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Beef quality, oxidative stability and fatty acid composition of Nguni heifers fed diets with incremental levels of Opuntia ficus-indica (cactus) cladodes

  • Authors: Mkhosi, Silungile
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Meat -- Quality
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Animal Science )
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18732 , vital:42728
  • Description: The objective of the study was to determine meat quality, fatty acid (FA) composition and shelf-life stability of longissimus muscle of Nguni heifers fed incremental levels of Opuntia ficus-indica (cactus) cladodes. A total of 32 heifers aged 36 months were allocated randomly to four dietary treatments: 10% cactus, 20% cactus, commercial and control diets for 90 days. The longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) samples were taken from each carcass for the determination of meat quality, retail shelf-life stability and FA composition. Diet had no effect (P > 0.05) on pH and drip display, however, there was an increase in drip display with ageing time (P ≤ 0.05). Meat colour attributes (L* a* b* and C*) were influenced by diet, with 20% cactus diet having lower L* values compared to other diets (P ≤ 0.05). During a 14-day retail display, a diet  day interaction was observed for hue angle with the cactus diets having the lowest values at day 14 of display compared to the other diets (P ≤ 0.05). Differences in meat from heifers fed different diets were observed with 20% cactus accounting for significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher levels of deoxymyoglobin and the lowest levels of oxymyoglobin. Thawing loss and Warner Bratzler shear force decreased (P ≤ 0.05) with ageing period. Meat from heifers fed cactus diets had lower (P ≤ 0.05) proportions of oleic acid (C18:1n9c) and total MUFA, higher (P ≤ 0.05) proportions of total SFA, C15:1, C17:1, linoleic acid (C18:2n6c) and total PUFA. The control diet produced meat with the highest thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values compared to other diets (P ≤ 0.05) and with ageing TBARS values increased (P ≤ 0.05). Diet showed an effect (P ≤ 0.05) on sensory attributes such as overall tenderness and mouth feel with cactus diets accounting for lower scores. However, juiciness, overall tenderness, grassy and animal like attributes increased with ageing (P ≤ 0.05). Inclusion of cactus in the diet did not produce any adverse effects on meat quality, fatty acid composition, lipid oxidation and sensory quality. Therefore, it can be concluded that inclusion of cactus in Nguni heifer finisher diets up to 20% can improve meat quality.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

An Assessment of Teaching and Learning Strategy in Eastern Selected School, Butterworth District

  • Authors: Mantanga- Mgoduka, Ntombomzi Beauty
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: School improvement programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape High school teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12447 , vital:39264
  • Description: This is a study that was conducted at Nomaheya Senior Secondary School in the Butterworth in East of the Eastern Cape Province. The main purpose of this study was to assesses teaching and learning strategies in improving Grade 12 results. Teaching and Learning Strategies are defined as activities and methods used to move the learner towards achievement of the learning outcome. Crawford, Alan; 2005:16 views teaching and learning strategy, as an effective instruction, as an interactive process - students learn best when they are engaged, not only with their teacher, but also with one another. The researcher will provide the background and motivation of the study. The problem statement, research questions, research objectives, significance of the study, delimitations of the study, literature review, research methodology, and the conclusion of the study. Poor performance that is displayed by Grade 12 learners in the Eastern Cape has been a trend for the past three years. Well known contributory factor for poor performance is poverty, unemployment, high levels of illiteracy, low levels of management and leadership in schools, constant shortage of teachers with specific reference to critical subjects, learner teacher support material (LTSM) that is not delivered on time school safety, infrastructure, discipline amongst learners, absenteeism of learners, SMT with no well-defined roles, Annual Teaching plans, circulars are available but are not implemented. In other words, lack of support by the stakeholders, management and leadership in schools. This was observed by Solo, 1997: 37 who argues that, the atmosphere at home helps to foster or break school functionality, effects of parental interest in learner academic achievement. The background of the study, the problem statement, objectives, questions and also the objectives of research were fully discussed in chapter one. In chapter two, a research on recent publications in the subject was done. Keywords were: outcomebased education, educator, change, assessment and evaluation. The literature study was done to attain objectives in chapter one and also to provide the theoretical background to evaluate the findings in chapter four. vii Chapter three dealt presents the research methodology, research design, area of study, population, sampling method, purposive sampling method, research sample, data collection procedures, data collection instruments, interviews, observations, ethical considerations.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An assessment of teaching and learning strategy in improving grade 12 results in Eastern Cape selected school Butterworth District

