Youth sub-cultures: the case of izikhothane amongst youth in Port Elizabeth townships
- Authors: Laqwela, Bayanda B
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54694 , vital:47442
- Description: The studies on youth subcultures have always attracted scholars and media, both locally and internationally. Specifically, in South Africa, we have witnessed subcultural youth formations, such as amapantsula1 , umswenko2 , the smarteez, zef, emmos and so forth. In the past few years, we saw the rise of a certain subcultural youth formation, popularly known as izikhothane3 , in South African townships. Owing to an escalation in izikhothane, this study was undertaken among the youth in Port Elizabeth townships. The study sought to explore and describe the significance of izikhothane membership and the rituals that are performed during their meetings. The qualitative approach was used for the study and semi-structured interviews, focus groups and observations were employed as data collection tools. The study used the explorative, descriptive and contextual design. The population for the study was the youth who are involved in the youth subculture of izikhothane in Port Elizabeth townships. The themes, which answered the questions, were identified as follows: the definition of isikhothane according to izikhothane, pulling or attraction factors, izikhothane rituals, the significance of isikhothane membership, the stopping age and the perceptions of community members about izikhothane. One of the main findings of this study is the age at which the youth join izikhothane. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Laqwela, Bayanda B
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54694 , vital:47442
- Description: The studies on youth subcultures have always attracted scholars and media, both locally and internationally. Specifically, in South Africa, we have witnessed subcultural youth formations, such as amapantsula1 , umswenko2 , the smarteez, zef, emmos and so forth. In the past few years, we saw the rise of a certain subcultural youth formation, popularly known as izikhothane3 , in South African townships. Owing to an escalation in izikhothane, this study was undertaken among the youth in Port Elizabeth townships. The study sought to explore and describe the significance of izikhothane membership and the rituals that are performed during their meetings. The qualitative approach was used for the study and semi-structured interviews, focus groups and observations were employed as data collection tools. The study used the explorative, descriptive and contextual design. The population for the study was the youth who are involved in the youth subculture of izikhothane in Port Elizabeth townships. The themes, which answered the questions, were identified as follows: the definition of isikhothane according to izikhothane, pulling or attraction factors, izikhothane rituals, the significance of isikhothane membership, the stopping age and the perceptions of community members about izikhothane. One of the main findings of this study is the age at which the youth join izikhothane. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Youth development: a case study of vision4 mentorship programme for teenage girls in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Gqabe, Ongeziwe Sharon
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54343 , vital:46477
- Description: Investment in youth development for a country like South Africa, where social issues such as unemployment, lack of quality education, high levels of school dropouts, difficulty in accessing post-secondary education and training are of high prevalence is crucial. There are different strategies that key players in youth development such as the government, private sector and NGOs can implement in advancing the youth. This study sought to examine one of these strategies which is mentorship. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to scrutinize the essential role that a mentorship program can play in progressing youth development. The objectives of this study are as follows: to investigate the key challenges facing the teenage girls that participated on the Vision4 Mentorship Program; to investigate the effectiveness of the strategy of using mentorship programs as a tool in achieving youth development in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth and to come up with the recommendations with the view of addressing some of the problems faced by the youth in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth. The research methodology used in this study include among others, individual interviews of participants that has been previously gone through the Vision4 Mentorship Program. Furthermore, relevant scholarly published work has been consulted to supplement the interviews. Mentorship has been used as a conceptual framework to understand the impact of mentoring to the young girls at Vision4 Mentorship Program. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Gqabe, Ongeziwe Sharon
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54343 , vital:46477
- Description: Investment in youth development for a country like South Africa, where social issues such as unemployment, lack of quality education, high levels of school dropouts, difficulty in accessing post-secondary education and training are of high prevalence is crucial. There are different strategies that key players in youth development such as the government, private sector and NGOs can implement in advancing the youth. This study sought to examine one of these strategies which is mentorship. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to scrutinize the essential role that a mentorship program can play in progressing youth development. The objectives of this study are as follows: to investigate the key challenges facing the teenage girls that participated on the Vision4 Mentorship Program; to investigate the effectiveness of the strategy of using mentorship programs as a tool in achieving youth development in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth and to come up with the recommendations with the view of addressing some of the problems faced by the youth in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth. The research methodology used in this study include among others, individual interviews of participants that has been previously gone through the Vision4 Mentorship Program. Furthermore, relevant scholarly published work has been consulted to supplement the interviews. Mentorship has been used as a conceptual framework to understand the impact of mentoring to the young girls at Vision4 Mentorship Program. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Workplace forums and the enhancement of collective bargaining
- Authors: Silo, Zama
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Collective bargaining--Law and legislation
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51189 , vital:43229
- Description: Historically, workers in South Africa, black and Africans in particular, fought against an oppressive regime and, in the absence of political rights, strikes were mostly violent. Labour legislation was based on racial categorisation and discrimination. There was parallel labour legislation for blacks, and a different one for whites. The legislation for blacks was called the Black Labour Relations Act 48 of 19531 , for whites it was called the Industrial Conciliation Act, it was later renamed the Labour Relations Act 28 of 19562 . Trade unions were racially divided, and black workers mostly were denied the right of joining trade unions. The unions that admitted blacks as members could not become parties to industrial councils. Before 1979, black workers in South Africa did not have access to the collective bargaining system. After that year, the guidelines proposed by the Wiehahn, Commission brought about certain changes. Attempts were made to establish independent labour organisations for black workers, but both the state and employers applied various strategies to undermine these organisations. One of these strategies was the Native Labour Settlement Disputes Act of 1953, which restricted the representation of black workers on worker committees in the workplace and prohibited them from striking. Black workers therefore never utilised these statutory works committees and by 1971, there were only 18 statutory works committees in the country. The Department of Labour indicated that there was a preference for non-statutory works committees because there were no restrictions in respect of their composition, and they provided a structure by means of which workers could be represented.3 Militant action by black labour in the early 1970s led to the promulgation of the Black Labour Relations Regulation Act of 1973.4 This Act was to extend the existing works committee system. Liaison and coordinating committees were set up to restrain activism among the workers and establish an alternative form for trade unions of labour management communication. Where statutory works committees had only consisted of employees, employers could now half the members of the new liaison committees and their chairman. The growth of these committees led to black workers building up a base for a future independent organisation. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, Mercantile Law, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Silo, Zama
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Collective bargaining--Law and legislation
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51189 , vital:43229
- Description: Historically, workers in South Africa, black and Africans in particular, fought against an oppressive regime and, in the absence of political rights, strikes were mostly violent. Labour legislation was based on racial categorisation and discrimination. There was parallel labour legislation for blacks, and a different one for whites. The legislation for blacks was called the Black Labour Relations Act 48 of 19531 , for whites it was called the Industrial Conciliation Act, it was later renamed the Labour Relations Act 28 of 19562 . Trade unions were racially divided, and black workers mostly were denied the right of joining trade unions. The unions that admitted blacks as members could not become parties to industrial councils. Before 1979, black workers in South Africa did not have access to the collective bargaining system. After that year, the guidelines proposed by the Wiehahn, Commission brought about certain changes. Attempts were made to establish independent labour organisations for black workers, but both the state and employers applied various strategies to undermine these organisations. One of these strategies was the Native Labour Settlement Disputes Act of 1953, which restricted the representation of black workers on worker committees in the workplace and prohibited them from striking. Black workers therefore never utilised these statutory works committees and by 1971, there were only 18 statutory works committees in the country. The Department of Labour indicated that there was a preference for non-statutory works committees because there were no restrictions in respect of their composition, and they provided a structure by means of which workers could be represented.3 Militant action by black labour in the early 1970s led to the promulgation of the Black Labour Relations Regulation Act of 1973.4 This Act was to extend the existing works committee system. Liaison and coordinating committees were set up to restrain activism among the workers and establish an alternative form for trade unions of labour management communication. Where statutory works committees had only consisted of employees, employers could now half the members of the new liaison committees and their chairman. The growth of these committees led to black workers building up a base for a future independent organisation. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, Mercantile Law, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Visual narratives portraying the lived experience of women with invisible illnesses
- Authors: Scholtz, Micaela
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55207 , vital:49596
- Description: Stereotypical views and misrepresentation impact on how women experience ‘invisible’ gynaecological illnesses such as endometriosis. Patriarchal society forces a particular set of roles and standards upon women to which they must adhere and thus, a limited understanding exists as to how they experience their lived realities with endometriosis. This study consists of two components. The first component is a theoretical component in which I analyse how a visual narrative approach can be utilised in order to portray the lived experiences of women with an invisible illness. In support of this research I reflect on the work of Frida Kahlo, Georgie Wileman and Ellie Kammer in order to determine how these artists addressed the experiences of their illnesses within visual representation. The second part is the practical component informed by theory, interviews and auto-ethnographic data. This study established that women with endometriosis are largely influenced by the societal expectations placed on women as well as how the female body is represented by the media. By visually presenting the lived realities of women with endometriosis, the misperceptions of the disease and its effects are better understood. This study concludes having created a series of visual narratives which expresses internalised pain and emotions, and makes visible that which is invisible about endometriosis. Furthermore, the practical component challenges the stereotypical ideals and representations of femininity through presenting that which is often deemed as taboo. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Arts, School of Visual and Performing Arts, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Scholtz, Micaela
