survey, and a paper-based questionnaire that was distributed within the hospital were used to obtain a diverse perception of the healthcare workers. Data analysis included determining factors, group differences and correlations using the SPSS-27 program. The target population included all healthcare workers in the tertiary hospital – from junior employees to senior management level staff. Statistical data analysis collected for this study revealed four major factors (politics-related resources, resource, training and socioeconomic) that play a major role in the trends of performance culture at the selected tertiary hospital. These results lead to the understanding that the hospital is currently experiencing inadequate human resources management components such as recognition of employees who perform above expectations; execution of a performance appraisal system; lack in implementing the annual salary increase; unfavourable working conditions (lack of resources); troublesome management skills, and insufficient feedback on performance outcomes. These features are directly associated with the quality and degree of the performance of healthcare personnel. Based on the results, a management framework was proposed. The framework consists of activities that will improve the healthcare profession; strengthen expertise and knowledge; develop management skills; enhance knowledge through research and, ultimately, upgrade the performance of healthcare personnel. , Thesis (MPH) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, Public Health, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Combrink, Cornelius Johannes
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Community health services
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21642 , vital:51737
- Description: Healthcare services within a hospital setting are the basic aspects for the success of service delivery and staff performance in this regard. The paramount component of human resources makes a positive contribution to a healthcare system. Recently, it has been recognised that the performance of healthcare personnel ought to be a key factor for a sustainable performance system. Nevertheless, it is generally known that healthcare workers fail to accomplish the anticipated outcomes of health interventions. This concept leads to the research question: Why is the public sector known for poor service delivery and poor performance? This study aims to determine the factors that impact on the health worker’s performance in a tertiary hospital in South-Africa. A framework will be carefully constructed and cautiously implemented to improve and develop the performance of healthcare workers in this hospital. The vast scope and population involved in this study make a quantitative research approach most suitable, along with a non-probability purposive sampling method. A survey method using an electronic questionnaire that was circulated via a web survey, and a paper-based questionnaire that was distributed within the hospital were used to obtain a diverse perception of the healthcare workers. Data analysis included determining factors, group differences and correlations using the SPSS-27 program. The target population included all healthcare workers in the tertiary hospital – from junior employees to senior management level staff. Statistical data analysis collected for this study revealed four major factors (politics-related resources, resource, training and socioeconomic) that play a major role in the trends of performance culture at the selected tertiary hospital. These results lead to the understanding that the hospital is currently experiencing inadequate human resources management components such as recognition of employees who perform above expectations; execution of a performance appraisal system; lack in implementing the annual salary increase; unfavourable working conditions (lack of resources); troublesome management skills, and insufficient feedback on performance outcomes. These features are directly associated with the quality and degree of the performance of healthcare personnel. Based on the results, a management framework was proposed. The framework consists of activities that will improve the healthcare profession; strengthen expertise and knowledge; develop management skills; enhance knowledge through research and, ultimately, upgrade the performance of healthcare personnel. , Thesis (MPH) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, Public Health, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
A behaviour of South Africa’s economy towards inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) from BRICs economies
- Authors: Dingela, Siyasanga
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- South Africa , Investments, Foreign -- Developing countries , South Africa -- Economic conditions , BRIC countries -- Foreign economic relations
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51141 , vital:43212
- Description: This study investigated a behaviour of South Africa’s economy towards inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) from Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRICs) economies, during the period 1997 to 2016. The BRICs bloc was coined in 2001 by then chairperson of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Jim O’Neil. According to Goldman Sach (2001), the BRICs group was collectively expected to overtake the major economic powers over the span of a few decades. Their growth is expected to shape a new economic order and replace the currently dominant advanced economies. South Africa joined the BRICs bloc in 2010 as the jeweler of the world and as a gateway to Africa. It joined the BRICs group at the time when economic growth was at a sluggish rate, and the savings and investment were at the lowest rate. The country had a high unemployment rate, high levels of poverty and income inequality. On the other hand, the BRICs economies had limited intra-BRICs flows amongst themselves. It is against this background that this study investigated the long run impact of BRICs FDI inflows on South Africa’s economic growth, and the causality relationship between South Africa’s economic growth and BRICs FDI inflows. This study contributes to the body of knowledge of economics in South Africa and the literature on foreign direct investment and economic growth in South Africa. The study employed two cointegration methods to investigate the behaviour of South Africa’s economy towards inflows of foreign direct investment from BRICs economies. These are fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS). For granger causality, the study employed Stacked and Dumistrescu Hurlin tests. All the models used time series annual data from 1997 to 2016. The Unit root test results confirmed that the variables were stationary at first difference using panel Im, Pesaran, Shin (IPS) and Levin, Lin, Chu (LLC). The research employs four regressions, first, Economic growth and foreign direct investment (i.e. private sector, banking sector and both sectors), human capital, physical capital, household consumption, government expenditure, exports, and arable land; Second, Employment and foreign direct investment, human capital, physical capital, household consumption, government expenditure, exports, and arable land; third, Economic complexity and foreign direct investment, human capital, physical capital, household consumption, government expenditure, exports, and arable land; finally, Unemployment and foreign direct investment, human capital, physical capital, household consumption, government expenditure, exports, and arable land. The cointegration results for private FDI and economic growth, employment, economic complexity, and unemployment. The results show only economic complexity has significant effect on foreign direct investment and other variables show insignificant results. However, this effect is smaller compared to other growth determinants which are included in the regressions. The cointegration results for bank FDI. These results show more similarities with private FDI results and few differences. However, this effect is smaller compared to other growth determinants included in the regressions. These growth determinants, however, show a positive effect of human capital and household consumption on economic growth which is expected. Other interesting results are exports being positively related with economic growth and unemployment but negative with employment and insignificant with economic complexity. Another one is government spending negatively influence economic growth, employment and positively influence unemployment. But insignificant for economic complexity. Total FDI results and other variables. These results are also similar to private and bank FDI results discussed above. Economic complexity shows significant effect with foreign direct investment, yet other variables are insignificant. . Further results show human capital positively related with economic growth, which is expected. However, physical capital and household consumption negatively affects growth. Another one exports show positive influence on economic growth but negatively related with employment. Yet, insignificant with economic complexity and unemployment. Other results government spending shows negative influence with employment but insignificant with economic growth, economic complexity and unemployment. The results for nonlinearity