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: the representation of rape in Lewis Nkosi’s Mating Birds and Arthur Maimane’s Hate No More

  • Authors: Yawa, Sibulele Yola
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: South Africa--Politics and government--1994 , Post-apartheid era--South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21134 , vital:47131
  • Description: The main aim of this thesis is to provide a literary study through a comparative analysis of how sexual politics are played out in the texts Mating Birds by Lewis Nkosi and Hate No More by Arthur Maimane. It seeks to determine the modalities of representation of rape in each text and also to investigate the extent to which the novels are similar or different in the way in which they represent sexual politics or the politics of rape during the apartheid era. This investigation was done using Frantz Fanon‟s postcolonial theory and, particularly, his seminal work, Black Skin, White Masks. Most importantly, for the purpose of this study, is Fanon‟s chapter on the love/sexual relationships between the man of colour and the white woman. This is helpful as Fanon touches on what he believes the attraction of the man of colour to the white woman stems from. Using Fanon‟s theory, one discovers that the motivation for Ndi Sibiya to allegedly rape Veronica stems from his anger at the system of apartheid and its oppression of black people. This is similar to Philip Mokone‟s case; the novel explicitly states that he was motivated by anger and his rape of Jean Ryan was a form of communication to the white people and the apartheid system. , Thesis (MA) (English) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

A framework to improve social media as a communication tool in technical vocational education and training colleges in South Africa: a case of twitter.

  • Authors: Nyamanhare, Sangudzayi Innocent
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Social media , Education, Higher , Universities and colleges
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20495 , vital:46008
  • Description: South Africa uses social media as a communication tool. The use of Twitter as a communication tool in Technical Vocational Education and Training Colleges (TVET) in South Africa is a crucial factor for efficient and effective communication between TVET College administration and stakeholders such as prospective students, students, prospective employers, prospective employees and the Twitter community which follow various Twitter accounts. Literature has found that TVET Colleges use Twitter in a monologic manner which promotes one-way information flow. Twitter is also used in a limited fashion and within silos within TVET Colleges that have incorporated this social media platform into their communication strategy. The main purpose of this research study was to develop a framework to improve social media as a communication tool in TVET Colleges in South Africa. The Social Media-Integration- Theory-Model was used as the theoretical framework to evaluate the use of Twitter in TVET Colleges in South Africa, thus enabling the development of critical success factors to improve the use of social media as a communication tool. The Interpretivist paradigm and qualitative research approach was chosen for this study. Netnography was used to collect the online data from Twitter that was analysed in the study. Data was collected from 36 TVET Colleges in South Africa that have a Twitter account over a one-year period (April 2019 – March 2020). After the data collection, content and thematic analysis were used to analyse the date. The study developed a framework from the analyses of tweets which incorporated the four constructs from the Social-Media-Integration-Theory-Model. The study also developed five critical success factors, namely, procuring and maintaining of ICT infrastructure; implementing a policy that guide the use of social networks for communication purposes in TVET Colleges; raising awareness on the use of Twitter as a tool for communication; intensive training to manage administration of Twitter accounts and appointing champions to promote Twitter as a communication tool in TVET Colleges. , Thesis (MCom) (Information Systems)-- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

Adolescent sexual reproductive health and rights in the Alice area, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

  • Authors: Moko, Zukhanye
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Reproductive health , Right to health , HIV infections
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20676 , vital:46423
  • Description: Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) is a significant aspect of adolescent’s growth. Adolescents particularly girls face the risk of exposure to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), child marriages, high rates of unwanted pregnancy and the risk of those pregnancies can lead to unsafe abortion. In South Africa, considerable progress has been made in achieving improved access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) among the general population, however, some factors influencing SRHR of adolescents and young people have been slow to achieve. The study aims to investigate factors influencing Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights of adolescents in Alice, which is located in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The Social-Ecological Model was considered appropriate for this study as it provides a comprehensive understanding of the multiple and interacting determinants of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights. A qualitative methodology was adopted, involving focus groups with high school learners, in-depth interviews with institutional actors (Department of Health, Basic Education and Social Development), and participant observations. The study reveals that adolescents’ have access to Sexual Reproductive Health services from healthcare centres but only a few utilize or access them due to barriers such as the geographical location, denial and judgement about young people's sexuality limits their access to comprehensive knowledge to protect and promote their Sexual and Reproductive Health. The findings show that the adolescents who were most affected by Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights challenges were those from deep rural areas. They had minimal information/education compared to those residing in areas close to the town of Alice and major roads. Multi-sectoral interventions empowering adolescents and young people to exercise their rights to optimize SRHR service yield better results. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science & Agriculture, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

An analysis of students’ constructions of the ‘fees must Fall’ movement at an historically black university

  • Authors: Chandler, Kelly Jean
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Student movements , College students--Political activity , Student protesters
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21058 , vital:46939
  • Description: The ‘Fees Must Fall’ movement which occured in 2015 and 2016 was a major national event which affected most higher education institutions in South Africa. This research considers the constructions of the ‘Fees Must Fall’ movement at an historically black university, namely, the University of Fort Hare. Furthermore, the research analyzes how students are positioned in their constructions in relation to the movement. The study aims to contribute to the understanding of the lived experiences of student activists in the 2015 and 2016 ‘Fees Must Fall’ movement at the University of Fort Hare. The data collection method used was a convenience sampling method with seven participants interviewed. Making use of the guidelines of a Foucauldian Discourse Analysis, four primary discourses were identified from the data collected: coercion discourses; fear discourses; financial discourses; and meritocracy discourses. The positions of students were varied and consisted of both agentic and submissive positions, with the student representative council frequently being positioned dominantly. The theoretical framework also included Michel Foucault’s theories of governmentality and biopower which contributed significantly to the understandings of institutional power in the university context. The research is conducted against ethical backdrop of the philosophies and guidelines of postcolonial psychology. The broader context of South Africa is observed and discussed, specifically recognizing the legacy of apartheid and other historical antecedents such as colonization. The issues of transformation, institutional racism, and decolonization are placed at the forefront of this research endeavour. , Thesis (MSoc Sci) (Psychology) - - University of Fort Hare, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

An appraisal of the East London Industrial Development Zone’s role in local innovation, entrepreneurship, and industrial development