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55207 , vital:49596
- Description: Stereotypical views and misrepresentation impact on how women experience ‘invisible’ gynaecological illnesses such as endometriosis. Patriarchal society forces a particular set of roles and standards upon women to which they must adhere and thus, a limited understanding exists as to how they experience their lived realities with endometriosis. This study consists of two components. The first component is a theoretical component in which I analyse how a visual narrative approach can be utilised in order to portray the lived experiences of women with an invisible illness. In support of this research I reflect on the work of Frida Kahlo, Georgie Wileman and Ellie Kammer in order to determine how these artists addressed the experiences of their illnesses within visual representation. The second part is the practical component informed by theory, interviews and auto-ethnographic data. This study established that women with endometriosis are largely influenced by the societal expectations placed on women as well as how the female body is represented by the media. By visually presenting the lived realities of women with endometriosis, the misperceptions of the disease and its effects are better understood. This study concludes having created a series of visual narratives which expresses internalised pain and emotions, and makes visible that which is invisible about endometriosis. Furthermore, the practical component challenges the stereotypical ideals and representations of femininity through presenting that which is often deemed as taboo. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Arts, School of Visual and Performing Arts, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
Variation in forage quality in subtropical thicket
- Nyembe, Khulisile Jacqueline
- Authors: Nyembe, Khulisile Jacqueline
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Biodiversity -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52088 , vital:43440
- Description: Several studies have assumed that the plant communities of the Subtropical Thicket biome are nutritious throughout the year. This is based on the observation that they are evergreen, palatable and grow on fertile soils; however this assumption has not been tested. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess forage quality variation in the Subtropical Thicket. This was done at three levels; first we measured the plant quality of dominant plant species in the diets of Thicket herbivores. Secondly, we measured the realised diet quality of Thicket herbivores through the analysis of faecal samples. Lastly we assessed the body condition of Thicket herbivores. The study was conducted at the Colchester (plant quality and diet quality) and Addo Main Camp (body condition assessment) sections of Addo Elephant National Park. To measure the food quality of Thicket plants we analysed 10 plants that are dominant in the diets of Thicket herbivores. To measure diet quality we collected faecal samples from ten herbivores with body mass ranging from 25 kg to 6000 kg. Plant quality results showed that only 30% of the sampled plants met the high energy goat diet protein requirements and that all the sampled plants did not meet the high energy goat diet fibre requirements. This indicates that Thicket plants are not as highly nutritious as they were thought to be. The principle components analysis together with overlapping confidence intervals showed that there was no significant difference between the summer plant samples and the winter plant samples. The faecal quality results showed that there was significant seasonal difference and that faecal diet quality was a function of body size. The body condition results showed that all the sampled herbivores lost condition in the cold dry months. The evidence from faecal diet quality and body condition assessment is sufficient for us to reject the assumption that Thicket forage is consistently nutritious throughout the year. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Nyembe, Khulisile Jacqueline
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Biodiversity -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52088 , vital:43440
- Description: Several studies have assumed that the plant communities of the Subtropical Thicket biome are nutritious throughout the year. This is based on the observation that they are evergreen, palatable and grow on fertile soils; however this assumption has not been tested. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess forage quality variation in the Subtropical Thicket. This was done at three levels; first we measured the plant quality of dominant plant species in the diets of Thicket herbivores. Secondly, we measured the realised diet quality of Thicket herbivores through the analysis of faecal samples. Lastly we assessed the body condition of Thicket herbivores. The study was conducted at the Colchester (plant quality and diet quality) and Addo Main Camp (body condition assessment) sections of Addo Elephant National Park. To measure the food quality of Thicket plants we analysed 10 plants that are dominant in the diets of Thicket herbivores. To measure diet quality we collected faecal samples from ten herbivores with body mass ranging from 25 kg to 6000 kg. Plant quality results showed that only 30% of the sampled plants met the high energy goat diet protein requirements and that all the sampled plants did not meet the high energy goat diet fibre requirements. This indicates that Thicket plants are not as highly nutritious as they were thought to be. The principle components analysis together with overlapping confidence intervals showed that there was no significant difference between the summer plant samples and the winter plant samples. The faecal quality results showed that there was significant seasonal difference and that faecal diet quality was a function of body size. The body condition results showed that all the sampled herbivores lost condition in the cold dry months. The evidence from faecal diet quality and body condition assessment is sufficient for us to reject the assumption that Thicket forage is consistently nutritious throughout the year. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Ureaplasma species in the placenta and histopathology associated with preterm birth
- Authors: Sprong, Kaitlin Elizabeth
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54128 , vital:46310
- Description: The Eastern Cape province is known for its high perinatal morbidity and mortality rate. Studies from other countries indicate that Ureaplasma spp. have been associated with clinical chorioamnionitis, spontaneous preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes. The prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvumand Mycoplasma hominisin the placenta and its role in preterm birth is unknown in South Africa. Objectives The objectives of this study were to: (i) analyze placental histology, maternal and neonatal outcomes and clinical presentation of preterm birth, (ii) detect Ureaplasma spp. and M. hominisin the placenta from cases of preterm birth, (iii) determine antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Ureaplasma spp. isolates and investigate mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, (iv) characterize the microbial diversity in the placenta using 16S rRNA next generation sequencing and(v) review pathologies to ascertain whether there is any association between Ureaplasma spp. in the placenta and adverse maternal, obstetric and neonatal outcomes. iiiABSTRACTBackground The Eastern Cape province is known for its high perinatal morbidity and mortality rate. Studies from other countries indicate that Ureaplasmaspp. have been associated with clinical chorioamnionitis, spontaneous preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes. The prevalenceof Ureaplasmaurealyticum,UreaplasmaparvumandMycoplasmahominisin the placenta andits role in preterm birth is unknown in South Africa. Objectives The objectives of this study were to: (i) analyze placental histology, maternal and neonatal outcomes and clinical presentation of preterm birth, (ii) detect Ureaplasmaspp. and M. hominisin the placenta from cases of preterm birth, (iii) determine antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Ureaplasmaspp. isolates and investigate mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, (iv) characterize the microbial diversity in the placenta using 16S rRNA next generation sequencing and(v) review pathologies to ascertain whether there is any association between Ureaplasmaspp. inthe placenta and adverse maternal, obstetric and neonatal outcomes. MethodsPlacentas were collected from patients presenting with preterm birth (n=100; 28-34 weeks gestational age) and term birth (n=20; >38 weeks) regardless of the APGAR score. Placentas were submitted for histopathology and used for detection of Ureaplasmaspp. by culture (U9 broth, MycoDuo kits;BioRad) and PCR (DNA was extracted from culture and homogenized placental tissue). Antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Ureaplasmaspp isolates were determined by the SIR Antibiogram kit (BioRad) and microbroth dilution method. Molecular mechanisms of resistance were ascertained by PCR amplification of target genes. Placentas were sent to National Health Laboratory Servicesfor routine histopathology. Next generation sequencing was performed on 16S rRNA amplicons from placental DNA for analysis of microbial diversity. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Journalsim and Media Studies, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Sprong, Kaitlin Elizabeth
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54128 , vital:46310
- Description: The Eastern Cape province is known for its high perinatal morbidity and mortality rate. Studies from other countries indicate that Ureaplasma spp. have been associated with clinical chorioamnionitis, spontaneous preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes. The prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvumand Mycoplasma hominisin the placenta and its role in preterm birth is unknown in South Africa. Objectives The objectives of this study were to: (i) analyze placental histology, maternal and neonatal outcomes and clinical presentation of preterm birth, (ii) detect Ureaplasma spp. and M. hominisin the placenta from cases of preterm birth, (iii) determine antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Ureaplasma spp. isolates and investigate mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, (iv) characterize the microbial diversity in the placenta using 16S rRNA next generation sequencing and(v) review pathologies to ascertain whether there is any association between Ureaplasma spp. in the placenta and adverse maternal, obstetric and neonatal outcomes. iiiABSTRACTBackground The Eastern Cape province is known for its high perinatal morbidity and mortality rate. Studies from other countries indicate that Ureaplasmaspp. have been associated with clinical chorioamnionitis, spontaneous preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes. The prevalenceof Ureaplasmaurealyticum,UreaplasmaparvumandMycoplasmahominisin the placenta andits role in preterm birth is unknown in South Africa. Objectives The objectives of this study were to: (i) analyze placental histology, maternal and neonatal outcomes and clinical presentation of preterm birth, (ii) detect Ureaplasmaspp. and M. hominisin the placenta from cases of preterm birth, (iii) determine antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Ureaplasmaspp. isolates and investigate mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, (iv) characterize the microbial diversity in the placenta using 16S rRNA next generation sequencing and(v) review pathologies to ascertain whether there is any association between Ureaplasmaspp. inthe placenta and adverse maternal, obstetric and neonatal outcomes. MethodsPlacentas were collected from patients presenting with preterm birth (n=100; 28-34 weeks gestational age) and term birth (n=20; >38 weeks) regardless of the APGAR score. Placentas were submitted for histopathology and used for detection of Ureaplasmaspp. by culture (U9 broth, MycoDuo kits;BioRad) and PCR (DNA was extracted from culture and homogenized placental tissue). Antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Ureaplasmaspp isolates were determined by the SIR Antibiogram kit (BioRad) and microbroth dilution method. Molecular mechanisms of resistance were ascertained by PCR amplification of target genes. Placentas were sent to National Health Laboratory Servicesfor routine histopathology. Next generation sequencing was performed on 16S rRNA amplicons from placental DNA for analysis of microbial diversity. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Journalsim and Media Studies, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Upwelling over submarine canyons: an in-situ and modelling approach
- Authors: Rautenbach, Gustav