  • Authors: Mantanga-Mgoduka, N B
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Educational tests and measurements Effective teaching
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18554 , vital:42608
  • Description: This is a study that was conducted at Nomaheya Senior Secondary School in the Butterworth in East of the Eastern Cape Province. The main purpose of this study was to assesses teaching and learning strategies in improving Grade 12 results. Teaching and Learning Strategies are defined as activities and methods used to move the learner towards achievement of the learning outcome. Crawford, Alan; 2005:16 views teaching and learning strategy, as an effective instruction, as an interactive process - students learn best when they are engaged, not only with their teacher, but also with one another. The researcher will provide the background and motivation of the study. The problem statement, research questions, research objectives, significance of the study, delimitations of the study, literature review, research methodology, and the conclusion of the study. Poor performance that is displayed by Grade 12 learners in the Eastern Cape has been a trend for the past three years. Well known contributory factor for poor performance is poverty, unemployment, high levels of illiteracy, low levels of management and leadership in schools, constant shortage of teachers with specific reference to critical subjects, learner teacher support material (LTSM) that is not delivered on time school safety, infrastructure, discipline amongst learners, absenteeism of learners, SMT with no well-defined roles, Annual Teaching plans, circulars are available but are not implemented. In other words, lack of support by the stakeholders, management and leadership in schools. This was observed by Solo, 1997: 37 who argues that, the atmosphere at home helps to foster or break school functionality, effects of parental interest in learner academic achievement. The background of the study, the problem statement, objectives, questions and also the objectives of research were fully discussed in chapter one. In chapter two, a research on recent publications in the subject was done. Keywords were: outcome-based education, educator, change, assessment and evaluation. The literature study was done to attain objectives in chapter one and also to provide the theoretical background to evaluate the findings in chapter four. Chapter three dealt presents the research methodology, research design, area of study, population, sampling method, purposive sampling method, research sample, data collection procedures, data collection instruments, interviews, observations, ethical considerations.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An evaluation of the harmonised social cash transfer programme on livelihoods in Zimbabwe: the case of Mangwe District

  • Authors: Poseni ,Pedzisai
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Economic development -- Social aspects Social integration Social systems
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Development Studies)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13943 , vital:39730
  • Description: Poverty and limited livelihood options remains a huge challenge in Africa, particularly in Zimbabwe. The study investigated the effectiveness of the Harmonized Social Cash Transfer programme in improving household economy and strengthening livelihood options in Zimbabwe with a particular focus on Mangwe District. In order to come up with a comprehensive investigation, the researcher grounded the study in sustainable livelihood approach and the capabaility approach. Due to persistent poverty and people adopting precarious coping strategies in Zimbawe, the government and NGOs collectively came up with a comprehensive cash based poverty alleviation strategy to alleviate poverty and build on peoples livelihood options which is the cash transfer programme. The study utilized a qualitative methodology, based on its ability to provide a contextualized description of people’s perspectives, feelings and opinions in terms of how a programme affected them. The evaluation sought to find out whether the cash transfer programme achieved its objective of strengthening household economy. The study established that the Harmonized Social Cash Transfer programme made some positive inroad towards strengthening household economy, however, lack of stakeholders coordination, collapsed economy, pollitically motivated moves from the ruling party caused the programme to fail. As such, the poor Mangwe people are still continuing engaging in precarious coping strategies, such as, selling assets, eating less than one meal per day and venturing into prostitution. The study therefore, calls for the government to review the household size vs cash scale and regularly review the amount of money received to be in line with current prices of commodities
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Effects of herbicide application and phosphorous fertilization on forage production and plant density of abandoned lands planted with pasture legumes

