“As soon as the four sides are all equal, then the angles must be 90° each”: children's misconceptions in geometry
- Atebe, Humphrey U, Schäfer, Marc
- Authors: Atebe, Humphrey U , Schäfer, Marc
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140983 , vital:37934 , DOI: 10.1080/10288457.2008.10740634
- Description: This study describes Nigerian and South African students' conceptual understanding in high school geometry based on the van Hiele model of geometric thinking levels. The study further highlights students' misconceptions in school geometry. Concepts of triangles and quadrilaterals were investigated among 36 mathematics learners drawn from grades 10 through 12 who participated in this study. The tasks included identifying and naming shapes, sorting of shapes, stating the properties of shapes, defining of shapes and establishing class inclusions of shapes. The results indicated that many Nigerian and South African high school learners in Grade 10, 11 and 12 hold a number of misconceptions about geometric concepts of triangles and quadrilaterals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Atebe, Humphrey U , Schäfer, Marc
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140983 , vital:37934 , DOI: 10.1080/10288457.2008.10740634
- Description: This study describes Nigerian and South African students' conceptual understanding in high school geometry based on the van Hiele model of geometric thinking levels. The study further highlights students' misconceptions in school geometry. Concepts of triangles and quadrilaterals were investigated among 36 mathematics learners drawn from grades 10 through 12 who participated in this study. The tasks included identifying and naming shapes, sorting of shapes, stating the properties of shapes, defining of shapes and establishing class inclusions of shapes. The results indicated that many Nigerian and South African high school learners in Grade 10, 11 and 12 hold a number of misconceptions about geometric concepts of triangles and quadrilaterals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
'Rich man poor man': inter-household and community factors influencing the use of wild plant resources amongst rural households in South Africa
- Cocks, Michelle L, Bangay, Lindsey, Shackleton, Charlie M, Wiersum, K Freerk
- Authors: Cocks, Michelle L , Bangay, Lindsey , Shackleton, Charlie M , Wiersum, K Freerk
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141211 , vital:37953 , DOI: 10.3843/SusDev.15.3:3
- Description: Biodiversity is recognised as an integral part of people's daily livelihoods. This study therefore aims to understand the use of NTFPs at an intricate level by determining what role these resources fulfil in six rural villages and 1011 households' livelihoods. It examines how the use of NTFPs are influenced by intra-household variables, such as wealth and gender, and inter-community variables, such as accessibility to the natural resource. The results reveal that approximately 4453 kg of wild material is used annually per household, of which 1598 kg is used for cultural purposes. The influence of vegetation type and differences between villages are statistically more significant than inter-household variables. At an inter-household level, an increase in the financial status of households did not result in a decrease in the use of natural resources, nor in the quantity of material used.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Cocks, Michelle L , Bangay, Lindsey , Shackleton, Charlie M , Wiersum, K Freerk
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141211 , vital:37953 , DOI: 10.3843/SusDev.15.3:3
- Description: Biodiversity is recognised as an integral part of people's daily livelihoods. This study therefore aims to understand the use of NTFPs at an intricate level by determining what role these resources fulfil in six rural villages and 1011 households' livelihoods. It examines how the use of NTFPs are influenced by intra-household variables, such as wealth and gender, and inter-community variables, such as accessibility to the natural resource. The results reveal that approximately 4453 kg of wild material is used annually per household, of which 1598 kg is used for cultural purposes. The influence of vegetation type and differences between villages are statistically more significant than inter-household variables. At an inter-household level, an increase in the financial status of households did not result in a decrease in the use of natural resources, nor in the quantity of material used.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Does reservoir trophic status influence the feeding and growth of the sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Teleostei: Clariidae)?
- Potts, Warren M, Hecht, Thomas, Andrew, Timothy G
- Authors: Potts, Warren M , Hecht, Thomas , Andrew, Timothy G
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124309 , vital:35591 , https://doi.org/10.2989/A JAS.2008.33.2.6.503
- Description: The diet and growth of sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus, in an oligotrophic system (Kat River Reservoir, Eastern Cape, South Africa) were compared to those in a eutrophic system (Laing Reservoir, Eastern Cape) to determine if the trophic status of a waterbody had an effect on the growth rate of the species. In order of importance, the diet of catfish in Kat River Reservoir consisted of fish, insects, zooplankton, plant material and other items, while the diet of catfish in Laing Reservoir consisted of fish, plant material, zooplankton, other vertebrates and insects. The diets of catfish in the two reservoirs had a similarity index of 68.1% and there was no significant difference in their nutritional value. Fish prey was the most important dietary component in both reservoirs. Temperature regime and zooplankton and zoobenthos density were similar in both systems. However, fish prey density was significantly higher in the eutrophic Laing Reservoir and catfish grew significantly faster in that system. The slower growth rate in Kat River Reservoir was attributed to the higher energy costs associated with the capture of fish prey, which was less abundant than in Laing Reservoir. Trophic status therefore had an indirect effect on catfish growth by influencing the availability of fish prey.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Potts, Warren M , Hecht, Thomas , Andrew, Timothy G
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124309 , vital:35591 , https://doi.org/10.2989/A JAS.2008.33.2.6.503
- Description: The diet and growth of sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus, in an oligotrophic system (Kat River Reservoir, Eastern Cape, South Africa) were compared to those in a eutrophic system (Laing Reservoir, Eastern Cape) to determine if the trophic status of a waterbody had an effect on the growth rate of the species. In order of importance, the diet of catfish in Kat River Reservoir consisted of fish, insects, zooplankton, plant material and other items, while the diet of catfish in Laing Reservoir consisted of fish, plant material, zooplankton, other vertebrates and insects. The diets of catfish in the two reservoirs had a similarity index of 68.1% and there was no significant difference in their nutritional value. Fish prey was the most important dietary component in both reservoirs. Temperature regime and zooplankton and zoobenthos density were similar in both systems. However, fish prey density was significantly higher in the eutrophic Laing Reservoir and catfish grew significantly faster in that system. The slower growth rate in Kat River Reservoir was attributed to the higher energy costs associated with the capture of fish prey, which was less abundant than in Laing Reservoir. Trophic status therefore had an indirect effect on catfish growth by influencing the availability of fish prey.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Estuarine use by spotted grunter Pomadasys commersonnii in a South African estuary, as determined by acoustic telemetry