between the variables under review. The results that employment and economic complexity are nonlinear with foreign direct investment and no nonlinearity between unemployment, economic growth and foreign direct investment. For employment, low levels of foreign direct investment (LFDI_private) adversely affects employment but at higher levels (FDI_private_SQ) is insignificant. For economic complexity, low levels of foreign direct investment are insignificant for economic complexity but at higher levels there is a positive effect of squared foreign direct investment on economic complexity. Further results show that economic growth and employment are nonlinear with human capital, physical capital, household consumption and exports. Physical capital and household consumption adversely affect economic growth, yet positively affects employment. Human capital positively affects economic growth, employment, and unemployment. Exports positively affect economic growth, but negatively affect employment. Further results show nonlinearity between employment and government expenditure. Government expenditure adversely affects employment. Also, economic growth and unemployment show nonlinearity with arable land. Arable land adversely affects economic growth but positively affects unemployment. Nonlinear results for economic growth and economic complexity with foreign direct investment but no nonlinearity in other remaining variables. For economic growth, low levels of foreign direct investment there is a positive effect of foreign direct investment on economic growth, however, at higher levels foreign direct investment are insignificant. For economic complexity, low levels of foreign direct investment are insignificant, yet, higher levels of foreign direct investment there is a positive influence of foreign direct investment on economic complexity. Further results show economic growth and employment that are nonlinear with human capital, physical capital, and household consumption. Human capital positively affects both economic growth and employment. Physical capital and household consumption are adversely affecting economic growth, yet positively affects employment. Further results show nonlinearity between economic growth and government expenditure. Government expenditure adversely affects employment. More results, employment, and unemployment show nonlinearity results with exports. Exports adversely affect employment but positively affects unemployment. Results show economic growth and unemployment that are nonlinear with arable land. Arable land adversely affects economic growth, but positively affect unemployment. Nonlinear results for economic complexity only and other variables show no nonlinearity in the regressions. For economic complexity, low levels of foreign direct investment are insignificant, but at higher levels of foreign direct investment there is positive effect of foreign direct investment on economic complexity. More results show economic growth and employment that are nonlinear with human capital, physical capital, household consumption and exports. Human capital and exports positively affect economic growth, employment, and unemployment. Whereas, physical capital and household consumption adversely affects economic growth and unemployment, yet positively affects employment. Further results show nonlinearity between employment and government expenditure. Government spending adversely affects employment. Further results show nonlinearity between economic growth and unemployment with arable land. Arable land positively affects unemployment, yet adversely affects economic growth. The following section discusses granger causality results. This study also employed granger causality tests. The causality results between economic growth, employment, economic complexity, unemployment, and private foreign direct investment. The causality results show that there is granger causality between economic growth and economic complexity with private foreign direct investment. Whereas, between bank foreign direct investment and other variables there is no granger causality. However, between total foreign direct investment and economic growth and employment there is granger causality. There are a number of policy recommendations that can be drawn from the study. The study results in overall revealed that BRICs (private and bank) FDI inflows had a positive impact on South Africa’s economic growth between 1997 and 2016. The study results suggest that the policy makers should focus the attention on lobbying foreign direct investment from BRICs economies, since this study shows positive impact and relationship between South Africa’s economic growth and BRICs FDI inflows. The BRICs economies should focus on enhancing investment partnership, preventing protectionism, and promoting intra-BRICS flows. In addition, South Africa should eliminate barriers affecting business with BRICs countries. Policy makers should promote the building of new companies (for example Greenfield Investment) so that the economy of South Africa could grow and create employment. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Economics, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Dingela, Siyasanga
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- South Africa , Investments, Foreign -- Developing countries , South Africa -- Economic conditions , BRIC countries -- Foreign economic relations
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51141 , vital:43212
- Description: This study investigated a behaviour of South Africa’s economy towards inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) from Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRICs) economies, during the period 1997 to 2016. The BRICs bloc was coined in 2001 by then chairperson of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Jim O’Neil. According to Goldman Sach (2001), the BRICs group was collectively expected to overtake the major economic powers over the span of a few decades. Their growth is expected to shape a new economic order and replace the currently dominant advanced economies. South Africa joined the BRICs bloc in 2010 as the jeweler of the world and as a gateway to Africa. It joined the BRICs group at the time when economic growth was at a sluggish rate, and the savings and investment were at the lowest rate. The country had a high unemployment rate, high levels of poverty and income inequality. On the other hand, the BRICs economies had limited intra-BRICs flows amongst themselves. It is against this background that this study investigated the long run impact of BRICs FDI inflows on South Africa’s economic growth, and the causality relationship between South Africa’s economic growth and BRICs FDI inflows. This study contributes to the body of knowledge of economics in South Africa and the literature on foreign direct investment and economic growth in South Africa. The study employed two cointegration methods to investigate the behaviour of South Africa’s economy towards inflows of foreign direct investment from BRICs economies. These are fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS). For granger causality, the study employed Stacked and Dumistrescu Hurlin tests. All the models used time series annual data from 1997 to 2016. The Unit root test results confirmed that the variables were stationary at first difference using panel Im, Pesaran, Shin (IPS) and Levin, Lin, Chu (LLC). The research employs four regressions, first, Economic growth and foreign direct investment (i.e. private sector, banking sector and both sectors), human capital, physical capital, household consumption, government expenditure, exports, and arable land; Second, Employment and foreign direct investment, human capital, physical capital, household consumption, government expenditure, exports, and arable land; third, Economic complexity and foreign direct investment, human capital, physical capital, household consumption, government expenditure, exports, and arable land; finally, Unemployment and foreign direct investment, human capital, physical capital, household consumption, government expenditure, exports, and arable land. The cointegration results for private FDI and economic growth, employment, economic complexity, and unemployment. The results show only economic complexity has significant effect on foreign direct investment and other variables show insignificant results. However, this effect is smaller compared to other growth determinants which are included in the regressions. The cointegration results for bank FDI. These results show more similarities with private FDI results and few differences. However, this effect is smaller compared to other growth determinants included in the regressions. These growth determinants, however, show a positive effect of human capital and household consumption on economic growth which is expected. Other interesting results are exports being positively related with economic growth and unemployment but negative with employment and insignificant with economic complexity. Another one is government spending negatively influence economic growth, employment and positively influence unemployment. But insignificant for economic complexity. Total FDI results and other variables. These results are also similar to private and bank FDI results discussed above. Economic complexity shows significant effect with foreign direct investment, yet other variables