The implementation and evaluation of a service-learning component in a second year undergraduate organic chemistry course
- Authors: Abel, Sarah Ruth
- Date: 2011 , 2010-10-03
- Subjects: Chemistry, Organic -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Action research in education -- South Africa , Experiential learning -- South Africa , Service learning -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4393 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006008 , Chemistry, Organic -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Action research in education -- South Africa , Experiential learning -- South Africa , Service learning -- South Africa
- Description: The project describes the action research implementation, and evaluation of learning, of a service-learning component in a second year undergraduate organic chemistry course. The research aims to explore the learning that takes place in a service-learning context while utilizing an action research methodology within the critical theory paradigm. This occurs in response to the world-wide call for Higher Education to produce people with civic competencies and responsiveness to the society in which they live (Boyer 1996). Educating young Chemists to see the importance of their knowledge and their responsibilities in society is an important pedagogical step in the effort to cross boundaries and make connections between people communities (Eyler and Giles 1999). The goal of this project was to explore and categorize the learning that takes place in a service-learning context and discover how these areas of learning impact the awareness of the parties involved with regard to the discipline of chemistry as well as social issues. The project makes use of Kolb‘s (1984) Experiential Learning Theory, and Eyler and Giles‘ (1999) categories of learning in service-learning and results indicate that service-learning can be a powerful pedagogical tool to increase learning in chemistry as well as in the areas of critical thinking, personal and social development, reflection and citizenship. Students‘ perceptions of themselves, their discipline and their responsibility to society were transformed by their experience of service-learning in their undergraduate chemistry course.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Abel, Sarah Ruth
- Date: 2011 , 2010-10-03
- Subjects: Chemistry, Organic -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Action research in education -- South Africa , Experiential learning -- South Africa , Service learning -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4393 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006008 , Chemistry, Organic -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Action research in education -- South Africa , Experiential learning -- South Africa , Service learning -- South Africa
- Description: The project describes the action research implementation, and evaluation of learning, of a service-learning component in a second year undergraduate organic chemistry course. The research aims to explore the learning that takes place in a service-learning context while utilizing an action research methodology within the critical theory paradigm. This occurs in response to the world-wide call for Higher Education to produce people with civic competencies and responsiveness to the society in which they live (Boyer 1996). Educating young Chemists to see the importance of their knowledge and their responsibilities in society is an important pedagogical step in the effort to cross boundaries and make connections between people communities (Eyler and Giles 1999). The goal of this project was to explore and categorize the learning that takes place in a service-learning context and discover how these areas of learning impact the awareness of the parties involved with regard to the discipline of chemistry as well as social issues. The project makes use of Kolb‘s (1984) Experiential Learning Theory, and Eyler and Giles‘ (1999) categories of learning in service-learning and results indicate that service-learning can be a powerful pedagogical tool to increase learning in chemistry as well as in the areas of critical thinking, personal and social development, reflection and citizenship. Students‘ perceptions of themselves, their discipline and their responsibility to society were transformed by their experience of service-learning in their undergraduate chemistry course.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Internal auditors perceptions of the impact of control elements on internal control systems
- Authors: Ackerman, Christo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Auditing, Internal , Financial statements , Controllership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8952 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008158 , Auditing, Internal , Financial statements , Controllership
- Description: The objective of this research report was to determine which internal controls are perceived, by internal auditors, to be contributing to the effectiveness of an internal control structure. The Committee for Sponsoring Organisations (COSO) integrated internal control framework was used as a basis for the questionnaire construction and respondents were asked to rate the perceived control effectiveness of each of the components of internal control. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the basic meaning of the data. The questionnaire was completed by following a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) which was sent to two internal auditors in audit firms. Thirty one responses were obtained; all the respondents have experience in the evaluation and assessment of internal control systems. This research showed that control elements as outlined in COSOs integrated internal control framework, if implemented, could contribute to the effectiveness of the internal control system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Ackerman, Christo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Auditing, Internal , Financial statements , Controllership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8952 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008158 , Auditing, Internal , Financial statements , Controllership
- Description: The objective of this research report was to determine which internal controls are perceived, by internal auditors, to be contributing to the effectiveness of an internal control structure. The Committee for Sponsoring Organisations (COSO) integrated internal control framework was used as a basis for the questionnaire construction and respondents were asked to rate the perceived control effectiveness of each of the components of internal control. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the basic meaning of the data. The questionnaire was completed by following a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) which was sent to two internal auditors in audit firms. Thirty one responses were obtained; all the respondents have experience in the evaluation and assessment of internal control systems. This research showed that control elements as outlined in COSOs integrated internal control framework, if implemented, could contribute to the effectiveness of the internal control system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The education sector as an essential service
