Drug abuse in selected Grahamstown schools
- Authors: Rungani, Judith
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: High school students -- Substance use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization , Teenagers -- Drug abuse , Substance abuse -- Youth -- Grahamstown (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: vital:11759 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1004784 , High school students -- Substance use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization , Teenagers -- Drug abuse , Substance abuse -- Youth -- Grahamstown (South Africa)
- Description: The study explores drug abuse by learners in selected Grahamstown high schools. The study`s main concern is that drug abuse by learners is on the rise but yet there is less research on the drugs which are being used and the factors which motivate the learners to use such drugs. There are several drug abuse prevention strategies which are being implemented but yet they seem not to be very effective. It is in this frame of reference that this study saw it vital to focus on drug abuse by high school learners in Grahamstown. The study aims to identify the most commonly abused drugs by learners in the high schools of Grahamstown and the reasons why they use these drugs. The study made use of the mixed method research that is making use of both qualitative and quantitative research. The questionnaire was the instrument of data collection in quantitative data and interviews for the qualitative data. The packages which were used for the analysis of data include the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) V8 which was used to provide descriptive analysis and correlations. The findings of the study establish that the commonly abused drugs by learners are: alcohol with 58%, followed by cigarettes 22%, hookah-pipe 9%, dagga 7%. The main reasons why learners use drugs are: peer pressure, role models, availability, environment, and curiosity. Differences in drug use between male and female learners were noted. Twenty-five percent of the male learners and 16% of the female learners reported to be using drugs. In the view of these results, the researcher recommends that a comprehensive drug abuse prevention framework be formulated which focuses on preventing drug abuse at individual, family and community levels.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Educator perceptions of the impact of the departmental matric intervention strategies on selected under-performing schools in the Queenstown district
- Authors: Mrali, Amos Mzoxolo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: High school teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High school students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teacher effectiveness -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Examinations , Academic achievement -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School improvement programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School crisis management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16180 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006232 , High school teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High school students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teacher effectiveness -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Examinations , Academic achievement -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School improvement programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School crisis management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The problem of school under-performance as defined by the level of pass rates of learners in the matric examinations has been a point of educational debate in South Africa for a number of years, especially after the attainment of democracy. In the Eastern Cape, Matric Intervention Strategies (MIS) have been used to address the problem. The aim of this study was to investigate educator perceptions of the impact of the MIS on selected under-performing high schools in the Queenstown District.Two case study schools classified as consistent under-performers participated in the study. Data was collected through in-depth interviews of key educators in these schools. There were five main findings. First, educators felt that Departmental intervention strategies had not made any significant improvement in addressing underperformance in the two case study schools. Second, participants saw underperformance by schools as caused by a myriad of factors which include those related to leadership and management at school and district levels and educator and learner factors, as well as teacher union interference. They did not see MIS as being able to address the causes simultaneously. Third, the implementation of the (MIS) at school level was poorly monitored by the Departmental officials. It was reported that under-performing schools were hardly visited and supported by the subject advisors and (MIO)s. Fourth, educators perceived the role of subject advisors to be limited to CASS moderation as they did not provide any developmental support to educators experiencing content gaps. Finally, educators saw the MIS as a money making scheme for certain educators and district officials. They claimed this was linked to corrupt practices during the appointment of tutors. The teachers did not have confidence in the appointment procedures used by the district for tutors.It can be concluded that the Matric Intervention Strategies in the two schools arenot likely to achieve the intended results as long as educators do not think thatthe strategies are addressing the problems they face. Another conclusion is that the Matric Intervention Strategies are seen as ‘quick fix’ responses to what arereally deep-seated and systemic problems in education. Given the findings of this study, it is recommended that the impact of Matric Intervention Strategies be the focus of a survey research for which a probability sample must be drawn that can generate findings that are generalisable across the participating target population. For the delivery of the MIS it is recommended that the weaknesses identified by educators of the two schools be further investigated so that new implementation plans can be developed.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Educators' experiences with the implementation of Grade 11 NCS English first additional language in selected schools in the Fort Beaufort Education District
- Authors: Besman, Shirley
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Language policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , English language -- Study and teaching , Curriculum evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Fort Beaufort (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16190 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006251 , Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Language policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , English language -- Study and teaching , Curriculum evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Fort Beaufort (South Africa)
