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What is remembered & what is forgotten: shipwrecks and social memory on South Africa’s Sunshine Coast

- Dickson-Bow, Emma Jane

Authors: Dickson-Bow, Emma Jane
Date: 2024-10-11
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/465876 , vital:76664
Description: Maritime heritage and its representation in South Africa, has been shaped by a settler colonial community heritage consciousness emphasising a heroic moral discourse legitimising local presence by settler communities. While much has been done to decolonise the representation of South African maritime heritage, at the local level small scale memorialisation continues to valorise maritime narratives that highlight the heroic aspects of historical settler colonial society, effectively concealing more fulsome of historical maritime events. Shipwrecks can function as potent tangible and intangible symbols of historical events, articulating a variety of perspectives on what constitutes social memory and history. This thesis examines the extension of public knowledge and representation of shipwreck maritime heritage on the Eastern Cape’s coastal belt, known in tourist branding vernacular as the ‘Sunshine Coast’ (East London to Port Elizabeth). The case study of ‘The Volo’, a Norwegian barge wrecked near present day Kenton-on-Sea and Bushman’s River Mouth (Boesmansriviermond) demonstrates how shipwreck narratives presented at the local public level can articulate a settler colonial community heritage consciousness that erases wider accounts of such stories. The reinterpretation and decentring of settler colonial maritime heritage stories allows for a more diverse and inclusive narrative that has the potential to promote social cohesion and social justice within restorative history work. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Anthropology, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-10-11

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Educators’ experiences of psychosocial support workshops during COVID-19 in Eastern Cape, South Africa

- Mabasa, Rendani Mirriam

Authors: Mabasa, Rendani Mirriam
Date: 2024-04-04
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/435457 , vital:73159
Description: There is growing awareness of the value and central role of immediate and long-term mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) interventions, especially during times of crisis such as Covid-19. The World Health Organization has identified the education sector as a crucial intervention site for public mental health promotion. In collaboration with members of the Makhanda education community, the Rhodes University Community Engagement office identified psychosocial support for educators and educational practitioners as a key societal and educational challenge. Focusing specifically on the experiences of educators, this study sought to solicit their experiences of MHPSS workshops in a rural city of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Focus groups with educators and educational practitioners in non-government organisations, care centres and other educational settings who participated in the psychosocial support workshops were conducted. Data was analysed using community psychology’s social action framework. Four broad themes emerged from the data: the responsibilisation of educators during and post-Covid-19, educators’ resilience and support for each other, educators’ mental health promotion through psychosocial support workshops, and top-down intervention strategies that fall short in addressing educators’ and learners’ needs. This study demonstrates the value of university-community partnerships in education settings which are key sites for public mental health promotion. In this study, I advocate psychosocial support as a standard practice available for educational practitioners and show how professional training programmes in higher education can be responsive to societal challenges via collaborative approaches. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04-04

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Lemons or Lemonade? Examining the economic and social outcomes of engaging in the export-driven citrus value chain of South Africa for selected commercial citrus farmers and farm workers in the Raymond Mhlaba Municipal District, Eastern Cape