  • Authors: Masiwa, George Bonginkosi
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Industrialization , Economic development , South Africa -- Economic conditions
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21213 , vital:47406
  • Description: This study focuses on the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ) in South Africa. The ELIDZ strategy came as a response to the need for a robust catalyst for sustainable regional economic development, industrial diversification and to create meaningful employment opportunities in the country. It was supposed to provide customised solutions for various industries including automotive, agro-processing and aqua-culture. However, an Industrial Development Zone should promote innovati on and entrepreneurship to stimulate economic growth and global competitiveness. Economic stagnation, joblessness and inequality continue to be a reality for the previously marginalised groups after 16 years of the ELIDZ despite significant investments in the automotive sector, the growth of companies that supply Mercedes Benz with parts and the establishment and growth of innovative start-up companies at the ELIDZ Science and Technology Park (STP). Massive joblessness, poverty and economic stagnation had followed the collapse of the old industrial parks. The ELIDZ strategy of industrial development came as a response to the demise of the old parks and was meant to become the main vehicle for job creation, local innovation and global competitiveness. This study therefore investigated the extent to which innovation and entrepreneurship have fared in driving sustainable local economic development and how they have impacted jobs at the ELIDZ and within the East London community. The study was qualitative in nature and employed the non-probability sampling technique. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants that included Industrialists, Business Executives that were tenants at the ELIDZ, the Buffalo City Municipal Metro and community members with knowledge of and association with the ELIDZ. This was augmented by desktop and observational data. It was found that innovation and entrepreneurship was still a fairly new phenomenon at the ELIDZ and their flagships had the vision but were not yet driving sustainable local economic development to a large extent. The model lacks adequate diversification as most of the innovation projects are in the renewable energy and information communication spaces. Very few have made it to mass production with downstream industry employment creation for plumbers, artisans and marketers involved in the supply, distribution, instalment and maintenance of the Hotspot and Thin-film solar panels. New industrialists like YEKANI Technologies and Manufacturing and KGI Holdings, already employ some people and have the vision to employ thousands more of young people. The main innovation and entrepreneurship projects of the ELIDZ have had some impact at the grassroots level even though it is still limited. Too few jobs have been created compared to the old industrial parks model. The ELIDZ is therefore playing an important (albeit limited) role as a local employment creator, even though it has not revitalised the Eastern Cape manufacturing landscape. Due to its highly technology driven and specialised skills nature, the ELIDZ model is benefiting the few and therefore has not yet been an effective instrument to resolve the disturbing levels of inequality, poverty and unemployment, that underlie racial, class and gender dynamics in East London. The study concluded that innovation and entrepreneurship projects at the ELIDZ were contributing towards driving sustainable local economic development to some degree. However, due to its narrow industrial focus and highly technical and specialised skills driven business model, it excludes most historically disadvantaged communities and the local academic institutions need to do more to produce the skills relevant to support local innovation and local industrial development in a time when economies rely more on intellectual capabilities rather than natural resources. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

An exploratory analysis of the challenges faced by police in combating mob justice: a case study of Gqeberha

  • Authors: Loqani Anelisa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9944-5947
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Vigilance committees , Criminal justice, Administration of
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22000 , vital:51928
  • Description: Mob justice is a major issue that will continue to occur as long as criminal activities exist. In South Africa, mob justice has become a major challenge for the government, particularly the South African Police Service as well as the society at large. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has partnered with all relevant role-players in the fight against mob justice and other community problems which threaten the safety of inhabitants. However, concerted efforts have also been made by the government to assist the SAPS to address the occurrence and re-occurrence of mob justice by introducing strategies such as visible policing but the problem seems to persist. The study, thus, analyzed the challenges faced by the police that lead to their ineffectiveness in eliminating mob justice. This thesis draws from two theories, namely Structural Violence theory pioneered by Galtung (1969) and Just World Theory (JWT) by Adelstein (1999) to explore the challenges faced by the police in Gqeberha. This study was conducted in the Eastern Cape Province, in Gqeberha within four townships, namely Kwadwesi, Kwazakhele, Motherwell, and New Brighton. The findings gathered by utilizing Focus Group Interviews (FGIs) and semi-structured interviews with a total number of forty-eight (48) respondents comprising of sixteen (16) SAPS members, eight (08) Community Policing Forum (CPF) representatives, four (04) community leaders and twenty (20) community members. This is a qualitative research project in which participants were chosen using purposive sampling. Participants were chosen based on their knowledge and experiences relating to the phenomena being explored. The aim was to gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges encountered by the police in combating mob justice to discover some techniques to improve and strengthen the police service to make communities safer. To analyse the data thematic analysis was utilized. The results of the study indicate that an increase in mob justice in Gqeberha has been reported to be a result of the high rate of crime. However, the fact that people know they will not get arrested for participating in mob justice is one of the concerns that have led to an escalation in mob justice. The study demonstrates that in most incidents the community members have once witnessed in their respective areas, the victims were killed while few survived and in all those incidents only a few arrests were made and in those few arrests, no convictions were made. Based on this issue of arrests, results indicate that the SAPS members are confronting some difficulties in identifying and arresting the perpetrators of mob justice. The reluctance of community members to report mob justice cases and to provide information was found to be the main challenge faced by the police in combating mob justice in Motherwell Cluster precincts. These challenges have been reported to negatively affect police work performance. Further analysis revealed that CPF, community members and community leaders as part of stakeholders who are working together with SAPS are also facing some challenges in addressing this issue of mob justice. The results also indicate that mob justice does not only harm members of the community who are subjected to these occurrences, but also the police, the victims and the perpetrators themselves. Evidence-based techniques to help eradicate mob justice incidents were developed in response to this problem of mob justice. The participants suggested that the police must be provided with adequate manpower, more community patrols and vehicles. It is believed that if the police could act in time and arrest the suspected criminals, a large number of people would be rescued from being killed in mob justice. The respondents also indicated that the police must build good relations with the communities by being visible and transparent in communities. Furthermore, the SAPS participants alluded that when people are sentenced, a community engagement needs to be conducted before those people are released outside as parolees. Other respondents mentioned the issue of education, proposing that the Criminal Justice System (CJS) should frequently conduct awareness campaigns, imbizos and public meetings to teach and inform people about its operations. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

Assessing South African Medical Interns’ Experience and Confidence in Managing Obstetric Emergencies

