Electricity generation, transmission and distribution policy: a comparative study of Nigeria (1960-2011) and South Africa (1960-2011)
- Authors: Okafor, Chukwuemeka
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Electric power distribution -- Nigeria , Electric power distribution -- South Africa , Electric power consumption -- Nigeria , Electric power consumption -- South Africa , Electric power production -- Nigeria , Electric power production -- South Africa , Electric power transmission -- Nigeria , Electric power transmission -- South Africa , Electricity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11660 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007049 , Electric power distribution -- Nigeria , Electric power distribution -- South Africa , Electric power consumption -- Nigeria , Electric power consumption -- South Africa , Electric power production -- Nigeria , Electric power production -- South Africa , Electric power transmission -- Nigeria , Electric power transmission -- South Africa , Electricity
- Description: The electric power policies in Nigeria and South Africa are considered the governments’ intention to provide quality and affordable electricity to the people. A comparative study on the electric power policies focuses on the similarities and differences in the policy approaches, the policy issues that affect electrification, and the impact of the policy issues in achieving the goal of universal access to quality and affordable electricity power in both countries. The methodological approach allows for an in depth textual study on the electric power policy documents in both countries. In Nigeria, the government intends to address the massive demand-supply imbalance and achieve the goal of electrification through reforms that focus on private sector-led growth in the sub-sector. In South Africa, the identification of electrification as a public problem by the post apartheid government leads to an integrated policy framework that focuses on balancing economic concerns with social and environmental considerations. The study identifies electricity provision as a social welfare responsibility of the governments in both countries and examines the policy issues in the context of public welfare. In Nigeria, the policy issues are found to be self serving and not in line with sustainable public interest, given the socio-economic challenges. As a result they, exert less impact on achieving the goal of universal access to quality and affordable electricity in the country. In South Africa, good governance in the sub-sector has enabled the identification of policy issues in line with sustainable public interests of social equity, poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability; and government using public administration agencies to play a key role in service delivery. Recommendations of the study mainly derive from the South African experience on electrification, and are intended to offer some policy-lessons to Nigeria in the sub-sector. The study contributes to new knowledge in the discipline of public administration by opening up new vistas for a comparative analysis of electric power policy issues in both countries in the context of public welfare. Besides, a comparative study on electrification in Nigeria and South Africa from a policy angle contributes to the existing knowledge base in the discipline.
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- Date Issued: 2013
The impact of farmer support programmes on market access of small holder farmers in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces
- Authors: Mpuzu, Misery Sikelwa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Traditional farming -- South Africa , Family farms -- South Africa , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa , Food security -- South Africa , Food -- Safety measures , Farms, Small -- South Africa , Technological innovations -- South Africa , Export marketing -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11197 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007140 , Traditional farming -- South Africa , Family farms -- South Africa , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa , Food security -- South Africa , Food -- Safety measures , Farms, Small -- South Africa , Technological innovations -- South Africa , Export marketing -- South Africa
- Description: Most smallholder farmers in South Africa are characterized by poor resources such as land, labour and capital while they play an important role in poverty alleviation especially in poor rural areas. Smallholder farmers are increasingly recognized because of their contribution to household food security. The world markets are increasingly being integrated due to globalization and liberalization. As a result, smallholder farmers are facing increasing market competition, not only in international markets but in local markets as well. However, smallholder farmers often face a number of barriers to accessing these markets arising in part from the tightening of food safety and quality standards requiring compliance with phytosanitary and sanitary standards and growing power of supply chain integration. Furthermore, the viability of these smallholder producers is constrained by institutional obstacles which include lack of access to information, high marketing and transaction costs and low quality and lack of critical volume in the absence of bulking up arrangements, etc. These barriers have contributed to the exclusion of smallholder/small-scale farmers from formal markets. In order to address these obstacles and speed up the pace of agrarian reform many support schemes (farmer support programmes) are now being designed to specifically address market access and value chain issues through unique co-innovation arrangements to improve the farmer’s access to profitable international chains. A number of farmer support programmes (FSP) have been implemented in South Africa to reduce the risk of a lack of capacity and a lack of economic and/or financial experience in smallholder farms. Intervention measures have been instituted to these smallholder farmers to assist them to move out of poverty through agricultural production. The aim of this study was to understand the roles played by farmer support programmes in addressing income and welfare levels and sustainability of smallholder farmers in South Africa. Eighty nine (89) farmers were interviewed for this study and almost half (49%) of them received support from various organizations while 51% of the sampled farmers did not receive any support. The study was designed to compare the two groups between the treated and control group to assess the impact of these programmes.Using a Tobit and Propensity Score Matching technique, potential diffusion effects were eliminated between farmers supported by Farmer Support Programmes and farmers that did not belong to support services. The latter was selected from comparable communities with no agricultural support services. Findings from the Tobit regression and propensity score matching are consistent across the two methods, suggesting that being a member of any agricultural support programme has a significant positive impact on income and welfare of smallholder farmers.Farmer Support Programmes and collective marketing activities such as the collection and sale of members’ products appear to have a significant and positive impact on smallholder welfare of those farmers engaged in them. In the second analysis the study tested the types of arrangements that farmers would adopt to market their produce. From the results it was established that those farmers who were supported by institutional arrangements or FSP had better access to markets than those farmers who operated as individuals. Marginal effects are used to show the degree to which farmers chose a particular marketing channel or institutional arrangement that these farmers take when trying to access better paying markets. Then the final analysis is on factors that determine the extent to which collective action contribute to farmers’ income and market access. A number of variables (age, distance to the market, region the farmers are located) were evaluated using the multinomial regression model. Empirical results suggest that among South African cooperatives, those established in KwaZulu-Natal and partly in the Eastern Cape and upon the voluntary initiative of farmers are more sustainable and have access to better paying markets both locally and internationally than the other areas. The results also show that NGO-supported cooperatives have a longer life span than Government controlled cooperatives.
