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Ultraviolet specular reflectance, electronic absorption and the excitation of fluorescence in single crystals of anthracene

  • Authors: Wright, W H
  • Date: 1966
  • Subjects: Anthracene crystals -- Fluorescence , Ultraviolet spectroscopy -- Absorption , Reflectance
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:5544 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013366
  • Description: From introduction: The Fluorescence Excitation Spectrum or anthracene is known to vary considerably with the age and condition or the crystal. This thesis represents an attempt to improve the understanding of these variations. To put the problem on a quantitative basis it was found necessary to know both the ultraviolet reflection and absorption spectra. Reports of the reflection spectrum appear to have been confined to the case of polarised incident light. In addition the reflectivity measurements are always reported for a freshly cleaved surface. For these reasons the reflectivity of anthracene for various conditions of the reflecting surface was measured with unpolarised light. These varying reflectivities were used to further knowledge of the chemical processes at the crystal surface, as well as being used directly in the calculation of fluorescence excitation spectra. Reflection spectra with a- and b- crystallographic axis polarisations were also obtained. Since such spectra are reported in the literature it was possible, by comparison, to conclude that the experimental methods used in this thesis yielded valid results. The polarised measurements were used to obtain optical constants for the crystal. In the interests of readability most of the complicated process of converting the reflectivities to optical constants is dealt with in three appendices to the thesis.
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  • Date Issued: 1966

Ulwaluko kwa Xhosa: young Xhosa men's lived experiences in the context of traditional male initiation

  • Authors: Siswana, Anele
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3271 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020840
  • Description: This thesis explores the lived experiences of young amaXhosa men in relation to U!walukokwa Xhosa (traditional male initiation [TMI]) and its impact on their sense of masculinity. The conceptual framework of this study is located within African epistemology focusing on indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) in South Africa. The study aimed at enabling young amaXhosa men who had undergone TMI to reflect on their first-hand, personal accounts of Ulwa/ukokwa Xhosa and manhood. Six semistructured interviews and a follow up focus group discussion were held with 23-27 years old amaXhosa men residing in Joza Township in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape. Participants were identified through purposive sampling. The thesis reports on the following findings: (a) the significance of the place/location of initiation, and the guise of modernity; (b) feelings of anticipation experienced by the young men; (c) the theme on ubudoda(manhood) affirmation Ndiyindoda!; (d) the theme on the concealment of pain (perseverance); (e) the theme on respect for self and others and ubuntu;(f) Uzimelegeqe (independence and autonomy) and (g) social role and responsibility. The paper argues for the relevance of TMI as a significantrite of passage from boyhood to manhood among amaXhosa men.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

Umemulo and Zulu girlhood: From preservation to variations of ukuhlonipha nokufihla (respect and secrecy)

  • Authors: Mntambo, Londiwe Nompilo
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Virginity , Zulu (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies , Zulu (African people) -- Social life and customs , Virginity -- Social aspects , Women, Zulu -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal -- Social conditions , Women -- Social and moral questions
  • Language: English , Zulu
  • Type: thesis , text , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178352 , vital:42932
  • Description: This study examines evolving definitions of ukuziphatha kahle that historically relied on the preservation of virginity for Zulu girls, who participate in the umemulo ceremony that marks the transition from girlhood to womanhood. It examines notions of Zulu girlhood as understood through preservation - ukugcina isibaya sikaBaba - and through respectability and secrecy - ukuhlonipha nokufihla. The study analyses how conceptions of ukuziphatha kahle (good behavior) have evolved in the context of sexual rights in the performance of Zulu girlhood. It is located in the interdisciplinary literature of global girlhood studies, and African feminist lenses of womanhood and rites of passages. The study draws from 26 interviews with Zulu women who have gone through umemulo, elder women who facilitate virginity testing and umemulo; and female relatives of women who have gone through umemulo in Estcourt, Wembezi, Paapkalius Fountain, Ntabamhlophe and Cornfields in KwaZulu-Natal. This thesis contextualises umemulo and ukuziphatha kahle (good behaviour) in democratic South Africa. Umemulo is a ritual done for a Zulu girl whose behaviour is deemed to be good. While this is clear, what constitutes ukuziphatha kahle (good behaviour) is contested. On stricter terms, ukuziphatha kahle means to be intombi nto (a virgin). The interviews with women who went through umemulo show that most of them were not virgins at the time of the ritual. The elder and younger women expressed that ukuziphatha kahle for them goes beyond the girl’s virginity. Instead, they understand it as a girl who does not have a child, and who has shown respect and obedience to her parents and elders. Strikingly, the study shows an inter-generational collusion between the younger and elder women, who maintain the outward appearance of virginity of the girls who participate in umemulo. The study argues that there are variations of ukuhlonipha (respect), which in the rights context of democratic South Africa overlap into ukufihla (secrecy). Importantly, it is clear that the concept of being a good Zulu womanhood holds and remains important for Zulu girls and women. However, the ways in which Zulu women experience and perform this is complex. The findings show that while many Zulu girls want to be seen as performing accepted good Zulu womanhood, they do so in ways that allow them to enjoy their sexual rights and pleasure. This is not a tension. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Politial and International Studies, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-04

Umzi ka Mama Family property transfer practices and the historical significance of title deeds to African female heads of household in Fingo Village: a participatory theatre approach

  • Authors: Hellemann, Phemelo Cordelia
  • Date: 2022-04-07
  • Subjects: Public history South Africa Eastern Cape , Oral history South Africa Eastern Cape , Women Housing South Africa Eastern Cape , Feminism Africa , Apartheid Law and legislation South Africa , Participatory theater South Africa Eastern Cape , Playback theater , Theater and society South Africa Eastern Cape , History Citizen participation , South Africa. Group Areas Act, 1950
  • Language: English
  • Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294537 , vital:57230 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/294537
  • Description: Many everyday stories and experiences of African women remain underrepresented and undocumented. For example, the omission of Fingo Village women’s names from official deeds records silenced their voices. African women faced gender and racial discrimination that denied them fundamental human rights and limited their participation in urban life. Title deed records constitute one type of public record where African women’s names were omitted for centuries by the colonial and apartheid governments. Under apartheid, African women occupied the social status of minors; hence, the government denied them urban land rights. This African feminist study enlists narratives of a sample of seven African female heads of households residing in Fingo Village who are also property owners. Fingo Village is an atypical environment where African people had a rare legal advantage of owning title deeds dating back to 1855. This study employed an interdisciplinary approach by mixing oral history methodology and applied theatre methods to record, interpret and present Fingo Village women’s narratives of family property inheritance and the significance of title deed documentation in the suburb. The multiple technique approach created opportunities for authentic dialogue between the researcher and the participants beyond the inherent limitations of public history oral interviews. The traditional oral history interview and the participatory theatre methods helped uncover unconventional practices in family property relations. Though customary transfers of family homes to custodians were prevalent, title deed registration of family property was also acknowledged as a vital practice that empowered women legally. The researcher used participatory theatre techniques inspired by playback, image and forum theatre to enhance the researcher and participants’ relationship. These methods encouraged the researcher and respondents’ shared authority as they embarked on an extended participatory research project. In this regard, through dialogical and performance-based activities, the participants and the researcher became co-creators of untold Fingo Village stories. Moreover, the theatre techniques became interpretation and analysis tools that ensured that the participants’ untold stories were well represented. The first phase of the research involved engaging with the literature about the title deeds history of Fingo Village and conducting oral history interviews that served as data. In the second phase, the interviews were analysed and packaged in a documentary format. The third phase was a playback theatre inspired session in a 10-minute performance based on themes from the participants’ filmed interviews. Additionally, the performance was a catalyst for forum theatre activities that allowed the participants to interact with the performer and suggest solutions to the dilemma posed by the performer regarding family property use. The participants were decision-makers and family property relations experts within this imagined context. In the fourth phase, the image theatre adaptation and memory work activities were essential tools. The tools aided the visuals and information from an existing Fingo Village exhibition as additional resources that prompted dialogue and discussions. The exhibition encouraged participants to share their personal experiences and memories of the Group Areas Act (GAA) era. The findings showed that the GAA era saw many families revert to communal tenure practices as a strategy to evade forced sales; as such, this gave rise to undocumented family property transfers. Additionally, the findings revealed that though customary practices are often patriarchal, there are circumstances favouring women as the preferred family property custodian. These are embedded in the social status of women who are traditional healers, firstborn daughters, and those from families with just daughters. This study contributes to the growing literature that advocates for positive representation of African women’s stories by using active research methodologies that strengthen partnerships and shared authority between the researcher and the public. This methodology could inspire other researchers to explore theatre techniques to create more profound and meaningful engagements with their participants. The links to the video materials accompanying this thesis are provided on the contents page. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, History, 2022
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  • Date Issued: 2022-04-07