- Description: One of the essential sectors that needed a drastic change in the post apartheid era in South Africa, was the education system or policy of the country. The government had a responsibility of combining together the nineteen different Departments of Education into which the schools were fragmented. It is in the interest of the country that, out of the eleven official languages of the country, learners should at least be fluent in two languages namely, the learner‟s mother language and any official language which will be treated as an additional language, thus, promoting additive bilingualism. This is on line with the country‟s constitution which has granted equal status to the eleven languages. That resulted in the formulation of two very imperative policies pertaining to schools; 1) The South African Schools Act (SASA) of 1996 which repeal all discriminatory policies of apartheid. On the issue of language the SASA placed the responsibility of choosing the school subjects to the School Governing Bodies (SGB) and 2) The Language-in- Education Policy (LiEP) of 1997 which is based on the recognition that South Africa is multilingual, and promotes learning of more than one official language. In an attempt to accomplish the constitutional obligation, and establish uniformity or equality in education, Curriculum 2005 which was later revised and known as the Revised National Statement and later revised and known as the NATIONAL Curriculum Statement, with the Outcomes Based Education as its approach, was introduced. The study investigated the experiences of educators with the implementation of NCS EFAL in Grade 11 in the Fort Beaufort Education District. English First Additional Language is used by the majority of schools as the Language of Learning and Teaching (LoLT). The study is located in the interpretive paradigm which sought to explore people‟s experiences and their views. Qualitative research approach was adopted in the study with the intentions of finding as much detail as possible on the experiences of educators with the implementation of NCS EFAL in the Grade 11 classrooms. Six EFAL educators in the Fort Beaufort Education District in the Nkonkobe Municipality were purposely selected for the study. Semi structured interviews consisting of precisely defined questions that were pre-prepared, yet at the same time permitted the EFAL educators to answer beyond what the researcher enquired, were also employed in the study. The results pointed out that all EFAL educators interviewed were qualified teachers and had specialized in English teaching. In addition, the study revealed that in the Fort Beaufort Education District, there were two categories of EFAL educators who were trained for the implementation of NCS EFAL; those who only received one week departmental workshop and those who on top of the one week departmental workshop, received a two year training in Advanced Certificate In Education (ACE) English Language Teaching (ELT) from a Higher Education. The dissimilarity between the two groups manifested in their respective schools between the educators and their Heads of Departments (HOD) who happen to have little knowledge of the implementation of the curriculum. It became evident that the group of educators who were trained in ACE ELT were more familiar with the requirements of the NCS EFAL. The other group which was not conversant with the NCS EFAL policies decided to maintain their old teaching methods. Key recommendations of the study: Policy makers should clarify terminology to be understood by all educators, the Department of Education should take full responsibility of retraining educators to ensure uniformity in training through the in-service trainings yearly.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Effect of full and semi-scavenging rearing systems on crop contents and the quality of meat from village chickens during spring season of Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Hanyani, Charles Tawanda
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Chickens -- Feeding and feeds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Chicken breeds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Meat -- Quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Forage plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Nutrition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11807 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/440 , Chickens -- Feeding and feeds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Chicken breeds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Meat -- Quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Forage plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Nutrition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The objective of this study was to compare the nutrient status of full scavenging and semi-scavenging village chicken production systems. The semi-scavenging chickens were given broiler finisher mash between 14-24 weeks of age, whilst the full scavenging relied on natural foraging. The study also sought to compare the quality of meat from chickens from the two systems. After slaughtering the chickens, the crop contents were physically separated and analysed for chemical composition. Meat pH and colour were measured on the breast muscle of individual carcasses and a consumer sensory evaluation was also done on the breast muscle. The mean crop content weights per day were significantly higher in full scavenging chickens (±16.7g/day biomass) than in semi-scavenging chickens (±9.14g/day). Dry matter, calcium, and phosphorus levels were higher in the crop contents of the full than in the semi-scavenging chickens but crude protein, crude fibre and metabolisable energy were higher in the latter system. Semi-scavenging (1.3 ± 0.05kg) carcasses were heavier (P<0.05) than full scavenging ones (1.0 ± 0.06kg). The ultimate pH (24h) (pHu) of meat from full scavenging chickens (6.0 ± 0.03) was higher (P<0.05) than that of meat from the semi-scavenging chickens (5.7 ± 0.04). Meat from the full scavenging chickens had higher L* values (60 ± 1.2) than meat from the semi-scavenging chickens (47 ± 0.8). The a* value of meat of full scavenging chickens was significantly (P<0.05) less (4 ± 0.4) than that of meat from semi-scavenging chickens (15 ± 1.3). There was a significant positive (0.60) correlation between pHu and L* of meat from village chickens across rearing systems. The semi-scavenging system meat had better sensory attributes than the meat from the full scavenging system. Female consumers scored the typical flavour of village chicken meat across rearing systems higher (P< 0.05) than male consumers. The Shona consumers scored the meat higher (P< 0.05) than the Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele and other tribes for initial juiciness, first bite impression and muscle fibre and tenderness of the chicken across rearing systems. Consumers scored of the meat from the semi-scavenging system higher (P<0.05) on initial juiciness (4.3 ± 0.20), first bite impression (4.2 ± 0.197), muscle fibre tenderness (4.5 ± 0.217) than meat from the full scavenging chickens. There were positive correlations (0.46) between aroma intensity and overall flavour intensity across both rearing systems. The semi-scavenging system produced better carcass characteristics, lighter (L*) meat and more consumer acceptable meat than full scavenging chickens. Therefore the full scavenging rearing system had better nutrient composition in its scavenging feed resource base, although the semi-scavenging systems produced chickens with better carcass, meat pH, colour and sensory characteristics than the full scavenging chickens.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Effect of stage of lactation on milk yield, somatic cell counts, mineral and fatty acid profiles in pasture-based Friesian, Jersey and Friesian × Jersey cows
- Authors: Nantapo, Carlos Wyson Tawanda
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Trace elements in animal nutrition , Genotype-environment interaction , Milk yield -- Testing , Lactation , Holstein-Friesian cattle , Jersey cattle
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11819 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006810 , Trace elements in animal nutrition , Genotype-environment interaction , Milk yield -- Testing , Lactation , Holstein-Friesian cattle , Jersey cattle