- Sizani, Simbulele

Authors: Sizani, Simbulele
Date: 2024-04-04
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/435553 , vital:73168
Description: This study examines the economic and social outcomes of participating in a global citrus value chain for selected commercial farmers and farm workers in Raymond Mhlaba Municipal District in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. A global chain refers to international production sharing through cross-border trade. Multilateral organizations (and some prominent global chain scholars) that support neoliberal economic globalization perceive global chains as ideal channels of economic and social upgrading for participants, particularly those from the global South. From the abovementioned perspective, global chains enhance efficiency through inter-firm relations that promote the distribution of technology and access to capital, thus leading to economic and social upgrading in developing countries. Economic upgrading, on the one hand, can briefly be described as the movement of supplier firms from lower to higher-value activities in global chains. Social upgrading, on the other hand, is the improvement of employment conditions and outcomes of workers employed by supplier firms at the production node of global chains. This study adopts the dual theoretical framework (Global Chain Framework and Labour Process Theory) proposed by Newsome, Taylor, Bair and Rainnie (2015) in their seminal book ‘Putting Labour in its Place: Labour Process Analysis and Global Value Chains’. This dual framework is ideal because it conceptualizes the spheres of trade exchange and production, which are the primary research sites of this study. Qualitative research methods were adopted and utilized to collect and analyse data in this study. These methods were ideal for this study, as they captured the subjective accounts of the selected commercial citrus farmers and farm workers in the Raymond Mhlaba Municipal District in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The findings in this study showed that the outcomes of these selected commercial citrus farmers and farm workers in this region are variegated, meaning that, there is evidence of economic upgrading, social upgrading and social downgrading as well. Amongst farm workers in the region, only a small group of (mostly older male) farm workers enjoyed social upgrading, whilst the majority of seasonal (mostly female) farm workers experiences social downgrading. The findings in this study showed that the variegated economic and social outcomes of the selected commercial farmers and farm workers were primarily determined by their economic class and position within the citrus value chain of South Africa. These findings highlight the importance of positionality in determining the fate of participants in global chains. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04-04

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Photoluminescence and electroluminescence imaging of PV devices

