Reproductive performance of cows in sweet and sour veld types under communal production systems in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Nqeno, Noluvuyo
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Pastoral systems -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Commons -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Beef cattle -- Breeding , Beef cattle -- Reproduction , Grazing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dairy cattle , Cows
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11815 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/141 , Pastoral systems -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Commons -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Beef cattle -- Breeding , Beef cattle -- Reproduction , Grazing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dairy cattle , Cows
- Description: The objective of the study was to evaluate cow reproductive performance in the sweetveld and sourveld communal grazing areas of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. In the first experiment, farmer perceptions were obtained using participatory rural appraisals. Farmers ranked lack of fences, tick-borne diseases, poor animal condition during winter and poor breeding practices, respectively as major constraints limiting cattle production in the Eastern Cape. Cattle, sheep and goats, in that order, were ranked as the most important livestock species and were mainly kept for meat, cash and ceremonies, respectively. The non-descript cattle breed was the most common breed found in the smallholder areas. Most farmers preferred Nguni breed because of its adaptive attributes. In the second experiment, structured questionnaires were administered, between June and August 2006, to a total of 551 farmers from 10 communities of the Eastern Cape. There was a significant association (P<0.05) between the use of pregnancy diagnoses and community. About 87 and 77 % of the interviewed farmers did not respond on the extent of pregnancy and calving rates in their herds. A higher proportion of farmers from Hekele (51%) and from Upper Mnxe (45.3%) communities reported low number of bulls as a major constraint to cow reproductive performance. Body condition and ovarian activity were measured in the sweet and sour veld types. Body condition score of animals was measured from March iii 2007 until January 2008 and ovarian activity of cows was performed by a veterinarian through rectal palpation in June, August and October 2007 and January 2008. From March to July, there was a marked decline in body condition on both veld types. In the sweetveld, body condition improved from September until January, whereas in the sourveld the improvement in body condition started in October. The cows in both veld types conceived throughout the year. Most cows in the sweetveld were cycling in January and August (P<0.05) whereas in the sourveld there was no distinct period when the animals were cycling. Overall, there were no differences in the proportion of cows that were cycling between the sour and sweet veldts (P>0.05). There were more cows cycling in sourveld in October than in the sweetveld. Reproductive performance of cows in communal areas could, therefore, be determined by levels and quality of nutrition. Keywords: Participatory rural appraisals; Structured questionnaires; Farmer participation; Farmer perceptions; Body condition scoring; Ovarian activity; Pregnancy diagnoses.
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- Date Issued: 2008
Importance of various data sources in deterministic stock assessment models
- Authors: Northrop, Amanda Rosalind
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Fish stock assessment -- Mathematical models , Fishery management -- Mathematical models , Fish populations -- Mathematical models , Error analysis (Mathematics) , Fishery management -- Statistical methods , Fish stock assessment -- Statistical methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5571 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002811 , Fish stock assessment -- Mathematical models , Fishery management -- Mathematical models , Fish populations -- Mathematical models , Error analysis (Mathematics) , Fishery management -- Statistical methods , Fish stock assessment -- Statistical methods
- Description: In fisheries, advice for the management of fish populations is based upon management quantities that are estimated by stock assessment models. Fisheries stock assessment is a process in which data collected from a fish population are used to generate a model which enables the effects of fishing on a stock to be quantified. This study determined the effects of various data sources, assumptions, error scenarios and sample sizes on the accuracy with which the age-structured production model and the Schaefer model (assessment models) were able to estimate key management quantities for a fish resource similar to the Cape hakes (Merluccius capensis and M. paradoxus). An age-structured production model was used as the operating model to simulate hypothetical fish resource population dynamics for which management quantities could be determined by the assessment models. Different stocks were simulated with various harvest rate histories. These harvest rates produced Downhill trip data, where harvest rates increase over time until the resource is close to collapse, and Good contrast data, where the harvest rate increases over time until the resource is at less than half of it’s exploitable biomass, and then it decreases allowing the resource to rebuild. The accuracy of the assessment models were determined when data were drawn from the operating model with various combinations of error. The age-structured production model was more accurate at estimating maximum sustainable yield, maximum sustainable yield level and the maximum sustainable yield ratio. The Schaefer model gave more accurate estimates of Depletion and Total Allowable Catch. While the assessment models were able to estimate management quantities using Downhill trip data, the estimates improved significantly when the models were tuned with Good contrast data. When autocorrelation in the spawner-recruit curve was not accounted for by the deterministic assessment model, inaccuracy in parameter estimates were high. The assessment model management quantities were not greatly affected by multinomial ageing error in the catch-at-age matrices at a sample size of 5000 otoliths. Assessment model estimates were closer to their true values when log-normal error were assumed in the catch-at-age matrix, even when the true underlying error were multinomial. However, the multinomial had smaller coefficients of variation at all sample sizes, between 1000 and 10000, of otoliths aged. It was recommended that the assessment model is chosen based on the management quantity of interest. When the underlying error is multinomial, the weighted log-normal likelihood function should be used in the catch-at-age matrix to obtain accurate parameter estimates. However, the multinomial likelihood should be used to minimise the coefficient of variation. Investigation into correcting for autocorrelation in the stock-recruitment relationship should be carried out, as it had a large effect on the accuracy of management quantities.