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- Date Issued: 2013
Strategies of maintaining discipline without the use of corporal punishment: the study of selected schools in Lady Frere, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Halu-Halu, Pheliswa Constance
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: vital:11772 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015436
- Description: The aim of the study is to explore the possibilities of maintaining discipline without corporal punishment in the two schools, Nzimankulu and Cacadu senior secondary schools in Lady Frere, Eastern Cape. The study has the following specific objectives: To establish the types of punishment existing in Nzimankulu and Cacadu Senior Secondary Schools in Lady Frere; to explore the perceptions of parents, teachers and learners of Nzimankulu and Cacadu Senior Secondary Schools on the abolishing of corporal punishment and to explore the position of the School Governing Body of the two schools about Corporal Punishment. The study uses triangulation whereby both qualitative and quantitative methodologies are applied for the investigation of the phenomena of Corporal Punishment, with a case study and a survey as research designs. The study’s sample size was 70, twenty being subjected to one-on-one interviews and 50 participants had self-administered questionnaires. An interview guide and a questionnaire, therefore, served as research instruments. The study had the following findings: participants were gender skewed with women outnumbering men; inadequate awareness of the corporal punishment policy; participants demanded restructuring of the policy; many participants disapproved corporal punishment; corporal punishment is said to be painful and violates human rights of the learners; corporal punishment upsets the learners’ social-emotional and psychological wellbeing; corporal punishment increases school dropout rate; corporal punishment makes students have a violent life in their future life; serious disciplinary cases need to be reported to the police; it is possible to maintain discipline without corporal punishment; motivation is a tool of motivating learners and a tool of maintaining discipline without corporal punishment; and detaining learners during break time is a good way of maintaining discipline without corporal punishment. The study had the following recommendations: Corporal punishment should remain banned; teachers and all the stakeholders in the schooling system need to be sensitized on non-corporal methods of maintaining discipline; education officers need to work as a team to implement non corporal types of punishments; follow-up surveys are necessary to evaluate the working of non-corporal types of punishments; there is a need to train the School Governing Body (SGB) on school policies and the community need to collaboratively revise the school code of ethics; further research is critical in assessing the effects of non-corporal types of punishments; government should facilitate a consultative process for all the important stakeholders in the schooling system to debate and brainstorm on corporal punishment; social workers should be employed in secondary schools to enhance behaviour modification process; schools need to benchmark their practices with other schools with good discipline; and discipline based lessons to be introduced in schools.
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- Date Issued: 2013
An investigation of public participation in municipal planning and performance evaluation: a case study of Mnquma Local Municipality
- Authors: Mkentane, Benjamin Zolile
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Performance -- Evaluation , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11671 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007119 , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Performance -- Evaluation , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The participation of communities and community organizations in Municipal governance is set in terms of the law as a mechanism to deepen democracy. Municipalities are required to develop a culture of governance that complements representative democracy with community participation. However the participation of communities in local governance has not translated to the strengthening of governance and the deepening of democracy as municipalities have not done enough to involve communities in municipal affaires. Lack of human resources, and financial capacity have been cited as some of the reasons that beset municipalities and undermine citizen participation. Municipalities have taken steps to encourage community participation and these include establishment of structures to enable participation, however without the guidance and financial support of the municipalities these structures are not able to perform their functions. In spite of all the efforts made by municipalities to encourage participation, a culture of community participation has not yet taken root in local government. While the legislative framework provides for communities to participate, practice shows that the implementation of legislation is complex and requires dedicated capacities within the councils to be effective. This can be achieved when municipalities develop their own community participation policies which address their special circumstances, which must be reviewed on a regular basis. Unless communities are empowered with knowledge on the available participation mechanisms, the dream of a culture of participation will remain just that, a dream. Thus civic education coupled with capacity building of officials will assist in ensuring the development of a culture of participation. Council must also develop mechanisms to evaluate the effectiveness of community participation processes and procedures, to avoid a one size fits all approach. It is imperative that councils as the legislative arm of municipalities must lead the process and not leave everything to the executive arm.