- Description: The effect of stage of lactation on milk yield, somatic cell counts, mineral and fatty acid profiles in pasture-based Friesian, Jersey and Friesian × Jersey cows was investigated. Twenty Friesian, twenty Jersey and twenty Friesian × Jersey cows were randomly selected from a dairy herd. A total of 202 milk samples were collected and analysed in three stages of lactation. Genotypic differences were observed in milk yield and fat content. Friesian cows produced the highest yield and lowest fat content whereas the opposite was true for Jersey cows (P<0.01). No significant differences were observed in SCC in the different genotypes, but SCC levels were higher in mid and late lactation (P<0.001). There was no effect (P<0.005) of genotype and stage of lactation interaction on Ca, P, Mg, Na, Mn and Bo concentration. Jersey cows had the least concentration of Fe and Cu in all stages of lactation. Strong positive correlations were observed among Ca and P, Mg and Zn. Aluminium had a strong positive relationship with Bo, Fe, Mn and Zn (P<0.001). Generally, SCC had a weak positive relationship with macro elements but a significant negative relationship with microelements. Yield levels were negatively correlated with Mg, Na, Al, Mn and SCC. Pasture ALA, SFA, n-3, n-6/n-3 and PUFA/MUFA concentration did not differ across the study period. Linoleic acid was highest in the second phase which coincides with mid lactation in cows (P<0.001). Highest moisture content coincided with the least fat free dry matter content in early lactation (P<0.001). Significantly high fat content was observed in late lactation than in early lactation. Highest butyric, caproic, linoleic, n-6 and PUFA were observed for Friesian cows. All other fatty acids ratios were not significantly different among different genotypes. Highest CLA, ALA, LA, SFA, PUFA, n-6, and n-3 and atherogenicity index were observed in early lactation whereas desaturase activity indices were highest in late lactation. Strong positive correlations were observed among milk vaccenic, ALA, LA and CLA concentrations. Inverse relationships were observed between SFA and long chain fatty acids. It can be concluded, it may be of advantage to consume milk from early stage of lactation poses a lower risk to coronary diseases and are much safer to consume.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Effects of feeding Moringa Oleifera leaf meal as an additive on growth performance of chicken, physico-chemical shelf-life indicators, fatty acid profiles and lipid oxidation of broiler meat
- Authors: Wapi, Cwayita
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Moringa , Broilers (Chickens) , Meat -- Quality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11822 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007546 , Moringa , Broilers (Chickens) , Meat -- Quality
- Description: Effects of feeding Moringa oleifera leaf meal as an additive on growth performance of chicken, physico- chemical shelf-life indicators, fatty acids profiles and lipid oxidation of broiler meat The main objective of the study was to determine the effect of M.oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) as an additive on growth performance, carcass characteristics, physico-chemical shelf-life indicators (colour, ultimate pH, driploss), fatty acids profiles and lipid oxidation of meat from broilers. A total of 432 1day old unsexed broiler chicks (Aviane 48) were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments (TRTS) in 72 cages. There were 18 cages per treatment and each cage allocated 6 chicks. Water and feed was provided at ad libitum. The feeding phases were, prestarter (0-7 Days), starter (8-18 Days), grower (19-28 Days), finisher (29-35 Days). The four TRTS contained graded levels of MOLM at 1000g/ton, 750g/ton, 500g/ton, and 0g/ton (control), respectively. The birds were slaughtered at 35 days of age. Breast muscles were sampled for meat, ultimate pH (pHu ), colour, drip loss over a 7 days shelf-life test. After each day’s test sub-samples were dipped in liquid nitrogen and kept at -180 C for thiobarbituric acid reactive substances determination. On Day1 and Day 7 extra sub-samples were also kept at -180 C for fatty acids analysis.The TRTS had no effect on average feed intake (AFI), feed conversion efficiency (FCE), and on average daily gain (ADG). Slaughter weight (SW), carcass weight (CW), dressing percentage and gizzard weight (GW) values were similar in all TRTS. Liver weight (LW), heart weight (HW), and gastro-intestinal fat (GIF) differed in all the TRTS, with treatment 2 having the highest value of HW (28.3±2.55), and LW (44.2±1.60) was the highest on treatment 4 . The pH values in all TRTS were constant from Day1 to Day5, reached peak on Day6, and then declined on Day7. Meat from broilers given treatment 1 with MOLM (1000g/ton) had the highest lightness (L*) values. The redness (a*) values were the highest in meat from treatment 2 (750g/ton MOLM). Treatments had no effect on yellowness (b*) values and on drip loss of the breasts. During storage L* values were high from Day1 to Day5 and decreased from Day6 to Day7. Drip loss increased with storage time as expected. Treatment 4 (control) had the highest proportions of poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (30.3±1.87). Treatment 1 (1000g/ton) had the highest proportion of saturated fatty acids (SFA) (60.9±1.87). Treatment 1 (1000g/ton) had the highest proportion of SFA (60.9±4.30). Treatment 2 (750g/ton) had the highest n-6/n-3 ratio than other TRTS. Days had no effect (P>0.05) on PUFA, SFA, and n-6/n-3 ratio. Treatment 1 had a highest amount of malondialdehyde (MDA), treatment 4 had no effect (P>0.05) on MDA . Storage time had an effect (P<0.05) on MDA levels, except for on Day1 and Day7. Day2 had the highest amount of MDA (0.7±0.08). The use of MOLM as an additive in broiler diets reduced lipid oxidation in meat, and maintained the quality of the broiler meat during storage. It also did not have any adverse effects on the growth performance of broilers. Therefore, it has the potential to be used as an additive in broiler diets.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Effects of pre-slaughter sheep handling and animal-related factors on creatine kinase levels and physico-chemical attributes of mutton
- Authors: Chulayo, Amanda Yucca
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Sheep -- South Africa , Mutton , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa , Creatine -- Physiological effect
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11810 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/433 , Sheep -- South Africa , Mutton , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa , Creatine -- Physiological effect
- Description: Effects of pre-slaughter sheep handling and animal-related factors on Creatine Kinase levels and physico-chemical attributes of mutton By Chulayo Amanda Yucca The objective of the study was to determine the effects of pre-slaughter sheep handling and animal-related factors on Creatine kinase (CK) levels and physico-chemical characteristics of mutton from South African sheep breeds. One hundred and seventy-three castrated male sheep from four breeds (15 Dormer, 46 South African Mutton Merino, 77 Dorper and 35 Blackhead Persian) were used. The animals were grouped according to age categories. The grouping was as follows: Group 1 (6 ≤ 8 months), Group 2 (9 ≤ 12 months) and Group 3 (13 ≤ 16 months). Blood samples for CK determination were collected at exanguination using disposable vacutainer tubes. Representative samples of the Muscularis longissimuss thoracis et. lumborum (LTL) muscle were taken for the determination of ultimate pH (pHu), colour (L*-lightness, b*- redness and a*- yellowness), thawing and cooking losses and meat tenderness. Significant (P<0.01) breed effects were observed on CK levels with Dormer having the highest CK values. Significant linear relationships were observed between pre-slaughter condition and CK levels. There were positive correlations between colour coordinates L* and b* (r =+0.22) and between a* and b* (r =+0.63). Cooking loss and Warner Braztler Shear Force (WBSF) values were positively correlated (r =+0.29). The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed a significant variance for CK and between physico-chemical characteristics of mutton. There were no relationships between CK levels and physico-chemical characteristics of mutton. Significant breed and age effects on pHu, L, a*, b*, thaw %, CL and WBSF of mutton were observed. iv It was concluded that, pre-slaughter conditions affect CK levels and physico-chemical characteristics of mutton. However, there were no relationships between CK levels and physico-chemical characteristics of mutton.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Efficacy of organic and synthetic insecticides on the control of cotton pests: The bollworm complex, Helicoverpa armigera, Diparopsis castanea, Earias insulana (Noctuidae) and the leafhopper, Jacobiell
- Authors: Malinga, Lawrence Nkosikhona
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Zoology)
