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The moderating role of green consumer values in the relationship between green marketing and consumer behaviour:

- Ntshangase, Siyasanga Vuyiswa

Authors: Ntshangase, Siyasanga Vuyiswa
Date: 2024-04
Subjects: Green Consumer Values , Education institutions , South Africa
Language: English
Type: Masters
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/13105 , vital:77657
Description: The study aimed to investigate the moderating role of green consumer values in the relationship between green marketing and consumer behaviour. The study focused on the important role of green consumer values in shaping environmentally conscious consumer actions, emphasizing the importance of considering these values in green marketing strategies.To achieve the aim, the study adopted a positivist paradigm, quantitative approach, and a causal research design. A survey technique was employed to gather primary data where a self-administered questionnaire was issued to 450 respondents who were purposefully sampled. The study’s sample constituted consumers that frequently visit hotels in the Eastern Cape. The key findings of the study suggest that there is a significant role that green marketing plays in consumer behaviour towards green products offered in hotels. Furthermore, the findings highlight how green consumer values influence consumers towards value-driven choices for sustainable practices in the hotel industry, high level of satisfaction and preference for green products. Based on the findings, government and the hospitality industry should implement policies that will provide incentives for hotels that practise sustainable measures. This could include free quarterly advertisement of green hotels, free hampers for consumers that make use of green hotels on a regularly basis, and a spa voucher for every new consumer. Government should also provide capital and resources to small businesses to upscale their establishments to meet green hotel standards, for instance provide funding for solar installation and for those who already have installed solar panels to be reimbursed a fraction of the amount they paid.This study makes a significant contribution by highlighting the important role of green consumer values as a moderator. It reveals how these values impact the relationship between green marketing strategies and consumer behaviour. The study provides valuable insights for marketers, emphasizing the need to align strategies with green consumer values to promote more effective and impactful responses from consumers towards environmentally friendly initiatives. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences, Business Management and Economics, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04

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Impact of novel software on laboratory expenditure at an academic hospital in South Africa

- Mayekiso, Zoliswa, Oladimeji, E Kelechi, Estrada, Pulido A Guillermo, Apalata, R. Teke

Authors: Mayekiso, Zoliswa , Oladimeji, E Kelechi , Estrada, Pulido A Guillermo , Apalata, R. Teke
Date: 2023/11
Subjects: Gatekeeping , Medical laboratory expenditure , Cost effectiveness , Intervention , Rural academic hospital , South Africa , Interrupted time series
Language: English
Type: Article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/13388 , vital:78679 , DOI: 10.4102/ajlm.v12i1.2159
Description: Background: Countries across the globe report an increase in expenditure associated with medical laboratory testing. In 2020, the United States Department of Health and Human Services reported that laboratory test expenditures increased by $459 million US dollars (USD) from $7.1 billion USD in 2018. In South Africa, laboratory testing expenditure in the public sector increased from $415 million USD in 2014 to $723 million USD in 2021. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an innovative software, electronic gatekeeping (EGK), on medical laboratory test expenditures at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, an interrupted time series analysis technique was used to evaluate trends in expenditure during a 48-month study period. To measure the impact of EGK on laboratory expenditure, we analysed laboratory expenditure over two study periods: a period of 24 months occurring before EGK implementation (01 June 2013 to 31 May 2015) and a period of 24 months occurring during EGK implementation (01 June 2015 to 30 May 2017). Results: There was a significant reduction (211928 fewer tests) in the number of tests performed during the intervention (434790) compared to before the intervention (646718). Laboratory test expenditure was $1 663 756.72 USD before the intervention period and $1 105 036.88 USD during the intervention period, demonstrating a cost savings of $558 719.84 USD. Conclusion: Electronic gatekeeping is a cost-effective intervention for managing medical laboratory expenditures. We recommend that the health sector scale up this intervention nationally.
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Date Issued: 2023/11

