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Understanding the experiences of Zimbabwean students as foreign students at South African universities: the case of Rhodes University

  • Authors: Daki, Andile Lebohang
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Rhodes University -- Students -- Attitudes , Zimbabwean college students -- South Africa , Zimbabwean college students -- South Africa -- Conduct of life , Zimbabwean college students -- South Africa -- Psychology
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/96225 , vital:31252
  • Description: This thesis seeks to understand the cultural and social experiences of black Zimbabwean students, as foreign students, at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa. It examines the ways in which black Zimbabwean students negotiate the cultural, social and institutional milieu of Rhodes University, which is a former white English-medium university. In doing so, the thesis draws upon Interface theory because, once entering the university space, these students interpret the space and simultaneously negotiate their way in and through this space along cultural and social interfaces. The fieldwork for the thesis involved in-depth interviews with eighteen black Zimbabwean students at the university, stratified in terms of both gender and year of study. A focus on gender facilitated an understanding of possible differences between male and female Zimbabwean students in terms of social and cultural experiences; while a consideration of year of study allowed for an examination of possible shifts in negotiation over time, from first year to Master’s level. The findings demonstrate a range of challenges faced by black Zimbabwean students while at Rhodes University, some of which arise from differences between Zimbabwean and South African society. At the same time, there are considerable differences amongst black Zimbabwean students in relation to the manner in which negotiation took place. While some students negotiate the space through active socialising and assimilating into the local world and lives of South African students as well as the university’s institutional culture, other students negotiate the space through isolation and alienation. Overall, with regard to adjusting to the world of Rhodes and South Africa, students pursued different routes which, in the end, made sense to them.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Understanding the learning that occurs through up-skilling opportunities and practices in the marine sector of South Africa

  • Authors: Bell, Caroline Margaret
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa , Human capital -- South Africa , Marine sciences -- Employees -- South Africa -- Training of , Biodiversity Human Capital Development Strategy (South Africa)
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/93966 , vital:30977
  • Description: South Africa is characterised by cultural and biological diversity which constitute a unique context in which to conduct educational research, such as this doctoral study looking at human capital development in the marine biodiversity context. The drive for transformation in the country is also a major factor to consider when researching any sector of the economy, in this case, the biodiversity sector. The biodiversity sector includes organisations involved in biodiversity conservation, research and management. Previous research in the sector has found a clear need for well-thought out workplace skills plans within conservation and research organisations. The national Biodiversity Human Capital Development Strategy that was produced in 2010 by the South African National Biodiversity Institute outlines how all the organisations involved in the biodiversity sector of South Africa need to participate in strengthening the sector through a range of human capital development strategies. This includes extending the existing human capacity of managers and scientists who are already in the workplace, i.e. up-skilling. In particular, ‘scarce’ skills, as identified by the national Environmental Sector Skills Plan need further attention and development. The scarce skills relevant to this study are: protected area managers; ecosystem managers and post-graduate researchers, hence the focus on managers and scientists in this research. The marine sector falls within the biodiversity sector and it faces multiple conservation challenges which are complex and it is therefore essential to have skilled and capable managers and scientists in place. By investigating the up-skilling opportunities and practices available to these marine professionals, the goal is to understand if and how learning takes place in the marine sector of South Africa. The main research question of this study is: How do up-skilling opportunities and practices enable learning in, through and for the workplace, by marine professionals? In addition, three sub-questions provide finer details and introduce the central concepts of the research: I. What up-skilling opportunities and professional practices exist in or for, marine research and conservation organisations and how are they constituted and enacted via practice-based sayings, doings and relatings? II. How do the individuals learn and exercise their agency within the socio-material realities of the marine scientific and management context, through making use of up-skilling opportunities that are both formal (e.g. course based) and informal? III. How do generative mechanisms shape the constitution and enactment of up-skilling opportunities and practices, and the learning and agency of marine professionals (scientists and managers)? The theoretical work of this study consisted of, first, considering sensitising concepts which included: defining skill and knowledge; considering what an up-skilling opportunity might look like; workplace learning (both formal and informal learning); professional practices, lifelong learning or adult education, and agency in the workplace. Critical realism was then employed as the meta-theory that underlabours this research, while the substantive theories used for analysis purposes were socio-materialism and practice theory. Of course, critical realism is a socio-material theory itself, and Bhaskar’s four-planar social being or Social Cube was used to interpret and synthesise the findings in the data chapters. The methodological framework of this study explores the implications of critical realism for research design and analysis and includes a contextual profiling phase, semi-structured interviews, analysis of documents and peer-reviewed papers, as well as observations. There are nine case studies that form the focus of this research and in total 18 research participants were involved. Data analysis included abduction and retroduction as the primary modes of inference and the main analytical tool was the framework of practice architectures where I took the ‘sayings’, ‘doings’ and ‘relatings’ as themes. Further themes were developed from the other relevant theories used in this study; hence socio-materialism, learning, agency, and formal and informal opportunities, were also used as themes when coding the data. Issues around validity, ethics and reflexivity are key elements of the research design and were carefully considered throughout the research process. The principal data chapters are structured in such a way that each sub-question is considered and ultimately the findings are presented in the form of generative mechanisms which included: the politics of social transformation and knowledge as a driving force of up-skilling; the influence of individual disposition and passion or will; the importance of the socio-material realities and realistic expectations; and how relationality is critical for the marine sector. Agency was a cross-cutting theme in all the discussions around learning, practices and the role of the material, and was highly influential on the mechanisms that have been described in this study. The experiences, events and mechanisms that were uncovered in this research provide insight into the forms of learning as these relate to up-skilling that occur in the marine sector, as well as the complex relationships between formal and informal learning. The professional practices that occur in the everyday working lives of the marine professionals were shown to be an integral part of the learning process, while formal, certified opportunities are important for strengthening the field and building conservation competence in the country. By uncovering the deeper structures and mechanisms that have power and causal efficacy when it comes to up-skilling opportunities, learning and professional practices, this study has contributed to the field of environmental education as it shows how up-skilling processes operate in complex formations that involve formal and informal learning processes in workplaces. The study also offers a more nuanced view of the relational objects in this field, such as up-skilling and workplace learning, via the inclusion of a socio-material analysis. Through a theoretical and methodological framework that focused on the material using the tools of practice theory and Bhaskar’s depth ontology and four-planar social being (to synthesise and interpret the findings from a critical realist perspective), this research highlights the unique context of up-skilling opportunities and practices in the marine sector and reveals the crucial role of agency in workplace practices. This leads to a better understanding of the up-skilling opportunities and practices of marine professionals in South Africa, which ultimately contributes towards improved human capital development in the biodiversity and environmental sectors. Through offering more complex insights into the forms of learning and up-skilling, as well as a distinct methodological contribution, this research has broader relevance for workplace learning research.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Understanding the perceived role of mobile media in relation to development in a South African rural area