- Authors: Adams, Anton John
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Educational law and legislation -- South Africa , Teachers -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa , Right to education -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Basic education -- South Africa , Human rights -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10188 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1573 , Educational law and legislation -- South Africa , Teachers -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa , Right to education -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Basic education -- South Africa , Human rights -- Study and teaching
- Description: Because of the impact of teacher strikes on education there has been a call to declare the teacher‟s profession an essential service and thus prohibit them from striking. This call was made by the Democratic Alliance (DA). The Democratic Alliance arguments in their application to the Essential Services Committee was based on the fact that education in South Africa is in a crisis and the life-altering inconvenience this caused for children. The combined teacher unions in the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) expressed their concerns over the DA‟s call for education to be declared an Essential Service. The Bill of Rights grants every employee the fundamental right to strike. This is an absolute and should always be exercised under certain controlled conditions, as stipulated by the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995. Convention 87 of the International Labour Organising (ILO) recognises the right of trade unions, as an organisation of workers set up to further and defend their interest (Article 10), to formulate their programs and organise their activities (Article 3); this means that unions have the right to negotiate with employers and to express their views on economic and social issues affecting the occupational interest of their members. This constitutes the position that the right to strike is one of the legitimate and indeed essential means available to workers for furthering and defending their occupational interest. Balanced against the right of every teacher to strike is the right of everyone to have a basic education as set out in section 29 of the Constitution. In terms of section 29(1)(a) everyone has a right, enforceable against the state, to basic education. This creates a strong positive right. Aspects of the right to education are found in human rights treaties and declarations. This right to education is contained in article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) which states that “everyone has the right to education”. The International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural v Rights of 1966 covers the right to education comprehensively, especially article 13 and 14. In 1989 the Convention on the Rights of the Child further confirmed this right. The right to a basic education is further enhanced by section 28(2) of the Constitution “(a) child‟s best interest is of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child”. It is significant to note that in 2007 the Constitutional Court elevated the “best interest” principle to a right. This implies that the best interest of the child would be the decisive factor in each matter that affects the child. In deciding to declare the teaching profession as an essential service constitutional rights must be balanced. These are the right to strike, the right to a basic education and the best interest of the child principle.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Adams, Anton John
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Educational law and legislation -- South Africa , Teachers -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa , Right to education -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Basic education -- South Africa , Human rights -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10188 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1573 , Educational law and legislation -- South Africa , Teachers -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa , Right to education -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Basic education -- South Africa , Human rights -- Study and teaching
- Description: Because of the impact of teacher strikes on education there has been a call to declare the teacher‟s profession an essential service and thus prohibit them from striking. This call was made by the Democratic Alliance (DA). The Democratic Alliance arguments in their application to the Essential Services Committee was based on the fact that education in South Africa is in a crisis and the life-altering inconvenience this caused for children. The combined teacher unions in the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) expressed their concerns over the DA‟s call for education to be declared an Essential Service. The Bill of Rights grants every employee the fundamental right to strike. This is an absolute and should always be exercised under certain controlled conditions, as stipulated by the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995. Convention 87 of the International Labour Organising (ILO) recognises the right of trade unions, as an organisation of workers set up to further and defend their interest (Article 10), to formulate their programs and organise their activities (Article 3); this means that unions have the right to negotiate with employers and to express their views on economic and social issues affecting the occupational interest of their members. This constitutes the position that the right to strike is one of the legitimate and indeed essential means available to workers for furthering and defending their occupational interest. Balanced against the right of every teacher to strike is the right of everyone to have a basic education as set out in section 29 of the Constitution. In terms of section 29(1)(a) everyone has a right, enforceable against the state, to basic education. This creates a strong positive right. Aspects of the right to education are found in human rights treaties and declarations. This right to education is contained in article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) which states that “everyone has the right to education”. The International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural v Rights of 1966 covers the right to education comprehensively, especially article 13 and 14. In 1989 the Convention on the Rights of the Child further confirmed this right. The right to a basic education is further enhanced by section 28(2) of the Constitution “(a) child‟s best interest is of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child”. It is significant to note that in 2007 the Constitutional Court elevated the “best interest” principle to a right. This implies that the best interest of the child would be the decisive factor in each matter that affects the child. In deciding to declare the teaching profession as an essential service constitutional rights must be balanced. These are the right to strike, the right to a basic education and the best interest of the child principle.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