are insignificant. . Further results show human capital positively related with economic growth, which is expected. However, physical capital and household consumption negatively affects growth. Another one exports show positive influence on economic growth but negatively related with employment. Yet, insignificant with economic complexity and unemployment. Other results government spending shows negative influence with employment but insignificant with economic growth, economic complexity and unemployment. The results for nonlinearity between the variables under review. The results that employment and economic complexity are nonlinear with foreign direct investment and no nonlinearity between unemployment, economic growth and foreign direct investment. For employment, low levels of foreign direct investment (LFDI_private) adversely affects employment but at higher levels (FDI_private_SQ) is insignificant. For economic complexity, low levels of foreign direct investment are insignificant for economic complexity but at higher levels there is a positive effect of squared foreign direct investment on economic complexity. Further results show that economic growth and employment are nonlinear with human capital, physical capital, household consumption and exports. Physical capital and household consumption adversely affect economic growth, yet positively affects employment. Human capital positively affects economic growth, employment, and unemployment. Exports positively affect economic growth, but negatively affect employment. Further results show nonlinearity between employment and government expenditure. Government expenditure adversely affects employment. Also, economic growth and unemployment show nonlinearity with arable land. Arable land adversely affects economic growth but positively affects unemployment. Nonlinear results for economic growth and economic complexity with foreign direct investment but no nonlinearity in other remaining variables. For economic growth, low levels of foreign direct investment there is a positive effect of foreign direct investment on economic growth, however, at higher levels foreign direct investment are insignificant. For economic complexity, low levels of foreign direct investment are insignificant, yet, higher levels of foreign direct investment there is a positive influence of foreign direct investment on economic complexity. Further results show economic growth and employment that are nonlinear with human capital, physical capital, and household consumption. Human capital positively affects both economic growth and employment. Physical capital and household consumption are adversely affecting economic growth, yet positively affects employment. Further results show nonlinearity between economic growth and government expenditure. Government expenditure adversely affects employment. More results, employment, and unemployment show nonlinearity results with exports. Exports adversely affect employment but positively affects unemployment. Results show economic growth and unemployment that are nonlinear with arable land. Arable land adversely affects economic growth, but positively affect unemployment. Nonlinear results for economic complexity only and other variables show no nonlinearity in the regressions. For economic complexity, low levels of foreign direct investment are insignificant, but at higher levels of foreign direct investment there is positive effect of foreign direct investment on economic complexity. More results show economic growth and employment that are nonlinear with human capital, physical capital, household consumption and exports. Human capital and exports positively affect economic growth, employment, and unemployment. Whereas, physical capital and household consumption adversely affects economic growth and unemployment, yet positively affects employment. Further results show nonlinearity between employment and government expenditure. Government spending adversely affects employment. Further results show nonlinearity between economic growth and unemployment with arable land. Arable land positively affects unemployment, yet adversely affects economic growth. The following section discusses granger causality results. This study also employed granger causality tests. The causality results between economic growth, employment, economic complexity, unemployment, and private foreign direct investment. The causality results show that there is granger causality between economic growth and economic complexity with private foreign direct investment. Whereas, between bank foreign direct investment and other variables there is no granger causality. However, between total foreign direct investment and economic growth and employment there is granger causality. There are a number of policy recommendations that can be drawn from the study. The study results in overall revealed that BRICs (private and bank) FDI inflows had a positive impact on South Africa’s economic growth between 1997 and 2016. The study results suggest that the policy makers should focus the attention on lobbying foreign direct investment from BRICs economies, since this study shows positive impact and relationship between South Africa’s economic growth and BRICs FDI inflows. The BRICs economies should focus on enhancing investment partnership, preventing protectionism, and promoting intra-BRICS flows. In addition, South Africa should eliminate barriers affecting business with BRICs countries. Policy makers should promote the building of new companies (for example Greenfield Investment) so that the economy of South Africa could grow and create employment. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Economics, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
The influence of multinational corporations in promoting foreign direct investment in the South African business environment
- Van der Berg, Jan Gabriel Mara
- Authors: Van der Berg, Jan Gabriel Mara
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- South Africa , Business enterprises Business Organisations Industrial promotion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44213 , vital:37131
- Description: One of the major driving forces behind international trade over the past thirty years has been Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Due to the importance of FDI, a vast amount of research has been conducted on the various elements that make up FDI. There has also been widespread research done to measure the impact of FDI on host countries, and attempts have been made to determine the long-term benefits thereof. Despite the existent research on FDI, there is a dearth of literature on the unique situation in South Africa (due to the country’s fragmented past) and the impact of FDI on the South African economy. This study attempts to address this research gap and to add to the existent body of knowledge on FDI market entry. Thus, the primary objective of this study was to examine the impact of multinational corporations (MNCs) in promoting the entry of FDIs in South Africa, and the effectiveness of these investments in the South African business environment. The comprehensive literature review in this study included a discussion of the background to the pre- and post-apartheid South African economy, and the various efforts made by the South African government to facilitate sustainable economic growth through various economic policies. FDI was identified as one of the four major indicators of economic growth and was therefore investigated as a concept, strategy and driver of change. The South African marketing environment was analysed in order to assist in the identification of variables that are conducive to FDI. The final section of the literature review utilised three cases to better illustrate and understand the different challenges, market entry strategies and long-term implications of FDI. In this study, the independent variables (international marketing environment, stakeholder intervention, government considerations, resources and FDI incentives) were identified as influencing the mediating variable (FDI market entry strategy) and the dependent variables (competitiveness, sustainability, trade agreements and commitment of traders). These independent variables were selected to construct a hypothesised model and the research hypotheses. To this end, an empirical investigation was conducted, the measuring instrument used in this investigation was a questionnaire, which was assembled with the help of insights gained from secondary sources. The study respondents were selected through convenience sampling. A total of 210 respondents participated in the study, and 165 useable questionnaires were subjected to statistical analysis. The data collected for this study was subjected to five phases of analysis: exploratory factor analysis to assess validity; Cronbach’s alpha was used to test for internal consistency reliability; descriptive statistics to describe the fundamental features of the data by providing a statistical summary and analysis; and the nine hypotheses pertaining to the relationships between different variables were assessed using inferential statistical procedures, Pearson’s product correlation and regression analysis. This led to the adaptation of the hypothesised model and the hypotheses so as to indicate the changes resulting from the EFA. The findings of this study reveals that external stakeholder intervention as