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Towards understanding the effect of size variation on the aggressive and feeding behaviours of juvenile dusky kob Argyrosomus japonicus (Pisces: Sciaenidae)

  • Authors: Babane, Siviwe Elvis
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Argyrosomus -- Feeding and feeds , Aquaculture , Fishes -- Cannibalism , Fishes -- Feeding and feeds
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59592 , vital:27629
  • Description: Many studies have been conducted on the effect of size-grading in other fish species. However, there is a paucity of scientific information on the effects of size variation on cannibalism of juvenile dusky kob. Thus, a study focusing on the effect of size variation on juvenile dusky kob aggressive and feeding (browsing) behaviours was conducted. Three separate groups of hatchery-reared juvenile dusky kob of were obtained from Oceanwise (Pty) Ltd for use in a series of three experimental trials. In all trials, juvenile fish of the same age were size-graded and the COV-value was used to determine the size variation. The focal fish (largest fish) was exposed to groups of fish with different size variation for 30-min. behavioural observations before and after feeding in randomised trials. The first experimental trial (Chapter 2) quantified the effect of increasing size variation and observation time on the aggressive and browsing behaviours of juvenile dusky kob. On average, juvenile dusky kob weighed 3.60 ± 0.68 g fish-1 and measured 5.8 ± 0.41 mm. Each focal fish was observed (a) before feeding in the morning, (b) 2 h after feeding, (c) 6 h after feeding and (d) 12 h after feeding. Fish increased browsing behaviours (averaging 6.60 ± 0.56) and decreased intimidating aggressive behaviours (18.60 ± 1.39) 12 h after feeding. Other aggressive behaviours occurred but did not differ between observation times. Aggressive and browsing behaviours positively correlated with size variation variables, predominantly, 12 h after feeding. An average frequency of 19 chases were observed positively correlated with size variation, followed by average frequencies of 17 body bites and browses, and 11 tail bites per 30 min. Some behaviours including average frequencies of 0.2 chases, 4 tail bites, 2.4 intimidating and 0.3 browsing behaviours negatively correlated with the size variation, generally closer to the last meal. These preliminary observations thus showed that fish have become hungry approximately 6-12 h after feeding and substituted certain behaviours for others as time after feeding passed and as size variation increased. The second experimental trial (Chapter 3) consisted of the observations further testing the relationship between aggressive behaviours and size variation of juveniles of dusky kob averaging 0.43 ± 0.27 g fish-1. The focal fish was exposed to groups of fish of four size variation (COV) treatments for observations before and 12 h after feeding. Aggressive behaviours positively correlated with size variation both before and 12 h after feeding. An average frequency of 437 body bites positively correlated more often with COV, followed by average frequencies of 365 intimidating behaviours and 199 tail bites per 30 min., respectively, before and 12 h after feeding. The least often exhibited aggressive behaviours averaged 26 chases while positively correlating with size variation on the times specified. An average frequency of 311 intimidating behaviours before and after feeding including average of 28 tail bites after feeding negatively correlated with size variation. This may relate to shift of behaviours depending on the needs and capacity of the fish. Apparently, aggressive fish can change its behaviour as a function of COV-values rather than the mean size of the other fish. The third trial (Chapter 4) investigated the effect of the aggressor’s (focal fish) size in relation its aggressive and browsing behaviours to other fish (non-focal fish). Juvenile fish used for this trial, on average, weighed 30 ± 7.63 g fish-1. Aggressive and browsing behaviours were observed in four treatments of a) high COV and mean weight below, b) low COV and mean weight less, c) high COV and mean weight equivalent to and d) low COV and mean weight higher than that of the focal fish. Increased frequencies of aggressive and browsing behaviours per 30 min. occurred in treatment A, sharing similar frequencies in treatment C, compared to the other treatments (B and D) which shared certain frequencies. The intimidating behaviours predominated, followed by browsing, body bites, chases and tail bites, respectively. The results of the overall study suggest that the time passed after feeding and increasing size variation and differences facilitated aggressive and browsing behaviours in juvenile dusky kob. Dusky kob showed increasing aggressive behaviours as early as in the first two weeks after hatching, averaging 0.43 ± 0.27 g fish-1 with the frequency correlating with size differences. Consistent size-grading technique in the same-age fish should be used to manage size variation associated with aggressive behaviours. The period of about 4-6 h after feeding may explain the noticeable increased aggressive and browsing behaviours. Thus, fish should be fed immediately before or after evacuation of their guts to maintain less-aggressive behaviours of juvenile dusky kob. Fish generally increased aggressive and browsing acts before and long time after feeding than closer to after feeding. The study has provided the fundamental scientific groundwork for fish farmers and future researchers can further explore size variation, time after feeding and gut evacuation rate as critical components of aggressive behaviours. The scientific knowledge of aggressive and cannibalistic behaviours has essential application in farming management to achieve improved survival and growth rates in juvenile fish.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

An investigation of the leadership practices and organizational culture at a private Christian school

  • Authors: Babu, Bithun
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Church schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leadership , Corporate culture
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62155 , vital:28133
  • Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate the leadership practices and organizational culture at a private Christian school in the Eastern Cape. A preliminary review of leadership literature suggested that traces of servant leadership may be apparent at the organization. Thus servant leadership will form a key focus area for exploration in this study. An analysis of this nature can make one aware of the influence leadership has in shaping the organizational culture of an institution. This in turn can be used to inform the future thinking around leadership efforts with respect to culture formation within an organization. The issue was addressed by consulting various articles to view the issue from different perspectives. The school served as a vehicle to explore the tenets of leadership and organizational culture. The study will take the form of a descriptive quantitative study. It was concluded that leadership plays a significant role in establishing the culture at an organization. However, leadership is not the only factor that shapes the organizational culture of an institution. The beliefs and values of the organization also has a role in shaping the overall culture and identity of an organization.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Conflict analysis with a focus on community polarisation: a case study of a wind energy project in Switzerland