  • Authors: Mashece , Wandile
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Forage plants Grazing
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Pasture Science)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11950 , vital:39121
  • Description: The study was conducted in two communal abandoned grazing lands, namely; Sinqumeni and Kubedlana (referred hereafter as sites) located in the Eastern Cape Province (ECP) where legume pastures have been successfully established for the last ten years. The objectives of the study were to investigate the effects of five different herbicide treatments and four different phosphorus fertilizer application rates on forage production and plant density of abandoned lands. At each site, an area previously planted with legume species and well established with an even stand of legumes were selected. For both experimental sites, experimental design consisted of plot size of 50 m × 50 m for herbicide plot and 25 m ×25 m for phosphorus plot with 5 m×10 m of sub-plot planted with an even stand of pasture legumes arranged in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) in two blocks. The legumes that were planted in these sites were: Lotus corniculatus, White clover, Arrow leaf clover, Yellow serradella, Pitman serradella, Biserrula and Lespedeza cuneata. Prior to planting, the legume seeds were mixed with the appropriate inoculant by hand. Planting was done by over sowing legumes into the natural pastures (grasses) using an Aitchison Mini seeder. In each small plot, data was collected on forage biomass and plant density (species count). Data was analysed using the SAS programme and the significance of differences between means were tested with Fisher’s test for the LSD. On herbicide study, results showed that there were no significant (p > 0.05) difference in forage dry matter (DM) among the herbicide treatments in both years at Kubedlana. Results further showed that all five herbicides did not significantly (p > 0.05) increase the DM yield over control treatment. At Sinqumeni, results displayed no significant (p > 0.05) difference in forage DM among treatments during year 1, whereas in year 2, but all herbicide treatments except Haloxyfop-R methyl & Bendioxide (HBE) yielded greater (p < 0.05) DM yield than the control treatment. Comparing years, forage DM yield only under Bendioxide (BEN) and Paraquat (PAR) treatments had greater DM yield in year 2 than years 1. In Kubedlana, Bendioxide (BEN) and Haloxyfop-R methyl (HAL) treatments showed an IV increase in total density (TD), whereas Glyphosate (GLY) produced the lowest total density (TD) and Paraquat (PAR) and Haloxyfop-R methyl (HAL) resulted in an increased in density of total legumes (TL) relative to control treatment. There was a decline (p < 0.05) in the densities of total plants and forbs from year 1 to year 2. In Sinqumeni, herbicide applications resulted in higher density of total legumes than the control treatment, but results varied among herbicide treatments, greatest density being obtained at Haloxyfop-R methyl & Bendioxide (HBE) and Haloxyfop-R methyl (HAL) treatments. On phosphorus study, result showed a significant (p < 0.05) differences in dry matter (DM) yield among Phosphorus (P) treatments during year 2 of the study at Kubedlana site. All P treatments showed significantly greater dry matter (DM) yield in forage harvested in year 2 compared to year 1. At Sinqumeni, results showed Phosphorus (P) application did not have significance (p > 0.05) effect on forage dry matter (DM) yield on both years. In Kubedlana, there were indications of increased densities of total grasses, legumes and total plants in response to some levels of phosphorus (P) treatments. Treatment Phosphorus at 20 kg ha-1 (P20) yielded the highest total density (TD) and total legumes (TL) numbers and P10 had the lowest total density (TD). Both treatment and year interacted significantly (p < 0.05) to influence the mean density of some plant variables. At Sinqumeni, there were no significant differences due to phosphorus (P) treatments in the densities of total plants, grasses and forbs. Both years interacted significantly (p < 0.05) with treatments to influence the plant density mean, with Lespedeza cuneate (LESP) producing the highest plant density during year 1 and year 2, whereas BSERRL produced the lowest plant density during year 1 and year 2 periods. Therefore, findings of this study suggest that application of both Bendioxide (BEN) & Haloxyfop-R methyl & Bendioxide (HBE) treatments result in a decrease in dry matter (DM) yield, whereas Glyphosate (GLY) herbicide resulted in a decrease in both total density (TD) and total legumes (TL) and Haloxyfop-R methyl (HAL) herbicide application resulted in an increase of total density (TD) and total legumes (TL) V relative to control plot. On phosphorus study, results suggest that at Phosphorus at 40 kg ha-1 (P40) fertilization dry matter (DM) yield will be increased and at both Phosphorus at 20 kg ha1 (P20) and Phosphorus at 40 kg ha-1 (P40) high total density (TD) will be recorded where’s Phosphorus at 20 kg ha-1 (P20) fertilization result in high total legumes (TL).
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Preparation, characterization and in vitro analysis of polyamidoamine drug conjugates containing ferrocene and platinum analogues