- Identifier: vital:11791 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006798
- Description: A research was conducted on cotton to test different plant extracts with potential insecticidal properties against bollworms (Noctuidae) and leafhoppers (Cicadellidae) for the use by small-scale, cotton farmers. The study was carried out during the 2006/07 and 2007/08 seasons at ARC Institute for Industrial Crops, Rustenburg (25°39.0 S, 27°14.4 E) in the North West Province of South Africa. Four organic insecticides, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacium), khaki weed (Tagetes minuta), thorn apple (Datura stramonium) and garlic (Allium sativum) were compared with two chemical treatments, Mospilan® (acetamiprid) and Decis® (deltamethrin), and an untreated control. The cultivar, DeltaOPAL, was planted and the trial conducted using standard practices. Overall, Decis® and tobacco treatments exhibited significantly less bollworm larvae than the other treatments. Tobacco was the most promising biological pesticide against American bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) and spiny bollworm (Earias insulana) larvae. All the treatments were significantly effective against the red bollworm (Diparopsis castanea) larvae, but Decis® and Mospilan® provided the best control. Although khaki weed, garlic and thorn apple were promising biological pesticides against the bollworm complex, tobacco was the most effective organic treatment. Mospilan® seemed to be more effective on the control of leafhoppers (Jacobiella fascialis), followed by Decis® and tobacco. Among the plant extracts, tobacco and garlic gave higher seed cotton yields compared to the khaki weed and thorn apple during both study seasons. In 2006/07, none of the treatments reached the corresponding economic threshold levels (ETLs). In contrast, in 2007/08, only rarely were the treatments (mostly Decis® and Mospilan®) below the corresponding ETLs. These differences were attributed to the higher rainfall recorded during the 2007/08 season, which reduced the effectiveness of the treatments by partly washing away the pesticidal applications. In addition, a high weed infestation also created competition for nutrients in the soil, thus resulting in lower (0.50-1.25 ton/ha in 2007/08 vs 2.50-5.00 ton/ha in 2006/07), but acceptable cotton seed yields. In conclusion, it is suggested that some plant extracts (particularly from tobacco and garlic) can be used as a cheaper and more environment-friendly alternative to chemical insecticides for the control of bollworms and leafhoppers, although it has been demonstrated that their efficacy do not reach the one of chemical treatments. Further research in the near future is recommended.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Enlarging the place of human rights and development in international trade regulation: an evaluation of the problems and prospects of incorporating a social clause in the legal framework of the World Trade Organization
- Authors: Warikandwa, Tapiwa Victor
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Social Clause -- Development -- International Trade Regulation -- Human Rights -- World Trade Organization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , LLD
- Identifier: vital:11120 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015224
- Description: An agreement on the inclusion of a social clause in the World Trade Organization‟s (WTO) multilateral trade agreements largely depends on reassuring objecting member states that such inclusion will contribute to an improved recognition of core labour standards in trade, without altering the competitive advantage of one trading partner over another. Reassurance must be given to the effect that incorporating a social clause in the WTO legal framework would not be used as a trade restricting mechanism which might have direct, negative effects on the development of countries worldwide. Such an argument may not be won easily from a legal and economic perspective. There is an omnipresent conflict at the international level between the basic values underlying multilateral trade agreements and principles governing the protection of core labour standards. On the one hand, supporting the stance of free trade is the fundamental force of profit maximization while on the other hand, and in direct opposition to this market driven value system, are human rights-based calls for recognising core labour standards in employment matters related to trade. Increased international trade is a powerful tool for tackling poverty and social misery worldwide. It could thus be important to adopt a legal framework in the multilateral trade system to harness potential opportunities a trade-labour linkage could provide. In that case, the legal questions of whether or not there should be a tradeoff between the right to trade and compliance with core labour standards and whether a social clause in the WTO would achieve this purpose had to be addressed. However, without a compatible underpinning legal framework of universally accepted trade-labour standards, incorporating a social clause in the WTO would be a misplaced legal objective which is unachievable as it could lead to a conflict between the WTO and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and at most could create a legal fiction whose results may not be positively measurable. Setting two international legal norms at conflict with each other is systematically studied as a conflict in which the values of the global market economy are in a supposed confrontation with those protecting core labour standards as human rights. Therefore, this study undertook a contemporary legal analysis of the possibilities and challenges of incorporating a social clause in the WTO for purposes of entrenching the protection of core labour standards. It put forward arguments and tentative proposals for a trade-labour linkage legal framework which could dispel calls for excluding a social clause in the WTO.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Environmental politics: the case of the Xolobeni Mining Project in Mbizana, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Sibane, Nomsa Virginia
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Environmental protection -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Environmental policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mining law -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Minerals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conflict management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil (Environmental Studies)
- Identifier: vital:11880 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007574 , Environmental protection -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Environmental policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mining law -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Minerals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conflict management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This research explored the nature of conflict that arose in Xolobeni, a small area in the Mbizana Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, and the environmental politics emanating from the arguments that supported development rather than environmental protection. The proposed mining project was known as the Xolobeni mining development project within the Amadiba Tribal Authority, an area dominated by Pondos or (Mpondos). The Xolobeni area is located between the Mzamba and Mtentu Rivers, covering some 2 867 hectares, and extends for 20km along the coast of the Mbizana Local Municipality, in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality. In 2005, the Minister of the National Department of Minerals and Energy (DME), now known as the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources, announced that an Australian company, Transworld Energy and Minerals (TEM) will establish a mining development project in Xolobeni to mine red sand dunes which are contained within five blocks, each named after the river at its southern boundary. These blocks were Mtentu, Sikombe, Kwanyana, Mnyameni and Mphalane. According to the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (Act 28 