  • Authors: Miller, Andrew
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Obstetrical emergencies
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6882 , vital:52352
  • Description: Background: Medical doctors in South Africa are required to complete a two-year internship at training hospitals, including a four-month rotation in obstetrics and gynaecology. Following this, doctors are allocated to community service posts; many of which are at district and primary level facilities where supervision is limited. The latest triennial Saving Mothers Report identified district hospitals as the second leading site for maternal deaths of all causes. District hospital were also the leading site for maternal deaths secondary to obstetric haemorrhage and the most likely site for the lack of a skilled doctor to be identified as a factor in deaths associated with caesarean delivery. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to describe the self-perceived readiness of medical interns completing their training to independently manage obstetric emergencies, based on the ESMOE modules in the HPCSA internship logbook. The research assessed medical interns in the last three months of their training, using a self-administered online questionnaire, with data collection between October and December 2019. Cluster sampling of interns at training facilities throughout the country resulted in a total of 182 respondents from 17 hospitals in seven provinces in the country, with an overall response rate of 34.1%. Results: Most interns had experience with, and confidence in, the management of miscarriage and hypertension in pregnancy. However, gaps in labour ward management, pregnancy related sepsis and surgical skills were identified. Only 42.3% of respondents were confident in their ability to diagnose obstructed labour, 26.3% had performed an assisted delivery, 39.0% were confident in their knowledge of the indications and contraindications of assisted deliveries and 35.7% had been involved in the delivery of a baby with shoulder dystocia. Regarding pregnancy related sepsis, 54.4% had experience with managing a wound abscess and 29.7% were confident managing puerperal endometritis. While 78.0% felt confident to perform a caesarean section, only 28.6% had performed uterine compression sutures for uterine atony at caesarean section. Additionally, there was a statistically significant variation in scores between training hospitals. Conclusion: A gap exists between the shortcomings in district hospital obstetric services, the prioritisation of placement of community service doctors at primary care and district hospitals, and the self-perceived readiness of medical interns completing their training to safely manage obstetric emergencies. This highlights the importance of clinical support for junior doctors at district hospitals and standardisation of intern training at accredited facilities across the country. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

Bio-utilization of keratinous waste biomass for the production of keratinolytic proteases by Chryseobactreium aquifrigidense isolated from poultry waste dumpsite

  • Authors: Bokveld, Amahle
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Keratin
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20550 , vital:46120
  • Description: Keratin is an insoluble and a fibrous protein that is mostly found in feathers, animal wool, and hair, making them mechanically stable. Avian feathers are the most ubiquitously generated keratinous waste biomass from the poultry processing plants. Keratinous waste biomass valorization could produce amino acids and bioactive peptides. Hence, the bio-recycling of keratin-rich wastes bears an advantage over the chemical and thermal means. In recent times, the microbial keratinases continues to gain traction due to the litany of their potential significance in green technology. Consequently, this study assessed chicken feather degrading and keratinase production potentials of bacteria isolated from a local poultry dumpsite. Soil samples were collected from the poultry dumpsite. Bacteria were isolated using basal salt medium and screened for keratinolytic activity. The identification of potent chicken feather degrading bacterial isolates was through 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Keratinase production efficiency of isolates on chicken feather constituted medium was optimized. Hydrolysate's amino acid compositions were quantified, and the keratinases produced was characterized. Out of 22 bacteria isolated from the soil samples, 12 showed a varying degree of proteolytic activity on skimmed milk agar. Four (4) isolates, coded as FPS-01, FPS-07, FPS-09, WDS-06, out of the 12 proteolytic strains further displayed remarkable degradation of the intact chicken feather; percentage degradation ranged from 69 percent for FPS-01 to 88 percent for FPS-09. The extracellular keratinase activity ranged from 610.91 ± 56.57 U/mL for WDS-06 and 834.55 ± 66.86 U/mL for FPS-07. Additionally, the sulfhydryl group concentration quantified from the fermentation broth was 2.22 ± 0.37 (mM), 0.22 ± 0.08 (mM), 2.27 ± 0.09 (mM), and 2.76 ± 0.79 (mM) for FPS-01, FPS-07, FPS-09 and WDS-06, respectively. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analyses, the isolates FPS-07 and FPS-09 were identified as Chryseobacterium aquifrigidense FANN1 and Chryseobacterium aquifrigidense FANN2. Following the optimization process, the improved fermentation conditions were pH 6, inoculum side (4 percent, v/v), temperature (30 oC), and chicken feather (0.5-1.5 percent, w/v) for FANN1. FANN2 optimal fermentation conditions were pH 6, inoculum (5 percent, v/v), temperature (30 oC), and chicken feather (1.5 percent, w/v). Both bacterial isolates showed the highest extracellular keratinase production after 72 h of the fermentation time. Analysis of the hydrolysates generated from the bacteria fermentation showed a high concentration of arginine, serine, glutamic acid, glycine, proline, valine, and leucine at a respective concentration of 1.13, 1.02, 0.83, 0.94, 0.85, 0.84, and 0.86 (g/100g sample) against FANN1. Similarly, FANN2 generated hydrolysate showed high concentrations of glutamic acid, arginine, serine, aspartic acid, and glycine at this respective abundance 2.52, 1.92, 2.12, 2.25 and 1.9 (g/100g sample). Keratinases from FANN1 and FANN2 showed optimal catalytic efficiency at pH 8 and temperature between 40-50 oC. The enzyme was considerably thermostable at 40 oC and 50 oC after 120 min of preheating. Both FANN1 and FANN2 showed variable residual activity in the presence of the different metal ions. Keratinase from FANN1 recorded the following residual activity of Fe3+ (120 ± 5.06 percent), Ca2+ (100 ± 10.33 percent), Na+ (122 ± 2.95 percent), Al3+ (106 ± 10.33 percent). Likewise, FANN2 keratinase showed remarkable stability against Na+ (108 ± 13.71 percent), Ba2+ (102 ± 0.86 percent), Al3+ (105 ± 2.57 percent), and Ca2+ (96 ± 2.99 percent). Keratinase from FANN1 was catalytically activated after 60 min of pre-treatment with the following detergents, Sunlight (129 percent), Ariel (116 percent), MAQ (151 percent), and Surf (143 percent) compared to the control. FANN2 keratinase showed less stability with laundry detergents after 60 min of preincubation. FANN1 keratinase showed remarkable stability in the presence of chemical agents tested, with residual activity of 90 ± 0.18 percent, 105 ± 7.55 percent, 108 ± 4.31 percent, 123 ± 1.44 percent, 132 ± 1.26 percent, 96 ± 7.19 percent, and 101 ± 3.06 percent for DTT, hydrogen peroxide, DMSO, acetonitrile, triton X-100, tween-80, and SDS, respectively. The enzyme activity was also considerably inhibited by PMSF and EDTA, which suggested a mixed type of protease. Furthermore, keratinase from FANN2 was inhibited by EDTA, and such inhibition pattern grouped it as a metallo-type of protease. The enzyme was also stable in the presence of other chemical agents tested. Therefore, the findings suggest the isolates and their enzymes' relevance to sustainable recycling of recalcitrant keratinous wastes into high-value products with immense application potentials. The remarkable stability shown by keratinases from FANN1 and FANN2, post detergent and chemical agents pre-treatment, indicates promise for the biotechnology and industrial sector. , Thesis(MSc) (Microbiology) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

Bioconversion of chicken feather into amino acids and keratinase production by mesophilic Chryseobacterium proteolyticum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from municipal waste dumpsites