  • Authors: Mugogodi, Ansley
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Ferrocene
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10145 , vital:35360
  • Description: Polyamidoamine drug conjugates were prepared from analogues of ferrocene and platinum. Standard reaction procedures were followed in the synthesis of platinum and ferrocene analogues. Michael addition reaction of amines to the activated double bonds of methylenebisacrylamide was applied for preparation of the water soluble polyamidoamine carriers onto which drug analogues were attached. The drug release studies of the conjugates were evaluated at different pH environments. The results obtained from drug release studies showed that rate of drug release was variable depending on the conjugate and pH environment. Mathematical drug release models by Korsmeyer-Peppas were used to determine the drug release characteristics of the ferrocene and platinum based drugs from polyamidoamine drug conjugates. Cytotoxicity potential of the analogues and polyamidoamine drug conjugates was tested on selected cell lines. Cisplatin was used as the standard for comparison of the IC50 values obtained for the compounds tested for cytotoxicity activity. The results from six polymer drug conjugates tested for cytotoxicity activity showed that conjugation of analogues to polyamidoamine carrier enhanced the activity of the analogues in some of the polyamidoamine drug conjugates. Various techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy were employed for the characterization of the ferrocene and platinum analogues, polyamidoamine carriers and drug conjugates.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The influence of technology factors on turnover intentions amongst a sample of government employees in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Mahlasela, Samkelisiwe
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Work -- Technological innovations
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13535 , vital:39677
  • Description: Orientation: Technology affects organisations both positively and negatively and in some instances technology factors can result in turnover intentions for certain employees of organisations. Research purpose: The main objective of the study was to investigate how technology-based job autonomy, technology-based job overload and technologybased job monitoring impact turnover intentions of employees. Motivation of the study: Exploring and understanding the relationship between technology factors and turnover intention amongst government employees to determine whether these factors affect government as much as they affect the private sector. Research design, approach and method: This research used a quantitative research approach. It drew a convenience sample of 182 employees (N= 182) from the South African Government. Main findings: The three main findings of the study were: Technology-based job autonomy was positively related to turnover intention. Technology-based job overload was found to be positively related to turnover intention. Finally, technology-based monitoring was found to be positively related to turnover intention. Practical/managerial implications: If organisations do not address the issue of monitoring and overload they are likely to experience many turnover intentions amongst the employees. Furthermore, the organisations with less autonomy are likely to lose their employees which means they will lose the resources that have been serving the organisation for a long time. This will also contribute to the organisation losing many funds as they would constantly have to train new employees. Contribution/value-add: The research adds value to the knowledge about the effects of technology factors on turnover intention by pointing out the reasons that lead to turnover intention.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A discourse analysis of the construction of gendered relationships in grade 10-12 Life Orientation textbooks in the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Adams, Luvo
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Sex instruction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Life skills -- Study and teaching (Secondary)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5532 , vital:29315
  • Description: School-based sexuality education has been the subject of research in the social sciences and pedagogical spheres globally. In South Africa, growing interest among social scientists in the topic, were ignited by the introduction of sexuality education as a compulsory part of Life Orientation (LO) by the late 1990s. However, the implementation of LO has been problematic. Reviewed literature in the current study, reveals how the dominance of the heterosex discourse is foregrounded in LO content on gender and sexuality. The current study was aimed at examining the construction of gendered relationships in LO textbooks. The study sampled LO textbooks for Grades 10-12, learners in these grades are between the mean ages 16-18 years. This group is the target group, because they are legally afforded the right to consent to sexual activity with peers, within the same age bracket. Conducted from a social constructionist perspective, the current study employed qualitative methods of inquiry (textual analysis). Against the backdrop of heterosexuality as norm, it was the aim of the current study to understand the subject positions made available for female learners to construct themselves, within the discursive spaces in LO content. Findings suggest that two discourses namely: the heterosex discourse and the discourse of danger and disease, dominate in LO content on gender and sexuality. This leads to the construction of gendered relationships a s inherently heterosexual, leading to the marginalisation of relationships that fall outside of the norm. The female learner is positioned as a passive-victim, incapable of exercising sexual agency, while young men are positioned as inherently more powerful members of the intimate relationships or dangerous sexual predators. In the discourse of danger and disease, she is also positioned as a potential victim but the focus is on equipping her with skills, in a way which positioned her as an active-resistor in refusing sexual activity; and being in control of decision-making on issues of safety in relationships. The implications of these contradictions, is that they focus on the individual and disallow her taking up of sexual agency, and disregard the context in which she has to do so.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Agricultural urbanism and urban agriculture : exploring the possible role of University of Fort Hare and Buffalo City Municipality in supporting small-scale urban farming in East London, South Africa

  • Authors: Rumsha, Siphamandla
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Urban agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5072 , vital:29054
  • Description: This study investigates the impact of urban agriculture in the city of East London as well as the possibility of adopting agricultural urbanism as an urban farming model to bolster food security. The study goes further to understand the role that could be played by University of Fort Hare and Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in capacitating small scale urban farmers in the city of East London. Unemployment and food insecurity are the key challenges that are affecting many families in South Africa, including urban dwellers. The main objective of this study therefore is to investigate the contributions of urban farming in securing food security and livelihoods in East London. This study adopted a mixed methods research approach, where both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to harvest data. Statistical analysis (descriptive) was then used to analyse quantitative data. Thematic approach used to analyse qualitative data. The study shows that urban farming plays an important role in the livelihoods of urban dwellers. However, the sector still faces various challenges such as lack of recognition by authorities. The study also revealed that the city of East London has potential to establish agricultural urbanism as it has most of the essential aspects that are necessary to establish it. The study recommends strengthening of the partnership between University of Fort Hare, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and small scale urban farmers in East London.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Carbon credit restoration projects in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa: considerations for sustainable local economic development