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Oceanography -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52078 , vital:43442
- Description: The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, located along the coastline of northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), hosts South Africa's only tropical coral reef system and is clustered with submarine canyons. These ecosystems support a flourishing diving and pelagic sportfishing industry in the area that contributes tens of millions of rand to the South African Gross Domestic Profit (GDP) annually as well as to provide income and job security for the majority of the local residents. Understanding the oceanographic dynamics, particularly upwelling events, will improve current knowledge of how the ecosystem works and may enhance conservation techniques. The upwelling events within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park results in the influx of cold and nutrient rich waters that supports biological productivity in the area. The complex oceanography, dominated by the Northern Agulhas Current and mesoscale eddies that stem from the Mozambique Channel and South East Madagascar Current (SEMC) is understudied and lacks understanding. This thesis aims to build upon the current knowledge of the upwelling events over the submarine canyons and the concurrent influence on the Mixed Layer Depth (MLD). At the submarine canyons, six anomalous cooling events were identified from surface and subsurface measurements extracted from the Operational Sea Surface Temperature and Ice Analysis (OSTIA) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and from data collected using Underwater Temperature Recorders (UTRs) over a 12-month period. Depth-integrated lagged correlations showed a 2-to-7-hour lag period from the deep to shallow stations, suggesting that the anomalous cooling events are in fact upwelling events. Wind measurements from the Mbazwana Weather Station and snapshots of sea-level anomalies illustrated that the weaker and shorter upwelling events are driven either by alongshore wind stress or a cyclonic eddy event solely; whereas the stronger event was driven by the combination of both forcing mechanisms. An idealized canyon ocean model is used to interrogate the two forcing mechanisms more fully and showed that the most intense upwelling events are driven by the combined effect of upwelling-favourable alongshore wind stress and a cyclonic eddy which results in strong upward vertical velocity anomalies and the greatest shallowing (6.88 m) of the MLD. With the contribution of the in-situ measurements as a baseline study it is apparent that the idealised model does provide an improved understanding of the upwelling events and forcing mechanism over the submarine canyons within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Ocean Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Rautenbach, Gustav
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Oceanography -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52078 , vital:43442
- Description: The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, located along the coastline of northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), hosts South Africa's only tropical coral reef system and is clustered with submarine canyons. These ecosystems support a flourishing diving and pelagic sportfishing industry in the area that contributes tens of millions of rand to the South African Gross Domestic Profit (GDP) annually as well as to provide income and job security for the majority of the local residents. Understanding the oceanographic dynamics, particularly upwelling events, will improve current knowledge of how the ecosystem works and may enhance conservation techniques. The upwelling events within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park results in the influx of cold and nutrient rich waters that supports biological productivity in the area. The complex oceanography, dominated by the Northern Agulhas Current and mesoscale eddies that stem from the Mozambique Channel and South East Madagascar Current (SEMC) is understudied and lacks understanding. This thesis aims to build upon the current knowledge of the upwelling events over the submarine canyons and the concurrent influence on the Mixed Layer Depth (MLD). At the submarine canyons, six anomalous cooling events were identified from surface and subsurface measurements extracted from the Operational Sea Surface Temperature and Ice Analysis (OSTIA) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and from data collected using Underwater Temperature Recorders (UTRs) over a 12-month period. Depth-integrated lagged correlations showed a 2-to-7-hour lag period from the deep to shallow stations, suggesting that the anomalous cooling events are in fact upwelling events. Wind measurements from the Mbazwana Weather Station and snapshots of sea-level anomalies illustrated that the weaker and shorter upwelling events are driven either by alongshore wind stress or a cyclonic eddy event solely; whereas the stronger event was driven by the combination of both forcing mechanisms. An idealized canyon ocean model is used to interrogate the two forcing mechanisms more fully and showed that the most intense upwelling events are driven by the combined effect of upwelling-favourable alongshore wind stress and a cyclonic eddy which results in strong upward vertical velocity anomalies and the greatest shallowing (6.88 m) of the MLD. With the contribution of the in-situ measurements as a baseline study it is apparent that the idealised model does provide an improved understanding of the upwelling events and forcing mechanism over the submarine canyons within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Ocean Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Understanding the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on SMEs in South Africa
- Authors: Ogunniyi, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53039 , vital:44883
- Description: The current research dissertation is on the topic- Understanding the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on SMEs in South Africa. It aims to analyse the strategies of SMEs to make positive results from the Fourth Industrial Revolution in South Africa. The research mainly concentrates on the concepts and techniques of technology implementation, customer relationship and advanced technology in SME Enterprises of South Africa. These techniques are needed to validate the importance of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the enhancement of SMEs in South Africa. In this entire process of research, the researcher evaluates current condition of SMEs in South Africa and the issues that are faced by these enterprises. The changes that are needed by these enterprises and their impact on organisational structure is also discussed. In addition to this, the researcher has also undertaken secondary research on the existing literature in this current topic and related topics. Therefore, the researcher was able to gain a clear insight into the study area. As SMEs are facing problems related to marketing and marking their position in the global market, useful recommendations are given to eliminate these problems. The researcher found out that SMEs need to improve policies to implement technological innovations to secure a market position for SMEs. In order to carry out the research, the researcher applied interpretivism and a deductive approach. Along with this, the qualitative research/methodology was chosen for carrying out the investigation. Qualitative data and non-probability sampling helped in collecting data. Analysis of this data was done by explaining transcripts of the interviews with the sample of entrepreneurs of South African SMEs. The researcher used a total of ten entrepreneurs from different industries in the country. Most of these entrepreneurs interviewed are from previously disadvantaged backgrounds with university degrees. The researcher made an effort to select candidates from different cities across South Africa. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Ogunniyi, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53039 , vital:44883
- Description: The current research dissertation is on the topic- Understanding the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on SMEs in South Africa. It aims to analyse the strategies of SMEs to make positive results from the Fourth Industrial Revolution in South Africa. The research mainly concentrates on the concepts and techniques of technology implementation, customer relationship and advanced technology in SME Enterprises of South Africa. These techniques are needed to validate the importance of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the enhancement of SMEs in South Africa. In this entire process of research, the researcher evaluates current condition of SMEs in South Africa and the issues that are faced by these enterprises. The changes that are needed by these enterprises and their impact on organisational structure is also discussed. In addition to this, the researcher has also undertaken secondary research on the existing literature in this current topic and related topics. Therefore, the researcher was able to gain a clear insight into the study area. As SMEs are facing problems related to marketing and marking their position in the global market, useful recommendations are given to eliminate these problems. The researcher found out that SMEs need to improve policies to implement technological innovations to secure a market position for SMEs. In order to carry out the research, the researcher applied interpretivism and a deductive approach. Along with this, the qualitative research/methodology was chosen for carrying out the investigation. Qualitative data and non-probability sampling helped in collecting data. Analysis of this data was done by explaining transcripts of the interviews with the sample of entrepreneurs of South African SMEs. The researcher used a total of ten entrepreneurs from different industries in the country. Most of these entrepreneurs interviewed are from previously disadvantaged backgrounds with university degrees. The researcher made an effort to select candidates from different cities across South Africa. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Towards a thriving youth culture: a framework for the development and empowerment of rural unemployed youth in Mhlontlo Municipality, South Africa
- Authors: Mugabe, Tanaka Candida
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55053 , vital:49026
- Description: The basis for youth employment and development in rural areas encapsulates transformation which brings about freedom in terms of economic growth as well as social stability. nevertheless, research provides evidence that one of the complex dilemmas in South Africa and across the globe is youth unemployment. Statistics South Africa in 2019 estimated that 70,9% of the total number of unemployed citizens are youths, with consequences that have a far-reaching impact on their quality of life and future prospects; thus, a social problem that requires urgent redress. In addition, there is evidence that youth unemployment is more prominent in rural than urban areas. It is for this reason that this study focused on the lived experiences of unemployed youth in Mhlontlo Municipality, a rural locality in South Africa to better understand the complexity and multifaceted unemployment phenomenon. Youth unemployment requires an understanding of its nature; especially, when considering and/or implementing interventions. Although the youth may share common denominators such as their culture, being unemployed and have a need for development and empowerment, youths experience their world as individuals and differently. Ensuring positive development and thriving requires insightful understanding about lived experiences of unemployed youths, as well as the immediate effect and long-standing impact caused by the nature of interaction between youths and their broader ecological environment. The research findings in this thesis highlight that whether as a source (self) or re-source (cocreator) of human capital, unemployed youth have the capacity to thrive and/or to enable thriving. Thus, an intervention initiative should create a culture of thriving; the latter, both a means and end, irrespective of the adversity in which unemployed youths find themselves. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
- Authors: Mugabe, Tanaka Candida
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55053 , vital:49026