well as FDI incentives and resources effectively influence FDI market entry strategy in the South African business environment. The study results further reveal that the promotion of FDI market entry strategy positively influences competitiveness, sustainability, trade agreements and commitment of traders in the South African business environment. For MNCs to be successful in the expansion of FDI market entry strategy in the South African business environment, the study recommends that it is important to consider the availability of potential local partners, proximity to trading routes, reduction of the costs involved in supplying the market, the effect of tariff barriers and a competitive domestic economy. It is further recommended that MNCs need to focus on the utilisation of reliable and effective equipment in order to enable the productive management of operations in the South African business environment. The study also recommends the South African business environment as a strategic investment destination for the promotion of FDI market entry strategy as it offers low production costs in particular trading locations. This study has contributed to the field of FDI and the FDI market entry strategies employed by MNCs in South Africa. The research findings identified the international marketing (SLEPTS) factors through an assessment of the South African marketing environment, as these factors are deemed important for FDI to occur. The study also highlights the critical international marketing factors that could be used to improve local conditions through a mixture of incentives and policy re-alignment, so as to be more conducive to attracting large scale FDI. The hypothesised model developed for this study contributed to identifying the influence of external stakeholders on the successful market entry of FDI into South Africa, a critical element that MNCs usually only identify after market entry is complete. Evidence from the study shows that the South African government should direct FDI incentives towards those sectors in the economy that stand to benefit the most from the spill-over effects of FDI, in order to maximise the impact of FDI on the local economy. The research also indicates that elements such as restrictive legislation and government corruption may, to a certain degree, hinder FDI; therefore, these issues need to be addressed through legislation. It is recommended that all local efforts to attract FDI are industry or sector focussed, and that they are guided by government policies towards the greater benefit of the South African economy. Furthermore, the study found that the relationship between the host country and the MNC is critical to achieving sustainability in the long-term; therefore, it is suggested that the South African government improves its relationship with local businesses and MNCs that are looking to invest in South Africa. To conclude, it was found that South Africa has a very important role to play in attracting global FDI to Africa, as it has an accessible market based on geographic location, trade channels and traditional linkages with African and European networks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Van der Berg, Jan Gabriel Mara
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- South Africa , Business enterprises Business Organisations Industrial promotion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44213 , vital:37131
- Description: One of the major driving forces behind international trade over the past thirty years has been Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Due to the importance of FDI, a vast amount of research has been conducted on the various elements that make up FDI. There has also been widespread research done to measure the impact of FDI on host countries, and attempts have been made to determine the long-term benefits thereof. Despite the existent research on FDI, there is a dearth of literature on the unique situation in South Africa (due to the country’s fragmented past) and the impact of FDI on the South African economy. This study attempts to address this research gap and to add to the existent body of knowledge on FDI market entry. Thus, the primary objective of this study was to examine the impact of multinational corporations (MNCs) in promoting the entry of FDIs in South Africa, and the effectiveness of these investments in the South African business environment. The comprehensive literature review in this study included a discussion of the background to the pre- and post-apartheid South African economy, and the various efforts made by the South African government to facilitate sustainable economic growth through various economic policies. FDI was identified as one of the four major indicators of economic growth and was therefore investigated as a concept, strategy and driver of change. The South African marketing environment was analysed in order to assist in the identification of variables that are conducive to FDI. The final section of the literature review utilised three cases to better illustrate and understand the different challenges, market entry strategies and long-term implications of FDI. In this study, the independent variables (international marketing environment, stakeholder intervention, government considerations, resources and FDI incentives) were identified as influencing the mediating variable (FDI market entry strategy) and the dependent variables (competitiveness, sustainability, trade agreements and commitment of traders). These independent variables were selected to construct a hypothesised model and the research hypotheses. To this end, an empirical investigation was conducted, the measuring instrument used in this investigation was a questionnaire, which was assembled with the help of insights gained from secondary sources. The study respondents were selected through convenience sampling. A total of 210 respondents participated in the study, and 165 useable questionnaires were subjected to statistical analysis. The data collected for this study was subjected to five phases of analysis: exploratory factor analysis to assess validity; Cronbach’s alpha was used to test for internal consistency reliability; descriptive statistics to describe the fundamental features of the data by providing a statistical summary and analysis; and the nine hypotheses pertaining to the relationships between different variables were assessed using inferential statistical procedures, Pearson’s product correlation and regression analysis. This led to the adaptation of the hypothesised model and the hypotheses so as to indicate the changes resulting from the EFA. The findings of this study reveals that external stakeholder intervention as well as FDI incentives and resources effectively influence FDI market entry strategy in the South African business environment. The study results further reveal that the promotion of FDI market entry strategy positively influences competitiveness, sustainability, trade agreements and commitment of traders in the South African business environment. For MNCs to be successful in the expansion of FDI market entry strategy in the South African business environment, the study recommends that it is important to consider the availability of potential local partners, proximity to trading routes, reduction of the costs involved in supplying the market, the effect of tariff barriers and a competitive domestic economy. It is further recommended that MNCs need to focus on the utilisation of reliable and effective equipment in order to enable the productive management of operations in the South African business environment. The study also recommends the South African business environment as a strategic investment destination for the promotion of FDI market entry strategy as it offers low production costs in particular trading locations. This study has contributed to the field of FDI and the FDI market entry strategies employed by MNCs in South Africa. The research findings identified the international marketing (SLEPTS) factors through an assessment of the South African marketing environment, as these factors are deemed important for FDI to occur. The study also highlights the critical international marketing factors that could be used to improve local conditions through a mixture of incentives and policy re-alignment, so as to be more conducive to attracting large scale FDI. The hypothesised model developed for this study contributed to identifying the influence of external stakeholders on the successful market entry of FDI into South Africa, a critical element that MNCs usually only identify after market entry is complete. Evidence from the study shows that the South African government should direct FDI incentives towards those sectors in the economy that stand to benefit the most from the spill-over effects of FDI, in order to maximise the impact of FDI on the local economy. The research also indicates that elements such as restrictive legislation and government corruption may, to a certain degree, hinder FDI; therefore, these issues need to be addressed through legislation. It is recommended that all local efforts to attract FDI are industry or sector focussed, and that they are guided by government policies towards the greater benefit of the South African economy. Furthermore, the study found that the relationship between the host country and the MNC is critical to achieving sustainability in the long-term; therefore, it is suggested that the South African government improves its relationship with local businesses and MNCs that are looking to invest in South Africa. To conclude, it was found that South Africa has a very important role to play in attracting global FDI to Africa, as it has an accessible market based on geographic location, trade channels and traditional linkages with African and European networks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Think Piece : conceptions of quality and ‘Learning as Connection’: teaching for relevance