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- Date Issued: 2008
The personal, career and learning skill needs of first year psychology students
- Authors: Norris, Toni Louise
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Personality and academic achievement -- South Africa , Personality assessment , Students -- South Africa -- Psychology , Learning ability
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Psych)
- Identifier: vital:11605 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/140 , Personality and academic achievement -- South Africa , Personality assessment , Students -- South Africa -- Psychology , Learning ability
- Description: This study assessed the personal, career and learning skills needs of 196 psychology students (M= 56, F= 103). The preferred means of counselling assistance, preferred experience of counselling and preferred counselling provider were also assessed. The most highly endorsed needs were time management skills (83.5 percent, n=162), learning test-taking strategies (82 percent, n=159), job search strategies (73.6 percent, n=142), increasing self-confidence (70.3 percent, n=135), increasing motivation (72.4 percent, n=134), controlling anxiety and nervousness (68.7 percent, n=134), public speaking anxiety (68.4percent, n=134), understanding career interests and abilities (67.5 percent, n=131), fear of failure (68.1 percent, n=130), and improving study skills (66.5 percent, n=129). Significant sex differences were found for the following, finding a greater purpose in life, controlling weight, job search strategies, concerns about career choice, understanding career interests and abilities in the selection of major subjects and improving study skills. Males highly endorsed the need for finding a greater purpose in life, job search strategies, and concern about career choice, understanding career interest and abilities, selection of major subjects and to improve study skills, whereas females endorsed the need for controlling weight. Respondents indicated individual counselling as being their preferred means of counselling assistance, but lectures were the most prevalent means of assistance previously received by respondents. Most respondents (78.1 percent) found the assistance they had received to be helpful.
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- Date Issued: 2008
Implementing a robust, cost effective, e-commerce platform for a disadvantaged community of the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Njeje, Sicelo Given
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Computer network architectures -- South Africa -- Design and construction , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet marketing , Business enterprises -- Computer networks , Electronic commerce
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11373 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/75 , Computer network architectures -- South Africa -- Design and construction , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet marketing , Business enterprises -- Computer networks , Electronic commerce
- Description: The development of electronic commerce (e-commerce) is the most visible business use of the World Wide Web. The primary goal of an e-commerce site is to sell goods and services online. This project deals with developing an e-commerce platform for marginalized communities of the Eastern Cape region, South Africa. An online “shopping mall” to support the marketing of art and crafts from disadvantaged communities is presented, with Linux-Apache-MySQL-PHP (LAMP) as the development environment. Free and Open Source Software has been chosen to develop the virtual shopping mall system because the use of Open Source allows easy localization and extensions to the system developed and long term sustainability, as the source code is available. Also, it might start a “virtuous” circle, whereby young members of the communities hosting art and craft makers become involved in maintenance, and then production, of software systems. One important design constraint from the e-commerce platform presented in this thesis is the possibility for the art and craft makers to manage their shops directly, from the initial loading of their wares to the day-to-day maintenance, such as changes of price or items. The user requirement elicitation and initial field testing were conducted in Dwesa, an area on the wild coast, South Africa. The system currently comprising two shops is live at the time of writing this thesis at www.dwesa.com.
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- Date Issued: 2008
A comparison of whole body vibration versus conventional training on leg strenght
- Authors: Nieuwoudt, Nadus
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Leg -- Effect of vibration on , Exercise -- Physiological aspects , Muscle strength
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10093 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/907 , Leg -- Effect of vibration on , Exercise -- Physiological aspects , Muscle strength
- Description: Whole Body Vibration (WBV) training is a new addition to the field of Exercise and Sports Science and has been developed for the use in strength and conditioning exercises. With the introduction of this new mode of exercise, the study focused on comparing the strength gaining effect of WBV training versus conventional resistance training. The study was conducted in a descriptive, exploratory manner utilizing a quasi-experimental approach with a three group comparison pre-test-post-test design consisting of an experimental-, comparison- and control group. Convenience and snowball sampling were used to select 43 male and female healthy, sedentary volunteer participants. The research focused on reviewing the contribution that each mode of training offers to increase strength in the upper leg and underlines the important physiological adaptations that the human body undergoes to bring about an increase in muscle strength. Both the whole body vibration and land-based resistance groups trained three times a week over an eight week intervention period. Exercises were performed with progressive increments in the frequency, amplitude and duration for the WBV- and in workload, number of sets and repetitions for the conventional resistance training program. The control group remained sedentary throughout the duration of the study. The dependent variables of peak torque flexion and extension of the knee joint in both legs were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was done to determine intra-group differences. Post-hoc analysis in the form of Scheffé’s test was done to determine and compare inter-group differences. Practical significance was indicated by means of Partial eta2 The analysis of the results revealed significant strength increases in both conventional resistance training and WBV for most of the dependent variables, except for peak torque extension, where the WBV group did not increase significantly. Based on these results, it can be concluded that both modes of conventional resistance and whole body vibration increased selected dependent variables for upper leg strength in previously inactive individuals.