- Description: The basis for youth employment and development in rural areas encapsulates transformation which brings about freedom in terms of economic growth as well as social stability. nevertheless, research provides evidence that one of the complex dilemmas in South Africa and across the globe is youth unemployment. Statistics South Africa in 2019 estimated that 70,9% of the total number of unemployed citizens are youths, with consequences that have a far-reaching impact on their quality of life and future prospects; thus, a social problem that requires urgent redress. In addition, there is evidence that youth unemployment is more prominent in rural than urban areas. It is for this reason that this study focused on the lived experiences of unemployed youth in Mhlontlo Municipality, a rural locality in South Africa to better understand the complexity and multifaceted unemployment phenomenon. Youth unemployment requires an understanding of its nature; especially, when considering and/or implementing interventions. Although the youth may share common denominators such as their culture, being unemployed and have a need for development and empowerment, youths experience their world as individuals and differently. Ensuring positive development and thriving requires insightful understanding about lived experiences of unemployed youths, as well as the immediate effect and long-standing impact caused by the nature of interaction between youths and their broader ecological environment. The research findings in this thesis highlight that whether as a source (self) or re-source (cocreator) of human capital, unemployed youth have the capacity to thrive and/or to enable thriving. Thus, an intervention initiative should create a culture of thriving; the latter, both a means and end, irrespective of the adversity in which unemployed youths find themselves. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
Thiazole derivatives as potential hiv-1 protease inhibitors
- Authors: Hlongwe, Zola
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Enzyme kinetics
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52116 , vital:43427
- Description: Series of compounds were screened using Schrodinger suite (Maestro). The DFT calculations were used for geometry optimization of the ligands using the B3YLYP functional and 6-31G basis set, and these structures were used for docking studies. Maestro was used to predict the activity of thiazole derivatives against HIV-1 protease. The range of estimated inhibition constants for these thiazole derivatives (65 nM-5 μM) indicate moderate to weak activity against HIV-1 protease, given that the activity of current protease inhibitors is typically found have experimental inhibition constants around 0.1-2.0 nM. Twenty compounds were selected based on the docking results and they were synthesized and characterized by NMR, FT-IR and elemental analysis. The cytotoxicity studies were done at two different concentrations (100 μM and 10 μM), using the brine shrimp bioassay. All compounds were highly toxic at 100 μM, with the percentage mortality between 20 to 75%. Eight compounds were selected for the enzyme bioassay based on the results obtained from lower concentration (10 μM). In the enzyme inhibition studies, the profile of HIV-1 activity was done at different inhibitor concentrations (800 μM – 10 μM) by measuring the cleavage of the synthetic substrate (Abz-Thr-lle-PNO2Phe=Gln-Arg-NH2) at excitation wavelength of 345/490 nm using fluorescence. Ligands 5 (unsubstituted derivative), 7 (4-nitro derivative) and 16 (4-methoxy derivative) gave percentage inhibition of 39, 45 and 42%, and this activity was very low compared to the activity of the positive control ritonavir (85% enzyme inhibition). Ligands 8 (4-methoxy derivative) and 12 (4-methoxy derivative) gave enzyme inhibition of 70% and 75%. These results suggest that the presence of the methoxy substituents ii increases activity of these compounds against HIV-1 protease. Most of the compounds gave good IC50 values between 12.5-42.7 nM. The bromo-substituted ligand 7 gave the lowest IC50 (12.5 nM). Ligand 11 also gave a good IC50 value of 14.86 nM. The bromo-substituted derivatives showed to be very active compared to other types of thiazole derivatives. Enzyme kinetics were carried out to compare the inhibition constants obtained via computational modelling. Ligand 7 (4-methoxy derivatives) binds better in the active site of HIV-1 protease than other compounds in Class B, with Ki = 50 nM, Km = 23.8 Nm and Vmax = 83.3 nM/min. The unsubstituted (L5), 4-bromo (L7) and 4-nitro (L8) substituted compounds gave inhibition constants of 100 to 112 nM. The in vitro testing yielded higher activity than that determined in silico. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Hlongwe, Zola
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Enzyme kinetics
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52116 , vital:43427
- Description: Series of compounds were screened using Schrodinger suite (Maestro). The DFT calculations were used for geometry optimization of the ligands using the B3YLYP functional and 6-31G basis set, and these structures were used for docking studies. Maestro was used to predict the activity of thiazole derivatives against HIV-1 protease. The range of estimated inhibition constants for these thiazole derivatives (65 nM-5 μM) indicate moderate to weak activity against HIV-1 protease, given that the activity of current protease inhibitors is typically found have experimental inhibition constants around 0.1-2.0 nM. Twenty compounds were selected based on the docking results and they were synthesized and characterized by NMR, FT-IR and elemental analysis. The cytotoxicity studies were done at two different concentrations (100 μM and 10 μM), using the brine shrimp bioassay. All compounds were highly toxic at 100 μM, with the percentage mortality between 20 to 75%. Eight compounds were selected for the enzyme bioassay based on the results obtained from lower concentration (10 μM). In the enzyme inhibition studies, the profile of HIV-1 activity was done at different inhibitor concentrations (800 μM – 10 μM) by measuring the cleavage of the synthetic substrate (Abz-Thr-lle-PNO2Phe=Gln-Arg-NH2) at excitation wavelength of 345/490 nm using fluorescence. Ligands 5 (unsubstituted derivative), 7 (4-nitro derivative) and 16 (4-methoxy derivative) gave percentage inhibition of 39, 45 and 42%, and this activity was very low compared to the activity of the positive control ritonavir (85% enzyme inhibition). Ligands 8 (4-methoxy derivative) and 12 (4-methoxy derivative) gave enzyme inhibition of 70% and 75%. These results suggest that the presence of the methoxy substituents ii increases activity of these compounds against HIV-1 protease. Most of the compounds gave good IC50 values between 12.5-42.7 nM. The bromo-substituted ligand 7 gave the lowest IC50 (12.5 nM). Ligand 11 also gave a good IC50 value of 14.86 nM. The bromo-substituted derivatives showed to be very active compared to other types of thiazole derivatives. Enzyme kinetics were carried out to compare the inhibition constants obtained via computational modelling. Ligand 7 (4-methoxy derivatives) binds better in the active site of HIV-1 protease than other compounds in Class B, with Ki = 50 nM, Km = 23.8 Nm and Vmax = 83.3 nM/min. The unsubstituted (L5), 4-bromo (L7) and 4-nitro (L8) substituted compounds gave inhibition constants of 100 to 112 nM. The in vitro testing yielded higher activity than that determined in silico. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
The value of incubation to SMME in the financial services industry : the case of the infinitum initiative
- Authors: Mboniswa, Unathi Sindisiwe
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53027 , vital:44862
- Description: Small, micro and medium businesses are regarded as the engine for achieving economic growth and reducing unemployment through unlocking the potential of young entrepreneurs. However, 80% of such young entrepreneurs operating SMMEs fail in their first years of existence. To respond to this challenge, Business Incubators (BI’s) have been established to nurture SMMEs to succeed. Numerous BI’s, such as Godisa, have been established in South Africa with many supported by the Department of Trade and Industry. However, there are still many potential entrepreneurs in need of such help. In this regard, Old Mutual initiated a programme similar to Godisa, called the Infinitum Incubation Programme (IIP). The IIP seeks to groom young, willing and educated entrepreneurs from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, with business skills to help them establish sustainable businesses. Their focus is on Financial Advisors and the programme has been running for two years offering all the support needed by young businesses. Against this background, this study endeavoured to assess whether the initiative has had the intended impact on the Incubatees. Using a qualitative and Interpretivism research approach and a sample of six incubatees, this study addressed its objectives. Questionnaires were sent out to all incubators and incubatees involved in the IIP and a response rate 60% was achieved. These responses were analysed through descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The results show that the IIP has been successful in identifying suitable incubatees and stakeholders. It also found that the IIP has been successful in equipping incubatees with theoretical business management skills. However, in terms of skills transfer, the programme was not successful. Both incubatees and stakeholders rated the programme poorly. Further, both stakeholders and incubatees perceive the programme to be a very good idea and see potential for success; however, they feel that would be achieved only after significant improvement. The study recommends that the programme improve on the following: gender balance, management and coordination of the programme, improved skills transfer, balance between practice, theory, and providing post-programme mentorship. The study ends by describing limitations and areas for further research. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, NMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Mboniswa, Unathi Sindisiwe
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53027 , vital:44862
- Description: Small, micro and medium businesses are regarded as the engine for achieving economic growth and reducing unemployment through unlocking the potential of young entrepreneurs. However, 80% of such young entrepreneurs operating SMMEs fail in their first years of existence. To respond to this challenge, Business Incubators (BI’s) have been established to nurture SMMEs to succeed. Numerous BI’s, such as Godisa, have been established in South Africa with many supported by the Department of Trade and Industry. However, there are still many potential entrepreneurs in need of such help. In this regard, Old Mutual initiated a programme similar to Godisa, called the Infinitum Incubation Programme (IIP). The IIP seeks to groom young, willing and educated entrepreneurs from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, with business skills to help them establish sustainable businesses. Their focus is on Financial Advisors and the programme has been running for two years offering all the support needed by young businesses. Against this background, this study endeavoured to assess whether the initiative has had the intended impact on the Incubatees. Using a qualitative and Interpretivism research approach and a sample of six incubatees, this study addressed its objectives. Questionnaires were sent out to all incubators and incubatees involved in the IIP and a response rate 60% was achieved. These responses were analysed through descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The results show that the IIP has been successful in identifying suitable incubatees and stakeholders. It also found that the IIP has been successful in equipping incubatees with theoretical business management skills. However, in terms of skills transfer, the programme was not successful. Both incubatees and stakeholders rated the programme poorly. Further, both stakeholders and incubatees perceive the programme to be a very good idea and see potential for success; however, they feel that would be achieved only after significant improvement. The study recommends that the programme improve on the following: gender balance, management and coordination of the programme, improved skills transfer, balance between practice, theory, and providing post-programme mentorship. The study ends by describing limitations and areas for further research. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, NMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
The use of psychometric test systems as a pre-selection tool for identifying successful harvesting machine operators
- Authors: Schwegman, Kylle
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55246 , vital:51102
- Description: A shift towards fully mechanized forest activities, such as harvesting and, more recently, silviculture, has occurred from the early 2 000’s. The reason for mechanizing these activities differs for each country, although for most countries there is concern relating to the health and safety of forest workers. With mechanization in harvesting, the forest worker has moved away from the physical intensity of having to fell, debranch, debark and cross-cut trees into logs using either an axe or chainsaw, to operating a machine. Studies revolving around the human element (operator) have been conducted specifically relating to the ergonomics of the machines and how operators may influence machine productivity. Results showed that due to the repetitive nature of the work, the operators are exposed to associated stresses for longer periods. Typical injuries associated to these kinds of stressors are whole body vibrations (WBVs), repetitive hand and arm movements, non-neutral body postures and manual lifting, which lead to musculoskeletal symptoms in the lower back, neck and shoulders. However, as machine technology improves so does the ergonomic conditions which are experienced by machine operators. Machine productivity can be influenced by various factors, with the most influential being tree volume. However, a recent study showed that over 40% of variation in machine productivity has been observed amongst different machine operators operating similar machines. The specific reason for these differences has yet to be determined. However, decision making, motivation, planning capacity, concentration, memory, motor coordination, pattern recognition, logic reasoning, and spatial perception are abilities that have been described as important for successful harvesting work. The pre-selection of operators using psychometric and cognitive tests is not new to forestry, although very little information is available relating to the aptitude test known as the Vienna test system as well as the best possible demographic associated with successful harvesting operators. The overall aim of this study was to determine whether the high variation found amongst harvesting machine operators could be reduced initially through a preselection process which involves the use of aptitude tests (Vienna Test System) and demographic questionnaires. A study was implemented in Zululand, South Africa, testing whether there were significant productivity differences between nine machine operators. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Schwegman, Kylle