  • Authors: Bachmann, Melanie
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Conflict management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42428 , vital:36654
  • Description: Switzerland, like many other countries, wants to expand the production and usage of renewable energies, including wind energy. However, wind energy causes much conflict due to the emissions and possible impacts on the people, nature and landscape. In the canton of Glarus a wind energy project called LinthWind is currently projected. This has resulted in a public dispute involving several parties and members of the community. In opposition to the project, the association LinthGegenWind was formed with the aim of keeping the area free from wind turbines. The project developer, as well as LinthGegenWind, are organising information events and provide information through other platforms. The aim of this research is to provide the community with a thorough understanding of the conflict, including its dynamics and possible destructive processes. Through the conduction of conflict analysis, it investigates the conflict evolving around the project LinthWind. With the help of an online questionnaire, the opinions of the participants regarding the project and also the factors influencing the opinion-formation were enquired. This allowed for an examination of the polarization of the community and the factors contributing to it. The conflict analysis presents detailed information regarding the conflict history and background, the parties involved, issues under contention, sources and causes of the conflict, driving factors and the dynamics. Many factors indicate that the dispute is in an escalating phase. It was further shown that the affected community is clearly polarised regarding the project LinthWind. The polarisation is most likely enhanced by certain measures applied by the parties and the voting process. Independently gathered information by the people themselves seem to be the strongest influencing factors for the opinion formation. The success of the tactics applied by the project developer and the association opposing the project vary regarding their influence on the opinion formation. Missing communication between the parties and a polarised community exacerbates effective conflict management. In the case of LinthWind, a forum is therefore suggested where communication and information – the basics for constructive conflict management – are enabled.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The impact of the LRA amendments 2015 - section 198 on labour flexibility in the nelson Mandela Bay automotive component manufacturing industry

  • Authors: Badenhorst, Petri
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Employment agencies -- South Africa , Labor market -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23360 , vital:30535
  • Description: For many years businesses have been capitalising on the benefits that employees employed on a temporary basis through temporary employment services (labour brokers) has had to offer in terms of labour flexibility. Following the passing of the amended Labour Relations Act of South Africa in early 2015, much attention has been given to section 198 as this section aims to further regulate the use temporary employment. The main objective of this paper consists in studying the impact that the recent amendments to section 198 of the Labour Relations Act have had on labour flexibility in the Nelson Mandela Bay automotive component manufacturing industry. The paper examines how businesses have historically benefitted from the use of temporary labour, how these benefits are slowly being removed, and how businesses are responding to mitigate the risks associated with this legislative change whilst becoming compliant. As the topic being researched is still very recent, with certain legal aspects remaining to be fully tested in the courts, it is hoped that that this study will provide sufficient information to assist all the stakeholders of businesses to make more informative decisions in the future.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The uses of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794)(Diptera: Calliphoridae) in forensic entomology:

  • Authors: Badenhorst, Rozane , Villet, Martin H
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140631 , vital:37905 , DOI: 10.1080/20961790.2018.1426136
  • Description: Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) occurs on every continent and is closely associated with carrion and decaying material in human environments. Its abilities to find dead bodies and carry pathogens give it a prominence in human affairs that may involve prosecution or litigation, and therefore forensic entomologists. The identification, geographical distribution and biology of the species are reviewed to provide a background for approaches that four branches of forensic entomology (urban, stored-product, medico-criminal and environmental) might take to investigations involving this fly.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The use of a silica based coating to reduce moisture absorption of flax fibre reinforced composites

  • Authors: Bala, Sandisiwe
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Chromatographic analysis , Nonwoven fabrics Nanocomposites (Materials)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23349 , vital:30534
  • Description: This study deals with the synthesis of silica particles, treatment of flax fabrics with silica, and the preparation and characterization of silica coated flax fibre reinforced phenolic composites treated with silica. Silica particles were successfully prepared by means of a hydrolytic sol-gel route. Two types of silica were prepared by employing either ammonium hydroxide solution as a base catalyst and acetic acid as an acid catalyst. The silica sols were then aged from three to five days in order to determine the effects of aging on the final properties of the silica. The chemical composition of the silica particles was evaluated by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal stability was determined by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and structural and physical properties of the silica particles prepared via two catalysts and aged at different time periods was investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD). Silica sols, prepared at different conditions were then applied to treat flax fabrics (untreated/scoured) by use of the padding technique. The effects of the silica treatments on flax fabrics were evaluated by FTIR, XRD, determination of moisture content and mechanical properties. The FTIR revealed presence of silica groups on the silica treated flax fabrics, thus resulting in low moisture content for silica treated flax fabrics. XRD analysis revealed that aging the silica sols increases the crystallinity index. Silica treated flax fabrics showed enhanced tensile properties in the weft direction. The thermal, mechanical and water sorption properties of the composites were evaluated. TGA results revealed that the decomposition temperatures of the silica treated composites shifted to higher temperatures. Thus, silica treatments lead to an improvement in thermal stability for composites. A reduction in mechanical properties was also observed for silica treated composites and some composites showed a reduction in water absorption. It was quite evident from this study that the type of catalyst system used in silica preparation has a great influence on the final properties of the silica, which to a large extent changes the thermal, mechanical and water sorption properties of the composites.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Factors that make a visit to selected Eastern Cape national parks a memorable experience

