The influence of the extended family on the social and moral development of the child in the single parent family
- Terblanche, Malise Georgette
- Authors: Terblanche, Malise Georgette
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Moral education , Children of single parents , Single-parent families , Extended families
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9586 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020987
- Description: The single-parent family can no longer be viewed as a non-traditional family type. As more single-parent families become prevalent in our society, interest in this family type has increased. Research associated with single-parent families often focus on the pathology associated with single-parent families. It is apparent that single-parent households, whether headed by a mother or father often have more to deal with than the traditional two-parent family. However, as a single-parent herself, the researcher also knows that this family type has much to offer. This research is undertaken in an exploratory and interpretive manner to illuminate the influence which the extended family have on the social and moral development of the child in the single-parent family. The researcher, just like Monama (2007:iv) before her, wishes to elevate the view of single-parents from the stereotypical victims to responsible archetypes. As this research is undertaken with the eco-systemic perspective of Bronfenbrenner as theoretical orientation, it therefore focuses on the systems in which the child is nested and more specifically the extended family as part of the child’s microsystem. This research aims to be beneficial to single-parents, families, members of community organizations, educators and other allied professionals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Terblanche, Malise Georgette
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Moral education , Children of single parents , Single-parent families , Extended families
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9586 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020987
- Description: The single-parent family can no longer be viewed as a non-traditional family type. As more single-parent families become prevalent in our society, interest in this family type has increased. Research associated with single-parent families often focus on the pathology associated with single-parent families. It is apparent that single-parent households, whether headed by a mother or father often have more to deal with than the traditional two-parent family. However, as a single-parent herself, the researcher also knows that this family type has much to offer. This research is undertaken in an exploratory and interpretive manner to illuminate the influence which the extended family have on the social and moral development of the child in the single-parent family. The researcher, just like Monama (2007:iv) before her, wishes to elevate the view of single-parents from the stereotypical victims to responsible archetypes. As this research is undertaken with the eco-systemic perspective of Bronfenbrenner as theoretical orientation, it therefore focuses on the systems in which the child is nested and more specifically the extended family as part of the child’s microsystem. This research aims to be beneficial to single-parents, families, members of community organizations, educators and other allied professionals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The influence of the human-companionate dog bond on psychological well-being
- Authors: Holm, Robyn Janet
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Well-being , Fellowship , Human-animal relationships
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9971 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020978
- Description: Many individuals across the world own dogs for a variety of reasons. For some individuals, dogs can be viewed as providing the most important relationship in their lives. Others may own dogs for protection, companionship, and even health benefits. Some families across the world view their dogs as family members and a vital aspect of the family unit. This study explored the perceived bond between a human and a dog and how this bond influenced the human‟s psychological well-being. Although studies have been conducted on the human-companionate dog bond, empirical research on the perceptions of the bond between a dog and a human and the influence it has on an individual‟s psychological well-being, falls short. Studies on the human-companionate bond have been on the rise internationally, yet studies in this field in the South African context are scarce. This study contributes to psychology‟s broad body of knowledge regarding the human-companionate dog bond and identifies the important influences the bond has on human psychological well-being. The researcher utilized a qualitative research approach. A non-probability purposive sample was employed and semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven participants. Two participants were male and five were female. All participants had developed a bond with their dog and were able to speak English fluently. Interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. Results demonstrate that having a human-companionate dog bond can enhance an individual's psychological well-being. Themes identified demonstrate that a human-companionate dog bond can enhance physical health, relational well-being, and mental health. This bond also fulfils specific individual needs which enhance psychological well-being. Limitations of the study and recommendations for further research are identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Holm, Robyn Janet
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Well-being , Fellowship , Human-animal relationships
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9971 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020978
- Description: Many individuals across the world own dogs for a variety of reasons. For some individuals, dogs can be viewed as providing the most important relationship in their lives. Others may own dogs for protection, companionship, and even health benefits. Some families across the world view their dogs as family members and a vital aspect of the family unit. This study explored the perceived bond between a human and a dog and how this bond influenced the human‟s psychological well-being. Although studies have been conducted on the human-companionate dog bond, empirical research on the perceptions of the bond between a dog and a human and the influence it has on an individual‟s psychological well-being, falls short. Studies on the human-companionate bond have been on the rise internationally, yet studies in this field in the South African context are scarce. This study contributes to psychology‟s broad body of knowledge regarding the human-companionate dog bond and identifies the important influences the bond has on human psychological well-being. The researcher utilized a qualitative research approach. A non-probability purposive sample was employed and semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven participants. Two participants were male and five were female. All participants had developed a bond with their dog and were able to speak English fluently. Interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. Results demonstrate that having a human-companionate dog bond can enhance an individual's psychological well-being. Themes identified demonstrate that a human-companionate dog bond can enhance physical health, relational well-being, and mental health. This bond also fulfils specific individual needs which enhance psychological well-being. Limitations of the study and recommendations for further research are identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The influence of the therapist's activities on clients' subject positioning in relation to gender in narrative couples therapy
- Authors: Friis, Kirsten Leigh
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Narrative therapy , Couples therapy , Therapist and patient , Control (Psychology) , Critical discourse analysis , Psychotherapy -- Methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3227 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013050
- Description: Narrative Therapy draws on an understanding of how discourse acts to construct, reproduce and deconstruct power relationships. Therapy is focussed on collaborating with clients in a process of re-authoring their self-stories by critically evaluating the positions made available to them in relation to dominant discourses. Whilst there is a large body of theoretical knowledge on post-structuralism and psychotherapy, very few discourse analyses of psychotherapy sessions have been published. Thus, though post-structuralist therapeutic approaches are theoretically well supported, there is an identified gap in the literature on the therapeutic processes that occur within practice. This research aims to further explore these therapeutic processes, focussing specifically on subject positioning with relation to gender in Narrative Couple Therapy, and the influence of the therapist thereupon. It is based on the analysis of a video of a Michael White Narrative Couple Therapy session, "The Best of Friends." Using discourse analysis as a methodological approach, the analysis seeks first to identify talk that signifies discourses of gender difference, and then to explore how the subjects (therapist and clients) are positioned in relation to these discourses. The analysis focuses on the therapist's activities to investigate the influence of his interactions with the partners on how they are positioned or position themselves within stories of gender difference. The analysis shows that, by working reflexively, transparently and collaboratively with the partners, the therapist assists to render power, restrictive discourses, and alternate positions visible to the clients. The therapist resists being drawn into dominant therapy discourses of expert and patient, and instead continuously recognises the knowledges and expertise that the clients bring to the therapy context. He then works closely with the clients to thicken alternative representations of self.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Friis, Kirsten Leigh
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Narrative therapy , Couples therapy , Therapist and patient , Control (Psychology) , Critical discourse analysis , Psychotherapy -- Methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3227 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013050
- Description: Narrative Therapy draws on an understanding of how discourse acts to construct, reproduce and deconstruct power relationships. Therapy is focussed on collaborating with clients in a process of re-authoring their self-stories by critically evaluating the positions made available to them in relation to dominant discourses. Whilst there is a large body of theoretical knowledge on post-structuralism and psychotherapy, very few discourse analyses of psychotherapy sessions have been published. Thus, though post-structuralist therapeutic approaches are theoretically well supported, there is an identified gap in the literature on the therapeutic processes that occur within practice. This research aims to further explore these therapeutic processes, focussing specifically on subject positioning with relation to gender in Narrative Couple Therapy, and the influence of the therapist thereupon. It is based on the analysis of a video of a Michael White Narrative Couple Therapy session, "The Best of Friends." Using discourse analysis as a methodological approach, the analysis seeks first to identify talk that signifies discourses of gender difference, and then to explore how the subjects (therapist and clients) are positioned in relation to these discourses. The analysis focuses on the therapist's activities to investigate the influence of his interactions with the partners on how they are positioned or position themselves within stories of gender difference. The analysis shows that, by working reflexively, transparently and collaboratively with the partners, the therapist assists to render power, restrictive discourses, and alternate positions visible to the clients. The therapist resists being drawn into dominant therapy discourses of expert and patient, and instead continuously recognises the knowledges and expertise that the clients bring to the therapy context. He then works closely with the clients to thicken alternative representations of self.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The influence of viewing context on meaning making : a reception study of the popular drama series Intersexions in Ginsberg township