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- Date Issued: 2013
Investigation of institutions for the implementation of the Dutywa Agripark Project in Mbashe Local Municipality in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Ndita, Bongani Herschel
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Agricultural development projects , Rangelands
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24587 , vital:63210
- Description: The study investigated local institutions amongst Agri-park project beneficiaries: A case of Dutywa Agri-park in Mbashe Local Municipality. Specifically, the dissertation sought to: investigate formal and informal institutions pertaining to land, rangeland management and support services, extension services amongst Agri-park beneficiaries, and explore options with communities to strengthen these institutions for the application of the Agri-park projects. The role of local institutions in economic development has received steadily increasing attention from researchers, policy makers and development practitioners. , institutions can be defined as the formal and informal rules of the game that have been formulated to rule people‟s behaviour and transactions. Informal rules may include among others, customs, norms and standards, religion, indigenous law while formal rules may include laws, constitutions, policies, markets and firms. This study used a survey design, quantitative and qualitative research methodologies involving the use of questionnaire. The data for this study was collected from 114 households which are Agri-park project beneficiaries, the extension officer, project site manager and local economic development officer. The data were collected through face to face and telephonic interviews. Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20.0) were used for descriptive analysis in order to identify the existing local institutions and how they should be strengthen. The results showed that a number of local institutions do exist. The main findings of this study were as follows: (1) Project beneficiaries were aware of their stakeholders and that they knew the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder in the project. (2) Traditional leaders were aware about the project and that they have a major role to play. (3) Project beneficiaries have organized themselves into groups of co-operatives and their co-operatives are registered with the Department of Agriculture. (4) Project initiators are going to transfer the ownership of the project to these communities after it becomes well established. (5) There was a mutual agreement of youth employment rotation in the project between these four communities. (6) The condition of lease agreement for a land where the project currently running is 9 months renewable contract with the rental payment of R 6300.00 per annum. (7) The lease agreement gives the church a property right to reclaim the land should payments not be made. (8) Project beneficiaries possess some agricultural skills and that they have received various training. The study recommended that there is a need to strengthen these rules and regulation for the project to become more efficient and productive in the long-run. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2013
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- Date Issued: 2013
Children's grants and social security communities in the Eastern Cape: the case of Nqabarha administrative area
- Authors: Mwangolela, Tafadzwa Fungayi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Children -- Services for -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Finance , Grants-in-aid , Social security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Rural Development)
- Identifier: vital:11946 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1005990 , Children -- Services for -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Finance , Grants-in-aid , Social security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study examines the impact of children’s grants on household access to food, education and health care. In the face of increased poverty and socio-economic inequalities, social grants are a critical poverty alleviation intervention implemented by the government of South Africa. The children’s grants are offered as part of the social security system which is provided for in the Republic of South Africa Constitution of 1996 and the Social Assistance Act of 2004. The basic needs conceptual framework is the lens informing the focus of the study. Among other major findings, the study reveals that (a) childrens grants play a critical role in improvement of access to food, health care and education, (b) childrens grants are used as collateral, to access short term loans, and (c) social networks and home gardens play a significant role in aiding children’s grants to ensure household access to food, education and health care.
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- Date Issued: 2013
Experiences of students living with HIV and AIDS (SLWHA) regarding support group in a selected university campus, Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Chulayo, Amanda
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11919 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016202
- Description: South Africa has one of the highest HIV and AIDS epidemic statistics in the world, especially people under 25 years of age (Department of Social Development, 2002:11). Some university students are implicated, thus Support groups in this context are crucial to help them cope with their unique circumstances. Purpose: of this study was to assess the effectiveness of support groups for SLWHA within a university campus in the Eastern Cape Province. Method: Interviews were used to explore the experiences and challenges of SLWHA. Results: The study shows that support groups are pivotal in the wellbeing of SLWHA in meeting diverse needs such as sense fo belonging, emotional, psychological, information and knowledge,socio-economic as well as health and physical needs. Support group members experience relatively similar living experiences, dynamic as their various lives are, they are able to share their emotions and problems arising from their HIV statuses, thereby lessening their burdens. Some negative experiences were observed, like issues of confidentiality, depression and stress. Conclusion: University support groups can be improved through structured programs that includes various stakeholders like health professionals (wellness centre), university management, and others including academics within the university. Also, expanding their borders via the use of social networks, and expanding their activities to include music, sports, vegetable gardening, group visitations, skills training, and other useful projects shall help to improve lives of victims and fight against the infection of other community members.