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- Date Issued: 2008
The feasibility of artificial recharge of the Bushmans River Mouth Aquifer
- Authors: Nickall, Enéz Sarah-Leigh
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Artificial groundwater recharge -- South Africa -- Bushmans River Estuary , Water conservation -- South Africa , Aquifer storage recovery -- South Africa -- Bushmans River Estuary
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10657 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/704 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012886 , Artificial groundwater recharge -- South Africa -- Bushmans River Estuary , Water conservation -- South Africa , Aquifer storage recovery -- South Africa -- Bushmans River Estuary
- Description: The main aim of the project is to investigate the feasibility of artificial recharge of the Bushmans River Mouth Aquifer in the Eastern Cape. The suggested method of recharge is through natural infiltration through a series of wetlands in the back dune area. The proposed site was the Klipfontein Vlei which is located just north of the Bushmans River Mouth. Artificial recharge is defined as augmenting the natural movement of surface water into underground formations by some method of construction, the spreading of water, or by artificially changing natural conditions. A variety of methods have been developed, including water spreading, recharging through pits and wells, and pumping to induce recharge from surface water bodies. The choice of a specific method is controlled by local topography, geology and soil conditions, and the quantity of water to be recharged and ultimate water usage. In special circumstances, land value, water quality, and climate play an important role. Artificial recharge is not a foreign concept to South Africa and this project is to test its feasibility in a back dune wetland area. Augering done in the study area revealed the dominance of sandy loam in the upper layers of the pans, loamy sand in the middle levels and the presence of some sand lenses in the lower reaches. Particle size analysis done by sieving and hydrometer test, showed a dominant 3f fraction. There was variation in modes in pan 1 from unimodal to bimodal to trimodal. Pan 2 showed no variation as all samples were unimodal and moderately well sorted. Infiltration tests were done by a double ring infiltrometer. These results showed that the infiltration rates of the pans became stable after 15 to 20 minutes, thus indicating that the soil had reached its saturation point. The resistivity surveys revealed a stepped water table. The inclination of the water is controlled by the predominately argillaceous horizons of the Bokkeveld Group. Based on the above results, it is recommended that the Klipfontein Vlei be used as an artificial recharge site.
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- Date Issued: 2008
The importance of managerial skills for medical doctors
- Authors: Ngxukumeshe, Tandiswa
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Physician executives -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8709 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/977 , Physician executives -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Management
- Description: The role played by medical doctors and the employment positions they hold in South Africa and in the world today has shifted from being clinical only to include management. They were once only responsible for patient care, now are responsible for their organization's management. Physician managers have difficult tasks for which medical school provides no preparation. Doctors in an assortment of roles take on management responsibilities to varying degrees: these may be a single-handed private practitioner or lead a small clinical team; or a clinical or medical director or a chief executive; or hold senior management positions in National or Regional Legislature. Some are also managing and supervising colleagues in public or private hospitals and are responsible for managing budgets, allocation of resources; developing policies and making other management decisions. These roles require knowledge and competence of managerial skills in order to facilitate and lead in an effective and efficient manner. This study revealed that medical doctors, as business owners, in Mercantile Hospital are running their businesses, the medical private practices, without any managerial skills’ training. There was a general consensus that there is a need for managerial skills in any business and the respondents confirmed that managerial skills are important and necessary for the successful achievement of goals in a medical private practice.
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- Date Issued: 2008
Developing a business model for a community radio station in Port Elizabeth: a case study
- Authors: Ngcezula, Anthony Thamsanqa "Delite"
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Radio in community development , Radio broadcasting -- South Africa , Community radio
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8720 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/906 , Radio in community development , Radio broadcasting -- South Africa , Community radio
- Description: The purpose of this treatise is a development of a suitable model for a community radio station which would lead to operational effectiveness and ensure sustainability. The treatise has three phases namely a theoretical phase, a narration phase and an integration phase. Firstly, in the theoretical phase the research study investigates what the literature review reveals about community radio stations and business models. This treatise argues that a total dependency of community radio stations on donor funding leads to operational ineffectiveness which threatens their sustainability. The treatise also argues that a business model could be adapted for a community radio station by identifying the business issues which the literature review revealed, and use these to deconstruct a theoretical business model. Secondly, in the narrative phase the research study investigates the important business issues for a selected community radio station. The treatise argues the board and management of this selected community radio station revealed additional business issues of operations and gave different ratings to business issues which are important in their operations. Thirdly, in the integration phase, the theoretical model deconstructed in the theoretical phase, was revised by including additional business issues of operations revealed in the narrative phase. The research study concludes that this revised model is a suitable business model for a community radio station and can lead to operational effectiveness and ensure sustainability.