- Authors: Ponono, Mvuzo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Intersexions (Television program) , Meaning (Psychology) , Context effects (Psychology) , Television programs -- South Africa , Television -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Television viewers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Television viewers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Attitudes , Educational television programs -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) in mass media -- South Africa , South Africa -- Social life and customs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3528 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013093
- Description: This study examines the home as a context of viewing for the television programme Intersexions in the township of Ginsberg in the Eastern Cape. The central question asked is whether the household influences the interpretation of the programme. The research was mainly conducted through ethnographical methods of participant observation and focus group interviews. Six families were observed and six gender-based focus groups convened. Drawing from the work of Morley (1986) and Lull (1990) that argues that the home be taken more seriously as a context of viewing; this study posits that the home is a rule-bound micro-society that influences the interpretation of media messages. As a starting point, this study contends with the arguments that the South African government has been slow to acknowledge the extent of the problem presented by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Much has been written about the inefficiency of state efforts to educate the public, with some pundits suggesting that government communications strategies have largely been outdated and thus resisted by audiences (Treffry-Goatley, Mahlinza & Imrie, 2013). To counter the pandemic, a large number of independent educational television serials have been launched in South Africa, and met with popular appeal since 1994. Furthermore, this development is in line with global trends of high audience ratings for Entertainment- Education (EE) programmes (Singhal et al., 1993). To investigate complex issue of EE reception by audiences in this burgeoning area of study, the programme at the centre of this study, Intersexions, is a good example. The serial, which concluded its second season in August 2013, is second to only the established soap opera, Generations, in television ratings in South Africa. Therefore, the impressive ratings garnered by educational serials in South Africa are a chance for audience studies to study audiences in context. This research investigates Intersexions using the understanding that television audiences must be analysed in "cultural and historic specific" sites because the struggle to make meanings of texts takes place at the moment when the text and subject meet (Fiske, 1987). This research investigates the assumption that the meanings made by audiences depend not just on the text, but also on environment. This means that the research delves into the situational context in which media are used and interpreted. Therefore, the central aim of this study is to analyse television viewing of the entertainment education programme, Intersexions, in the natural setting of the home, which is in line with analysing television viewers in cultural and historically specific sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Ponono, Mvuzo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Intersexions (Television program) , Meaning (Psychology) , Context effects (Psychology) , Television programs -- South Africa , Television -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Television viewers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Television viewers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Attitudes , Educational television programs -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) in mass media -- South Africa , South Africa -- Social life and customs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3528 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013093
- Description: This study examines the home as a context of viewing for the television programme Intersexions in the township of Ginsberg in the Eastern Cape. The central question asked is whether the household influences the interpretation of the programme. The research was mainly conducted through ethnographical methods of participant observation and focus group interviews. Six families were observed and six gender-based focus groups convened. Drawing from the work of Morley (1986) and Lull (1990) that argues that the home be taken more seriously as a context of viewing; this study posits that the home is a rule-bound micro-society that influences the interpretation of media messages. As a starting point, this study contends with the arguments that the South African government has been slow to acknowledge the extent of the problem presented by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Much has been written about the inefficiency of state efforts to educate the public, with some pundits suggesting that government communications strategies have largely been outdated and thus resisted by audiences (Treffry-Goatley, Mahlinza & Imrie, 2013). To counter the pandemic, a large number of independent educational television serials have been launched in South Africa, and met with popular appeal since 1994. Furthermore, this development is in line with global trends of high audience ratings for Entertainment- Education (EE) programmes (Singhal et al., 1993). To investigate complex issue of EE reception by audiences in this burgeoning area of study, the programme at the centre of this study, Intersexions, is a good example. The serial, which concluded its second season in August 2013, is second to only the established soap opera, Generations, in television ratings in South Africa. Therefore, the impressive ratings garnered by educational serials in South Africa are a chance for audience studies to study audiences in context. This research investigates Intersexions using the understanding that television audiences must be analysed in "cultural and historic specific" sites because the struggle to make meanings of texts takes place at the moment when the text and subject meet (Fiske, 1987). This research investigates the assumption that the meanings made by audiences depend not just on the text, but also on environment. This means that the research delves into the situational context in which media are used and interpreted. Therefore, the central aim of this study is to analyse television viewing of the entertainment education programme, Intersexions, in the natural setting of the home, which is in line with analysing television viewers in cultural and historically specific sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The information-seeking behaviour of economically disadvantaged communities: a case study of the Amsterdam community in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa
- Authors: Chimezie Obi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Information behavior , Information resources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Bibl
- Identifier: vital:11574 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015358 , Information behavior , Information resources
- Description: This study examined the information – seeking behaviour of members of the economically disadvantaged community of Amsterdam. The study involved both a qualitative and quantitative investigation of the critical factors that affected information – seeking, need, and use in the Amsterdam community. The research design included a study of various information behaviour models with particular emphasis on Wilson’s 1996 general model of information – seeking behaviour. The three factors identified by Wilson for the study of various groups’ information behaviour were personality, work – related or work – role and environmental factors. Information science researchers, in the study of rural communities’ information behaviour, have used these three factors extensively. The data collection was triangulated with the use of survey, observations, and focus group discussions and in – depth interviews. The findings show how the person, in the context of information – seeking and the role-played within a given environment, could determine information needs and use. A person in the context of information – seeking, could be a father, a mother, a group leader, a nurse or a teacher. The main elements are the situation within which a need for information arises, and the person performing a role in an environment situated within the context of information – seeking. Information was found to be a critical commodity for the socio – economic, political, and educational development of any given community. Recommendations were made that could transform the community of Amsterdam, through the provision of sustainable information.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Chimezie Obi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Information behavior , Information resources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Bibl
- Identifier: vital:11574 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015358 , Information behavior , Information resources
- Description: This study examined the information – seeking behaviour of members of the economically disadvantaged community of Amsterdam. The study involved both a qualitative and quantitative investigation of the critical factors that affected information – seeking, need, and use in the Amsterdam community. The research design included a study of various information behaviour models with particular emphasis on Wilson’s 1996 general model of information – seeking behaviour. The three factors identified by Wilson for the study of various groups’ information behaviour were personality, work – related or work – role and environmental factors. Information science researchers, in the study of rural communities’ information behaviour, have used these three factors extensively. The data collection was triangulated with the use of survey, observations, and focus group discussions and in – depth interviews. The findings show how the person, in the context of information – seeking and the role-played within a given environment, could determine information needs and use. A person in the context of information – seeking, could be a father, a mother, a group leader, a nurse or a teacher. The main elements are the situation within which a need for information arises, and the person performing a role in an environment situated within the context of information – seeking. Information was found to be a critical commodity for the socio – economic, political, and educational development of any given community. Recommendations were made that could transform the community of Amsterdam, through the provision of sustainable information.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The intellectualisation of African languages, multilingualism and education: a research-based approach
- Kaschula, Russell H, Maseko, Pamela
- Authors: Kaschula, Russell H , Maseko, Pamela
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: African languages -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Language policy -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Educational change -- South Africa , Multiligualism , Multicultural education -- South Africa , Language and languages -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59321 , vital:27548 , http://alternation.ukzn.ac.za/Files/docs/21 SpEd13/Alternation Spec Ed 13 (2014).pdf#page=13