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- Date Issued: 2013
Assessing the impact of shifting traditional leadership roles on local government in service delivery: a case study of the Bor County, Jonglei State, South Sudan
- Authors: Bior, Ajang Duot
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11694 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015046
- Description: The local level of government plays a pivotal role in the delivering of service in Bor county of Jonglei State in South Sudan. As the world‟s newest nation attained independence in July 2011, the republic of South Sudan face a huge mountain to climb in terms of service delivery for socio – economic transformation. A country which has ransacked by civil wars and economic exclusion of its people in the past, South Sudan needs to pool resources together for the sustainable betterment of its citizens. Service is solely dependent on leadership and effective and efficient service rendering, requires a people – centred, accountable and professional leadership. Traditional leaders have played a key role in the welfare of their subjects in South Sudan beginning long back, they have led, counselled, mediated disputes, allocated and managed land as well as preservation of customs and cultures. The study sought to assess shifting roles of traditional leaders in local government services delivery. It comprises of six chapters which are chronologically arranged. The main objectives of the study were to establish role which were played by Bor traditional leadership to promote service delivery at the local government level before independence, after independence, the extent to which the roles shifted, challenges they face currently and ways of solving them. The research question which guided the sought to find the answers to what roles traditional leaders played before and after independence, the shifting of roles, challenges and ways of addressing them. The paradigm used in the study is the qualitative research approach where empirical data was collected from a representative sample of 9 respondents. Data was collected using the non-random sampling techniques of purposely sampling. The researcher observed strict ethical guideline which includes informed consent, privacy and confidentiality. The study found out that traditional leaders played various roles under various governments. There were shifts in traditional leadership roles leaders can play and did not completely divert the roles leaders can play in service delivery. The study further established that Bor traditional leaders were willing service at the local government level but that they faced challenges particularly that of insecurity and war – related problems. The study therefore, recommended that government should pay attention to security in Bor County and the county at large. It was also recommended that government should train traditional leadership roles such as those applied in Ghana, Uganda, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Despite the said shift in roles, traditional leaders remain a key asset to the development of South Sudan.
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- Date Issued: 2013
Soil aggregates characteristics and interrill erosion in some weakly weathered coarse textured ecotopes in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Nebo, Godwin Iloabuchi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Soil mineralogy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil erosion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil texture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil permeability -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Soil Science)
- Identifier: vital:11963 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1004351 , Soil mineralogy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil erosion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil texture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil permeability -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Aggregate stability and aggregate size distribution on soil surface that is impacted by rain drops affect soil erosion yet little is known about less weathered coarse textured soils. The objectives of the current study were to determine (i) the aggregate stability and associated aggregate fraction size distribution and (ii) the impact of the initial aggregate size on the aggregate stability and the resulting sediment fraction size distribution following rain drop impact in some quartz dominated coarse textured soils in the Eastern Cape Province. Soil samples for this experiment were collected from 14 ecotopes on the surface with a natural slope between 7.5 to 11% and at the depth between 0 to 0.2 m in the Eastern Cape Province. In each ecotope, twenty-five different spots were sampled using a spade at depth 0 to 0.2 m in other to eradicate biasness and ensure homogeneity. Thereafter, the soil samples were mixed to make a composite sample. The composited soil samples were then placed in rigid containers and taken to the soil science laboratory of the University of Fort Hare, Alice Campus where analyses were carried out. The soil properties were determined by passing the < 5 mm soil sample through a 2 mm sieve. The total Na, Ca and Mg contents in the soil samples were also determined using the wet digestion with sulphuric acid method. The total Soil organic matter content (SOM) was determined by the process known as weight loss on ignition. Thereafter, the fraction size distribution and aggregate stability was done by passing < 5 mm soil samples through a 3 mm sieve. The obtained calibrated aggregates between 3 and 5 mm were oven dried at 40o C. Thereafter, five gram (5g) of oven dried calibrated aggregates was immersed in a 50 mL deionized water in a 250 mL beaker for 10 minutes. The soil material left was transferred to a 0.053 mm sieve already immersed in ethanol and moved five times in the ethanol to separate < 0.053 mm from > 0.053 mm fragments. The remaining > 0.053 mm was re-immersed in ethanol and further oven dried at 40o C for 5 minutes. Thereafter, the > 0.053 mm fraction was transferred from 0.053 mm sieve, oven dried at 40o C, dry sieved using Digital Electromagnetic Shaker on a six column of sieves: 2 mm, 1 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.106 mm, and 0.053 mm. The aggregate stability was determined using the resulting size distribution in seven classes by calculating the mean weight diameter (MWD, mm). The soils were very stable, moderately stable or unstable. The presence of smectite and cultivation as opposed to pasture lowered aggregate stability. The studied soils showed three different aggregate size distributions. Unstable soils were dominated by 0.106 – 0.25 mm aggregate size and showed a positively skewed aggregate fraction size distribution. Aggregates finer than 0.106 mm were limited because of the coarse nature of the soil texture. Moderately stable soils broke down to both micro aggregates, 0.106 – 0.25 mm and macro aggregates, 2 – 5 mm giving a bimodal distribution. The aggregate size distribution in the very stable soils was dominated by the aggregate fraction size 2 – 5 mm and a negatively skewed aggregate fraction size distribution. The smaller the initial aggregate size the higher was the aggregate stability but the reverse was true for splash erosion. It was thought that the short 5 minutes duration of the rainfall might not have been enough to cause a total breakdown of the aggregates. Alternatively, ecotopes that were dominated by primary soil minerals such as quartz showed different breakdown behaviour compared to those containing secondary minerals such as kaolinite or smectite.