  • Authors: Baldie, Carole Audrey
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Tourism -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tourism -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Customer relations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management Addo Elephant National Park (South Africa)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21461 , vital:29524
  • Description: South African National Parks (SANParks) manages 19 functional national parks (NPs) and oversees the conservation of South Africa’s (SA’s) biodiversity, landscapes and heritage assets. The organisation plays a significant role in the promotion of SA’s nature-based tourism business which in turn forms part of the nation’s heritage and identity. Tourism to SA’s NPs is significant and interest in visiting these parks continues to increase annually, from both international and domestic markets. Three of these NPs are located in the Eastern Cape province, namely Addo Elephant National Park (AENP), Camdeboo National Park (CNP) and Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) and were the focus of this study. The main reason for conducting the current study was to establish what factors make visits to the three aforementioned NPs memorable. The findings of this research could be useful to all NPs and assist them in making decisions regarding the evaluation and creation of product offerings that will enhance experiences and make them memorable for tourists. Based on the findings, and because each NP is unique (for example, the different biodiversity and landscapes), the product offerings can also be made exclusive to each NP and therefore tourists can have the opportunity for different MTEs in each park. Providing product offerings that afford MTE opportunities are particularly important for NPs, as government funding is decreasing and each NP needs to generate its own funds. Tourism is presently the economic lifeline for the parks. If NPs focus on improving current products where necessary and developing new products that provide for MTEs, NPs could increase their competitive advantage. Having a competitive advantage can ensure an increase in tourism numbers and therefore the financial sustainability of the park. Data was collected on site at each of the three NPs selected for the study, using convenience sampling to select respondents. A web-based survey was also posted on the SANParks’ website. Prior to the posting of the web-based survey, SANParks conducted a simple random sampling procedure utilising a sampling frame of tourists who had previously visited the respective NPs. The selected target population emanating from simple random sampling was e-mailed the link to the SANParks website which guided respondents to the online questionnaire if they wished to take part in the survey, hence the response sample was a convenience sample. In total, 463 usable questionnaires were received. Descriptive statistics resulted from the data analysis. A frequency analysis showed the distribution of the results, while an exploratory factors analysis (EFA) was conducted to ascertain any latent factors in the data. The results of the EFA showed the presence of three latent factors which were labelled Pleasure, Social Interaction and Discovery and Enrichment. Firstly, a strong positive correlation was shown between two of the factors, namely Pleasure and Discovery and Enrichment, and secondly, a positive correlation between two other factors, namely Social Interaction and Discovery and Enrichment was indicated. A weak correlation was shown between the factors Pleasure and Social Interaction. This research has contributed to the knowledge base regarding the factors that make a visit to AENP, CNP and MZNP memorable. Future research can make use of these factors for more exhaustive research in a wider range of NPs.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

How the roles of CEO's differ in response to different circumstances and in the context of succession: Anglo American-a case study

  • Authors: Ball, Leslie
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Organizational change , Strategic planning , Executive succession , Anglo American Corporation of South Africa, ltd.
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60799 , vital:27832
  • Description: A review of the literature revealed that firms are inherently influenced by leadership in the upper echelons of the organization. The seminal paper of Hambrick and Mason (1984) has sparked much interest in the realm of organizational leadership. Studies involving organizational leadership have concentrated on leadership styles, the manner in which leadership takes place, leadership succession and organizational performance in an attempt to understand the dynamics of the senior leadership of organizations. Research has also explored how changes in the top management of firms has impacted its performance. This research has primarily been concerned with how a firm is impacted, once succession takes place, and has focused on financial performance, change in strategy and stockholder reaction (Shen & Cannella, 2002; Barron, Chulkov & Waddell, 2011; Friedman & Singh, 1989). Although their predisposition will largely influence the manner in which the incoming CEO acts, the literature has largely neglected the role the incoming CEO must fulfil, and how he/she steers the company, once appointed. In response, the following aim was developed to address this gap: To describe how the roles of two CEO's of the same company differed, during different time periods. The CEO assumes various strategic leadership roles, which they carry out in the context of their new environment once succession has taken place. From the literature, six strategic leadership roles were identified, which formed the foundation of this study. These were strategy formulation, strategy implementation, developing organizational culture, emphasizing ethical practices, managing the firm's resource portfolio and establishing balanced controls. The study set out to comparatively analyze two CEO's of the same firm during different periods. Both CEO's were investigated from the perspective of strategic leadership roles, allowing a comparison of their behaviour. The study analyses and describes these roles, and how they differed between the CEO's, in reaction to differing situational factors and in the context of succession. The study employed a deductive qualitative case study research design. This allowed the researcher to examine the complex phenomenon which have previously been studied at a more superficial level using quantitative methods (Baxter & Jack, 2008; Parrino, 1997; Jooste & Fourie, 2009). A qualitative methodological approach allowed the researcher to examine the topic through a lens which takes into account human variables and processes (Baxter & Jack, 2008). Data was sampled using purposive and convenience sampling while applying the critical incident technique. Data was collected through information sources such as news articles, press releases, annual reports, online interviews, news websites and other documents. Thematical analysis was used during the analysis phase of the study and allowed for patterns and links to be drawn between the collected data. The succession from one CEO to the next served as the comparative element of the study, which allowed for a contrasting of how both CEO's carried out their strategic leadership roles by adapting to their environment, and how they guided the strategic trajectory of the company. The study also took into account what both CEO's were confronted with at the start of their tenure and how this influenced how they carried out their leadership roles. It was found that Cynthia Carroll exercised her roles in a manner which addressed ethical and stakeholder engagement issues within the business. This was translated directly into how she guided the trajectory of the company. Upon appointment, Mark Cutifani exercised his roles in a manner which addressed the organizational performance and financial well-being of the company. This translated directly into how he shaped Anglo's trajectory in an attempt to better its financial performance. Given how they exercised their strategic roles in the company, each CEO influenced Anglo American's direction in a different way, which in turn, influenced the performance of the organization. It was shown that Cynthia Carroll improved the stakeholder engagement, communication and safety within the company, demonstrating behaviour that emphasized the importance of the ethics of the company. When the business had been carrying out its ethical practices effectively, but underperforming financially, Cutifani demonstrated the roles which would be geared toward resurrecting the organizational performance of the organization. Recommendations are made for further research including applying the same research method to investigate how these roles are carried out in companies which operate in a broad spectrum of industries.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Investigation of the thermo-chemical behaviour of coal-algae agglomerates