- Description: This paper seeks to understand the relationship between the intellectualisation of African languages and the facilitation of a research approach which will enhance this intellectualisation. The paper examines the legislative language policies and other documents published by government since 1994, which guide language use and practices in higher education, including the Catalytic Project on Concept Formation in indigenous African languages (one of the recommendations contained in the Report commissioned by the Minister of Higher Education for the Charter for Humanities and Social Sciences and the language clauses of the Green Paper for Post-Secondary School Education and Training). These policy documents are analysed against the backdrop of the research work of the newly initiated NRF SARChI Chair in the Intellectualisation of African Languages, Multilingualism and Education hosted by Rhodes University. The paper argues that while policy provides an enabling environment for the promotion and development of indigenous African languages and advocates for promotion of equity and equality, in actual fact, HEIs still grapple in implementing provisions of these policies. The paper further discusses the teaching, learning and research in the African Language Studies Section of the School of Languages at Rhodes University and how the Section adopted the provisions of the national policy and institutional policy on language in turning itself into a source of intellectual vitality in the teaching, learning and research of particularly isiXhosa. Six focus areas of research, linked to the NRF SARChI Chair, will be outlined in order to create a practical link between Policy, Implementation and the Intellectualisation of African Languages. , Ucwaningo lolu luhlose ukuqonda ubudlelwano obuphakathi kokusetshenziswa kwezilimi zesintu emazingeni aphakame kanye nokusetshenziswa kwendlela yocwaningo ezokwengeza amathuba okusetshenziswa kwezilimi lezi (Finlayson & Madiba 2002). Ucwaningo luhlaziya inqubomgomo yolimi esemthethweni neminye imibhalo eshicelelwe uhulumeni elawula ukusebenza nokusetshenziswa kwezilimi kwezemfundo ephakame kusuka ngonyaka wezi-1994, kanye ne-Catalytic Project on Concept Formation in indigenous African languages (esinye seziphakamiso esiqukethwe embikweni owethulwa ngungqonqoshe wezemfundo ephakeme nge-Charter of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSSC 2011) kanye nezinhlamvu zamazwi e-Green paper for Post-secondary School education and training (2012). Imibhalo yenqubomgomo ihlaziywa kubhekwe umsebenzi wocwaningo kasihlalo we- NRF SARChl ekusetshenzisweni kwezilimi zesintu emazingeni aphakeme nobuliminingi kanye nezemfundo e- Rhodes University. Ucwaningo lolu luphakamisa umbono othi noma inqubomgomo isipha amandla okukhuphula nokuthuthukisa izilimi zesintu kanye nokukhuthaza ukulingana nokungacwasi, eqinisweni izikhungo zemfundo ephakeme zihlangabezana nobunzima bokusebenzisa izihlinzeko zenqubomgomo. Ucwaningo lolu luzoxoxa futhi ngokufundisa nokufunda kanye nocwaningo emnyangweni wezifundo zezilimi zesintu esikoleni sezilimi e-Rhodes University kanye nokuthi umnyango lo wamukela njani izihlinzeko zenqubomgomo kazwelonke kanye nezesikhungo eziphathelane nokuguqulwa kwezilimi zibe umthombo wenhlakanipho ekufundiseni nasekufundeni kanye nocwaningo ngolimi lwesiXhosa. Imikhaka emqoka eyisithupha yocwaningo ehlobene nesihlalo se-NRF SARChl izovezwa ukuze kwakhiwe ubudlelwano obenzekayo phakathi kwenqubomgomo, ukusetshenziswa kwayo kanye nokusetshenziswa kwezilimi zesintu emazingeni aphakeme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Kaschula, Russell H , Maseko, Pamela
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: African languages -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Language policy -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Educational change -- South Africa , Multiligualism , Multicultural education -- South Africa , Language and languages -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59321 , vital:27548 , http://alternation.ukzn.ac.za/Files/docs/21 SpEd13/Alternation Spec Ed 13 (2014).pdf#page=13
- Description: This paper seeks to understand the relationship between the intellectualisation of African languages and the facilitation of a research approach which will enhance this intellectualisation. The paper examines the legislative language policies and other documents published by government since 1994, which guide language use and practices in higher education, including the Catalytic Project on Concept Formation in indigenous African languages (one of the recommendations contained in the Report commissioned by the Minister of Higher Education for the Charter for Humanities and Social Sciences and the language clauses of the Green Paper for Post-Secondary School Education and Training). These policy documents are analysed against the backdrop of the research work of the newly initiated NRF SARChI Chair in the Intellectualisation of African Languages, Multilingualism and Education hosted by Rhodes University. The paper argues that while policy provides an enabling environment for the promotion and development of indigenous African languages and advocates for promotion of equity and equality, in actual fact, HEIs still grapple in implementing provisions of these policies. The paper further discusses the teaching, learning and research in the African Language Studies Section of the School of Languages at Rhodes University and how the Section adopted the provisions of the national policy and institutional policy on language in turning itself into a source of intellectual vitality in the teaching, learning and research of particularly isiXhosa. Six focus areas of research, linked to the NRF SARChI Chair, will be outlined in order to create a practical link between Policy, Implementation and the Intellectualisation of African Languages. , Ucwaningo lolu luhlose ukuqonda ubudlelwano obuphakathi kokusetshenziswa kwezilimi zesintu emazingeni aphakame kanye nokusetshenziswa kwendlela yocwaningo ezokwengeza amathuba okusetshenziswa kwezilimi lezi (Finlayson & Madiba 2002). Ucwaningo luhlaziya inqubomgomo yolimi esemthethweni neminye imibhalo eshicelelwe uhulumeni elawula ukusebenza nokusetshenziswa kwezilimi kwezemfundo ephakame kusuka ngonyaka wezi-1994, kanye ne-Catalytic Project on Concept Formation in indigenous African languages (esinye seziphakamiso esiqukethwe embikweni owethulwa ngungqonqoshe wezemfundo ephakeme nge-Charter of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSSC 2011) kanye nezinhlamvu zamazwi e-Green paper for Post-secondary School education and training (2012). Imibhalo yenqubomgomo ihlaziywa kubhekwe umsebenzi wocwaningo kasihlalo we- NRF SARChl ekusetshenzisweni kwezilimi zesintu emazingeni aphakeme nobuliminingi kanye nezemfundo e- Rhodes University. Ucwaningo lolu luphakamisa umbono othi noma inqubomgomo isipha amandla okukhuphula nokuthuthukisa izilimi zesintu kanye nokukhuthaza ukulingana nokungacwasi, eqinisweni izikhungo zemfundo ephakeme zihlangabezana nobunzima bokusebenzisa izihlinzeko zenqubomgomo. Ucwaningo lolu luzoxoxa futhi ngokufundisa nokufunda kanye nocwaningo emnyangweni wezifundo zezilimi zesintu esikoleni sezilimi e-Rhodes University kanye nokuthi umnyango lo wamukela njani izihlinzeko zenqubomgomo kazwelonke kanye nezesikhungo eziphathelane nokuguqulwa kwezilimi zibe umthombo wenhlakanipho ekufundiseni nasekufundeni kanye nocwaningo ngolimi lwesiXhosa. Imikhaka emqoka eyisithupha yocwaningo ehlobene nesihlalo se-NRF SARChl izovezwa ukuze kwakhiwe ubudlelwano obenzekayo phakathi kwenqubomgomo, ukusetshenziswa kwayo kanye nokusetshenziswa kwezilimi zesintu emazingeni aphakeme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The interaction between the stock market and macroeconomic variables in South Africa
- Authors: Ntshangase, Khanyisa
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com
- Identifier: vital:11491 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018271
- Description: This study investigates the interaction between stock market and macroeconomic variables in South Africa. Apart from the stock market being a channel to raise capital, another important role of the stock market is to provide correct valuation of stocks and promote efficient allocation of capital. This is important given the great need of investment capital in a country such as South Africa. Utilising quarterly data for the period from 1994 to 2012, the study employs the Johansen cointegration test and the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) to analyse the relationship between these important variables due to the simultaneous nature of the relationship between the variables. Empirical results indicate that all the variables have a significant relationship with the stock market. The findings in this study suggest that it is important to achieve macroeconomic equilibrium in South Africa because any disequilibrium in macroeconomics feeds into the stock market and it is likely to affect investor decision making and hence access to capital by companies listed on the stock exchange.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Ntshangase, Khanyisa
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com
- Identifier: vital:11491 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018271
- Description: This study investigates the interaction between stock market and macroeconomic variables in South Africa. Apart from the stock market being a channel to raise capital, another important role of the stock market is to provide correct valuation of stocks and promote efficient allocation of capital. This is important given the great need of investment capital in a country such as South Africa. Utilising quarterly data for the period from 1994 to 2012, the study employs the Johansen cointegration test and the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) to analyse the relationship between these important variables due to the simultaneous nature of the relationship between the variables. Empirical results indicate that all the variables have a significant relationship with the stock market. The findings in this study suggest that it is important to achieve macroeconomic equilibrium in South Africa because any disequilibrium in macroeconomics feeds into the stock market and it is likely to affect investor decision making and hence access to capital by companies listed on the stock exchange.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The interaction of silver nanoparticles with triosephosphate isomerase from human and malarial parasite (Plasmodium falciparum) : a comparative study
- De Moor, Warren Ralph Josephus
- Authors: De Moor, Warren Ralph Josephus
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Silver , Nanoparticles , Triose-phosphate isomerase , Plasmodium falciparum , Nanotechnology , Antimalarials , Povidone
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4169 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020895