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Teachers -- Quality -- South Africa , Quality assurance -- South Africa , Effective teaching , Relevance , SADC Regional Environmental Education Programme
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59635 , vital:27633 , https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122256
- Description: This think piece captures some of the thinking that emerged in and through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Environmental Education Programme research programme. This research programme emerged over a five-year period (2008–2012) and involved ten southern African teacher education institutions from eight countries (see ‘Acknowledgements’). The research programme sought to understand what contributions environment and sustainability education could make to debates on educational quality and relevance. Issues of educational quality are high on the national agendas of governments in southern Africa, as it is now well known that providing access to schooling is not a sufficient condition for achieving educational quality. Educational quality is intimately linked to the processes of teaching and learning, but the concept of educational quality is not unproblematic in and of itself. It is, as Noel Gough (2005) noted many years ago, an ‘order word’ that shapes the way people think and practise. Our enquiries during this research programme involved a number of case studies (that were reported on in the Southern African Journal of Environmental Education (SAJEE) in 2008, and are again reported on in this edition of the SAJEE), but the programme also involved theoretical engagement with the concept of educational quality and relevance. This think piece helps to make some of this thinking and theoretical deliberation visible. The author of this think piece was also the leader of the regional research programme and was tasked with synthesising the theoretical deliberations that emerged from the research design which were found to be useful for guiding interpretations and deliberation on more detailed case studies undertaken at country level.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Teachers -- Quality -- South Africa , Quality assurance -- South Africa , Effective teaching , Relevance , SADC Regional Environmental Education Programme
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59635 , vital:27633 , https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122256
- Description: This think piece captures some of the thinking that emerged in and through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Environmental Education Programme research programme. This research programme emerged over a five-year period (2008–2012) and involved ten southern African teacher education institutions from eight countries (see ‘Acknowledgements’). The research programme sought to understand what contributions environment and sustainability education could make to debates on educational quality and relevance. Issues of educational quality are high on the national agendas of governments in southern Africa, as it is now well known that providing access to schooling is not a sufficient condition for achieving educational quality. Educational quality is intimately linked to the processes of teaching and learning, but the concept of educational quality is not unproblematic in and of itself. It is, as Noel Gough (2005) noted many years ago, an ‘order word’ that shapes the way people think and practise. Our enquiries during this research programme involved a number of case studies (that were reported on in the Southern African Journal of Environmental Education (SAJEE) in 2008, and are again reported on in this edition of the SAJEE), but the programme also involved theoretical engagement with the concept of educational quality and relevance. This think piece helps to make some of this thinking and theoretical deliberation visible. The author of this think piece was also the leader of the regional research programme and was tasked with synthesising the theoretical deliberations that emerged from the research design which were found to be useful for guiding interpretations and deliberation on more detailed case studies undertaken at country level.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Think Piece. Conceptions of Quality and ‘Learning as Connection’: Teaching for Relevance
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/387159 , vital:68211 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122256"
- Description: This think piece captures some of the thinking that emerged in and through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Environmental Education Programme research programme. This research programme emerged over a five-year period (2008–2012) and involved ten southern African teacher education institutions from eight countries (see ‘Acknowledgements’). The research programme sought to understand what contributions environment and sustainability education could make to debates on educational quality and relevance. Issues of educational quality are high on the national agendas of governments in southern Africa, as it is now well known that providing access to schooling is not a sufficient condition for achieving educational quality. Educational quality is intimately linked to the processes of teaching and learning, but the concept of educational quality is not unproblematic in and of itself. It is, as Noel Gough (2005) noted many years ago, an ‘order word’ that shapes the way people think and practise. Our enquiries during this research programme involved a number of case studies (that were reported on in the Southern African Journal of Environmental Education (SAJEE) in 2008, and are again reported on in this edition of the SAJEE), but the programme also involved theoretical engagement with the concept of educational quality and relevance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/387159 , vital:68211 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122256"
- Description: This think piece captures some of the thinking that emerged in and through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Environmental Education Programme research programme. This research programme emerged over a five-year period (2008–2012) and involved ten southern African teacher education institutions from eight countries (see ‘Acknowledgements’). The research programme sought to understand what contributions environment and sustainability education could make to debates on educational quality and relevance. Issues of educational quality are high on the national agendas of governments in southern Africa, as it is now well known that providing access to schooling is not a sufficient condition for achieving educational quality. Educational quality is intimately linked to the processes of teaching and learning, but the concept of educational quality is not unproblematic in and of itself. It is, as Noel Gough (2005) noted many years ago, an ‘order word’ that shapes the way people think and practise. Our enquiries during this research programme involved a number of case studies (that were reported on in the Southern African Journal of Environmental Education (SAJEE) in 2008, and are again reported on in this edition of the SAJEE), but the programme also involved theoretical engagement with the concept of educational quality and relevance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The impacts of anthropogenic fires in West African savanna woodlands and parklands: the case of the Guinea savanna, Ghana
- Authors: Amoako, Esther Ekua Amfoa
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Firemaking Ghana , Agroforestry Ghana , Parks Fire management Ghana , Nature Effect of human beings on Ghana , Land use Ghana , Savanna ecology Ghana , Traditional ecological knowledge Ghana
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365610 , vital:65764 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/365610