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Prevalence and Associated Factors of Cigarette Smoking among South Africa Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocol

- Londani, Mukhethwa, Oladimeji, Olanrewaju

Authors: Londani, Mukhethwa , Oladimeji, Olanrewaju
Date: 2023/09
Subjects: South Africa , adoloscents , young adults , tobacco use , systematic review , meta-analysis
Language: English
Type: Article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/13301 , vital:78421 , DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/mps6050085
Description: Tobacco use, particularly the initiation of smoking during adolescence and young adult hood, represents a significant public health concern in South Africa. The influence of socio-cultural factors, marketing strategies of the tobacco industry, and accessibility of tobacco products have all been implicated in this context. This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol aims to scrutinise the body of literature on this issue, providing a comprehensive understanding of the patterns and determinants of tobacco use among South African adolescents and young adults, with an eye towards informing more effective policy interventions. The available literature for studies on tobacco use will be systematically searched and reviewed. Five international scholarly databases, namely PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, and Scopus, will be searched. Peer-reviewed studies will be included if they are conducted in South Africa or South African provinces and if they include the prevalence of tobacco use among adolescents and young adults aged between 12 and 24 years. The results of such an analysis can guide future policy designs, enabling them to be more targeted and thus more effective. The findings can also have implications for shaping global tobacco control strate gies, given the transferability of successful interventions across different populations and cultural contexts. This protocol has been registered in the PROSPERO database.
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Date Issued: 2023/09

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A model for integrating user experience into Agile software development

- Manakaza, Mpile

Authors: Manakaza, Mpile
Date: 2023-04
Subjects: Customer satisfaction , Agile development (Computer science) , South Africa
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , Thesis
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60949 , vital:69295
Description: The Agile software development methodology has progressed over time and has become the most popularly used methodology for many projects owing to its adaptable and advanced nature. Agile is an iterative and incremental method that supports project teams to maintain the growing demands of present-day organisations. In software development, it is imperative to build software that ensures a holistic user experience and meets requirements. Software Developers and User Experience Designers focus on users’ preferences and requirements while navigating an application through an approach called user-centred design (UCD). The purpose of Agile user-experience (UX) methods is to build user-centric software solutions using the Agile methodology. Literature indicates a scarcity of Agile-UX models to integrate user experience design processes effectively within Agile software development. Hence, the motivation for this study was to create a practical model for integrating user experience design processes into Agile software development for implementation by software development teams. Initially, the study defines the problem that formed the basis for the initiation of this research, followed by the research questions and objectives that are the fundamental portion of the development of this study. This study highlights the benefits and challenges of Agile-UX methods through a case study of Agile software development teams in South Africa. Furthermore, additional best practices are recommended. A survey questionnaire was distributed to software development teams to identify the various factors that lead to implementing Agile-UX methods. The distribution of the survey questionnaire supported the theoretical perspective of this study. Furthermore, Agile development (AD) and UCD are not easy to combine as UCD aims to understand users before software product development, and no activities are performed before development starts in AD. Lastly, a significant benefit is that user-centred software systems create and promote team collaboration and communication and, ultimately, successful software projects. , Thesis (MIT) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, School of Information and Communication Technology, 2022
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Date Issued: 2023-04

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An evaluation of the national minimum wage dispensation

- Masenya, Mogodi

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
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Date Issued: 2023-04

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The analysis of social networking sites usage by the public relations management students from Walter Sisulu University: Buffalo city campus (Chiselhurst site)