of 2002), the Department of Minerals and Energy is the sole custodian of the mining licence and therefore the only Department that issues mining licences. The research investigated the nature of conflict that erupted in Xolobeni after this announcement, resulting in the formation of two groups namely, the Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC) which represented the communities who were against the mining project in the area and the Xolobeni Local Community (Xolco) which was a Black Economic Empowerment company that represented the communities that supported the mining project and was to receive 26 percent of the proceeds from the mining company. The purpose of the Amadiba Crisis Committee was to channel complaints and grievances of local residents emanating from the mining development project and other development to all relevant authorities so that the Constitutional rights of residents can be respected. The research also investigated the role of each stakeholder in the proposed mining project, namely, local communities in the area, environmentalists, councillors, the National Department of Minerals and Energy, the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs (DEDEA), the traditional authority and the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Economic Development and Environmental Affairs. Central to this research was the level of consultation during the proposed mining project. Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were used to collect data in Xolobeni. Interviews were conducted with the two opposing groups and other various stakeholders including the chieftaincy, environmentalists, councillors and officials in the Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs (DEDEA). The researcher used questionnaires in order to get the views of the targeted participants. Eighty questionnaires were distributed among the targeted participants but only forty five were returned. Some of the participants were reluctant to participate in this study because the mining project had not taken place. Secondary data from the Departments of Environment of Affairs nationally and provincially revealed that the Department of Minerals and Energy through its Minister, Bulelwa Sonjica, awarded the mining licence despite recommendations of both Departments not to do so. The Minister of the new Department of Mineral Resources, Susan Shabangu, withdrew the licence and gave three months to Transworld Energy and Minerals to address the outstanding issues raised in the environmental impact assessment (EIA). The data collected revealed that the proposed mining project affected all communities in the Amadiba Tribal Administrative area. The research also illustrated how the Xolobeni community organised themselves and protested against development that intended to force them to relocate from their ancestral land without proper consultation. Issues of sustainable development and environmental protection also formed part of the discussions in this research. While the mining project had stalled, it emerged that the majority of respondents in the area did not want the mining project to proceed.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Evaluating the efficacy of anti-corruption measures in the procurement system: a case study of Marondera municipality in Mashonaland, east of Zimbabwe
- Authors: Sabilika, Maxwell Seagent
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Civil service -- Zimbabwe , Government purchasing -- Zimbabwe , Municipal officials and employees -- Zimbabwe , Municipal government -- Zimbabwe , Political corruption -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11679 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007620 , Civil service -- Zimbabwe , Government purchasing -- Zimbabwe , Municipal officials and employees -- Zimbabwe , Municipal government -- Zimbabwe , Political corruption -- Zimbabwe
- Description: Anti-corruption measures are put forward as a panacea to effective procurement system, among other things, which ultimately improve service delivery. Corruption has demonstrated remarkable durability and flexibility to survive in all socio-economic systems with the conception of a corruption-free economy in reality, is hardly possible. Given this background, this study sought to evaluate the efficacy of the already implemented anti-corruption measures in the procurememt procecesses of Marondera municipality. To understand their effectiveness, relevant literature was reviewed. Different scholars point against the ineffectiveness of these measures, with Corruption Perception Index (CPI) from previous research showing devastating results in Zimbabwean local institutions. A further discussion of corruption cenception, different anti-corruption measures and legal frameworks gave a greater understanding of the area under study. In this study, a sample of 80 respondents was identified and data collected from them using both snow ball and purposive sampling methods. Thirty-five of them were females respondents and forty-five were male respondents from Marondera municipal community, with different demographic characteristics which was used for comparison of responses. Questionnaires and interviews were used as research instruments. Both the Quantitative and Qualitative research methods were used in the anaylsis of the data, to increase validity and reliability of the feelings.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Evaluation of international aid in Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Lwanga-Iga, Ivan
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: United Nations -- Economic assistance , Economic assistance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , International cooperation -- Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic policy , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Science Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11437 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007219 , United Nations -- Economic assistance , Economic assistance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , International cooperation -- Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic policy , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Description: International Aid or Official Development Assistance (ODA), especially its implementation and effectiveness, has long been and continues to be a vigorously contested matter amongst the stakeholders in the development arena. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of ODA in two municipalities in the Eastern Cape – Buffalo City and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipalities – during the period 2005–2010. This period coincided with the introduction of the Paris Declaration (PD), an intervention intended to improve the ODA or Aid landscape globally. This was also the period during which the so-called service delivery protests in almost all municipalities in South Africa escalated. A diversified methodology including both quantitative and qualitative approaches was used in this study while adhering to the evaluation framework of the Paris Declaration as recommended by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This framework put special focus on the five principles of ownership, alignment, harmonisation, managing for results and mutual accountability. Of particular significance in this study is the special attention paid to the actual beneficiaries on the ground, namely the communities, which is contrary to most existing Paris Declaration evaluations. The research findings suggested that there had been no conscious efforts to implement the Paris Declaration in the two municipalities that were investigated. Furthermore, the prevailing weaknesses in governance, coupled with both administrative and operational paralysis in these two institutions, provided for less than fertile ground for this intervention to thrive.The findings also highlighted that ODA programmes were very poorly known by most stakeholders, especially the communities who were supposed to benefit directly from this assistance. These results also underscored the partisan nature of ODA and how it influenced the perceptions of the various key players. The success and