- Description: The advent of advanced modern nanotechnology techniques offers new and exciting opportunities to develop novel nanotech-derived antimalarial nanodrugs with enhanced selective and targeting abilities that allow for lower effective drug dosages, longer drug persistence and reduced drug degradation within the body. Using a nanodrug approach also has the advantage of avoiding drug resistance problems that plague reconfigured versions of already-existing antimalarial drugs. In this study recombinant triosephosphate isomerase enzymes from Plasmodium falciparum (PfTIM) and Humans (hTIM) were recombinantly expressed, purified and characterised. PfTIM was shown to have optimal pH stability at pH 5.0-5.5 and thermal stability at 25°C with Km 4.34 mM and Vmax 0.876 μmol.ml⁻ₑmin⁻ₑ. For hTIM, these parameters were as follows: pH optima of 6.5-7.0; temperature optima of 30°C, with Km 2.27 mM and Vmax 0.714 μmol.ml⁻ₑmin⁻ₑ. Recombinant TIM enzymes were subjected to inhibition studies using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) stabilised silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of 4-12 nm in diameter. These studies showed that the AgNPs were able to selectively inhibit PfTIM over hTIM with an 8-fold greater decrease in enzymatic efficiency (Kcat/Km) observed for PfTIM, as compared to hTIM, for kinetics tests done using 0.06 μM of AgNPs. Complete inhibition of PfTIM under optimal conditions was achieved using 0.25 μM AgNPs after 45 minutes while hTIM maintained approximately 31% of its activity at this AgNP concentration. The above results indicate that selective enzymatic targeting of the important, key metabolic enzyme TIM, can be achieved using nanotechnology-derived nanodrugs. It was demonstrated that the key structural differences, between the two enzyme variants, were significant enough to create unique characteristics for each TIM variant, thereby allowing for selective enzyme targeting using AgNPs. If these AgNPs could be coupled with a nanotechnology-derived, targeted localization mechanism – possibly using apoferritin to deliver the AgNPs to infected erythrocytes (Burns and Pollock, 2008) – then such an approach could offer new opportunities for the development of viable antimalarial nanodrugs. For this to be achieved further research into several key areas will be required, including nanoparticle toxicity, drug localization and testing the lethality of the system on live parasite cultures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: De Moor, Warren Ralph Josephus
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Silver , Nanoparticles , Triose-phosphate isomerase , Plasmodium falciparum , Nanotechnology , Antimalarials , Povidone
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4169 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020895
- Description: The advent of advanced modern nanotechnology techniques offers new and exciting opportunities to develop novel nanotech-derived antimalarial nanodrugs with enhanced selective and targeting abilities that allow for lower effective drug dosages, longer drug persistence and reduced drug degradation within the body. Using a nanodrug approach also has the advantage of avoiding drug resistance problems that plague reconfigured versions of already-existing antimalarial drugs. In this study recombinant triosephosphate isomerase enzymes from Plasmodium falciparum (PfTIM) and Humans (hTIM) were recombinantly expressed, purified and characterised. PfTIM was shown to have optimal pH stability at pH 5.0-5.5 and thermal stability at 25°C with Km 4.34 mM and Vmax 0.876 μmol.ml⁻ₑmin⁻ₑ. For hTIM, these parameters were as follows: pH optima of 6.5-7.0; temperature optima of 30°C, with Km 2.27 mM and Vmax 0.714 μmol.ml⁻ₑmin⁻ₑ. Recombinant TIM enzymes were subjected to inhibition studies using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) stabilised silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of 4-12 nm in diameter. These studies showed that the AgNPs were able to selectively inhibit PfTIM over hTIM with an 8-fold greater decrease in enzymatic efficiency (Kcat/Km) observed for PfTIM, as compared to hTIM, for kinetics tests done using 0.06 μM of AgNPs. Complete inhibition of PfTIM under optimal conditions was achieved using 0.25 μM AgNPs after 45 minutes while hTIM maintained approximately 31% of its activity at this AgNP concentration. The above results indicate that selective enzymatic targeting of the important, key metabolic enzyme TIM, can be achieved using nanotechnology-derived nanodrugs. It was demonstrated that the key structural differences, between the two enzyme variants, were significant enough to create unique characteristics for each TIM variant, thereby allowing for selective enzyme targeting using AgNPs. If these AgNPs could be coupled with a nanotechnology-derived, targeted localization mechanism – possibly using apoferritin to deliver the AgNPs to infected erythrocytes (Burns and Pollock, 2008) – then such an approach could offer new opportunities for the development of viable antimalarial nanodrugs. For this to be achieved further research into several key areas will be required, including nanoparticle toxicity, drug localization and testing the lethality of the system on live parasite cultures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The interface of history and fiction in Russel Brownlee’s Garden of the plagues, Ingrid Winterbach’s To hell With Cronjé, and Etienne van Heerden’s The long silence of Mario Salviati
- Authors: Wyrill, Beth Alexandra
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Brownlee, Russel -- Criticism and interpretation , Winterbach, Ingrid -- Criticism and interpretation , Van Heerden, Etienne, 1954- -- Criticism and interpretation , South African fiction (English) -- History and criticism , South African fiction (English) -- 20th century -- History and criticism , African fiction (English) -- 21st century -- History and criticism , Brownlee, Russel -- Garden of the plagues , Winterbach, Ingrid -- Niggie -- English , Van Heerden, Etienne, 1954- -- Swye van Mario Salviati -- English , Historical fiction -- History and criticism , Magic realism (Literature)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2323 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015517
- Description: Both historiographical and literary practices have undergone revision in recent years in attempting to address the inheritance of nineteenth-century realism. Since the object of realist stylistics, employed in both the writing of fiction and history, is to render authorship authoritative or even invisible, the ideological import of these narratives is often such that the constructedness of the historical record and its absences are veiled. In developments beginning in the 1980s with the advent of ‘New Historicism’ and with the emergence of postmodern literary techniques, the interface of literature and history became of seminal importance, since both were now credited as being products of narrative and discourse, and hence, to varying degrees, of the literary imagination. This movement intersects interestingly with developments in postcolonial studies, since it is the voices of the marginalized and disempowered colonized peoples that are routinely co-opted and excised from nineteenth-century realist histories. These concerns are now being fully explored in the literature of the contemporary post-transitional South African moment, since authors in this country seemingly now feel freed up to look back to histories that precede the immediate traumas of apartheid. The concern, in relation to apartheid developments but also on a broader universal scale, is this: if history is viewed as perpetual emergences of modernities, then one of the great absences in the record is the historical determinants of any given epistemology. The attempt to recreate such an epistemological genealogy is thus simultaneously postcolonial, historiographical, and literary. Russel Brownlee’s Garden of the Plagues (2005), Ingrid Winterbach’s To Hell with Cronjé (2010), and Etienne van Heerden’s The Long Silence of Mario Salviati (2002) attempt to bridge this gap in the recorded sensibilities of any historical moment by representing a ‘lived experience’ of the past, and in the process imaginatively recreating the cultural, historical and psychological locations of the proponents of an emerging modernity. This study concerns itself with the ways in which these authors address the influence of realist historiography through the use of literary innovations that allow for the departure from realist stylistics. Most commonly, all three authors draw on forms of magic realism, but multiple refigurings and recombinations of notions of temporality, narrative, and characterization likewise work to defamiliarize the once stable discourse of history.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Wyrill, Beth Alexandra
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Brownlee, Russel -- Criticism and interpretation , Winterbach, Ingrid -- Criticism and interpretation , Van Heerden, Etienne, 1954- -- Criticism and interpretation , South African fiction (English) -- History and criticism , South African fiction (English) -- 20th century -- History and criticism , African fiction (English) -- 21st century -- History and criticism , Brownlee, Russel -- Garden of the plagues , Winterbach, Ingrid -- Niggie -- English , Van Heerden, Etienne, 1954- -- Swye van Mario Salviati -- English , Historical fiction -- History and criticism , Magic realism (Literature)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2323 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015517
- Description: Both historiographical and literary practices have undergone revision in recent years in attempting to address the inheritance of nineteenth-century realism. Since the object of realist stylistics, employed in both the writing of fiction and history, is to render authorship authoritative or even invisible, the ideological import of these narratives is often such that the constructedness of the historical record and its absences are veiled. In developments beginning in the 1980s with the advent of ‘New Historicism’ and with the emergence of postmodern literary techniques, the interface of literature and history became of seminal importance, since both were now credited as being products of narrative and discourse, and hence, to varying degrees, of the literary imagination. This movement intersects interestingly with developments in postcolonial studies, since it is the voices of the marginalized and disempowered colonized peoples that are routinely co-opted and excised from nineteenth-century realist histories. These concerns are now being fully explored in the literature of the contemporary post-transitional South African moment, since authors in this country seemingly now feel freed up to look back to histories that precede the immediate traumas of apartheid. The concern, in relation to apartheid developments but also on a broader universal scale, is this: if history is viewed as perpetual emergences of modernities, then one of the great absences in the record is the historical determinants of any given epistemology. The attempt to recreate such an epistemological genealogy is thus simultaneously postcolonial, historiographical, and literary. Russel Brownlee’s Garden of the Plagues (2005), Ingrid Winterbach’s To Hell with Cronjé (2010), and Etienne van Heerden’s The Long Silence of Mario Salviati (2002) attempt to bridge this gap in the recorded sensibilities of any historical moment by representing a ‘lived experience’ of the past, and in the process imaginatively recreating the cultural, historical and psychological locations of the proponents of an emerging modernity. This study concerns itself with the ways in which these authors address the influence of realist historiography through the use of literary innovations that allow for the departure from realist stylistics. Most commonly, all three authors draw on forms of magic realism, but multiple refigurings and recombinations of notions of temporality, narrative, and characterization likewise work to defamiliarize the once stable discourse of history.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The involvement of TRAP1 in the mitochondrial localization of STAT3 in mammalian cells
- Authors: Kadye, Rose
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/55760 , vital:26731
- Description: STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), an oncogene and transcription factor of genes involved in cellular differentiation, proliferation and immune function, that classically localizes in the cytosol and nucleus has also been found in the mitochondria. However, STAT3 does not have a mitochondrial transit peptide, and its mechanism for mitochondrial localization is unknown. Cytosolic Hsp90s chaperone STAT3 to the nucleus therefore we investigated the involvement of the nuclear-encoded mitochondrial Hsp90 molecular chaperone tumor necrosis receptor associated protein 1 (TRAP1) in STAT3’s mitochondrial localization. Using TRAP1 transient over-expression, STAT3 inhibitor S3I- 201 and Hsp90 inhibitor geldanamycin, we demonstrate that TRAP1 and STAT3 co-localize and co-immunoprecipitates in mammalian systems. Taken together with the observation that STAT3 potentially directly interacts with TRAP1, these data suggest that TRAP1 plays a role in the mitochondrial localization of STAT3.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Kadye, Rose