  • Authors: Polak, James Samuel
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/8069 , vital:21349
  • Description: Although global climate change has been identified as a serious global economic, social, and environmental threat to society, national governments have been slow to respond on a global scale. Environmental economic theory offers market-based solutions to address climate change efficiently through carbon control regimes, such as carbon taxation and cap-and-trade policy. A major political milestone was reached when an international agreement entered into force in 2008, known the Kyoto Protocol, which incorporated a market-based solution to address climate change on a global scale. This allowed a global market for emissions to form through the Clean Development Mechanism. Although the Kyoto Protocol aimed to address a global issue on a global scale through a single global market for emissions, fragmented sovereign cap-and-trade schemes have since emerged in the form of national and regional emission markets, commonly referred to as carbon markets. The Clean Development Mechanism offered the opportunity to generate carbon credits through carbon offset projects, such as carbon restoration projects. Although the Kyoto Protocol did not achieve the objective of forming an internationally accepted global carbon control regime, it seems to have set a trend of including offset programs in newly emerging carbon control regimes, such as South Africa’s proposed carbon tax. This study set out to assess the extent to which carbon control regimes are enabling sustainable local economic development, based on carbon restoration projects in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa using Portulacaria afra, commonly known as spekboom. As a starting point, this study assessed the current state of the international carbon markets using significant international cap-and-trade based markets as examples. Based on Newell et al.’s (2013) selection of significant carbon markets and data availability, the United States’ Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and the European Union’s Emission Trading Scheme were selected. Historical, current and forecasted supply and demand data were gathered from Thomson Reuters’ Point Carbon research division. Further, historical futures and spot market price and volume data were gathered from the markets to compare how prices have fared over time. The Clean Development Mechanism’s market for Certified Emission Reduction credits was used for comparative purposes. The markets were found to be systemically oversupplied, leading to systemically low prices. The systemic oversupply in credits provides a limited incentive to initiate carbon offset projects, however, South Africa’s proposed carbon tax may be able to stimulate demand for domestic offset projects. Key success factors established through a comparative literature review on local economic development theory were incorporated into key informant interviews. The results were then analysed through the lens of Connelly’s (2007) model for sustainable development to provide recommendations for sustainable local economic development, regarding carbon restoration projects in the Eastern Cape using P. afra. The following opportunities were identified: the planting of P. afra on degraded land has the potential to mitigate climate change, offer water benefits to the surrounding communities, and promote biodiversity regeneration. There is potential for economic growth through job creation and the economic multiplier effect. Government funding is available and voluntary offset agreements do exist, eliminating a large portion of the cumbersome accreditation requirements. These projects also offer potential for social justice through the government funding requirements which stipulate that youth and women should be given preference for employment, potentially helping to alleviate inequality. The funding further stipulates that employees should be trained in transferable skills, offering potential for capacity building and social capital accumulation through education. These transferable skills include skills geared towards encouraging entrepreneurialism. Corresponding challenges were also found: excessive overgrazing through pastoralism has rendered some land degraded beyond restoration. Opportunists may resort to planting P. afra outside of the subtropical Albany Thicket biome to which it is endemic, leading to potential biodiversity loss rather than gains. Sufficient buy-in is required from private landowners for these projects to be sustainable, however, the projects entail a large opportunity cost to farmers as returns take at least 5 to 6 years. This may render these projects undesirable to most landowners and provides scope for free-riding, should pastoralists not have to bear the full costs of the project and property rights not be enforced through land user agreements. The projects require an exorbitant amount of upfront funding. Cash flow received from the projects does not extend in perpetuity. Requirements for social justice pertain only to government funded projects. A working model, generating and selling carbon credits through land restoration using P. afra, has not yet been established. As it stands, these carbon restoration projects are still highly speculative and carry a significant amount of investment risk, given the high mortality and low growth rates associated with the current planting method. The current systemic oversupply of carbon. credits in the international markets signal that returns from carbon credits are set to be low, at least until the oversupply issues are resolved. Should these challenges be overcome, carbon restoration projects using P. afra may have the potential to bolster sustainable local economic development in the impoverished regions of province as well as provide a locally-driven adaptation and mitigation strategy to address global climate change.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Changing planets and climates in select fantastic literature

  • Authors: Ward, Brendan
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3994 , vital:20578
  • Description: This thesis is concerned with literature’s engagement with the environment, specifically ecosystems and climate change. Literature of the fantastic, works that break from the tradition of mimetic literature and the limits of realism, are the focus of this thesis, which argues, alongside ecocriticism, that literature must be part of the interdisciplinary drive towards greater ecological awareness. Speculative literature adds fantastic elements or draws on scientific extrapolations into the future, and offers a platform to engage with the science of environmental issues alongside philosophical engagements with the relationship between humans and the more-than-human world around them. This thesis draws on ecocriticism to examine the role of reading and criticism in constructing more ecologically sustainable societies. From this position, it asks how fantasy can be used to convey these themes. As a result, this thesis is interested in definitions of fantasy, drawing on science fiction and fantasy to examine Kathryn Hume’s framework of the fantastic impulse. Placing fantastic texts on two axes, Hume examines the ways texts support or subvert the reader’s expectations, and encourage or discourage reflection on their extratextual worlds. This thesis contends that, texts that encourage engagement are most transformative, but that the spectrum of engagement and disengagement challenges authors to navigate between didacticism and emotive imagery. To show this, this thesis examines four series of novels drawing on the fantastic impulse. Frank Herbert’s Dune Chronicles, Kim Stanley Robinson’s Mars Trilogy and Science in the Capital, and George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. The first two are on opposite ends of both of Hume’s axes, and imagine the challenges of constructing Earth-like ecosystems on other planets, asking questions about the sustainability of such a project as well as the possibilities of transforming society. The latter two engage with rapid climate change, Robinson’s looking at contemporary climate change and Martin’s engaging with historical climate change. They interrogate the impact of the climate on human and more- than-human life, and reveal the tension between comforting didactic revisions of human- environment interactions and framework-disturbing alternate ways of relating to the environment. This tension is where the fantastic is powerful, allowing alternate visions to pierce sceptical readers’ defences.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The impact of inflation on financial development in South Africa