  • Authors: Chatikobo, Tatenda
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Mobile communication systems -- South Africa , Internet telephony -- South Africa , Mobile communication systems -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Internet telephony -- Social aspects --South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/95360 , vital:31148
  • Description: This study explores the different perceptions of mobile media in relation to development within Dwesa, a marginalised rural community in South Africa. The proliferation of mobile phones and increasing access to the internet in Africa, and South Africa in particular, is extensively documented and attempts have been made to explore its impact on development. Drawing on adapted aspects of the Diffusion of innovation theory (DoI), the study seeks to understand the relative advantage, compatibility with needs and values, and observable benefits of using mobile media for a rural community. I provide a critical discussion of the concept of development and its relationship with digital technologies and innovation. I reflect on the Diffusion of innovation theory, highlighting its critiques, adaptations and modifications in studies, particularly in the Global South. The present study employs a qualitative methodology and relies on focus groups, semi-structured interviews and observation as methods of data collection. Participants were divided into three focus groups based on Rogers classification of innovativeness (early adopters, majority adopters and late/non-adopters) and I conducted two follow-up interviews with participants of each focus group. I analysed the data thematically. Research participants identified several areas where mobile media contributed to development and positive change, such as lowering the cost of access to information and communication, staying in touch with distant relatives, increasing access to services and providing entertainment, especially among young people. The participants noted that despite these positive changes, that mobile media on its own cannot be expected to address challenges of infrastructure and public service delivery. Research findings also revealed that mobile media might interfere with socio-cultural values of respect, human dignity and privacy. I conclude that, while mobile media is generally considered as beneficial, its critical role in improving the socio-economic conditions of people in Dwesa still remains in doubt. The study provides an opportunity to further investigate the compatibility of mobile media with socio-cultural values along the lines of age and gender, and address issues of digital skills and digital marginalisation.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Ungenelelwano leelwimi zaseafrika isixhosa nesishona kujoliswe kwifonoloji yamaqabane nezikhamiso

  • Authors: Nenga, Thethelwa Maureen
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Xhosa language -- Grammar , Shona language -- Grammar African languages -- Africa African languages -- Africa, Southern
  • Language: Isixhosa
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45216 , vital:38333
  • Description: Lo msebenzi uza kusebenza njengelinge lokuvumbulula kuhlahlelwa iimbonakalo ezithi ziphuhliswe ngabantu abathi benalo ulwimi olulolwabo lokuzalwa nolulolweenkobe, bathi banyanzelwe ziimeko zeentshukumo ezithile zentlalo bazibhaqe befunda ukuthetha nokubhala ulwimi lwabanye abantu. Kuye ke kuthi kwimigudu yabo yokuphimisela izandi kubekho ubunzima kuphimiselo lwezandi ezithile zolu lwimi bajolise ukulufunda nokulazi. Ulwimi lwabo luthi ludlale indima ephambili kuphimiselo lwezandi zolu lwimi lutsha bajolise ukulufunda nokulazi, (Lado 1957:77) kananjalo kuphawuleka ukuba kukho ukunxaxha okuthile kubizo nakubhalo lwezandi ezithile kulwimi abajolise ukulazi. Le ngcingane yokunxaxha kolwimi ethatyathwa njengenyaniso engekaqinisekiswa nethe yaveliswa ngabantu abathi benalo ulwimi olulolwabo kwiinzame zabo zokuthetha nokubhala ulwimi lwabanye abantu, iye yayimbangi nesizekabani sokuba kube kuthatyathwa uhambo olude lophando ziingcali zabaphandi beelwimi. Mandulo phaya oku kunxaxha kulwimi kwakubonwa njengesenzo esilisikizi nomqobo kwiinkqubo zokufunda ulwimi. Kuthe ngenxa yokuhamba kwamaxesha oosozilwimi baphawula ukuba oku kunxaxha makungathatyathwa njengeziphoso ezifuna ukulungiswa koko makuthatyathwe njengenyathelo lolwimi eliqhelekileyo nelingenakuthintelwa. Ngokweengcali zeelwimi kukholeleka ukuba oku kunxaxha kububungqina besixokelelwano solwimi esibalulekileyo kwiinkqubo zokufunda ulwimi. Kungoko kubalulekile ukuba kugqogqwe kucutyungulwe iincwadi zezi ngqwemla zilandelayo, uCoder (1967), uSelinker (1972), uTarone (1979), uNemser (1971), uChomsky (1965) kunye nezinye iingcali. Zezi ncwadi eziza kuphuhlisa ukunxaxha kolwimi okufuthelwa ziimeko ngeemeko njengoko ezi ngqwemla zicacisa. Ikwalolu phando oluza kushukuxa iinguqulelo-zandi ezithi zenzeke kubantu abantetho isisiShona xa bezama ukuthetha ulwimi lwesiXhosa ngokwefonoliji nethi yona ijongane neendlela ezithi izandi zifuthelane ngayo.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Uninformed medical intervention as a violation of the rights to dignity, bodily integrity and privacy in South Africa

  • Authors: Silas, Patience Oluchi
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Medical personnel and patient Human rights
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LAW
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16862 , vital:40780
  • Description: South African society has changed from one that favoured medical paternalism to one that demands respect for patient autonomy. Some legislative provisions currently require respect for human rights in the sphere of medical treatment. These laws vest patients with the right to informed consent thereby conferring them with the rights to decide what should be done to their bodies in terms of healthcare. Irrespective of the laws emphasising the need to respect, protect and promote the doctrine of informed consent in South Africa, so many health practitioners still engage in uninformed healthcare practices. This study, therefore, examines the doctrine of informed consent in relation to the fundamental rights to bodily integrity, dignity and privacy to ascertain the legal implications of the failure to obtain informed consent for healthcare services. It is desktop research undertaken from the constitutional, legislative, common law and ethical perspective of informed consent. Its findings are based on both primary and secondary legal sources. It established that informed consent is a fundamental right in South Africa; rendering any healthcare service without obtaining the informed consent of a patient does not only breach the fundamental and ethical principle of autonomy, but also grossly violates their fundamental rights to dignity, bodily integrity and privacy. The study clears the age-long differing views as to whether failure to obtain informed consent before medical interventions amounts to an assault, negligence or the violation of some specific fundamental rights. It reveals that the major reason why health practitioners administer uninformed medical treatment in contemporary health practice is insufficient awareness of the legal requirements of the doctrine of informed consent. This is coupled with the fact that they believe the doctrine is alien to the African psyche and the process of obtaining informed consent is time-consuming. It thus recommends that health practitioners should have a positive attitude towards the doctrine because having been entrenched in the Constitution, codified in various national laws and upheld by Courts, every legal stipulation regarding the doctrine is binding on them. It also suggests that health practitioners should be abreast with the laws governing informed consent and strictly comply with their substantive and procedural stipulations. This would protect the fundamental rights of the patient and avert legal actions.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Uphandonzulu malunga nokutyeshelwa kokufundiswa kolwimi lwesixhosa kwizikolo ezazibizwa model C