- Kwinana, Zingisa. N

Authors: Kwinana, Zingisa. N
Date: 2023-04
Subjects: Grahamstown (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27589 , vital:69318
Description: This study analysed the use of social networking sites by undergraduate Public Relations Management students from Walter Sisulu University, Chiselhurst site. The reason for this study was to seek student’s opinions on what drove them to open SNs accounts, use social networking sites and examine these motivations in relationship to the building blocks of the uses and gratification theory, which are information search or education, selfactualization, socializing and entertainment. A qualitative online questionnaire was employed in this study. 218 questionnaires were sent through to the participants WhatsApp class groups, 168 questionnaires were answered and returned back to the researcher. The discovery of the study was that the participants are diverse in many different ways and made use of social networking sites for many various reasons. Furthermore, this study indicated that the participants were motivated to use social networking sites because they wanted to interact and stay connected with their family, peers and loved ones, and to meet people or create connections. The study argued that the participants’ reasons for use of social networking sites was not only for socialising but also for entertainment, self-actualization get academic and general information. This study concluded that SNs have a meaningful role in the life of a student’s life doing public relations management from Walter Sisulu University, Chiselhurst site. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-04

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The influence of financial education on the financial literacy Of higher certificate students at the Nelson Mandela University

- Nyati, Nokwanda Vuyolwethu

Authors: Nyati, Nokwanda Vuyolwethu
Date: 2023-04
Subjects: financial literacy , higher certificate , South Africa
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62320 , vital:72380
Description: South Africa has low levels of financial literacy. This includes students, even though they are educated. The literature reveals South African students struggle to grasp personal finance concepts, specifically related to saving, monitoring debt and budgeting. It is well-known that financial education improves financial literacy, however, financial education is not implemented as a stand-alone subject for students at primary and high school level in the South African context. Financial education is only implemented into specific learning areas in the curricula such as Economic Management Sciences, Mathematical Literacy, Mathematics, Accounting, Business Studies and Economics. At university level, some students from specific faculties are exposed to a financial education module. A gap in the literature warranted a longitudinal investigation among students to discover the impact of university financial education on financial literacy. There is a lack of research to assess the financial literacy of students by measuring their financial knowledge and financial skills objectively. It is crucial to determine whether a relationship exists between financial education and financial literacy involving South African students. Hence, according to this, the primary objective of the study was to investigate the influence of financial education on financial literacy of Higher Certificate (Business Studies) students at Nelson Mandela University. The rationale behind choosing these students as a sample is because the programme comprises a Fundamentals of Personal Finance module which focused on day-to-day financial education. Two literature review chapters were conducted to accomplish the primary objective of the study. The first literature review focused on the nature and importance of financial education, core components of financial education, sources of financial education, personal finance module as well as the impact of financial education on financial literacy. This led to the second literature review, which examined the exposure of financial education on financial literacy levels. In addition, financial literacy components and the relationship between financial education on financial literacy were discussed. Thereafter, the hypotheses of the study were developed to empirically test the sample on their financial literacy levels before and after exposure to financial vi education by measuring financial knowledge, financial skills, financial attitude and financial behaviour. An online questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents before exposure to the Fundamentals of Finance module to determine their financial literacy levels. The same questionnaire was completed by the respondents to discover whether financial literacy levels stayed the same, declined or improved after exposure to financial education. Through convenience and criterion sampling, 233 usable questionnaires were collected before exposure to financial education which translated into an effective rate of 64.54 percent. Following this, 77 usable questionnaires were collected after financial education exposure which was interpreted as an effective rate of 61.60 percent. The low response rate was due to the level of computer literacy amongst the respondents, some respondents may have not had access to a laptop, computer desktop or mobile device, and the respondents were busy preparing for examinations. The empirical data was analysed through STATISTICA by performing Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) tests, reliability tests (Cronbach Alpha), descriptive statistics related to the demographics of the respondents, mean scores and standard deviations. Further statistical analyses were conducted through Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient tests to determine the nature of the relationships between financial knowledge, financial skills, financial attitude and financial behaviour. Paired t-tests were conducted to discover the differences in the mean scores in the financial literacy levels of respondents before and after exposure to financial education. The empirical results revealed significant relationships between financial education and financial knowledge; financial education and financial skills; financial education and financial attitude; financial education and financial behaviour. This led to all four hypotheses of the study being accepted. The financial knowledge, financial skills and financial attitude of Higher Certificate (Business Studies) students did not improve after completing the Fundamentals of Personal Finance module. Only the financial behaviour of these students improved after financial education exposure. The results of the study provided the basis for the development of recommendations to improve financial literacy levels by providing financial education content that is suitable for individuals in different stages of their lives. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-04