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- Date Issued: 2008
Socio-economic impact of the participatory and conventionally implemented irrigation and livestock development projects: a case of Beitbridge and Mberengwa Districts of Zimbabwe
- Authors: Ndou, Portia
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Irrigation -- Zimbabwe , Water resources development -- Zimbabwe , Range management -- Zimbabwe , Livestock projects -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11191 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/82 , Irrigation -- Zimbabwe , Water resources development -- Zimbabwe , Range management -- Zimbabwe , Livestock projects -- Zimbabwe
- Description: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of participatory and conventional approaches to livestock and irrigation project implementation in Zimbabwe’s Beitbridge and Mberengwa districts. The conventional livestock projects performed better than the participatory. Despite the breed for the participatory livestock projects being unsuitable for the environment, the farmers failed to utilize the drugs and surplus funding set aside for replacement of dead cattle. Farmer training was found to be of paramount importance in the establishment of the livestock projects in spite of the participatory approach used for the implementation of the projects. Also the technical backup and support for the livestock project beneficiaries is important to ensure early rectification of problems that may affect the smooth running of the projects as well as an opportunity to introduce new technical advice to boost production. Livestock projects take long period of time to establish, i.e. for the financial turn over to be realized. It takes long time for farmers in these projects to make investments from the proceeds of the livestock projects. For this reason, there is need for the number of beneficiaries for each pass-on livestock project to take into account the number of beasts at project establishment and also the number per each beneficiary group. However, the projects should still be encouraged as they will take full operation at a later stage and be of benefit to the rural disadvantaged who cannot access other means to own cattle, which in turn play a pivotal role in crop production (through draft power, manure provision) and cash earnings that indirectly ensures food security. Regardless of approach used, livestock projects should be strongly supported because the districts under study are prone to poor crop production and hence the cattle can be a source of income and food. Participatory irrigation projects performed better than the conventionally implemented, despite their small hectarages. This proved that farmer participation can greatly improve the efficiency of development work and eliminate many of the problems regarding proprietorship and enhance development activities at community level. Conventional irrigation projects were plagued by problems of mismanagement and theft as was reflected by poor performance and malfunction of the conventional Chingechuru and Chimwe-Chegato irrigation schemes. Fencing theft atChingechuru irrigation scheme had brought it to a stand still. However, the larger incomes associated with the conventionally implemented irrigation projects were the result of the larger areas under cropping for these projects. Production levels in participatory irrigation schemes were good. Adoption of most technical innovations in livestock projects was found to be associated with the conventional approach. Asset procurement was a function of the farmer’s accessibility to non-project income, like formal employment, and procurement of specific assets applied more to project type than the approach to project implementation. This study found that the approach used in implementation had a greater influence on the performance of irrigation projects than livestock projects.
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- Date Issued: 2008
Parasite prevalence, nutritionally-related blood metabolites and pre-slaughter stress response in Nguni, Bonsmara and Angus steers raised on veld
- Authors: Ndlovu, Thulile
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Parasites , Nguni cattle , Bonsmara cattle , Metabolites , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses , Aberdeen -- Angus cattle
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11258 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/73 , Parasites , Nguni cattle , Bonsmara cattle , Metabolites , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses , Aberdeen -- Angus cattle
- Description: The effects of month on body weight, body condition scores, internal parasite prevalence and on nutritionally related blood metabolites were studied in Angus, Bonsmara and Nguni steers raised on sweet veld. Pre-slaughter stress was also determined using catecholamines, cortisol, dopamine, packed cell volume and serum creatinine levels. The blood chemical constituents evaluated included glucose, cholesterol, total protein, creatinine, urea, globulin, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and creatinine kinase (CK). The Nguni steers maintained their body condition throughout the study period whereas Angus steers had the least body condition scores. Parasite levels were high during the rainy season and low during the dry season. The predominant internal parasites were Haemonchus (39.3 percent), Trichostrongylus (37.8 percent), Cooperia pectinita (25.5 percent), Fasciola gigantica (16.3 percent) and Ostertagia ostertagi (11.2 percent). The Nguni had the least parasite infestation levels and had high PCV levels. Nguni had higher levels of cholesterol and glucose (2.86 and 4mmol/l, respectively) than the other two breeds. Nguni and Bonsmara steers had higher (P<0.05) mineral levels. There were significant breed and month differences for glucose, cholesterol, creatinine, calcium, albumin, phosphorus, albumin-globulin ratio and ALP levels. Bonsmara was more susceptible to transport and pre-slaughter stress as it had the highest (P<0.05) levels of adrenalin (10.8nmol/mol), noradrenalin (9.7nmol/mol) and dopamine (14.8nmol/mol) levels, whereas the Nguni had the least levels of adrenalin (6.5nmol/mol), noradrenalin (4.6nmol/mol) and dopamine (4nmol/mol) levels. In conclusion, Nguni steers were better adapted to the local environmental conditions
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- Date Issued: 2008
Have the continuous improvement (CI) efforts at Absa Bank's Horizon Medium Business Banking Unit, in the Gauteng West Region successfully addressed the key concepts of continuous improvement as set out by Trollip, 2008?