Un' analisi del personaggio femminile in alcune tragedie di Vittorio Alfieri

Uncertainties in modelling hydrological responses in gauged and ungauged sub‐basins

  • Authors: Tumbo, Madaka Harold
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Hydrologic models , Watersheds -- Tanzania , Water-supply -- Tanzania -- Great Ruaha River Watershed , Water resources development -- Tanzania -- Great Ruaha River Watershed , Rain and rainfall -- Mathematical models , Rain gauges -- Tanzania -- Great Ruaha River Watershed , Great Ruaha River Watershed (Tanzania)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:6053 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018568
  • Description: The world is undergoing rapid changes and the future is uncertain. The changes are related to modification of the landscape due to human activities, such as large and small scale irrigation, afforestation and changes to the climate system. Understanding and predicting hydrologic change is one of the challenges facing hydrologists today. Part of this understanding can be developed from observed data, however, there often too few observations and those that are available are frequently affected by uncertainties. Hydrological models have become essential tools for understanding historical variations of catchment hydrology and for predicting future possible trends. However, most developing countries are faced with poor spatial distributions of rainfall and evaporation stations that provide the data used to force models, as well as stream flow gauging stations to provide the data for establishing models and for evaluating their success. Hydrological models are faced with a number of challenges which include poor input data (data quality and poorly quantified human activities on observed stream flow data), uncertainties associated with model complexity and structure, the methods used to quantify model parameters, together with the difficulties of understanding hydrological processes at the catchment or subbasin. Within hydrological modelling, there is currently a trend of dealing with equifinality through the evaluation of parameter identifiability and the quantification of uncertainty bands associated with the predictions of the model. Hydrological models should not only focus on reproducing the past behaviour of a basin, but also on evaluating the representativeness of the surface and subsurface model components and their ability to simulate reality for the correct reasons. Part of this modelling process therefore involves quantifying and including all the possible sources of uncertainty. Uncertainty analysis has become the standard approach to most hydrological modelling studies, but has yet to be effectively used in practical water resources assessment. This study applied a hydrological modelling approach for understanding the hydrology of a large Tanzanian drainage basin, the Great Ruaha River that has many areas that are ungauged and where the available data (climate, stream flow and existing water use) are subject to varying degrees of uncertainty. The Great Ruaha River (GRR) is an upstream tributary of the Rufiji River Basin within Tanzania and covers an area of 86 000 km2. The basin is drained by four main tributaries; the Upper Great Ruaha, the Kisigo, the Little Ruaha and the Lukosi. The majority of the runoff is generated from the Chunya escarpment, the Kipengere ranges and the Poroto Mountains. The runoff generated feeds the alluvial and seasonally flooded Usangu plains (including the Ihefu perennial swamp). The majority of the irrigation water use in the basin is located where headwater sub‐basins drain towards the Usangu plains. The overall objective was to establish uncertain but behavioural hydrological models that could be useful for future water resources assessments that are likely to include issues of land use change, changes in patterns of abstraction and water use, as well the possibility of change in future climates.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

Uncoupling the exploitation and climate change effects on the biology of Cape monkfish, Lophius vomerinus Valenciennes 1837 in Namibia