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- Date Issued: 2013
Analysis of the influence of peer education programmes on learner behaviour, the case of Bulelani high school, Queenstown
- Authors: Bedula, Nomanani Doris
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1165 , vital:26532
- Description: This study focuses on the influence of peer education programmes on learner behaviour. Peer education is a critical approach for behaviour-change. The presentation had two objectives. The first objective was to determine the nature and extent of peer education programmes policy implementation in the school under study. The second objective was to determine the impact of the policy on learner behaviour. A questionnaire which was administered to all trained peer educators at Bulelani High School indicated that all respondents agreed that peer education was educationally relevant and offered accurate information. Furthermore, results indicated that older learners strongly agreed that peer education programmes have an impact on behavioural changes than younger learners who merely agreed on that. The results also showed that the duration of involvement in peer education programmes influences the opinion on the impact of peer education on behavioural changes. Looking at the respondents ’gender, the researcher could not find any evidence that the impact of peer education on behavioural change depends on the gender of the respondent and therefore concludes that opinions are independent of gender. The study shows that in schools where peer education programmes are well implemented and monitored, they do impact on learner-behaviour in a positive way.
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- Date Issued: 2013
The Impact of the common law and legislation on African indigenous laws of marriage in Zimbabwe and South Africa
- Authors: Gwarinda, T A
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , LLD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1421 , vital:26554
- Description: The study sought to examine the development of customary law, primarily focusing on the extent to which the true African marriage has been preserved by its incorporation in, and regulation by legislation and the constitutions of Zimbabwe and South Africa. Today, colonial legislation has either been repealed or revised. However, evidence persists suggesting the inclusion of western principles within frameworks governing African marriages such as the Customary Marriages Act and the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act of post-independence Zimbabwe and South Africa respectively. To understand the true purpose of custom, the study initially investigates the classical customary law position drawing deeper insights into the main features of the African marriage. From an African perspective, the research revealed whether legislation satisfactorily dealt with aspects such as registration of customary marriages, determination of minority and capacity to marry, payment of bride wealth, grounds for divorce, proprietary consequences of marriage during and after termination of marriage by death or divorce and women’s rights to communal land tenure and immovable property among others. Apart from legislation it became imperative to determine the role of constitutionalism and human rights law in the regulation and preservation of custom. A comparative study was motivated not only because Zimbabwe and South Africa share a border but also because migration between the two countries in the past decade due to various socio-economic forces has led to inter-marriages and cultural diversity. In addition, historically, both jurisdictions have Roman-Dutch law as the basis for the formation of their legal systems. The methodology remained largely a qualitative type research based on documentary analysis. Several findings emerged among which was the fact that, women in traditional African marriages had property rights contrary to popular belief however they continue to be most disadvantaged when it comes to having real rights in ownership of communal land. The African marriage generally sought to preserve marriage more than its western counterpart, the civil marriage. Legislation was the main vehicle for attaching customary law to western principles of law thus losing its intended purpose. Other findings were that polygamy and widow inheritance are prevalent and continue to face condemnation in today’s society; constitutionalism and international human rights law do not readily find acceptance among traditionalists; bride wealth payments persist among rural and urban folk alike and continue to symbolise a marriage between respective parties and their families; and spouses omit to register customary marriages mainly because bride wealth payments adequately legitimise their unions. Initiation ceremonies persist among some ethnic groups particularly the South African Xhosa who have adhered to circumcision for boys as determining their capacity to marry. The study concludes by making recommendations that could assist in harmonising customary law and common law. These include educational initiatives; advocacy and advice giving; regulation of unregistered customary marriages; improving access to justice; eradication of child marriages; improving the status of rural women; and constitutional reform. It is hoped that these recommendations will bridge the gap between customary law and western law as we endeavour to determine the future of the African marriage in a contemporary traditional context.
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- Date Issued: 2013
Production and characterization of a bioflocculant from a consortium of bacteria belonging to the halomonas and micrococcus genera.