  • Authors: Notuku, Liza
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Xhosa language -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Xhosa language -- Study and teaching (Elementary) Multicultural education -- South Africa Native language and education -- South Africa
  • Language: Isixhosa
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42803 , vital:36693
  • Description: Olu phando lusekelezelwe ukubuyisela inkcubeko yabaNtsundu esele bephulukene nayo ngenxa yokulandela iilwimi zaseNtshona. Ngokwenkcubeko yeMveli kubalulekile ukuba umntu azazi izithethe, amasiko nenkcubeko yakhe ngobubanzi. Ukuzazi kuya kumnceda umntu asinde kwimikhuba nemikhwa ebonwa komabonakude neviwa koonomathotholo imihla nezolo. Kolu phando ulwimi lusetyenziswa njengesixhobo sokunqanda ukwehla komgangatho womntu oMnyama phakathi kwezinye iintlanga ngenxa yokungahoywa kolwimi lwesiXhosa. Uphando luthwele inkuthazo yokufakwa kolwimi lwesiXhosa kwikharityhulam yokufunda nokufundisa kwizikolo ezikumbindi wedolophu. Intsusamabandla yolu phando kukubona indlela abafundi abaMnyama abafunda kwizikolo ezazibizwa ngooModel C abalahlekelwa ngalo lulwimi lwabo lweenkobe ngenxa yokutyeshelwa kwalo. Lukwabonisa abazali babantwana ubungozi bokufunda ngolwimi olongezelelweyo, lwimi olo lwenza abantwana bangaphuhli ngokupheleleyo njengoko besenza abantwana abafunda ngolwimi lwabo lweenkobe. Ubungozi ngokufunda ngolwimi lo mnye umntu kukuba abantwana abazuzi izakhono ngokulinganayo kuba lo ungafundi ngolwimi lwakhe uya sokola, aphele engaphantsi ngokomgangatho kulo ufunda ngolwimi lwakhe lweenkobe. Uphando olu lukwasisilumkiso nangendlela olulahleka ngalo ulwimi lude lube kanti luya phela ngenxa yokunyevulelwa kwangabo aba balo. Loo nto ibenza baphulukane kwanezinto esele benazo basale bezimpula zikalujacu. Olu xwebhu luyinkuthazo kumzi wonke wakwaXhosa ukuba kucingwe nzulu nangokutsha ngokusetyenziswa kolwimi lwabo ukuze ukwazi ukuthatha inxaxheba kubutyebi beli lizwe. Lo msebenzi ndiwunikela kuni mzi wakwaXhosa ngethemba lokuba nakukhe nizirhabulele kulo vimba uzele yingqaka nibuye niwonwabele.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Uphicotho nzulu lobunzululwazi bolwimi olusetyenziswa kwimiyalezo emifutshane yesiXhosa sisini esahlukeneyo

  • Authors: Gwavu-Peter, Yoliswa Ruby
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Xhosa language -- Grammar , Applied linguistics , Sociolinguistics , Linguistic change -- Social aspects
  • Language: Isixhosa
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39653 , vital:35343
  • Description: Olu phando luza kuthi lubeke umnwe kwindlela ulwimi negrama ezithi zisetyenziswe ngayo kumakhasi onxibelelwano zizini ezahlukileyo. Imiyalezo emifutshane iye yathatha unyawo kule mihla sikuyo. Ukanti kukho nokugxekwa kwayo ngenxa yokuba inempembelelo kuphanzo lolwimi. Olunye uphando olwenziweyo luyaphikisana nale mbono njengokuba lungqina ukuba itextism* ayonakalisi lwazi lwamntu kulwimi. Umahluko ophawulekayo kwimiyalezo ethunyelwa ngamadoda nabafazi awukabonakali uphandiwe esiXhoseni, nto leyo ethe yakhuthaza umphandi ukuba akhe avule indlela. Olu phando lujolise ekuphononongeni igrama yesiXhosa kwimiyalezo emifutshane ethunyelwa zizini ezahlukeneyo. Abathathi nxaxheba kolu phando bayikhethe ngokwabo imiyalezo eza kuthi isetyenziswe kolu phando. Uhlalutyo luza kuthi lujonge ikhophasi engangemiyalezo elikhulu linamashumi mahlanu (150) ethunyelwe ngabathathi nxaxheba abangamashumi amahlanu anesihlanu (55), amadoda angamashumi amabini anesihlanu (25) kunye namabhinqa angamashumi amathathu (30). Abantu abanikezele ngemiyalezo baza kunikwa uxwebhu oluchaza ngeenjongo zolu phando nesizathu sokusebenzisa imiyalezo emifutshane njengomsimelelo wolu phando. Kuza kufuneka batyikitye noxwebhu lwesivumelwano. Yonke le miyalezo ivela kubantu abathetha isiXhosa njengolwimi lwasekhaya. Iminyaka yabantu abanikele ngemiyalezo yabo ngokukhululekileyo iphakathi kwama-25 kunye nama-48. Isizathu sokuba amabhinqa ibe ngawona maninzi anikezele ngemiyalezo kunamadoda sesokuba amadoda ebemadolwa-nzima ukunikezela ngemiyalezo yawo kunamabhinqa. Injongo ibikukufumana amanani alinganayo kwisini ngasinye. Olu phando luza kuthi luthathe indlela yentyila-lwazi njengoko kuza kuthi kuhlalutywe, kucakacwe kuchazwe le miyalezo ikhethelwe uphando. Umphandi uza kuthi asebenzise ingcingane yobunzululwazi yolwimi yoluntu (sociolinguistics*) njengengundoqo kolu phando ze ezinye iingcingane ezifana nefonoloji, isintaksi kunye netextism zisetyenziswe ukuxhasa le ingundoqo.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Uphononongo lwesimo sabalinganiswa kujongwe izenzo, iimpawu nemikhwa eyandulela nelandela ukubulala kwiincwadi ezikhethiweyo zesiXhosa

