An evaluation of the national minimum wage dispensation
- Authors: Masenya, Mogodi
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Evaluation , Minimum wage -- distribution , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60807 , vital:67833
- Description: After South Africa became a democratic country, there was a shift in the labour and employment sector. This led to introduction of new labour laws which would be in harmony with the constitutional dream and objectives. As such, the BCEA was introduced to bring about change to the basic conditions of employment. As a result of this, new minimum wages policies and laws were enacted. The wages were to be determined by the following means: first way was by means of bargaining council agreements, the second way by means of statutory council agreements, and the third way by means of sectoral determinations. The sectoral determinations policy was introduced through the BCEA. The BCEA through the ECC promulgated sectoral determinations which was aimed to establish minimum wages and conditions of employment for workers in the sectors deemed to be vulnerable. A minimum wage was firstly adopted in New Zealand and in European countries as early as the 19th century. This policy was then widely adopted after the establishment of the International Labour Organisation. The purpose or aim of a minimum wage is to protect workers against exploitatively low pay and to ensure a just and equitable share of the profits of work, thus creating a minimum living wage for all those that are employed and in need of such protection. Minimum wages are also often used as a policy tool to reduce poverty and inequality, including between men and women, by advocating for equal pay for work of equal value. Convention No. 131 and Recommendation No 135 are the key international conventions that determine minimum wage fixing. Convention No. 131 and Recommendation No. 135 seek to ensure that the minimum wage is set at a certain level that allows workers and their families to meet their needs. Article 4 of Convention No. 131 requires the creation and maintenance of machinery adapted to national conditions and requirements whereby minimum wages for groups of wage earners covered under article 1 can be fixed and adjusted from time to time. However, the situation of minimum wages differs between developed and developing countries. This raises a concern, more particularly, whether developing countries can be able to adopt the minimum wage policy. This research makes investigate the adoption of iv minimum wage policy in developed and developing countries, and how it affected their socio-economic status. On about 2018, South Africa enacted the National Minimum Wage Act. This Act was aimed at establishing a floor of minimum wage for all employees. This Act was intended to promote and protect vulnerable workers who were left out from the previous wage policies. The long-term aim of a minimum wage was to remove the problem of poverty pay, which exists when the earnings from paid work do not result in a living minimum wage and fail to push people out of poverty. When this Act was enacted, the national minimum wage floor was set at R20 per hour. However, in EPWP, Domestic Worker, and Farm workers had lower rates because they were regulated by other laws. Furthermore, there were challenges of non-compliance by employers. The national minimum wage policy as a socio-economic tool has had an impact on several levels of the economy. This policy has contributed to either alleviation or elevation of poverty and unemployment. Therefore, this study looks at the impact the minimum wage has had on these 2 aspects of life. The research provides a specific asymmetric data of the impact of the policy in all sectors throughout the time since this policy was adopted. It further shows how the minimum wage policy intervention has been affected by covid 19 pandemic. This empirical evidence is provided by way of charts and graphs to demonstrate the changes that has occurred. At the end of the treatise a conclusion on how this policy has affected the South African economy is reached. Furthermore, recommendations on how economic risks posed by the minimum wage policy can be reduced. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, School of Mercantile law, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Masenya, Mogodi
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Evaluation , Minimum wage -- distribution , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60807 , vital:67833
- Description: After South Africa became a democratic country, there was a shift in the labour and employment sector. This led to introduction of new labour laws which would be in harmony with the constitutional dream and objectives. As such, the BCEA was introduced to bring about change to the basic conditions of employment. As a result of this, new minimum wages policies and laws were enacted. The wages were to be determined by the following means: first way was by means of bargaining council agreements, the second way by means of statutory council agreements, and the third way by means of sectoral determinations. The sectoral determinations policy was introduced through the BCEA. The BCEA through the ECC promulgated sectoral determinations which was aimed to establish minimum wages and conditions of employment for workers in the sectors deemed to be vulnerable. A minimum wage was firstly adopted in New Zealand and in European countries as early as the 19th century. This policy was then widely adopted after the establishment of the International Labour Organisation. The purpose or aim of a minimum wage is to protect workers against exploitatively low pay and to ensure a just and equitable share of the profits of work, thus creating a minimum living wage for all those that are employed and in need of such protection. Minimum wages are also often used as a policy tool to reduce poverty and inequality, including between men and women, by advocating for equal pay for work of equal value. Convention No. 131 and Recommendation No 135 are the key international conventions that determine minimum wage fixing. Convention No. 131 and Recommendation No. 135 seek to ensure that the minimum wage is set at a certain level that allows workers and their families to meet their needs. Article 4 of Convention No. 131 requires the creation and maintenance of machinery adapted to national conditions and requirements whereby minimum wages for groups of wage earners covered under article 1 can be fixed and adjusted from time to time. However, the situation of minimum wages differs between developed and developing countries. This raises a concern, more particularly, whether developing countries can be able to adopt the minimum wage policy. This research makes investigate the adoption of iv minimum wage policy in developed and developing countries, and how it affected their socio-economic status. On about 2018, South Africa enacted the National Minimum Wage Act. This Act was aimed at establishing a floor of minimum wage for all employees. This Act was intended to promote and protect vulnerable workers who were left out from the previous wage policies. The long-term aim of a minimum wage was to remove the problem of poverty pay, which exists when the earnings from paid work do not result in a living minimum wage and fail to push people out of poverty. When this Act was enacted, the national minimum wage floor was set at R20 per hour. However, in EPWP, Domestic Worker, and Farm workers had lower rates because they were regulated by other laws. Furthermore, there were challenges of non-compliance by employers. The national minimum wage policy as a socio-economic tool has had an impact on several levels of the economy. This policy has contributed to either alleviation or elevation of poverty and unemployment. Therefore, this study looks at the impact the minimum wage has had on these 2 aspects of life. The research provides a specific asymmetric data of the impact of the policy in all sectors throughout the time since this policy was adopted. It further shows how the minimum wage policy intervention has been affected by covid 19 pandemic. This empirical evidence is provided by way of charts and graphs to demonstrate the changes that has occurred. At the end of the treatise a conclusion on how this policy has affected the South African economy is reached. Furthermore, recommendations on how economic risks posed by the minimum wage policy can be reduced. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, School of Mercantile law, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
Development of a crumb rubber adsorbent for the sorption of lead and copper from waste water: Optimization of sorption in a binary component system
- Authors: Hlabana,Relebohile Gladys
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59688 , vital:62356
- Description: Waste tyre is becoming a global environmental problem due to challenges in its disposal management and the fact that it poses fire hazards and metal leaching risk. Waste tyre can also breed mosquitos if it traps water thereby becoming an environmental health problem. There is also a portion of unused tyre in a waste tyre that is valuable and should be recycled. In South Africa waste tyre recycling is in three industries, one of which is crumb rubber where waste tyre is applied into various sized particles called crumb rubber. Crumb rubber can be applied in environmental remediation as an organic and inorganic pollutants’ adsorbent. Considering the fact that South Africa’s environment is loaded with heavy metal pollutants due to contributions by mining and agriculture as examples, it is postulated that crumb rubber produced in South Africa could be used to remediate the environment of these toxic metals. In this study adsorption of Pb (II) and Cu (II) from the synthetic waste water using waste tyre crumb rubber produced in South Africa was studied. Crumb rubber was activated using aqueous NaOH (0.02%) to make crumb rubber wettable followed by it being treated with 0.02 % acidified KMnO4 for modification of its ability to sorp positively charged metal species. Trial sorption experiments on 50 mg / L Cu (II) were successful with sorption of over 70% in 250 minutes. Final optimization of the sorption of combined Pb (II) and Cu (II) was studied using a full factorial design and optimum conditions of sorption were found to be pH 5.4; [metal] 0.617 mmol / L for Pb (II); and pH 5.4; the optimization of Cu (II) was found to be pH 5.4; [metal] 0.777 mmol / L. In Pb (II) sorptions the mechanism of adsorption on the activated crumb rubber was found to be following the Freundlich model indicating that the adsorption seemed to occur on a multilayer adsorbent, while the mechanism of copper(II) adsorption on to the activated crumb rubber was found to be following Langmuir model, indicating that the adsorption seemed to occur on a monolayer. With adsorption percentages ranging from 98.2 % to 100.0 %, for Pb (II), the crumb rubber produced under the conditions of this study, can be used in South Africa for selective removal of Pb (II). , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Hlabana,Relebohile Gladys
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59688 , vital:62356
- Description: Waste tyre is becoming a global environmental problem due to challenges in its disposal management and the fact that it poses fire hazards and metal leaching risk. Waste tyre can also breed mosquitos if it traps water thereby becoming an environmental health problem. There is also a portion of unused tyre in a waste tyre that is valuable and should be recycled. In South Africa waste tyre recycling is in three industries, one of which is crumb rubber where waste tyre is applied into various sized particles called crumb rubber. Crumb rubber can be applied in environmental remediation as an organic and inorganic pollutants’ adsorbent. Considering the fact that South Africa’s environment is loaded with heavy metal pollutants due to contributions by mining and agriculture as examples, it is postulated that crumb rubber produced in South Africa could be used to remediate the environment of these toxic metals. In this study adsorption of Pb (II) and Cu (II) from the synthetic waste water using waste tyre crumb rubber produced in South Africa was studied. Crumb rubber was activated using aqueous NaOH (0.02%) to make crumb rubber wettable followed by it being treated with 0.02 % acidified KMnO4 for modification of its ability to sorp positively charged metal species. Trial sorption experiments on 50 mg / L Cu (II) were successful with sorption of over 70% in 250 minutes. Final optimization of the sorption of combined Pb (II) and Cu (II) was studied using a full factorial design and optimum conditions of sorption were found to be pH 5.4; [metal] 0.617 mmol / L for Pb (II); and pH 5.4; the optimization of Cu (II) was found to be pH 5.4; [metal] 0.777 mmol / L. In Pb (II) sorptions the mechanism of adsorption on the activated crumb rubber was found to be following the Freundlich model indicating that the adsorption seemed to occur on a multilayer adsorbent, while the mechanism of copper(II) adsorption on to the activated crumb rubber was found to be following Langmuir model, indicating that the adsorption seemed to occur on a monolayer. With adsorption percentages ranging from 98.2 % to 100.0 %, for Pb (II), the crumb rubber produced under the conditions of this study, can be used in South Africa for selective removal of Pb (II). , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