- Roodt, Roelof Petrus

Authors: Roodt, Roelof Petrus
Date: 2024-04
Subjects: Photoluminescence , Biosensors
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64333 , vital:73676
Description: Luminescence imaging has become a particularly useful and valuable tool for the characterisation of photovoltaic devices. This study entailed the design, construction, and optimisation of a system for the electroluminescence (EL) and photoluminescence (PL) imaging of various solar cell devices. The system can perform EL and PL imaging of solar cells of different cell technologies and materials systems, including Si, perovskite, and triple-junction concentrator solar cells. This required appropriate electrical power supplies for carrier injection for EL imaging and optical excitation for PL imaging. The different materials systems also required wavelength appropriate filters for PL imaging. In addition, the system utilized a temperature-controlled sample stage and was placed in a chamber for environmental control and isolation of UV radiation from laboratory. In addition to optimization of imaging conditions, luminescence images need to be optimized to facilitate detailed analysis and the application of appropriate algorithms to extract device parameters and hence generate device parameter images of the devices under investigation. For EL imaging, two power supplies were used to inject current into the solar cells. The reason for the two power supplies is that the first power supply had a current range of ± 1 A and an applied voltage capability of ± 21 V. This was used for the smaller solar cells. It was also convenient to use as the power supply could also measure the injected current and applied voltage and digitally store it with the images. For the larger solar cells, a second power supply was utilized, which could inject current into the samples in the range of ± 12 A at an applied voltage of ± 40 V. To measure the current and voltage of the power supply provided, two digital multimeters were utilized. For acquiring images, the same camera was used for EL and PL imaging. The sensor used in the camera is a silicon CMOS sensor. For PL imaging, four light emitting diode (LED) boards, consisting out of sixty-four LED’s, per board, of four different wavelengths, were used to optically excite the solar cells. The four wavelengths emitted by the LED’s were chosen to match the bandgaps of the different solar cell devices investigated. The LEDs were powered with a multi-channel constant voltage power supply, where the current could be varied. The Si solar cell is a 156 x 156 mm commercial solar cell. The perovskite solar module is a 40 x 40 mm module, which consists out of six cells connected in series. The triple-junction concentrator solar cell has a dimension of 10 x 10 mm which consists of three junctions staked on top of one another. These three layers consist of indium gallium phosphate (InGaP), indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) and germanium (Ge). To capture EL and PL images of these various solar cell devices, filters of specific wavelengths were placed in front of the camera to isolate the light generated by the different devices. In addition to isolating the luminescence observed from the solar cells, an image correction procedure was adapted from literature, to be applicable to acquiring luminescence images of these various solar cells. As there are a range of factors which influence the quality and clarity of the luminescence images, i.e., chromatic aberration, diffraction, and absorption depth, to name a few, the wavelength dependency of these factors was investigated. This was done by acquiring a point spread function (PSF) for each of these devices and then using these PSF's together with a deconvolution algorithm to correct the luminescence images. The PSF was acquired by fitting a point source emission image to a function that includes exponential and Gaussian terms. The point source image was obtained by placing a black piece of vinyl with a pinhole in it over the solar cell. To communicate with all the various devices and to acquire images at various intensities a LABVIEW program was written. This was used then used to control the power supplies, digital multimeters, camera, and the LED's. This allowed for the user to specify at what points along the current-voltage (I-V) curve data points needed to be measured together with the luminescence images captured. For PL imaging the intensity of the LED's was then also adjusted according to user specified values. The system was utilised to acquire EL images of the Si solar cell, EL and PL images of the perovskite solar cell and EL images of the InGaP and InGaAs layers in the triple-junction concentrator solar cell. With the correction procedure utilised in this study, it was seen that the image quality and clarity improved, compared to the conventional way of capturing luminescence images. These statements are supported by the results obtained for the series resistance maps of the Si solar cell and the perovskite solar module, as the series resistance maps obtained from the corrected luminescence images have less noise and more detail compared to the results from the raw luminescence images. From the EL images captured for the two layers of the triple junction concentrator, it was clear that the intensity profile of the two layers is different, as the intensity for the InGaP layers was that the device had bright edges and darker intensity on the interior where exactly the opposite was observed for the InGaAs layer, having a bright interior and darker edges. This is most likely due to the opto-electric coupling of these layers withing the triple junction solar cell. For the series resistance images obtained for the Si solar cell, it is observed that at lower carrier injection, the series resistance is lower compared to higher carrier injection levels. This result can also be influenced by the increase in cell temperature with the increase in injected carriers. The series resistance maps obtained from the perovskite EL images shows an interesting result. As the perovskite solar cell has degraded, three of the six cells have optically inactive regions, showing lower luminescence intensities. The series resistance of the other three cells are much lower compared to these cells that have inactive regions under low injection conditions. As the injection level increases, it is seen that the series resistance values of five of the six cells become comparable to one another. With regards to the PSF, it was found that using a bandpass filter in front of the lens reduced to amount of spreading observed from a single point source across the detector. Furthermore, there is a strong wavelength dependency in the PSF as the severity increased with increase in the emission wavelength of the solar cells under investigation.In this study an opto-electrical characterisation system was constructed to acquire PL and EL images of various solar cell technologies. In addition to this, a range of factors that influence the quality of these images were investigated and used in the image correction procedure to correct the images for all these cell technologies. It was shown that the correction procedure works for all three of the technologies investigated in this study, and all these factors showed a strong wavelength dependency. These corrected luminescence images together with current-voltage (I-V) data was then used to determine characteristic parameters of a one-diode model of the various PV devices. This was not only achieved, but it also clearly indicated that all the correction procedures need to be considered to obtain a clear and accurate representation of the actual PV device. This has a major influence on the understanding and improvement of these PV devices. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04

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Knowledge, attitudes and practices of municipal workers regarding occupational health and safety in the garden route district municipality, Western Cape