  • Authors: Giwu, Nonkonzo https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9416-7896
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Poultry -- Processing , Proteolytic enzymes
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22732 , vital:52720
  • Description: Chicken feathers are by-products of poultry processing which are generated in large amount because of the global growing demand for poultry meats. They have high contents of crude proteins in the form of keratin which could be valorized into digestible products. Keratinases are classified as a specific collection of proteolytic enzymes that have the ability for the degradation of recalcitrant keratinous substrates. Isolation and characterization of these enzymes from various microbial producers are gaining prominence in recent years due to their industrial and biotechnological application potentials. For this research, the collection of soil samples was done as well as the isolation of bacteria and the screening for keratinolytic activity. 16S rDNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were used to identify the isolates with efficient chicken feathers degrading capacity. Optimum conditions for the fermentation prcocess was enhanced for the production of keratinase. The fermentation broth was also analysed for various amino acids of protein, and the biochemical properties of the enzymes were likewise determined. Twenty two (22) bacteria were isolated from the soil samples, and 18 out of the 22 isolates showed proteolytic activity on solid media with diameters of halo zone that ranged from 5 ± 0.71 mm for isolate coded as PSS-03 to 25 ± 1.41 mm for isolate coded as PSS-06. Intact chicken feathers were degraded by proteolytic bacterial isolates in variable degree that ranged from 24percent for PSS-10 and 81percent for DSS-02. Extracellular keratinase production recorded for the isolates ranged from 63.63 ± 4.14 U/mL for PSS-10 to 693.63 ± 62.99 U/mL for DSS-02. Based on 16S rDNA sequence and phylogenetic analysis, the 2 isolates with remarkable keratinolytic activity coded as DSS-02 and PSS-14 were identified as Chryseobacterium proteolyticum FGNn and Pseudomonas aeruginosa GNFx. C. proteolyticum showed the maximum keratinase production of 756.36 U/mL after 72 h of incubation at optimized fermentation conditions which involved initial medium pH (4), incubation temperature (30 oC), inoculum size (2percent; v/v), and chicken feathers (1.5percent; w/v). Similarly, P. aeruginosa optimally produced keratinase (1055.45 U/mL) after 96 h of incubation at optimized fermentation conditions that involved initial medium pH (7-8), incubation temperature (30 oC), inoculum size (5percent; v/v), and chicken feathers (2.5percent; w/v). Furthermore, feather hydrolysate from C. proteolyticum FGNn had relatively higher abundance (>1.5g/100g sample) of arginine (1.85), serine (1.63), glycine (1.9) and lysine (1.62); while P. aeruginosa GNFx feather hydrolysate showed high abundance of arginine, serine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, alanine, valine, and leucine with respective concentration of 2.06, 1.67, 2.39, 3.05, 1.87, 1.73, 1.56 and 1.65 (g/100g sample). The results showed that keratinases from the two bacterial isolates were optimally active at pH 8, and temperature of 50 oC for FGNn keratinase and 50-60 oC for GNFx keratinase. The enzymes displayed remarkable pH stability. Keratinase from C. proteolyticum was catalytically inhibited by EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline but not affected by PMSF; while P. aeruginosa keratinase was not significantly affected by those class of protease inhibitors. Adiitionally, FGNn keratinase demonstrated high residual activity of 90percent, 103percent, 101percent, 110percent, 130, and 105percent in the presence of DTT, hydrogen peroxides, acetonitrile, triton X-100, tween-80 and SDS, respectively. Similarly, catalytic efficiency of GNFx keratinase was promoted in the presence of hydrogen peroxides (119percent), triton X-100 (140percent), tween-80 (150percent) and SDS (147percent) compared to the control. Furthermore, the keratinases from the both bacterial isolates exhibited catalytic efficiency enhancement and remarkable structural stability in the presence of laundry detergents tested. The findings from the study suggest the application potentials of the isolates for the bioconversion of recalcitrant keratinous wastes into digestible and quality protein hydrolysates. The properties of these microbial keratinases indicate that they may be exploited for various biotechnological and industrial processes especially in the formulation of detergents. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

Chicken feather delipidation by lipolytic bacteria isolated from an aquatic environment

  • Authors: Shiri, Tariro https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0290-9854
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Keratin
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21479 , vital:48693
  • Description: Keratinous biomass contributes a significant proportion of agro-based wastes in the ecosystem with minimal potentials for valuable product recovery. The generation of huge quantities of chicken feather from poultry processing farms prompts the valorization attempt via diverse avenues. Chicken feathers are a rich source of valuable keratin, yet the overall value chain is rudimentary based on unsustainable recovery techniques involving corrosive chemicals and high energy input processes. Although attempts have been made to extract keratin using microbial techniques successfully, the pre-treatment stage remains dominated by chemical use. Chicken feathers are composed of approximately 91percent keratin, 1percent lipids, and 8percent water. Therefore, lipid removal is a critical step in the valorization process as they contribute to access hindrance of the keratinases and other sulfitolytic systems to keratin. Consequently, the study undertook to explore the environment for lipolytic bacteria capable of degrading chicken feathers' lipid components. Sediment samples were collected for bacteria isolation. The bacteria were evaluated for lipolytic activity, and the potent isolates were identified based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The fermentation conditions for the production of extracellular lipases were optimized, and the produced lipases were characterized. Lastly, chicken feather lipids were hydrolysed with lipolytic bacteria. Out of twenty bacteria isolated from the sediment samples, six isolates coded as ACT003, ACT004, ACT010, ACT013, ACT016, and ACT019 showed lipolytic activity on solid media with a respective diameter of 12 mm, 66 mm, 29 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, and 10 mm. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, the isolates coded as ACT004 and ACT010 were identified as Bacillus sp. TTs1 and Bacillus sp. TTs2; and the nucleotide sequences were submitted to GenBank (NCBI) with the accession numbers MW556206 and MW556207, respectively. Bacillus sp. TTs1 showed the maximum lipase production of 641.25 U/mL at 72 h, under optimized conditions that included initial pH (5), inoculum size (2percent, v/v), incubation temperature (45 oC), agitation speed (140 rpm), CaCl2 (0.01percent, w/v), yeast extract (1percent, w/v), and tween-80 (10percent, v/v). Similarly, the lipase production by Bacillus sp. TTs2 peaked at 96 h with enzyme activity of 618.8 U/mL in improved fermentation conditions consisting of initial pH (5), inoculum size (2-8percent, v/v), incubation temperature (25 oC), agitation speed (180 rpm), CaCl2 (0.01percent, w/v), yeast extract and peptone (1percent, w/v), and tween-80 (10percent, v/v). The evaluation of chicken feather concentrations on free fatty acid liberation showed that 6-8percent (w/v) chicken feather was adequate with free fatty acids contents of 0.58percent and 0.86percent for Bacillus sp. TTs1 and Bacillus sp. TTs2, respectively. Both isolates' lipases showed remarkable catalytic efficiency at pH and temperature of 7 and 40oC, respectively. The comparative analysis of residual lipids between pre-and post-fermentation indicated a 39.9 ± 7.8percent and 51.2 ± 20.2percent hydrolysis efficiency for Bacillus sp. TTs1 and Bacillus sp. TTs2, respectively. This study's findings indicated the lipolytic potentials of Bacillus spp. and suggest the possibility of a full bio-based approach for chicken feather lipid removal in the valorization of chicken feathers. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