  • Authors: Baloyi, Hope
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Biomass energy , Coal -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23913 , vital:30642
  • Description: There is a growing research interest in the co-processing of biomass and coal, with the aim of addressing the negative attributes associated with the thermal processing of coal alone. Biomass feedstocks are regarded as a clean, renewable source, and the co-utilization of biomass feedstocks with coal is deemed to have a potential to reduce emission of pollutants (i.e. NOx and SOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC’s). Moreover, biomass are thermally reactive and thus facilitate the conversion of coal during co-processing. Biomass material and coal are two autonomous fuel materials with different chemical characteristics and have a dissimilar thermal behaviour making it difficult to achieve chemical interaction between the two solid fuels to contribute to the formation of products. Coalgae® Technology developed at the Nelson Mandela University, involves the biological treatment of coal fines by adsorbing live microalgae biomass (in slurry form) onto waste coal fines to form coal-microalgae agglomerates. This new innovative approach seeks to integrate bio-based feedstock into coal thermal processing and to improve the utilization and thermal efficiency of coal fines as well as the interaction between the volatile components of biomass and coal during thermal processing (e.g. devolatilization), thereby overcoming some of the challenges that confront the co-processing of coal and biomass. Coal fines are low-ranked coals, generally characterized by high contents of sulphur, high ash yields, low calorific values and poor thermal reactivity, and these attributes limits the thermo-chemical processing of the coal fines. Therefore, this investigation was undertaken to assess the thermo-chemical behaviour of coal-microalgae agglomerates, formed by adsorbing live microalgae slurry at varying ratios onto coal fines. For this purpose, the effects of adsorbing microalgae at varying ratios on the chemical characteristics and thermal behaviour of coal fines under pyrolytic conditions were investigated. The primary aim was to assess whether the thermo-chemical behaviour of coal-microalgae agglomerates, formed by adsorption of live microalgae onto fine coal, is substantively modified compared to a simple additive model of the original coal and pre-dried microalgae biomass samples. Results obtained from the proximate analyses performed on an Eltra Thermo-gravimetric analyzer (TGA) thermostep, have shown that the adsorption of microalgae slurry onto coal fines does not possess greater influence in improving the yield of volatiles and ash in coal fines than can be expected from a simple additive model of the original raw materials. Based on the ultimate analyses results, it was found that the adsorption of microalgae slurry resulted in a systematic reduction in the sulphur content, a notable increase in the hydrogen and oxygen contents, however, no significant disparities were found between the measured ultimate properties of coal-microalgae agglomerates as compared to the theoretically-expected ultimate properties from a simple linear combination of parental coal and microalgae biomass. Assessment of the thermal behaviour of parental samples and coal-microalgae agglomerates involved the use non-isothermal (40-900ºC, 20 K/min) thermogravimetry under inert conditions. It was found that the adsorption of microalgae slurry onto coal fines resulted in an improved thermal reactivity of coal fines, although, did not affect the overall pyrolysis characteristics of the coal fines. Comparison of the thermal profiles (measured and calculated TG/DTG curves), revealed that the yield of volatile products during the pyrolysis of coal-microalgae blends do not exceed the expected volatile yields from a simple combination of coal and microalgae biomass. These results suggest that there was no positive or accelerative synergistic interaction between volatile components of adsorbed microalgae and coal fines during pyrolysis. Mild pyrolysis of raw coal and coal-microalgae performed in a fixed-bed reactor furnace (450ºC), resulted in improved yields of Fossil-Bio crude (FBC) oil (derived from coal-microalgae pyrolysis), at increased biomass ratio compared to coal tar. FBC Oil was found to contain relatively high contents of oxygen, hydrogen, and low sulphur content than coal tar. GC-MS analyses showed the presence of a heterocyclic compounds (i.e. Indole and 2, 6 dimethyl pyridine) in the FBC oil and these were not identified in the coal tar. Furthermore, high boiling compounds such as Flourene, pyrene and pentacosane were identified in the coal tar, however not identified in the FBC oil. Simulated distillation results showed notable differences between the FBC oil and coal tar in terms of the distribution of boiling point fractions particularly, high boing point components. Semi-devolatilized chars derived from coal-microalgae agglomerates showed substantial degree of decarboxylation and dehydrogenation compared to the coal chars.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Determinants of Type 2 diabetes mellitus among HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral drugs in the OR Tambo District, South Africa