future of ODA programmes in South Africa, particularly in municipalities, will largely rely on “Active Citizenry”. Although ODA’s contribution to South Africa seems negligible in monetary terms, its significance lies among others in the innovations, piloting, risk mitigation, catalytic initiatives and capacity development it introduces or generates and which need to be correctly exploited, implemented and maximised. ODA in South Africa should therefore focus at the local level, the municipalities, which represent the interface between the citizens and the state. To ensure that the ensuing innovations are optimally cascaded down in an organised and effective manner to where they are mostly needed, ODA should preferably operate at the strategic level in municipalities. This would in turn assist in counteracting the current high levels of poverty and inequality in the country. Study findings further suggest that South Africa should cease its current ambivalence regarding ODA and refrain from the so-called “Triangular” ODA in support of the rest of Africa. The demands in it’s own back yard are steadily mounting. This is clearly reflected by the continuous service delivery protests and instability in several municipalities in South Africa.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Evaluation of poverty alleviation strategies implemented by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Zimbabwe: a case of Binga rural district
- Authors: Nyathi, Daina
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Rural poor -- Zimbabwe Case studies , Non-governmental organizations -- Zimbabwe -- Evaluation , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11426 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/507 , Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Rural poor -- Zimbabwe Case studies , Non-governmental organizations -- Zimbabwe -- Evaluation , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe
- Description: The problem this research seeks to address is about the ineffectiveness of NGOs’ strategies implemented in the rural areas of Binga District in Zimbabwe. The research has been basically influenced by personal concerns which I believe have influenced the selection of the research problem. My main concern is the deepening of poverty in Binga District. Lack of infrastructure like roads, shortage of schools leading to high illiteracy levels, shortage of clinics and hospitals, lack of clean water, high unemployment levels are the indicators of poverty in Binga. Country wide, the district is regarded as one of the poorest districts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the poverty alleviation strategies implemented by NGOs in the rural areas of Zimbabwe specifically in Binga. Today there are more than fifteen NGOs that operate in Binga and they specialise in different areas ranging from food distribution, education, agriculture, conservation and advocacy. What matters most is that despite the number of NGOs operating in Binga, poverty is still intensifying and widening. Through the research, it was found that most NGOs’ strategies in Binga focus on relief than developmental aid. Also when addressing poverty, NGOs use the trickle down approach than the bottom up approach. Moreover, the strategies implemented in Binga do not address the needs of the poor. The political instability in Zimbabwe is also believed to be a serious stumbling block to the operation of NGOs in Binga and the rest of the country. Finally, the research recommends NGOs to use the participatory approach as well as the sustainable livelihoods approach in dealing with poverty. Again, NGOs need to monitor and evaluate their projects because most of their projects are not monitored and evaluated properly. Above all the NGOs’ strategies for alleviating poverty need to be reviewed.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Evaluation of rural sanitation in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Marata, Mawethu Nicolas
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Sanitation, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sanitation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public utilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Buffalo City (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Rural Development)
- Identifier: vital:11944 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1005966 , Sanitation, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sanitation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public utilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Buffalo City (South Africa)
- Description: This research paper is a qualitative evaluation of rural resident’s views in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality regarding the municipalities (BCM) performance in sanitation in rural areas. The study was conducted using interviews and some participant observation as a strategy for data collection. The data collected was analyzed using the basic needs theoretical framework. The study found that sanitation is the least talked about subject because of the stigma attached to it. The study found that Buffalo City Municipality initiatives in sanitation have little impact or has not yet transformed the lives of rural people. It has been found that the municipality is responding slowly in sanitation, and this situation impacts negatively on the lives of rural people as they are exposed to health hazards and diseases. The study questions the sustainability of toilets built in rural areas as many toilets have no roofs and door. It has been found that sanitation is still a challenge in the Buffalo City Municipality as some people still relieve themselves in the bushes. Some people even defecate into plastic bags and then throw the bags as far as they can. The study found that the environment is deeply affected by the lack of sanitation as both air and water are contaminated by waste disposal caused by poor sanitation. The general feeling of the residents of Buffalo City Municipality with regard to sanitation service delivery is that they were not happy at all. The residents are not happy with the state of sanitation services rendered by the municipality. The study calls upon the municipality to speedily address rural sanitation to avoid service delivery protest. The research calls upon organizations and companies to get sanitation issues as part of their function. The research made a number of recommendations in an effort to help municipalities accelerate the delivery of sanitation in rural areas. It is hoped that the recommendations would help the Buffalo City Municipality in ensuring that communities are equipped and empowered to meaningfully participate in making policies, regarding their development. The recommendations will contribute towards encouraging community participation in the decision making within their municipalities. It is the aim of the study for other municipalities to use Buffalo City Municipality example as a benchmark for best practices. In conclusion, the rural areas of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality need more serious commitment from the municipality regarding sanitation and other basic services.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Evaluation of the impact of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) in the Province of the Eastern Cape: the case of selected schools in the Mdantsane area (2008 to 2011)
- Authors: Mbulawa, Zukiswa