  • Authors: Erasmus, Victoria Ndinelago
  • Date: 2021-10-29
  • Subjects: Lophius Namibia , Lophius Climatic factors Namibia , Lophius Effect of human beings on Namibia , Lophius Food Namibia , Lophius Reproduction Namibia , Lophius Age Namibia , Lophius Growth Namibia , Lophius Habitat Namibia , Lophius Conservation Namibia , Fisheries Namibia , Overfishing Namibia , Fishery management Namibia , Lophius vomerinus (Valenciennes, 1837) , Cape monkfish
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188329 , vital:44744 , 10.21504/10962/188329
  • Description: Cape monkfish, Lophius vomerinus Valenciennes 1837, has supported the Namibian fishing industry for decades, historically as by-catch and recently as a target species. This species is also an important predator in this region. With increasing levels of exploitation and unprecedented climate change, an understanding of the changes in the long-term biological parameters of this species is critical. To date, there has been a scarcity of spatio-temporal studies that have examined and compared the biological aspects of Cape monkfish in relation to climate change and exploitation pressure. Investigations into changes in feeding habits, reproduction strategy, age and growth can provide valuable information for the sustainable management and conservation of this species. This thesis aimed to improve our understanding of the impacts of exploitation and climate variability on the biological parameters of Cape monkfish in the Namibian marine waters, thereby contributing to efforts directed at sustainable harvest and management of this resource. This was achieved through temporal and spatial comparisons of feeding, reproductive scope, age and growth, and catch statistics. The study used data collected during the monkfish swept-area biomass surveys of 2001–2005 and for 2007–2018, hake (deep-water hake Merluccius paradoxus Franca 1960 and shallow-water hake M. capensis Castelnau 1861) swept-area biomass surveys of 2017 and 2019, port sampling programme data collected from April 2014 to December 2019, and monkfish commercial fishing activities collected between April 2001 and December 2019. Based on historical feeding data (1986 – 1987) and contemporary feeding data (2015-2018), Cape monkfish feeds on a variety of prey species from seven groups: Teleost, Cephalopoda, Crustacea, Echinoidea, Elasmobranchii, Gastropod and Porifera. The diet was characterised by a high prevalence of empty stomachs (43.9%), showing low feeding intensity, but most prevalent in juveniles (52.9%). Although the diet composition varied at different life stages, Teleosts (especially deep-water hake Merluccius paradoxus Franca 1960) were the main constituents of the diet for all size classes as per the Index of Relative Importance (%IRI). The results highlight the particular importance of the deep-water hake M. paradoxus (by %IRI) in the diet of Cape monkfish across all size classes. There is a clear dominance of hake in both studies, which means that any overexploitation or climate-driven population decline in hake will most likely have an impact on Cape monkfish. Feeding composition was dependent on the season (p < 0.05), with the type and quantity of prey ingested changing seasonally, showing the ability of Cape monkfish to adjust its diet, depending on possible environmental parameters which consequently influence prey availability. In general, the spatial and temporal variability of the main prey items suggests that the species is highly opportunistic with a broad trophic adaptability. Comparison of historical and contemporary stomach content data indicates that Cape monkfish appear to have changed their diet, probably reflecting the availability of forage species over time and space, possibly due to climate change, fishing pressure, or both. The broad trophic adaptability for Cape monkfish highlights their adaptive potential to increasing anthropogenic stressors such as climate change. However, the dominance of the commercially important deep-water hake, M. paradoxus, in the diet during contemporary times highlights that complex trophic interactions may play a role in altering the northern Benguela fisheries. The general male to female sex ratio was measured at 1:1.67, with significant variation across depth, size class, and year (p < 0.05). Comparison of length at 50% maturity (L50) for Cape monkfish between historical (2004–2006) and contemporary time (2015–2019) showed no significant differences in both sexes, with no significant changes in the L50 for females (χ2 = 1.53, df = 1, p = 0.2154), and males (χ2 = 0.41, df = 1, p = 0.5204) between the two periods. The monthly gonadosomatic index (GSI) showed that Cape monkfish spawn throughout the year with peaks between July and September for females and August for males, similar to those observed 20 years ago. Spawning hotspot areas were identified and were consistently located between 22⁰ and 25⁰S in deeper water (> 250 m) for the 2001–2018 time series. Comparison of the contemporary (2015–2019) proportions of developing, ripe and spent gonads to the historical study data (1996 – 2000) show minimal differences. Ripe ovaries capable of spawning (Stage IV) were dominant in July (23.8%) and August (26.2%), while ripe testes were prevalent in April (52.5%) and November (28.5%). The discovery of the veil (a gelatinous, flat ribbon structure containing individual eggs) off Namibia for the first time (during this study) is a significant because this result provides important reproduction activities information of this species, which were never recorded off Namibia. The location where the veil was discovered, off Swakopmund (22⁰30'S, 13⁰25'E), provides further evidence of the identified spawning hotspot areas, this location is also identified as a monkfish consecutive hotspot fishing area. The ages, growth rates, and length-weight relationships were compared between fish collected during monkfish commercial fishing activities between 1996 and 1998 (Period 1) and during monkfish routine monitoring surveys from 2014 to 2016 (Period 2). A total of 607 (size range: 9–96 cm total length (TL)) and 852 (size range: 9–96 cm TL) Cape monkfish were aged by reading sectioned illicia, during Periods 1 and 2, respectively. The length-weight relationships were W = 0.012L3.035 (r2 = 0.98) and W = 0.014L 2.989 (r2 = 0.98) for females and males, respectively, during Period 1, and W = 0.01L2.97 (r2 = 0.98) and W = 0.01L 3.03 (r2 = 0.98) for females and males, respectively, in Period 2. The growth of Cape monkfish (in cm) for combined sexes was described by Lt = 94(1 − e(−0.10(t−(-0.31))) in Period 1 and Lt = 98(1 − e(−0.10(t−(-0.33))) in Period 2. Females grew significantly faster during Period 1 (LRT results from Maartens et al., 1999), while male and female growth was not significantly different during Period 2 (F = 0.65, p = 0.58). There were no significant differences between the male and female growth curve in Period 2 (F = 0.65, p = 0.58). Although the growth curves are similar between Period 1 and Period 2, the larger fish are in Period 2 are lighter than those in Period 1. This finding is important to the monkfish fishing industry because fish is sold by weight. This finding may suggest that although the fish grow similarly by length, changes in the environmental conditions may have resulted in a reduced condition of the fish. In terms of mean age, the historical Period 1 had a slightly lower mean age of 4.40 compared with a mean age of 5.49 during Period 2. Slight differences were also observed in the age structure between the two periods, with 2-year-olds (20.3%) the most abundant age class in the historical period while 5-year-old fish (18.3%) were most abundant in Period 2. Although the spatial distribution of the catch was not available for Period 1, 0-year-old fish were distributed from 22⁰ to 24⁰S, and 25⁰ to 26⁰S in shallower waters of 166–290 m during Period 2. Only fish between 5 and 16 years old were found off the documented historical nursery area off 28º S. The similar growth curves and spatial overlap of nursery habitats between Period 1 and Period 2 suggest that Cape monkfish may be fairly resilient to the rapid environmental change reported in this region and to the extensive levels of exploitation for the species. However, the recent spatial shifts in the nursery areas are sensitive to disturbance and may indicate that these changes could be having an impact on the early life stages of the species. Continued monitoring may be necessary to understand the consequences of these spatial shifts for the age and growth and resilience of the species. Analysis of the overall spatial and temporal catches of monkfish (both Cape monkfish and shortspine African monkfish) off Namibia between 1998 and 2018 identified noticeable spatio-temporal trends. The pattern of fishing activities for Cape monkfish is heterogeneous, with identified ‘hotspots’ in specific areas. Of particular importance is the consecutive hotspot, between 1998 to 2018 for monkfish fishing activities between 25⁰ and 26⁰ S. The kernel density analysis indicated that the area around 24⁰S, and between 26º and 27 ⁰S, between Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, had the highest total catch densities (~300 kg/km2), suggesting that this is the core of the stock abundance. Annual monkfish catches have fluctuated since the inception of the fishery in 1994, with a drastic decline in the catch recorded after 2003 through to 2018. Generally, there has been an underutilisation of the total allowable catch (TAC) for most of the years. The decrease in catches and the underutilisation of the TAC might be indicative of the reduction in the stock abundance. However, external factors such as lack of capacity of the fishing industry and the administration can contribute to underutilisation of TAC. Basic regression analysis between total monthly catches and monthly sea surface temperature (SST) yielded low r-squared values indicate that in all three grids, only ~ 1% of the variation is explained between SST and total monkfish catches in these areas. The most prominent points to consider from this study are the results of the comparative feeding study (Chapter 3), reproductive indicators (Chapter 4) and age and growth (Chapter 5). Certainly, there have been changes in feeding, demography, and distribution of the species in the last two decades – climate-driven changes were recorded in the feeding habits of Cape monkfish, spatially and temporally – but despite the changes in prey species composition, distribution and abundance in various habits and periods, Cape monkfish was able to switch prey species, reflecting wide trophic adaptability. The dominance of M. paradoxus at all size classes in all analysed habitats is a significant result because. The peak spawning period has remained the same between July and September, as previously reported in Period 1. The consecutive spawning hotspots were identified in the areas between 22º and 25ºS. From a fisheries management perspective, the spawning ground and spawning season should be protected (by means of closure). The evidence of changes in length at 50% maturity presented in this study hints at both climate change and extensive exploitation pressure. The discovery of the veil for the first time in this study is very important; however, it might be sampling related and not driven by climate or exploitation pressure. Finally, the change in the Cape monkfish distribution discussed in Chapter 6 may be attributed to a shift in the distribution or fishing effort as a consequence of shallow water depletion. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-10-29