  • Authors: Bam, Nokwanda Edith
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: HIV/AIDS Diabetes mellitus (DM) -- Patients Antiretroviral drugs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD Health Sciences
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1476 , vital:35976
  • Description: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a frequent adverse effect of antiretroviral drugs for those who are on ARVS. People with type 2 DM can suffer multiple complications that hinder the quality of life. In South Africa research has shown significant increase in neuropathy, heart and kidney diseases among patients living with type 2 DM and HIV/AIDS compared to DM without HIV. Accessed knowledge lacked consistency on the predictors of DM in HIV/AIDS patients with regards to the type of ARVS with higher risks of DM. Research needed to be done to find the determinants of type 2 DM in HIV/AIDS context. The purpose of this study was to describe the determinants of type 2 DM among HIV/AIDS patients on ARVS in the OR Tambo District, SA in order to develop intervention strategies to mitigate the long-term effects of type 2 DM. A quantitative research methodology using a case control retrospective study was used. A sample of 177 (33%) cases with HIV/AIDS and type 2 DM was selected using a one stage stratified sampling with allocation proportional to size of each stratum of the four sub-districts of OR Tambo District. Two non-diabetic patients with HIV/AIDS were selected as controls per case unpaired and totalled up to 354 (67%) controls. A self-administration questionnaire adopted from the WHO (2011) STEPwise surveillance tool for chronic diseases was used for data collection. Stata (standard version 13.0, Stata Corp., Lakeway Drive USA) was used for data management and analysis. Findings of the study revealed determinants of type 2 DM grouped as the socio-demographic determinants; tertiary education and marital status, levels of physical activities; lack of vigorous activity and sport, types of diets; high fruits and vegetables and healthy eating out at restaurants, arterial blood pressure; lack of routine BP check and known HPT and types of ARVS used in HIV/AIDS therapy. Compared with patients who received FDC, the risk of type 2 DM was 43 times and 22 higher when a tri-therapy regimen contained Ritonavir and Lopinavir respectively . The majority of DM patients (n=177) were diagnosed type 2 DM after ARVS at n=108 (61%). In managing the diabetic patients a shift from a single disease to multiple-chronic disease focus is required to mitigate the complex drug interactions that exist in the control of NCDs such as HIV/AIDS, DM, HPT and other long-term diseases. The HIV/AIDS and type 2 DM awareness and care intervention strategy is recommended as healthy lifestyle, monitoring of side effects and drug interactions, enhanced FDC roll out and elimination of unsafe ARVS to improve the health outcomes of type 2 DM patients in an HIV/AIDS context in OR Tambo District.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

An analysis on the use of web-based ontology to support ubiquitous learning in South African secondary schools

  • Authors: Bamigboye, Oluwatosin Omotoyosi
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Internet in education World Wide Web Ontology
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12859 , vital:39385
  • Description: There is certainly a need to upgrade our educational system and this can be done through technology-enhanced learning. Technology-enhanced learning can be achieved by developing a web-based ontology e-learning platform, which allows learning to take place ubiquitously. In achieving this task, this research is focusing on analyzing the use of web-based ontology to support the design and implementation of a ubiquitous learning system in South Africa. The implemented web-based ontology e-learning system was deployed and tested. The system testing was done on two variables (Information retrieval and Scalability) of localhost and client system, with the following testing metrics: time is taken for information retrieval, request time to process the request, transfer rate, time localhost receives request, time to respond, roundtrip time for request and network usage. The metrics testing was achieved using apache benchmarking console and gnuplot application to generate the data captured and performance graph, while Wireshark was also used to test/analyze round trip time and network usage through the deployed system. The results of the findings in this study show that the relationship between student and learning content becomes explicit when using ontology technology in searching, organizing, gathering and development content. Results obtained from information retrieval show that the transfer rate of information on localhost for 100 request @ current level of 5 is 37169.89kb/s, while on the client’s system, the transfer rate was 48494.36kb/s which was due to multiple request on the client’s side. Results obtained on scalability shows the round trip time which was (time to respond-time to request). The longest roundtrip was 8 seconds as a result of network being congested with multiple packets request from various sources trying to access the localhost at the same time while the fastest was 1 seconds. The implications of this results show that web-based ontology e-learning system has a positive input to teaching and learning processes in schools for content retrieval and network usage. The system furthermore shows the relationship adopted by learners and teachers, and also the match needs that arise in between. The contribution of this study adds to the existing discoveries on the use of web-based and knowledge-based ontology.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Labour dispute resolution in South Africa and Malawi: a comparative study

  • Authors: Banda, Lisa Malopa
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Dispute resolution (Law) -- South Africa , Dispute resolution (Law) -- Malawi Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa Labor laws and legislation -- Malawi Arbitration, Industrial -- South Africa Arbitration, Industrial -- Malawi
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23891 , vital:30639
  • Description: The aim of this treatise with the title Labour dispute resolution in South Africa and Malawi: A comparative study is to compare alternative dispute resolution between these two countries. It, furthermore, aims at drawing best practice to feed into each other. Another objective of this treatise is to learn by comparing and providing insight into the two countries’ alternative dispute resolution systems. This treatise comprises five chapters, each dealing with different aspects of alternative dispute resolution and an inter-country comparison. Chapter 1 introduces the concept of alternative dispute resolution and explains different types of methodologies in South Africa and Malawi in this regard. It also describes the different external alternative dispute resolution systems. In any conflicting situation, there is no guarantee that disputes will be resolved successfully, hence, one needs to apply different methodologies to try to resolve disputes, such as an alternative dispute resolution. Chapter 2 examines the Alternative Dispute Resolution System of South Africa and consists of three parts. Part 1 focuses on the historical legislative framework, Part 2 examines labour dispute resolution, as provided for in the Labour Relations Act of 1995 and Part 3 analyses the advantages and disadvantages of alternative dispute resolution systems in South Africa. Alternative dispute resolution has become popular and prominent across the globe as it ensures privacy and emphasises a cooperative and constructive way forward, which carries with it the possibility of improving employment relations in the long term. Chapter 3 provides an outline of Malawi’s relevant dispute resolution legal framework, regulated methodologies and system. Chapter 4 concentrates on evaluating and comparing alternative dispute resolution systems in South Africa with that of Malawi and later evaluates efficiencies, the effectiveness and challenges of alternative dispute resolution, which arise from the earlier comparison, with the aim of determining whether or not there is a need for reform of each country’s alternative dispute resolution system. The delivery of alternative dispute resolution systems can take place in a number of different settings, such as an employment tribunal, under the auspice of the Ministry of Labour, dispute resolution boards or a private dispute resolution. However, for the purpose of this study, the main mechanisms that will be analysed are arbitration, conciliation and mediation. Conclusions and recommendations are discussed in Chapter 5, which briefly summarises this study and synthesises the analysis of the South African and Malawian alternative dispute resolution system. Recommendations for legislation, methodologies and systems are also made.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Renewable energy project financing for economic growth and development: the case of Zambia