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/55760 , vital:26731
- Description: STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), an oncogene and transcription factor of genes involved in cellular differentiation, proliferation and immune function, that classically localizes in the cytosol and nucleus has also been found in the mitochondria. However, STAT3 does not have a mitochondrial transit peptide, and its mechanism for mitochondrial localization is unknown. Cytosolic Hsp90s chaperone STAT3 to the nucleus therefore we investigated the involvement of the nuclear-encoded mitochondrial Hsp90 molecular chaperone tumor necrosis receptor associated protein 1 (TRAP1) in STAT3’s mitochondrial localization. Using TRAP1 transient over-expression, STAT3 inhibitor S3I- 201 and Hsp90 inhibitor geldanamycin, we demonstrate that TRAP1 and STAT3 co-localize and co-immunoprecipitates in mammalian systems. Taken together with the observation that STAT3 potentially directly interacts with TRAP1, these data suggest that TRAP1 plays a role in the mitochondrial localization of STAT3.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The Kansanshi Cu-Au deposit, Domes region, Zambia : geology, mineralisation and alteration characteristics in the main pit
- Authors: Chinyuku, Donald Tichaona
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Kansanshi Mine -- Zambia , Copper mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold -- Assaying -- Zambia , Geology -- Zambia , Mineralogy -- Zambia , Tillite
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5051 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011758 , Kansanshi Mine -- Zambia , Copper mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold -- Assaying -- Zambia , Geology -- Zambia , Mineralogy -- Zambia , Tillite
- Description: The Kansanshi Cu-Au deposit located in the Domes region of the North West province of Zambia is characterised by structurally controlled high angle veins and associated alteration halos. The northwest trending Kansanshi antiform flanks the Solwezi syncline to the north and hosts the Kansanshi deposit and consists of tillites and metasedimentary rocks. Mineralisation is associated with Neoproterozoic Pan African deformation events experienced during the formation of the Lufilian fold belt; however recent findings confirm that structures in the form of reverse and normal faults and drag folds are critical controls on mineralisation within the deposit, Main pit in particular. Low angle faults occurring below the current pit are believed to have served as major fluid pathways during mineralisation. Age dating data from the Kansanshi deposit suggest that mineralisation took place between 512 and 503 Ma indicating that the event was associated with metamorphism. Two types of alteration are dominant within the Main pit (Kansanshi deposit) with the type and intensity of alteration being largely controlled by lithological units. Albite alteration occurs dominantly in phyllites and schists whereas dolomitisation is prevalent in calcareous units. Alteration is associated with mineralisation, and therefore is used as a condition for predicting vein or disseminated mineralisation. The high Au tenor at Kansanshi can be attributed to gold grains occurring in association with melonite (NiTe₂) and microfractured pyrite intergrown with chalcopyrite in sulphide and quartz dominated veins and veinlets. Analysis of gold grade distribution within the Main pit shows a clear concentration of the element along the major north-south trending structures like the 4800 and 5400 zones, possibly through supergene enrichment in the oxide-transition-sulphide zones. It is imperative that exploration for Kansanshi-type deposits will require geochemical and geophysical studies, understanding of the geology of an area to identify the three lithostratigraphic units (red beds, evaporites and reducing strata).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Chinyuku, Donald Tichaona
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Kansanshi Mine -- Zambia , Copper mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold -- Assaying -- Zambia , Geology -- Zambia , Mineralogy -- Zambia , Tillite
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5051 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011758 , Kansanshi Mine -- Zambia , Copper mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold -- Assaying -- Zambia , Geology -- Zambia , Mineralogy -- Zambia , Tillite
- Description: The Kansanshi Cu-Au deposit located in the Domes region of the North West province of Zambia is characterised by structurally controlled high angle veins and associated alteration halos. The northwest trending Kansanshi antiform flanks the Solwezi syncline to the north and hosts the Kansanshi deposit and consists of tillites and metasedimentary rocks. Mineralisation is associated with Neoproterozoic Pan African deformation events experienced during the formation of the Lufilian fold belt; however recent findings confirm that structures in the form of reverse and normal faults and drag folds are critical controls on mineralisation within the deposit, Main pit in particular. Low angle faults occurring below the current pit are believed to have served as major fluid pathways during mineralisation. Age dating data from the Kansanshi deposit suggest that mineralisation took place between 512 and 503 Ma indicating that the event was associated with metamorphism. Two types of alteration are dominant within the Main pit (Kansanshi deposit) with the type and intensity of alteration being largely controlled by lithological units. Albite alteration occurs dominantly in phyllites and schists whereas dolomitisation is prevalent in calcareous units. Alteration is associated with mineralisation, and therefore is used as a condition for predicting vein or disseminated mineralisation. The high Au tenor at Kansanshi can be attributed to gold grains occurring in association with melonite (NiTe₂) and microfractured pyrite intergrown with chalcopyrite in sulphide and quartz dominated veins and veinlets. Analysis of gold grade distribution within the Main pit shows a clear concentration of the element along the major north-south trending structures like the 4800 and 5400 zones, possibly through supergene enrichment in the oxide-transition-sulphide zones. It is imperative that exploration for Kansanshi-type deposits will require geochemical and geophysical studies, understanding of the geology of an area to identify the three lithostratigraphic units (red beds, evaporites and reducing strata).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The large scale bioinformatics analysis of auxiliary activity family 9 enzymes
- Authors: Moses, Vuyani
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Bioinformatics -- Analysis , Cellulose -- Biodegradation , Biomass energy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4145 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016356
- Description: Biofuels have been proposed to be a suitable replacement to the already depleting fossil fuels. The complex structures of plant biomasses present a challenge the production of biofuels due to recalcitrance. The complex cellulose structure and hydrogen bonding between repeat units of cellulose is believed to be a major contributor to the recalcitrance of cellulose. Fungal organisms come equipped with various oxidative enzymes involved in degradation of plant biomass. The exact mechanism of cellulose degradation remains elusive. The GH61 is a group of proteins which are PMOs. GH61 sequences where previously described as endoglucanases due to weak endoglucanase activity. These enzymes were later found not possess any enzyme activity of their own however they could enhance the activity of other cellulose degrading enzymes. As a result reclassification of these enzymes as AA9 has been implemented. AA9 proteins have been reported to share structural homology with the bacterial AA10 group of enzymes. Based on cleavage products that are produced when AA9 proteins interact with cellulose, AA9 proteins have been grouped into three types. To date the exact mechanism and the sequence and structural basis for differentiating between the various AA9 types remains unknown. Using various bionformatic techniques sequence and structural elements were identified for distinguishing between the AA9 types. A large dataset of sequences was obtained from the Pfam database from UNIPROT entries. Due to high divergence of AA9 sequences, a smaller dataset with the more divergent sequences removed was created. The inclusion of the reference sequences to the data set was done to observe which sequences belong to a certain type. Phylogenetic analysis was able to group AA9 proteins into three distinct groups. MSA and motif analysis revealed that the N-Terminus of these proteins is mostly responsible for type specificity. Structural analysis of AA9 PDB structures and homology models allowed the effect of physicochemical properties to be gauged structurally. The presence of 310 helices and aromatic residues the surface of AA9 sequences is an observation which still warrants further investigation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Moses, Vuyani
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Bioinformatics -- Analysis , Cellulose -- Biodegradation , Biomass energy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4145 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016356
- Description: Biofuels have been proposed to be a suitable replacement to the already depleting fossil fuels. The complex structures of plant biomasses present a challenge the production of biofuels due to recalcitrance. The complex cellulose structure and hydrogen bonding between repeat units of cellulose is believed to be a major contributor to the recalcitrance of cellulose. Fungal organisms come equipped with various oxidative enzymes involved in degradation of plant biomass. The exact mechanism of cellulose degradation remains elusive. The GH61 is a group of proteins which are PMOs. GH61 sequences where previously described as endoglucanases due to weak endoglucanase activity. These enzymes were later found not possess any enzyme activity of their own however they could enhance the activity of other cellulose degrading enzymes. As a result reclassification of these enzymes as AA9 has been implemented. AA9 proteins have been reported to share structural homology with the bacterial AA10 group of enzymes. Based on cleavage products that are produced when AA9 proteins interact with cellulose, AA9 proteins have been grouped into three types. To date the exact mechanism and the sequence and structural basis for differentiating between the various AA9 types remains unknown. Using various bionformatic techniques sequence and structural elements were identified for distinguishing between the AA9 types. A large dataset of sequences was obtained from the Pfam database from UNIPROT entries. Due to high divergence of AA9 sequences, a smaller dataset with the more divergent sequences removed was created. The inclusion of the reference sequences to the data set was done to observe which sequences belong to a certain type. Phylogenetic analysis was able to group AA9 proteins into three distinct groups. MSA and motif analysis revealed that the N-Terminus of these proteins is mostly responsible for type specificity. Structural analysis of AA9 PDB structures and homology models allowed the effect of physicochemical properties to be gauged structurally. The presence of 310 helices and aromatic residues the surface of AA9 sequences is an observation which still warrants further investigation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The leadership competencies subordinates value : an exploratory study across gender and national culture
- Authors: Gondongwe, Sharon
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Leadership , Organizational behavior , Organizational behavior -- Cross-cultural studies , Organizational behavior -- Sex differences
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1203 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015673