  • Authors: Hempe, Zoleka Faith
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Xhosa drama (Tragedy) -- History and criticism
  • Language: Xhosa
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DLitt
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30777 , vital:31129
  • Description: Olu phando luzondelele ukwenza umqela obonakalayo ekuhliseni inani lokubulawa nokuzibulala kwabantu ngokuthi luphengulule iimpawu ezibonakala phambi nasemva kokuzibandakanye nesi senzo. Olu gocagoco lweempawu luza kumncedisa umphandi aqaphele okuqhubeka engqondweni yombulali. Uphando luza kubuye lucebise okunokwenziwa ngabantu xa luthe lwaziqaphela ezi mpawu. Iimeko ezingqonge ababulali ziza kujongwa ngeliso elibukhali ukuba azinafuthe na kwiimeko ezityhalela ababulali kwizenzo zokukhupha imiphefumlo. Isahluko sokuqala yimbulambethe eyintsika yolu phando nezakuthi inike isikhokelo ngendlela oluza kuhamba ngayo uphando, luxovula uluncwadi kwaneendlela ezahlukileyo zophando eziza kusetyenziswa.Amagama angundoqo aza kusetyenziswa kolu phando aza kucaciswa. Isahluko sesibini simalunga neengcingane oluza kwayama ngazo olu phando. Eyonangcingane inkqenkqeza phambili kolu phando yingcigane yobume bengqondo nazakuthi umphandi ayicacise nzulu ukuze akhangele indlela ebachaphazela ngayo ababulali. Le ngcingane imalunga nendlela ingqondo yomntu echaphazeleka ngayo kokumngqongileyo kwaye ikwanikezela neendlela zokuyinyanga. Lolu lwazi ke umphandi aza kulusebenzisa ukuhlalutya imeko yombulali ngamnye kwiincwadi ezichongelwe uhlalutyo. Akhona namanye amangenelela eengcingane athe acaciswa kwesi sahluko nazakuthi umphandi awaqwabulule kwisahluko sesithathu nesesineindlela ayamana ngawo nezenzo zababulali. Kwisahluko sesithathu umphandi uza kuphengulula iimpawu ezibonakala kubabulali abakwiincwadi ezichongiweyo. Isahluko sesine sona ziza kujonga iindidi neendlela zokubulala kuze kucatshulwe kwiincwadi ezichongiweyo siphinde siqaphele nezizathu ezityhilizela ababulali kwezi zenzo zokukhupha imiphefumlo. Isahluko sesihlanu sona siza kubhenca okufunyaniswe luphando size sinike neengcebiso ezinokwenziwa ukunciphisa inanilabantu abakhupha imiphefumlo.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Uphononongo nzulu lwefuthe lempatho-mbi kubalinganiswa kwiincwadi ezichongiweyo zesiXhosa

  • Authors: Ngaleka, Nontobeko Priscilla
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Xhosa fiction -- Research -- 21st century , Xhosa fiction -- 21st century -- History and criticism Marriage in literature Abused women in literature Criticism Literature -- Philosophy
  • Language: Isixhosa
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41819 , vital:36600
  • Description: Olu phando luza kucazulula ifuthe lempatho-mbi kwizimo zabalinganiswa kuza kujongwa iimeko zokuhlala nempembelelo yazo. Kuza kujongwa ngeliso elibanzi iingxaki ezizalwa yimpatho-mbi kwalapha kuza kuqwalaselwa ukuba abalinganiswa bachaphazeleka njani. Uphando luza kuphengulula incwadi kaDlulani ethi, ‘Ulimile nje uza kuvuna’, ekaGwegwe ethi, ‘Nosel’eyibethile akakayoji’, ekaMagqashela ethi, ‘Isangxa siyawhuza’, ekaSankqela ethi, ‘Kazi yozala nkomoni’ nekaThuthani ethi, ‘Nal’ilanga’. Apha kwezi ncwadi kuza kuhlutywa ifuthe lempatho-mbi kwizimo zabalinganiswa. Isahluko sokuqala kuza kunikwa amagqabantshintshi ngophando olu. Esi sahluko siphethe. Ingabula zigcawu, Iinjongo zophando, Ingxaki yolu phando, Imibuzo yophando, Indlela oluza kuqhutywa ngayo uphando, Izimvo zabanye ababhali, Ingcaciso yamagama. Isahluko sesibini apha sifumana isiseko sengcingane yobume bengqondo, eluphahla loluphando kunye nengcingane yempatho-mbi. Sifumane neengcingane ezoyamileyo ingcingane yokuqonda, eyenkcubeko neyokuhlala. Isahluko sesithathu siqulethe iingxaki ezizala utshintsho kwizimo zabalinganiswa. Isahluko sesine sona sizisa iziphumo zempatho-mbi kwizimo zabalinganiswa. Isahluko sesihlanu sishwankathela sizise iziphumo zophando, kunikwe umkhombandlela kuqukunjelwe uphando.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Uphononongo-nzulu lwentsingiselo efihlakeleyo kulwimi lweencwadi ezikhethiweyo zesixhosa