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The posttraumatic growth of Natalie Du Toit: A psychobiography

- Madotyeni-Ngcongca, Thozama

Authors: Madotyeni-Ngcongca, Thozama
Date: 2023-04
Subjects: Posttraumatic growth , Psychobiography , South Africa
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61522 , vital:70969
Description: This study sought to gain insight into the phenomenon of posttraumatic growth by performing a psychobiography of Natalie du Toit, who underwent a traumatic experience and acquired a disability. This study employed a psychobiographical methodology in order to interpret the life of Paralympic gold medallist, Natalie du Toit, from a psychosocial development perspective. The study used a qualitative research paradigm and a purposive sampling technique was employed to select Natalie du Toit. This was done to determine the extent to which Natalie du Toit underwent developmental growth as a result of posttraumatic growth after recuperating from her trauma. Tedeschi and Calhoun’s Posttraumatic Growth Model was used to inform the research. This model was used to describe the life experiences and events that characterised the posttraumatic adjustment of Natalie du Toit and interpret these through Tedeschi and Calhoun’s Posttraumatic Growth Model. The findings revealed a significant extend the existence of all five variables of Tedeschi and Calhoun’s Posttraumatic Growth Model, in the life of Natalie du Toit. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-04

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Township economy performance and contribution towards economic development in Nelson Mandela Bay: Assessment using the circular flow of money

- Matambeka, Sibahle

Authors: Matambeka, Sibahle
Date: 2023-04
Subjects: Circular Economy , Economic Development , South Africa
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61659 , vital:71823
Description: The study sought to explore township economic performance and contribution towards economic development in Nelson Mandela Bay, using the circular flow of money model. The study surveyed households and businesses in one of the townships in Nelson Mandela Bay (Kwazakhele). The survey reached out to 100 households and 100 businesses, totalling 200 participants. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The current state of the township economy is not a desirable one. There are more leakages than injections into the township economy. More township residents (especially high-income earners) choose to shop outside the township for goods because the township does not have the goods that residents need. Key findings show that township businesses are small in nature, primarily sole propriety and operate informally in the streets. Most people who work, earn R3500 and below and spend most of their income on food and groceries. Supply for the most consumed products in the township comes mainly from outside the township, and there is no circular flow in the township economy. However, there are more people working inside the township than those who work outside the township. More essential goods are found in the township than before, so residents do not have to travel outside the township to get basic groceries and food. Other findings show that the government is not intervening enough to help the township businesses through policy implementation and financial aid. Businesses in the township do not pay taxes, and this can limit what the government can do to help them. There are other business constraints that are prohibiting the township businesses to reach the optimum level, and the top cited constraint is Crime. The study recommended that government should intervene by passing a bill like the Gauteng Township Economy Bill that aims at assisting township businesses. Households should come up with other streams of income through entrepreneurship so that they can not only depend on government social grants for income. Businesses should form bulk buying groups to increase buying power to be competitive. Lastly, businesses should seek alternative sources of power because electricity is expensive, and the load-shedding is prohibiting township businesses from running efficiently. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-04

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Validation of Small Punch Testing Methodology to determine the variation in static properties over the build height of Ti-6Al-4V laser metal deposition samples.