  • Authors: Muzvanya, Kudzai Fungai
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Economic development Monetary policy Consumer price indexes
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13045 , vital:39440
  • Description: Growing theoretical and empirical studies have predicted different influences that inflation has on financial development in different economies. This dissertation observes the impact South Africa’s inflation has on financial development over the period between 1990 and 2012. Monetary policy framework in South Africa has, to a greater extent, assisted in monitoring the movement of the consumer price index. Although inflation does affect financial sector performance, the study also looked into other variables that have an effect like private credit, money supply and gross domestic product. To test for stationarity to avoid spurious regression, the ADF test and the PP test were used. To determine the long- and short-run relationship, the Johansen Maximum Likelihood test and VECM models were used. Results of the study indicated that money supply and inflation have a negative effect on financial development. In addition, apart from money supply and inflation the findings revealed that private credit and gross domestic product play a significant part in financial sector performance. The study recommends that the South African Reserve Bank should keep the inflation rate within its target range (3-6percent). This would ensure price stability and restore investor confidence in the financial sector, which then improves financial sector development.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The impact of monetary policy announcement on financial markets in South Africa

  • Authors: Chipfunde, Memory
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Johannesburg Stock Exchange Monetary policy Money market
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12193 , vital:39195
  • Description: Monetary policy announcements are among the major decisions that affect the economy as a whole. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of monetary policy announcements on equity markets in South Africa during 2014-2015 financial years. That financial period is a unique year for analyzing the impact of monetary announcements on stock returns because the Reserve Bank Governor was changed in the last quarter of 2014. Moreover, interest rates were changed in four monetary policy announcements over the course of two years. This provides a good opportunity to investigate how monetary policy announcements can affect financial markets. The study used an event study methodology whereby a 15-day event window is used as well as a 45-day estimation window. Around the event window, abnormal returns were calculated using the market model and capital asset pricing model (CAPM) was used to calculate expected returns. The results are mixed; (both significant and insignificant) impact of monetary policy announcements on JSE stock returns. Of the 12 interest rates announcements, only four seemed to be significant. It was observed that of the four significant results, three of them were because of a hike in interest rates. The results show an asymmetric response by the market to interest rate changes. The results also suggest that the market anticipated the relative volatility arising from the change of the minister of the reserve bank governor. Following the appointment of the new Central Bank‟s governor in the last quarter of 2014, the first interest rate announcement seemed to have been anticipated by the public thereby rendering it insignificant. Inorder to improve the strength of the results in future, it is important that that there should be the absence of signalling effect in the market. It is recommended that the markets are efficient and the announcements should not be highly anticipated by the public.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The relationship between household debt and consumption spending in South Africa (1994 - 2013)

  • Authors: Nkala, Patience
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Finance, Personal Financial services industry Consumption (Economics)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14022 , vital:39798
  • Description: Consumption has been and remains the main contributor to gross domestic product (GDP) growth in South Africa. Household debt on the other side has remained high over the years. This study examined the relationship between household debt and consumption spending, for the period between 1994 and 2013. The Johansen cointegration technique and the Vector error correction model (VECM) were utilised to test the long run and short run relationships between the variables. The Granger causality test was also employed to test the direction of causality between the variables. Results from this study have revealed that a relationship exists between household debt and consumption spending in South Africa and they have also showed that this relationship flows from household debt to consumption spending. The implications of these results are that consumption spending may be increased through other measures rather than through increasing debt. The study therefore recommends that policy makers avail more investment opportunities for households and to also create employment in a bid to increase the income of households which can then be used to increase household consumption rather than the use of debt.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2016

Risk management : a prerequisite for the implementation of government projects by the Eastern Cape Department of Local Government

  • Authors: Sojini, Sandile
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Risk management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Project management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2755 , vital:28073
  • Description: This Research Report that this research was motivated by the fact that despite thetremendous achievements have been realized from the successful implementation ofgovernment programmes and projects related the construction and refurbishment of medical facilities, educational, bridges and road infrastructure facilities. Trends indicate that only iota of evidence implies that the concept of risk management is fully integrated and embraced as part of a culture for ensuring the successful project implementation by the Modern South African public sector organizations. Empirical research revealed that the common types of risks that have been affecting the successful implementation of government projects and programmes include: riots, fraud, corruption, changes in demographic figures, outsourcing risks, and floods and changes in weather. Most of the participants stated that risks associated with riots do not only arise from the riots within the government departments, but also in the external environment. In terms of the internal riots, they revealed that when the employees go on strike or riots on their own or in solidarity with the other trade unions, leading to the process for the implementation of government projects and programmes being affected. Yet, in certain cases, they noted that internal riots or strikes most occur as preceded by rumours that the riots by a particular union will take place and may significantly affect the ongoing process of implementation of government programmes. Besides risks associated with the internal riots by the employees and the communities, the interview findings also indicated that the other forms of risks arise from the strikes and riots by the private enterprises.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