- Description: The effectiveness of leadership is largely dependent on whether the leadership competencies exhibited by leaders are congruent with the value system endorsed by subordinates. One of the ways in which leaders can influence subordinates is by understanding the leadership competencies valued by subordinates. Gender and national culture are two of the many factors that have an influence on the leadership competencies valued by subordinates. A large amount of research has been conducted to determine if, indeed, gender and national culture influence the leadership competencies subordinates' value. However, most of this research has been conducted in Europe and North America, places in which national cultures differ significantly from those prevailing in African countries. This study, from a South African and Zimbabwean perspective, attempted to ascertain if gender and national culture influence the leadership competencies they value in their leaders. Existing studies have indicated that gender and national culture do not influence the leadership competencies valued in a leader. The findings of this study are in accordance with previous research and agree that gender and national culture do not influence the leadership competencies valued in a leader. The results of this study indicated that male and female subordinates value similar leadership competencies. With respect to national culture, both South African and Zimbabwean subordinates value similar leadership competencies. Based on the findings of this study, regardless of gender and national culture, all subordinates value a leader who is loyal, visionary, openly embodies integrity, and is a leader who empowers subordinates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Gondongwe, Sharon
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Leadership , Organizational behavior , Organizational behavior -- Cross-cultural studies , Organizational behavior -- Sex differences
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1203 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015673
- Description: The effectiveness of leadership is largely dependent on whether the leadership competencies exhibited by leaders are congruent with the value system endorsed by subordinates. One of the ways in which leaders can influence subordinates is by understanding the leadership competencies valued by subordinates. Gender and national culture are two of the many factors that have an influence on the leadership competencies valued by subordinates. A large amount of research has been conducted to determine if, indeed, gender and national culture influence the leadership competencies subordinates' value. However, most of this research has been conducted in Europe and North America, places in which national cultures differ significantly from those prevailing in African countries. This study, from a South African and Zimbabwean perspective, attempted to ascertain if gender and national culture influence the leadership competencies they value in their leaders. Existing studies have indicated that gender and national culture do not influence the leadership competencies valued in a leader. The findings of this study are in accordance with previous research and agree that gender and national culture do not influence the leadership competencies valued in a leader. The results of this study indicated that male and female subordinates value similar leadership competencies. With respect to national culture, both South African and Zimbabwean subordinates value similar leadership competencies. Based on the findings of this study, regardless of gender and national culture, all subordinates value a leader who is loyal, visionary, openly embodies integrity, and is a leader who empowers subordinates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The life history traits of the arctiine moth Pareuchaetes insulata, a biological control agent of Chromolaena odorata in South Africa
- Uyi, Osariyekemwen, Zachariades, Costas, Hill, Martin P
- Authors: Uyi, Osariyekemwen , Zachariades, Costas , Hill, Martin P
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406170 , vital:70244 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC160238"
- Description: Pareuchaetes insulata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) was released in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, as a biological control agent against Chromolaena odorata (L.) King and Robinson (Asteraceae) between 2001 and 2009. Although the moth did establish at one out of some 30 release sites, its population level is generally low in the field. Two closely related biological control agents, P. pseudoinsulata Rego Barros and P. aurata aurata (Butler) had previously failed to establish despite several years of releases. Studies of life history traits of P. insulata (males and females) were conducted to determine whether several aspects of its developmental and reproductive biology can explain its poor performance, and to compare the development and reproductive biology of P. insulata with the two other closely related species. At 25 °C, overall mortality of immature stages was generally low (below 12 %). Although the duration of the larval life stage was statistically longer for females, overall they eclosed as adults before the males (i.e. protogyny). Pupal mass, growth rate and total leaf area consumed were higher in females. Mated females laid 74% of their eggs on the first four nights following eclosion and lived an average of 5.92 ± 0.19 days. The moth also showed good biological attributes such as high fecundity (number of eggs), egg hatchability and female mating success (the number of matings that resulted in fertile eggs). Significant positive correlations were detected between insect performance metrics and leaf consumption and between fecundity and pupal mass. A 23 % greater lifetime reproductive output (387.62 ± 19.50 eggs per female) for P. insulata compared with P. aurata aurata was recorded. We hypothesize that the absence of protandry in P. insulata might have contributed to the low population levels of the moth in the field. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of the life history traits of erebid moths in the subfamily Arctiinae deployed for the biological control of C. odorata.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Uyi, Osariyekemwen , Zachariades, Costas , Hill, Martin P
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406170 , vital:70244 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC160238"
- Description: Pareuchaetes insulata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) was released in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, as a biological control agent against Chromolaena odorata (L.) King and Robinson (Asteraceae) between 2001 and 2009. Although the moth did establish at one out of some 30 release sites, its population level is generally low in the field. Two closely related biological control agents, P. pseudoinsulata Rego Barros and P. aurata aurata (Butler) had previously failed to establish despite several years of releases. Studies of life history traits of P. insulata (males and females) were conducted to determine whether several aspects of its developmental and reproductive biology can explain its poor performance, and to compare the development and reproductive biology of P. insulata with the two other closely related species. At 25 °C, overall mortality of immature stages was generally low (below 12 %). Although the duration of the larval life stage was statistically longer for females, overall they eclosed as adults before the males (i.e. protogyny). Pupal mass, growth rate and total leaf area consumed were higher in females. Mated females laid 74% of their eggs on the first four nights following eclosion and lived an average of 5.92 ± 0.19 days. The moth also showed good biological attributes such as high fecundity (number of eggs), egg hatchability and female mating success (the number of matings that resulted in fertile eggs). Significant positive correlations were detected between insect performance metrics and leaf consumption and between fecundity and pupal mass. A 23 % greater lifetime reproductive output (387.62 ± 19.50 eggs per female) for P. insulata compared with P. aurata aurata was recorded. We hypothesize that the absence of protandry in P. insulata might have contributed to the low population levels of the moth in the field. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of the life history traits of erebid moths in the subfamily Arctiinae deployed for the biological control of C. odorata.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The lived experiences of HIV-positive women in poverty
- Msengana, Sweetlener Thobeka
- Authors: Msengana, Sweetlener Thobeka
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: HIV-positive women -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , HIV infections -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Poor -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Poverty -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Poverty -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Stigma (Social psychology) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3240 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013269
- Description: The focus of this study was on the experiences of a small sample of local women who are HIVpositive and are living in poverty. The researcher was interested in exploring the psychological and social experiences of these women using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. This research aimed at giving these women a voice to express their first-hand, personal accounts of living with HIV in poverty. Data was analysed for meaningful units, which were interpreted inductively and hermeneutically, and categorised into super-ordinate themes. Six themes within the participants' experiences of living with HIV were determined, namely: (I) experiences of diagnosis, (2) disclosure experiences, (3) stigma, (4) ARV experiences, (5) experiences of social support and (6) poverty. This research found that after an HIV-positive diagnosis, most women experience a variety of emotional reactions. These reactions however seem to change overtime into positive acceptance of the HIV diagnosis. Most of the women in this study preferred to use partial disclosure than to fully disclose their HJV-positive status openly to families, friends and to their community. Reasons for not using full disclosure included fear of discrimination and stigma, which included a fear of being rejected or being blamed for their status and a fear of losing relationships. It was also evident from the findings that most of the women had experienced stigma directly and therefore partial disclosure was used as a coping mechanism to protect the self from further harm. It was also revealed that stigma not only has a negative impact on disclosure but also on social support and ARV experiences. Because ofHIV-related stigma, lack of social support was a struggle that almost all the women in this study had experienced. Lack of understandings about their medication also had a negative impact of the ARV experiences. Stigmas along with poverty are the major struggles that HIV -positive women have to deal with in their day to day living. The findings of this study reveal a need for further research in this experiential area as well as campaigns and education around issues such as stigma, medication, and emotional difficulties associated with HIV.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Msengana, Sweetlener Thobeka
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: HIV-positive women -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , HIV infections -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Poor -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Poverty -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Poverty -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Stigma (Social psychology) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3240 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013269