  • Authors: Siwisa, Luyanda Luancia
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Xhosa literature -- Research , Meaning (Philosophy) in literature Symbolism in literature
  • Language: Isixhosa
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43413 , vital:36876
  • Description: Olu phando luza kuthi lugxile kuphononongo lwentsingiselo efihlakeleyo ekusetyenzisweni kolwimi kwiincwadi ezikhethiweyo zesiXhosa. Isizathu sokusebenzisa ezi ncwadi kukubona ukuba ababhali bazo babe nendlela ethile ethi izalane ekubhaleni iincwadi zabo. Ikakhulu aba babhali baza kutyhilwa kungekudala baphume izandla ekusebenziseni ulwimi oluntsonkothileyo kwaye ekungelula kulowo uzifundayo ukukhawuleza ayazi intsingiselo. Loo nto iyodwa iye yakhokelela ekubeni umphandi abe nomdla ekucubunguleni le ntsingiselo kwezi ncwadi zabo. Ezona zinto zingundoqo uphando oluza kuthi lugxininise kuyo, lulwimi kuba lulo olungundoqo wolu phando nangona uphando lona luza kuqwalasela intsingiselo efihlakeleyo. Le ntsingiselo iza kuqwalaselwa kusetyenziswa ulwimi. Ulwimi sesona sixhobo siphuhlisa ngalo iingcamango ezingundoqo zentsingiselo efihlakeleyo. Ukuba asinakulusebenzisa ulwimi, oyena nobangela wokubhala awusoze uphunyezwe luphando. Yile nto uphando kunyanzelekile ukuba lungene nzulu kulwimi, ingakumbi kwisimantiki yona ijongene nentsingiselo. Uphando luza kubetha nje koomofu kumasuntswana elingwistiki angala, ifonetiki, ifonoloji, imofoloji, isimantiki, isintaksi nepragmatiki njengoko kufuneke lujongisise ulwimi ngokubanzi. Luphinde lujonge intsingiselo engundoqo nentsingiselo efihlakeleyo yamagama kwisivakalisi kodwa lona uphando lube lujolise ekutyhileni intsingiselo efihlakeleyo kwiincwadi ezikhethiweyo. Owona ndoqo kukujonga iintsingiselo ezimbini ezahlukeneyo kulwimi. Kukho intsingiselo yolwimi ubani anakho ukuyijonga njengoko eyiva okanye eyibona kuphinde kubekho intsingiselo ethi ifihlakale leyo ke ubani angasayi kukhawuleza ayibone de abe kanti uzikisa ukucinga. Uphando luza kukekelela kwiintsingiselo ezimbolo-mbini kuba lufumanisa ukuba igama elinye liyakwazi ukutshintsha intsingiselo yonke yesivakalisi. Koko kubalulekile ukuba uphando luchaphazele oomabizwafane noomabizwahluke kuba bangayijika intsingiselo yesivakalisi. Kwakhona uphando luza kujonga indlela yentsingiselo apho isivakalisi siye sivakale ngendlela ethile ezindlebeni zalowo ufunda loo tekisi, abe umbhali engajolisanga kuloo mxholo umfundi yena awuve ngendlela yakhe. Kolu phando kuyanyanzeleka kucutyungulwe indlela ababhali abalusebenzisa ngayo ulwimi olufihlakeleyo kwiincwadi ezikhethiweyo. Ezi ntsingiselo zifihlakeleyo zingavezwa ngeendlela ezininzi ezizezi; imifanekiso ntelekelelo/imifanekiso ngqondweni, ngemiqondiso, izigqebelo, amaphupha, indalo, uphawu nezafobe ezithile. Zonke ezi mpawu zikhankanyiweyo ngentla zizo eziza kuthi zijongwe kwezi ncwadi zaba babhali. Isimiyotiki yona kuza kuthi kudlulwe kuyo kuba yona nesimantiki ziyathungelana asikwazi ukuthetha ngentsingiselo efihlakeleyo yolwimi sijike siyishiye isimiyotiki. La macandelo kuza kucaciswa ukubonisa imvelaphi yolwimi kodwa kungagxilwanga kuwo.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Uphononongo-nzulu ngonxulumano lwamaqhalo esiXhosa nesimo sentlalo nendima yawo kuphuhliso lolwimi

  • Authors: Dongwana, Nosicelo
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Proverbs, Xhosa Xhosa language -- Idioms Xhosa language -- translation
  • Language: IsiXhosa
  • Type: MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/38741 , vital:34948
  • Description: Olu phando luphonononga nzulu indlela amaqhalo anxulumene ngayo nesimo- sentlalo, wanendlela athi asetyenziswe ngayo ukuphuhlisa ulwimi. Ingcinga ephambili nengundoqo wophando ukuguquka nokutshintsha kolwimi lwesiXhosa ngenxa yesimo sentlalo esingasafaniyo neso samandulo. Kolu phando kuqale kwavela ingcaciso yokuba liyintoni iqhalo, lubeka elubala iingongoma ezahlukileyo ngokwezimvo neembono zeengcali zolwimi nababhali. Lukhangela indima yesimo sentlalo kulwimi lugxininisa kumaqhalo nezaci zamandulo. Luzama kangako ukuphawula indlela ulwimi olunxibelelana ngayo nesimo-ntlalo kwakunye nendalo ngokubanzi. Luveza indima ephambili edlalwa ngamaqhalo nezaci kwinkcubeko nobomi besizwe samaXhosa ngokubanzi, lusebenzisa amaqhalo nezaci zamandulo tanci. Lubonisa ukuba ulwimi aluphelelanga ekubeni yintetho edala ukunxibelelana phakathi kwabantu kuphela, koko luyinqwelo ethwala uxanduva lokudlulusela ulwazi nenkcubeko yesizwe evezwa ngezisusa, imisitho namatheko esiNtu, ngeembali namabali abaliswe ngomlomo esebenzisa izaci namaqhalo, eziyinkcubeko yesizwe zona kuqala. Olu phando lubhentsisa elubala indlela ulwimi olulityathanga loqhagamshelwano ngayo phakathi komntu nendalo. Luvelisa pahaha iimeko zasekuhlaleni ezithe zanefuthe elingelihle kwindalo nezithe zabangela ukutshabalala kolwimi. Le meko iboniswa ngokucacilelyo igxininisa ekubeni nantoni eyenzeka ekuhlaleni ichaphazele ulwimi olusisithuthi sokuchaza oko kwenzekayo. Ukuguquka kwesimo-sentlalo ngenxa yefuthe lokufika kwabantu abaMhlophe kuyabonakaliswa lolu phando, luveza kananjalo iindlela neemeko ezithe zabonakala zichaphazela ukusetyenziwsa kwamaqhalo nezaci kulwimi lwesiXhosa. UkuguqukaUluvo lweengcali lokuba ukusetyenziswa kwamaqhalo nezaci (amadala namatsha) ekufundiseni, ekuphuhliseni ushishino, ezinkonzweni kwiintshumayelo noqeqesho bashumyeli, ingayeyona ndlela igcina amaqhalo nezaci ilondoloze nenkcubeko yethu, ngolwimi lwethu luchatshazelwa lolu phando. Ubuchule bokubhala amaqhalo esiXhosa abesakuba yinxalenye yoncwadi lwemveli olube udluliselwa kwizizukulwana ngobaliso lomlomo ukhankanyiwe, kwakunye nendima yemigaqo-ntetho yolwimi lwesiXhosa, lujonga indlela amaqhalo athi abunjwe ngayo enganxaxhanga kwimigaqo-ntetho olwimi lwesiXhosa, koko ewaphuhlisa ngakumbi kubandakanywa kolu phando. Ndiyathemba ukuba olu phando luza kuba ngumchankcatho wocelo-mngeni kuphuhliso lolwimi lwesiXhosa ngamaqhalo nezaci, nayinkcubeko esisihombo solwimi lwesiXhosa, siwasebenzise ngendlela efanelekileyo sikhulise ulwimi lwethu sizidle ngalo sisazi ukuba singamelana nelizwe langomso.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Ursolic Acid and its derivatives as bioactive agents