- Shoto, Khanyisa

Authors: Shoto, Khanyisa
Date: 2023-12
Subjects: Occupational health and safety , Personal protective equipment
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62991 , vital:73080
Description: Background: Workers accidents at work have been demonstrated to be increasingly common and expensive, particularly in developing nations like South Africa. The failure of employers and employees to support and comply to (OHS) regulations measures frequently leads to injuries and accidents that are extremely expensive for both the employer and employees. Regardless of South African legislations that aim to prevent accidents and injuries, scourging statistics of industrial accidents are still a characteristic of OHS. Objectives: This study investigates knowledge gaps, attitude, and the practice of municipal workers regarding OHS at Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Methodology: Quantitative approach was taken, and questionnaires were administered to 188 workers employed by the GRDM. A probability sampling method of stratified sampling method was utilised. Results: This study concluded that the workers of the GRDM are knowledgeable about OHS in their workplaces and that municipal workers positively perceive OHS issues in their workplaces. The main reason for this positive perception is because of the management support that the workers receive from the GRDM with regards to OHS matters. Furthermore most workers positively perceived OHS protocols and measures undertaken at the GRDM. Statistical tests proved that the municipal workers who positively perceived OHS protocols and measures were significantly higher (p< 0.05) than those that negatively perceived OHS protocols. Conclusion: The study revealed that GRDM workers were knowledgeable on OHS protocols. This was because of the support that they get from their employer as well as personal health and safety concerns. They positively perceived the OSH measures that are put in place to prevent accidents and injuries. It is only an insignificant percentage of individuals that disagreed with some of the OHS measures and protocols. This study contributes immeasurably to academic research in the field of OHS and extends knowledge that relates workers’ perceptions, safety awareness, as well as workers’ adherence to safety and behaviour. , Thesis (Ma) -- Faculty of Health Science, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-12

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The CODESRIA debate on academic and intellectual freedom in Africa: the role and responsibility of African intellectuals

- Cabe, Loyiso

Authors: Cabe, Loyiso
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Codesria , Academic freedom , Social responsibility , Neoliberalism , Pan-Africanism , Colonization , Decolonization , Neocolonialism , Intellectuals Africa
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431463 , vital:72774
Description: According to Fagunwa (2011), intellectuals serve as the glue that binds societies together and serve as the foundation upon which new civilizations are created and dismantled. The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) of 1990 entrusted intellectuals with crucial transformative tasks (roles) and responsibilities in Africa. This study explores the transformational roles and responsibilities of African intellectuals in neo-liberal and neo-colonial Africa as well as how academic freedom must be understood by African academics in accordance with the present debate on academic freedom in South Africa, which was fueled by Nattrass (2020) paper. The primary premise of this study is that academic freedom in Africa today is viewed differently than it was during the CODESRIA meeting on academic freedom in 1990, and that this is because of African intellectuals not carrying out their roles and responsibilities in Africa. In CODESRIA 1990, academic freedom referred to an academic’s unrestricted, yet responsible, right to pursue their academic interests (CODESRIA 1990; Kampala Declaration 1990). African academics now understand academic freedom to be merely their own freedom, unrelated to their responsibility to use it ethically and professionally. Hence, for them, academic freedom entails the freedom to express oneself without restrictions or fear of criticism (Chachage, 2008; Nattrass, 2020b; Esso, and Long, 2020). Looking at this current misinterpretation of academic freedom, the 1990 CODESRIA meeting is a good reference point to the debate on academic freedom in Africa and role and responsibility of African intellectuals. This is because, it was where academic freedom and the role and responsibility of African intellectuals in Africa was professionally conceptualized. Thus, this study reviews the 1990 CODESRIA debate to understand the role and responsibility of African intellectuals. This study utilizes two theories, Social Constructivism Theory and the Social Responsibility Theory, to explain the position it has taken on the subject at hand. Thus, these theories provide an umbrella and a point of departure for understanding the context and dynamics of the ongoing conflict between academic freedom and social responsibility in South Africa's higher education institutions. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Political and International Studies, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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Psychologists’ perceptions of the growth and change promoting factors in psychotherapy within a culturally diverse South Africa