- Description: Fire is recognised as an important factor influencing the structure and function of tropical savannas. Despite the extensive studies conducted on the effects of fire on global savannas, there are relatively few studies focusing on fire-assisted land use practices in the agroforestry parkland of the Sudano-Guinean savannas of West Africa. The region experiences recurrent fires in the dry season which begins from November to April. The fires are anthropogenic and are mainly caused through rural livelihoods and cultural practices such as farming - to remove debris from crop fields and to improve soil fertility and hunting to flush out animals, among other reasons. This study therefore sought to: 1. contribute to the understanding of fire-assisted traditional land use practices, people’s knowledge and perceptions of fire use and fire regime: 2. analyse the effects of fire on vegetation, and 3. determine the effects of fire on soils in the Guinea savanna woodlands and parklands of Ghana. Study sites (burnt and unburnt land use types) were selected based on five-year daily fire counts (2013-2017) data, obtained from the Earth Observation Research and Innovation Centre (EORIC), Ghana in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Meraka Institute, South Africa. Fire densities were calculated for the 18 districts in the Guinea savanna (Northern Region of Ghana). The districts were stratified into low, medium and high fire frequency areas. The East Gonja district recorded the highest fire density (1.0 fires km-2) while Tamale recorded the lowest fire density (0.3 fires km-2). Of the eighteen districts, six districts were purposively selected and ten communities sampled. Firstly, I investigated the frequency of fire use and control, perceptions of fire regime for selected livelihood and socio-cultural activities in the six districts. The majority of respondents (83%) across the study districts indicated that they used fire once a year for at least one of the following activities: land preparation, weed/grass/pest control, burning stubble after harvest, bush clearing around homesteads, firebreaks, charcoal burning and hunting. The study showed the highest frequency of fire use in the dry season was for land preparation for cropping. However, less than a fifth of the respondents (17%) indicated that they did not use fire for any of the above activities. The results of a multiple regression predicted fire activities in the dry season from gender, age, level of education, occupation and household size. Secondly, the study examined how fire influenced the population structure and abundance of two economically important woody species Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn. (Shea tree) and Anogeissus leiocarpa (DC.) Guill. & Perr. (African Birch) in burnt and unburnt land-use types. Stand basal area, mean densities of juveniles and adult trees and Simpson’s index of dominance were determined. Eight diameter size classes of each species were analysed by comparing their observed distributions to a three-parameter Weibull distribution across the land use types. A total of 3,366 individuals of A. leiocarpa (n = 1,846) and V. paradoxa (n = 1,520) were enumerated. The highest total basal area of Anogeissus leiocarpa (16.9 m2/ha) was estimated in sacred groves whereas Vitellaria. paradoxa (20.6 m2 /ha) was found in unburnt woodland. The highest mean densities of A. leiocarpa (22.7±29.7 stems/ha) and V. paradoxa (15.3±2.2 stems/ha) were found in sacred in groves. Anogeissus leiocarpa was, however, absent in fallows and burnt crop fields. A somewhat inverse J-shaped distribution was found in sacred groves for both species. Thirdly, the study compared species composition in early burnt, late burnt and unburnt plots in a protected area where fire was regulated. Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn., Terminalia avicennioides Guill. & Perr., Combretum adenogonium Steud. ex A. Rich. and Combretum molle R. Br. Ex. G. Don. were the most common and abundant in all treatments. Late burnt and unburnt plots recorded the lowest diversity amongst the three treatments. Unburnt plots had higher tree density than burnt plots. A Detrended Canonical Analysis showed a changing trend, indicating a moderately strong positive association between burning time and species composition. The first and second axes contributed 53% and 12% variation, respectively. Most of the species found in axis one had fairly strong positive association to early and late burnt treatment than unburnt treatments. Finally, the effects of fire on soil properties in burnt and unburnt crop fields and woodland in the ten communities were also investigated. A total of 151 composite samples in selected burnt and unburnt land use types (burnt crop field n=20; unburnt crop field n=27; burnt woodland n=53, unburnt woodland n=51) were analysed. The variables analysed were pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorous (P), Exchangeable bases - potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), cation exchange and soil texture. Total N, SOC, pH and Ca differed significantly across the burnt and unburnt land-use types. A principal component analysis showed a stronger association and more positive gradient in woodlands than in crop fields. Total N showed a positive association with SOC, whereas silt showed a negative association to sand and clay. Traditional knowledge and perceptions of users of savanna agroforestry parklands can inform the formulation of local by-laws for community fire management as well as national policy regulation on fire use in the savanna through the interlinked analysis of social and ecological systems as have been elucidated in this study. The results on vegetation assessment revealed that fire practices and land uses influenced size class distribution of the two study species as well as the densities of woody species in traditional crop fields and the National Park. The unstable populations observed in most land uses and the absence of A. leiocarpa in crop fields and fallows call for education and policy actions on the use of fire in parklands of West Africa. Furthermore, fires positively influenced some soil properties in both woodlands and crop fields confirming one of the emphasised reasons why rural subsistence farmers use fire. As an environmental management decision and land use policy intervention, early dry season burning could be an option to curbing the indiscriminate and unplanned fire use. Also, the protection of trees on farm lands could check the unstable population structure of economically important woody species leading to the different structures that deviated from the recommended reverse J-shaped distribution curve observed in these agroforestry parklands. The management of socio-ecological systems such as the agroforestry parklands of West Africa require a holistic understanding of the complexity of the different resource systems, units and actors involved for sustainable management of these natural resources. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Environmental Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Amoako, Esther Ekua Amfoa
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Firemaking Ghana , Agroforestry Ghana , Parks Fire management Ghana , Nature Effect of human beings on Ghana , Land use Ghana , Savanna ecology Ghana , Traditional ecological knowledge Ghana
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365610 , vital:65764 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/365610
- Description: Fire is recognised as an important factor influencing the structure and function of tropical savannas. Despite the extensive studies conducted on the effects of fire on global savannas, there are relatively few studies focusing on fire-assisted land use practices in the agroforestry parkland of the Sudano-Guinean savannas of West Africa. The region experiences recurrent fires in the dry season which begins from November to April. The fires are anthropogenic and are mainly caused through rural livelihoods and cultural practices such as farming - to remove debris from crop fields and to improve soil fertility and hunting to flush out animals, among other reasons. This study therefore sought to: 1. contribute to the understanding of fire-assisted traditional land use practices, people’s knowledge and perceptions of fire use and fire regime: 2. analyse the effects of fire on vegetation, and 3. determine the effects of fire on soils in the Guinea savanna woodlands and parklands of Ghana. Study sites (burnt and unburnt land use types) were selected based on five-year daily fire counts (2013-2017) data, obtained from the Earth Observation Research and Innovation Centre (EORIC), Ghana in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Meraka Institute, South Africa. Fire densities were calculated for the 18 districts in the Guinea savanna (Northern Region of Ghana). The districts were stratified into low, medium and high fire frequency areas. The East Gonja district recorded the highest fire density (1.0 fires km-2) while Tamale recorded the lowest fire density (0.3 fires km-2). Of the eighteen districts, six districts were purposively selected and ten communities sampled. Firstly, I investigated the frequency of fire use and control, perceptions of fire regime for selected livelihood and socio-cultural activities in the six districts. The majority of respondents (83%) across the study districts indicated that they used fire once a year for at least one of the following activities: land preparation, weed/grass/pest control, burning stubble after harvest, bush clearing around homesteads, firebreaks, charcoal burning and hunting. The study showed the highest frequency of fire use in the dry season was for land preparation for cropping. However, less than a fifth of the respondents (17%) indicated that they did not use fire for any of the above activities. The results of a multiple regression predicted fire activities in the dry season from gender, age, level of education, occupation and household size. Secondly, the study examined how fire influenced the population structure and abundance of two economically important woody species Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn. (Shea tree) and Anogeissus leiocarpa (DC.) Guill. & Perr. (African Birch) in burnt and unburnt land-use types. Stand basal area, mean densities of juveniles and adult trees and Simpson’s index of dominance were determined. Eight diameter size classes of each species were analysed by comparing their observed distributions to a three-parameter Weibull distribution across the land use types. A total of 3,366 individuals of A. leiocarpa (n = 1,846) and V. paradoxa (n = 1,520) were enumerated. The highest total basal area of Anogeissus leiocarpa (16.9 m2/ha) was estimated in sacred groves whereas Vitellaria. paradoxa (20.6 m2 /ha) was found in unburnt woodland. The highest mean densities of A. leiocarpa (22.7±29.7 stems/ha) and V. paradoxa (15.3±2.2 stems/ha) were found in sacred in groves. Anogeissus leiocarpa was, however, absent in fallows and burnt crop fields. A somewhat inverse J-shaped distribution was found in sacred groves for both species. Thirdly, the study compared species composition in early burnt, late burnt and unburnt plots in a protected area where fire was regulated. Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn., Terminalia avicennioides Guill. & Perr., Combretum adenogonium Steud. ex A. Rich. and Combretum molle R. Br. Ex. G. Don. were the most common and abundant in all treatments. Late burnt and unburnt plots recorded the lowest diversity amongst the three treatments. Unburnt plots had higher tree density than burnt plots. A Detrended Canonical Analysis showed a changing trend, indicating a moderately strong positive association between burning time and species composition. The first and second axes contributed 53% and 12% variation, respectively. Most of the species found in axis one had fairly strong positive association to early and late burnt treatment than unburnt treatments. Finally, the effects of fire on soil properties in burnt and unburnt crop fields and woodland in the ten communities were also investigated. A total of 151 composite samples in selected burnt and unburnt land use types (burnt crop field n=20; unburnt crop field n=27; burnt woodland n=53, unburnt woodland n=51) were analysed. The variables analysed were pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorous (P), Exchangeable bases - potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), cation exchange and soil texture. Total N, SOC, pH and Ca differed significantly across the burnt and unburnt land-use types. A principal component analysis showed a stronger association and more positive gradient in woodlands than in crop fields. Total N showed a positive association with SOC, whereas silt showed a negative association to sand and clay. Traditional knowledge and perceptions of users of savanna agroforestry parklands can inform the formulation of local by-laws for community fire management as well as national policy regulation on fire use in the savanna through the interlinked analysis of social and ecological systems as have been elucidated in this study. The results on vegetation assessment revealed that fire practices and land uses influenced size class distribution of the two study species as well as the densities of woody species in traditional crop fields and the National Park. The unstable populations observed in most land uses and the absence of A. leiocarpa in crop fields and fallows call for education and policy actions on the use of fire in parklands of West Africa. Furthermore, fires positively influenced some soil properties in both woodlands and crop fields confirming one of the emphasised reasons why rural subsistence farmers use fire. As an environmental management decision and land use policy intervention, early dry season burning could be an option to curbing the indiscriminate and unplanned fire use. Also, the protection of trees on farm lands could check the unstable population structure of economically important woody species leading to the different structures that deviated from the recommended reverse J-shaped distribution curve observed in these agroforestry parklands. The management of socio-ecological systems such as the agroforestry parklands of West Africa require a holistic understanding of the complexity of the different resource systems, units and actors involved for sustainable management of these natural resources. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Environmental Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Nguni fermented foods: working with indigenous knowledge in the Life Sciences: a case study
- Authors: Hanisi, Nosipho
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Life sciences -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Case studies Environmental education -- South Africa -- Case studies Fermented foods -- Case studies Fermentation Indigenous peoples -- Case studies Nguni (African people) -- Social life and customs. Xhosa (African people) -- Social life and customs. Ethnoscience
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1957 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008372
- Description: This study examines learning interactions around indigenous ways of knowing associated with fermented grain foods (the making of umqombothi) and the concept of alcoholic fermentation in the Grade 11 Life Sciences curriculum. As an environmental education study it also investigates the cultural significances of the fermented grain food and how learners might make better lifestyle choices. The inclusion of indigenous ways of knowing in the Life Sciences curriculum (FET band) created spaces and opportunities for the use of both knowledge's in sociocultural context and the structured propositions of the learning area in order to construct knowledge. This stimulated learners' understanding of fermentation and also led to a valuing of social context as well as the cultural capital embedded in the indigenous ways of knowing. The study suggests that parental involvement contributed to this valuing of intergenerational ways of knowing. Learners also deliberated how colonial interpretations of Nguni culture and the religious beliefs of Christians had served to marginalise and foster a widening urban rejection of isiXhosa cultural practices related to fermented foods. In their learning and discussion, learners developed new insights and respect for isiXhosa fermentation practices (ukudidiyela) that bring out the food value and nutrition in the grain. The data illustrates that lesson activity that drew on relevant Learning Outcomes and Assessment Standards to integrate Indigenous Knowledge practices in a Life Sciences learning programme, served to enhance learner understanding of alcoholic fermentation. They also document a revaluing of cultural heritage and learners bringing up the problem of alcohol abuse in the community. Curriculum work with Indigenous Knowledge thus not only assisted learners to grasp the science but to use this alongside a valued cultural knowledge capital to deliberate and act on a local concern.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Hanisi, Nosipho
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Life sciences -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Case studies Environmental education -- South Africa -- Case studies Fermented foods -- Case studies Fermentation Indigenous peoples -- Case studies Nguni (African people) -- Social life and customs. Xhosa (African people) -- Social life and customs. Ethnoscience
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1957 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008372
- Description: This study examines learning interactions around indigenous ways of knowing associated with fermented grain foods (the making of umqombothi) and the concept of alcoholic fermentation in the Grade 11 Life Sciences curriculum. As an environmental education study it also investigates the cultural significances of the fermented grain food and how learners might make better lifestyle choices. The inclusion of indigenous ways of knowing in the Life Sciences curriculum (FET band) created spaces and opportunities for the use of both knowledge's in sociocultural context and the structured propositions of the learning area in order to construct knowledge. This stimulated learners' understanding of fermentation and also led to a valuing of social context as well as the cultural capital embedded in the indigenous ways of knowing. The study suggests that parental involvement contributed to this valuing of intergenerational ways of knowing. Learners also deliberated how colonial interpretations of Nguni culture and the religious beliefs of Christians had served to marginalise and foster a widening urban rejection of isiXhosa cultural practices related to fermented foods. In their learning and discussion, learners developed new insights and respect for isiXhosa fermentation practices (ukudidiyela) that bring out the food value and nutrition in the grain. The data illustrates that lesson activity that drew on relevant Learning Outcomes and Assessment Standards to integrate Indigenous Knowledge practices in a Life Sciences learning programme, served to enhance learner understanding of alcoholic fermentation. They also document a revaluing of cultural heritage and learners bringing up the problem of alcohol abuse in the community. Curriculum work with Indigenous Knowledge thus not only assisted learners to grasp the science but to use this alongside a valued cultural knowledge capital to deliberate and act on a local concern.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Contextualizing the NCS through the use of school gardens in the Butterworth area