Spatial and temporal analysis of the critical zone in the Western rift valley corridor: towards earth stewardship science in East Africa
- Authors: Miller, Warren David
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59771 , vital:62423
- Description: Over the coming decades, Africa is expected to experience disturbing effects due to climate change and increased land cover change due to human influences presenting a significant concern for the future well-being of human and biological systems, the latter being the foundation of ecosystem services supplied to humanity. Therefore, unprecedented transdisciplinary cooperation, coordination, and integration amongst researchers, government, and civil society are necessary to increase the resiliency of these systems. This study aims to provide an outline of the Africa Alive Corridors (AAC) as an essential model for the encouragement of sustainable development through Earth Stewardship science. These aims are accompanied by the quantification and forward modelling for land cover change of the Critical Zone over 10 Great Lake Basins across one of the AAC, the Western Rift Valley Corridor (WRVC), in East Africa between the years 2018 and 2060. This approach provides the foundation for implementing improved regional governance, better encouragement of sustainable development beyond the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and education programs, such as the AAC, that promote socio-ecological resilience through Earth Stewardship Science. The AAC archives a portion of East Africa as the WRVC, a corridor along the western branch of the East African Rift System that highlights twenty heritage nodes, primarily great lakes, mountain ranges, national parks, and biological hotspots. These heritage entities are associated with ca. 12-million-years of evolution and transformation of the East African topography and related African Great Lake (AGL) systems. The thesis defines the study area by delineating AGL basins intersected by the WRVC. Across these basins, land cover change analysis provides a platform for an integrated assessment of the projected health of the corridor region. Existing land cover datasets provide the initial conditions of the study area for 2008 and 2013. Land cover between 2008 and 2013 is cross-tabulated using the Land Cover Module in the Terrset software, followed by the iii delineation of sub-models and driver variable identification. The Multi-Layer Perceptron algorithm provides the transition potentials between tree cover, urban area, cropland, wetland, and open area classes. Change quantification and prediction using Markov Chain analysis are then established for 2018, 2030, and 2060. The model successfully simulated future land cover change and concluded that: (1) proximity to existing human activity, proximity to existing tree cover, and population are the primary drivers of change; (2) the dominant land cover of the ten lake basins for 2018 was cropland at ca. 48%, followed by tree cover at ca. 33%; (3) total anthropogenic change over the coming four decades equates to over ca. 52 000 km2 (5 200 000 ha), and particularly (4) an urban area is expected to increase by >130%. This assessment ultimately provides a platform for regional governance development at the basin scale and Earth Stewardship science in East Africa. These changes require transdisciplinary action from researchers to civil society. The AAC provides the foundation for understanding the dynamics of the systems that support life across broader spatial and temporal resolutions in Africa, highlighting the need for future generations to build socio-ecological resilience to anticipate challenges such as biodiversity loss posed by climate change and excessive land cover change. , Thesis (DSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Miller, Warren David
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59771 , vital:62423
- Description: Over the coming decades, Africa is expected to experience disturbing effects due to climate change and increased land cover change due to human influences presenting a significant concern for the future well-being of human and biological systems, the latter being the foundation of ecosystem services supplied to humanity. Therefore, unprecedented transdisciplinary cooperation, coordination, and integration amongst researchers, government, and civil society are necessary to increase the resiliency of these systems. This study aims to provide an outline of the Africa Alive Corridors (AAC) as an essential model for the encouragement of sustainable development through Earth Stewardship science. These aims are accompanied by the quantification and forward modelling for land cover change of the Critical Zone over 10 Great Lake Basins across one of the AAC, the Western Rift Valley Corridor (WRVC), in East Africa between the years 2018 and 2060. This approach provides the foundation for implementing improved regional governance, better encouragement of sustainable development beyond the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and education programs, such as the AAC, that promote socio-ecological resilience through Earth Stewardship Science. The AAC archives a portion of East Africa as the WRVC, a corridor along the western branch of the East African Rift System that highlights twenty heritage nodes, primarily great lakes, mountain ranges, national parks, and biological hotspots. These heritage entities are associated with ca. 12-million-years of evolution and transformation of the East African topography and related African Great Lake (AGL) systems. The thesis defines the study area by delineating AGL basins intersected by the WRVC. Across these basins, land cover change analysis provides a platform for an integrated assessment of the projected health of the corridor region. Existing land cover datasets provide the initial conditions of the study area for 2008 and 2013. Land cover between 2008 and 2013 is cross-tabulated using the Land Cover Module in the Terrset software, followed by the iii delineation of sub-models and driver variable identification. The Multi-Layer Perceptron algorithm provides the transition potentials between tree cover, urban area, cropland, wetland, and open area classes. Change quantification and prediction using Markov Chain analysis are then established for 2018, 2030, and 2060. The model successfully simulated future land cover change and concluded that: (1) proximity to existing human activity, proximity to existing tree cover, and population are the primary drivers of change; (2) the dominant land cover of the ten lake basins for 2018 was cropland at ca. 48%, followed by tree cover at ca. 33%; (3) total anthropogenic change over the coming four decades equates to over ca. 52 000 km2 (5 200 000 ha), and particularly (4) an urban area is expected to increase by >130%. This assessment ultimately provides a platform for regional governance development at the basin scale and Earth Stewardship science in East Africa. These changes require transdisciplinary action from researchers to civil society. The AAC provides the foundation for understanding the dynamics of the systems that support life across broader spatial and temporal resolutions in Africa, highlighting the need for future generations to build socio-ecological resilience to anticipate challenges such as biodiversity loss posed by climate change and excessive land cover change. , Thesis (DSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
The co-evolution of Africa’s eastern margin and its primate fauna: implications for hominin evolution
- Authors: Mambalu, Philasande
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59755 , vital:62418
- Description: I investigated potential links between the diversification of African primate lineages and the physical evolution of the continent. I compared published phylogenetic trees based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA for five clades: (a) Lorisoidea (galagos and pottos); (b) arboreal guenon monkeys (Cercopithecus and its allies); (c) living apes (including humans); (d) Papionini (baboons); and (e) savanna or “vervet” monkeys (Chlorocebus). I compared primate divergence dates with the ages of tectonic events, patterns of climatic change, and their palaeo-vegetational consequences. Based on present primate distributions, I estimated likely geographic locations of the divergence events. Finally, I compared the phylogenetic patterns of the primate clades with hominin evolutionary scenarios. Phylogenetic comparisons indicated three time periods when rates of speciation increased across the five primate clades: the Eocene – Oligocene transition (34 – 32 Ma); the mid-late Miocene (10 – 5 Ma); and the Pliocene – Pleistocene transition (2.7 – 2.3 Ma). Concentrated bursts of lineage splitting indicate a broadscale causal relationship between environmental change and lineage divergence. Human evolution followed similar biogeographic patterns to those of other primate clades. Tectonic events, climatic changes and palaeo-vegetational shifts are intimately connected, and have synergistic effects on biotic diversity. Tectonic events influence climatic change through their effects on oceanic circulation, planetary temperatures and rainfall patterns. Additionally, tectonic uplift and erosion may create geographic barriers to organismal dispersal across the continent, increasing the likelihood of geographic separation of populations and speciation. Recently evolved primate species show high levels of hybridisation for several generations after their initial divergence. Genus Homo generated ~10 species over 2.5 Ma. The emergence of these taxa likely involved substantial hybridisation, as demonstrated by the presence of Neanderthal genes within the H. sapiens genome. I suggest that this hybridisation contributed to the difficulties palaeoanthropologists often experience in distinguishing fossil hominin taxa. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Mambalu, Philasande
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59755 , vital:62418
- Description: I investigated potential links between the diversification of African primate lineages and the physical evolution of the continent. I compared published phylogenetic trees based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA for five clades: (a) Lorisoidea (galagos and pottos); (b) arboreal guenon monkeys (Cercopithecus and its allies); (c) living apes (including humans); (d) Papionini (baboons); and (e) savanna or “vervet” monkeys (Chlorocebus). I compared primate divergence dates with the ages of tectonic events, patterns of climatic change, and their palaeo-vegetational consequences. Based on present primate distributions, I estimated likely geographic locations of the divergence events. Finally, I compared the phylogenetic patterns of the primate clades with hominin evolutionary scenarios. Phylogenetic comparisons indicated three time periods when rates of speciation increased across the five primate clades: the Eocene – Oligocene transition (34 – 32 Ma); the mid-late Miocene (10 – 5 Ma); and the Pliocene – Pleistocene transition (2.7 – 2.3 Ma). Concentrated bursts of lineage splitting indicate a broadscale causal relationship between environmental change and lineage divergence. Human evolution followed similar biogeographic patterns to those of other primate clades. Tectonic events, climatic changes and palaeo-vegetational shifts are intimately connected, and have synergistic effects on biotic diversity. Tectonic events influence climatic change through their effects on oceanic circulation, planetary temperatures and rainfall patterns. Additionally, tectonic uplift and erosion may create geographic barriers to organismal dispersal across the continent, increasing the likelihood of geographic separation of populations and speciation. Recently evolved primate species show high levels of hybridisation for several generations after their initial divergence. Genus Homo generated ~10 species over 2.5 Ma. The emergence of these taxa likely involved substantial hybridisation, as demonstrated by the presence of Neanderthal genes within the H. sapiens genome. I suggest that this hybridisation contributed to the difficulties palaeoanthropologists often experience in distinguishing fossil hominin taxa. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
The principle of fairness in South African criminal trials
- Authors: Ndude, Tembinkosi
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Criminal law , Criminal law -- cases , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60090 , vital:62984