The large scale bioinformatics analysis of auxiliary activity family 9 enzymes

  • Authors: Moses, Vuyani
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Bioinformatics -- Analysis , Cellulose -- Biodegradation , Biomass energy
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:4145 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016356
  • Description: Biofuels have been proposed to be a suitable replacement to the already depleting fossil fuels. The complex structures of plant biomasses present a challenge the production of biofuels due to recalcitrance. The complex cellulose structure and hydrogen bonding between repeat units of cellulose is believed to be a major contributor to the recalcitrance of cellulose. Fungal organisms come equipped with various oxidative enzymes involved in degradation of plant biomass. The exact mechanism of cellulose degradation remains elusive. The GH61 is a group of proteins which are PMOs. GH61 sequences where previously described as endoglucanases due to weak endoglucanase activity. These enzymes were later found not possess any enzyme activity of their own however they could enhance the activity of other cellulose degrading enzymes. As a result reclassification of these enzymes as AA9 has been implemented. AA9 proteins have been reported to share structural homology with the bacterial AA10 group of enzymes. Based on cleavage products that are produced when AA9 proteins interact with cellulose, AA9 proteins have been grouped into three types. To date the exact mechanism and the sequence and structural basis for differentiating between the various AA9 types remains unknown. Using various bionformatic techniques sequence and structural elements were identified for distinguishing between the AA9 types. A large dataset of sequences was obtained from the Pfam database from UNIPROT entries. Due to high divergence of AA9 sequences, a smaller dataset with the more divergent sequences removed was created. The inclusion of the reference sequences to the data set was done to observe which sequences belong to a certain type. Phylogenetic analysis was able to group AA9 proteins into three distinct groups. MSA and motif analysis revealed that the N-Terminus of these proteins is mostly responsible for type specificity. Structural analysis of AA9 PDB structures and homology models allowed the effect of physicochemical properties to be gauged structurally. The presence of 310 helices and aromatic residues the surface of AA9 sequences is an observation which still warrants further investigation.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2014

Biochemical characterisation of Pfj2, a Plasmodium falciparum heat shock protein 40 chaperone potentially involved in protein quality control in the endoplasmic reticulum

  • Authors: Afolayan, Omolola Folasade
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Plasmodium falciparum Endoplasmic reticulum Heat shock proteins Malaria , Mosquito-borne infectious disease
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:3883 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001617
  • Description: Plasmodium falciparum is a protozoan parasite that causes a severe form of malaria, a mosquito-borne infectious disease in humans. P. falciparum encodes a number of proteins to facilitate its life-cycle, including a type II heat shock protein 40 (Hsp40), Pfj2. Pfj2 shows a degree of homology to human ERdj5, a resident protein of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that promotes protein quality control by facilitating the degradation of misfolded proteins. The overall aim of this study was to further understand the function of Pfj2 in the P. falciparum cell by characterising it biochemically. A bioinformatic analysis of Pfj2 was carried out to enable the identification of a potential ER signal sequence and cleavage site. Furthermore, an analysis of Pfj2 protein sequence was performed to compare domain similarities and identities with typical type II Hsp40s namely, human ERdj5, S. cerevisiae Sis1, human Hsj1a and human DnaJB4. The method used included the insertion of the codon-optimised coding sequence for the processed ER form of Pfj2 into the prokaryotic expression vector, pQE30, to enable overproduction of a histidine-tagged protein. A 62 kDa His₆-Pfj2 was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli and purified using denaturing nickel affinity chromatography. ATPase assays were performed to determine the ability of His₆- Pfj2 to stimulate the chaperone activity of the ER Hsp70, also called immunoglobulin binding protein (BiP). Initial studies were conducted on readily available mammalian His₆-BiP as a control, which was shown to have an intrinsic activity of 12.07±3.92 nmolPi/min/mg. His₆- Pfj2 did not stimulate the ATPase activity of mammalian His₆-BiP, suggesting that it either could not act as a co-chaperone of mammalian His₆-BiP (specificity), or it required a misfolded substrate in the system. Therefore, ongoing studies are addressing the interaction of Pfj2 and misfolded substrates with P. falciparum BiP. The results of these studies will further our understanding of a poorly-studied parasite chaperone that represents a potential drug target for development of novel strategies for the control of a serious human disease
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2013

Evaluation and identification of critical success factors in the running of successful food security projects within the Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, in the Amahlhathi local municipality