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Competency-based education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Quality assurance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work capacity evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Total quality management , Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11635 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/560 , Competency-based education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Quality assurance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work capacity evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Total quality management , Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The Department of Basic Education introduced the Integrated Quality Management system in 2003. This was an integration of the three systems, Developmental Appraisal System, Whole School Evaluation System and Performance Measurement System. The system was seen as to be the one that would allow teachers to play a vital role in assessing their own progress, and would integrate this with the necessary evaluation strategy for the professional development of teachers and monitoring of the quality of teaching and learning in schools. The purpose of this study was to research an evaluation of the Integrated Quality Management System impact in schools of the Mdantsane Area. The objective of the study was to establish whether the IQMS has addressed the concerns and needs of the educators and also establish their views on IQMS. The literature was reviewed to get more information on the key concepts of the IQMS and get to understand how the system should be implemented. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods have been used to get to probe the views of the educators and how the system impacts in schools. The data collected was analyzed by means of frequency tables and charts using statistical methods. It was concluded that educators still do not understand the policy document of IQMS and more training on the implementation of IQMS was recommended. The support and monitoring from the District Office needs to be strengthened.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Evaluation of the possible application of cowpea genotypes in the farming systems of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Adeyemi, Samson Adebowale
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Cowpea -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cowpea , Plant diversity , Cowpea -- Genetics , DNA fingerprinting of plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Biochemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11274 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007539 , Cowpea -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cowpea , Plant diversity , Cowpea -- Genetics , DNA fingerprinting of plants
- Description: Characterization studies on the genetic diversity among cultivated cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) varieties are valuable tools to optimize the use of available genetic resources by farmers, local communities, researchers and breeders. Eight cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) genotypes ( Vegetable cowpea, Ivory grey, Okhalweni, Fahari, Fahari dark, 97K-1069-8, IT93K-73h, and 129-3) were subjected to molecular, morphological and agronomical characterization. DNA amplification fingerprinting markers were used to evaluate the genetic diversity among the eight genotypes. Nine random arbitrary primers were used to screen the eight genotypes to assess their ability to reveal polymorphisms in cowpea, and seven of them were selected for use in characterizing the total sample. A total of 43 bands were generated which are all polymorphic. On the average, the primers generated a total of 6.1 polymorphic bands. The resulting data-matrix included 43 analysed bands with a total of 344 characters. Neighbour joining analysis was used to generate the dendrogram, clustering the genotypes into two groups at an agglomerate coefficient of 0.30 irrespective of their geographical origins. The results also showed the presence of significant differences in morphological and quality traits among the genotypes. Fahari yielded the highest concentration of crude protein (46.51 mg/mg dry leaf) while Vegetable cowpea yielded the lowest (24.41 mg/mg dry leaf). The influence of manure was also found to be effective by increasing the crude protein content of the genotypes as shown by Fahari dark with an average of 53.53 mg/mg dry leaf as opposed to 39.85 mg/mg dry leaf without manure application. Although some small clusters grouped accessions of the same growth habits, a general lack of agreement between clustering and morphological features was observed. It can therefore be concluded that the significant differences between the molecular genetic analysis using DAF-PCR markers, morphologic characters and yield traits can be important tools to identify and discriminates the different cowpea genotypes.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Evaluation of various proteomic techniques to identify proteins involved in cereal stress responses to aphid infestation
- Authors: Nqumla, Ntombekhaya
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Aphids , Wheat , Plant proteomics , Rice
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Biochemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11270 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1004572 , Aphids , Wheat , Plant proteomics , Rice
- Description: All plants are exposed to abiotic and biotic stresses and have developed intricate signalling responses to survive. They respond to cell-structure disruption caused by herbivore probing and feeding by the formation of callose. Callose is a linear homopolymer made up of β-1,3-linked glucose residues with some β-1,6-branches. Plant responses to abiotic or biotic stress share events such as phosphorylation, membrane depolarization, calcium influx and the release of reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide. These events lead to the up-regulation of several pathways leading to biosynthesis of signalling molecules such as salicylic acid, jasmonate, abscisic acid and ethylene pathways. The aim of this study was to determine the most suitable proteomic approach for identifying proteins and signalling pathways involved in cereal response to aphid infestation. An in silico approach was first evaluated in which the 5ʹ upstream regulatory region of proteins belonging to the family of callose synthases was scanned for cis-regulatory elements in order to identify which callose synthases are possibly expressed in plants during biotic or abiotic stresses. Bioinformatics tools were used in the identification of twelve Arabidopsis and ten rice callose synthase coding regions. Genome sequences for rice and Arabidopsis were scanned for the 2000 bp 5ʹ region upstream of the start codon of each callose synthase coding region. PlantCare, PLACE and Athena software were used to identify putative cis-regulatory elements present in the 2000 bp 5ʹ upstream sequences. The majority of cis-acting elements identified were involved in drought and high temperature responses and only one cis-acting element was involved in wound stress. These results therefore indicated a probable role for plant callose synthases in drought stress responses rather than in biotic stress responses. Genevestigator analysis of Arabidopsis results of micro-array experiments indicated that AtGSL10 is highly up-regulated, with AtGSL1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11 and 12 showing medium up-regulation and AtGSL2, 4 and 9 no up-regulation during aphid infestation of Arabidopsis plants, implicating a possible role for AtGSL10 in the plant response to aphid infestation. An LC/MS/MS approach was used to identify specific signalling pathways involved in wheat resistance or stress response to aphid infestation. Eight proteins were identified as being up-regulated during aphid feeding in wheat, and 11 proteins were identified as possibly involved in the wheat resistance mechanism against aphid infestation. Several proteins were also identified as constitutively expressed proteins, during normal conditions and aphid infestation. Most pathways identified with proteins up-regulated in the resistance mechanisms of TugelaDN plants, were related to energy metabolism and located in the chloroplast. Evaluation of two dimensional gel electrophoresis to identify phosphoproteins differentially regulated in wheat during aphid infestation, revealed the up-regulation of three proteins namely photosystem II oxygen-evolving complex protein 2, HVUNKNOWN from Hordeum vulgare subsp vulgare and HSKERAT9 NID from Homo sapiens. Additional 57 proteins were partially identified as involved in the stress response but due to low protein levels, the percentage of matching peptides to these proteins was below the required confidence level. Although these protein identifications were below the confidence level, it is interesting to note that several of the proteins are known stress response proteins, and therefore could serve as potential targets for future investigations. In conclusion, the down and up-regulation of wheat proteins after aphid feeding reported in this study suggest that several signalling pathways are involved in the cereal stress response to aphid feeding. In silico approaches require knowledge or identification of potential proteins whereas 2D and LC/MS can identify numerous proteins still unknown to be involved in specific stress responses. The 2D approach is also limited in that the proteins of interest may be in low abundance and therefore not detected in the gels due to the presence of high abundant proteins. Therefore the best approach to identify proteins and signalling pathways involved in the stress response of wheat to aphid infestation, is the LC/MS/MS approach, as this proved to be the most sensitive and robust, identifying the most proteins with a high degree of confidence.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Exchange rates and economic growth in emerging economies: the case of South Africa