- Childs, Amber-Robyn, Cowley, Paul D, Næsje, T F, Booth, Anthony J, Potts, Warren M, Thorstad, Eva B, Økland, F
- Authors: Childs, Amber-Robyn , Cowley, Paul D , Næsje, T F , Booth, Anthony J , Potts, Warren M , Thorstad, Eva B , Økland, F
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124428 , vital:35612 , https://doi.org/10.2989/A JMS.2008.30.1.12.462
- Description: Estuaries are important in the life history and the maintenance of the diversity of coastal fish species because of their function as nursery areas for juveniles as well as feeding grounds for adults (Cyrus 1991). The dependence of many fish species on estuaries is well documented (e.g. Wallace et al. 1984, Lenanton and Potter 1987, Blaber et al. 1989, Whitfield 1990, Hoss and Thayer 1993). Spotted grunter Pomadasys commersonnii (Haemulidae) (Lacepède 1801) is an estuarine-dependent species which spawns in the KwaZulu-Natal inshore coastal waters, between August and December (Wallace 1975b, Wallace and van der Elst 1975, Harris and Cyrus 1997, 1999). The eggs and larvae are transported southwards by the Agulhas Current, and juveniles between 20 mm and 50 mm TL recruit into the KwaZulu-Natal and south-eastern Cape estuaries (Wallace and van der Elst 1975, Whitfield 1990). Juvenile spotted grunter make use of the abundant food resources in estuaries, where they grow rapidly and remain for a period of 1–3 years (Wallace and Schleyer 1979, Day et al. 1981). Upon attaining sexual maturity (at between 300 mm and 400 mm TL), they return to the marine environment (Wallace 1975b). Some adults, however, return to estuaries to feed and to regain condition after spawning (Wallace 1975b, Whitfield 1994). The return of post-spawning fish coincides with increased catches by fishers in estuaries between July and January. These events are known as ‘grunter runs’ (Wallace 1975a, Marais and Baird 1980, Marais 1988, Pradervand and Baird 2002). It is suggested that adults spend up to several months in estuaries, before moving back to sea where they undergo gonadal development and ultimately spawn (Wallace 1975b, Wallace and van der Elst 1975). It is believed that adult fish also enter estuaries in a prespawning state to gain condition en route to their spawning grounds in KwaZulu-Natal (Webb 2002).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Childs, Amber-Robyn , Cowley, Paul D , Næsje, T F , Booth, Anthony J , Potts, Warren M , Thorstad, Eva B , Økland, F
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124428 , vital:35612 , https://doi.org/10.2989/A JMS.2008.30.1.12.462
- Description: Estuaries are important in the life history and the maintenance of the diversity of coastal fish species because of their function as nursery areas for juveniles as well as feeding grounds for adults (Cyrus 1991). The dependence of many fish species on estuaries is well documented (e.g. Wallace et al. 1984, Lenanton and Potter 1987, Blaber et al. 1989, Whitfield 1990, Hoss and Thayer 1993). Spotted grunter Pomadasys commersonnii (Haemulidae) (Lacepède 1801) is an estuarine-dependent species which spawns in the KwaZulu-Natal inshore coastal waters, between August and December (Wallace 1975b, Wallace and van der Elst 1975, Harris and Cyrus 1997, 1999). The eggs and larvae are transported southwards by the Agulhas Current, and juveniles between 20 mm and 50 mm TL recruit into the KwaZulu-Natal and south-eastern Cape estuaries (Wallace and van der Elst 1975, Whitfield 1990). Juvenile spotted grunter make use of the abundant food resources in estuaries, where they grow rapidly and remain for a period of 1–3 years (Wallace and Schleyer 1979, Day et al. 1981). Upon attaining sexual maturity (at between 300 mm and 400 mm TL), they return to the marine environment (Wallace 1975b). Some adults, however, return to estuaries to feed and to regain condition after spawning (Wallace 1975b, Whitfield 1994). The return of post-spawning fish coincides with increased catches by fishers in estuaries between July and January. These events are known as ‘grunter runs’ (Wallace 1975a, Marais and Baird 1980, Marais 1988, Pradervand and Baird 2002). It is suggested that adults spend up to several months in estuaries, before moving back to sea where they undergo gonadal development and ultimately spawn (Wallace 1975b, Wallace and van der Elst 1975). It is believed that adult fish also enter estuaries in a prespawning state to gain condition en route to their spawning grounds in KwaZulu-Natal (Webb 2002).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Institutions and economic research: a case of location externalities on agricultural resource allocation in the Kat River basin, South Africa
- Mbatha, Cyril N, Antrobus, Geoffrey G
- Authors: Mbatha, Cyril N , Antrobus, Geoffrey G
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142991 , vital:38183 , DOI: 10.1080/03031853.2013.798069
- Description: The Physical Externality Model is used to illustrate the potential limitations of blindly adopting formal models for economic investigation and explanation in varied geographical contexts. As argued by institutional economists for the last hundred years the practice limits the value and relevance of most general economic inquiry. This model postulates that the geographical location of farmers along a given watercourse, in which water is diverted individually, leads to structural inefficiencies that negatively affect the whole farming community. These effects are felt more severely at downstream sites and lead to a status quo where upstream farmers possess relative economic and political advantages over their counterparts elsewhere. In the study of the Kat River basin these predictions appear to be true only in as far as they relate to legal and political allocations and use of water resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Mbatha, Cyril N , Antrobus, Geoffrey G
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142991 , vital:38183 , DOI: 10.1080/03031853.2013.798069
- Description: The Physical Externality Model is used to illustrate the potential limitations of blindly adopting formal models for economic investigation and explanation in varied geographical contexts. As argued by institutional economists for the last hundred years the practice limits the value and relevance of most general economic inquiry. This model postulates that the geographical location of farmers along a given watercourse, in which water is diverted individually, leads to structural inefficiencies that negatively affect the whole farming community. These effects are felt more severely at downstream sites and lead to a status quo where upstream farmers possess relative economic and political advantages over their counterparts elsewhere. In the study of the Kat River basin these predictions appear to be true only in as far as they relate to legal and political allocations and use of water resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Establishment of translocated populations of smallmouth yellowfish, Labeobarbus aeneus (Pisces: Cyprinidae), in lentic and lotic habitats in the Great Fish River system, South Africa