Uncovering plagiarism in academic writing : developing authorial voice within multivoiced text

  • Authors: Angelil-Carter, Shelley
  • Date: 1996
  • Subjects: Plagiarism -- Research Academic writing -- Research
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1807 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003692
  • Description: Plagiarism is a modern Western construct which arose with the introduction of copyright laws in the eighteenth century. Before this time, there was little sense of artistic "ownership". Since then, the ideas of "originality" in writing as well as the "autonomous text" have been highly valued. In the theoretical section of this dissertation I deal with plagiarism and referencing from three perspectives. After looking at problems of definition of plagiarism, I turn to the first perspective, the historical development of the notions of plagiarism and originality. Alongside this I discuss the notions of "autonomous text" and "decontextualized" language, and attempt to show that these concepts are problematic, and that language is intensely social at the levels of discourses, genres, and the word. The second angle is a snapshot of present-day writing genres, and how they deal with documentation in different ways. The third point of focus is on the development of the student writer, on whom present-day genres of academic writing, and the historically constructed notions of plagiarism converge. Here I centre on the development of the undergraduate student as a writer, and some of the things that may be happening when a student is seen to be plagiarizing. Some of these are the "alienness" of academic discourses, the hybridization of discourses, the need to "try on" academic discourses, the lack of authority of the student writer and her relationship to the authority of the sources, and the way in which languages are learned and reproduced in chunks. I look finally at what the meaning of authorship might be in an intensely social view of language, and at the complexity of developing authorial voice in writing. The dissertation is located in a postpositivist paradigm, and seeks to interpret as well as being oriented towards praxis. The research took place within the Political Studies Department at the University of Cape Town. The study included a discourse analysis of the departmental handbook, as well as analysis of academic essays, at the first year and third year level, which were selected for having problems with referencing, or having plagiarized. A few were selected for good referencing. Students who had written these essays, and tutors and lecturers who had marked them, were then interviewed. In the analysis I explore differing understandings of the role of referencing in the academic essay, what negative and positive consequences the practice of referencing and the monitoring of plagiarism have, with regard to authority and voice in student writing, what might be happening when students are thought to be plagiarizing, and what difficulties are experienced by students in developing an authorial voice when using multiple sources. The study found that there are a range of underlying causes for plagiarism in student writing, which indicate that plagiarism is more a problem of academic literacy than academic dishonesty. It also found that marking practices in detecting plagiarism may sometimes be based on problematic assumptions about the amount of background knowledge and independent ideas which students bring to their writing. I conclude by putting forward a pedagogy for plagiarism and referencing, which is based on 1) the negotiation of shared meaning around the concept of plagiarism, including an examination of assumptions linked to this concept in its monitoring and enforcement, leading to the development of written policy and guidelines emerging from this shared understanding. 2) The development of an academic literacy programme within the curriculum, with attention to the complexities of developing authorial voice whilst constructing a text based on the texts of others, with a focus on authors, which moves students towards an understanding of how knowledge is constructed.
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  • Date Issued: 1996

Understanding a West African recreational fishery as a complex social-ecological system – a case study of the fishery for giant African threadfin Polydactylus quadrifilis (Cuvier, 1829) in the Kwanza Estuary, Angola

  • Authors: Butler, Edward C
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Cuanza River (Angola) , Fishing -- Angola , Polynemidae , Fishes -- Angola -- Ecology
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/146688 , vital:38548
  • Description: Despite increasing global recognition of the importance of recreational fisheries, their management largely remains poor. This is because they exhibit unique human-nature relationships and are nested within complex social-ecological systems (SESs). Recreational fisheries in the developing world have large potential for socio-economic development, but are generally underappreciated, in terms of their value and their impact, and are poorly governed. This is particularly concerning as they are highly complex and often compete for resources with dependent artisanal and subsistence fisheries. Developing world recreational fishery SESs are not well understood and present an important research gap for improved governance. The general aim of this thesis was to explore the recreational fishery targeting Polydactylus quadrifilis on the Kwanza Estuary, Angola, and provide context for how managers should approach recreational fisheries in the developing world and in Africa. To do this, the recreational fishery SES was explored using a combination of methodologies including those characteristic of traditional fisheries science, and new methods involving biology, sociology, and economics. The thesis contains an introductory chapter, a chapter describing the background, study area and study species, five data chapters and a discussion chapter. Chapter 3 aimed to investigate the reproductive style of P. quadrifilis. Results identified the species as a protandrous hermaphrodite. Evidence to suggest this included degenerating testicular tissue and the presence of early developing ovarian tissues in transitional individuals. Early-stage oocytes were commonly found in the outer area of male regions and residual late-stage spermatids and spermatozoa were found in the luminal space of ovarian regions, suggesting a process of sex change from the outside inwards. Owing to the species’ reliance on large highly fecund females for reproduction, it is likely that P. quadrifilis will be sensitive to fisheries that target larger individuals, such as trophy recreational fisheries and line fisheries within other sectors. Chapter 4 aimed to investigate alternative methods for adequately describing the growth of P. quadrifilis individuals belonging to either one of two distinct hypothetical life-history pathways: pathway I (‘changers’) – initial maturation as a primary male followed by a sex change to female; pathway II (‘non-changers’) – initial maturation as a male fish with no subsequent sex change, using von Bertalanffy Growth Functions (VBGFs). Other specific objectives included determining the size- and age-at-maturity and size- and age-at-sex-change for P. quadrifilis. Otolith aging revealed rapid growth and early maturation (L50 = 399.2 mm FL, A50 = 1.50 years) and sex change occurred over a wide size (790–1125 mm FL) and age (3–8 years) range. There was strong evidence for partial protandry in P. quadrifilis with several extremely old male fish (up to 22 years) observed in the population. When compared to the conventional model produced for the entire population, there were significant differences in the models for the ‘non-changers’ (LRT, p < 0.01) and their parameters L∞ (full model = 130.8, ‘non-changers’ = 113.3, p < 0.01), k (0.32, 0.44, p < 0.01) and t0 (0.23, 0.43, p = 0.03) in the first approach and the models (LRT, p < 0.01) and their L∞ (‘changers’ = 113.7, p < 0.01) values in the second approach. This suggests that utilising conventional modelling techniques may be inappropriate for the stock assessment and management of P. quadrifilis and, potentially, other sequentially hermaphroditic fishery species. Chapter 5 aimed to assess the sensitivity of P. quadrifilis to recreational C&R within the foreign recreational fishery using a rapid assessment approach. To do this, a number of C&R variables including fight time, air exposure, hook placement, hooking injury, total time of the stress event, river depth and angling method were measured and related to two indicators of fish health and survival – the physiological stress indicators blood glucose and blood lactate concentration and reflex action mortality predictors (RAMPs). Air exposure was identified as a major contributor to motor impairment (Cumulative Link Model: p < 0.01) and fight time was an important contributor to motor impairment via its interaction with air exposure (Cumulative Link Model: p = 0.02). Handling practices appear to be particularly important for larger individuals as fish size was positively correlated with air exposure (Pearson’s r coefficient = 0.41, p < 0.01) and fight times (0.88, p < 0.01). The findings suggest that recreational C&R may result in mortalities directly, via C&R, and indirectly, via predation, and several recommendations were made for best practice. Chapter 6 aimed to assess the direct economic contribution of the recreational fishery for Polydactylus quadrifilis on the Kwanza Estuary. Results indicated that the recreational fishery for contributed significantly to the economy of an area that would otherwise likely receive little external input ($282 054 per four-month fishing season). However, high rates of economic leakage from the study area were identified (58.7%–92.9% of locally spent revenue) and were attributed to the sourcing of lodge supplies, services and staff outside of the local area and the repatriation of profit by foreign business owners. Capacity building within the local community is likely required to develop ‘linkages’ between the local community and the recreational fishery. Greater community involvement in the fishery is suggested to incentivise the protection of recreationally important fishery species and their associated ecosystems. Chapter 7 aimed to investigate the resource user groups involved within the SES. Results illustrated that artisanal and domestic recreational anglers are well-established and are characterised by long histories of participation. The artisanal fishery was highly valued as a source of livelihoods for the local community. Artisanal fishers were eager for involvement in the recreational sector, through the chartering of their vessels, due to the attractiveness of extra earnings. Both recreational and artisanal fishers reported recent decreases in P. quadrifilis catch and anticipated further declines. Domestic recreational anglers appeared to be highly consumptive in their use of the fishery and C&R angling was uncommon. User conflict may be problematic for future management as recreational anglers perceived the artisanal gill-net fishery to be a threat towards P. quadrifilis stocks. In conclusion, the open-access nature of the fishery was identified as the most pertinent threat to its sustainability and likely needs to be addressed. Potential solutions involve offering users the opportunity to purchase access rights (e.g. day permits), thus initiating the concept that users must pay for their use of public resources. Management should aim to protect large female fish due to their increased reproductive value and worth as trophy fish. Thus, C&R angling is likely to be an important interaction between users and the resource. However, angler behaviour will need to be manipulated to promote C&R and minimise C&R-related mortalities. Solutions include angler educational drives and interventions and the implementation of competitive C&R-only angling. Foreign recreational fisheries, although touted as potential ecotourism ventures, will only succeed in improving the lives of local people if they fully integrate the community into the operation of the fishery.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2020