- Heyneke, Wilmie

Authors: Heyneke, Wilmie
Date: 2022-12
Subjects: Psychotherapy -- South Africa , therapeutic alliance
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60155 , vital:63207
Description: The therapeutic relationship established between a psychologist and a client is considered one of the main factors determining successful psychotherapy outcomes. While this may be the case, there remain inconsistencies in the literature and debate regarding its influence, especially when contextual factors such as diverse beliefs, may influence the therapeutic relationship. Furthermore, there is a scarcity of information focusing on psychologists’ experiences working within the culturally diverse South African context. This study aimed to better understand, from a psychologist’s perspective, the growth and change promoting factors they feel are influencing successful therapeutic outcomes within the South African context. This was pursued recognising that the diverse belief systems in South Africa, which do not always adhere to biomedical conceptualisations of health and illness, may influence the therapeutic interaction. This study explored the following research question: What are the key factors that promote growth and change in individual psychotherapy within the diverse South African context? Drawing on a qualitative approach, an explorative descriptive research design was chosen as it enabled the researcher to explore the perceptions of the participants on the given topic. The sampling technique that was employed was non-probability purposive sampling and psychologists registered with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa formed part of the sample. In-depth online interviewing was employed as the data collection tool, using online platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis guidelines and themes that were identified was reported. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
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Date Issued: 2022-12

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The importance of public officials’ knowledge and understanding of the constitutional principles of public administration

- Zameko, Zamuxolo

Authors: Zameko, Zamuxolo
Date: 2021-12
Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54596 , vital:46732
Description: Public officials in South Africa have been accused of lacking accountability, transparency, corruption, inefficiencies, unethical practices and a general unmotivated approach to service delivery. Section 195 of the 1996 constitution emphasises the need for public officials to be efficient, effective and not to be partial in their execution of duty. On that basis the research sought to investigate whether the public officials can improve on their performance if they are exposed to and are knowledgeable of the constitution. The study utilized a qualitative research method and a document analysis in which documents which served as sources of information were selected based on their relevance to the subject area of Public Administration. The documents selected were legal instruments used to enforce the operations of public officials including the Constitution of South Africa (1996), Batho Pele, White Paper on the Transformation of the Public Service, 1995; Promotion of Access to Information (Act no 2 of 2000 and Promotion of Equality & Prevention of Unfair Discrimination (Ac no 4 of 2000) Findings of the research indicate that key skills of the public officials like effective communication, change management, conflict resolution, decision-making, negotiation and accountability can be enhanced if they are knowledgeable of their constitutional mandate. The Public Service board should among others emphasize on constitutional principles training of all its employees upon recruitment such that they are aware of the public expectations. Continuous on the job training should also be offered to public officials so that their operations are always adjusted to the prevailing environmental and technological conditions. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2021
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Date Issued: 2021-12

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Experiences of Xhosa elderly persons in using public transport and how it effects their quality of life: a case study of Mdantsane township.

- Sinkintana, Xolisile

Authors: Sinkintana, Xolisile
Date: 2021-09
Subjects: Transportation--Social aspects , Older people--Transportation
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21256 , vital:47437
Description: This research study was motivated by the fact that little is known about the topic and that older persons living in Mdantsane Township are heavily reliant on public transport such as taxis, trains, mini-taxis and buses which are, arguably, not suitable for transporting older persons. Through this research project, the researcher hoped to provide information which may contribute to better understanding of this phenomena, identify barriers in the transport system and get a better understanding thereof. This study utilized a qualitative research approach with an exploratory research design. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 30 elderly persons living in Mdantsane Township, and thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Three themes and sub-themes were generated and later linked to the research questions namely: What are the experiences faced by older persons in using public transport? How do these experiences and challenges affect the quality of life of older persons using public transport? What do older persons view as potential barriers in using public transport? The findings highlighted that elderly people living in Mdantsane Township rely on public transport for participation in social and economic activities of the community as well as access to essential services. Consequently, lack of sufficient income among older persons affect their quality of life in relation to using public transport in that they cannot access all the services they need. They also indicated that there are several barriers for older persons against using public transport which include, concerns about personal safety, safety of items, public transport running late, behaviour of younger passengers and taxi conductors and lack of cleanliness among some drivers, to name a few. , Thesis (MSoc Sci) (Social Work) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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Date Issued: 2021-09

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The role of lean management principles in achieving successful water management: the case of Harry Gwala District Municipality