- Weyl, Olaf L F, Stadtlander, Timo, Booth, Anthony J
- Authors: Weyl, Olaf L F , Stadtlander, Timo , Booth, Anthony J
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124418 , vital:35607 , https://doi.org/10.3377/004.044.0109
- Description: As a result of numerous introductions and translocations of fishes, South Africa has recently been identified as a fish invasion hotspot (Leprieur et al. 2008). In freshwater ecosystems invasion by alien species is considered a leading mechanism driving environmental change (Clavero & Garcia- Berthou 2005; Garcia-Berthou et al. 2005). In South Africa, documented effects of fish invasions include the extirpation of indigenous fishes through predation (Cambray 2003), changes in invertebrate community structure (Lowe et al. 2008) and hybridization (Canonico et al. 2005). As a result, the management of alien species is a high national priority (National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 2004). Such management requires an understanding of the biology, ecology and establishment success of fishes outside their native range.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Weyl, Olaf L F , Stadtlander, Timo , Booth, Anthony J
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124418 , vital:35607 , https://doi.org/10.3377/004.044.0109
- Description: As a result of numerous introductions and translocations of fishes, South Africa has recently been identified as a fish invasion hotspot (Leprieur et al. 2008). In freshwater ecosystems invasion by alien species is considered a leading mechanism driving environmental change (Clavero & Garcia- Berthou 2005; Garcia-Berthou et al. 2005). In South Africa, documented effects of fish invasions include the extirpation of indigenous fishes through predation (Cambray 2003), changes in invertebrate community structure (Lowe et al. 2008) and hybridization (Canonico et al. 2005). As a result, the management of alien species is a high national priority (National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 2004). Such management requires an understanding of the biology, ecology and establishment success of fishes outside their native range.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
First steps in the development of a water temperature model framework for refining the ecological Reserve in South African rivers
- Rivers-Moore, N A, Hughes, Denis A, Mantel, Sukhmani K, Hill, Trevor R
- Authors: Rivers-Moore, N A , Hughes, Denis A , Mantel, Sukhmani K , Hill, Trevor R
- Date: 2008-10-05
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:7092 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012425
- Description: Ecological Reserve determination for rivers in South Africa presently does not include a water temperature component, in spite of its importance in determining species distribution patterns. To achieve this requires an understanding of how lotic thermographs from South African rivers differ from northern hemisphere rivers, to avoid mismanaging rivers based on incorrect regional assumptions. Hourly water temperatures from 20 sites in four river systems, representing a range of latitudes, altitudes and stream orders, were assessed using a range of metrics. These data were analysed using principal component analyses and multiple linear regressions to understand what variables a water temperature model for use in ecoregions within South Africa should include. While temperature data are generally lacking in low- and higher-order South African rivers, data suggest that South African rivers are warmer than northern hemisphere rivers. Water temperatures could be grouped into cool, warm and intermediate types. Based on temperature time series analyses, this paper argues that a suitable water-temperature model for use in ecological Reserve determinations should be dynamic, include flow and air temperature variables, and be adaptive through a heat exchange coefficient term. The inclusion of water temperature in the determination and management of river ecological Reserves would allow for more holistic application of the National Water Act's ecological management provisions. Water temperature guidelines added to the ecological Reserve could be integrated into heuristic aquatic monitoring programmes within priority areas identified in regional conservation plans.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008-10-05
- Authors: Rivers-Moore, N A , Hughes, Denis A , Mantel, Sukhmani K , Hill, Trevor R
- Date: 2008-10-05
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:7092 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012425
- Description: Ecological Reserve determination for rivers in South Africa presently does not include a water temperature component, in spite of its importance in determining species distribution patterns. To achieve this requires an understanding of how lotic thermographs from South African rivers differ from northern hemisphere rivers, to avoid mismanaging rivers based on incorrect regional assumptions. Hourly water temperatures from 20 sites in four river systems, representing a range of latitudes, altitudes and stream orders, were assessed using a range of metrics. These data were analysed using principal component analyses and multiple linear regressions to understand what variables a water temperature model for use in ecoregions within South Africa should include. While temperature data are generally lacking in low- and higher-order South African rivers, data suggest that South African rivers are warmer than northern hemisphere rivers. Water temperatures could be grouped into cool, warm and intermediate types. Based on temperature time series analyses, this paper argues that a suitable water-temperature model for use in ecological Reserve determinations should be dynamic, include flow and air temperature variables, and be adaptive through a heat exchange coefficient term. The inclusion of water temperature in the determination and management of river ecological Reserves would allow for more holistic application of the National Water Act's ecological management provisions. Water temperature guidelines added to the ecological Reserve could be integrated into heuristic aquatic monitoring programmes within priority areas identified in regional conservation plans.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008-10-05
A Bernsteinian analysis of the integration of natural resource management in the curriculum of a rural disadvantaged school
- Authors: Nsubuga, Yvonne
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/386415 , vital:68139 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122771"