- Authors: Okaiyeto, Kunle (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7211-714X)
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Flocculants , Bacteria
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26119 , vital:64917
- Description: The physicochemical properties of two bioflocculant producing bacteria; Halomonas sp. Okoh and Micrococcus sp. Leo were investigated. The optimum culture conditions for the individual species were determined. All the growth conditions examined for the individual bacteria were similar. Glucose and ammonium sulphate as sole carbon and nitrogen sources respectively resulted in optimum production of bioflocculant. The flocculating activity of the bioflocculants was stimulated when Al3+ was used as the coagulating aid under acidic medium. The information obtained from individual strains was used to produce a bioflocculant from the consortium of the two bacteria. After purification, the bioflocculant yields from 1L fermentation broths were 1.213 g from Halomonas sp. Okoh, 0.738 g from Micrococcus sp. Leo and 3.51 g from the consortium. The chemical analyses of the purified bioflocculants showed that they were glycoproteins. The thermostability property of the bioflocculants was investigated between 50-100oC and the results revealed that they are heat-stable. Fourier transform infrared revealed the presence of hydroxyl, carboxyl and amino groups in the bioflocculant molecules. Scaning electron microscope (SEM) images showed the structure of each bioflocculant(s) and kaolin clay before and after flocculation. From the results obtained, the idea of using the two strains in consortium for bioflocculant production resulted in an improvement in terms of flocculating activity and yield. The bioflocculants appears to have promise as an alternative to chemical flocculants used in various industrial processes such as wastewater treatment and drinking water purification. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty Science and Agriculture, 2013
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- Date Issued: 2013
An investigation into the management of allocated funds in schools: a case study of two selected schools in Fort Beaufort District in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Cakwebe, Pindiwe Theodora
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Allocated Funds , Constitution , Education , Financial Management -- Government , Paper Budget -- Quintile , School Governing Body -- Section 21 school
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11706 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015204 , Allocated Funds , Constitution , Education , Financial Management -- Government , Paper Budget -- Quintile , School Governing Body -- Section 21 school
- Description: The South African Schools Act (No. 84 of 1996) mandates the government to make financial allocations to needy schools. Section 21 of the Act read together with the National Norms and Standards for School Funding, stipulates that schools falling into certain categories (quintiles) receive given amount of funds per each and every learner. The funds are meant to help promote the equal and unparalleled access to education for all citizens as set-out in Section 29 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996). The study focused on investigating the manner in which two selected Section 21 primary schools are managing their allocated funds. The empirical study made use of a qualitative paradigm through which data was collected using interviews and focus group discussions to collect data from a sample comprising of thirty-five respondents. In terms of data analysis, the study used a qualitative analysis approach to interpret data into readable information for the various categories of audiences in the study. The findings of the study were, inter alia, that financial management skills are low in the schools, the amounts appropriated to schools needs to be revised upwards because schools need more funding for renovations and property development in schools, sanctions for those guilty of school financial misconduct are too soft and auditing of financial record is not being constantly done. The study recommends that the following be considered in order to help improve school financial management; the training of financial officers in school on how to best manage funds, imposition of stiffer penalties for offenders of financial misconduct and increase in allocation aimed at school property development.
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- Date Issued: 2013
Heavy metal content absorption and medicinal potential of Egeria densa (Planch.) Casp
- Authors: Mgobozi, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Heavy metals -- Physiological effect -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Egeria densa -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Heavy metals -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Phytochemicals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Aquatic weeds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Botany)
- Identifier: vital:11309 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013121 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Heavy metals -- Physiological effect -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Egeria densa -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Heavy metals -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Phytochemicals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Aquatic weeds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The contamination of heavy metals in the environment is a looming concern worldwide. Egeria densa (Planch) (Submerged aquatic plant) from two ponds: Site A with co-ordinates (32º 48’22.04”S; 26°48’58.79” E) and Site B with co-ordinates (32°48’33.25”S; 26°48’33.25”S) in Alice (Eastern Cape) was evaluated for its ability to absorb heavy metals, phytochemical constituents, antimicrobial activity and ultra-structure using standard analytic procedures. Cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) were measured in water, sediments and plant. The concentrations of these metal elements were determined with use of Inductively Coupled Plasma- Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). In sediments, the heavy metals (mg/kg) decreased in the order of their average concentration as follows: Fe (40.320) > Zn (1.259) > Pb (0.564) > Mn (0.186) > Cu (0.037) in Pond 1 whereas in Pond 2 Fe (61.527) > Cd (0.999) > Mn (0.648) > Pb (0.586) > Zn (0.156) > Cu (0.045). The highest concentration of Fe was detected in both sites and Cu being the least. The concentrations of the metals in the plants sample (from Pond 1) were found in order of Mn > Pb > Cu > Fe whereas cadmium and zinc were not detected, while the concentration in Pond 2 decreases in order of Zn > Mn > Pb > Cd > Fe > Cu. In the water samples, concentrations of heavy metals (mg/L) decreased in the order of their average concentrations as follows: Pb (35.36) > Fe (3.07) > Mn (0.238) > Cu (0.104), both cadmium and zinc were below the limit of detection in Pond 1, whereas in Pond 2 the concentrations decreased as follows: Pb (13.033) >Fe (1.69) > Cu (0.270) > Mn (0.248) > Cd (0.004) and Zinc was not detected. Phytochemical analyses of the plant extracts revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, proanthocyanidin, flavonols, saponins, alkaloid and tannins in all the extracts (water, acetone and n-hexane). Both acetone and water extracts, showed high concentration of proanthocyanidin, while tannin was the lowest in acetone extract. Antimicrobial evaluation using, Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus cereus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram negative (Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris and Serratia marcescens) bacteria showed negative results for all the strain, except Streptococcus pyogenes which was inhibited at MIC of 0.1 mg/ml. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of ultra-structure of Egeria densa, showed that certain bacteria attached to the leaf, However more work has to be done on E. densa to verify the mechanism by which it accumulates heavy metals. The study shows that E. densa has a potential of accumulating heavy metals especial Manganese in plant.