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55246 , vital:51102
- Description: A shift towards fully mechanized forest activities, such as harvesting and, more recently, silviculture, has occurred from the early 2 000’s. The reason for mechanizing these activities differs for each country, although for most countries there is concern relating to the health and safety of forest workers. With mechanization in harvesting, the forest worker has moved away from the physical intensity of having to fell, debranch, debark and cross-cut trees into logs using either an axe or chainsaw, to operating a machine. Studies revolving around the human element (operator) have been conducted specifically relating to the ergonomics of the machines and how operators may influence machine productivity. Results showed that due to the repetitive nature of the work, the operators are exposed to associated stresses for longer periods. Typical injuries associated to these kinds of stressors are whole body vibrations (WBVs), repetitive hand and arm movements, non-neutral body postures and manual lifting, which lead to musculoskeletal symptoms in the lower back, neck and shoulders. However, as machine technology improves so does the ergonomic conditions which are experienced by machine operators. Machine productivity can be influenced by various factors, with the most influential being tree volume. However, a recent study showed that over 40% of variation in machine productivity has been observed amongst different machine operators operating similar machines. The specific reason for these differences has yet to be determined. However, decision making, motivation, planning capacity, concentration, memory, motor coordination, pattern recognition, logic reasoning, and spatial perception are abilities that have been described as important for successful harvesting work. The pre-selection of operators using psychometric and cognitive tests is not new to forestry, although very little information is available relating to the aptitude test known as the Vienna test system as well as the best possible demographic associated with successful harvesting operators. The overall aim of this study was to determine whether the high variation found amongst harvesting machine operators could be reduced initially through a preselection process which involves the use of aptitude tests (Vienna Test System) and demographic questionnaires. A study was implemented in Zululand, South Africa, testing whether there were significant productivity differences between nine machine operators. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
The use of photography to visualise abstracted narratives of emotions associated with trauma
- Authors: Warner, Lauren
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54585 , vital:46726
- Description: The purpose of this qualitative research study is to comment on the use of photography to visualise abstracted narratives of the emotions associated with trauma. This is a practicebased study developed on the interweaving of theoretical and practical output. The practical output produced a photographic body of work which argues in favour of an abstracted narrative for the visualisation of trauma by engaging with visualised emotions associated with trauma. The theoretical output of the study relates to three visual themes: firstly, the direct or actual moment of trauma; secondly, the triggering of the traumatic experience and lastly, the abstracted narrative of emotions associated with trauma. Photographing a traumatic event freezes a moment in which the subjects are continually engaging in the traumatic experience. Sontag (2003: 93) asserts that this type of direct photographic representation should be discouraged for fear of aestheticising pain and desensitising the viewer to horror. The study aims not to visualise actual traumatic events, but rather to engage with abstracted narratives of emotions associated with trauma experienced or felt, both directly and indirectly. This is achieved by firstly, providing a context on how the role of photography dealing with trauma has evolved to move beyond the depiction of an actual traumatic experience. Secondly, Gillian Rose’s (2016) Visual Methodologies Framework is introduced and photographers Roger Ballen’s Cut Loose (2015) and Jo Ractliffe’s 1999 work entitled Vlakplaas: 2 June 1999 (Drive-by Shooting) analysed as visual expressions of trauma. Similarly, photographers Robert Frank’s 1978 work entitled Sick of goodby’s and Manuela Thames’s 2019 work entitled Trauma are analysed to reflect on the use of abstracted narratives as they comment on personal traumatic experiences. Lastly, the body of work produced in the practice-based output of the study, Public Places: Private Spaces, are analysed as a vehicle through which emotions are associated with trauma. These traumatic experiences are visually expressed using abstracted images in triptych narratives. This study contributes to the current body of knowledge by critically addressing ways of thinking about the visualisation of trauma. This provides insight into the topic of trauma and the various ways in which it could be visualised without depicting the actual trauma (with the potential of continuously wounding or replaying trauma) and instead engaging with the visualised traumatic experience as an abstracted narrative within a South African context. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Visual and Performing Arts, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Warner, Lauren
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54585 , vital:46726
- Description: The purpose of this qualitative research study is to comment on the use of photography to visualise abstracted narratives of the emotions associated with trauma. This is a practicebased study developed on the interweaving of theoretical and practical output. The practical output produced a photographic body of work which argues in favour of an abstracted narrative for the visualisation of trauma by engaging with visualised emotions associated with trauma. The theoretical output of the study relates to three visual themes: firstly, the direct or actual moment of trauma; secondly, the triggering of the traumatic experience and lastly, the abstracted narrative of emotions associated with trauma. Photographing a traumatic event freezes a moment in which the subjects are continually engaging in the traumatic experience. Sontag (2003: 93) asserts that this type of direct photographic representation should be discouraged for fear of aestheticising pain and desensitising the viewer to horror. The study aims not to visualise actual traumatic events, but rather to engage with abstracted narratives of emotions associated with trauma experienced or felt, both directly and indirectly. This is achieved by firstly, providing a context on how the role of photography dealing with trauma has evolved to move beyond the depiction of an actual traumatic experience. Secondly, Gillian Rose’s (2016) Visual Methodologies Framework is introduced and photographers Roger Ballen’s Cut Loose (2015) and Jo Ractliffe’s 1999 work entitled Vlakplaas: 2 June 1999 (Drive-by Shooting) analysed as visual expressions of trauma. Similarly, photographers Robert Frank’s 1978 work entitled Sick of goodby’s and Manuela Thames’s 2019 work entitled Trauma are analysed to reflect on the use of abstracted narratives as they comment on personal traumatic experiences. Lastly, the body of work produced in the practice-based output of the study, Public Places: Private Spaces, are analysed as a vehicle through which emotions are associated with trauma. These traumatic experiences are visually expressed using abstracted images in triptych narratives. This study contributes to the current body of knowledge by critically addressing ways of thinking about the visualisation of trauma. This provides insight into the topic of trauma and the various ways in which it could be visualised without depicting the actual trauma (with the potential of continuously wounding or replaying trauma) and instead engaging with the visualised traumatic experience as an abstracted narrative within a South African context. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Visual and Performing Arts, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
The use of ambient seismic noise to investigate internal changes in a tailings storage facility and to image the subsurface geology in the Cradock area of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Kunjwa, Thulisile
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53642 , vital:45690
- Description: Passive seismic interferometry is a process by which ambient noise data recorded at different seismic stations can be cross-correlated to estimate Green's functions. In the past, both surface waves and body waves have successfully been extracted by cross-correlation of ambient noise data on both regional and global scales. Recent advancements in ambient seismic noise techniques have the potential to provide new methods for subsurface imaging and monitoring. The ambient noise data processing procedure divides into four principal phases: (1) single station data preparation, (2) cross-correlation and temporal stacking, (3) measurement of dispersion curves and (4) inversion of dispersion curves to obtain 1-D shear wave profiles and computation of 2-D shear wave velocity cross-section. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether ambient seismic noise can be used to image and detect internal changes within a mine tailings dam wall and to image the subsurface geology of part of the Eastern Cape Karoo near Cradock. In the first experiment, the investigation consisted of continuous ambient noise data recordings over a period of 3 days with 20 three-component short period geophones. The geophones were deployed over a survey wall of roughly 100 m in length at the Harmony Gold mine tailings dam in Welkom. In the second experiment, the investigation consisted of data recordings over a period of 35 days. The geophones were deployed in Cradock. The first phase of the data processing procedure included de-trending, de-meaning and band-pass filtering the data. This was done to ensure that any long period trends associated with instrument glitches are removed from the data. A spectrogram was then computed to view the spectrum of frequencies in the signal and to check if the filter that was designed was able to cut off the unwanted frequencies. The horizontal and vertical components of the ambient noise data were cross-correlated and picked between sensor pairs to create surface wave dispersion curves. Subsequently, the dispersion curves were inverted to estimate the shear wave velocity of the dam wall and subsurface as a function of depth. The computed cross sections of shear wave velocity indicated a low-velocity zone between 2 and 10 m below the surface on the dam wall, this suggested that the phreatic surface is much closer to surface in this area. In the second experiment, the interpolated shear wave velocity profiles indicated that there is a layer of low velocity zone between depths 250 to 300 m below the surface. The cross-correlations were also used to compute group velocity maps from periods 1.5 seconds to 30 seconds. The group velocity maps showed various high and low velocity anomalies. The high velocity zones observed on the eastern section of the map were interpreted as evidence of dolerite intrusions. The low velocity zones observed in the western and southern sections of the map interpreted as Karoo sediments that belong to the Adelaide Subgroup which is dominated by mudstones. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Department of Geosciences (Geology and Geography), 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Kunjwa, Thulisile
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53642 , vital:45690