- Description: Knowledge integration is one of the key principles that underpin curriculum reform in post-apartheid South Africa. One form of teacher support that has been adopted in South Africa is to provide schools throughout the country with samples of pedagogic texts such as curriculum documents and examination exemplars to act as guidelines to teachers as they implement this new curriculum requirement. In the isolated and under-resourced rural schools of South Africa, these texts are the main form of curriculum guidance to teachers. Hence the knowledge integration principles and messages conveyed within these texts are of crucial importance. One contributory factor to the lack of information on knowledge integration at rural underresourced schools is the lack of simple and effective research tools by which to analyse and compare the extent of knowledge integration within pedagogic texts and classroom practices. This article reports on a Bernstein informed analysis that was carried out on three different Grade 10 Life Sciences pedagogic texts in order to assess the extent to which they integrate natural resource management (NRM). The study involved the construction of two indicator frameworks as the research tools with which the analysis was conducted. Results from the analysis showed that although the official Grade 10 Life Sciences pedagogic texts contained very high levels of NRM integration, this was not the case for the Grade 10 Life Sciences text that was produced at the school level. The study provides useful insight into curriculum recontextualisation at a rural under-resourced school through the lens of NRM integration within the Grade 10 Life Sciences pedagogic texts. Such insight has the potential to contribute to better curriculum design and implementation strategies to service schools. This will hopefully help to narrow the gap that currently exists between the official and enacted curricula.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Nsubuga, Yvonne
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/386415 , vital:68139 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122771"
- Description: Knowledge integration is one of the key principles that underpin curriculum reform in post-apartheid South Africa. One form of teacher support that has been adopted in South Africa is to provide schools throughout the country with samples of pedagogic texts such as curriculum documents and examination exemplars to act as guidelines to teachers as they implement this new curriculum requirement. In the isolated and under-resourced rural schools of South Africa, these texts are the main form of curriculum guidance to teachers. Hence the knowledge integration principles and messages conveyed within these texts are of crucial importance. One contributory factor to the lack of information on knowledge integration at rural underresourced schools is the lack of simple and effective research tools by which to analyse and compare the extent of knowledge integration within pedagogic texts and classroom practices. This article reports on a Bernstein informed analysis that was carried out on three different Grade 10 Life Sciences pedagogic texts in order to assess the extent to which they integrate natural resource management (NRM). The study involved the construction of two indicator frameworks as the research tools with which the analysis was conducted. Results from the analysis showed that although the official Grade 10 Life Sciences pedagogic texts contained very high levels of NRM integration, this was not the case for the Grade 10 Life Sciences text that was produced at the school level. The study provides useful insight into curriculum recontextualisation at a rural under-resourced school through the lens of NRM integration within the Grade 10 Life Sciences pedagogic texts. Such insight has the potential to contribute to better curriculum design and implementation strategies to service schools. This will hopefully help to narrow the gap that currently exists between the official and enacted curricula.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
A comparison of ethical models for conflict resolution in the African context
- Authors: Mbangu, Muyingi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Africa -- Politics and government , Conflict management
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25052 , vital:63948
- Description: Remarkably little research has been done about the potential of ethical models for violent conflict resolution in the African context. I will argue here that ethical models such as Utilitarianism, Deontologism, Virtue ethics, and African ethics can exert influence to help resolve conflict situations peacefully for the sake of African civilians generally and the DRC civilians in particular. This influence firstly becomes visible in the fact that ethical models can guide conflict resolution attempts to bring about conditions of peace, justice and freedom among African civilians in whichever nations state they find themselves. Secondly, ethical models can be established in the resolution of conflict for a lasting peace in the African context, and lastly, ethical models can be proposed as a guideline for all African leaders to lead their countries in peace. The conclusion I draw is that a normative framework of ethical models can be applied in conflict resolution in the African context. This framework draws on all four models, but leans toward deontology because of its strictness or rigour of universal rules or principles in any situation. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2008
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Mbangu, Muyingi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Africa -- Politics and government , Conflict management
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25052 , vital:63948
- Description: Remarkably little research has been done about the potential of ethical models for violent conflict resolution in the African context. I will argue here that ethical models such as Utilitarianism, Deontologism, Virtue ethics, and African ethics can exert influence to help resolve conflict situations peacefully for the sake of African civilians generally and the DRC civilians in particular. This influence firstly becomes visible in the fact that ethical models can guide conflict resolution attempts to bring about conditions of peace, justice and freedom among African civilians in whichever nations state they find themselves. Secondly, ethical models can be established in the resolution of conflict for a lasting peace in the African context, and lastly, ethical models can be proposed as a guideline for all African leaders to lead their countries in peace. The conclusion I draw is that a normative framework of ethical models can be applied in conflict resolution in the African context. This framework draws on all four models, but leans toward deontology because of its strictness or rigour of universal rules or principles in any situation. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2008
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
A global study of forensically significant calliphorids: implications for identification
- Harvey, M L, Gaudieri, S, Villet, Martin H, Dadour, I R
- Authors: Harvey, M L , Gaudieri, S , Villet, Martin H , Dadour, I R
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:6863 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011156