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- Date Issued: 2013
Molecular characterization of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) of raw milk from selected dairy farms in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Komani, Nosiphiwo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Mycobacterium tuberculosis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Milk -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dairy farms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dairy farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tuberculosis in cattle -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11276 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013157 , Mycobacterium tuberculosis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Milk -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dairy farms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dairy farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tuberculosis in cattle -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Tuberculosis (TB) is an ancient infectious disease that has been infecting different populations around the globe and it has also been considered as one of the most successful human and animal disease. TB found in animals such as cattle and other known bovids is known as bovine tuberculosis. Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is an infectious disease found in cattle mainly caused by Mycobacterium bovis. M. bovis is a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) together with M. tuberculosis, M. africanum, and M. canetti where the natural host is humans; whereas M. caprae, M. microti and M. pinnipedii usually have animals as their natural host. In this study the molecular characterization of the MTC from cow milk in the Eastern Cape was investigated. One hundred and twenty samples (40 ml each) were collected from three dairy farms in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. These samples were processed using a modified Petroff decontamination method. Sample processing was followed by DNA isolation using a Zymo Bacterial/Fungal DNA Kit and the amplification and detection of the MTC was done using the Seeplex MTB Nested ACE assay. The drug susceptibility tests were done using GenoTypeMTBDRplus assay which detects mutations and resistance to INH (isoniazid) and RMP (rifampicin). The milk isolates were further analyzed using a spoligotyping method which is based on the PCR amplification of a highly polymorphic direct repeat locus in the M. tuberculosis genome which detects and types the MTC. A percentage of 20.8 % samples were found to be positive for MTC using the Seeplex MTB Nested ACE assay. There were 42.1 % samples that were resistant to both INH and RMP with the rest sensitive to either INH or RMP. The spoligotyping method showed that 78.3 % samples resembled Family 33 strains and the rest (21.7 %) resembled a spoligotyping signature known to be that of M.africanum. Both these strains belong to the Ancestral lineage with Indo-Oceanic and West Africa 2 lineage. The outcomes of our study showed that molecular methods for detection of MTC can be applied directly on milk samples without the need for culturing.
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- Date Issued: 2013
Perspectives of communities on use of alcohol among children in rural areas
- Authors: Noganta, Nandi Manako
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Children -- Alcohol use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Substance abuse -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Families -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Alcohol use , Community development , Ecosystems approach , Rural areas , Children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: vital:11760 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1005631 , Children -- Alcohol use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Substance abuse -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Families -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Alcohol use , Community development , Ecosystems approach , Rural areas , Children
- Description: Globalisation raises hopes that communities will become self reliant through development success and thus become an integrated whole (Offiong 2001). But the creation of global village leads to fragmentation of communities, a loss of norms and local values. This study focuses on communities of the Eastern Cape Province, exploring the nature of and extent to which children use alcohol as a consequence of cultural rituals. The researcher aims to develop a culturally sensitive psycho-social approach to address alcohol use among children. The purpose of the research was to investigate the extent to which certain cultural practices contribute towards alcohol use among children in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape Province. Thus exploring the nature and extent to which children use alcohol as a consequence of cultural rituals and to explore whether families and communities are aware of the impact of alcohol use by children in the community. The research was qualitative in nature and through semi-structured interview schedules the researcher was able to gain insight in the area of substance use amongst children in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape Province. Community members, learners from schools, educators and probation officers formed part of the research sample. The research findings suggest that community members are aware that the traditional rituals that are carried out in the rural areas have been contributing to the issue of children using alcohol. However, the community members feel challenged as they become conflicted by their traditional rituals and this impacts upon children using alcohol.
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- Date Issued: 2013
School stakeholders’ perceptions on the mainstreaming of pregnant learners in two East London secondary schools
- Authors: Mahlambeni, Ntombikayise Sylvia
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teenage pregnancy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Pregnant teenagers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mainstreaming in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16181 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006236 , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teenage pregnancy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Pregnant teenagers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mainstreaming in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Description: Teenage pregnancy is one of the major factors leading to girls dropping out of school especially in developing countries such as South Africa. To address the problem, the South African government has put forward policies which allow for the continued enrolment of learners who could fall pregnant while at school. However, there is evidence that pregnant learners drop out of school even though these policies are in place. Hence this study investigated the perceptions of the school stakeholders on the mainstreaming of pregnant learners and one of the stakeholders is the pregnant learners themselves. This study also aimed to investigate the way pregnant learners were perceived and treated in their schools and the views of the stakeholders on supporting the pregnant learners academically. It also aimed to explore leadership and management implications of the school stakeholders’ perceptions. This study revealed that some of the stakeholders were not aware of the existence of the policy that allows for the mainstreaming of pregnant learners in public schools. Those that indicated that they were aware of it reported to have a fuzzy idea of the policy. It seemed there was no shared understanding of the policy among the stakeholders; as a result the policy was not effectively implemented in the schools. This could also be the reason for the negative attitude shown by some of the school stakeholders to the policy. However, all stakeholders voiced out their opinions about this policy. With regards to the policy implementation they expressed fears that the educators may not be capacitated enough to deal with learner pregnancy and also that the pregnant learners may have a negative influence on other learners. Cultural beliefs and stereotypes seemed to play a role on how the stakeholders perceived the policy that legislated the mainstreaming of pregnant learners.