- Description: The purpose of this research is to determine the presence of the principle of fairness during criminal trials in South Africa. In determining the presence of the principle, this research will provide a short background on both the historical pre-constitution situation on the principle of fairness and the present situation on how courts in South Africa conduct themselves in the adjudication of criminal cases in ensuring fair criminal trials. The historical background partially highlights certain provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act in curtailing both the application of due processes and entrenchment of fairness during criminal trials. The arguments on the principle of fairness during criminal trials are discussed in tandem with the principle of the rule of law in the determination of the resolve our justice system has, and the use of designated legal instruments to assert the principle of fairness, for example, section 35(3) of the Constitution and the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977(herein referred "the Act") including the determination of the level of judicial interference, independence, and impartiality. The challenges of unfair trials are also explained against the concept of ubuntu which is a foundational element of fairness expressed and interpreted as such by the indigenous people living in South Africa. In the Port Elizabeth Municipality v Various Occupiers, the court describes the concept of ubuntu as part of a deep cultural heritage central to fairness and fair treatment of humans. The principle of fairness in our criminal trials is a transformative element shaped by our historical background. This is evident in S v Zuma which refers to section 25 of the Interim Constitution. The transformative element shaping principle of fairness is discussed in conjunction with section 35(3) of the new Constitution and case law. This research also notes the adversarial element of our criminal trials having considered some of the evidentiary burdens, for example, the onus of proof, rebuttal of evidence, proof beyond reasonable doubt, reverse onus, circumstantial evidence, presumption, and the adverse inference. However, these evidentiary burdens are addressed by section 35(3) of the Constitution and case law, for example the right to remain silent, the right to be presumed innocent, the right not to be compelled to give self-incriminating evidence, to be informed of the charge with sufficient detail to answer it, to choose, and be represented by a legal practitioner and to be informed of this right promptly. This work views the principle of fairness as a mechanism focussing on relegating unjustness and the ill treatment of accused persons during criminal trials to the dustbin of history. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, Department Criminal and Procedural Law, 2022
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Ndude, Tembinkosi
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Criminal law , Criminal law -- cases , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60090 , vital:62984
- Description: The purpose of this research is to determine the presence of the principle of fairness during criminal trials in South Africa. In determining the presence of the principle, this research will provide a short background on both the historical pre-constitution situation on the principle of fairness and the present situation on how courts in South Africa conduct themselves in the adjudication of criminal cases in ensuring fair criminal trials. The historical background partially highlights certain provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act in curtailing both the application of due processes and entrenchment of fairness during criminal trials. The arguments on the principle of fairness during criminal trials are discussed in tandem with the principle of the rule of law in the determination of the resolve our justice system has, and the use of designated legal instruments to assert the principle of fairness, for example, section 35(3) of the Constitution and the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977(herein referred "the Act") including the determination of the level of judicial interference, independence, and impartiality. The challenges of unfair trials are also explained against the concept of ubuntu which is a foundational element of fairness expressed and interpreted as such by the indigenous people living in South Africa. In the Port Elizabeth Municipality v Various Occupiers, the court describes the concept of ubuntu as part of a deep cultural heritage central to fairness and fair treatment of humans. The principle of fairness in our criminal trials is a transformative element shaped by our historical background. This is evident in S v Zuma which refers to section 25 of the Interim Constitution. The transformative element shaping principle of fairness is discussed in conjunction with section 35(3) of the new Constitution and case law. This research also notes the adversarial element of our criminal trials having considered some of the evidentiary burdens, for example, the onus of proof, rebuttal of evidence, proof beyond reasonable doubt, reverse onus, circumstantial evidence, presumption, and the adverse inference. However, these evidentiary burdens are addressed by section 35(3) of the Constitution and case law, for example the right to remain silent, the right to be presumed innocent, the right not to be compelled to give self-incriminating evidence, to be informed of the charge with sufficient detail to answer it, to choose, and be represented by a legal practitioner and to be informed of this right promptly. This work views the principle of fairness as a mechanism focussing on relegating unjustness and the ill treatment of accused persons during criminal trials to the dustbin of history. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, Department Criminal and Procedural Law, 2022
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2022-12
The experiences of students with a physical disability at institutions of higher learning: a systematic review
- Makubalo, Siphokazi https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8596-7357
- Authors: Makubalo, Siphokazi https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8596-7357
- Date: 2022-11
- Subjects: People with disabilities -- Education (Higher) , People with disabilities in higher education , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27242 , vital:66484
- Description: This study aims to explore the experiences of physically disabled students at institutions of higher. The research methodology followed in conducting this study is a systematic review. Thus, published literature from the period of 2000-2020 on the experiences of physically disabled students in South African institutions of higher learning was reviewed. Five articles which met the inclusion criteria were assessed for eligibility using the CASP criteria. The social model of disability is applied as a theoretical framework in exploring these experiences. A synthesis of results and findings of South African studies relating to physically disabled students in institutions of higher learning is provided. Themes that emerged in the study indicate that physically disabled students experience social exclusion related to architectural access barriers, attitudinal barriers, lack of support and discrimination in South African Institutions of higher learning, which impacts their overall physical access in these institutions. The study found that addressing these challenges and access barriers would result in positive experiences for physically disabled students on campuses. The study concluded that to improve the experiences of physically disabled students, institutional effort is necessary that is extensive both in scope and systematic in nature. For future studies, it is recommended that a qualitative study explore not just disabled students‟ lived experiences but also be inclusive of academic and support staffs‟ perceptions. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-11
- Authors: Makubalo, Siphokazi https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8596-7357
- Date: 2022-11
- Subjects: People with disabilities -- Education (Higher) , People with disabilities in higher education , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27242 , vital:66484
- Description: This study aims to explore the experiences of physically disabled students at institutions of higher. The research methodology followed in conducting this study is a systematic review. Thus, published literature from the period of 2000-2020 on the experiences of physically disabled students in South African institutions of higher learning was reviewed. Five articles which met the inclusion criteria were assessed for eligibility using the CASP criteria. The social model of disability is applied as a theoretical framework in exploring these experiences. A synthesis of results and findings of South African studies relating to physically disabled students in institutions of higher learning is provided. Themes that emerged in the study indicate that physically disabled students experience social exclusion related to architectural access barriers, attitudinal barriers, lack of support and discrimination in South African Institutions of higher learning, which impacts their overall physical access in these institutions. The study found that addressing these challenges and access barriers would result in positive experiences for physically disabled students on campuses. The study concluded that to improve the experiences of physically disabled students, institutional effort is necessary that is extensive both in scope and systematic in nature. For future studies, it is recommended that a qualitative study explore not just disabled students‟ lived experiences but also be inclusive of academic and support staffs‟ perceptions. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-11
A case study on the incidence and extent of medullated and coloured fibres in the commercially produced South African wool clip 2010 – 2017
- Authors: Zietsman, Jolandrie
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55445 , vital:52002
- Description: No formal study on the incidence and extent of medullated and coloured fibres has been performed in South Africa. The purpose of this research project was to investigate the validity of the claims that there has been an increase in the production of wool contaminated with medullated and coloured fibres. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to determine whether the incidence and extent of medullated and coloured fibres in the South African wool clip have changed over time. Secondly, the study aimed to determine whether the incidence and extent of medullated and coloured fibres have a distinct geographic distribution. This study explored eight years of wool production records (2010 to 2017) obtained from BKB, the largest wool broker in South Africa. For the purpose of this research, the wool-producing areas of South Africa were divided into 6 regions, according to average annual rainfall, vegetation type and major farming practices applied in the area. Statistical analysis of the data included descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and post-hoc tests, as well as regression analyses. This study succeeded in quantifying the extent and prevalence of contamination with medullated and coloured fibres in the South African wool clip. The overarching conclusions were: • Floating kemp is the most important contaminant of wool in South Africa, with the incidence of harsh kemp and coloured fibres being very low. • Generally, the most important areas that need attention in combatting contamination in the South African wool clip, are the Mixed Farming Summer Rainfall Region, the Semi-Arid Grassveld and the High Rainfall Grassland. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Zietsman, Jolandrie
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55445 , vital:52002
- Description: No formal study on the incidence and extent of medullated and coloured fibres has been performed in South Africa. The purpose of this research project was to investigate the validity of the claims that there has been an increase in the production of wool contaminated with medullated and coloured fibres. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to determine whether the incidence and extent of medullated and coloured fibres in the South African wool clip have changed over time. Secondly, the study aimed to determine whether the incidence and extent of medullated and coloured fibres have a distinct geographic distribution. This study explored eight years of wool production records (2010 to 2017) obtained from BKB, the largest wool broker in South Africa. For the purpose of this research, the wool-producing areas of South Africa were divided into 6 regions, according to average annual rainfall, vegetation type and major farming practices applied in the area. Statistical analysis of the data included descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and post-hoc tests, as well as regression analyses. This study succeeded in quantifying the extent and prevalence of contamination with medullated and coloured fibres in the South African wool clip. The overarching conclusions were: • Floating kemp is the most important contaminant of wool in South Africa, with the incidence of harsh kemp and coloured fibres being very low. • Generally, the most important areas that need attention in combatting contamination in the South African wool clip, are the Mixed Farming Summer Rainfall Region, the Semi-Arid Grassveld and the High Rainfall Grassland. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