  • Authors: Banda, Zondwayo
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Renewable energy sources -- Economic aspects -- Zambia , Energy industries -- Zambia -- Finance Economic development -- Zambia
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21527 , vital:29533
  • Description: Energy is a critical component for the economic growth and development of developing countries. In particular Zambia’s economy requires energy in order to contribute to the reduction of poverty and inequalities in income and gender. Zambia faces an energy deficit which is compounded by lack of adequate financing and low electricity tariffs. The current energy deficit can challenge the achievement of such goals by Zambia. The aim of this research was to explore the impact of renewable energy project financing on Zambia’s economic growth and development. The mixed research methods through the use of questionnaires and interviews were used in achieving the research aim and objectives. In addition primary and secondary data were used as data sources for this research study. The current energy deficit in Zambia has negatively affected all the sectors in Zambia. In order to address the energy deficit, investments in the energy sector particularly through the use of project finance are required as such investments have the potential to improve energy generation, distribution and supply. Zambia has many sources of renewable energy such as solar, wind, hydro, biomass and geothermal making renewable energy project financing as the potential energy source to plug the energy deficit. By extension investments in renewable energy provide an opportunity for investors to expand their businesses and recoup their investments with high returns. Thus many sectors such as health, education, agriculture and service among others would benefit from the increased energy supply thereby improving their operations and spurring economic activities. Furthermore, renewable energy would improve access to energy in both urban and rural areas where electrification rates are as low as 25% and 3% respectively. Despite such positive impacts of renewable energy project the following account for the negative impacts: Externalisation of profits by investors; and, Over dependence on hydro-power. As energy is critical for economic growth and development of Zambia the major recommendations include the following: Seizing Project Finance Opportunities – with the abundance renewable energy resources such as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass, project finance in the form of debt and equity can be utilised to develop and implement renewable energy projects in order to improve energy generation, supply and distribution; Accelerating Renewable Energy Projects - Given the positive impacts of renewable energy project financing on economic growth and development in Zambia, renewable energy projects should be accelerated to result in increased economic growth and development; Removal of Red Tape - The government should reduce the red tape to ensure attraction of investments and implementation of renewable energy projects. Removal of red tape can accelerate investments and implementation of renewable energy projects as was the case in Kenya; Raising Awareness on Renewable Energy Benefits - Making investors and citizens aware (through investment forums and government websites) about the benefits of renewable energy would attract investors but would also allow local people to participate in the implementation of renewable energy projects. Further research – As this research involved organisations and participants in Lusaka province further research involving more participants and organisations outside Lusaka province is required to improve the research results. In addition further research is required to be conducted during reduced levels of energy deficits to improve research results. In this regard the recommendations are aimed at improving energy generation, distribution and supply so as to contribute to the economic growth and development of Zambia.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Land reform and livelihood among subsistence farmers in Great Kei local municipality, South Africa