- Dlamini, Adelaide Nomnandi

Authors: Dlamini, Adelaide Nomnandi
Date: 2021-04
Subjects: Lean manufacturing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply -- Management , Water-supply -- Economic aspects
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51153 , vital:43213
Description: Water is life and a basic human need. It is a scarce resource which must be managed in a sustainable way. Empirical evidence suggests that globally the current supply systems will not satisfy the demand. Some of the challenges include depleted water resources due to uneven and inadequate rainfall, effects of climate change, poor asset management, water losses and poor water quality. Since there is a universal need for water, without water life would cease to exist; moreover, water is limited in quantities and hence sustainable management of this resource remains a global imperative. This research sought to investigate and understand the role of lean management in ensuring successful water management at Harry Gwala District Municipality, located in KwaZulu-Natal. To achieve the above goal, the research sought to investigate the efficiency of the production processes, strategies to conserve water and manage the demand, human resources and organisational development, as well as financial planning and management. The research adopted a qualitative research design and interpretivism research paradigm. The research findings acknowledged the strides made by the Municipality in relation to extending the infrastructure footprint to the communities that previously did not have water. The research further revealed that Harry Gwala District Municipality is challenged in relation to providing an uninterrupted and efficient water supply to consumers. This is due to poor project planning, project management and monitoring, poor maintenance of infrastructure, ageing and dilapidated infrastructure, illegal connections and high water losses. The workforce is inadequate with concerns about ill-discipline and lack of productivity by some employees. The organisational culture does not allow for innovation and has a bearing on ill-discipline and productivity. The research noted that the Municipality is unable to provide successful water management, owing to infrastructural challenges, wastage, lack of continuous improvement and the organisational culture. It was further noted that these challenges can be addressed using lean management principles with particular focus on waste elimination, continuous improvement, employee involvement, promoting efficiency in the production processes and the use of catalytic technology. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business Administration, 2021
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Date Issued: 2021-04

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An Updated Catalogue and Review of Afrotherian (Afroplacentalia) Mammals in the Amathole Museum Collection, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

- Mahala, Buyiswa

Authors: Mahala, Buyiswa
Date: 2021-03
Subjects: Mammals
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20741 , vital:46513
Description: The Mammalogy Collection of the Amathole Museum is one of the most comprehensive mammal collections in Africa, with a specialisation in southern African fauna. It was accumulated over almost 100 years, in some instances from areas that no longer support sustainable populations of wildlife. The collection, therefore, is irreplaceable. A museum collection is only as good as its accessibility to students and researchers for it to perform its functions as a biodiversity archive. Accessibility, in turn, depends on up-to-date taxonomy and classification; good curation practices; public awareness of the collection; and electronic access to the details of the collection’s composition. The higher-level taxonomy of the Class Mammalia has undergone extensive changes since the adoption of molecular systematic techniques. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on large DNA sequence databases consistently group placental mammals into four superorders: Laurasiatheria (carnivores, bats, ungulates, whales); Euarchontoglires, a super-clade that includes primates (apes, monkeys and allies), rodents (mouse, rat and guinea pig), lagomorphs, (rabbit and hares), dermopterans (flying lemurs or colugos) and scandentians (tree shrew); Xenarthra (armadillos, anteaters, sloths), and Afrotheria (elephants, sea cows, tenrecs, aardvarks, sengis, golden moles, hyraxes). New relationships have been recognised that have required the erection of new taxonomic groups. Most of the Amathole Museum mammal collection was assembled and accessioned long before this new system was devised, and I undertook this project to begin the re-organisation of the collection according to the new information. I conducted and audit and inventory of all specimens of Afrotheria, or the mammals of African origin, housed in the Amathole Museum collection. I photographed the specimens and corrected and updated their taxonomic details. As we now live in an age of digital information, natural history collections need to be available online to extend public access. Specimen details were entered into Excel files, and their localities were mapped. This kind of information has the possibility of transforming biological curricula to include more authentic and inquiry-driven educational experiences. My future goals are to acquire Malagasy tenrecs for the Amathole Afrotheria collection, and to investigate the taxonomic validity of the Amathole hyrax collection, as many specimens were found with confusing and out-of-date classifications. , Thesis (MSc) (Zoology) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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Date Issued: 2021-03