A reasonably practicable health and safety programme for micro contractors in the South African construction industry
- Authors: Munnoo, Sanjay
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Industrial safety -- South Africa , Construction industry -- Safety measures , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58418 , vital:59198
- Description: Micro contractors (MCs) in construction are pivotal to the growth of the South African economy. The South African construction industry has world-class H&S legislation and regulation; however, frequent accidents occur at an alarmingly high level. Accident statistics presented in this thesis paint a worrying picture of a vicious cycle of recurrent accidents and injuries in the South African construction industry. Whilst governments planned National Development Programme will provide opportunities for MCs, in hindsight there’s dire need to have solid foundation of H&S development prior to MCs expanding operations into small and medium sized enterprises. The grouping of very small contractors into MCs under the definition of Schedule 1 of the National Small Business Act (NSBA) may result in fewer Health & Safety (H&S) initiatives aimed at the MCs, given the turnover limit has a maximum of R10 million per annum. The topic incorporated ’reasonably practicable’, to identify what MCs currently know, and ought to know, about the hazards or risks on construction sites, and then develop a pragmatic framework to eliminate or minimise risk. MCs generally did not understand H&S regulations hence carried out tasks for the sake of compliance. Punitive measures and enforcement of H&S regulations have done little to reduce the number of accidents. The study provided context for management and employees at MCs to approach H&S in a logical approach without circumventing H&S regulations. The challenges affecting MCs determined that there’s need for specialised H&S legislation and regulation to be developed for MCs that factors socio-economic challenges of literacy, skills, affordability, and poverty. Consequently, structured methods of support by stakeholders in the form of support and mentorship would result in a significant improvement of MCs’ H&S performance. Standards such as the ISO 45001:2018 state that it can be implemented for all size of construction firms. Whilst this standard may be suitable for MCs in developed countries there exists a vacuum in terms of its applicability to MCs in South Africa. The main objective was to develop a framework for MCs that will help to reduce accidents while simultaneously improving sustainability and service delivery. ii The research adopted an interpretivism philosophical position, which is reliant on people's views and conduct. The research applied deductive reasoning by survey technique and to construct a theory of H&S issues and corrective measures through research questions. The study adopted a mixed method research approach using a survey sent to the members of the South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Saiosh), persons registered with the South African South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP), and members of the Association of Construction Health and Safety Management (ACHSAM), and using the thematic analysis of data from 16 interviews representatives of member organisations, H&S consultants, and PCs. Accident statistics obtained from the Federated Employers Mutual Assurance (FEM) were also analysed. The study findings indicate that a reasonably practicable H&S programme must be developed for MCs due to the ‘onerous’ requirements arising from the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act) and Construction Regulations (CR). The study determined that it would be unaffordable for MCs to implement and maintain the ISO 45001:2018 standard. H&S practices at MCs under guidance of a H&S practitioner can be deemed to be undertaken frequently, as opposed to infrequently, however, new entrant MCs struggled to comply with H&S legislation and regulations and that has resulted in a H&S culture being generally non-existent or difficult to establish. The significance of this study lies in the recommendations that are proposed. Effective H&S in MCs require greater support from the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), member organisations and the PCs in construction. The study proposes that a national H&S logbook be set up to record H&S compliance and accidents at MCs. Furthermore, a phased approach should be instituted for improving H&S. These phases should include phase one, for new entrant MCs from zero to three years, phase two for MCs during the development and growth phase from three to five years, and MCs deemed competent with H&S should be encouraged or required to train and mentor new entrant MCs. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Munnoo, Sanjay
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Industrial safety -- South Africa , Construction industry -- Safety measures , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58418 , vital:59198
- Description: Micro contractors (MCs) in construction are pivotal to the growth of the South African economy. The South African construction industry has world-class H&S legislation and regulation; however, frequent accidents occur at an alarmingly high level. Accident statistics presented in this thesis paint a worrying picture of a vicious cycle of recurrent accidents and injuries in the South African construction industry. Whilst governments planned National Development Programme will provide opportunities for MCs, in hindsight there’s dire need to have solid foundation of H&S development prior to MCs expanding operations into small and medium sized enterprises. The grouping of very small contractors into MCs under the definition of Schedule 1 of the National Small Business Act (NSBA) may result in fewer Health & Safety (H&S) initiatives aimed at the MCs, given the turnover limit has a maximum of R10 million per annum. The topic incorporated ’reasonably practicable’, to identify what MCs currently know, and ought to know, about the hazards or risks on construction sites, and then develop a pragmatic framework to eliminate or minimise risk. MCs generally did not understand H&S regulations hence carried out tasks for the sake of compliance. Punitive measures and enforcement of H&S regulations have done little to reduce the number of accidents. The study provided context for management and employees at MCs to approach H&S in a logical approach without circumventing H&S regulations. The challenges affecting MCs determined that there’s need for specialised H&S legislation and regulation to be developed for MCs that factors socio-economic challenges of literacy, skills, affordability, and poverty. Consequently, structured methods of support by stakeholders in the form of support and mentorship would result in a significant improvement of MCs’ H&S performance. Standards such as the ISO 45001:2018 state that it can be implemented for all size of construction firms. Whilst this standard may be suitable for MCs in developed countries there exists a vacuum in terms of its applicability to MCs in South Africa. The main objective was to develop a framework for MCs that will help to reduce accidents while simultaneously improving sustainability and service delivery. ii The research adopted an interpretivism philosophical position, which is reliant on people's views and conduct. The research applied deductive reasoning by survey technique and to construct a theory of H&S issues and corrective measures through research questions. The study adopted a mixed method research approach using a survey sent to the members of the South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Saiosh), persons registered with the South African South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP), and members of the Association of Construction Health and Safety Management (ACHSAM), and using the thematic analysis of data from 16 interviews representatives of member organisations, H&S consultants, and PCs. Accident statistics obtained from the Federated Employers Mutual Assurance (FEM) were also analysed. The study findings indicate that a reasonably practicable H&S programme must be developed for MCs due to the ‘onerous’ requirements arising from the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act) and Construction Regulations (CR). The study determined that it would be unaffordable for MCs to implement and maintain the ISO 45001:2018 standard. H&S practices at MCs under guidance of a H&S practitioner can be deemed to be undertaken frequently, as opposed to infrequently, however, new entrant MCs struggled to comply with H&S legislation and regulations and that has resulted in a H&S culture being generally non-existent or difficult to establish. The significance of this study lies in the recommendations that are proposed. Effective H&S in MCs require greater support from the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), member organisations and the PCs in construction. The study proposes that a national H&S logbook be set up to record H&S compliance and accidents at MCs. Furthermore, a phased approach should be instituted for improving H&S. These phases should include phase one, for new entrant MCs from zero to three years, phase two for MCs during the development and growth phase from three to five years, and MCs deemed competent with H&S should be encouraged or required to train and mentor new entrant MCs. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
An aesthetic exploration of skin as the abject other
- Knickelbein, Jonel, Wentzel, Andrieta
- Authors: Knickelbein, Jonel , Wentzel, Andrieta
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55341 , vital:51913
- Description: The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the notion of skin, its functions, and dysfunctions as the basis for the conceptual as well as theoretical output of this work. The problem statement aims to establish whether cathartic relief can be achieved through the process of visualizing skin as the abject other. Every human and animal is born with skin. The epidermis is the outermost of three layers that make up the skin. This layer provides a barrier to infection from environmental pathogens and regulates the amount of water released from the body into the atmosphere through trans epidermal water loss (Bouwstra, 2003:34). Although the human skin serves as a protective barrier, the skin itself can be a source of physical as well as emotional pain. I was born with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a rare and genetic skin condition that results in extensive blistering and wounding of the skin caused by mechanical trauma. The process of friction, wounding and healing has been a part of my physical being and daily affairs since I can remember. According to Cervero, ―Pain is our most powerful emotion, an essential learning tool, a major factor in our relationship with the world, and the source of much of our social behavior‖ (2012:34).I believe that my personal experience with EB has affected how I view the functions and importance of skin. In this study I explore the purposes and functions of skin through both a physical and psychological lense I also investigate the role skin plays in forming identity. The works of artists such as Frida Kahlo, Eva Hesse and Alina Szapocznikow are carefully considered in understanding different approaches and mediums used in engaging with the experience of catharsis. Investigations are made into theories on Abjection, the Skin-Ego, Materiality and Catharsis in order to sufficiently inform and shape the outcomes of the creative process. The creative and research processes have resulted in the body of artwork, entitled Skin- deep: transforming dysfunction into function, which is presented as a narrative installation and exhibition of abstract sculptural work. Ultimately, the body of work and research attempts to validate that the notion of skin (as the abject other skin) can be artistically explored to achieve cathartic relief. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Visual and Performing Arts, 2022
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Knickelbein, Jonel , Wentzel, Andrieta
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55341 , vital:51913