- Authors: Ndlovu, Sinqobile Khobotho
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- Customer services -- South Africa , Organizational effectiveness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8721 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/904 , Banks and banking -- Customer services -- South Africa , Organizational effectiveness
- Description: Success in today’s highly competitive financial sector requires an organization to have a sustainable competitive advantage that would distinguish it from the rest. Products offered by financial organizations are naturally the same and the quality of service plays a critical role in terms of creating the much needed competitive advantage. This calls for the implementation of quality initiatives like Continuous improvement (CI). This paper investigates the extent to which CI efforts at the Horizon business unit of Absa corporate and business banking have successfully addressed the key concepts of CI set out by Trollip (2008). A literature survey was undertaken into the elements and benefits of CI. Questionnaires were sent to all employees of the business unit for their views on CI and the impact, they believe it has on the unit’s endeavors to deliver faster, defect free, innovative products/services, whilst achieving tougher goals. In conclusion the research paper led to recommendations to improve the CI efforts at the Horizon business unit. The research also confirmed the importance of the commitment of all employees is essential for the success of CI efforts in improving the quality of service offered by an organization.
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- Date Issued: 2008
An evaluation of the dispute resolution mechanisms of conciliation and arbitration
- Authors: Ndimurwimo, Leah Alexis
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Dispute resolution (Law) -- South Africa , Mediation and conciliation, Industrial -- South Africa , Arbitration and award -- South Africa , Grievance procedures -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10206 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/753 , Dispute resolution (Law) -- South Africa , Mediation and conciliation, Industrial -- South Africa , Arbitration and award -- South Africa , Grievance procedures -- South Africa
- Description: South African labour laws have undergone tremendous amendments before and after independence. This paper focuses on the development after independence, therefore section 34 of the Constitution of 1996, provisions of the Labour Relations Act of 1995 and other laws which deal with labour matters and regulate the labour relations and disputes in the country will be considered. The labour laws in South Africa provide inter alia for the dispute resolution mechanisms, the manner on which disputes should be handled by different organs which are empowered to do so. My focus will be to see how alternative disputes resolution processes of conciliation and arbitration in the Eastern Cape Province aim to transform the South African and global labour market by promoting an integrated simple, quick but efficient and inexpensive dispute settlement services in order to reduce the back log of cases, maintain labour peace, promote democracy at workplace with the view of advancing economic and social justice.
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- Date Issued: 2008
The role of the judiciary in protecting the right to freedom of expression in difficult political environments: a case study of Zimbabwe
- Authors: Ndawana, Duduzile
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Zimbabwe -- Politics and government , Mass media -- Zimbabwe -- Law and legislation , Freedom of speech -- Zimbabwe -- Law and legislation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:11109 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/99 , Zimbabwe -- Politics and government , Mass media -- Zimbabwe -- Law and legislation , Freedom of speech -- Zimbabwe -- Law and legislation
- Description: The right to freedom of expression is with no doubt one of the most important rights in all democratic societies. The southern African sub-region is however lacking when it comes to the protection of this right. There are either highly repressive laws which result in the right being practiced but to a limited extent. In other cases the media is owned by the elite in society which results in the majority not being represented in the independent media and at the same time, the public media is often abused by the governing elite. The scene is therefore that both the public media and private media are representative of the elite. The research seeks to explore the protection of human rights, particularly the right to freedom of expression in politically volatile environments. The research focuses on Zimbabwe but comparative analysis has also been drawn with other jurisdictions moreso South Africa. It is important to note that Zimbabwe has ratified both the International Covenant on Civil Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ rights both of which protect the right to freedom of expression. It is however not enough that states ratify international and regional instruments without domesticating the instruments at the national level. The domestication of the international and regional instruments is meant to ensure that individuals enjoy these rights. Freedom of expression is highly volatile in Zimbabwe. The legislature has been accused of taking away the right which has been granted to citizens by the Constitution through its highly repressive laws. The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), the Public Order and Security Act (POSA), and the Official Secrets Act are some of the laws which have been put under spotlight in Zimbabwe. There is therefore a conflict between the legislature, the press and individuals in Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe like many democratic states, there is separation of powers between the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. The legislature is the decision making structure that enacts policies in their capacity as representatives of the people; the judiciary is the mediating body that adjudicates decisions between the organs of state as well as between those organs and individuals and the executive enforces decisions. The findings of the research are that despite the ratification of international and regional instruments dealing with the right to freedom of expression and the protection of the right to freedom of expression in the constitution, there still exist repressive laws in Zimbabwe which to a great extent limit the right to freedom of expression. These laws in light of the prevailing environment in Zimbabwe are often used to deprive citizens and journalists of information and their right to freedom of expression. The judiciary finds itself in a difficult position as the executive does not comply with its rulings. The independence of the judiciary, in light of the environment is also compromised by the threats to the judges, the appointment process and ‘gifts’ given to the judges for example, farms. The research analyses the history and theories of freedom of freedom of expression in Zimbabwe, the laws regulating the right and the case law dealing with this right. Finally there is a comparison between Zimbabwe and South Africa and conclusions and recommendations are made based on the discussion in the dissertation. Among the recommendations is that civil society should be involved in educating individuals especially journalists about the right to freedom of expression. Further, the judiciary should also take a more proactive approach in the protection of the right.