- Authors: Sibanda, Bornapart
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Economic development , Currency convertibility -- South Africa , Foreign exchange -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa , Foreign exchange administration -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com
- Identifier: vital:11464 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007045 , Economic development , Currency convertibility -- South Africa , Foreign exchange -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa , Foreign exchange administration -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Description: This study examines the impact of exchange rate volatility and misalignment on economic growth in South Africa. It applies the Johansen co integration test and the vector error correction model on quarterly data for the period 1990:01-2010:04. Exchange rate volatility is measured as the standard deviation of both the nominal and nominal effective exchange rate. The study constructs three measures of exchange rate misalignment, with two of the measures constructed using the Producer Price Index and Consumer Price index based Purchasing Power Parity. The third measure was based on the difference between the nominal and effective exchange rate. Contrary to pre-dominant findings in the exchange rate literature, the study finds a positive and significant relationship between exchange rate volatility and economic growth and attributes it to composition of the country’s exports that are largely made up of commodities that act as essential inputs in many production processes. As a result, the variability of prices caused by exchange rate volatility is not expected to deter demand for these commodities. A negative and significant relationship between exchange rate misalignment and economic growth was found. The findings of the study show that it is important for monetary authorities to ensure that the exchange rate is always at an appropriate level in order to avoid the negative implications of exchange rate misalignment on economic growth.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Experiences by orphaned children as learners at a Secondary School in the Maluti District of Education in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Jackson, David Moses
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Learning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Orphans -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School children -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Orphans -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High school students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16187 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006247 , Learning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Orphans -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School children -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Orphans -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High school students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The aim of this study was to investigate the schooling experiences of four orphaned learners at Mandini Secondary School in the Maluti District of Education in the Eastern Cape. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology and a phenomenological research design. Purposive sampling was adopted and the tape recorded narrative responses of all four respondents, were obtained from the use of in-depth phenomenological unstructured interviews. The respondents were four orphaned children (two males and two females) between the ages of fifteen and twenty years. The study used the Social Rupture Theory as lenses of analysis of the findings. This was considered a very sensitive topic because the respondents had to relate issues which could result in them reliving traumatic experiences. As a result more attention was paid on ethical issues and making the respondents feel comfortable. The respondents were capable of distinguishing between their quality of life while their parents were still alive and well; when they (the parent[s]) became sick and when they eventually died. Furthermore, the respondents highlighted the negative effects of parental absence in their education. In addition, these orphaned children formed relationships with the school community after their parents’ death which, to some extent, had a positive effect on their schooling. Based on these findings the study suggests that educators need to be trained in diagnosing psycho-social problems and given skills to deal with them. Similarly, short courses should be organized for guardians and community development workers in identifying and counseling of problems.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Exploring the influence of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programmes on participants experience of time, particularly the present (here and now): a case study of Eastern Cape participants
- Authors: Schofield, Lorna
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Acceptance and commitment therapy , Stress management , Depression, Mental -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11611 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1005640
- Description: This study aims to explore the extent to which participating in a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme may result in shifts in people’s relationship with time, notably whether they become more present-focussed. The eight week MBSR programme advocates mindfulness, which is defined as paying attention on purpose in the present moment without judgement, as a way of reducing stress. The programme has been available in East London since 2009. A case study of eight MBSR programme participants’ experiences using narrative analysis was conducted. Narrative psychology and social constructionism provided the theoretical basis in which our storied lives are located in culturally inscribed narratives, with specific discourses around time and stress. Time discourses tend to pressurise people to believe that it is better to go about daily life at a fast pace, which requires significant hurrying and rushing with pervasive senses of time urgency. Stress discourse locates stress management within individuals. One-on-one semi structured interviews were held so that participants could reflect on their experience of time and the present moment orientation of the programme. Participants’ perceived a shift in how they experienced time with greater awareness of being present-focussed and they identified stress reduction benefits, which included feeling calmer, less panicked and more self-accepting. However, some of the participants maintaining the formal mindfulness practices like the body scan, meditation and mindful movement after the programme often proved difficult, as they were drawn back into their dominant narratives around time which were characterised by busyness, productivity and time scarcity.
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- Date Issued: 2012