Understanding and improving the residual efficacy of the cryptophlebia leucotreta granulovirus (Cryptogran)

  • Authors: Kirkman, Wayne
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Cryptophlebia leucotreta , Cryptophlebia leucotreta -- Control , Pests -- Biological control , Citrus -- Diseases and pests
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:5794 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005482 , Cryptophlebia leucotreta , Cryptophlebia leucotreta -- Control , Pests -- Biological control , Citrus -- Diseases and pests
  • Description: False codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia (=Cryptophlebia) leucotreta (Meyr) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is one of the most important pests on citrus. The Cryptophlebia leucotreta granulovirus (CrleGV) has been developed into a successful biological control agent, registered under the name Cryptogran, and is currently the preferred product for the control of FCM on citrus in South Africa. A prerequisite to the continued success of Cryptogran as a means of controlling false codling moth is to understand the factors affecting field persistence of the virus, and to find ways to improve it. The aim of this study was to gain a clearer understanding of the product and the abiotic and biotic factors affecting its persistence in the field, and to investigate methods to improve this persistence. The effect of UV-irradiation on the virus was determined, and various products were tested as UV protectants in laboratory bioassays. Lignin was the most effective additive, and was tested in several field trials, where it also enhanced the efficacy of Cryptogran. Laboratory trials indicated that Cryptogran is rainfast. Cryptogran applications early in the season had a longer period of residual activity than sprays applied closer to harvest. Daytime applications were less effective that evening sprays. Sprays applied coinciding with peaks in pheromone moth trap catches were more effective than those applied between peaks. Biotic factors influencing persistence were investigated. Residual efficacy was longer when treatments were applied to blocks than as single tree treatments. Attempts were made to quantify the effect of the navel end of a navel orange on the field persistence of Cryptogran. Cryptogran was shown to be compatible with many agricultural chemicals used on citrus. Economic thresholds and various cost-benefit analyses are discussed. A list of practical recommendations to growers was drawn up, and possibilities for future research are presented.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2008

Understanding and modelling of surface and groundwater interactions

  • Authors: Tanner, Jane Louise
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Groundwater -- South Africa , Water-supply -- Management , Integrated water development , Hydrogeology , Water resources development -- South Africa , Water -- Analysis , Groundwater -- Management , Watersheds -- South Africa , Hydrologic models
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:6043 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012994
  • Description: The connections between surface water and groundwater systems remain poorly understood in many catchments throughout the world and yet they are fundamental to effectively managing water resources. Managing water resources in an integrated manner is not straightforward, particularly if both resources are being utilised, and especially in those regions that suffer problems of data scarcity. This study explores some of the principle issues associated with understanding and practically modelling surface and groundwater interactions. In South Africa, there remains much controversy over the most appropriate type of integrated model to be used and the way forward in terms of the development of the discipline; part of the disagreement stems from the fact that we cannot validate models adequately. This is largely due to traditional forms of model testing having limited power as it is difficult to differentiate between the uncertainties within different model structures, different sets of alternative parameter values and in the input data used to run the model. While model structural uncertainties are important to consider, the uncertainty from input data error together with parameter estimation error are often more significant to the overall residual error, and essential to consider if we want to achieve reliable predictions for water resource decisions. While new philosophies and theories on modelling and results validation have been developed (Beven, 2002; Gupta et al., 2008), in many cases models are not only still being validated and compared using sparse and uncertain datasets, but also expected to produce reliable predictions based on the flawed data. The approach in this study is focused on fundamental understanding of hydrological systems rather than calibration based modelling and promotes the use of all the available 'hard' and 'soft' data together with thoughtful conceptual examination of the processes occurring in an environment to ensure as far as possible that a model is generating sensible results by simulating the correct processes. The first part of the thesis focuses on characterising the 'typical' interaction environments found in South Africa. It was found that many traditional perceptual models are not necessarily applicable to South African conditions, largely due to the relative importance of unsaturated zone processes and the complexity of the dominantly fractured rock environments. The interaction environments were categorised into four main 'types' of environment. These include karst, primary, fractured rock (secondary), and alluvial environments. Processes critical to Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) were defined within each interaction type as a guideline to setting a model up to realistically represent the dominant processes in the respective settings. The second part of the thesis addressed the application and evaluation of the modified Pitman model (Hughes, 2004), which allows for surface and groundwater interaction behaviour at the catchment scale to be simulated. The issue is whether, given the different sources of uncertainty in the modelling process, we can differentiate one conceptual flow path from another in trying to refine the understanding and consequently have more faith in model predictions. Seven example catchments were selected from around South Africa to assess whether reliable integrated assessments can be carried out given the existing data. Specific catchment perceptual models were used to identify the critical processes occurring in each setting and the Pitman model was assessed on whether it could represent them (structural uncertainty). The available knowledge of specific environments or catchments was then examined in an attempt to resolve the parameter uncertainty present within each catchment and ensure the subsequent model setup was correctly representing the process understanding as far as possible. The confidence in the quantitative results inevitably varied with the amount and quality of the data available. While the model was deemed to be robust based on the behavioural results obtained in the majority of the case studies, in many cases a quantitative validation of the outputs was just not possible based on the available data. In these cases, the model was judged on its ability to represent the conceptualisation of the processes occurring in the catchments. While the lack of appropriate data means there will always be considerable uncertainty surrounding model validation, it can be argued that improved process understanding in an environment can be used to validate model outcomes to a degree, by assessing whether a model is getting the right results for the right reasons. Many water resource decisions are still made without adequate account being taken of the uncertainties inherent in assessing the response of hydrological systems. Certainly, with all the possible sources of uncertainty in a data scarce country such as South Africa, pure calibration based modelling is unlikely to produce reliable information for water resource managers as it can produce the right results for the wrong reasons. Thus it becomes essential to incorporate conceptual thinking into the modelling process, so that at the very least we are able to conclude that a model generates estimates that are consistent with, and reflect, our understanding (however limited) of the catchment processes. It is fairly clear that achieving the optimum model of a hydrological system may be fraught with difficulty, if not impossible. This makes it very difficult from a practitioner's point of view to decide which model and uncertainty estimation method to use. According to Beven (2009), this may be a transitional problem and in the future it may become clearer as we learn more about how to estimate the uncertainties associated with hydrological systems. Until then, a better understanding of the fundamental and most critical hydrogeological processes should be used to critically test and improve model predictions as far as possible. A major focus of the study was to identify whether the modified Pitman model could provide a practical tool for water resource managers by reliably determining the available water resource. The incorporation of surface and groundwater interaction routines seems to have resulted in a more robust and realistic model of basin hydrology. The overall conclusion is that the model, although simplified, is capable of representing the catchment scale processes that occur under most South African conditions.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2014