Democratic citizenship in mathematics teachers’ preparation in South African Universities

  • Authors: Olawale, Babawande Emmanuel https://orcid.org/ 0000-0001-5265-1583
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Citizenship -- Study and teaching , Authoritarianism , Mathematics -- Study and teaching
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20079 , vital:45107
  • Description: Promoting a clearer understanding of the role of schools in developing democratic dispositions among young citizens is a matter of importance across the world. This is because school is believed to be the best place where future free and democratic citizens can be prepared. Similarly, it is a place where young people are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge that will assist them in deliberating democratically, developing a better understanding of political structures and economic and world history, and learning the relevant numeracy, literacy and critical thinking skills. Unfortunately, current teacher education programmes appear to represent potential stumbling blocks to schooling playing a greater role in educating the youth for democracy and democratic citizenship. This study explored two contradictory theoretical roles for mathematics teacher education programmes, in relation to power and control in education and society. The first is that, in reality, mathematics teacher education is essentially re-productive, in that its authoritarian relationship does not encourage confrontational discussion or critique, or challenge existing and dominant practices. The second is that, in a world where democracy is increasingly becoming a global phenomenon central to development, teacher education is (or should be) essentially democratic in nature. Thus, underpinned by the interpretivist paradigm, this study employed a qualitative research approach. It also utilised a case study design as a strategy for data collection, in order to explore how the mathematics teacher education programmes in South African universities prepare learners for democratic citizenship. As such, three universities in two provinces in South Africa participated in the study, and data were collected through interviews, observation and document reviews. At each institution, interviews were carried out with mathematics teacher educators and pre-service mathematics student teachers in their second to fourth year of study. Similarly, observations took place in different teaching sessions at each institution, and in different formats. Relevant documents were also reviewed for the study. The research findings revealed that the concepts of democracy and democratic citizenship are multifaceted. The participants’ understanding of these concepts was influenced by their individual expectations, as well as their social, political and economic environments, among many other factors. In addition, it was evident that mathematics teacher education programmes play a significant role in developing socially active citizens and democratic mathematics teachers. The research findings revealed, however, that contradictions exist between pedagogical approaches that are capable of developing democratic citizens, mathematics teacher educators’ ideal image of their practices within the classroom, and the participants’ conception of mathematics. As a result, no engagement occurs in social and critical pedagogy within mathematics education classrooms, to allow learners to view mathematics as a tool for confronting issues of justice and inequality in their community and the world at large. The research findings also revealed that the practices of the main structures which are tasked with the responsibility of promoting democratic practices within higher education institutions seem ineffective, as a result of favouritism and an autocratic approach to decision making. Based on the research findings, a recommendation is made that mathematics educators democratise their classrooms, in order to develop democratic citizens who are committed to democratic principles. Another recommendation is that, in their mathematics classrooms, educators use a problem-posing pedagogical approach which is capable of challenging power structures, thereby empowering learners as users of mathematics. This will not be possible without a professional development programme guiding mathematics teacher educators in establishing and managing their democratic classrooms. Similarly, it is recommended that student representative councils, as the structures that are best known for supporting democratic citizenship at universities, strive to follow the basic principles of democratic governance. Finally, the researcher concluded that mathematics education and the task of preparing mathematics student teachers for democratic citizenship are of the utmost importance, if South Africans are to cultivate and maintain a democracy that contributes to a culture which fundamentally supports democratic principles. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

Electrochemical sensing based on functionalised carbon dots prepared by bottom-up approach

  • Authors: Madikizela, Ziyanda https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0405-8464
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Electrochemical analysis , Electrodes, Carbon
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22545 , vital:52424
  • Description: This research was aimed at preparing carbon dots using the microwave method as a bottomup synthetic approach. The prepared carbon dots were them to be used as an electrode modifier in electrochemical detection of metal ion. The structure of the carbon dots prepared were characterized using different techniques including the FTIR, TEM, UV-Vis, PL, XRD and Raman Spectroscopy. It was observed that the nanoparticles consisted of carboxylic acid, amine and alcohol functional groups at their core and surface. UV-Vis and PL revealed that the carbon dots absorb more light in the visible and ultraviolet region, and the sizes of the carbon dots prepared were less than 10 nm. The carbon dots were then utilized for electrochemical sensing of Cd2+ ion, which is considered as one of harmful heavy metal ion when not controlled. Glassy carbon electrode modified with the carbon dots was utilized for the detection of Cd2+ through square wave voltammetry. Effect of different experimental parameters was studied which include electrode preparation, frequency, and amplitude. The electrochemical characterization of the electrode was done using the cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), the modified electrode was found conductive with much improved electrochemical performances. The obtained detection limit for Cd2+ sensing was 9.39 ppb, the developed C-dots modified GCE electrode was also tested with tap water Cd2+ spiked solution to demonstrate its implementation in real sample analysis. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

Enhancing the psychological strength of adolescent rugby players in South African secondary schools : the effects of Rational-Emotive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment Therapy

  • Authors: Munnik, James Barry https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8211-4260
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Rational emotive behavior therapy , Acceptance and commitment therapy , Psychotherapy
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22111 , vital:51984
  • Description: This thesis aimed, firstly, to test the psychological effects of two psychological interventions designed to enhance the psychological strength of competitive athletes; and, secondly, to possibly determine which intervention might be considered superior to the other. The third aim of this thesis was to explore the results of the findings in terms of both their shared and differential theories. The two psychological approaches in question were Rational-Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT) – supplemented with adjunctive Mental Skills Training (MST) techniques and the Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) approach. To test the psychological strengthening effects of both interventions and to compare the results, a non-equivalent pre-test post-test control group design was followed which utilised a control group along with purposive sampling. Various dependent variables were investigated using seven instruments. Variables tested included: - mental wellbeing, irrational beliefs, mental toughness, achievement motivation and competitive anxiety, as well as anger and frustration levels and subjective performance. The instruments used to capture these variables were: - The Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF); Shortened General Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (SGABS); the Sport Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ); the Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT); as well as one five-point Likert question written by the researcher and one question from the Psychological Skills Inventory (PSI). Seventy-one male adolescent rugby players, from three different schools were sourced to take part in this study. Thus 32 (Mage = 17.33; SD = 6= .729) participants from one high school completed the seven-session REBT-Based MST intervention. 21 (Mage = 17.23; SD = .669) from another school completed the seven-module MAC intervention and 18 (Mage = 15.52; SD = .326) from an additional school were used as a control group school. All three group participants filled out the instrument questionnaires prior to undergoing the various interventions and just following it. Each intervention’s sessions were about an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes long. The control group just filled out the instrument questionnaires in about the same time frame that the other schools had their pre- and post-intervention assessments. The results demonstrated that generally both interventions improved the psychological strength of their players more so than the control group, however, the REBT intervention decreased irrationality and improved subjective performance measures more significantly when compared to the other treatment group. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