- Description: Passive seismic interferometry is a process by which ambient noise data recorded at different seismic stations can be cross-correlated to estimate Green's functions. In the past, both surface waves and body waves have successfully been extracted by cross-correlation of ambient noise data on both regional and global scales. Recent advancements in ambient seismic noise techniques have the potential to provide new methods for subsurface imaging and monitoring. The ambient noise data processing procedure divides into four principal phases: (1) single station data preparation, (2) cross-correlation and temporal stacking, (3) measurement of dispersion curves and (4) inversion of dispersion curves to obtain 1-D shear wave profiles and computation of 2-D shear wave velocity cross-section. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether ambient seismic noise can be used to image and detect internal changes within a mine tailings dam wall and to image the subsurface geology of part of the Eastern Cape Karoo near Cradock. In the first experiment, the investigation consisted of continuous ambient noise data recordings over a period of 3 days with 20 three-component short period geophones. The geophones were deployed over a survey wall of roughly 100 m in length at the Harmony Gold mine tailings dam in Welkom. In the second experiment, the investigation consisted of data recordings over a period of 35 days. The geophones were deployed in Cradock. The first phase of the data processing procedure included de-trending, de-meaning and band-pass filtering the data. This was done to ensure that any long period trends associated with instrument glitches are removed from the data. A spectrogram was then computed to view the spectrum of frequencies in the signal and to check if the filter that was designed was able to cut off the unwanted frequencies. The horizontal and vertical components of the ambient noise data were cross-correlated and picked between sensor pairs to create surface wave dispersion curves. Subsequently, the dispersion curves were inverted to estimate the shear wave velocity of the dam wall and subsurface as a function of depth. The computed cross sections of shear wave velocity indicated a low-velocity zone between 2 and 10 m below the surface on the dam wall, this suggested that the phreatic surface is much closer to surface in this area. In the second experiment, the interpolated shear wave velocity profiles indicated that there is a layer of low velocity zone between depths 250 to 300 m below the surface. The cross-correlations were also used to compute group velocity maps from periods 1.5 seconds to 30 seconds. The group velocity maps showed various high and low velocity anomalies. The high velocity zones observed on the eastern section of the map were interpreted as evidence of dolerite intrusions. The low velocity zones observed in the western and southern sections of the map interpreted as Karoo sediments that belong to the Adelaide Subgroup which is dominated by mudstones. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Department of Geosciences (Geology and Geography), 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
The use of a rapid incineration field test for determining soil organic carbon in the Southern Cape Region
- Authors: Ackhurst, Albert Arthur
- Date: 2014-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53336 , vital:45135
- Description: Knowledge of soil organic carbon levels is important both for agricultural effectiveness and soil carbon sequestration accounting, especially against the backdrop of increased climate change impacts and pressure on food production landscapes. However, current methods for soil carbon determination are expensive, energy intensive, time consuming and potentially hazardous leading to a call for alternative methods, which should be cheap, fast, simple, accurate, safe and usable where resources and soil analysis laboratories are limited. To this end the student invented a novel rapid incineration field test (RIFT) for determining soil organic carbon and tested its validity in this study. This method incorporates principles found in dry combustion as well as loss-on-ignition and quantifying organic carbon through gravimetric analysis. In order to illustrate effectiveness and accuracy it was necessary to correlate RIFT with a reference method, in this instance dry combustion with a Leco device as well as another commonly used indirect method namely the Walkley-Black wet chemical oxidation method. Samples from eleven soil forms were collected from the Southern Cape region and they were subjected to the three testing methods. It was found that RIFT is indeed as effective and in 72% of the soil forms even more effective than Walkley-Black. Furthermore, it was ascertained whether the accuracy of RIFT can be improved by correcting for clay content. The correlation of RIFT with clay % was not very significant and clay % as a variable was therefore not used in this study to obtain further refinement of RIFT predictions. Another finding was also that RIFT illustrated less variability than both the Leco and Walkley-Black methods. Lastly it was ascertained that the RIFT device and methodology is indeed cost effective, energy efficient, fast and safe in terms of the need to use potentially hazardous chemicals. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014-12
- Authors: Ackhurst, Albert Arthur
- Date: 2014-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53336 , vital:45135
- Description: Knowledge of soil organic carbon levels is important both for agricultural effectiveness and soil carbon sequestration accounting, especially against the backdrop of increased climate change impacts and pressure on food production landscapes. However, current methods for soil carbon determination are expensive, energy intensive, time consuming and potentially hazardous leading to a call for alternative methods, which should be cheap, fast, simple, accurate, safe and usable where resources and soil analysis laboratories are limited. To this end the student invented a novel rapid incineration field test (RIFT) for determining soil organic carbon and tested its validity in this study. This method incorporates principles found in dry combustion as well as loss-on-ignition and quantifying organic carbon through gravimetric analysis. In order to illustrate effectiveness and accuracy it was necessary to correlate RIFT with a reference method, in this instance dry combustion with a Leco device as well as another commonly used indirect method namely the Walkley-Black wet chemical oxidation method. Samples from eleven soil forms were collected from the Southern Cape region and they were subjected to the three testing methods. It was found that RIFT is indeed as effective and in 72% of the soil forms even more effective than Walkley-Black. Furthermore, it was ascertained whether the accuracy of RIFT can be improved by correcting for clay content. The correlation of RIFT with clay % was not very significant and clay % as a variable was therefore not used in this study to obtain further refinement of RIFT predictions. Another finding was also that RIFT illustrated less variability than both the Leco and Walkley-Black methods. Lastly it was ascertained that the RIFT device and methodology is indeed cost effective, energy efficient, fast and safe in terms of the need to use potentially hazardous chemicals. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014-12
The synthesis, empirical and theoretical studies of various (N→B) diarylborinate esters
- Authors: Manana, Pholani Sakhile
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53869 , vital:46027
- Description: A series of core-functionalized borinic acids was synthesized from Grignard reagents and tributylborate and reacted with ethanolamine, amino acids, 2-pyridylmethanol as well as 2-(ethyl amino ethanol). Among the borinic acids synthesized were the ones bearing: para-(2, 15, 16, 22, 27)-methyl, (3, 20, 25)-chloro, (4, 23, 26)-fluoro, (5)-methoxy; meta-(7, 17)-methyl, (9)-fluoro; ortho-(6)-methyl, (8)-chloro, (10, 18, 19)-methoxy substituents on their respective aromatic systems. All compounds obtained by condensation of the borinic acids with the aforementioned nitrogen-containing substrates were characterized structurally by means of diffraction studies based on single crystals and found to constitute chelate esters/amides featuring covalent B-O and dative N→B bonds. The chelate compounds researched in this study could be classified into four families and represent the compounds: ethanol amine: (1) 2,2-diphenyl-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (2) 2,2-bis(p-tolyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (3) 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (4) 2,2-bis(p-fluorophenyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (5) 2,2-bis(p-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (6) 2,2-bis(o-tolyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (7) 2,2-bis(m-tolyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (8) 2,2-bis(o-chlorophenyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (9) 2,2-bis(m-fluorophenyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (10) 2,2-bis(o-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines. α-amino acids : (14) 4-methyl-2,2-diphenyl-1,3,2-oxazaborolidin-5-ones, (15) 2,2-bis(p-tolyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidin-5-ones, (16) 4-methyl-2,2-bis(p-tolyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidin-5-ones, (17) 4-isopropyl-2,2-bis(m-tolyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidin-5-ones, (18) 4-methyl-2,2-bis(o-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,2- oxazaborolidin-5-ones, (19) 4-acetamidyl-2,2-bis(o-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,2- oxazaborolidin-5-ones, (20) 4-phenylethane-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,3,2 oxazaborolidin-5-ones. 2-pyridylmethanol: (21) 1,3-hydroxypyridyl-2,2-diphenyl 1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (22) 1,3-hydroxypyridyl-2,2-bis(p-tolyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (23) 1,3-hydroxypyridyl-2,2-bis(p-fluorophenyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines 2-(ethyl amino ethanol): (24) 3-ethyl-2,2-diphenyl-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (25) 3-ethyl-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (26) 3-ethyl-2,2-bis(p-fluorophenyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (27) 3-ethyl-2,2-bis(p-tolyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines. Apart from structural studies in the solid state, the compounds were also characterized by means of multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (1H, 11B, 13C) as well as UV/vis and FTIR. The typical 11B resonances were found in the range of (4-10 ppm). A series of characteristic metrical parameters for the compounds in the solid state as well as typical NMR shifts for the chelate target molecules was established that allowed for the determination of the coordination induced shift. The carbon atom bonded to the oxygen atom shifted upfield, while the carbon atom bonded to the nitrogen atom shifted downfield. Factors mentioned in the literature that has an influence on the hydrolytic stability on the heterocyclic borinate motif have been taken into consideration and verified for the systems researched in this study. The substitution at the nitrogen atom with one ethyl group caused the greatest increases in the N→B bond length (27) 1.714 Å, due to the increase in the nitrogen Lewis basicity, making it the least hydrolytically stable, these include compounds (24-26). Furthermore, DFT calculations were performed by employing Becke’s three parameter hybrid exchange functional with Lee–Yang–Parr functional (B3LYP) method using the Gaussian 16 program package (Rev. B01) employing the basis set 6-311++G(d,p), to corroborate and correlate the experimental findings, which gave a general R-squared value of 0.9978 for calculated vs experimental 13C chemical shifts. Thermal properties are recorded for select compounds, indicating the ΔH and the melting points. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Manana, Pholani Sakhile
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53869 , vital:46027