  • Authors: Bani, Tida Witness
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Land reform Subsistence farming Sustainable development
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12870 , vital:39386
  • Description: Land reform, as enshrined in the constitution of the Republic of South Africa, aims to foster conditions which enable citizens to gain access to land on equitable basis. Section 25(6) of the constitution states that ‘a person or community whose tenure of land is legally insecure as a result of past racially discriminatory laws or practice is entitled, to the extent provided by an Act of Parliament, either to tenure, which is legally secure, or comparable redress. In addition, section 25(7) states that a person or community dispossessed of property after 19 June 1913 as a result of past racially discriminatory laws or practices is entitled to the extent provided by an Act of Parliament, either to restitution of that property or to equitable redress. Within this context, this study assessed the impact of land reform on the livelihoods of subsistence farmers in Great Kei Local Municipality. The study adopted a qualitative approach in order to get an in-depth understanding of the farming activities of land reform beneficiaries, the contribution of farming activities to agro-based sustainable livelihoods and the general challenges faced by subsistence farmers. The sample comprised of thirty (30) farmers, two focus group discussions which comprised of six (6) farmers each and five key informants from the Department of Rural development and Agrarian Reform, a councillor and a community leader from the local municipality. The study found that most farmers who were allocated land were from different disadvantaged backgrounds. Many of the farmers came from farming backgrounds hence they had the requisite skills and knowledge. Those with relatively limited knowledge and skills were technically supported and subsequently improved their production and livelihoods. Those farmers that were trained in various farming aspects did well as they improved production. However, it was found that those farmers that did not receive training and adequate support yielded negative results in both crop and animal production. Drought has been another major contributor in the decline of the production. It was also found that the post settlement grants, such as Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme and Recapitalization and Agricultural Development, are not enough and regular for infrastructural development on the farms.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Developing a citizen technician based approach to suspended sediment monitoring in the Tsitsa River catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Bannatyne, Laura Joan
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Sediments (Geology) -- Management , Sediments (Geology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Watersheds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Suspended sediments -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Suspended sediments -- Monitoring -- Citizen participation , Tsitsa River
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62593 , vital:28211
  • Description: Suspended sediment (SS) in channels is spatiotemporally heterogeneous and, over the long term, is known to be moved predominantly by flood flows with return periods of ~1 - 1.5 years. Flood flows in the Tsitsa catchment (Eastern Cape Province, South Africa) are unpredictable, and display a wide range of discharges. Direct, flood-focused SS sampling at sub-catchment scale was required to provide a SS baseline against which to monitor the impact on SS of catchment rehabilitation interventions, to determine the relative contributions of sub-catchments to SS loads and yields at the site of the proposed Ntabelanga Dam wall, and to verify modelled SS baselines, loads and yields. Approaches to SS sampling relying on researcher presence and/or installed equipment to adequately monitor SS through flood flows were precluded by cost, and the physical and socioeconomic conditions in the project area. A citizen technician (CT)-based flood-focused approach to direct SS sampling was developed and implemented. It was assessed in terms of its efficiency and effectiveness, the proficiency of the laboratory analysis methods, and the accuracy of the resulting SS data. A basic laboratory protocol for SSC analysis was developed, but is not the focus of this thesis. Using basic sampling equipment and smartphone-based reporting protocols, local residents at eleven points on the Tsitsa River and its major tributaries were employed as CTs. They were paid to take water samples during daylight hours at sub-daily timestep, with the emphasis on sampling through flood flows. The method was innovative in that it opted for manual sampling against a global trend towards instrumentation. Whilst the management of CTs formed a significant project component, the CTs benefitted directly through remuneration and work experience opportunities. The sampling method was evaluated at four sites from December 2015 - May 2016. The CTs were found to have efficiently and effectively sampled SS through a range of water levels, particularly in the main Tsitsa channel. An acceptable level of proficiency and accuracy was achieved, and many flood events were successfully defined by multiple data points. The method was chiefly limited by the inability of CTs to sample overnight rises and peaks occurring as a result of afternoon thunderstorms, particularly in small tributaries. The laboratory process was responsible for some losses in proficiency and accuracy. Improved laboratory quality control was therefore recommended. The CT-based approach can be adapted to other spatial and temporal scales in other areas, and to other environmental monitoring applications.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Towards a community based conservation strategy for wetlands in Uganda

  • Authors: Barakagira, Alex
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Conservation of natural resources , Wetland conservation -- Uganda Wetlands -- Uganda -- Management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23902 , vital:30640
  • Description: Conservation of natural resources in Uganda focuses primarily on protected areas, including savannah national parks, mainly for conserving big game and forests, for controlling the harvest of commercially valuable timber resources, with less concern for wetlands. Later, policies and legislation in Uganda favoured agricultural production rather than the conservation of wetlands, a situation that culminated in their degradation. In a bid to counter the effects of wetlands degradation, Wetland Management Agencies were created. These agencies excluded the input of members of the local communities who reside in the wetlands environs. Local communities were not consulted on matters concerning management and conservation strategies, a situation that may have escalated the problem of wetlands degradation. Local knowledge is needed for the effective management and conservation of the wetlands and it is essential that local communities are included in decision making. This research study is more of an initiative for providing information that may be essential for the formulation of a community based conservation strategy for wetlands in Uganda. The study aimed to identify and characterize activities carried out by members of the local communities in wetlands found in central and western Uganda that are responsible for their progressive degradation; to assess the performance of existing Wetlands Management Institutions towards protection and conservation of wetlands in Uganda; to ascertain whether the acts and policies that have been promulgated for the protection of wetlands in Uganda have been adhered to by members of the local communities and to evaluate three community based conservation case studies with two vastly different outcomes in order to come up with the community-based conservation principles Ugandan communities may need to adopt to achieve sustainable utilisation and conservation of wetland resources. To achieve the objectives stated above, the researcher used a multi-disciplinary methodology that required several areas of expertise and sources of information. Hence, to accomplish the study, primary sources of data that included quantitative and qualitative data were collected from the study participants by means of a questionnaire survey, key informant interviews and direct observations. Secondary sources of data centred on published Ugandan acts and policies; textbooks; case study articles and journal articles. The study revealed a host of activities in which members of the local community are involved that have led to the degradation of the wetlands in Uganda. These include but are not limited to crop cultivation, dairy farming and unsustainable wetland resource harvesting. A number of other reasons for the degradation of the wetlands include unclear ownership of the wetlands, unclear wetland boundaries and a lack of awareness of the indirect benefits wetlands provide for members of the local communities. The study disclosed that wetlands management institutions have not been effective in the protection and conservation of wetlands in Uganda, mainly due to political interference and inadequate funding for the institutions’ conservation activities. The acts and policies that were promulgated for the protection and conservation of wetlands have been selectively implemented in some places and in others completely ignored, culminating in the degradation of the wetlands. The study revealed that effective community based conservation of wetlands in Uganda includes: initiation of the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all wetlands activities being borne by members of the local community; government introducing alternative income-generating activities aimed to reduce over-reliance on wetland resources and education of the local communities regarding the community-based projects’ objectives in order to garner their support. Recommendations emanating from this study are that the Land Act should be amended to specify a particular land tenure system, preferably freehold, which may promote the conservation of wetlands in Uganda; fertilizers (organic) should be introduced in the study area to fertilize the uplands that have reportedly become infertile in order to reduce the pressure the local community members are exerting on the wetlands for agriculture; wetlands management institutions should be empowered financially and political interference in activities aimed at conservation of wetlands in Uganda must cease. There should be uniform implementation of the rules and regulations stipulated in the acts and policies for all members of the public concerning wetlands protection. Lastly, essential community based conservation principles, as stated above, need to be applied carefully and adhered to if effective implementation of community-based conservation of wetlands is to be achieved in Uganda.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