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- Date Issued: 2008
Antibacterial properties of the methanol extract of helichrysum pedunculatum
- Authors: Ncube, Nqobile S
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Medicinal plants , Methanol , Helichrysum
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11241 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/461 , Medicinal plants , Methanol , Helichrysum
- Description: The methanol extract of Helichrisum pedunculatum was screened for antimicrobial activity up to a concentration of 5 mg/ml using the agar dilution technique. A number of test bacterial isolates, comprising both Gram negative and Gram positive organisms were susceptible to the crude extract of the plant. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extract ranged between 1 and 5 mg/ml for the susceptible organisms. The MICs of the selected antibiotics, chloramphenicol and penicillin, ranged between 2 and 4 mg/L, and 2 and 32 mg/L respectively against Bacillus cereus, Proteus vulgaris and Staphylococcus aureus OKOH1. Bactericidal activity was determined by the time kill assay. The methanol extract of the plant was not bactericidal at 1 × MIC for B. cereus, P. vulgaris and Staph. aureus OKOH1. At 2 × MIC the extract was bacteriostatic against B. cereus but bactericidal against P. vulgaris and Staph. aureus OKOH1. Combination studies were done at 1/2 × MIC, 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC of the plant extract with 1 × MIC of the antibiotics. Combinations of the plant extract and chloramphenicol resulted in mostly indifferent interactions against P. vulgaris and Staph. aureus OKOH1 but synergistic interactions at higher concentration of the plant extract for B. cereus. Penicillin combinations gave synergistic interactions at lower concentrations of the plant for P.vulgaris and Staph. aureus OKOH1 but was mostly indifferent for B. cereus.
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- Date Issued: 2008
Evaluation of the effective micro-organisms (EM) on soil chemical properties and yield of selected vegetables in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Ncube, Lindani
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Greenhouse management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Butternut -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Microorganisms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organic farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tomatoes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Horticultural Science)
- Identifier: vital:11886 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/86
- Description: Effective microorganisms (EM), a commercial concoction of microbes that includes yeasts, fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes, have been found to be effective in enhancing crop growth by a number of scholars. It is registered in South Africa, but it had not been thoroughly investigated. The present study investigated the effects of EM on growth, yield and quality of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill), butternut (Curcurbita moschata) and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris), along with selected soil properties. In field-grown tomato it was observed that the application of EM caused a significant increase in the number of fruits at seven weeks after transplanting. However, plants treated with EM alone, or EM in combination with other amendments, subsequently produced lower yields owing to an outbreak of early and late blights which affected them the most severely. Combined applications of EM with organic amendments improved plant N content and increased soil N content above initial levels. The application of compost resulted in soil N and P concentrations higher than those of the control presumably due to nutrients being slowly released from the compost material. In a follow up greenhouse trial EM application had a negative effect on tomato leaf dry matter yield, number of leaves, number of trusses, fruit yield and number of fruits. The negative effects of EM were ascribed to N immobilization by the EM that could have resulted in reduced N availability to plants. The lower number of fruits associated with EM application resulted in improved average fruit weight of tomatoes grown in the greenhouse, possibly as a result of more assimilates being partitioned to the few fruits EM application also had a negative effect on field grown butternut as reflected by lower total yield, lower marketable yield and lower first grade yield. The results were attributed to immobilization of N induced by application of EM, and to the inability of EM to control pumpkin fly that attacked very young fruit, resulting in their failure to develop or resulting in the down grading of mature fruits. The application of EM alone had a positive but non significant effect on the yields of both the first and second harvests of Swiss chard. However, when applied with compost or goat manure, a non significant negative effect on yield was observed. When applied with inorganic fertilizer, EM had no effect on yield but tended to increase the uptake of nitrogen by Swiss chard. Though goat manure had a narrower C: N ratio than compost, it did not result in greater EM effectiveness as had been hoped. However, goat manure had a more positive effect on soil properties than compost. It increased the N, P, and K contents of the soil and resulted in a narrower C: N ratio of the soil compared to compost. Generally, the results of the four trials conducted with three different crops indicated that EM had inconsistent effects on crop performance.