Investigations of water deficit interactions with heat and elevated carbon dioxide in wheat

  • Authors: Mavindidze, Peter
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Plants--Effect of heat on , Growth (Plants)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20664 , vital:46422
  • Description: Future climate is predicted to be characterised by elevated carbon dioxide (eCO2), as well as more incidences of heat and water deficit. eCO2 has been widely reported as enhancing growth, biomass and grain yield. To investigate the interactive effects of abiotic stresses on genotypic performance, an experiment was established in open-top chambers at the University of Rhodes eCO2 facility in Grahamstown, South Africa. The specific objectives of the study were: i) to evaluate the effects of eCO2 on wheat grain yield, yield components and grain quality under heat and terminal water deficit conditions; ii) to identify cultivar sources of tolerance to combined water deficit and heat stress under eCO2; iii) to identify appropriate stress indices that can be used as screening tools for tolerance to combined effects of water deficit and heat stress under eCO2. A total of 19 wheat genotypes were evaluated in three environments varying in CO2, temperature and water deficit during the 2019 winter season. The experiment was laid out in a split-split plot design arranged in blocks inside the chambers. The parameters recorded were: leaf water potential (LWP), biomass content (TB), number of productive tillers (NPT), days to flowering (DTA), days to maturity (DTM), plant height (PH), thousand kernel weight (TKW), number of kernels per spike (KPS), kernel weight per spike (KWS) and total grain weight (TGW). The following stress indices were determined: tolerance index, stress tolerance, yield susceptibility index, mean productivity, geometric mean productivity, stress intensity index and yield index. Elevated atmospheric CO2 ameliorated the negative effects of combined heat and water deficit stress by enhancing LWP, NPT, KPS, TB and TGW. Wheat genotypes responded the same way to CO2 with respect to grain yield. Furthermore, adequate water supply mitigated the adverse effects of heat stress. In addition, the combined effects of eCO2, heat and water deficit are confounding and hypo-additive in nature. The separation of environmental effects revealed that significant genotypic responses on grain yield and biomass were caused by heat and water deficit stress, while eCO2 mitigated their negative effects, promoting growth and reproduction. Both Principal component analysis (PCA) biplot analysis and cultivar superiority measure proved to be reliable statistical tools since they managed to identify 13-5HTSBWYT-H18, Ncema and SST8135 as having both specific adaptations to future climates as well as wide adaption to multiple environments. The genotypes may be used as sources (parents for crosses) for wide adaptation in breeding programmes in the wake of predicted future climate environments. PCA biplot analysis identified mean productivity (MP) and geometric mean productivity (GMP) as the best indices; hence can also be as secondary traits complimenting traditional agronomic and physiological traits in wheat breeding under environments varying in water availability, CO2 and temperature. The interactive effects of eCO2 with heat and water deficit stress did not significantly compromise the grain physical characteristics, flour extraction, protein content, falling number and flour ash. eCO2 ameliorated the negative effects of heat and water deficit by increasing protein content by 4.75 percent , Thesis (MSc) (Crop Science) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

Keratinous poultry waste valorization through novel keratinases of C. cucumeris and S. multivorium isolated from poultry sludge

  • Authors: Qaphela, Hendrick
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Food--Biotechnology , Poultry , Poultry industry
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20860 , vital:46640
  • Description: Annually, about 55 percent of keratinous wastes are generated from various agro-industrial processing farms in South Africa. These wastes are difficult to handle due to structural integrity; hence, they constitute environmental issues due to the disposal means. Degradation of keratinous wastes using microbial-based technology has been deemed advantageous as it generates products with high-end values. Therefore, in this study, chicken feather and soil samples were collected from a local poultry farm, and bacteria were isolated using basal salt media supplemented with chicken feathers. The isolates were evaluated for proteolytic and keratinolytic potentials. The potent isolates were identified through 16S rDNA sequence and phylogenetic analysis. Fermentation media were optimized for enhanced keratinase production, and the amino acids liberated in the media during feather biodegradation were quantified. The biochemical properties of the keratinases produced were likewise determined. Ten (10) proteolytic bacteria were obtained from 20 isolates recovered from the samples with a diameter of halo on skimmed milk agar plate ranging from 15.5 ± 0.71 (mm) for isolate coded as PSW-15 to 28 ± 1.41 (mm) for isolate coded as PSW-08. The proteolytic bacteria showed variable keratinolytic potentials with percentage feather degradation that ranged from 29 percent for PSW-11 to 84 percent for PSW-14, and keratinase activity ranging from 99.99 U/mL for PSW-15 to 761.82 U/mL for PSW-14. The most potent isolates coded as PSW-14 and PSW-16 were identified as Chryseobacterium cucumeris FHN1 and Sphingobacterium multivorum HNFx. Their nucleotide sequences were submitted to the GenBank as MW16587 and MK82939, respectively. The optimization of fermentation conditions; C. cucumeris FHN1 showed improved activity at pH 5 - 6, inoculum size (4 percent, v/v), chicken feather concentration (1 percent, w/v), fermentation temperature (25o C). Similarly, S. multivorum HNFx showed optimal activity at pH 4.0, inoculum size (5 percent, v/v), chicken feather concentration (2.5 percent, w/v), and fermentation temperature (25-30 oC). C. cucumeris FHN1 and S. multivorum HNFx showed maximum keratinase production of 485.54 U/mL and 526.36 U/mL at 96 h and 72 h of incubation period respectively. Serine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and proline were the most abundant amino acids in the degraded chicken feathers, and upon quantitation, the following concentration was respectively obtained; 3.71, 3.4, 4.19 and 4.35 (g/100g sample) against C. cucumeris FHN1. While S. multivorum HNFx yielded aspartic acid (2.04 g/100g sample) and glutamic acid (2.0 g/100g sample) in high concentration. The keratinases showed optimal catalytic efficiency at pH and temperature of 8.0 and 90 oC, respectively. C. cucumeris FHN1 keratinase was inhibited by metal ion chelating agents; EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline, suggesting a metallo-type of protease. The enzyme showed remarkable stability after pre-treatment with DTT, Fe2+, Fe3+ and Cu2+, with respective residual activity of 108 percent, 102 percent, 114 percent, and 104 percent. The S. multivorum HNFx keratinase; activity was not inhibited by serine- and metallo-protease inhibitors. It maintained the following residual activity against the following chemical agents; DTT (124 percent), hydrogen peroxide (152 percent), DMSO (161 percent), triton X-100 (152 percent), tween-80 (101 percent), and metal ions; Fe2+ (128 percent), Fe3+ (104 percent), K+ (117 percent), Ca2+ (104 percent), Na+ (103 percent), Ba2+ (115 percent), Al3+ (126 percent). The enzyme showed a substantial loss of catalytic efficiency after pre-incubation with various laundry detergents. The keratinases' remarkable stability in the presence of various chemical agents and metal ions tested suggests biotechnological and industrial application potentials. Consequently, the isolates portend industrial relevance for keratinous waste valorization and an excellent source of keratinases of industrial relevance. , Thesis (MSc) (Microbiology) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-02