- Description: The focus of this study was on the experiences of a small sample of local women who are HIVpositive and are living in poverty. The researcher was interested in exploring the psychological and social experiences of these women using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. This research aimed at giving these women a voice to express their first-hand, personal accounts of living with HIV in poverty. Data was analysed for meaningful units, which were interpreted inductively and hermeneutically, and categorised into super-ordinate themes. Six themes within the participants' experiences of living with HIV were determined, namely: (I) experiences of diagnosis, (2) disclosure experiences, (3) stigma, (4) ARV experiences, (5) experiences of social support and (6) poverty. This research found that after an HIV-positive diagnosis, most women experience a variety of emotional reactions. These reactions however seem to change overtime into positive acceptance of the HIV diagnosis. Most of the women in this study preferred to use partial disclosure than to fully disclose their HJV-positive status openly to families, friends and to their community. Reasons for not using full disclosure included fear of discrimination and stigma, which included a fear of being rejected or being blamed for their status and a fear of losing relationships. It was also evident from the findings that most of the women had experienced stigma directly and therefore partial disclosure was used as a coping mechanism to protect the self from further harm. It was also revealed that stigma not only has a negative impact on disclosure but also on social support and ARV experiences. Because ofHIV-related stigma, lack of social support was a struggle that almost all the women in this study had experienced. Lack of understandings about their medication also had a negative impact of the ARV experiences. Stigmas along with poverty are the major struggles that HIV -positive women have to deal with in their day to day living. The findings of this study reveal a need for further research in this experiential area as well as campaigns and education around issues such as stigma, medication, and emotional difficulties associated with HIV.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The local economic development of the Inkwanca Local Municipality : challenges and oppotunities of the municipality
- Authors: Potso, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9197 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020390
- Description: This research study aims to make recommendations on how the Local Economic Development (LED) of the Inkwanca Local Municipality can be made effective. The researcher has conducted a qualitative research study through the use of interviews as the data collection tool, in order to obtain information from specific population members of the concerned local municipality on LED issues. The participants of the research included municipal officials, community project members and the official from the Department of Social Development. The study consists of five chapters: Chapter 1 is the introduction chapter where the whole project background is outlined. Chapter 2 consists of the literature review, where various ideologies on the concepts of LED have been discussed. Chapter 3 describes the methodology used to conduct the research and outlines the route that was taken in acquiring the required data. Chapter 4 consists of the findings of the study. This chapter presents these findings in different themes and covers responses given by coded participants. Moreover, Chapter 4 also discusses the aims and objectives of the study, and states that the research findings have achieved the aims of the research in the analysis of data. Finally, Chapter 5 consists of the summary of the study background, challenges of the study and some recommendations by the researcher. The conclusion is that the presumption of the research problem has been confirmed by the study. The Inkwanca Local Municipality does need some urgent intervention in order to enhance the LED of the area. Recommendations for LED challenges and opportunities acquired from the findings provide direction on how the LED of the Inkwanca Local Municipality can be made effective in order to reduce poverty and the unemployment rate in the area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Potso, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9197 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020390
- Description: This research study aims to make recommendations on how the Local Economic Development (LED) of the Inkwanca Local Municipality can be made effective. The researcher has conducted a qualitative research study through the use of interviews as the data collection tool, in order to obtain information from specific population members of the concerned local municipality on LED issues. The participants of the research included municipal officials, community project members and the official from the Department of Social Development. The study consists of five chapters: Chapter 1 is the introduction chapter where the whole project background is outlined. Chapter 2 consists of the literature review, where various ideologies on the concepts of LED have been discussed. Chapter 3 describes the methodology used to conduct the research and outlines the route that was taken in acquiring the required data. Chapter 4 consists of the findings of the study. This chapter presents these findings in different themes and covers responses given by coded participants. Moreover, Chapter 4 also discusses the aims and objectives of the study, and states that the research findings have achieved the aims of the research in the analysis of data. Finally, Chapter 5 consists of the summary of the study background, challenges of the study and some recommendations by the researcher. The conclusion is that the presumption of the research problem has been confirmed by the study. The Inkwanca Local Municipality does need some urgent intervention in order to enhance the LED of the area. Recommendations for LED challenges and opportunities acquired from the findings provide direction on how the LED of the Inkwanca Local Municipality can be made effective in order to reduce poverty and the unemployment rate in the area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The management of knowledge workers for the benefit of an organisation
- Authors: Javu, Thobela Terrence
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Knowledge workers , Knowledge management , Intellectual capital
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8840 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020004
- Description: The main research problem in this study was to identify strategies that could assist South Afrian companies in managing knowledge workers for their opt imal benefit . To achieve this goal, the following act ions were ta ken: Aliterature study was conducted to identify the best strategies that South African companies could use to manage knowledge workers for optimal benefit; Following the literature review interviews were concluded with key people in the human resource and recruitment industry to determine how a knowledge worker was defined in their organisations as well as to probe what management and human resources strategies were used to manage knowledge workers to their full potential; The interviews, in addition to the literature study, also served as a basis for a survey questionnaire, which was used to probe the views of knowledge workers to determine tools and strategies managers use to manage them. The empirical results from the study showed some concurrence with best strategies suggested from the theoret ical study. In essence, the study revealed that knowledge was well managed in the organisations where the study was conducted and that the knowledge workers were motivated and productive. However, it appeared that there was uncer tainty around the remuneration, rewards and recognition of these employees, which could ultimately reflect in less promising levels of commitment and lower levels of retention. The main findings were that: knowledge workers should be recognised for their good performance by providing financial incentives; knowledge workers should be provided with opportunities to continuously develop their competencies but be allowed to craft their own developmental experiences; knowledge workers should be empowered by delegat ing tasks to them that carry decision making responsibility and af fectinnovation; and Managers and knowledge workers should cont inuously have performance and organisational development discussions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Javu, Thobela Terrence
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Knowledge workers , Knowledge management , Intellectual capital
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8840 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020004
- Description: The main research problem in this study was to identify strategies that could assist South Afrian companies in managing knowledge workers for their opt imal benefit . To achieve this goal, the following act ions were ta ken: Aliterature study was conducted to identify the best strategies that South African companies could use to manage knowledge workers for optimal benefit; Following the literature review interviews were concluded with key people in the human resource and recruitment industry to determine how a knowledge worker was defined in their organisations as well as to probe what management and human resources strategies were used to manage knowledge workers to their full potential; The interviews, in addition to the literature study, also served as a basis for a survey questionnaire, which was used to probe the views of knowledge workers to determine tools and strategies managers use to manage them. The empirical results from the study showed some concurrence with best strategies suggested from the theoret ical study. In essence, the study revealed that knowledge was well managed in the organisations where the study was conducted and that the knowledge workers were motivated and productive. However, it appeared that there was uncer tainty around the remuneration, rewards and recognition of these employees, which could ultimately reflect in less promising levels of commitment and lower levels of retention. The main findings were that: knowledge workers should be recognised for their good performance by providing financial incentives; knowledge workers should be provided with opportunities to continuously develop their competencies but be allowed to craft their own developmental experiences; knowledge workers should be empowered by delegat ing tasks to them that carry decision making responsibility and af fectinnovation; and Managers and knowledge workers should cont inuously have performance and organisational development discussions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The meanings of citizenship: media use and democracy in South Africa
- Wasserman, Herman, Garman, Anthea
- Authors: Wasserman, Herman , Garman, Anthea
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/159901 , vital:40354 , https://doi.org/10.1080/02533952.2014.929304
- Description: In 1994, South Africans embarked on a project to create new meanings of citizenship in order to transcend the disenfranchisement and divisions created by apartheid. This article examines the context in which new forms of citizenship are evolving in South Africa and how South African citizens use the media to give meaning to concepts such as “an active public sphere,” “civic agency” and “participatory politics.” The objective of the research is to provide information about the way in which the media contribute to the quality of democracy in South Africa through mediating citizenship in a way that improves prospects for citizens to exert influence over public decisions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Wasserman, Herman , Garman, Anthea
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/159901 , vital:40354 , https://doi.org/10.1080/02533952.2014.929304