- Authors: Rasi, Nandi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: South African National Biodiversity Institute , Environmental education -- South Africa , School gardens -- South Africa -- Butterworth , Gardening -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa -- Butterworth , Environmental education -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa -- Butterworth , Teacher participation in curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Butterworth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1464 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003345
- Description: The research focuses on how teachers can use school gardens sponsored by South African National Biodiversity Institute as resource materials for teaching and learning. The study also focused on how teachers can integrate local knowledge into the school curriculum. The setting of the research is Zizamele Senior Primary School situated in Zizamele community in Butterworth in the Eastern Cape. The study is designed in portfolio format. It consists of three separate studies: a contextual profile; a stakeholder analysis; and a small-scale action research project, which build on each other. By developing a contextual profile of the research site, and the school community and school gardens project, I was able to collect information that informed the stakeholder analysis and the action research study. Data for the contextual profile was gathered by using a variety of data gathering techniques like questionnaires and interviews. The findings were that: the study area is characterized by socio-economic issues like poverty, unemployment, drug abuse and crime. This requires that the people of the area take responsibility in addressing some of the problems by being involved and knowing where to report issues. The second study, which is the stakeholder analysis, was done to mobilize stakeholders’ contributions to the gardens project in Zizamele School, sponsored by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. Data was collected at meetings and workshops in the schools through interviews. Findings indicated that different stakeholders had various contributions to make and that they were prepared to work with the school and with each other to develop the school garden and the learning potential of the school garden. This paved the way for the small scale action research case study that would follow. The last study, the small scale action research, was undertaken in the same school, Zizamele School, and focused on investigating ways of integrating local knowledge into the curriculum and how teachers use the gardens as resource for teaching and learning, with reference to Life Orientation Learning Area. Data was collected by interviews, questionnaires and worksheets. The study involved two teachers who worked with me on the action research and Grade 5 and 6 learners, as well as some of the community stakeholders. The main finding of the action researched showed the potential for involving community members in the process of integrating local knowledge as a way of implementing aspects of the Life Orientation curriculum requirements. The three studies link with each other, and show that to start with an action research project, one needs to understand the context, and the roles of different stakeholders, and how they might contribute to the programmes in the school. Findings showed that teachers could use gardens as resource materials for teaching and learning, and that they could bring in local knowledge to the school curriculum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Rasi, Nandi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: South African National Biodiversity Institute , Environmental education -- South Africa , School gardens -- South Africa -- Butterworth , Gardening -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa -- Butterworth , Environmental education -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa -- Butterworth , Teacher participation in curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Butterworth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1464 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003345
- Description: The research focuses on how teachers can use school gardens sponsored by South African National Biodiversity Institute as resource materials for teaching and learning. The study also focused on how teachers can integrate local knowledge into the school curriculum. The setting of the research is Zizamele Senior Primary School situated in Zizamele community in Butterworth in the Eastern Cape. The study is designed in portfolio format. It consists of three separate studies: a contextual profile; a stakeholder analysis; and a small-scale action research project, which build on each other. By developing a contextual profile of the research site, and the school community and school gardens project, I was able to collect information that informed the stakeholder analysis and the action research study. Data for the contextual profile was gathered by using a variety of data gathering techniques like questionnaires and interviews. The findings were that: the study area is characterized by socio-economic issues like poverty, unemployment, drug abuse and crime. This requires that the people of the area take responsibility in addressing some of the problems by being involved and knowing where to report issues. The second study, which is the stakeholder analysis, was done to mobilize stakeholders’ contributions to the gardens project in Zizamele School, sponsored by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. Data was collected at meetings and workshops in the schools through interviews. Findings indicated that different stakeholders had various contributions to make and that they were prepared to work with the school and with each other to develop the school garden and the learning potential of the school garden. This paved the way for the small scale action research case study that would follow. The last study, the small scale action research, was undertaken in the same school, Zizamele School, and focused on investigating ways of integrating local knowledge into the curriculum and how teachers use the gardens as resource for teaching and learning, with reference to Life Orientation Learning Area. Data was collected by interviews, questionnaires and worksheets. The study involved two teachers who worked with me on the action research and Grade 5 and 6 learners, as well as some of the community stakeholders. The main finding of the action researched showed the potential for involving community members in the process of integrating local knowledge as a way of implementing aspects of the Life Orientation curriculum requirements. The three studies link with each other, and show that to start with an action research project, one needs to understand the context, and the roles of different stakeholders, and how they might contribute to the programmes in the school. Findings showed that teachers could use gardens as resource materials for teaching and learning, and that they could bring in local knowledge to the school curriculum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Education for Sustainable Development and retention: unravelling a research agenda
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/127192 , vital:35975 , https://10.1007/s11159-010-9165-9
- Description: This paper considers the question of what education for sustainable development (ESD) research might signify when linked to the concept of “retention”, and how this relation (ESD and retention) might be researched. It considers two different perspectives on retention, as revealed through educational research trajectories, drawing on existing research and case studies. Firstly, it discusses an ESD research agenda that documents retention by focusing on the issue of keeping children in schools. This research agenda is typical of the existing discourses surrounding Education for All (EFA). It then discusses a related ESD research agenda that focuses more on the pedagogical and curricular aspects of retention, as this provides for a deeper understanding of how ESD can contribute to improving the quality of teaching and learning within a wider EFA retention agenda.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/127192 , vital:35975 , https://10.1007/s11159-010-9165-9
- Description: This paper considers the question of what education for sustainable development (ESD) research might signify when linked to the concept of “retention”, and how this relation (ESD and retention) might be researched. It considers two different perspectives on retention, as revealed through educational research trajectories, drawing on existing research and case studies. Firstly, it discusses an ESD research agenda that documents retention by focusing on the issue of keeping children in schools. This research agenda is typical of the existing discourses surrounding Education for All (EFA). It then discusses a related ESD research agenda that focuses more on the pedagogical and curricular aspects of retention, as this provides for a deeper understanding of how ESD can contribute to improving the quality of teaching and learning within a wider EFA retention agenda.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010