Keratinous poultry wastes valorization through novel keratinases of Chryseobacterium cucumeris and Sphingobacterium multivorum isolated from poultry sludge

  • Authors: Hendrick, Qaphela https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7529-8129
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Agricultural wastes , Factory and trade waste
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21400 , vital:48537
  • Description: Annually, about 55percent of keratinous wastes are generated from various agro-industrial processing farms in South Africa. These wastes are difficult to handle due to structural integrity; hence, they constitute environmental issues due to the disposal means. Degradation of keratinous wastes using microbial-based technology has been deemed advantageous as it generates products with high-end values. Therefore, in this study, chicken feather and soil samples were collected from a local poultry farm, and bacteria were isolated using basal salt media supplemented with chicken feathers. The isolates were evaluated for proteolytic and keratinolytic potentials. The potent isolates were identified through 16S rDNA sequence and phylogenetic analysis. Fermentation media were optimized for enhanced keratinase production, and the amino acids liberated in the media during feather biodegradation were quantified. The biochemical properties of the keratinases produced were likewise determined. Ten (10) proteolytic bacteria were obtained from 20 isolates recovered from the samples with a diameter of halo on skimmed milk agar plate ranging from 15.5 ± 0.71 (mm) for isolate coded as PSW-15 to 28 ± 1.41 (mm) for isolate coded as PSW-08. The proteolytic bacteria showed variable keratinolytic potentials with percentage feather degradation that ranged from 29percent for PSW-11 to 84percent for PSW-14, and keratinase activity ranging from 99.99 U/mL for PSW-15 to 761.82 U/mL for PSW-14. The most potent isolates coded as PSW-14 and PSW-16 were identified as Chryseobacterium cucumeris FHN1 and Sphingobacterium multivorum HNFx. Their nucleotide sequences were submitted to the GenBank as MW16587 and MK82939, respectively. The optimization of fermentation conditions; C. cucumeris FHN1 showed improved activity at pH 5 - 6, inoculum size (4percent, v/v), chicken feather concentration (1percent, w/v), fermentation temperature (25o C). Similarly, S. multivorum HNFx showed optimal activity at pH 4.0, inoculum size (5percent, v/v), chicken feather concentration (2.5percent, w/v), and fermentation temperature (25-30 oC). C. cucumeris FHN1 and S. multivorum HNFx showed maximum keratinase production of 485.54 U/mL and 526.36 U/mL at 96 h and 72 h of incubation period respectively. Serine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and proline were the most abundant amino acids in the degraded chicken feathers, and upon quantitation, the following concentration was respectively obtained; 3.71, 3.4, 4.19 and 4.35 (g/100g sample) against C. cucumeris FHN1. While S. multivorum HNFx yielded aspartic acid (2.04 g/100g sample) and glutamic acid (2.0 g/100g sample) in high concentration. The keratinases showed optimal catalytic efficiency at pH and temperature of 8.0 and 90 oC, respectively. C. cucumeris FHN1 keratinase was inhibited by metal ion chelating agents; EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline, suggesting a metallo-type of protease. The enzyme showed remarkable stability after pre-treatment with DTT, Fe2+, Fe3+ and Cu2+, with respective residual activity of 108percent, 102percent, 114percent, and 104percent. The S. multivorum HNFx keratinase; activity was not inhibited by serine- and metallo-protease inhibitors. It maintained the following residual activity against the following chemical agents; DTT (124percent), hydrogen peroxide (152percent), DMSO (161percent), triton X-100 (152percent), tween-80 (101percent), and metal ions; Fe2+ (128percent), Fe3+ (104percent), K+ (117percent), Ca2+ (104percent), Na+ (103percent), Ba2+ (115percent), Al3+ (126percent). The enzyme showed a substantial loss of catalytic efficiency after pre-incubation with various laundry detergents. The keratinases' remarkable stability in the presence of various chemical agents and metal ions tested suggests biotechnological and industrial application potentials. Consequently, the isolates portend industrial relevance for keratinous waste valorization and an excellent source of keratinases of industrial relevance. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-02

Outcomes of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis in Two Rural District Hospitals, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: Lotz, John-D Knipe
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Medicinal plants
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6834 , vital:51018
  • Description: Tuberculosis (TB) is still rampant in South Africa, and drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) forms a significant part of this burden on both the health care system and economy. A number of interventions have recently been introduced to help curb the growing epidemic of DR-TB, including increasing access to novel and repurposed drugs, decentralisation of care, and a new shorter (9-11 month) treatment regimen recently endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Significantly, this new regimen has now also become injectable-free (also known as an all-oral regimen). However, at the time of implementation in 2017, the shorter regimen was yet to be proven effective in a programmatic setting in South Africa. This is a retrospective cohort study to describe the outcomes in patients on short and long DR-TB treatment regimens, over five years, at two treatment sites in a rural setting in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is the hope that elucidation of factors involved in affecting outcomes in DR-TB may direct future interventions in these two facilities, and the wider DR-TB program in South Africa , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

Reinforcing the protection of stakeholders’ interests under the South African takeover regulation regime: a comparative assessment from a complementary regulatory perspective.