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- Date Issued: 2008
An evaluation of the implementation of the preferential procurement policy framework act (No 5 of 2000) with reference to selected municipalities in the province of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Nano, Nandipha
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Government purchasing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Government purchasing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8216 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1019 , Government purchasing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Government purchasing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Background and Rationale: South Africa is in its second decade of democracy. Since the introduction of democracy in 1994, the South African government and its citizens are making strides into overhauling the country to make it one of the best habitable countries in the world. All these changes are accompanied by challenges regarding the types of resources required to accomplish this when delivering services to the communities. In order for the government to accomplish this, systems and procedures which are supported by legislation and operational frameworks should be developed, implemented, monitored and reviewed when necessary. Legislation which has been developed to guide and regulate public procurement includes the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (Act 5 of 2000). The previous procurement approaches had various fallacies. For example, there was no accountability, no transparency, no equitable distribution of economic resources and no supporting structures to oversee the process. The government then realised the need for having an integrated approach towards public acquisition of goods and services. The public service should operate in an environment where there will be fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and value for money in procurement. 2 The objective of the Preferential Procurement Policy Act (Act 5 of 2000) is to give effect to section 217(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996). Section 217 (3) stipulates that national legislation must prescribe a framework within which the procurement policy may be implemented. Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (Act 5 of 2000) aims at redressing the past racial imbalances, where race and gender were used to control productive resources. In order to address the shortfalls of the previous systems which failed to provide equal competition opportunities to all the people of South Africa, the mandate, as stipulated in the amended Section 217 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996), has been implemented. This section calls on government and organs of the state to apply a preference point system to enhance and give preference to the historically disadvantaged individuals or designated groups, who in the past, were victims of unfair discrimination on the basis of race, gender or disability. The Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (Act 5 of 2000) and its related regulations and systems emanate from Section 217 (3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, (Act 108 of 1996). The government has, since 1995, started engaging in a number of initiatives with the purpose of restructuring the procurement. One of the initiatives was the development of the Green Paper on Public Sector Procurement Reform in South Africa in 1997. This paper is a discussion document which contains various proposals aimed at achieving the objectives of good governance, developing and utilising the country’s human resources potential to the full, and encouraging a well-developed and competitive business sector (http://www.info.gov.za/greenpapers/1997/publicproc.htm). 3 Subsequent to the Green Paper on Public Sector Procurement Reform the government published the Preferential Procurement Regulations in 2001, in terms of Section 5 of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework. The government’s aim was to elicit contributions and discussions from role- players and interested parties. These inputs are crucial in a country that is committed to democracy. It can be deduced that the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework is a tool that is intended to provide direction and guidance to public officials when they engage in the acquisition of goods and services whilst giving leverage and preference to those who have been victims of the past imbalances. There is a perception that business opportunities favour individuals and businesses that are well established and the emerging business owners are marginalised. The reforms in the procurement processes that have been put in place are intended to ensure that there is equality, transparency and accountability in the allocation of business opportunities. Preference has to be afforded to the previously marginalised people to play a role in the public sector procurement and enhance income generation. The aims of the Preferential Procurement will be defeated if there are no systems to control and monitor the engagement of historically disadvantaged individuals. The affirming of such business owners should be viewed as a tool for the distribution of wealth, job creation and a poverty alleviation strategy from the side of government. The rationale for the research, therefore, is to establish whether the historically disadvantaged individuals’ lives are improving and bringing about sustainable economic development in their lives.
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- Date Issued: 2008
An investigation into the factors affecting the pass rate of Grade Twelve learners with specific reference to the English subject : a case study of selected schools in Libode district
- Authors: Mzokwana, Nomnikelo Nondwe
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Language and education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School failure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , English ability -- Testing , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8215 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1022 , Language and education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School failure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , English ability -- Testing , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Case studies
- Description: Libode district is a rural district within the Eastern Cape Province. It has forty-two senior secondary schools. All schools in Libode district offer the English subject as the first additional language (second language). Schools in Libode district use English as the medium of instruction. English as the medium of instruction was seen by the National Department of Education as an important aspect of teaching and learning and as an effective tool through which teachers and learners can express their knowledge. The pass rate of grade twelve learners had declined from 2004 showing very low success rates. The quality of grade twelve results in English had deprived learners of their future career prospects. This treatise investigated the factors that might have affected the pass rate of grade twelve learners with specific reference to the English subject: a case study of selected schools in Libode district. A sample of 165 grade 12 learners and six English teachers from randomly selected senior secondary schools participated in the study. The study used both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Some factors affecting the pass rate of grade twelve learners with specific reference to the English subject were identified which included the non-implementation of English as medium of instruction, the non-availability of teaching facilities, and the influence of the mother tongue on the English subject. The treatise offers some recommendations such as improved in-service training on language teaching, assessment techniques and learner-centredness, involvement of all education stakeholders in the implementation of English as a language of teaching and learning, and the provision of teaching facilities in schools.