- Description: The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the notion of skin, its functions, and dysfunctions as the basis for the conceptual as well as theoretical output of this work. The problem statement aims to establish whether cathartic relief can be achieved through the process of visualizing skin as the abject other. Every human and animal is born with skin. The epidermis is the outermost of three layers that make up the skin. This layer provides a barrier to infection from environmental pathogens and regulates the amount of water released from the body into the atmosphere through trans epidermal water loss (Bouwstra, 2003:34). Although the human skin serves as a protective barrier, the skin itself can be a source of physical as well as emotional pain. I was born with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a rare and genetic skin condition that results in extensive blistering and wounding of the skin caused by mechanical trauma. The process of friction, wounding and healing has been a part of my physical being and daily affairs since I can remember. According to Cervero, ―Pain is our most powerful emotion, an essential learning tool, a major factor in our relationship with the world, and the source of much of our social behavior‖ (2012:34).I believe that my personal experience with EB has affected how I view the functions and importance of skin. In this study I explore the purposes and functions of skin through both a physical and psychological lense I also investigate the role skin plays in forming identity. The works of artists such as Frida Kahlo, Eva Hesse and Alina Szapocznikow are carefully considered in understanding different approaches and mediums used in engaging with the experience of catharsis. Investigations are made into theories on Abjection, the Skin-Ego, Materiality and Catharsis in order to sufficiently inform and shape the outcomes of the creative process. The creative and research processes have resulted in the body of artwork, entitled Skin- deep: transforming dysfunction into function, which is presented as a narrative installation and exhibition of abstract sculptural work. Ultimately, the body of work and research attempts to validate that the notion of skin (as the abject other skin) can be artistically explored to achieve cathartic relief. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Visual and Performing Arts, 2022
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2022-04
An investigating of the causes of conflict in the department of employment and labour in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Dlwati, Siphesihle
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55346 , vital:51914
- Description: The public sector in South Africa accounts for a huge amount of the public service jobs and it has been learnt that there is also a considerable amount of dysfunctional conflict that affects the public sector. The main aim of this study is to investigate the causes of conflict in the public sector, with specific reference to the department of Employment and Labour, in Port Elizabeth. The research objectives were as follows; firstly, to investigate the causes of conflict or potential conflict at the department of Employment and Labour in Port Elizabeth. Secondly, the research sought to ascertain government employees’ approach to conflict and how it affects their performance (management and subordinates) with specific reference to the department of Employment and Labour, in Port Elizabeth. Thirdly, the research also sought to come up with the recommendations with the view to address conflict or what might be causing conflict at the department of Employment and Labour in Port Elizabeth. Workplace conflict was used in this study as a conceptual framework to understand conflict in the department of Employment and Labour, in Port Elizabeth. The research has followed a qualitative approach to gather data. Using a purposive selection sampling technique, 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted with employees of the department of Employment and Labour, in Port Elizabeth. Ethical considerations were adhered to throughout the course of the study. The findings of this study have revealed that lack of consultation or lack of an inclusive or participative approach in dealing with matters is regarded as the main cause of conflict within the studied organisation. The organisations lack conflict management skills. This study can be of benefit to the organisation, in that its recommendations can assist the organisation place more attention on improving its conflict management skills, which may help reduce the negative impacts of unmanaged conflicts. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2022
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Dlwati, Siphesihle
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55346 , vital:51914
- Description: The public sector in South Africa accounts for a huge amount of the public service jobs and it has been learnt that there is also a considerable amount of dysfunctional conflict that affects the public sector. The main aim of this study is to investigate the causes of conflict in the public sector, with specific reference to the department of Employment and Labour, in Port Elizabeth. The research objectives were as follows; firstly, to investigate the causes of conflict or potential conflict at the department of Employment and Labour in Port Elizabeth. Secondly, the research sought to ascertain government employees’ approach to conflict and how it affects their performance (management and subordinates) with specific reference to the department of Employment and Labour, in Port Elizabeth. Thirdly, the research also sought to come up with the recommendations with the view to address conflict or what might be causing conflict at the department of Employment and Labour in Port Elizabeth. Workplace conflict was used in this study as a conceptual framework to understand conflict in the department of Employment and Labour, in Port Elizabeth. The research has followed a qualitative approach to gather data. Using a purposive selection sampling technique, 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted with employees of the department of Employment and Labour, in Port Elizabeth. Ethical considerations were adhered to throughout the course of the study. The findings of this study have revealed that lack of consultation or lack of an inclusive or participative approach in dealing with matters is regarded as the main cause of conflict within the studied organisation. The organisations lack conflict management skills. This study can be of benefit to the organisation, in that its recommendations can assist the organisation place more attention on improving its conflict management skills, which may help reduce the negative impacts of unmanaged conflicts. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2022
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Classification and clustering based methods for outlier detection of solar resource data
- Authors: Abrahams, Waldo
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55423 , vital:51996
- Description: Almost 90% of the primary global energy demand is serviced from the burning of fossil fuels (Abas, Kalair & Khan, 2015). Owing to the detrimental environmental impact of this, a global energy transition to the use of renewable energy, including solar energy, is needed (Gielen et al., 2019). An important aspect that inhibits the growth of solar energy is accurate solar resource data. Such data is needed because knowledge of the future reliability and quality of energy production is required to analyse a system’s performance and determine financial implications (Sengupta et al., 2017). Existing methods used to detect outliers in solar resource data do not efficiently identify outliers and an accurate and robust approach is required (Eastwood, 2019). Using simulated and real-world data, this study investigates the use of several classification methods, along with a two-stage clustering-classification approach to accurately identify outliers in solar resource data. The Treebag method proves to be an adequate outlier detection method for solar resource data. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Abrahams, Waldo
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55423 , vital:51996
- Description: Almost 90% of the primary global energy demand is serviced from the burning of fossil fuels (Abas, Kalair & Khan, 2015). Owing to the detrimental environmental impact of this, a global energy transition to the use of renewable energy, including solar energy, is needed (Gielen et al., 2019). An important aspect that inhibits the growth of solar energy is accurate solar resource data. Such data is needed because knowledge of the future reliability and quality of energy production is required to analyse a system’s performance and determine financial implications (Sengupta et al., 2017). Existing methods used to detect outliers in solar resource data do not efficiently identify outliers and an accurate and robust approach is required (Eastwood, 2019). Using simulated and real-world data, this study investigates the use of several classification methods, along with a two-stage clustering-classification approach to accurately identify outliers in solar resource data. The Treebag method proves to be an adequate outlier detection method for solar resource data. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Effect of fire severity on Afrotemperate forest tree survival
- Authors: Giddey, Brandon Louis
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55385 , vital:51988
- Description: Weather patterns have changed globally with increased fire danger weather conditions, along with poor management and fire suppression, likely contributing to the increase in prevalence of large wildfires. Ecosystems such as temperate broadleaved forests, where fire is limited by climatic conditions, are particularly at risk of altered fire regimes related to climate change. It is thus important to monitor the effects of fire in these ecosystems. Satellite remote sensing is a cost-effective way to assess spatial variability of fire effects on a landscape scale and has become an increasingly used tool for studying fire severity. In the southern Cape of South Africa during October-November 2018, a large wildfire burnt patches of Southern Cape Afrotemperate Forest (hereafter ‘Afrotemperate forest’). This provided an opportunity to investigate the accuracy of a satellite index for fire severity and the effect of fire on Afrotemperate forest survival. The first objective was to verify through field observations the accuracy of the differenced Normalised Burn Ratio (dNBR) as an index of fire severity derived from Sentinel 2 images in Afrotemperate forest. The second objective was to investigate the effect of fire severity and tree size on the post-fire survival of Afrotemperate forest tree species. For the first objective, stem fire severity, estimated from observed damage to the main stem, was recorded for 1 648 trees in 87 plots and linear regression used to test whether the observed measure of fire severity was related to dNBR. For the second objective, stem fire severity and tree survival 19-24 months post-fire were recorded for 40 species and 1 378 trees in 88 plots. Trees were considered to have survived if they resprouted from the main stem or had green foliage in the canopy. The survival response was assessed in relation to stem fire severity and tree size for all trees collectively and for 10 species (with sample size > 40) individually, using logistic regression. A strong linear relationship between dNBR and stem fire severity (r2 = 0.69, p < 0.001) confirmed the accuracy of dNBR as a measure of fire severity in Afrotemperate forest. In the fire investigated, 4 628 ha of Afrotemperate forest burnt of which 67% burnt at low severity, 21% at medium severity and 12% at high severity. The dNBR values associated with fire severity categories were comparable between Afrotemperate and North American forests, suggesting that dNBR values are relatively standard across forest types. Information on the distribution of fire severity facilitates investigation of further questions regarding past and future fire regimes and the fire ecology of Afrotemperate forest. The post-fire survival rate of Afrotemperate forest trees was 45% which is comparable to that in coniferous forests of North America but lower than that in temperate forests of Australia and Portugal and the neighbouring dune thicket which shares several species with Afrotemperate forest. Fire severity had a significant negative effect on survival and tree size a significant positive effect. Total variance explained by the model (for species collectively) was 40.8%, of which fire severity and tree size combined explained 13.2%, and species as random factor, 27.6%. Respective tree species showed differential survival responses – four species showed high survival (> 60% of individuals), while five species showed low survival (< 40%). This study was the first post-fire assessment of the resprouting ability of Afrotemperate forest trees and a third of the trees surveyed (for species collectively) resprouted from the stem. This suggested that resprouting from the stem is a primary means of post-fire recovery in Afrotemperate forest trees, in contrast with previous assertions that several common canopy species, including Podocarpus latifolius, Afrocarpus falcatus, Scutia myrtina, Scolopia mundii and Rapanea melanophloeos, are unable to resprout. Varying resilience to fire among species supports previous suggestions that fire affects species’ composition and diversity in these forests and calls for careful management of fire regimes in the face of global change. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2022