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A study on white leather tannage

- Williams-Wynn, D A

Authors: Williams-Wynn, D A
Date: 1950
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Diploma theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193713 , vital:45389
Description: As has been noted in the previous section little or no complex formation occurs with either formate or acetate except possibly above pH 9*0 or so. These anions do not stabilise the aluminium solutions to precipitation - they may* however, be of value in controlling pH, as solutions of these salts buffer strongly in the region pH 4 to 5. The other salts, lactate, tartrate and citrate all show tendencies to complex formation though the degree to which this occurs varies with the anion. The complexes formed by lactate at high pH must be very unstable because on the addition of acid the pH corresponds to the calculated blank. Below pH 9.0 however, the curves deviate quite considerably showing that more acid must be added to reach a certain pH value than is required by the blank. This means complex formation has occurred with loss of -COGH groups. In this system too, buffering is apparent. The same is true of tartrate but this salt is not as efficient a buffering agent. This is probably due to the fact that the excess tartrate is not available as a buffer as it is precipitated as the acid salt which is only sparingly soluble. Citrate on the other hand must form very stable complexes, the effect of which is apparent at even very high pH values. In other words, addition of strong acid liberates free -GOGH groups which are immediately incorporated in the complex. This evidently does not occur with lactate or tartrate until lower pH values are reached. The ratio of lactate and citrate to aluminium appears to have some influence on the degree of masking as greater complex formation is found to occur at the higher ratio levels. Tartrate on the other hand apparently has a fixed complex forming capacity between 1 and 4 mols/mol aluminium, since the same deviation from the blank was observed irrespective of which ratio of the masking agent to aluminium, was employed. However, at ratios of less than 1 mol tartrate/mol aluminium, deviations from the blank were reduced and less stabilisation occurs as evidenced by the formation of precipitates containing aluminium under these conditions. In view of these facts it may be suggested that 1 mol tartrate combines with 1 mol aluminium to form a complex containing equimolar proportions of aluminium and tartrate. The effect of boiling apart from one or two exceptions always has the same effect, i.e. a shift to the acid side of the curve. Free acid must have been liberated which is an indication that olation might have occurred. In the lactate and citrate series dilution appears to reduce the complex forming capacity of these ions but tartrate is unaffected. Thus it would appear that the tartrate complex is more stable than those formed by lactate. Citrate stabilises aluminium solutions with fewer equivalents than tartrate, but the complex does not contain a constant ratio of masking agent to aluminium further quantities of tartrate cannot enter the complex even in the presence of large excess of the anion probably due to the effect of steric hindrance. , Thesis (Dip) -- Leather Industries Research Institute, 1950
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Date Issued: 1950

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Two dermestid pests of hide and skins in South Africa

- Walker, J D

Authors: Walker, J D
Date: 1941
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193702 , vital:45387
Description: In a paper entitled "Bacteria of the Soil", Dr. Russell of Rothamsted is quoted as saying, ”The top six lashes might almost be called a separate world? 80 great is the number and variety of its inhabitants”• It is with a few forms belonging to this enormous biological complex that the author intends to deal, viz*, representatives of the Orders Pauropoda, Symphyla, Protura, Coleoptera and Hemiptera. Time does not permit the inclusion of a study of the multitude of Arthropod, species that occur in the soil, but a more complete work on these soil groups is intended in the future. McCullogh and Hayes (1922,p.288) state that the soil is an integral factor In the study of biological problems. Hence an understanding of the organic life of the soil, which is of great importance in relation to the other aspects of pedology, is a necessary adjunct to the study of the soil ae a whole. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, 1941
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Date Issued: 1941

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