  • Authors: Tali, Patrick
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Project management -- South Africa -- Stutterheim , Food security -- South Africa -- Stutterheim , Food supply -- South Africa -- Stutterheim
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:836 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013346
  • Description: The challenges of food insecurity and the manner in which it can be addressed is a global concern. Governments throughout the world have strived for means to address global food security either through development of Millennium Development Goals or United Nations protocols. It is a major concern that the South African Government has made it its centre focus to address the challenge of food security. In the Eastern Cape, the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform has embarked on numerous food production programmes in an attempt to address this challenge. It is however noticeable that these attempts somehow did not manage to address their intended purpose. A study of literature with the aim of identifying critical success factors was done. The critical success factors identified and explored were, project management, establishing a clear mission and project objectives, addressing challenges and opportunities of social, environmental and economical sustainability, addressing physiological needs of the beneficiaries, involving the youth and community, role of extension services, training and capacity development, create local partnership and on-going monitoring and evaluation. The factors were then explored through a study of projects from the food production programme in Amahlathi Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. A multiple case study wherein a purposive selection of four food security projects selected from two food security programmes was conducted. A structured questionnaire was used to source the information from all members of the selected projects to evaluate the existence of the critical factors. The main aim was to test whether these factors, if they existed in these projects, contributed to their existence. The findings reveal that none of the identified factors existed in the selected projects and though not proven, the non-existence of these factors has resulted in these projects being in survival mode instead of a sustainable state. A recommendation is made of a further study focusing on a bigger sample wherein these factors could be tested. The study could assist in developing a formal model for the running of these projects successfully.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2013

Management of capital expenditure for infrastructure programmes in the North-West Province

  • Authors: Norgbey, Wisdom Selorm
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Construction industry -- Capital investments , Infrastructure (Economics) -- Management , Expenditures, Public
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:9718 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021075
  • Description: The need for programme management to align, coordinate and manage a portfolio of construction projects to deliver benefits that would not be achievable if the projects were managed independently in a turbulent economic environment, limitations of project management, and increasing stakeholder expectations cannot be over emphasised. In the construction industry, the implementation of programme management has been bedevilled with major challenges of which the North West Department of Public Works (DPW) CAPEX programme is no exception. The CAPEX programme has been noted for delivering fewer infrastructure projects as planned in terms of budget, time, and other expectations. The research documented in this treatise thus examined the existing programme management approach of the North West DPW CAPEX programme with respect to generally accepted standards and practices. A mixed research approach was used to identify problems such as delays in payment of works, poor reporting standards, improper planning of works, procurement difficulties, and inadequate management structures. The results point to excessive bureaucratic processes, improper information management systems and lack of commitment and ownership towards government works as the major underlying causes of the programme predicaments. Dogmatic implementation of government’s black economic empowerment policies and inadequate in-house capacity were also contributing factors. The research findings imply that effective processes should be laid for prompt payment of works certificates and invoices. Improved reporting standards and proper planning of the programme as a whole and its constituent projects is necessary for the attainment of stipulated goals. In particular, it is crucial to ensure that adequate management considerations in terms of capacity, infrastructure, structures and expertise are put in place while the procurement processes should be continually reviewed for programme success purposes.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2013

Production of recombinant human CD21 and CD23 : towards a better understanding of their interaction

  • Authors: Van Zyl, Dwain George
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Immunoglobulins , Fc receptors
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:10365 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d10211135
  • Description: The prevalence of allergic diseases has dramatically increased over the last three decades. Presently, it is estimated that 20-30 per cent of the developed world suffers from allergic diseases. The majority of allergic diseases are rooted in the activities of IgE; an immunoglobulin which exerts its effector functions by interacting with a network of proteins. This network includes its low affinity receptor CD23. Cross linking of membrane IgE and CD21 by soluble CD23 results in an increase in IgE synthesis. This marks the interaction between CD23 and CD21 as an attractive therapeutic target. However, details regarding this interaction are inadequate for rational drug design. To obtain a deeper understanding of the CD23-CD21 interaction recombinant human CD21 (SCR1-2 and SCR5-8) and CD23 (16 kD and 25 kDa) were produced. The cloning, expression and purification of recombinant proteins comprised a significant portion of this study. Recombinant CD23 was expressed as inclusion bodies, refolded by rapid dilution and purified by size exclusion chromatography. Conversely, recombinant CD21 was expressed as soluble MBP-fusions and purified with an amylose affinity resin. The interaction between recombinant CD23 and CD21 was analysed by flow cytometry and ELISA experiments. Flow cytometry showed that 16 kDa and 25 kDa CD23 interacted with SCR5-8 to the same extent. Semi-quantitative ELISA experiments showed that both SCR1-2 and SCR5-8 were able to interact with 16 kDa and 25 kDa CD23. This suggests that the binding sites of SCR1-2 and SCR5-8 occur on 16 kDa CD23. Furthermore, since proteins were expressed in E. coli it suggests that the CD23-CD21 interaction does not require glycosylation. Furthermore, considering what is known about the SCR1-2-CD23 interaction from previous NMR studies; i.e. that the C-terminal tail (residues residues 289-298) of CD23 is responsible for binding SCR1-2, indicates that SCR5-8 binds somewhere within the lectin domain of CD23. This indicates that the CD23-CD21 interaction involves C-terminal tail-SCR1-2 and lectin domain-SCR5-8 interactions.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2013
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