  • Authors: Mudzamiri, Justice
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Social responsibility of business , Stockholder wealth , Corporate governance--Law and legislation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20350 , vital:45658
  • Description: The dominant view in company law (especially; corporate governance and finance law) is that the regulation of company takeovers (takeovers) and-/ or mergers must carefully balance two opposing notions. On one hand, the regime must be designed to enable or facilitate the initiation and successful implementation of takeovers and mergers in the interests of inter alia economic growth and technological advancement. On the other hand, such a regulatory framework ought to be sensitive to stakeholders’ interests. Various policy rationales are put forward in supporting the incidence of takeover transactions. These motivations include the need for companies to access business synergy, diversification, competitiveness, technological advancement, and broader economic development. However, takeovers may have negative implications for stakeholders. For feasibility sake, this study’s focus is limited to three stakeholder groups, namely, the target company shareholders, the target company directors, and the local communities. For the target shareholders, the takeover-related mischiefs include the possibility that the target directors may be tainted by conflicts of interest in the context of an offer, thereby making recommendations that disadvantage the shareholders. Or the possibility that the minority shareholders may be treated unfairly and unequally by the acquiring company through making a subsequent offer that is inferior to the one received by the majority holders of securities of the same class. For the board of directors, there are twin negative effects that the directors may face. On the one hand, is litigation from disgruntled stakeholders during and after takeovers and, on the other hand, is the possibility that directors often lose their offices and jobs after successful takeovers. This study also examines the possible exposure of local communities to the negative repercussions of takeovers, and these include loss of employment by locals, loss of beneficial community development, loss of community development monies due to losses in corporate taxes, loss of corporate social responsibility benefits where the merged company decides to relocate. Still, the introduction of a new company into a community after a takeover may negatively impact the environment, public health as well as expose the community to severe national security threats especially where the takeovers involve personal data storage, the internet and technology. Against the backdrop of the conceivable benefits and adverse effects surrounding takeovers this study introduces a ‘novel’ complementary regulatory perspective, as a yardstick for undertaking a comparative evaluation of the existing takeover regulation regimes of the United States of America (US) especially the state of Delaware, the United Kingdom (UK) and South Africa to answer this study’s main research question. The primary question sought to be answered is: To what extent are the provisions of the South African takeover regulation framework appropriate and adequate in protecting the stakeholders’ interests? The said complementary regulatory perspective has twin-legs designed to carefully balance two opposing philosophies: that is, on one hand, vigilant optimisation of takeover activity and on the other hand, ensuring the appropriate and adequate protection of stakeholders’ interests by pursuing stakeholder inclusivity through the concept of subordination. Notably, there are several protections under the US, the UK and South African takeover regulation regimes that are available and accessible to the three stakeholder groups identified, discussed and evaluated in this study. And through the evaluations, the related merits and weaknesses of such protections were established. Then, ultimately, several suggestions for law reform are recommended in accordance with the ethos of the complementary regulatory perspective as deliberated. , Thesis (PhD) (Law)-- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

South African women in politics: the case study of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: Sokani, Andile https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3835-3501
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Women -- Political activity -- South Africa , Women government executives
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22340 , vital:52026
  • Description: Many barriers exist for women to participating in local or national politics and decisionmaking. This study, which was conducted in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality of South Africa's Eastern Cape Province, examines and highlights the extent to which South Africa has provided opportunities for women to participate in local politics and decisionmaking in local government. According to research, women face gender discrimination in local politics, particularly in provinces such as the Eastern Cape, where patriarchy still exists. Despite the fact that much work has been done in South Africa to combat gender discrimination, including in politics, women continue to be under-represented in local politics and decision-making. The study was founded on Feminist theory to draw attention to the issue of women's under-representation in politics. Feminists believe that the benefits and burdens of social, economic, and political life are gendered. According to feminist theory, the gender-power-order is always present in our society. The notion that women and their situations are central to political analysis is a central feature of feminist political theory, with its interest in questioning the fact that men appear to have more power and privilege than women and how this can be changed. The mixed-methods research approach was used in the study, and 200 members of the community were given questionnaires. Ten in-depth interviews with female Proportional Representation and Ward Councillors from the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province were conducted. The study's data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for quantitative data and NVivo 12 Pro for qualitative data. Based on the study's theoretical frameworks, the findings revealed that, despite national and international policy and legislative provisions on women's empowerment and gender equality, women continue to face institutional gendered challenges. The researcher observed that, while there are policies encouraging women to participate in politics, the implementation of those policies is not uniform, according to those who participated in the study. The findings argued that existing policies should be implemented in order for women to participate in politics. The government must ensure that these policies are implemented so that women can fully participate in politics. The study's findings revealed that there are ongoing gender dynamics, stereotypes, and perceptions of women in politics and decision-making in local municipalities, particularly in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. According to the study's findings, women should be empowered in the right way. The study also recommended that young females be educated about politics in order to increase their participation in politics. Furthermore, the study suggested that political parties in BCM should encourage women to participate in politics in their constitutions. Political parties in BCM should prioritize women because they are a direct pathway for women to elected office and political leadership. Finally, the study advocated for a greater effort to break down traditional stereotypes and prejudices that make women's ascension and retention in positions of authority difficult. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-02

Succession politics and state administration in Africa: the case of Zimbabwe

  • Authors: Chikerema, Arthur Fidelis
  • Date: 2021-02
  • Subjects: Africa -- Politics and government , Public administration , state governments
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21355 , vital:48494
  • Description: The research probes the impact of succession politics on state administration in Africa, Zimbabwe as a case study. Power transition in any political landscape promotes the regeneration and configuration of the political architecture and the functionality of the administrative apparatus of the state. Government performance may thus be viewed as a result of political processes and dynamics that influence governance in a polity. Political succession determines the composition of administrative organs of the state and many political leaders wish to work with administrative apparatus, which are compatible with their ideological orientation. Regular transfer of executive power is the major test of stability, legitimacy and maturity of a nation’s political system, but in Zimbabwe, political leaders have shown a consistent trajectory of violating or amending state and party constitutions to prolong their stay in power (Constitutional coup or a third term tragedy). This has been compelled by ruthless silencing of dissent by suffocating political activism culminating in strong personalities and weak institutions. Succession politics in Zimbabwe resembles executive dominance, egocentrism, excessive appointing powers which are compounded by lack of institutional framework for succession. This undermines the professional independence of the bureaucracy, which in turn inhibits the pursuit of sound governance. Therefore, passing the baton to the next leader has been a challenge; resulting in the personalization of, governments and political parties by leaders. While constitutions provide for elective congress for purposes of electing party leadership and/ or renewing their mandates, there is strong literature pointing to the capture of representative institutions such as Parliaments through strong normative values by leaders. This erodes the role of Parliaments or congresses as a democratic institution, as leaders have used it to “endorse” themselves. The research examines the influence of succession politics on state administration, especially on how the institution of the state and party politics in Zimbabwe conflate with the public administration system leading to state malfunction. This research adopts a qualitative research design that provides an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations on political succession and state administration in Zimbabwe. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, complemented by document review and analyzed through thematic content analysis. The study found out that, despite the existence of the legal frameworks that promote seamless power transition, political, societal and historical factors exacerbate Zimbabwe’s succession dilemma. Colonial legacy, societal laxity, the military factor, capture of state institutions by the political elite, lack of a retirement institutional mechanism, the principle of sovereignty and politicization of the succession process were found as the major hindrances to Zimbabwe’s succession trajectory. It recommends broad based and genuine civil service, electoral, security and political (politics with ethics and values) reforms to dismantle the current legacy imbedded in the political system. , Thesis (PhD) (Public Administration) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-02
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