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- Date Issued: 2008
Job stress, burnout and coping strategies of South African police officers
- Authors: Myendeki, Akhona Nangamso
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Burn out (Psychology) , Stress management , Police -- South Africa , Police -- Job stress , Stress (Psychology) , Job stress
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11859 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/136 , Burn out (Psychology) , Stress management , Police -- South Africa , Police -- Job stress , Stress (Psychology) , Job stress
- Description: The aim of this study was to determine whether coping strategies of police officers help moderate the outcome of burnout resulting from job stress. The nature of the job demands of police officers is such that they may experience high levels of stress. A convenience sample (N = 89: n Males = 58; n Female = 29) of police officers in police stations in the Eastern Cape was surveyed. The Maslach Burnout Inventory – General Survey, Police Stress Inventory and COPE questionnaire were administered. Results for all the participants indicate that when the occupational stressor Lack of Resources occurs police officers implement Avoidance Coping (COPE) as a strategy, which leads to the experience of Exhaustion. Results also indicate that police officers use Active Coping, Cognitive Coping and Turning to Religion as means of moderating the stress-burnout relationship. Results also show that the coping strategy Avoidance Coping, used by male officers lead to Cynicism. When female police officers experience Job Demands and a Lack of Resources they make use of Seeking Emotional Support as a coping strategy. Male police officers were shown to make use of Active Coping as a strategy to regulate the stress-burnout relationship while female police officers implemented Active Coping and Turning to Religion to act as a buffer between job stress and burnout.
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- Date Issued: 2008
An exploration of mathematical concepts embedded in Xhosa beadwork artifacts through an invention programme for Grade 9 learners
- Authors: Myemane, Dumakazi Margaret
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Psychological aspects Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Social aspects -- South Africa Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa Xhosa (African people) Ethnomathematics Beadwork -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Beadwork, Xhosa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1950 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008201
- Description: Mathematics has become increasingly important, as it is a pre-requisite for careers like architecture, science, engineering and medicine. Therefore it becomes imperative for the learners to understand and love it. In other words a sound foundation of mathematical skills and knowledge in the early stages is required. Often we hear learners asking questions like "when and where are we going to use these symbols x and y in our lives? " These questions might indicate that learners cannot link mathematics with daily life occurrences or even their own background experiences. This study is an exploration through hands-on activities of mathematical concepts embedded in beadwork artifacts. Learners' background experiences on bead work artifacts are acknowledged and explored for mathematical understanding. It is a case study, consisting of 44 learners in Grade 9 in two schools in Grahamstown. An interpretive approach is used. In order for the learners to be able to explore beadwork artifacts, they visited the Albany Museum (AM) and Msithandane Women's Project (MWP) in the community. Learners gathered information from these two sources. Beadwork artifacts in this study were used as a mediation and integration tool between culture and mathematics. Beadwork artifacts are found in the learners' cultures serving different purposes. In this study the focus was on Xhosa bead work artifacts. The hands-on activities posed challenges to learners because of their different background experiences. Some were able to draw designs but were unable to thread what they designed, whereas others were able to thread beads but were unable to draw designs. In this study learners had to use both completed bead work artifacts and drawn up designs for the investigation of mathematical concepts. Learners were able to identify symmetries in dress and in South African flag designs. Number patterns discovered were linked to their prior number pattern knowledge. The economic value of beadwork artifacts linked mathematics to the economics learning area. This study ties up with the new curriculum (C2005) and RNCS, which advocate the inclusion and integration of learning areas. In this instance, art and culture were used in mathematical activities. The study also encouraged the inclusion of participants' cultural background as a starting point for motivating them towards utilizing mathematical resources existing in their real life situations. The purpose was to make them aware that mathematics is found everywhere around us.
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- Date Issued: 2008
Teaching reading in grade 4 Namibian classrooms : a case study
- Authors: Mutenda, Josephine
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Literacy -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Namibia English language -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Namibia Reading (Elementary) -- Namibia Second language acquisition
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1797 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003682
- Description: Literacy is currently a topic of great concern in Namibia. Learners in this country have difficulty in reading and writing, and are often functionally illiterate. This study focuses on the beliefs, experiences and practices of teachers of reading in English to second language learners in Grade 4. Grade 4 is the transitional grade from mother tongue to English as the medium of instruction. The switch to English makes teaching reading in that language especially challenging. The study is structured according to the case study mode of enquiry, with the target respondents comprising Grade 4 teachers. Classroom observation, interviews and document analysis were used as means of collecting data. The main findings revealed that beliefs and experience had an impact on the way in which reading was taught in this study. It emerged that the teachers’ childhood experiences of literacy and learning to read are perpetuated in their beliefs, their attitudes, their basic conceptualization of reading and their current practices, all of which directly affect the children in their classes. Although the teachers’ professional training also had some influence on their teaching methods, neither of the two teachers interviewed had received much in-service support on how to teach reading, and they depended to a large extent on their recall of how they had learned to read themselves. Both teachers were taught in a traditional, teacher-centered way, involving phonics, rote-learning and drilling. Because they see themselves as competent readers, they believe that these approaches were effective and worth sustaining. Tentative recommendations arising from analysis of the data indicate possible areas for improvement in the teaching of reading, and offer guidelines to help teachers cope with the challenge.
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- Date Issued: 2008