- Description: A series of core-functionalized borinic acids was synthesized from Grignard reagents and tributylborate and reacted with ethanolamine, amino acids, 2-pyridylmethanol as well as 2-(ethyl amino ethanol). Among the borinic acids synthesized were the ones bearing: para-(2, 15, 16, 22, 27)-methyl, (3, 20, 25)-chloro, (4, 23, 26)-fluoro, (5)-methoxy; meta-(7, 17)-methyl, (9)-fluoro; ortho-(6)-methyl, (8)-chloro, (10, 18, 19)-methoxy substituents on their respective aromatic systems. All compounds obtained by condensation of the borinic acids with the aforementioned nitrogen-containing substrates were characterized structurally by means of diffraction studies based on single crystals and found to constitute chelate esters/amides featuring covalent B-O and dative N→B bonds. The chelate compounds researched in this study could be classified into four families and represent the compounds: ethanol amine: (1) 2,2-diphenyl-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (2) 2,2-bis(p-tolyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (3) 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (4) 2,2-bis(p-fluorophenyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (5) 2,2-bis(p-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (6) 2,2-bis(o-tolyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (7) 2,2-bis(m-tolyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (8) 2,2-bis(o-chlorophenyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (9) 2,2-bis(m-fluorophenyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (10) 2,2-bis(o-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines. α-amino acids : (14) 4-methyl-2,2-diphenyl-1,3,2-oxazaborolidin-5-ones, (15) 2,2-bis(p-tolyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidin-5-ones, (16) 4-methyl-2,2-bis(p-tolyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidin-5-ones, (17) 4-isopropyl-2,2-bis(m-tolyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidin-5-ones, (18) 4-methyl-2,2-bis(o-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,2- oxazaborolidin-5-ones, (19) 4-acetamidyl-2,2-bis(o-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,2- oxazaborolidin-5-ones, (20) 4-phenylethane-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,3,2 oxazaborolidin-5-ones. 2-pyridylmethanol: (21) 1,3-hydroxypyridyl-2,2-diphenyl 1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (22) 1,3-hydroxypyridyl-2,2-bis(p-tolyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (23) 1,3-hydroxypyridyl-2,2-bis(p-fluorophenyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines 2-(ethyl amino ethanol): (24) 3-ethyl-2,2-diphenyl-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (25) 3-ethyl-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (26) 3-ethyl-2,2-bis(p-fluorophenyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines, (27) 3-ethyl-2,2-bis(p-tolyl)-1,3,2-oxazaborolidines. Apart from structural studies in the solid state, the compounds were also characterized by means of multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (1H, 11B, 13C) as well as UV/vis and FTIR. The typical 11B resonances were found in the range of (4-10 ppm). A series of characteristic metrical parameters for the compounds in the solid state as well as typical NMR shifts for the chelate target molecules was established that allowed for the determination of the coordination induced shift. The carbon atom bonded to the oxygen atom shifted upfield, while the carbon atom bonded to the nitrogen atom shifted downfield. Factors mentioned in the literature that has an influence on the hydrolytic stability on the heterocyclic borinate motif have been taken into consideration and verified for the systems researched in this study. The substitution at the nitrogen atom with one ethyl group caused the greatest increases in the N→B bond length (27) 1.714 Å, due to the increase in the nitrogen Lewis basicity, making it the least hydrolytically stable, these include compounds (24-26). Furthermore, DFT calculations were performed by employing Becke’s three parameter hybrid exchange functional with Lee–Yang–Parr functional (B3LYP) method using the Gaussian 16 program package (Rev. B01) employing the basis set 6-311++G(d,p), to corroborate and correlate the experimental findings, which gave a general R-squared value of 0.9978 for calculated vs experimental 13C chemical shifts. Thermal properties are recorded for select compounds, indicating the ΔH and the melting points. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
The synthesis of anastrazole intermediates using continuous flow systems
- Authors: Tanyi, Sam Tambi
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54116 , vital:46304
- Description: In this study, the continuous flow synthesis of anastrozole intermediates were investigated using mesitylene as starting material. Anastrozole is an important drug used for the treatment of breast cancer. In the first step, mesitylene was brominated using N-bromosuccinimide to obtain 3,5-bis(bromomethyl)toluene. Selectivity became an issue due to the formation of two by-products; namely 1,3,5-tris(bromomethyl) benzene (the tribrominated by-product) and 1-(bromomethyl)-3,5-dimethylbenzene (the monobrominated by-product). Since the reaction parameters can be more precisely controlled in flow chemistry systems, we were able to optimize the formation the desired product 3,5-bis(bromomethyl)toluene. The reaction was initially optimized ina 15μLChemtrix glass micro reactor resulting in 100%conversion with 95%selectivity towards the desired product 3,5-bis(bromomethyl)toluenein 15 seconds, with a throughput of 0.006 g/h. The reaction was then scaled up in a 1.7 mLLTF reactor, equally yielding 100%conversion with 95%selectivityin 4minutes, with a throughput of2.01g/h. The bromination of mesitylene was also attempted in a homemade photochemical reactor consisting of a 3.02 polytetrafluoroethylene coil reactor and BLE-6T365 UV lamp. In this photochemical reactor, although 100%conversionwas again obtained only75%selectivity was achieved in 20minutes, with a throughput of 0.025g/h. This drop in selectivity was attributed to poorer mixing in the larger polytetrafluoroethylene coil reactor and possibly insufficient light penetration. The next step, involving the cyanation of 3,5-bis(bromomethyl)toluene to obtain 2,2'-(5-methyl-1,3-phenylene) diacetonitrilegave 100%conversion in 1 minute at 190 °C in a 1.7 mLLTFreactor, with a throughput of 5.2g/h. The subsequent methylation of 3,5-bis(cyanomethyl)toluene to obtain3,5-bis(1-cyano-1-methylethyl) toluene was investigated using a1mLpolytetrafluoroethylenecoil reactor, ultimatelyachieving99%conversionat40 °Cin 8minutes, with a throughput of 0.045g/h. Next, the bromination of3,5-bis(1-cyano-1-methylethyl)toluene using N-bromosuccinimideto yield 2,2'-(5-bromomethyl-1,3-phenylene)di(2-methyl propionitrile) gave 100%conversion at 120 °C in 4 minutes, with a throughput of 0.35g/h. Lastly, the multistep synthesis of 3,5-bis(cyanomethyl)toluene was done in two integrated 1.7 mLLTF reactors, using the predetermined optimum conditions to achieve 94%conversion towards 3,5-bis(cyanomethyl)toluene with a total r , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Tanyi, Sam Tambi
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54116 , vital:46304
- Description: In this study, the continuous flow synthesis of anastrozole intermediates were investigated using mesitylene as starting material. Anastrozole is an important drug used for the treatment of breast cancer. In the first step, mesitylene was brominated using N-bromosuccinimide to obtain 3,5-bis(bromomethyl)toluene. Selectivity became an issue due to the formation of two by-products; namely 1,3,5-tris(bromomethyl) benzene (the tribrominated by-product) and 1-(bromomethyl)-3,5-dimethylbenzene (the monobrominated by-product). Since the reaction parameters can be more precisely controlled in flow chemistry systems, we were able to optimize the formation the desired product 3,5-bis(bromomethyl)toluene. The reaction was initially optimized ina 15μLChemtrix glass micro reactor resulting in 100%conversion with 95%selectivity towards the desired product 3,5-bis(bromomethyl)toluenein 15 seconds, with a throughput of 0.006 g/h. The reaction was then scaled up in a 1.7 mLLTF reactor, equally yielding 100%conversion with 95%selectivityin 4minutes, with a throughput of2.01g/h. The bromination of mesitylene was also attempted in a homemade photochemical reactor consisting of a 3.02 polytetrafluoroethylene coil reactor and BLE-6T365 UV lamp. In this photochemical reactor, although 100%conversionwas again obtained only75%selectivity was achieved in 20minutes, with a throughput of 0.025g/h. This drop in selectivity was attributed to poorer mixing in the larger polytetrafluoroethylene coil reactor and possibly insufficient light penetration. The next step, involving the cyanation of 3,5-bis(bromomethyl)toluene to obtain 2,2'-(5-methyl-1,3-phenylene) diacetonitrilegave 100%conversion in 1 minute at 190 °C in a 1.7 mLLTFreactor, with a throughput of 5.2g/h. The subsequent methylation of 3,5-bis(cyanomethyl)toluene to obtain3,5-bis(1-cyano-1-methylethyl) toluene was investigated using a1mLpolytetrafluoroethylenecoil reactor, ultimatelyachieving99%conversionat40 °Cin 8minutes, with a throughput of 0.045g/h. Next, the bromination of3,5-bis(1-cyano-1-methylethyl)toluene using N-bromosuccinimideto yield 2,2'-(5-bromomethyl-1,3-phenylene)di(2-methyl propionitrile) gave 100%conversion at 120 °C in 4 minutes, with a throughput of 0.35g/h. Lastly, the multistep synthesis of 3,5-bis(cyanomethyl)toluene was done in two integrated 1.7 mLLTF reactors, using the predetermined optimum conditions to achieve 94%conversion towards 3,5-bis(cyanomethyl)toluene with a total r , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
The substantive fairness of dismissal for operational requirements in the context of collective bargaining
- Authors: Mtshemla, Ntokozo
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Collective bargaining
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51195 , vital:43222
- Description: An employer may wish to change terms and conditions of employment in order to respond to the operational needs of a business. The definition of operational requirements is not limited to initiatives aimed at ensuring the survival of a business but include measures intended to improve its performance. Changes to terms and conditions of employment ordinarily locate themselves within the realm of interest disputes which are mainly resolved through the process of collective bargaining coupled with power play. This means that an employer may not dismiss employees within the context of collective bargaining as a way of compelling compliance with a demand in relation to matters of mutual interest. Section187(1)(c) of the LRA renders any dismissal automatically unfair if the reason for the dismissal is a refusal by employees to accept a demand in respect of any matter of mutual interest. The question that arises relates to the interpretation of this section and the impact thereof on the right of the employer to retrench as envisaged in section 188(1)(a)(ii) of the LRA. This reveals the intersection between collective bargaining and dismissals for operational requirements. In other words, changes to terms and conditions of employment equally influence the performance of the business thereby also fall within the definition of operational requirements. The question therefore is when do employers’ economic needs justify a dismissal of employees who rejects changes to terms and conditions of employment? Secondly, whether or not the relevant provisions, and the whole scheme of the LRA, require retrenchments to be the measure of last resort? These issues shall be explored in this treatise with reference to the relevant provisions of the LRA and relevant case law. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, Mercantile Law, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Mtshemla, Ntokozo
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Collective bargaining
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51195 , vital:43222
- Description: An employer may wish to change terms and conditions of employment in order to respond to the operational needs of a business. The definition of operational requirements is not limited to initiatives aimed at ensuring the survival of a business but include measures intended to improve its performance. Changes to terms and conditions of employment ordinarily locate themselves within the realm of interest disputes which are mainly resolved through the process of collective bargaining coupled with power play. This means that an employer may not dismiss employees within the context of collective bargaining as a way of compelling compliance with a demand in relation to matters of mutual interest. Section187(1)(c) of the LRA renders any dismissal automatically unfair if the reason for the dismissal is a refusal by employees to accept a demand in respect of any matter of mutual interest. The question that arises relates to the interpretation of this section and the impact thereof on the right of the employer to retrench as envisaged in section 188(1)(a)(ii) of the LRA. This reveals the intersection between collective bargaining and dismissals for operational requirements. In other words, changes to terms and conditions of employment equally influence the performance of the business thereby also fall within the definition of operational requirements. The question therefore is when do employers’ economic needs justify a dismissal of employees who rejects changes to terms and conditions of employment? Secondly, whether or not the relevant provisions, and the whole scheme of the LRA, require retrenchments to be the measure of last resort? These issues shall be explored in this treatise with reference to the relevant provisions of the LRA and relevant case law. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, Mercantile Law, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
The state and civil society in building a capable developmental state : a case of the National Department of Social Development and the Non Profit Organisations sector in South Africa
- Authors: Morkel, Candice
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55031 , vital:48824