- Description: In 1994, South Africans embarked on a project to create new meanings of citizenship in order to transcend the disenfranchisement and divisions created by apartheid. This article examines the context in which new forms of citizenship are evolving in South Africa and how South African citizens use the media to give meaning to concepts such as “an active public sphere,” “civic agency” and “participatory politics.” The objective of the research is to provide information about the way in which the media contribute to the quality of democracy in South Africa through mediating citizenship in a way that improves prospects for citizens to exert influence over public decisions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The media, Equal Education and school learners : an investigation of the possibility of 'political listening' in the South African education crisis
- Mufamadi, Azwihangwisi Eugene
- Authors: Mufamadi, Azwihangwisi Eugene
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Equal Education (Nonprofit organisation) Journalism, Educational -- South Africa Educational equalization -- South Africa Journalism -- Political aspects -- South Africa Education -- Citizen participation Educational change -- South Africa Qualitative research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3524 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011874
- Description: This study sets out to investigate democratic participation in South Africa and the role that media play and can potentially play within this context. It considers a social movement, as one way in which citizens can organise themselves and make their voices heard to improve their chances of making a meaningful contribution to democracy. It employs Susan Bickford's theory of 'political listening', which offers a potential solution to the lack of political representativeness and inclusiveness, by focusing on the way citizens relate to each other through speaking, listening and dialogue. This study examines whether the interaction between learners and the social movement Equal Education could be considered 'political listening', and the current and possible role of the media within this context of participation. The study also attempts to develop and make a contribution to the language of description for the theory of political listening in order to map it onto the data. Using evidence or data gathered through observation of Equal Education's youth group meetings with learners and in-depth interviews with learners, youth group facilitators, Equal Education staff members and journalists, this study shows how the interaction amongst learners and between Equal Education and learners could be considered political listening and how the social movement works as a democratic project which offers learners an opportunity to exercise their citizenship. Furthermore, it also details the current role of the media and possible role of the media as perceived by Equal Education, learners and by journalists who report on Equal Education's activities. The study does not make conclusive claims about whether 'political listening' occurs between Equal Education and learners and the media because the study is exploratory in nature and involves a lot of trial and error when it comes to applying the theory of political listening to interview and textual data, which is a communication context that the theory is only beginning to chart.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mufamadi, Azwihangwisi Eugene
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Equal Education (Nonprofit organisation) Journalism, Educational -- South Africa Educational equalization -- South Africa Journalism -- Political aspects -- South Africa Education -- Citizen participation Educational change -- South Africa Qualitative research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3524 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011874
- Description: This study sets out to investigate democratic participation in South Africa and the role that media play and can potentially play within this context. It considers a social movement, as one way in which citizens can organise themselves and make their voices heard to improve their chances of making a meaningful contribution to democracy. It employs Susan Bickford's theory of 'political listening', which offers a potential solution to the lack of political representativeness and inclusiveness, by focusing on the way citizens relate to each other through speaking, listening and dialogue. This study examines whether the interaction between learners and the social movement Equal Education could be considered 'political listening', and the current and possible role of the media within this context of participation. The study also attempts to develop and make a contribution to the language of description for the theory of political listening in order to map it onto the data. Using evidence or data gathered through observation of Equal Education's youth group meetings with learners and in-depth interviews with learners, youth group facilitators, Equal Education staff members and journalists, this study shows how the interaction amongst learners and between Equal Education and learners could be considered political listening and how the social movement works as a democratic project which offers learners an opportunity to exercise their citizenship. Furthermore, it also details the current role of the media and possible role of the media as perceived by Equal Education, learners and by journalists who report on Equal Education's activities. The study does not make conclusive claims about whether 'political listening' occurs between Equal Education and learners and the media because the study is exploratory in nature and involves a lot of trial and error when it comes to applying the theory of political listening to interview and textual data, which is a communication context that the theory is only beginning to chart.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The natural history of the humpback dolphin, Sousa chinensis, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa : age, growth and reproduction
- Authors: Nolte, Zianca
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Sousa -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dolphins -- Behavior -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dolphins -- Age determination -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dolphins -- Development -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dolphins -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal -- Reproduction , Dolphins -- Physiology -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5878 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013178
- Description: Globally, inshore cetaceans are being threatened by a number of anthropogenic activities. The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, Sousa chinensis, is currently listed as ‘near threatened’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In order to be able to advise on management and conservation strategies, knowledge on the life history of the species is required. To date very little is known about the biology of humpback dolphins. The aim of the present study was to determine basic life history parameters, including age, growth and reproduction of humpback dolphins incidentally caught in shark nets. Age was estimated by counting the growth layer groups (GLGs) in the dentine and cementum of sectioned and stained teeth. Both a Von Bertalanffy and a Gompertz growth curve fitted well to the data, but for comparison with previous studies on Sousa, the Gompertz growth function was adopted to describe the relationship between length and age for KwaZulu-Natal populations. Length at birth was estimated between 104.33 and 111.57 cm for males and females, respectively. Asymptotic length was reached at 266.48 cm and 239.29 cm for males and females, respectively. This corresponds to the attainment of physical maturity at 24 GLGs in males and 16 GLGs in females. Asymptotic mass for males could not be determined, while for females it occurred around 160 kg. The maximum age estimates and recorded lengths were 24 GLGs and 279 cm for males and 17.7 GLGs and 249 cm for females. Differences in length-at-age and mass-at-age for S. chinensis suggest sexual dimorphism. The attainment of sexual maturity in males occurred between 9 and 10 GLGs, corresponding to 230 cm total body length and 140 kg. The maximum combined testis mass of mature males comprised 0.42% of total body mass, and a roving male mating system was proposed. In females, sexual maturity occurred around 7.6 GLG, between 220 and 222 cm and 104 - 140 kg. The ovulation rate is estimated at 0.2 ovulations per annum, suggesting a calving interval of five years. It is evident from the results obtained in the present study that geographical differences exist in the life history parameters of S. chinensis. As a result, regional conservation and management strategies are imperative. Results from this study can therefore assist in assessing the status of existing population structures in the KwaZulu-Natal coastal waters, and the implementation of regional mitigation strategies to ensure the continued survival of humpback dolphins in the region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Nolte, Zianca
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Sousa -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dolphins -- Behavior -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dolphins -- Age determination -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dolphins -- Development -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dolphins -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal -- Reproduction , Dolphins -- Physiology -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5878 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013178
- Description: Globally, inshore cetaceans are being threatened by a number of anthropogenic activities. The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, Sousa chinensis, is currently listed as ‘near threatened’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In order to be able to advise on management and conservation strategies, knowledge on the life history of the species is required. To date very little is known about the biology of humpback dolphins. The aim of the present study was to determine basic life history parameters, including age, growth and reproduction of humpback dolphins incidentally caught in shark nets. Age was estimated by counting the growth layer groups (GLGs) in the dentine and cementum of sectioned and stained teeth. Both a Von Bertalanffy and a Gompertz growth curve fitted well to the data, but for comparison with previous studies on Sousa, the Gompertz growth function was adopted to describe the relationship between length and age for KwaZulu-Natal populations. Length at birth was estimated between 104.33 and 111.57 cm for males and females, respectively. Asymptotic length was reached at 266.48 cm and 239.29 cm for males and females, respectively. This corresponds to the attainment of physical maturity at 24 GLGs in males and 16 GLGs in females. Asymptotic mass for males could not be determined, while for females it occurred around 160 kg. The maximum age estimates and recorded lengths were 24 GLGs and 279 cm for males and 17.7 GLGs and 249 cm for females. Differences in length-at-age and mass-at-age for S. chinensis suggest sexual dimorphism. The attainment of sexual maturity in males occurred between 9 and 10 GLGs, corresponding to 230 cm total body length and 140 kg. The maximum combined testis mass of mature males comprised 0.42% of total body mass, and a roving male mating system was proposed. In females, sexual maturity occurred around 7.6 GLG, between 220 and 222 cm and 104 - 140 kg. The ovulation rate is estimated at 0.2 ovulations per annum, suggesting a calving interval of five years. It is evident from the results obtained in the present study that geographical differences exist in the life history parameters of S. chinensis. As a result, regional conservation and management strategies are imperative. Results from this study can therefore assist in assessing the status of existing population structures in the KwaZulu-Natal coastal waters, and the implementation of regional mitigation strategies to ensure the continued survival of humpback dolphins in the region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014