- Description: A proliferation of molecular studies of the forensically significant Calliphoridae in the last decade has seen molecule-based identification of immature and damaged specimens become a routine complement to traditional morphological identification as a preliminary to the accurate estimation of post-mortem intervals (PMI), which depends on the use of species-specific developmental data. Published molecular studies have tended to focus on generating data for geographically localised communities of species of importance, which has limited the consideration of intraspecific variation in species of global distribution. This study used phylogenetic analysis to assess the species status of 27 forensically important calliphorid species based on 1167 base pairs of the COI gene of 119 specimens from 22 countries, and confirmed the utility of the COI gene in identifying most species. The species Lucilia cuprina, Chrysomya megacephala, Ch. saffranea, Ch. albifrontalis and Calliphora stygia were unable to be monophyletically resolved based on these data. Identification of phylogenetically young species will require a faster-evolving molecular marker, but most species could be unambiguously characterised by sampling relatively few conspecific individuals if they were from distant localities. Intraspecific geographical variation was observed within Ch. rufifacies and L. cuprina, and is discussed with reference to unrecognised species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Harvey, M L , Gaudieri, S , Villet, Martin H , Dadour, I R
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:6863 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011156
- Description: A proliferation of molecular studies of the forensically significant Calliphoridae in the last decade has seen molecule-based identification of immature and damaged specimens become a routine complement to traditional morphological identification as a preliminary to the accurate estimation of post-mortem intervals (PMI), which depends on the use of species-specific developmental data. Published molecular studies have tended to focus on generating data for geographically localised communities of species of importance, which has limited the consideration of intraspecific variation in species of global distribution. This study used phylogenetic analysis to assess the species status of 27 forensically important calliphorid species based on 1167 base pairs of the COI gene of 119 specimens from 22 countries, and confirmed the utility of the COI gene in identifying most species. The species Lucilia cuprina, Chrysomya megacephala, Ch. saffranea, Ch. albifrontalis and Calliphora stygia were unable to be monophyletically resolved based on these data. Identification of phylogenetically young species will require a faster-evolving molecular marker, but most species could be unambiguously characterised by sampling relatively few conspecific individuals if they were from distant localities. Intraspecific geographical variation was observed within Ch. rufifacies and L. cuprina, and is discussed with reference to unrecognised species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
A preliminary survey of the estuaries on the south coast of South Africa, Cape St Blaize, Mossel Bay - Robberg Peninsula, Plettenberg Bay, with particular reference to the fish fauna
- James, Nicola Caroline, Harrison, T D
- Authors: James, Nicola Caroline , Harrison, T D
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:7141 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011834
- Description: The coastal river systems on the south coast of South Africa from Cape St Blaize to Robberg Peninsula were surveyed during October and November 1994. The ichthyofaunal and physico-chemical characteristics of each system are presented and their suitability as estuarine nursery areas is discussed. Five systems (Rooi, Meul, Grooteiland, Kranshoek and Crooks) are outlets of small coastal streams and probably provide little or no habitat for either resident estuarine or migrant marine fishes owing to their small size. Four systems (Maalgate, Gwaing, Skaapkop and Kaaimans) are located within deeply incised valleys and have a permanent connection with the sea. The amount of marginal and intertidal habitat available to fishes, however, is limited due to their morphology. Six systems (Hartenbos, Groot Brak, Touw, Swartvlei, Goukamma and Noetsie) are intermittently open to the sea. Although the Touw and Swartvlei are connected to coastal lake systems, flow within these estuaries is not sufficient to prevent the build up of a sand barrier at the mouth. The Hartenbos, Groot Brak, Goukamma, and Noetsie are also periodically closed by a sand bar. The construction of a dam in the lower catchment of the Groot Brak has affected the hydrology of the system. The two remaining estuaries (Klein Brak and Knysna) are permanently open. In addition to strong tidal currents, the fixing of the mouth of the Knysna Estuary between rocky headlands also serves to maintain a permanent connection with the sea. Mugilidae and Sparidae were represented by the greatest number of species, and also dominated catches numerically and by mass. The fish fauna of all the estuaries surveyed were dominated by the juveniles of estuarine-dependent marine species and estuarine-resident species were also well represented in catches. The estuaries surveyed provide a vital habitat for both marine migrant species and resident species, most of which are endemic to the region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: James, Nicola Caroline , Harrison, T D
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:7141 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011834
- Description: The coastal river systems on the south coast of South Africa from Cape St Blaize to Robberg Peninsula were surveyed during October and November 1994. The ichthyofaunal and physico-chemical characteristics of each system are presented and their suitability as estuarine nursery areas is discussed. Five systems (Rooi, Meul, Grooteiland, Kranshoek and Crooks) are outlets of small coastal streams and probably provide little or no habitat for either resident estuarine or migrant marine fishes owing to their small size. Four systems (Maalgate, Gwaing, Skaapkop and Kaaimans) are located within deeply incised valleys and have a permanent connection with the sea. The amount of marginal and intertidal habitat available to fishes, however, is limited due to their morphology. Six systems (Hartenbos, Groot Brak, Touw, Swartvlei, Goukamma and Noetsie) are intermittently open to the sea. Although the Touw and Swartvlei are connected to coastal lake systems, flow within these estuaries is not sufficient to prevent the build up of a sand barrier at the mouth. The Hartenbos, Groot Brak, Goukamma, and Noetsie are also periodically closed by a sand bar. The construction of a dam in the lower catchment of the Groot Brak has affected the hydrology of the system. The two remaining estuaries (Klein Brak and Knysna) are permanently open. In addition to strong tidal currents, the fixing of the mouth of the Knysna Estuary between rocky headlands also serves to maintain a permanent connection with the sea. Mugilidae and Sparidae were represented by the greatest number of species, and also dominated catches numerically and by mass. The fish fauna of all the estuaries surveyed were dominated by the juveniles of estuarine-dependent marine species and estuarine-resident species were also well represented in catches. The estuaries surveyed provide a vital habitat for both marine migrant species and resident species, most of which are endemic to the region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
A symptom that defies analysis: is this simply xenophobia?.