  • Authors: Mlala, Sithenkosi , Oyedeji, Adebola Omowunmi , Gondwe, Mavuto , Oyedeji, Opeoluwa Oyehan
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Noncommunicable diseases , Pentacyclic triterpenoids , Ursolic acid , Clinical trials
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1576 , vital:37793 , https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24152751
  • Description: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases continue to be threatening and deadly to human kind. Resistance to and side effects of known drugs for treatment further increase the threat, while at the same time leaving scientists to search for alternative sources from nature, especially from plants. Pentacyclic triterpenoids (PT) from medicinal plants have been identified as one class of secondary metabolites that could play a critical role in the treatment and management of several NCDs. One of such PT is ursolic acid (UA, 3 β-hydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid), which possesses important biological effects, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant and antibacterial effects, but its bioavailability and solubility limits its clinical application. Mimusops caffra, Ilex paraguarieni, and Glechoma hederacea, have been reported as major sources of UA. The chemistry of UA has been studied extensively based on the literature, with modifications mostly having been made at positions C-3 (hydroxyl), C12-C13 (double bonds) and C-28 (carboxylic acid), leading to several UA derivatives (esters, amides, oxadiazole quinolone, etc.) with enhanced potency, bioavailability and water solubility. This article comprehensively reviews the information that has become available over the last decade with respect to the sources, chemistry, biological potency and clinical trials of UA and its derivatives as potential therapeutic agents, with a focus on addressing NCD.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Use of public urban green spaces for spiritual services in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

  • Authors: Ngulani, T , Shackleton, Charlie M
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179710 , vital:43163 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2018.11.009"
  • Description: Urban green spaces provide an array of ecosystem services. Spiritual services provided by urban green spaces are widely used, but are often overlooked and rarely quantified. These services are accessed at sites of specific religious or sacred significance or more general urban green spaces used for religious practices that require natural or semi-natural, outdoor settings. We sampled twelve public green spaces in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, to determine their use as sites for religious gatherings, interviewed visitors to green spaces and religious congregants about such and used the travel cost method to assign a value to the green spaces for spiritual benefits. Religious gatherings were observed in all twelve sampled green spaces, and 7% of a random sample of visitors to the urban green spaces said that they participated in such. Amongst the worshippers, 71% said worshipping outdoors was part of their religious practices and 29% said they did so because they had no building in which to worship. Most (79%) worshipped in public green spaces 1–4 times per week. Many felt that it would be easier if the city council designated specific and quiet areas in public green spaces for their religious observances, which they could then help maintain. The mean value of spiritual services was determined to be US$93 ± 79 /ha/yr, and tended to be highest in the high density, poorer suburbs. These results reveal the significance of urban green spaces for spiritual purposes and indicate the need for greater recognition amongst researchers and city planners and authorities to secure and maintain such benefit flows.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

User experience requirements for the integration of blended learning technologies into anatomy and physiology

  • Authors: Buckle, Maria Magdalena
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Web-based instruction , Educational technology Internet in education Computer-assisted instruction -- Curricula -- Planning Anatomy Physiology
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MHSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/37874 , vital:34257
  • Description: Blended learning is currently the recommended mode of teaching at Nelson Mandela University and typically refers to a mix of traditional methods of teaching and learning integrated with technology, in particular, online delivery methods. In this blended learning study, a web-based learning programme, WileyPLUSLS, in combination with the assessment functions of the learning management system, Moodle, introduced the technology component into the teaching and learning of Anatomy and Physiology. User experience (UX) studies investigate the experiences of a user when using a product or system. Because very little is currently known about the UX when WileyPLUSLS and Moodle are integrated into the teaching and learning of Anatomy and Physiology, this study aims to determine the participants’ UX to compile a set of UX requirements. The purpose of these UX requirements is to inform designers if the programmes WileyPLUS and Moodle function as they should and to modify them, if needed, to improve their usability. These UX requirements also aim to support and guide the integration of blended learning technologies into the curriculum of Anatomy and Physiology and other disciplines alike. The research design selected for this study was in the form of a case study conducted on the 2016 first-year BHSc: MLS (Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Laboratory Science) class at Nelson Mandela University. Pre-study investigations on infrastructure, connectivity and e-readiness were conducted to lay the groundwork for the case study and to inform its rationale. Data was collected from literature studies, online UX questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and researcher observations. A mixed methods approach to data analysis was adopted. Quantitative data from the UX questionnaire were analysed by means of descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative data from semi-structured interviews, open-ended questions from UX questionnaire and researcher observations were analysed via content analysis. Subsequently the analysis and triangulation of the data culminated into UX requirements, which were categorised into the following classifications, namely infrastructure, human resources, educational content and online learning systems. This case study illuminated many major issues regarding connectivity, e-readiness, unequal access to online learning, the importance of security features for online summative assessments, the usefulness of commercial web-based learning programmes and the confounding effect of the #FeesMustFall (FMF) protest movement. Finally, the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on online learning and the workplace was addressed. This research was successful in compiling the UX requirements to inform designers regarding the usability of their systems and to guide the integration of online programmes into the curriculum, especially in the South African context of limited and slow connectivity.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Uses, knowledge, and management of the threatened pepper-bark tree (Warburgia salutaris) in southern Mozambique

  • Authors: Senkoro, Annae M , Shackleton, Charlie M , Voeks, Robert A , Ribeiro, Ana I
  • Date: 2019
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177430 , vital:42821 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-019-09468-x
  • Description: Uses, Knowledge, and Management of the Threatened Pepper-Bark Tree (Warburgia salutaris) in Southern Mozambique.Warburgia salutaris, the pepper-bark tree, is one of the most highly valued medicinal plant species in southern Africa. Due to its popularity in folk medicine, it is overexploited in many regions and is deemed threatened throughout its range. We identified cultural and social drivers of use, compared knowledge distribution, determined management practices, and explored local ecological knowledge related to the species in the Lebombo Mountains, Tembe River, and Futi Corridor areas in southern Mozambique. Stratified random, semistructured interviews were conducted (182), complemented by 17 focus group discussions in the three study areas. W. salutaris was used medicinally to treat 12 health concerns, with the bark being the most commonly used part.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Using a multi-method approach to understand the movement patterns and the associated environmental correlates of an iconic West African recreational fish