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- Date Issued: 2013
An analysis of the use of the balanced score card as a performance management tool for mathematics educators: a case study of Amajingqi Secondary School
- Authors: Monese, Nkosinathi Lawrence
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Problem employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Achievement motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Personnel management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organizational commitment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mathematics teachers -- Education (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11654 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006982 , Problem employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Achievement motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Personnel management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organizational commitment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mathematics teachers -- Education (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: In the study the researcher has investigated the effectiveness of the use of the balanced score card as a performance management tool for grade 12 mathematics teachers at Amajingqi Secondary School in Adelaide, in the Fort Beaufort district, circuit 8. Thirty learners, four principals, four educators who teach mathematics and the mathematics Head of Department in the schools were selected as participants in this research. A questionnaire (Appendix A) was handed out to principals, HOD’s, mathematics educators and learners doing mathematics in the four schools (4) selected for the study. The main findings of this study were: Mathematics teachers had an average of sixteen years of experience in the subject. Maths teachers do no pay much attention to slow learners. Learners are demotivated and need motivation to perform above average. Learners do not practice mathematics enough. Parental involvement is lacking in assisting learners with schoolwork let alone mathematics. Maths teachers are overloaded with work as in the schools researched one teacher would teach mathematics from Gr. 8 to 12.
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- Date Issued: 2013
Strategies employed by primary school teachers to support non-isiXhosa speaking learners in Mthatha education district
- Authors: Gobingca, Zameka
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Primary school teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Primary school teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teaching -- Methods , Xhosa language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Native language
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16189 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006250 , Primary school teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Primary school teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teaching -- Methods , Xhosa language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Native language
- Description: The purpose of this research was to investigate strategies employed by primary teachers to support the non-isiXhosa speaking learners of Mthatha Education District. This was the researcher’s observation and concern emanating from the difficulties displayed by her non-isiXhosa speaking learners, as the medium of instruction in these schools is not their mother tongue. The language of learning and teaching (LOLT) is isiXhosa in the school where the research was conducted. The school is composed of non-isiXhosa speaking and isiXhosa speaking learners. The research sought to address the following questions: 1 What strategies are employed by Mthatha district teachers to support non- isiXhosa speaking learners? 2 What challenges do Mthatha teachers face in supporting the non-isiXhosa speaking learners? 3 How do Mthatha teachers overcome the challenges they face in supporting the non-isiXhosa speaking learners? The qualitative design approach was used in this study. The study was a case study of one Mthatha primary school. Face-to-face interviews were used to collect the data from the six female teachers who teach from Grade 1 to Grade 6 and one male teacher who is the principal of the selected school, and who teaches English and Life Orientation from Grade 7 to Grade 9. The interviews were tape-recorded. The data collection process began after all the ethical consideration requirements were fulfilled and approved by the relevant stakeholders of the research. The thematic approach was adopted as data analysis of the study was guided by the responses given to the questions asked of interviewed teachers. The research showed the following results which surfaced from the data provided by the respondents: (i) Teachers employed few teaching strategies to support the non-isiXhosa speaking learners in their multilingual classroom. The interviewed teachers expressed their challenges as stemming from the large numbers of learners in their classrooms; (ii) IsiXhosa as a language of learning and teaching was a challenge for the non-isiXhosa speaking learners. (iii) Absenteeism and indiscipline by non-isiXhosa speaking learners (iv) Limited or non-involvement of parents in the education of children The data also showed that there was limited support to empower teachers to deal with multilingual classrooms. The study made the following and other recommendations based on the results: teachers should use many teaching strategies in linguistically diverse classrooms. The school management teams (SMTs) should admit learners in relation to the number of teachers available in a school. It is also recommended that schools implement the language policy as it relates to the learners in each classroom. The DoE should increase parental involvement in the education of their children and also provide professional support to teachers.
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- Date Issued: 2013
Determinants of household savings in South Africa: an econometric approach
- Authors: Chipote, Precious
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com
- Identifier: vital:11479 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015281
- Description: Savings play a crucial role in promoting economic growth through their effect on investments. In addition, savings cushion the economy against fluctuating international capital flows. In periods of low or fluctuating capital, domestic savings are essential to finance high levels of capital formation thereby leading to increased productivity and sustainable economic growth. In South Africa saving levels have been declining, particularly household savings. This has been a major cause of concern as low savings hinder economic growth. In light of this, the study explored the determinants of household savings in South Africa over the period 1990 to 2011 using quarterly data. Based on the review of the theoretical and empirical literature, particular attention was paid to the effects of age dependency ratio, the level of household income, inflation and real interest rate on household savings. Apart from informal graphical test, the study employed the Augmented Dickey-Fuller and Phillips Perron unit root tests to test for stationarity in the time series. To identify the long-run and short-run dynamics among the variables, the study used the Johansen co-integration and the Error Correction Mechanism. Results of the study indicated that age dependency ratio, inflation and real interest rate have a positive impact on household savings whilst income has a negative long run relationship with household savings. In addition, the findings revealed that income, inflation and real interest rate play a major role in determining household savings whereas age dependency ratio is insignificant. The study recommends that the government should employ a countercyclical fiscal policy to avoid the development of excessive current account deficits during periods of more rapid economic growth, rising investment and falling saving.
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- Date Issued: 2013