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Giddey, Brandon Louis
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55385 , vital:51988
- Description: Weather patterns have changed globally with increased fire danger weather conditions, along with poor management and fire suppression, likely contributing to the increase in prevalence of large wildfires. Ecosystems such as temperate broadleaved forests, where fire is limited by climatic conditions, are particularly at risk of altered fire regimes related to climate change. It is thus important to monitor the effects of fire in these ecosystems. Satellite remote sensing is a cost-effective way to assess spatial variability of fire effects on a landscape scale and has become an increasingly used tool for studying fire severity. In the southern Cape of South Africa during October-November 2018, a large wildfire burnt patches of Southern Cape Afrotemperate Forest (hereafter ‘Afrotemperate forest’). This provided an opportunity to investigate the accuracy of a satellite index for fire severity and the effect of fire on Afrotemperate forest survival. The first objective was to verify through field observations the accuracy of the differenced Normalised Burn Ratio (dNBR) as an index of fire severity derived from Sentinel 2 images in Afrotemperate forest. The second objective was to investigate the effect of fire severity and tree size on the post-fire survival of Afrotemperate forest tree species. For the first objective, stem fire severity, estimated from observed damage to the main stem, was recorded for 1 648 trees in 87 plots and linear regression used to test whether the observed measure of fire severity was related to dNBR. For the second objective, stem fire severity and tree survival 19-24 months post-fire were recorded for 40 species and 1 378 trees in 88 plots. Trees were considered to have survived if they resprouted from the main stem or had green foliage in the canopy. The survival response was assessed in relation to stem fire severity and tree size for all trees collectively and for 10 species (with sample size > 40) individually, using logistic regression. A strong linear relationship between dNBR and stem fire severity (r2 = 0.69, p < 0.001) confirmed the accuracy of dNBR as a measure of fire severity in Afrotemperate forest. In the fire investigated, 4 628 ha of Afrotemperate forest burnt of which 67% burnt at low severity, 21% at medium severity and 12% at high severity. The dNBR values associated with fire severity categories were comparable between Afrotemperate and North American forests, suggesting that dNBR values are relatively standard across forest types. Information on the distribution of fire severity facilitates investigation of further questions regarding past and future fire regimes and the fire ecology of Afrotemperate forest. The post-fire survival rate of Afrotemperate forest trees was 45% which is comparable to that in coniferous forests of North America but lower than that in temperate forests of Australia and Portugal and the neighbouring dune thicket which shares several species with Afrotemperate forest. Fire severity had a significant negative effect on survival and tree size a significant positive effect. Total variance explained by the model (for species collectively) was 40.8%, of which fire severity and tree size combined explained 13.2%, and species as random factor, 27.6%. Respective tree species showed differential survival responses – four species showed high survival (> 60% of individuals), while five species showed low survival (< 40%). This study was the first post-fire assessment of the resprouting ability of Afrotemperate forest trees and a third of the trees surveyed (for species collectively) resprouted from the stem. This suggested that resprouting from the stem is a primary means of post-fire recovery in Afrotemperate forest trees, in contrast with previous assertions that several common canopy species, including Podocarpus latifolius, Afrocarpus falcatus, Scutia myrtina, Scolopia mundii and Rapanea melanophloeos, are unable to resprout. Varying resilience to fire among species supports previous suggestions that fire affects species’ composition and diversity in these forests and calls for careful management of fire regimes in the face of global change. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2022
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Encapsulation of flame retardants for lithium-ion battery safety
- Authors: Ntombela, Nompilo Princess
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55412 , vital:51993
- Description: Lithium-ion technology takes the lead in electric mobility systems, resulting in an increase in the global demand for Li-ion batteries; however, these batteries are associated with numerous safety concerns. Additionally, there are high costs, high energy and power issues which are some of its key limitations. Research efforts are focused on overcoming these obstacles, with different approaches being explored, such as the investigation of more stable salts, modification of active materials and organic solvents, and the use of electrolyte additives. This study focused specifically on electrolyte additives since the electrolyte is one of the most unstable components of the battery. The electrolyte’s decomposition is one of the reactions that occur inside a battery, which may occur due to overcharging or due to an internal short circuit, amongst others. The electrolyte’s decomposition occurs at the early stages of the thermal runaway process and forms part of the reactions that lead to fires and explosions. Thus, this research aims to develop suitable electrolyte additives to improve the safety aspects of Li-ion batteries. Flame retardant additives show great promise in reducing the flammability of the electrolyte in Li-ion batteries, since they serve to suppress the chemical reactions associated with battery ignition. They retard the fires by scavenging the active radical species formed during the decomposition reaction. In this study, the use of flame retardants was investigated. Flame retardant additives have shown to have flame impeding properties inside a battery; however, their direct addition to the electrolyte tends to cause adverse effects on the ionic conductivity and electrochemical performance of the cells. This study investigated an alternative option - the option to microencapsulate such additives into a neutral compound to ensure that the flame retardant has minimal/no effect on the performance of the battery. This investigation looked at tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBP) and bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) methylphosphonate (BFP) as flame retardant additives for the electrolyte. The TBP and BFP flame retardants were microencapsulated in poly(urea formaldehyde) (PUF) coating material via in situ polymerization method. The capsules were characterized using various analytical techniques - to prove it was successfully encapsulated. Electrochemical studies were further done on the capsules and neat flame retardants inside a coin cell. Self-extinguishing time (SET), which is the flammability test, proved that the additives have flame retarding abilities. Opto-digital microscopy (DSX) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) did confirm the spherical shape of the microcapsules, where SEM also showed the smooth outer layer of the microcapsules and its hollow inner side. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) proved the presence of the TBP and BFP inside the PUF resin by showing that the chemical composition of microcapsules consisted of both the PUF and flame retardant additives. Simultaneous DSC-TGA (DST) was also performed which showed that the microcapsules were stable before 200 °C, which indicates it would not decompose before the thermal runaway events are occurring. TGA analysis did show that the microcapsules underwent multiple decomposition steps upon heating. Additionally, 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to quantify the amount of flame retardants additives encapsulated inside PUF shell, and also confirmed the stability of the microcapsules for one month in the electrolyte and at temperatures up to 200 °C. The ionic conductivity was vastly decreased when the flame retardants were added directly to the electrolyte. However, adding the flame retardants in a form of capsules had minimal effect on the ionic conductivity. The cycle capacities of the capsules were also improved when the capsules were added to the cell compared to that of neat flame retardants. The same effect was also noticed when doing Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). This shows that microencapsulation improves the resistance of the cell caused by the flame retardant in comparison to when added directly to the electrolyte of the cell. , Thesis (MSC) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Ntombela, Nompilo Princess
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55412 , vital:51993
- Description: Lithium-ion technology takes the lead in electric mobility systems, resulting in an increase in the global demand for Li-ion batteries; however, these batteries are associated with numerous safety concerns. Additionally, there are high costs, high energy and power issues which are some of its key limitations. Research efforts are focused on overcoming these obstacles, with different approaches being explored, such as the investigation of more stable salts, modification of active materials and organic solvents, and the use of electrolyte additives. This study focused specifically on electrolyte additives since the electrolyte is one of the most unstable components of the battery. The electrolyte’s decomposition is one of the reactions that occur inside a battery, which may occur due to overcharging or due to an internal short circuit, amongst others. The electrolyte’s decomposition occurs at the early stages of the thermal runaway process and forms part of the reactions that lead to fires and explosions. Thus, this research aims to develop suitable electrolyte additives to improve the safety aspects of Li-ion batteries. Flame retardant additives show great promise in reducing the flammability of the electrolyte in Li-ion batteries, since they serve to suppress the chemical reactions associated with battery ignition. They retard the fires by scavenging the active radical species formed during the decomposition reaction. In this study, the use of flame retardants was investigated. Flame retardant additives have shown to have flame impeding properties inside a battery; however, their direct addition to the electrolyte tends to cause adverse effects on the ionic conductivity and electrochemical performance of the cells. This study investigated an alternative option - the option to microencapsulate such additives into a neutral compound to ensure that the flame retardant has minimal/no effect on the performance of the battery. This investigation looked at tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBP) and bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) methylphosphonate (BFP) as flame retardant additives for the electrolyte. The TBP and BFP flame retardants were microencapsulated in poly(urea formaldehyde) (PUF) coating material via in situ polymerization method. The capsules were characterized using various analytical techniques - to prove it was successfully encapsulated. Electrochemical studies were further done on the capsules and neat flame retardants inside a coin cell. Self-extinguishing time (SET), which is the flammability test, proved that the additives have flame retarding abilities. Opto-digital microscopy (DSX) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) did confirm the spherical shape of the microcapsules, where SEM also showed the smooth outer layer of the microcapsules and its hollow inner side. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) proved the presence of the TBP and BFP inside the PUF resin by showing that the chemical composition of microcapsules consisted of both the PUF and flame retardant additives. Simultaneous DSC-TGA (DST) was also performed which showed that the microcapsules were stable before 200 °C, which indicates it would not decompose before the thermal runaway events are occurring. TGA analysis did show that the microcapsules underwent multiple decomposition steps upon heating. Additionally, 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to quantify the amount of flame retardants additives encapsulated inside PUF shell, and also confirmed the stability of the microcapsules for one month in the electrolyte and at temperatures up to 200 °C. The ionic conductivity was vastly decreased when the flame retardants were added directly to the electrolyte. However, adding the flame retardants in a form of capsules had minimal effect on the ionic conductivity. The cycle capacities of the capsules were also improved when the capsules were added to the cell compared to that of neat flame retardants. The same effect was also noticed when doing Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). This shows that microencapsulation improves the resistance of the cell caused by the flame retardant in comparison to when added directly to the electrolyte of the cell. , Thesis (MSC) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Exploring psychologists’ perceptions on how they integrate their own cultural belief systems within the therapeutic relationship in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa
- Authors: Potso, Thando
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Psychologist -- Eastern Cape , Cultural competence , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58936 , vital:60249
- Description: While there is extensive research exploring the influence of a client’s cultural beliefs on the therapeutic process; there is still a scarcity of information on how the cultural beliefs held by a psychologist may affect or influence the therapeutic process. Psychologists are trained to work with clients objectively by suspending their own beliefs, ideas, and values. Despite this, it would be interesting to explore how South African psychologists’ personal belief systems are navigated within the therapeutic space. Given the diversity of cultures within the South African context, it becomes important to explore and understand psychologists’ cultural belief systems, as they may influence the therapeutic relationship but to also, understand how they assimilate these belief systems into the therapeutic relationships with diverse clients. Drawing on the qualitative methodology, the study sought to draw participants using a purposive sampling technique. Participants were sourced through different databases, such as the Eastern Cape database of registered and practicing psychologists. Participants who agreed to partake in the study were sent an email with the interview schedule and the link to either MS Teams or Zoom, depending on their preference. The collected data was transcribed and then analysed using thematic analysis through which three themes and six sub-themes were identified and discussed. The identified themes are as follows; 1) Culture as perceived by psychologists, 2) Cultural beliefs in therapy and, 3) The therapeutic alliance. The study found that shared cultural beliefs between psychologists and clients facilitated rapport building. It allowed the therapeutic process to move in a positive direction. The study applied the principles of ethics and trustworthiness. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Potso, Thando
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Psychologist -- Eastern Cape , Cultural competence , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58936 , vital:60249
- Description: While there is extensive research exploring the influence of a client’s cultural beliefs on the therapeutic process; there is still a scarcity of information on how the cultural beliefs held by a psychologist may affect or influence the therapeutic process. Psychologists are trained to work with clients objectively by suspending their own beliefs, ideas, and values. Despite this, it would be interesting to explore how South African psychologists’ personal belief systems are navigated within the therapeutic space. Given the diversity of cultures within the South African context, it becomes important to explore and understand psychologists’ cultural belief systems, as they may influence the therapeutic relationship but to also, understand how they assimilate these belief systems into the therapeutic relationships with diverse clients. Drawing on the qualitative methodology, the study sought to draw participants using a purposive sampling technique. Participants were sourced through different databases, such as the Eastern Cape database of registered and practicing psychologists. Participants who agreed to partake in the study were sent an email with the interview schedule and the link to either MS Teams or Zoom, depending on their preference. The collected data was transcribed and then analysed using thematic analysis through which three themes and six sub-themes were identified and discussed. The identified themes are as follows; 1) Culture as perceived by psychologists, 2) Cultural beliefs in therapy and, 3) The therapeutic alliance. The study found that shared cultural beliefs between psychologists and clients facilitated rapport building. It allowed the therapeutic process to move in a positive direction. The study applied the principles of ethics and trustworthiness. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Exploring the nature and scope of food insecurity among postgraduate students: a case of Nelson Mandela University
- Authors: Kuguyo, Yeukai T
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55348 , vital:51916
- Description: This study explores the nature and scope of food insecurity among postgraduate students at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. The study employed a mixed method approach to access postgraduate students and university officials to investigate the prevalence of food insecurity. The approach also assesses the demographic factors; academic and mental implications along with the coping mechanisms associated with the experiences of food insecurity in higher education South Africa. The study incorporates an adapted conceptual framework from Alaimo’s food insecurity socio-economic risk models (2005) to understand the higher education context. Alaimo’s model seeks to connect the household conditions and broader systematic socio-economic mechanisms that households adopt to secure food. This model was adapted and employed in understanding the data collected while using a mixed-method approach between June and August 2021. The study employed an online survey for only postgraduate students enrolled at Nelson Mandela University (NMU) during the time of the study. This was supplemented by semi-structured interviews with student affairs officials that are directly involved in the formulation of strategies used to alleviate food insecurity at NMU. With 78 postgraduate students responding to the online survey, the study seems to confirm some of the studies done in this field on the inadequacy of food banks and food gardens in addressing food challenges effectively on campus. Similarly, the study found that the experiences of food insecurity were prevalent amongst postgraduate students that identified as black, low-income, and making access of the campus clinic for food relief. The study concluded by recommending a collaborative and a multi-level systematic approach in alleviating food insecurity in higher education. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Kuguyo, Yeukai T
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55348 , vital:51916
- Description: This study explores the nature and scope of food insecurity among postgraduate students at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. The study employed a mixed method approach to access postgraduate students and university officials to investigate the prevalence of food insecurity. The approach also assesses the demographic factors; academic and mental implications along with the coping mechanisms associated with the experiences of food insecurity in higher education South Africa. The study incorporates an adapted conceptual framework from Alaimo’s food insecurity socio-economic risk models (2005) to understand the higher education context. Alaimo’s model seeks to connect the household conditions and broader systematic socio-economic mechanisms that households adopt to secure food. This model was adapted and employed in understanding the data collected while using a mixed-method approach between June and August 2021. The study employed an online survey for only postgraduate students enrolled at Nelson Mandela University (NMU) during the time of the study. This was supplemented by semi-structured interviews with student affairs officials that are directly involved in the formulation of strategies used to alleviate food insecurity at NMU. With 78 postgraduate students responding to the online survey, the study seems to confirm some of the studies done in this field on the inadequacy of food banks and food gardens in addressing food challenges effectively on campus. Similarly, the study found that the experiences of food insecurity were prevalent amongst postgraduate students that identified as black, low-income, and making access of the campus clinic for food relief. The study concluded by recommending a collaborative and a multi-level systematic approach in alleviating food insecurity in higher education. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Hydraulic vulnerability of Subtropical Thicket to drought : a remote sensing and physiological perspective
- Authors: Buttner, Daniel Harry
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55455 , vital:52017
- Description: Water availability is one of largest constraints on plant survival, growth, and species distribution globally. The recent escalation in tree mortality coupled with declining precipitation and amplified temperatures has implicated drought as a major cause behind many large-scale dieback events observed across the world. Raising the question, what makes some species more resistant and persist while others dwindle and vanish from the landscape? The observed variability in species drought susceptibility demonstrates the complexity of physiological responses of plants to changes in water availability. Hydraulic dysfunction in plants has been purported to be the key mechanism behind drought-induced mortality provoking interest in hydraulic traits and critical thresholds of xylem physiological function. The capability of species to maintain hydraulic functionality under drought strongly influences the survival and general productivity towards water deficits. Hence, two core objectives, and subsequently aims, of this thesis are firstly to investigate the effect of drought on Subtropical Thicket vegetation health and productivity, and secondly to examine the underpinning physiological mechanisms and functional thresholds relaying speciesspecific drought vulnerability within this semi-arid biome. In first data chapter, this thesis offers an assessment of vegetation change under drought and its influence on plant physiological function and productivity across a subsection of Subtropical Thicket distribution. Additionally, this chapter provides a regional scale perspective of drought on Subtropical Thicket flora in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. A severe anomalous dieback event, which coincided with extreme, accumulative drought conditions was observed in 2020. Employing a combination of field-based approaches and remote sensing, this chapter aimed to provide a comprehensive report of the extent and severity of crown defoliation and canopy dieback following this event, additionally describing predisposing and compounding factors. Based on Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration and Standardized Precipitation Indices this event began in 2015 and coincided with amplified temperatures, exacerbating evaporative demand. Aerial UAV surveys and field-based investigations were undertaken. Remotely sensed (RS) indices provided an avenue for extensive spatiotemporal investigations to uncover the extent of drought-related impact on vegetation productivity and discuss potential underpinning mechanisms behind drought-induced mortality in Subtropical Thicket. Leveraging long-term time series RS data, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellites as a proxy vegetation physiological status in combination with SPI and SPEI describing drought condition and groundbased surveying defining canopy vitality condition this study incidentally addressed the aim of endeavoring to link drought-induced mortality and early warning symptoms observed in the field with RS time series data to describe drought impacts across Subtropical Thicket. Furthermore, the findings of this chapter demonstrate the spatial and temporal heterogeneity in drought impacts on Subtropical Thicket. The recent drought of 2015 till 2021 is the longest documented period for the past 50 years in which there has been no accumulated net positive water availability, this apparently perpetual state of water deficiency has enacted a high cost for vegetation productivity and growth for the study area, exhibited well by average NDVI values of less than -0.5 for over 70% of the research site. The findings of this chapter report, to the contrary of anecdotal suggestions in the literature, on the intrinsic tolerance of Subtropical Thicket and that ii drought has a far more significant role on overall vegetation productivity, growth, and mortality in this region. The second data chapter assess whole-plant physiological functionality during a drought event in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. This is the first study in Subtropical Thicket to quantify in situ hydraulic functional integrity under a natural drought event testing the leading hypothesis describing tree mortality – hydraulic dysfunction. This chapter firstly, investigates hydraulic traits (e.g., turgor loss point) and describe key physiological thresholds (e.g., P50) for maintaining function during drought. Secondly, levels of native embolism were determined under drought conditions and combined with measurements of xylem vulnerability to embolism providing an estimation of degree of hydraulic dysfunction experienced by six dominant woody canopy species in Subtropical Thicket – to quantify interspecific drought tolerance and susceptibility. Subtropical Thicket species exhibited remarkable tolerance towards desiccation (TLP from as low as -3MPa) and hydraulic functional resistance to embolism (P50 value as low as -7.89MPa). The observed unexpected drought resilience of subtropical derived lineages highlights the intrinsic evolutionary role aridification had, selecting for greater embolism resistance and community-level conservatism in drought resistance of Subtropical Thicket. The level of native embolism and hydraulic safety margins identified two species (Schotia latifolia and Polyagla myrtifolia) that were the most vulnerable, and a third (Pappea capensis) moderately vulnerable, then the remaining studied species – this could result in community-level adjustments in species composition and structure under future projected climate change scenarios where, increased frequencies of drought events are anticipated. This retrospective assessment of canopy vigor with physiological functional thresholds evokes hydraulic dysfunction as the principal mechanism of observed Subtropical Thicket dieback to drought. This chapter provides crucial in situ data for predictive assertions around drought-induced mortality risk in a phylogenetically diverse and climatically unique biome of southern Africa; and is the first to identify critical hydraulic thresholds for tree species within this region. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Buttner, Daniel Harry