  • Authors: Winkler, Alexander Claus
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Carangidae fishing , Carangidae -- Migration , Carangidae -- Namibia , Carangidae -- Angola , Fish tagging , Carangidae -- Benguela Current , Underwater acoustic telemetry , Ocean temperature -- Physiological effect , Fishes -- Effect of temperature on
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/76530 , vital:30597
  • Description: The leerfish (Lichia amia), is a large, primarily coastal recreational fish species with a distribution extending from Portugal down the west coast of African to southern Mozambique. Owing to its large size (30 kg), strong fighting abilities and habit of taking surface artificial lures, this species has taken on an iconic stature among shore-based recreational anglers. Its reputation has made it an important angling tourism species that makes an important contribution to the economy of developing countries. For example, the species brought US$243 per harvested kilogramme into the local southern Angola economy. Despite its high value, little is known about its movement patterns in the northern Benguela coastal region, a region which includes southern Angola and northern Namibia. While much is known about the migratory patterns of the South African stock of L. amia, recent molecular studies have shown that the northern Benguela stock of L. amia has been isolated from the South African population for at least two million years, a consequence of the development of the cold Lüderitz upwelling cell in southern Namibia. Although the global population of L. amia is considered a single species, prominent biogeographic barriers within its distribution and subtle morphological differences between specimens captured within its tropical versus warm-temperate distribution suggest otherwise. A multi-method approach incorporating passive acoustic telemetry (PAT), recreational catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) and conventional tagging (CT) in southern Angola, as well as recreational fisher-ecological knowledge (FEK) from Namibia, was used to investigate the large-scale movement patterns of L. amia within the northern Benguela coastal region. While each method had its own associated limitations, the combination provided a holistic picture of the population's seasonal migratory patterns. Furthermore, PAT successfully identified partial migration with 25% vs 75% of monitored fish exhibiting resident (movements < 100 km) or migratory (movements > 100 km) behaviour, respectively. Further behavioural diversity was observed with ‘resident’, ‘roaming’ and ‘embayment’ contingents identified based on varying levels of affinity to certain habitats. The presence of both resident and migratory individuals within the northernmost study during June and July, combined with available biological information, suggested that area-specific spawning may take place. While PAT, CPUE and CT largely aligned in determining area specific high-area use, results from network analyses and mixed effects models conducted on the PAT data supported the spawning hypothesis, with anomalous behaviour around specific receivers during the spawning season. All fish, regardless of behavioural contingent, displayed similar movement behaviour during the spawning season and this was driven by factors generally associated with reproduction, such as lunar illumination. Interestingly, these drivers were different from those that determined the area specific use of individuals outside of the spawning season. The environmental drivers of longshore migration into the northern study site were identified as a decline in water temperature and shorter day lengths. The results of this study highlight the importance of using a multi-method approach in determining migratory movement behaviour, area specific area use, and stock structure of key fisheries species. The identification of different behavioural contingents highlights the importance of acknowledging individual variation in movement and habitat-use patterns. This is particularly relevant as future climate change and spatiotemporal variation in fishing effort may artificially skew natural selection processes to favour certain behavioural groups. This study also highlighted the importance of scientists forming relationships with resource-users, such as recreational angling lodges in areas where limited research has been conducted. This is particularly relevant within the West African context where little is known about many of the fish species that are being increasingly targeted by tourism angling ventures.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Using a reading club to help grade 4 boys, in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to position themselves as readers

  • Authors: Jansen, Lincoln Lee
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Boys -- Books and reading -- Saudi Arabia , Reading -- Sex differences -- Saudi Arabia Book clubs (Discussion groups) -- Saudi Arabia Group reading -- Saudi Arabia Reading (Elementary) -- Saudi Arabia
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42285 , vital:36642
  • Description: Widespread research exists about the challenges of getting boys to read and the gap in reading performance between boys and girls. Using a case study design within a qualitative approach, this study investigated whether engagement in a reading club could help boys in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to position themselves as readers. The literature review examined factors that hindered or advanced reading and the reading development of boys, particular in the Arab-Muslim context. Two theoretical frameworks underpin this study: Social Learning Theory which allowed for reading engagement of a social nature and Third Space Theory which enabled this engagement bringing together the in and out of school literacy practices. Grade 4 students at a school in Saudi Arabia were invited to partake in a 45 minute after-school reading club for 12 consecutive weeks. Participatory Visual Methodologies and a Reflective journal were used to generate data. Participants were asked to make drawings to express how they felt about reading in different languages and drawings to express how they felt about reading English books in a reading club. Drawings accompanied by verbal feedback along with the reflective journal notes were analysed using thematic analysis. Results from this study showed that a reading club serving as a socially supportive space does help boys in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to position themselves as readers.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Using a social-ecological systems approach to investigate hillslope seep wetlands ecosystem structure and functionality in the Tsitsa River catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Libala, Notiswa
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Wetland management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wetland ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wetland conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Slopes (Physical geography) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Vegetation management -- South Africa -- Tsitsa River Catchment , Land degradation -- Control -- South Africa -- Tsitsa River Catchment , Grazing -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Tsitsa River Catchment , Ecosystem management -- South Africa -- Tsitsa River Catchment , Wetland plants -- Effect of grazing on
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/115936 , vital:34270
  • Description: Wetlands are critical ecosystems that can provide services of great social, economic and environmental value to the society. Yet, in South Africa, hillslope seep wetlands are among the most threatened ecosystems due to human-induced activities and are disappearing rapidly. Further, despite the potential vulnerability of hillslope seep wetland to disturbances, and their criticality in relation to all year round provision of forage for livestock grazing, they are among the most poorly studied wetland systems. Using a social-ecological system framing, and drawing on a range of ecological and social sciences methods, this study shed light on ways in which an integrative approach can contribute to sustainable utilisation of hillslope seep wetlands in the Tsitsa River catchment in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The study specific objectives were to i) evaluate the performance of Floristic Quality Assessment Index (FQAI), WET-Health and Floristic Assessment Quotient for Wetlands Index (FQAWet) indices for assessing hillslope seep wetlands ecological health ii) develop a trait-based approach for assessing the potential resilience and vulnerability of hillslope seep wetland plant species to disturbances, iii) assess the role of hillslope seep wetlands in the local communities in relation to livestock, and explore understanding of local people about the value of hillslope seep wetlands, iv) demonstrate collaborative insights emerging from an integrative social-ecological system research process to inform sustainable management of hillslope seep wetlands. A total of 11 hillslope seep wetlands were visually classified based on the level of erosion. Plant species composition within the wetlands was determined along a 100 m line transects across the hillslope wetland sites. 5 quadrats of 0.2m2 were also placed along transect for vegetation collection and cover. The plant species collected were used to calculate (FQAI) and FQAWet scores to evaluate the condition of hillslope seep wetlands. The degree of human disturbances was assessed using the Anthropogenic Activity Index (AAI), an index for qualitatively assessing the degree of human disturbance based on visual inspection of a wetland site. Factors represented in the AAI, include: (i) surrounding land use intensity; (ii) soil disturbance; (iii) hydrological alteration; (iv) habitat alteration within wetland; (v) vegetation community quality. The vegetation samples were collected in summer 2016 and winter 2017. All assessed indices were regressed against AAI to evaluate their performances. All assessed indices FQAI, FQAWet and WET-Health showed that hillslope seep wetland were impacted by human activities. FQAIall and WET-Health showed the strongest response to AAI in winter, while FQAIdom and FAQWet showed a weak response to AAI in all seasons. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that FQAIall and WET-Health are potentially better tools for assessing the biological conditions of hillslope seep wetland in South Africa. A novel trait-based approach was developed using seven plant traits and 27 trait attributes. Based on the developed approach, plant species were grouped into three potentially vulnerable groups in relation to grazing pressure. It was then predicted that species belonging to the highly vulnerable group would be less dominant at the highly disturbed sites, as well as in the winter season when grazing pressure is at its highest. The result corresponds largely with the seasonal predictions; however this was not the case for sites. The approach developed in this study worked and it was useful for predicting the potential responses of plant species in hillslope seep wetlands to grazing pressure. The success of the approach seasonally could be attributed to the careful selection of the traits, reflecting the mechanistic relationship between the grazing mode of stress on vegetation and trait-mediated biotic response. However, this still need to be refined using accurate vegetation cover methods that might have had impact on the lack of correspondence within sites. The results of the present study revealed that communities largely perceive hillslope seep wetlands as important ecosystems for their livelihoods. They recognise that the importance stems from services provided by the wetlands, particularly for livestock grazing during the dry season. Although hillslope seep wetlands are viewed as important ecosystems for livelihoods, the communities also perceive these wetlands as highly eroded ecosystems. Community members indicate willingness to strengthen local natural resource governance systems, which could lead to better management of hillslope seep wetlands. A range of protective strategies for hillslope seep were suggested by community members, including fencing, active herding and rotational grazing. The study suggests that active involvement of local communities is critical to the successful management of natural resources. The study highlights the need to consider the role of local people as influential components within social-ecological systems in order to promote effective management and conservation interventions of hillslope seep wetlands. Overall, the study highlights the criticality of an integrative social-ecological system approach for holistic management of hillslope seep wetlands within the studied catchment.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Using camera traps to generate a species inventory for medium-sized and large mammals in South West Zimbabwe:

  • Authors: Welch, Rebecca J , Grant, Tanith , Parker, Daniel M
  • Date: 2019
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/150267 , vital:38955 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.3957/056.049.0089
  • Description: We investigated the presence of medium-sized and large mammals utilizing by-catch data from a camera trapping survey in the Mangwe District in South West Zimbabwe, an unprotected commercial livestock farming area which is impacted by human encroachment, poaching and trophy hunting. The camera trapping survey was carried out from 23 October to 5 December 2009, covered an area of 200 km2 and was initially intended to estimate the population density of leopards (Panthera pardus). The study area was split into two contiguous subsections, with each section sampled for a total of 20 days using 20 cameras. Camera trap photographs were identified to species level, then compared to a list of species thought to occur in the area according to available literature, as well as sightings from professional hunters and local landowners.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Using captive seabirds to assess knowledge gaps in stable isotope analysis of diets

  • Authors: Micklem, Isabel Andrea
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Stable isotopes -- Analysis African penguin -- South Africa Breeding
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65101 , vital:28686
  • Description: Stable isotope (SI) ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) are now widely used as biomarkers in ecological studies to provide information about food web structuring. However, understanding trophic relationships using SI analysis requires not only knowledge of SI values of predator and prey, but also accurate discrimination factors (DFs), which can differ among species and by physiological state. This thesis examined three questions using captive birds from the South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB). First, the effects of ontogeny on δ13C and δ15N ratios of African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) were assessed. Blood samples were collected from penguins in four age classes (P3 chicks, blues, juveniles and adults) concurrently with their diet (sardine (Sardinops sagax) and formula). Second, to assess the influence of breeding physiology on SI ratios, the blood of ten breeding pairs of penguins was sampled over a five-month period from June to October 2016. Following laying, each pair was categorised into one of three (four for whole blood) egg production phases (initial yolk deposition, rapid yolk deposition and post-laying) and their influences on SI ratios were tested. Third, species differences in DFs were evaluated for African penguins, kelp and Hartlaub’s gulls (Larus dominicanus and L. hartlaubii), greater crested terns (Thalasseus bergii) and Cape cormorants (Phalacrocorax capensis). Flying birds were mostly fed sardine with a small but unknown amount of sardinella (Sardinella aurita), DFs were therefore estimated for a 50:50 sardine:sardinella diet, a 75:25 sardine:sardinella diet and a 100% sardine diet for each flying bird species. The DFs were assessed for the whole blood (WB), red blood cells (RBC), plasma (PL) and delipidated plasma of the penguins, and only WB for the flying birds as well as flesh, whole fish, delipidated flesh and delipidated whole fish for fish species, and for formula. Results indicated that age influenced both the δ13C and δ15N of WB, only the δ15N of RBC and the δ13C of delipidated PL. The assessment of breeding physiology yielded a significant interaction between the effects of egg production phase and sex on the δ13C of WB; females had significantly lower δ13C in the rapid yolk deposition phase than the other two phases and all males. The δ13C of PL was affected only by sex, with females having a significantly lower δ13C value than males. Neither physiological state nor sex influenced the other blood components. Differences were found among the three DFs in the non-penguin species, but not for all consumer – prey tissue combinations. There were also significant differences among species with a DF calculated from a diet with the most probable prey proportions eaten. Depending on the combination of consumer and prey tissue used to calculate the DF, a different conclusion regarding trophic information can be reached. A literature review updated with the present data showed that no general pattern or grouping of similar species with regards to DF values could be drawn, highlighting the importance of determining species- and tissue-specific DFs. Thus age, egg production, tissue and species all influenced the SI values of bird blood and therefore their DFs. Not all physiological conditions affect all blood components in the same way, making different components more or less sensitive to physiological influences. Though their influence is at a small enough scale that it is unlikely to hamper correct conclusion in ecological studies, it is crucial that these factors are considered when using SI analysis (SIA). When uncertainties exist for some coefficients in wild studies, SIA should therefore be combined to other dietary techniques to determine the food web structure as best as possible.
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  • Date Issued: 2019
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