Understanding and quantifying channel transmission loss processes in the Limpopo River Basin

  • Authors: Mvandaba, Vuyelwa
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Water-supply -- Management , Water-supply -- Limpopo River Watershed , Alluvium -- Limpopo River Watershed , Streamflow -- Limpopo River Watershed
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63797 , vital:28490
  • Description: Water availability is one of the major societal issues facing the world. The ability to understand and quantify the impact of key hydrological processes on the availability of water resources is therefore integral to ensuring equitable and sustainable resource management. A review of previous hydrological studies conducted in the Limpopo River Basin has revealed a gap in the understanding of surface water-groundwater interactions, particularly channel transmission loss processes. These earlier studies, focused largely on the Limpopo River’s main stem, have attributed the existence of these streamflow losses to the presence of significant alluvial aquifers and indicated that the losses account for about 30 percent (or 1000 Mm3 a-1) of the basin’s water balance. The work conducted in this dissertation reports on the delineation of alluvial aquifers across three sub-basins of the Limpopo River Basin namely, the Mokolo (South Africa), Motloutse (Botswana) and Mzingwane (Zimbabwe) sub-basins and the estimation of potential channel transmission losses based on the alluvial aquifer properties. Additionally, an assessment of the different approaches that can be applied to simulate these channel transmission losses in the Pitman Model is presented. To delineate alluvial aquifers, general land cover classes including alluvial aquifers were produced from Landsat-8 imagery through image classification. The areal extent of the delineated alluvial aquifers was calculated using ArcMap 10.3. To quantify channel transmission losses and determine the effects on regional water resources, three approaches using the Pitman model were applied. The three approaches include an explicit transmission loss function, the use of a wetland function to represent channel-floodplain storage exchanges and the use of a ‘dummy’ reservoir to represent floodplain storage and evapotranspiration losses. Results indicate that all three approaches were able to simulate channel transmission losses, although with differing magnitudes. Observed monthly flow data were used to as a means of validating loss simulations however for each sub-basin, medium and low flows were over-simulated which accounts for water uses that were inefficiently represented due to lack of data. Knowledge of the structure of the transmission loss function dictates that it is better at representing the dynamics of channel transmission losses, as it takes into account the contribution of losses to groundwater recharge whereas the other two functions simply store water and release it back to the channel. Overall, the hydrological modelling results demonstrate the potential of each approach in reproducing the dynamics of channel transmission losses between channel and alluvial aquifer within an existing sub-basin scale hydrological model. It is believed that better quantification of losses and more efficient qualitative determination of the function which best represents transmission losses, can be attained with more reliable observed data. In conclusion, a study of this nature can be beneficial to water resource estimation programmes as it highlights the uncertainties related with quantifying channel transmission loss processes in a semi-arid environment.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

Understanding and treating combat-related post traumatic stress disorder: a soldier's story

  • Authors: Koen, Gary
  • Date: 1992
  • Subjects: Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Case studies , Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Treatment , Soldiers -- Mental health -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3134 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006879 , Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Case studies , Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Treatment , Soldiers -- Mental health -- South Africa
  • Description: This work documents the treatment of a 20-year-old male suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of his experience during two years of national service as an Operations "Ops" Medic in the South African Defence Force. The literature review is drawn largely from the body of work emerging from the Vietnam War, and in particular the work of Robert Lifton and Erwin Parson is considered. The case study consists of a detailed synopsis of the treatment based upon material from the therapy sessions. This section hopes to accurately convey the experience of working with someone suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and provide insight into the dynamics of such a therapeutic relationship. Finally the discussion examines the links between the theory and the treatment and attempts to understand the various factors which shaped and influenced the final outcome of the therapy. Special consideration is given to showing how essentially cognitive restructuring techniques are successfully utilised within a more existential, psychodynamic framework. Furthermore, there is a paucity of literature on the subject of combat-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in South Africa and it is hoped that this work will both point to a need for further research in this field whilst simultaneously provide guidance for those who wish to become involved in working with individuals suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 1992

Understanding as an epistemic virtue : a value-driven non-factive account

  • Authors: Rybko, Caitlin
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:21195 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6874
  • Description: Understanding has been somewhat undervalued and underexplored in the current literature and often its value is tied into that of either truth or knowledge. This thesis aims to provide an account of understanding that defends its value as an epistemic good that is not contingent on either knowledge or truth. I will aim to construct an account that is value driven rather than nature driven as it seems that this is where the problem lies. In order to do this I will assess two current accounts of understanding and show that they cannot adequately explain the value that we give to understanding, nor do they explain how we understand.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2017

Understanding biotic interactions in invaded pond communities in the Sundays River irrigation network, South Africa