- Viviers, Amy Bronwan

Authors: Viviers, Amy Bronwan
Date: 2023-04
Subjects: Photovoltaic power generation , Mechanical properties , South Africa
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/66344 , vital:74637
Description: Small Punch Static Testing is a testing methodology which has gained immense popularity in the power generation industry. With the drive to optimise material testing and use of expensive, lightweight materials in specialised engineering, Small Punch Static Testing has been standardised to determine standard mechanical properties of materials. Using the Small Punch Static Testing methodology as outlined in BS EN 10371, additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V samples were tested in order to determine their theoretical ultimate tensile strength and yield strength and to determine whether there was a significant change in mechanical properties across the build height of an interrupted build direct energy deposition sample. While extremely material specific, this method has been proven to be feasible in determining mechanical properties in samples where material is scarce and no significant relationship between the sample extraction height and mechanical properties is noted. , Thesis (Ma) -- Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Technology, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-04

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Correlation of socio-economic factors, diet and ownership of consumer electronics with body mass index in women of childbearing age: Insights from the 2016 South African demographic health survey

- Banda, Lucas, Oladimeji, Olanrewaju

Authors: Banda, Lucas , Oladimeji, Olanrewaju
Date: 2023/03
Subjects: Body weight categories , BMI , Prevalence , Socio-economic , Diet , Women of child-bearing age , Consumer electronics , Overweight , Pre-obesity , Obesity , South Africa
Language: English
Type: Article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/13190 , vital:78089 , DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/women3010013
Description: The available evidence indicates a correlation between owning consumer electronics, such as cellphones and televisions, and a higher risk of obesity and increased adiposity. However, such studies are sparse in South Africa. Thus, the aim of this study is to examine the dietary and sociodemographic factors associated with various BMI categories, including the possession of consumer electronics, among women of reproductive age in South Africa. This is a secondary study of a population registry that includes dietary, BMI, and digital use items among women of reproductive age. The data is from the South Africa Demographic Health Survey (SADHS, 2016). Of the 3363 participants included in the analysis, women of normal weight were (35.5%), pre-obese (34.5%), obese (27.1%) and underweight (2.9%).
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Date Issued: 2023/03

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Examining the implementation of the Department of Social Development’s fatherhood strategy by FAMSA

- Sishuba, Thozama Alicia

Authors: Sishuba, Thozama Alicia
Date: 2023
Subjects: Grahamstown (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27618 , vital:69320
Description: This study aimed to exam the implementation of the Department of Social Development’s Fatherhood Strategy by Families South Africa (FAMSA) Eastern Cape. FAMSA is a non-profit organization providing vital services to people in families while providing them with psychosocial and emotional support. FAMSA has been in existence since 1954. To achieve this aim, the study’s objectives were underpinned by understanding the implementation of the Department of Social Development’s Fatherhood Strategy in Buffalo City Metro, establishing FAMSA’s response to the implementation of the Department of Social Development’s Fatherhood Strategy as well as exploring the challenges faced by FAMSA in implementing the Department of Social Development’s Fatherhood Strategy. A qualitative research methodology was implemented to gather information from FAMSA and DSD. Findings from literature revealed that the fatherhood strategy has been a concern worldwide evidenced by the high levels of father-child non-residency. Data from this study revealed that FAMSA had been implementing the programme effectively regardless of numerous challenges that include funding human resources. Conclusively, a lot must be done to advocate for fatherhood. Recommendations also point to the need for several interventions which need to be done in research, social work practice and also policy formulation and development. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023

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Development of a crumb rubber adsorbent for the sorption of lead and copper from waste water: Optimization of sorption in a binary component system

- Hlabana,Relebohile Gladys

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
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Date Issued: 2022-12

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Spatial and temporal analysis of the critical zone in the Western rift valley corridor: towards earth stewardship science in East Africa

- Miller, Warren David

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
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Date Issued: 2022-12

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The co-evolution of Africa’s eastern margin and its primate fauna: implications for hominin evolution

- Mambalu, Philasande

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
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Date Issued: 2022-12

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The principle of fairness in South African criminal trials

- Ndude, Tembinkosi

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
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Date Issued: 2022-12

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