- Authors: Kyazze, Sim
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/159337 , vital:40289 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC140106
- Description: On 29 January 29 2007 I travelled on an SAA flight from Entebbe International Airport in Uganda to OR Tambo International in Johannesburg. Somehow, I had forgotten, ignored or failed to travel with my Yellow Fever Certificate and an Immigration Officer let me have it.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Kyazze, Sim
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/159337 , vital:40289 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC140106
- Description: On 29 January 29 2007 I travelled on an SAA flight from Entebbe International Airport in Uganda to OR Tambo International in Johannesburg. Somehow, I had forgotten, ignored or failed to travel with my Yellow Fever Certificate and an Immigration Officer let me have it.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Adsorption of 4-nitrophenol onto Amberlite® IRA-900 modified with metallophthalocyanines
- Marais, Eloïse, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Marais, Eloïse , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/268576 , vital:54211 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2007.06.096"
- Description: The adsorption of 4-nitrophenol using commercially available Amberlite® IRA-900 modified with metal phthalocyanines (MPc) was investigated. The metallophthalocyanines immobilised onto the surface of Amberlite® IRA-900 include Fe (FePcS4), Co (CoPcS4) and Ni (NiPcS4) tetrasulphophthalocyanines, and differently sulphonated phthalocyanine mixtures of Fe (FePcSmix), Co (CoPcSmix) and Ni (NiPcSmix). Adsorption rates were fastest for the modified adsorbents at a loading of 1 × 10−3 g MPc/g Amberlite, at pH 9. The highest amount of 4-NP removal was obtained on FePcSmix modified Amberlite® IRA-900 with Qt = 42.9 mmol g−1 and adsorption efficiency of 86%. The recovery efficiency of 4-NP within 150 min was 76%. Using the Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic model, the complexes showed an order of 4-nitrophenol adsorption to be as follows: CoPcSmix > NiPcS4 > NiPcSmix > FePcS4 > FePcSmix > CoPcS4. The MPc modified Amberlite® IRA-900 was used repeatedly, following removal of 4-NP by nitric acid, without any significant loss of activity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Marais, Eloïse , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/268576 , vital:54211 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2007.06.096"
- Description: The adsorption of 4-nitrophenol using commercially available Amberlite® IRA-900 modified with metal phthalocyanines (MPc) was investigated. The metallophthalocyanines immobilised onto the surface of Amberlite® IRA-900 include Fe (FePcS4), Co (CoPcS4) and Ni (NiPcS4) tetrasulphophthalocyanines, and differently sulphonated phthalocyanine mixtures of Fe (FePcSmix), Co (CoPcSmix) and Ni (NiPcSmix). Adsorption rates were fastest for the modified adsorbents at a loading of 1 × 10−3 g MPc/g Amberlite, at pH 9. The highest amount of 4-NP removal was obtained on FePcSmix modified Amberlite® IRA-900 with Qt = 42.9 mmol g−1 and adsorption efficiency of 86%. The recovery efficiency of 4-NP within 150 min was 76%. Using the Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic model, the complexes showed an order of 4-nitrophenol adsorption to be as follows: CoPcSmix > NiPcS4 > NiPcSmix > FePcS4 > FePcSmix > CoPcS4. The MPc modified Amberlite® IRA-900 was used repeatedly, following removal of 4-NP by nitric acid, without any significant loss of activity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An investigation into electronic-source plagiarism in a first-year essay assignment
- Authors: Ellery, Karen
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/70114 , vital:29621 , https://doi.org/10.1080/02602930701772788
- Description: Since the emergence of the electronic era, plagiarism has become an increasingly prevalent problem at tertiary institutions. This study investigated the role electronic sources of information played in influencing plagiarism in an essay assignment in a first-year geography module at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Despite explicit instruction in tutorials on academic writing, referencing and plagiarism, a quarter of students still plagiarised in their essay, with the majority having done so off the Internet. A survey questionnaire and interviews revealed that not only did the school writing experience prepare students poorly for academic writing discourses, but also highlighted that student ignorance with regard to acknowledgement of electronic sources, a pervasive perception of difference between electronic and print sources, as well as the availability of the copy-and-paste facility which reinforces the product view of writing, all contributed towards electronic-source plagiarism. Active instructional engagement with electronic-source material, and open dialogue on ownership of knowledge as well as on moral and ethical issues with students, are recommended as strategies to overcome such plagiarism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Ellery, Karen
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/70114 , vital:29621 , https://doi.org/10.1080/02602930701772788
- Description: Since the emergence of the electronic era, plagiarism has become an increasingly prevalent problem at tertiary institutions. This study investigated the role electronic sources of information played in influencing plagiarism in an essay assignment in a first-year geography module at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Despite explicit instruction in tutorials on academic writing, referencing and plagiarism, a quarter of students still plagiarised in their essay, with the majority having done so off the Internet. A survey questionnaire and interviews revealed that not only did the school writing experience prepare students poorly for academic writing discourses, but also highlighted that student ignorance with regard to acknowledgement of electronic sources, a pervasive perception of difference between electronic and print sources, as well as the availability of the copy-and-paste facility which reinforces the product view of writing, all contributed towards electronic-source plagiarism. Active instructional engagement with electronic-source material, and open dialogue on ownership of knowledge as well as on moral and ethical issues with students, are recommended as strategies to overcome such plagiarism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Application of satellite-derived rainfall estimates to extend water resource simulation modelling in South Africa
- Sawunyama, Tendai, Hughes, Denis A
- Authors: Sawunyama, Tendai , Hughes, Denis A
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:7089 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012419
- Description: Spatially interpolated rainfall estimates from rain-gauges are widely used as input to hydrological models, but deriving accurate estimates at appropriate space and time scales remain a major problem. In South Africa there has been a gradual decrease in the number of active rain-gauges over time. Satellite-based estimates of spatial rainfall are becoming more readily available and offer a viable substitute. The paper presents the potential of using Climate Prediction Center African daily precipitation climatology (CPCAPC) satellite-based datasets (2001-2006) to drive a Pitman hydrological model which has been calibrated using gauge-based rainfall data (1920-1990). However, if two sources of rainfall data are to be used together, it is necessary to ensure that they are compatible in terms of their statistical properties. A non-linear frequency of exceedance transformation technique was used to correct the satellite data to be more consistent with historical spatial rainfall estimates. The technique generated simulation results for the 2001 to 2006 period that were greatly improved compared to the direct use of the untransformed satellite data. While there remain some further questions about the use of satellite-derived rainfall data in different parts of the country, they do seem to have the potential to contribute to extending water resource modelling into the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Sawunyama, Tendai , Hughes, Denis A