  • Authors: Mofu, Lubabalo
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Mozambique tilapia -- South Africa -- Sundays River (Eastern Cape) , Western mosquitofish -- South Africa -- Sundays River (Eastern Cape) , Gobiidae -- South Africa -- Sundays River (Eastern Cape) , Clupeidae -- South Africa -- Sundays River (Eastern Cape) , Reservoirs -- South Africa -- Sundays River (Eastern Cape) , Zooplankton -- South Africa -- Sundays River (Eastern Cape) , Freshwater ecology -- South Africa -- Sundays River (Eastern Cape) , Biotic communities -- South Africa -- Sundays River (Eastern Cape) , Fishes -- Effect of temperature on -- South Africa -- Sundays River (Eastern Cape) , Stable isotopes , Relative Impact Potential
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167089 , vital:41436
  • Description: The Sundays River valley irrigation ponds provide a unique opportunity to investigate biotic interactions within a biological invasions context, as they contain both native and non-native fish species. This study focusses on two native species (Glossogobius callidus and Gilchristella aestuaria) and two non-native species (Oreochromis mossambicus and Gambusia affinis). The ecology of the ponds was driven by physico-chemical variables, mainly temperature, but the interactions between fishes were a complex interplay between temperature, pond community ecology and food web structure. Seasonal changes in temperature and subsequent fluctuations in water levels resulted in changes in zooplankton community. Chlorophyll-a, temperature, G. callidus and G. affinis were the drivers of the seasonal changes in macroinvertebrate composition. Stable isotope analysis identified substantial ontogenetic dietary shifts in all species, corresponding to changes in body size. Stable isotope analysis revealed that the niche space occupied by G. affinis was broad and overlapped with that of the other three focal species. Stable isotope metrics showed that G. affinis and O. mossambicus utilised a wide range of resources compared to G. callidus and G. aestuaria. Stomach content analysis showed that G. callidus, O. mossambicus and G. affinis fed predominantly on benthic resources, while G. aestuaria fed mainly plankton resources. Functional response experiments revealed that G. callidus and G. affinis both displayed Type II functional responses. In single fish trials, G. affinis had significantly higher functional responses than G. callidus. In heterospecific G. callidus-G. affinis combinations the functional response of G. callidus was reduced by the presence of G. affinis, whereas, this combination greatly enhanced G. affinis functional response magnitudes. The functional response of G. callidus, O. mossambicus and G. affinis under two temperature treatments along with fish abundance data was used to determine temporal differences in the ecological impacts of each fish species between seasons. The relative impact potential of O. mossambicus was consistently higher than that of G. callidus and G. affinis. This study demonstrates how seasonal temperature fluctuations affect the relative impact capacities of introduced species. Overall, this thesis showed that high temperature along with life-history traits contributes to the biotic interactions between native and non-native species in novel environments.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2020

Understanding climate change and rural livelihoods in Zimbabwe: adaptation by communal farmers in Ngundu, Chivi District

  • Authors: Nciizah, Elinah
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Agriculture -- Zimbabwe , Agriculture -- Climatic factors -- Chivi District (Zimbabwe) , Chivi District (Zimbabwe) -- Rural conditions
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/118765 , vital:34666
  • Description: Climate change and variability is a global phenomenon which has deeply localised patterns, dynamics and effects. Amongst those people who are particularly vulnerable to climate change effects are small-scale farmers who are dependent in large part on rain-fed agriculture in pursuing their livelihoods. This is true of small-scale farmers in contemporary Zimbabwe and, more specifically, farmers in communal areas. At the same time, at international and national levels, there are attempts currently to minimise the effects of, and to adapt to, climate change. However, adaptation measures also exist at local levels amongst small-scale farmers, such as communal farmers in Zimbabwe. In this context, as its main objective, this thesis examines climate change and small-scale farmer livelihood adaptation to climate change with specific reference to communal farmers in Chivi District in Zimbabwe and, in particular, in Ward 25 which is popularly known as Ngundu. In pursuing this main objective, a number of subsidiary objectives are addressed, including a focus on the established livelihoods of Ngundu farmers, the perceptions and concerns of Ngundu farmers about climate change, the coping and adaptation measures of Ngundu farmers, and the enablements and constraints which affect attempts by Ngundu farmers to adopt such measures. The fieldwork for the thesis involved a diverse array of research methods, such as a questionnaire survey, life-history interviews, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and transect walks. In terms of theoretical framing, the thesis makes use of both middle-level theory (the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework) and macro-theory in the form of the sociological work of Margaret Archer. Combined, these two theories allow for a focus on both structure and agency when seeking to understand livelihood adaptations to climate change by communal farmers in Ngundu. The thesis concludes that there are massive constraints inhibiting adaptation measures by Ngundu farmers, but that this should not distract from the deep, often historically-embedded, concerns of Ngundu farmers about climate change and the multiple ways in which they express agency in and through adaptation and coping activities. It also highlights the need for more specifically sociological investigations of climate change and small-scale farmer adaptation, as well as the need for localised studies which are able to identify and analyse the specificities of adaptation.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2020

Understanding climate variability and livelihoods adaptation in rural Zimbabwe : case of Charewa, Mutoko

  • Authors: Bhatasara, Sandra
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Climatic changes -- Zimbabwe -- Mutoko , Sustainable agriculture -- Zimbabwe -- Mutoko , Environmental impact analysis -- Zimbabwe -- Mutoko , Farmers -- Zimbabwe -- Mutoko -- Economic conditions , Food supply -- Zimbabwe -- Mutoko , Farms -- Zimbabwe -- Mutoko , Land use, Rural -- Zimbabwe -- Mutoko , Crops and climate -- Zimbabwe -- Mutoko
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:3403 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018928 , Climatic changes -- Zimbabwe -- Mutoko , Sustainable agriculture -- Zimbabwe -- Mutoko , Environmental impact analysis -- Zimbabwe -- Mutoko , Farmers -- Zimbabwe -- Mutoko -- Economic conditions , Food supply -- Zimbabwe -- Mutoko , Farms -- Zimbabwe -- Mutoko , Land use, Rural -- Zimbabwe -- Mutoko , Crops and climate -- Zimbabwe -- Mutoko
  • Description: Rural farmers in Zimbabwe have been grappling with various changes and challenges occurring in the country since the early 1990s. Amongst these, climate variability has emerged as one significant aspect. It has introduced new challenges for these farmers who are already facing various difficulties in maintaining their insecure livelihoods. Yet, current adaptation theories and inquiries have failed to sufficiently account for and analyse the capacity of these farmers to adequately respond to changing climatic conditions. In this respect, a number of studies have been heavily embedded in deterministic concepts that regard rural farmers as passive victims who play only a minor part in decisions and actions that affect their own livelihoods and well-being. Similarly, although some studies have acknowledged farmers’ capacity to adapt and build elements of resilience, they have not adequately shown how farmers interpret changes in climate and the structures, processes and conditions underpinning adaptation. Following that, my study uses a case study of a rural community in a semi-arid region of Mutoko district in eastern Zimbabwe and Margaret Archer’s sociological theory to understand and analyse how farmers problematise climate variability and respond to it. The study utilises a qualitative approach to divulge the subtleties on how rural people interpret processes of change and adapt to such changes. The thesis found that farmers are encountering increasingly unpredictable and unreliable rainfall patterns as well as shifting temperature conditions which are inducing labyrinthian livelihoods conundrums. However, these climatic shifts are not being experienced in a discrete manner hence farmers are also discontented with the obtaining socio-economic circumstances in the country. Simultaneously, whilst farmers in large part conceived changes in rainfall and temperature to be caused by natural shifts in climate, they also ascribed them to cultural and religious facets. Importantly, the thesis reveals considerable resourcefulness by farmers in the face of nascent changes in climate variability. Farmers have therefore constructed versatile coping and adaptive strategies. What is crucial to mention here is that climatic and non-climatic challenges are negotiated concurrently. Therein, farmers are adapting to climate variability and at the same time navigating difficult socio-economic landscapes. All the same, the process of adaptation is ostensibly not straightforward but complex. As it evolves, farmers find themselves facing numerous constraining structures and processes. Nonetheless, farmers in this study are able to circumvent the constraints presented to them and at the same time activate the corresponding enabling structures, processes and conditions.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