Job satisfaction of community pharmacists in Port Elizabeth

  • Authors: Barendse, Denver
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Pharmacy -- Practice -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Pharmacists -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23880 , vital:30638
  • Description: Job satisfaction and motivation play an important role in job retention and increased productivity of pharmacists which in turn improves pharmaceutical care performance. Pharmacies in Port Elizabeth have an increased pharmacist shortage and many community or retail pharmacies must overcome challenges to retain pharmacists. The study was quantitative in nature. A descriptive and exploratory approach was used. The research objective was to conduct a questionnaire survey of pharmacists working in community pharmacies in Port Elizabeth to assess the levels of job satisfaction and report the findings with recommendations to management. A modified Job Descriptive Index questionnaire was used to determine the level of job satisfaction. The variables used to determine the level of satisfaction was job content, monetary remuneration, promotion, co-workers, and supervision. Retention strategies was used to determine effective strategies managers can use to retain pharmacists. Positive and negative aspects of community pharmacy was also determined. A total of 48 pharmacies were approached by the researcher, 27 questionnaires were distributed to eligible participants which met the inclusion criteria and 23 questionnaires was returned, thus giving a response rate of 85%. It was observed that job satisfaction was positive in areas of job experience or content, customer interaction, interpersonal relationship with co-workers and supervision. The areas of job dissatisfaction were monetary remuneration and promotional opportunities. The retention strategies which received the most effective score were competitive financial packages (87%) and personal development (86%). The means of the retention strategies were high and even closer to 5 which indicated the “most effective” score. The pharmacists were not satisfied with monetary remuneration, promotion, recognition and performance appraisal provided by the organisations. The pharmacists are feeling over burden towards the workload. Management in this regard should pay attention to findings.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

Deep learning applied to the semantic segmentation of tyre stockpiles

  • Authors: Barfknecht, Nicholas Christopher
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Neural networks (Computer science)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23947 , vital:30647
  • Description: The global push for manufacturing which is environmentally sustainable has disrupted standard methods of waste tyre disposal. This push is further intensified by the health and safety risks discarded tyres pose to the surrounding population. Waste tyre recycling initiatives in South Africa are on the increase; however, there is still a growing number of undocumented tyre stockpiles developing throughout the country. The plans put in place to eradicate these tyre stockpiles have been met with collection, transport and storage logistical issues caused by the remoteness and distant locales. Eastwood (2016) aimed at optimising the logistics associated with collection, by estimating the number of visible tyres from images of tyre stockpiles. This research was limited by the need for manual segmentation of each tyre stockpile located within each image. This research proposes the use of semantic segmentation to automatically segment images of tyre stockpiles. An initial review of neural network, convolutional network and semantic segmentation literature resulted in the selection of Dilated Net as the semantic segmentation architecture for this research. Dilated Net builds upon the VGG-16 classification architecture to perform semantic segmentation. This resulted in classification experiments which were evaluated using precision, recall and f1-score. The results indicated that regardless of tyre stockpile image dimension, fairly accurate levels of classification accuracy can be attained. This was followed by semantic segmentation experiments which made use of intersection over union (IoU) and pixel accuracy to evaluate the effectiveness of Dilated Net on images of tyre stockpiles. The results indicated that accurate tyre stockpile segmentation regions can be obtained and that the trained model generalises well to unseen images.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

Designing fashion identities: the influence of social media on representation

  • Authors: Barnard, Mieke
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Fashion , Fashion -- Social aspects Fashion -- Forecasting Identity (Psychology)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21790 , vital:29779
  • Description: Fashion visually communicates identity. The clothing one wears influences how others perceive and interact with one. The relationship between fashion and identity is important, since fashion communicates aspects of identity without verbal communication. Identity formation and influences would therefore also affect fashion choices. These fashion choices are referred to as fashion identities. Various aspects influence the development of identity. Social interaction and media are two of the main influencers. In contemporary society these two influencers have been combined through social media platforms. This leads to the research questions: “What influence does social media have on identity development?”, “What influence would social media have on fashion identities?” and “Could online fashion content be utilised as a guide in the fashion design process?” These research questions are addressed through both theoretical research and online questionnaire responses from participants. The study consists of two components, namely the theoretical component and a practical component. The two components support, inform and validate one another’s findings. The study found that multiple identity types (personal, social and role) collectively form a person’s identity. The multiplicity of identities makes the representation process unique. Fashion identity can represent each of the identity types, separately or collectively. Furthermore, social media’s fashion content influences online users’ fashion identity and could lead to follow-through purchasing. In order to test the theoretical findings, eight of the questionnaire participants were selected for the practical component. The researcher interpreted their questionnaire responses and fashion content from social media platforms they had submitted with the questionnaire. The analysis and interpretation were used to design eight sketch-ranges. From these eight, two ranges were selected for physical production. The eight participants were asked for feedback pertaining to whether the designs captured their fashion identity and communicated aspects of this identity. The responses affirmed that designs had the necessary appeal suggesting that online fashion content can be used as a guide to the design process, in order to encapsulate identity representation.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

Ageing, wellbeing and development: Brazil and South Africa

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