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:7089 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012419
- Description: Spatially interpolated rainfall estimates from rain-gauges are widely used as input to hydrological models, but deriving accurate estimates at appropriate space and time scales remain a major problem. In South Africa there has been a gradual decrease in the number of active rain-gauges over time. Satellite-based estimates of spatial rainfall are becoming more readily available and offer a viable substitute. The paper presents the potential of using Climate Prediction Center African daily precipitation climatology (CPCAPC) satellite-based datasets (2001-2006) to drive a Pitman hydrological model which has been calibrated using gauge-based rainfall data (1920-1990). However, if two sources of rainfall data are to be used together, it is necessary to ensure that they are compatible in terms of their statistical properties. A non-linear frequency of exceedance transformation technique was used to correct the satellite data to be more consistent with historical spatial rainfall estimates. The technique generated simulation results for the 2001 to 2006 period that were greatly improved compared to the direct use of the untransformed satellite data. While there remain some further questions about the use of satellite-derived rainfall data in different parts of the country, they do seem to have the potential to contribute to extending water resource modelling into the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Beneficial effects of medicinal plants in fish diseases
- Stratev, Deyan, Zhelyazkov, Georgi, Noundou, Xavier Siwe, Krause, Rui W M
- Authors: Stratev, Deyan , Zhelyazkov, Georgi , Noundou, Xavier Siwe , Krause, Rui W M
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123487 , vital:35447 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-017-0219-x
- Description: Fish are constantly in contact with pathogens inhabiting water. High population density as well as poor hydrodynamic conditions and feeding lead to an increased sensitivity towards infections. In order to prevent major economic losses due to diseases, various medications are used for treatment and prevention of infections. The use of antimicrobial drugs in aquacultures could lead to emergence of resistance in pathogenic microorganisms. Alternatives are being sought over the last few years to replace antibiotics, and medicinal plants are one of available options for this purpose. These plants are rich in secondary metabolites and phytochemical compounds, which have an effect against viral, bacterial, and parasitic diseases in fish. Their main advantage is their natural origin and most of these plants do not represent threat for human health, the fish, and the environment. The goal of this review is to present information on the treatment of viral, bacterial, and parasitic diseases in fish through medicinal plants, with focus on the mechanisms of action of the identified secondary metabolites, fractions, or plant extracts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Stratev, Deyan , Zhelyazkov, Georgi , Noundou, Xavier Siwe , Krause, Rui W M
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123487 , vital:35447 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-017-0219-x
- Description: Fish are constantly in contact with pathogens inhabiting water. High population density as well as poor hydrodynamic conditions and feeding lead to an increased sensitivity towards infections. In order to prevent major economic losses due to diseases, various medications are used for treatment and prevention of infections. The use of antimicrobial drugs in aquacultures could lead to emergence of resistance in pathogenic microorganisms. Alternatives are being sought over the last few years to replace antibiotics, and medicinal plants are one of available options for this purpose. These plants are rich in secondary metabolites and phytochemical compounds, which have an effect against viral, bacterial, and parasitic diseases in fish. Their main advantage is their natural origin and most of these plants do not represent threat for human health, the fish, and the environment. The goal of this review is to present information on the treatment of viral, bacterial, and parasitic diseases in fish through medicinal plants, with focus on the mechanisms of action of the identified secondary metabolites, fractions, or plant extracts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Biological responses to a resumption in river flow in a freshwater-deprived, permanently open Southern African estuary
- Vorwerk, Paul D, Froneman, P William, Paterson, Angus W, Strydom, Nadine A, Whitfield, A K
- Authors: Vorwerk, Paul D , Froneman, P William , Paterson, Angus W , Strydom, Nadine A , Whitfield, A K
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:6886 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011645
- Description: The Kariega Estuary is a freshwater-deprived system due to numerous impoundments in the catchment. This system has had little or no horizontal salinity gradient over the last 15 years, with hypersaline conditions sometimes predominating in the upper reaches. Following high rainfall events in the catchment during the spring of 2006, including a flood event (approximate 1:10 year) in August 2006, a series of riverine pulses entered the estuary and a horizontal salinity gradient was established. This study examined the influence of this freshwater pulse on four components of the biota within the estuary, namely the zooplankton, and larval, littoral and demersal fishes. The study demonstrated that in three of these components elevated densities were recorded following the riverine input, with only the littoral fishes retaining an almost constant density. In addition, changes in the relative contributions of the estuarine utilisation classes for all three fish groups examined indicated that freshwater input into these systems positively influences the abundances. This has significant implications for water managers as it demonstrates the importance of an Ecological Reserve (defined as ‘the water required to protect the aquatic ecosystems of the water resource’) for this system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Vorwerk, Paul D , Froneman, P William , Paterson, Angus W , Strydom, Nadine A , Whitfield, A K
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:6886 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011645
- Description: The Kariega Estuary is a freshwater-deprived system due to numerous impoundments in the catchment. This system has had little or no horizontal salinity gradient over the last 15 years, with hypersaline conditions sometimes predominating in the upper reaches. Following high rainfall events in the catchment during the spring of 2006, including a flood event (approximate 1:10 year) in August 2006, a series of riverine pulses entered the estuary and a horizontal salinity gradient was established. This study examined the influence of this freshwater pulse on four components of the biota within the estuary, namely the zooplankton, and larval, littoral and demersal fishes. The study demonstrated that in three of these components elevated densities were recorded following the riverine input, with only the littoral fishes retaining an almost constant density. In addition, changes in the relative contributions of the estuarine utilisation classes for all three fish groups examined indicated that freshwater input into these systems positively influences the abundances. This has significant implications for water managers as it demonstrates the importance of an Ecological Reserve (defined as ‘the water required to protect the aquatic ecosystems of the water resource’) for this system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Breaking into the conversation: cultural value and the role of the South African National Arts Festival from apartheid to democracy