Understanding defiant identities: an ethnography of gays and lesbians in Harare, Zimbabwe

  • Authors: Muparamoto, Nelson
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Gays -- Zimbabwe , Gays -- Abuse of -- Zimbabwe , Homosexuality -- Zimbabwe , Homosexuality -- Political aspects -- Zimbabwe , Homosexuality -- Social aspects -- Zimbabwe , Homosexuality -- Religious aspects -- Zimbabwe , Homophobia -- Zimbabwe
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67720 , vital:29133
  • Description: Over the years, western and local media have mediated a narrative of a thoroughly homophobic Zimbabwe, not the least emanating from the former president Robert Mugabe’s ongoing homocritical utterances which recurrently generated global news stories. The country does indeed have a protracted history characterised by various forms of attacks on Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe, its membership, and the general lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. A dominant discourse has framed homosexual identities as on or beyond the border of what is acceptable, giving the clear message that they should not be tolerated. However, the narrative needs a more nuanced analysis than what has been popularised. That homophobia has played a significant role in Zimbabwe is of great import, but it is not and cannot be all there is to say about LGBT lives in the country. And, while scholarship on Zimbabwean homosexualities has engaged with debates about its indigeneity, morality and acceptability, it has as of yet not significantly explored the lived realities of non-heterosexual individuals from their own point of view. This thesis aims to begin doing exactly that, addressing the experiences of same-sex loving and attracted individuals in Harare. Drawing on ethnographic sociology, the thesis focuses on understanding how gay and lesbian identities are constructed, negotiated and experienced within an environment that is in many ways overtly homophobic, where, for example, the risk for social exclusion is considerable. It explores what characterises and shapes gay and lesbian identities in Harare in an attempt to interrogate how they reinforce, modify and challenge dominant social categories and relate to globally circulating queer identity categories. The thesis demonstrates that the construction of identities among same sex loving people in Harare variously draws on both locally and globally circulating ideas and insights. The thesis reveals that beyond the considerable attacks on homosexual identities in Zimbabwe, the intersection of local and international discourses on gay and lesbian identities produces identities that are to varying degrees emergent, fluid and perhaps fragmented. Despite attempts to expunge non-heterosexuals from Zimbabwean citizenry by drawing borders on the basis of sexual orientation, same sex loving individuals in Harare have defiantly expressed, negotiated and managed their sexual identities. The thesis describes and analyses things like dating patterns, decision making in same sex relations as well as family and religious experiences. Invoking Goffman’s concept of self-presentation enables one to understand how participants expressed themselves in the midst of like-minded or homo-tolerant individuals and how they deployed themselves in ‘spaces’ considered homocritical or where resentment was likely to be provoked by them openly expressing their sexual orientation. Crucially, same-sex loving and attracted individuals are agentic individuals who have variously stretched the traditional meanings associated with gender and sexuality in a context characterised by heteronormativity. This thesis usefully deploys Giddens’ (1991, 1992) theorisation of late modernity as characterised by conditions allowing a profusion of competing and sometimes contradictory identity discourses which offers the opportunity for self-reflexivity and identity negotiation. This helps us to understand the defiant identities. Whereas western circulating identity politics tout ‘coming out of the closet’, for most of the participants overt indiscriminate disclosure was to be avoided with participants therein deploying strategies that would help them to remain closeted to some family members as well as in religious circles. The consequences of ‘outing’ or disclosure are ostensibly not straightforward but complex, thus requiring a nuanced analysis that goes beyond the binary categories framed as either negative or positive. The thesis shows that experiences of same sex loving people in their families are complex rather than simply situated on the polar ends of either rejection or acceptance. Whilst dominant discourse has depicted religion as fuelling homophobia as it depicts a Christian identity and queer identities as incompatible, the thesis also explores how some participants challenge the borders drawn in religious circles and maintain a relatively active religious life but not always without conflict.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Understanding development aid and state autonomy : the case of European Union budget support to Mozambique

  • Authors: Ndlovu, Ana Admiração
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Economic assistance, European -- Mozambique , Economic development -- Mozambique , Mozambique -- Economic conditions , Autonomy , Budget -- Mozambique
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
  • Identifier: vital:3378 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013218
  • Description: Post-colonial states in Africa continue to pursue nation-building and socio-economic development. This process is taking place with the sustained support of global agencies in terms of development cooperation, assistance and aid. Insofar as an endogenous development path which speaks to national priorities can be formulated and implemented by post-colonial states, their relationship with these agencies raises serious questions about such a path if the relationship entails dependence and indeed subordination of post-colonial states. This raises important questions about state autonomy under post-colonial conditions and the possibility of autonomy being compromised. In this light, the thesis examines European Union budget support to Mozambique and, in particular, the relationship between EU budget support and Mozambique state autonomy in pursuing national development. This is particularly pertinent given the massive dependence of the Mozambican state on foreign funding (notably EU funding) with specific regard to the national budget. Despite the broad claims existing in the prevailing literature that nation-state autonomy is seriously undermined in and through the international development system, the thesis argues against reductionist arguments that simply posit post-colonial states as mere instruments of global forces. This system, including European Union budget support, does indeed set the conditions of existence for post-colonial states such as Mozambique. But autonomy is necessarily relative and is subject to different forms and degrees. Ultimately, it is through empirical investigation that the specific form and degree of autonomy can be pinpointed and understood. The thesis contributes to this endeavour and suggests that the relationship between European budget support and Mozambican state autonomy is more complex and tension-riddled than the prevailing literature would seem to suggest.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2014

Understanding editorial independence and public accountability issues in public broadcasting service: a study of the editorial policies at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)

  • Authors: Jjuuko, Denis Charles
  • Date: 2005
  • Subjects: South African Broadcasting Corporation , South African Broadcasting Corporation -- Law and legislation , Broadcasting -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Mass media -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Broadcasting policy -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3437 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002891 , South African Broadcasting Corporation , South African Broadcasting Corporation -- Law and legislation , Broadcasting -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Mass media -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Broadcasting policy -- South Africa
  • Description: The concepts of editorial independence and public accountability are necessary in public broadcasting service as they help make a distinction between a public service broadcaster, a government and a commercial service broadcaster. This is because public service broadcasters are tasked with the responsibility of serving the interests of the general public. To do this, the above mentioned concepts have to be in place. This study examines these issues (editorial independence and public accountability) with reference to a case study of the editorial policies of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). Using public broadcasting theory, policy theory and qualitative research methods, the study examines the genesis of these editorial policies in 2003/2004 and how they provide the SABC with a means of balancing the tensions of editorial independence and public accountability. In analysing the SABC’s editorial policies, the study deals only with those policies whose principles are directly related to editorial independence and public accountability. Although some of these policies are found to be in line with public broadcasting service trends, others are found lacking. Various recommendations are made. The case study demonstrates the importance of an integrated and elaborated policy perspective in setting out how a public service broadcaster can manage editorial independence and public accountability. It also highlights the importance of using international ‘role models’ in ways that are appropriately adapted for the specific country concerned.
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  • Date Issued: 2005
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