- Description: The challenges in the relationship between the Department of Social Development (DSD) and Non Profit Organisations (NPOs) in South Africa pose a risk to their ability to partner successfully in order to deliver government’s Constitutional obligations in meeting citizens’ developmental social welfare needs. Some contemporary theories of the state (such as pluralism and corporatism) as well as approaches to Public Administration and Management (such as co-production) support a collaborative approach between governments and civil society in order to address development challenges. Peter Evans’ (cf. 1995, 1997, 1998, 2008; 2014) expansive scholarship on embedded autonomy and building capable developmental states, suggests that a state that is sufficiently embedded in an intimate partnership with nonstate actors is more likely to achieve its development goals. However, these relations must also be autonomous and unfettered by private or sectional interests to circumvent the risk of neopatrimonialism and state capture. In view of growing critiques of economic growth as the primary marker of a developmental state, which prioritises the state’s relationship with private capital, Evans (ibid.) also argued for a more expanded definition of embedded autonomy. Building on Evan’s perspective, this study examines the relationship between the DSD and the NPO sector in South Africa to address the gap in the literature on how other forms of embedded autonomy (beyond the state-private sector nexus) may function in a developmental state. Its purpose is to make an original contribution to knowledge by examining how the achievement of South Africa’s Developmental Social Welfare (DSW) outcomes and the building of a capable developmental state may be affected by weaknesses in embeddedness, autonomy and state capacity. It argues that a relationship of trust and solidarity between the state and civil society that prioritises the well-being of people as the primary indicator of development, is a necessary feature of the capable developmental state. The study therefore provides insights into the interventions required to ensure collaborative and integrated service delivery between the state and civil society in South Africa. This is forged from an examination of the deeply held conflicting beliefs and expectations around the execution of the DSW mandate, the current tensions in the relationship, its intersections with the history of the non-profit sector in the apartheid welfare state and the challenges of transformation since 1994. In this respect, it fills a further gap in the literature by focusing on expanded, non-traditional state-society ties imagined by Evans’ conceptual framework of embedded autonomy and the developmental state. Furthermore, the study makes an elemental contribution to knowledge around co-production, which remains poorly formulated despite increasing interest and research in this area of Public Administration and Management (Gawlowski, 2018:72; Osborne, Radnor & Strokosch, 2016:644). This study used a qualitative design to derive meaning from indepth interviews with twentythree (23) knowledgeable experts representing the DSD (current and ex-staff members), NPOs, members of the Ministerial Committee for the 2013-2016 Review of the White Paper for Social Welfare (1997), NPO umbrella bodies and social justice activists. These were supplemented by a Focus Group Discussion comprising of nine (9) activists based at a grassroots NPO. Employing both an interpretive and constructivist approach, the design facilitated an in-depth examination of participants’ perceptions of the state’s constitutional obligation towards social justice through delivering DSW services in collaboration with the NPO Sector. The researcher used thematic content analysis to explore how weaknesses in the inter-play between embeddedness and autonomy in the DSW sector may explain the tensions between the DSD and NPOs. An analysis of the literature also helped in drawing linkages between weaknesses in embedded autonomy, building a capable developmental state and achieving the country’s DSW outcomes. The study found that the adversarial relationship between the DSD and NPOs has a negative effect on the rendering of DSW services to citizens, which places South Africa’s pursuit of a capable developmental state at risk. Applying a strategic-relational conceptualisation of the state, it argued how South Africa’s commitment to a participatory and people-centred approach to public policy and the protection of the socio-economic rights of citizens requires a fully engaged civil society, balanced by autonomy. Invoking a Gramscian lens, the study also provided an analysis of the potential for civil society to act as a counter-hegemonic force against the domination of global capital and the marketization of the state in order to protect the rights of the subaltern. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
- Authors: Morkel, Candice
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55031 , vital:48824
- Description: The challenges in the relationship between the Department of Social Development (DSD) and Non Profit Organisations (NPOs) in South Africa pose a risk to their ability to partner successfully in order to deliver government’s Constitutional obligations in meeting citizens’ developmental social welfare needs. Some contemporary theories of the state (such as pluralism and corporatism) as well as approaches to Public Administration and Management (such as co-production) support a collaborative approach between governments and civil society in order to address development challenges. Peter Evans’ (cf. 1995, 1997, 1998, 2008; 2014) expansive scholarship on embedded autonomy and building capable developmental states, suggests that a state that is sufficiently embedded in an intimate partnership with nonstate actors is more likely to achieve its development goals. However, these relations must also be autonomous and unfettered by private or sectional interests to circumvent the risk of neopatrimonialism and state capture. In view of growing critiques of economic growth as the primary marker of a developmental state, which prioritises the state’s relationship with private capital, Evans (ibid.) also argued for a more expanded definition of embedded autonomy. Building on Evan’s perspective, this study examines the relationship between the DSD and the NPO sector in South Africa to address the gap in the literature on how other forms of embedded autonomy (beyond the state-private sector nexus) may function in a developmental state. Its purpose is to make an original contribution to knowledge by examining how the achievement of South Africa’s Developmental Social Welfare (DSW) outcomes and the building of a capable developmental state may be affected by weaknesses in embeddedness, autonomy and state capacity. It argues that a relationship of trust and solidarity between the state and civil society that prioritises the well-being of people as the primary indicator of development, is a necessary feature of the capable developmental state. The study therefore provides insights into the interventions required to ensure collaborative and integrated service delivery between the state and civil society in South Africa. This is forged from an examination of the deeply held conflicting beliefs and expectations around the execution of the DSW mandate, the current tensions in the relationship, its intersections with the history of the non-profit sector in the apartheid welfare state and the challenges of transformation since 1994. In this respect, it fills a further gap in the literature by focusing on expanded, non-traditional state-society ties imagined by Evans’ conceptual framework of embedded autonomy and the developmental state. Furthermore, the study makes an elemental contribution to knowledge around co-production, which remains poorly formulated despite increasing interest and research in this area of Public Administration and Management (Gawlowski, 2018:72; Osborne, Radnor & Strokosch, 2016:644). This study used a qualitative design to derive meaning from indepth interviews with twentythree (23) knowledgeable experts representing the DSD (current and ex-staff members), NPOs, members of the Ministerial Committee for the 2013-2016 Review of the White Paper for Social Welfare (1997), NPO umbrella bodies and social justice activists. These were supplemented by a Focus Group Discussion comprising of nine (9) activists based at a grassroots NPO. Employing both an interpretive and constructivist approach, the design facilitated an in-depth examination of participants’ perceptions of the state’s constitutional obligation towards social justice through delivering DSW services in collaboration with the NPO Sector. The researcher used thematic content analysis to explore how weaknesses in the inter-play between embeddedness and autonomy in the DSW sector may explain the tensions between the DSD and NPOs. An analysis of the literature also helped in drawing linkages between weaknesses in embedded autonomy, building a capable developmental state and achieving the country’s DSW outcomes. The study found that the adversarial relationship between the DSD and NPOs has a negative effect on the rendering of DSW services to citizens, which places South Africa’s pursuit of a capable developmental state at risk. Applying a strategic-relational conceptualisation of the state, it argued how South Africa’s commitment to a participatory and people-centred approach to public policy and the protection of the socio-economic rights of citizens requires a fully engaged civil society, balanced by autonomy. Invoking a Gramscian lens, the study also provided an analysis of the potential for civil society to act as a counter-hegemonic force against the domination of global capital and the marketization of the state in order to protect the rights of the subaltern. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
The role of trade unions in policy formulation: the role of trade unions in policy formulation: The case of the Premier’s Office in the Eastern Cape
- Rula-Peter, Philiswa Nolufefe
- Authors: Rula-Peter, Philiswa Nolufefe
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55185 , vital:49586
- Description: After the first democratic elections of 1994, there was a clear need for radical change in South Africa’s socioeconomic and political order. The new government was confronted by significant institutional transformation and the introduction of new policies in line with the Constitution. It was also necessary to integrate the country into a rapidly changing global environment. Labour relations were important in engineering the much-needed transformation and policy changes. The government based the democratisation of South African society on the principles of equality, non-racialism, and non-sexism (Ferguson, 2013). In line with the Interim Constitution of 1993, new policies and programmes were put in place to improve the quality of life of all people. In the finalised Constitution of 1996, equitable labour relations were formally recognised as a fundamental right, in line with protection provided to all workers in advanced democracies throughout the world (Ferreira, 2005). Before 1994, there was much debate on the issue of labour, with the African National Congress’s (ANC) Members of Parliament (MPs) supporting the extension of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) to the public sector (Macun, cited in Adler, 2000:99). In late 1996, the public sector was included in the LRA, with certain transitional measures. As a result, a few changes took place in the nature of labour relations in the public sector, and there was a shift from consultation to interaction between the state and representative organisations. The first of these changes was the creation of new collective bargaining structures consisting of a central chamber, provincial councils, and departmental structures. Local government had long been unionised and regulated by the LRA. The second change was that labour relations were transferred from the Public Service Commission to the newly established office of the Minister for Public Service and Administration (Ferreira, 2005). , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Rula-Peter, Philiswa Nolufefe
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55185 , vital:49586
- Description: After the first democratic elections of 1994, there was a clear need for radical change in South Africa’s socioeconomic and political order. The new government was confronted by significant institutional transformation and the introduction of new policies in line with the Constitution. It was also necessary to integrate the country into a rapidly changing global environment. Labour relations were important in engineering the much-needed transformation and policy changes. The government based the democratisation of South African society on the principles of equality, non-racialism, and non-sexism (Ferguson, 2013). In line with the Interim Constitution of 1993, new policies and programmes were put in place to improve the quality of life of all people. In the finalised Constitution of 1996, equitable labour relations were formally recognised as a fundamental right, in line with protection provided to all workers in advanced democracies throughout the world (Ferreira, 2005). Before 1994, there was much debate on the issue of labour, with the African National Congress’s (ANC) Members of Parliament (MPs) supporting the extension of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) to the public sector (Macun, cited in Adler, 2000:99). In late 1996, the public sector was included in the LRA, with certain transitional measures. As a result, a few changes took place in the nature of labour relations in the public sector, and there was a shift from consultation to interaction between the state and representative organisations. The first of these changes was the creation of new collective bargaining structures consisting of a central chamber, provincial councils, and departmental structures. Local government had long been unionised and regulated by the LRA. The second change was that labour relations were transferred from the Public Service Commission to the newly established office of the Minister for Public Service and Administration (Ferreira, 2005). , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04