- Snowball, Jeanette D, Webb, Arthur C M
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D , Webb, Arthur C M
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71311 , vital:29832 , https://doi.org/10.1080/10286630802106326
- Description: The paper examines the value of the South African National Arts Festival (NAF) in the transition to democracy using theories of cultural capital. NAF history from 1974 to 2004 is used to argue that the Festival provided an important arena for the expression of political resistance in the 1980s and, to some degree, continues to do so today. It is concluded that an important part of the value of the arts is their ability to provide a forum for debating the goals and values of society and that individualistic utility theory is not always successful in measuring such social value.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D , Webb, Arthur C M
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71311 , vital:29832 , https://doi.org/10.1080/10286630802106326
- Description: The paper examines the value of the South African National Arts Festival (NAF) in the transition to democracy using theories of cultural capital. NAF history from 1974 to 2004 is used to argue that the Festival provided an important arena for the expression of political resistance in the 1980s and, to some degree, continues to do so today. It is concluded that an important part of the value of the arts is their ability to provide a forum for debating the goals and values of society and that individualistic utility theory is not always successful in measuring such social value.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Building and Woodworkers International (BWI) Baseline gender survey
- Authors: Benjamin, Nina
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60109 , vital:27737
- Description: This Gender Survey is about exploring both the nature of as well as the shifts in the gender relations between men women in the construction sector. The report is defining gender relations as the power relations between men and women. In the context of the construction sector, workers and particularly semi and unskilled workers generally have appalling working conditions. These conditions affect both men and women workers but the vast majority of women workers find themselves right at the bottom of a hierarchy that is shaped by class, race and gender. Large multinational construction companies are still owned and controlled by rich white men while black women, youth and the disabled find themselves right at the bottom of the hierarchy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Benjamin, Nina
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60109 , vital:27737
- Description: This Gender Survey is about exploring both the nature of as well as the shifts in the gender relations between men women in the construction sector. The report is defining gender relations as the power relations between men and women. In the context of the construction sector, workers and particularly semi and unskilled workers generally have appalling working conditions. These conditions affect both men and women workers but the vast majority of women workers find themselves right at the bottom of a hierarchy that is shaped by class, race and gender. Large multinational construction companies are still owned and controlled by rich white men while black women, youth and the disabled find themselves right at the bottom of the hierarchy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Communicating across cultures in South African law courts: towards an information technology solution*
- Kaschula, Russell H, Mostert, André
- Authors: Kaschula, Russell H , Mostert, André
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Language policy -- South Africa , Courts interpreting and translating -- South Africa , Translating and interpreting -- Technological innovations , Intercultural communication -- South Africa , Conduct of court proceedings -- South Africa , Linguistic rights -- South Africa , Multilingualism -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59423 , vital:27599 , doi: 10.5842/36-0-39
- Description: Language rights in South Africa are entrenched in the Constitution of South Africa (Chapter 1, Section 6, Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996). However, the concomitant infrastructure and organisational realities make this policy difficult to implement, especially in law courts (Kaschula and Ralarala 2004). Creating effective communicative environments has historically been constrained by lack of effective training of legal practitioners and by the lack of capacity for building translation structures. With the advancement of technology, potential solutions are becoming more apparent and it is incumbent upon the academic community to embark on a rigorous investigation into possible solutions and how these Information Communication Technology (ICT) solutions could be applied to the execution of justice in South African law courts. This article aims to open the discourse of possible solutions, via assessments of computer based translation solutions, ICT context simulations and other potential opportunities. The authors hope to initiate the interest of other language and legal practitioners to explore how the new technological capabilities could be harnessed to support the entrenchment of language rights in our law courts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Kaschula, Russell H , Mostert, André
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Language policy -- South Africa , Courts interpreting and translating -- South Africa , Translating and interpreting -- Technological innovations , Intercultural communication -- South Africa , Conduct of court proceedings -- South Africa , Linguistic rights -- South Africa , Multilingualism -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59423 , vital:27599 , doi: 10.5842/36-0-39
- Description: Language rights in South Africa are entrenched in the Constitution of South Africa (Chapter 1, Section 6, Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996). However, the concomitant infrastructure and organisational realities make this policy difficult to implement, especially in law courts (Kaschula and Ralarala 2004). Creating effective communicative environments has historically been constrained by lack of effective training of legal practitioners and by the lack of capacity for building translation structures. With the advancement of technology, potential solutions are becoming more apparent and it is incumbent upon the academic community to embark on a rigorous investigation into possible solutions and how these Information Communication Technology (ICT) solutions could be applied to the execution of justice in South African law courts. This article aims to open the discourse of possible solutions, via assessments of computer based translation solutions, ICT context simulations and other potential opportunities. The authors hope to initiate the interest of other language and legal practitioners to explore how the new technological capabilities could be harnessed to support the entrenchment of language rights in our law courts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008