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55455 , vital:52017
- Description: Water availability is one of largest constraints on plant survival, growth, and species distribution globally. The recent escalation in tree mortality coupled with declining precipitation and amplified temperatures has implicated drought as a major cause behind many large-scale dieback events observed across the world. Raising the question, what makes some species more resistant and persist while others dwindle and vanish from the landscape? The observed variability in species drought susceptibility demonstrates the complexity of physiological responses of plants to changes in water availability. Hydraulic dysfunction in plants has been purported to be the key mechanism behind drought-induced mortality provoking interest in hydraulic traits and critical thresholds of xylem physiological function. The capability of species to maintain hydraulic functionality under drought strongly influences the survival and general productivity towards water deficits. Hence, two core objectives, and subsequently aims, of this thesis are firstly to investigate the effect of drought on Subtropical Thicket vegetation health and productivity, and secondly to examine the underpinning physiological mechanisms and functional thresholds relaying speciesspecific drought vulnerability within this semi-arid biome. In first data chapter, this thesis offers an assessment of vegetation change under drought and its influence on plant physiological function and productivity across a subsection of Subtropical Thicket distribution. Additionally, this chapter provides a regional scale perspective of drought on Subtropical Thicket flora in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. A severe anomalous dieback event, which coincided with extreme, accumulative drought conditions was observed in 2020. Employing a combination of field-based approaches and remote sensing, this chapter aimed to provide a comprehensive report of the extent and severity of crown defoliation and canopy dieback following this event, additionally describing predisposing and compounding factors. Based on Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration and Standardized Precipitation Indices this event began in 2015 and coincided with amplified temperatures, exacerbating evaporative demand. Aerial UAV surveys and field-based investigations were undertaken. Remotely sensed (RS) indices provided an avenue for extensive spatiotemporal investigations to uncover the extent of drought-related impact on vegetation productivity and discuss potential underpinning mechanisms behind drought-induced mortality in Subtropical Thicket. Leveraging long-term time series RS data, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellites as a proxy vegetation physiological status in combination with SPI and SPEI describing drought condition and groundbased surveying defining canopy vitality condition this study incidentally addressed the aim of endeavoring to link drought-induced mortality and early warning symptoms observed in the field with RS time series data to describe drought impacts across Subtropical Thicket. Furthermore, the findings of this chapter demonstrate the spatial and temporal heterogeneity in drought impacts on Subtropical Thicket. The recent drought of 2015 till 2021 is the longest documented period for the past 50 years in which there has been no accumulated net positive water availability, this apparently perpetual state of water deficiency has enacted a high cost for vegetation productivity and growth for the study area, exhibited well by average NDVI values of less than -0.5 for over 70% of the research site. The findings of this chapter report, to the contrary of anecdotal suggestions in the literature, on the intrinsic tolerance of Subtropical Thicket and that ii drought has a far more significant role on overall vegetation productivity, growth, and mortality in this region. The second data chapter assess whole-plant physiological functionality during a drought event in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. This is the first study in Subtropical Thicket to quantify in situ hydraulic functional integrity under a natural drought event testing the leading hypothesis describing tree mortality – hydraulic dysfunction. This chapter firstly, investigates hydraulic traits (e.g., turgor loss point) and describe key physiological thresholds (e.g., P50) for maintaining function during drought. Secondly, levels of native embolism were determined under drought conditions and combined with measurements of xylem vulnerability to embolism providing an estimation of degree of hydraulic dysfunction experienced by six dominant woody canopy species in Subtropical Thicket – to quantify interspecific drought tolerance and susceptibility. Subtropical Thicket species exhibited remarkable tolerance towards desiccation (TLP from as low as -3MPa) and hydraulic functional resistance to embolism (P50 value as low as -7.89MPa). The observed unexpected drought resilience of subtropical derived lineages highlights the intrinsic evolutionary role aridification had, selecting for greater embolism resistance and community-level conservatism in drought resistance of Subtropical Thicket. The level of native embolism and hydraulic safety margins identified two species (Schotia latifolia and Polyagla myrtifolia) that were the most vulnerable, and a third (Pappea capensis) moderately vulnerable, then the remaining studied species – this could result in community-level adjustments in species composition and structure under future projected climate change scenarios where, increased frequencies of drought events are anticipated. This retrospective assessment of canopy vigor with physiological functional thresholds evokes hydraulic dysfunction as the principal mechanism of observed Subtropical Thicket dieback to drought. This chapter provides crucial in situ data for predictive assertions around drought-induced mortality risk in a phylogenetically diverse and climatically unique biome of southern Africa; and is the first to identify critical hydraulic thresholds for tree species within this region. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Ifuthe leelwimi kwimpumelelo yabafundi bebanga leshumi elinambini kwizifundo zejiyografi(sezelizwe) kwizikolo ezibini ezichongiweyo kwisithili saseMonti
- Authors: Gcaki, Nomnqakati
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55342 , vital:51915
- Description: Isahluko sokuqala sixoxa ngengxaki yophando esi siseko kolu phando, nemibuzo yophando kunye neenjongo zokuba isifundo esikhoyo sifuna ukufezekisa ntoni. Ngokunxulumene nengxaki ephandwayo, esi sahluko sigxile kuphononongo loncwadi ukuze kuhlolwe ubudlelwane phakathi kolwimi lokufundisa kunye nempumelelo yabafundi kwiBanga le-12 kwisifundo seJiyografi. Ukuhlolwa koncwadi kuthathwe kwimigaqo-nkqubo yokufundisa kunye neethiyori zophuhliso lokuqonda nenkcubeko. Inkqubo yeethiyori ezikhethiweyo zisetyenziselwa ukwenza ingqiqo yokuba ulwimi lokufundisa luba nefuthe njani ekufundiseni nasekukhuleni kwengqondo nokuqiqa komfundi. Ngophononongo loncwadi, umphandi unqwenela ukufumanisa ubunzima abahlangabezana nabo abafundi ekufundeni iJiyografi ngolwimi lwesiNgesi kwiBanga leshumi elinesibini. Olu phando luza kuphonononga nzulu ifuthe leelwimi kwimpumelelo yabafundi kwisifundo seJiyografi kubafundi besigaba seshumi elinambini kujoliswe kwindlela abaphumelela ngayo kwiimviwo zokuphela konyaka.Olu phando luza kujongwa kwizikolo ezibini kwiphondo leMpuma Koloni kwisithili saseMonti phakathi kweminyaka wama-2016 ukuya kuma-2018.Ngokophando esele lwenziwe, abafundi abalwimi lwabo lwasekhaya lusisiXhosa kufanele ukuba bafundiswa ngolwimi lwabo abazikhethele lona ukutsho oko isiXhosa kwaye bavavanywe kwangalo. Oku akunjalo njengoko amaphepha abo ovavanyo engolwimi lwesiNgesi, lwimi olo olufika lubabeke phantsi konxinzelelo olukhulu olubenza bangabinakho ukuzithemba nokuziva bekhululekile xa bephendula imibuzo emagumbini okufundela. Umphandi olu luvo uluseka ngengxelo ayifumene kumaxwebhu eSebe lezeMfundo (2018 NSC Chief Markers Report) yesifundo seJiyografi iphepha lokuqala. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Language, Media and Communication, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Gcaki, Nomnqakati
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55342 , vital:51915
- Description: Isahluko sokuqala sixoxa ngengxaki yophando esi siseko kolu phando, nemibuzo yophando kunye neenjongo zokuba isifundo esikhoyo sifuna ukufezekisa ntoni. Ngokunxulumene nengxaki ephandwayo, esi sahluko sigxile kuphononongo loncwadi ukuze kuhlolwe ubudlelwane phakathi kolwimi lokufundisa kunye nempumelelo yabafundi kwiBanga le-12 kwisifundo seJiyografi. Ukuhlolwa koncwadi kuthathwe kwimigaqo-nkqubo yokufundisa kunye neethiyori zophuhliso lokuqonda nenkcubeko. Inkqubo yeethiyori ezikhethiweyo zisetyenziselwa ukwenza ingqiqo yokuba ulwimi lokufundisa luba nefuthe njani ekufundiseni nasekukhuleni kwengqondo nokuqiqa komfundi. Ngophononongo loncwadi, umphandi unqwenela ukufumanisa ubunzima abahlangabezana nabo abafundi ekufundeni iJiyografi ngolwimi lwesiNgesi kwiBanga leshumi elinesibini. Olu phando luza kuphonononga nzulu ifuthe leelwimi kwimpumelelo yabafundi kwisifundo seJiyografi kubafundi besigaba seshumi elinambini kujoliswe kwindlela abaphumelela ngayo kwiimviwo zokuphela konyaka.Olu phando luza kujongwa kwizikolo ezibini kwiphondo leMpuma Koloni kwisithili saseMonti phakathi kweminyaka wama-2016 ukuya kuma-2018.Ngokophando esele lwenziwe, abafundi abalwimi lwabo lwasekhaya lusisiXhosa kufanele ukuba bafundiswa ngolwimi lwabo abazikhethele lona ukutsho oko isiXhosa kwaye bavavanywe kwangalo. Oku akunjalo njengoko amaphepha abo ovavanyo engolwimi lwesiNgesi, lwimi olo olufika lubabeke phantsi konxinzelelo olukhulu olubenza bangabinakho ukuzithemba nokuziva bekhululekile xa bephendula imibuzo emagumbini okufundela. Umphandi olu luvo uluseka ngengxelo ayifumene kumaxwebhu eSebe lezeMfundo (2018 NSC Chief Markers Report) yesifundo seJiyografi iphepha lokuqala. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Language, Media and Communication, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Main thesis title: subtitle if needed. If no subtitle follow instructions in manual
- Authors: Surname, name
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57885 , vital:58305
- Description: Abstract. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Surname, name
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57885 , vital:58305
- Description: Abstract. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Main thesis title: subtitle if needed. If no subtitle follow instructions in manual
- Authors: Surname, name
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58827 , vital:60168
- Description: Abstract. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Surname, name
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58827 , vital:60168
- Description: Abstract. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Main thesis title: subtitle if needed. If no subtitle follow instructions in manual
- Authors: Surname, name
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60537 , vital:65643
- Description: Abstract. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Surname, name
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60537 , vital:65643
- Description: Abstract. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04