A study of a class of invariant optimal control problems on the Euclidean group SE(2)
- Authors: Adams, Ross Montague
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Matrix groups Lie groups Extremal problems (Mathematics) Maximum principles (Mathematics) Hamilton-Jacobi equations Lyapunov stability
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5420 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006060
- Description: The aim of this thesis is to study a class of left-invariant optimal control problems on the matrix Lie group SE(2). We classify, under detached feedback equivalence, all controllable (left-invariant) control affine systems on SE(2). This result produces six types of control affine systems on SE(2). Hence, we study six associated left-invariant optimal control problems on SE(2). A left-invariant optimal control problem consists of minimizing a cost functional over the trajectory-control pairs of a left-invariant control system subject to appropriate boundary conditions. Each control problem is lifted from SE(2) to T*SE(2) ≅ SE(2) x se (2)*and then reduced to a problem on se (2)*. The maximum principle is used to obtain the optimal control and Hamiltonian corresponding to the normal extremals. Then we derive the (reduced) extremal equations on se (2)*. These equations are explicitly integrated by trigonometric and Jacobi elliptic functions. Finally, we fully classify, under Lyapunov stability, the equilibrium states of the normal extremal equations for each of the six types under consideration.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Adams, Ross Montague
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Matrix groups Lie groups Extremal problems (Mathematics) Maximum principles (Mathematics) Hamilton-Jacobi equations Lyapunov stability
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5420 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006060
- Description: The aim of this thesis is to study a class of left-invariant optimal control problems on the matrix Lie group SE(2). We classify, under detached feedback equivalence, all controllable (left-invariant) control affine systems on SE(2). This result produces six types of control affine systems on SE(2). Hence, we study six associated left-invariant optimal control problems on SE(2). A left-invariant optimal control problem consists of minimizing a cost functional over the trajectory-control pairs of a left-invariant control system subject to appropriate boundary conditions. Each control problem is lifted from SE(2) to T*SE(2) ≅ SE(2) x se (2)*and then reduced to a problem on se (2)*. The maximum principle is used to obtain the optimal control and Hamiltonian corresponding to the normal extremals. Then we derive the (reduced) extremal equations on se (2)*. These equations are explicitly integrated by trigonometric and Jacobi elliptic functions. Finally, we fully classify, under Lyapunov stability, the equilibrium states of the normal extremal equations for each of the six types under consideration.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Marine anti-malarial isonitriles : a synthetic and computational study
- Authors: Adendorff, Matthew Ralph
- Date: 2011 , 2010-05-17
- Subjects: Isocyanides , Isocyanates , Marine pharmacology , Antimalarials , Antimalarials -- Development , Drug development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4398 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006674 , Isocyanides , Isocyanates , Marine pharmacology , Antimalarials , Antimalarials -- Development , Drug development
- Description: The development of Plasmodium falciparum malarial resistance to the current armoury of anti-malarial drugs requires the development of new treatments to help combat this disease. The marine environment is a well established source of potential pharmaceuticals. Of interest to us are isonitrile, isocyanate and isothiocyanate compounds isolated from marine sponges and molluscs which have exhibited nano-molar anti-plasmodial activities. Through quantitative structure-activity relation studies (QSAR), a literature precedent exists for a pseudoreceptor model from which a pharmacophore for the design of novel anti-malarial agents was proposed. The current theory suggests that these marine compounds exert their inhibitory action through interfering with the heme detoxification pathway in P. falciparum. We propose that the computational methods used to draw detailed conclusions about the mode of action of these marine compounds were inadequate. This thesis addresses this problem using contemporary computational methodologies and seeks to propose a more robust method for the rational design of new anti-malarial drug compounds that inhibit heme polymerization to hemozoin. In order to investigate the interactions of the marine compounds with their heme targets, a series of modern computational procedures were formulated, validated and then applied to theoretical systems. The validations of these algorithms, before their application to the marine compound-heme systems, were achieved through two case studies. The first was used to investigate the applicability of the statistical docking algorithm AutoDock to be used for the exploration of conformational space around the heme target. A theoretical P. falciparum 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase (PfDXR) enzyme model, constructed by the Biochemistry Department at Rhodes University, provided the ideal model to validate the AutoDock program. The protein model was accordingly subjected to rigorous docking simulations with over 30 different ligand molecules using the AutoDock algorithm which allowed for the docking algorithm’s limitations to be ascertained and improved upon. This investigation facilitated the successful validation of the protein model, which can now be used for the rational design of new PfDXR-inhibiting anti-plasmodial compounds, as well as enabling us to propose an improvement of the docking algorithm for application to the heme systems. The second case study was used to investigate the applicability of an ab initio molecular dynamics algorithm for simulation of bond breaking/forming events between the marine compounds and their heme target. This validation involved the exploration of intermolecular interactions in a naturally occurring nonoligomeric zipper using the Car-Parrinello Molecular Dynamics (CPMD) method. This study allowed us to propose a model for the intermolecular forces responsible for zipper self-assembly and showcased the CPMD method’s abilities to simulate and predict bond forming/breaking events. Data from the computational analyses suggested that the interactions between marine isonitriles, isocyanates and isothiocyanates occur through bond-less electrostatic attractions rather than through formal intermolecular bonds as had been previously suggested. Accordingly, a simple bicyclic tertiary isonitrile (5.14) was synthesized using Kitano et al’s relatively underutilized isonitrile synthetic method for the conversion of tertiary alcohols to their corresponding isonitriles. This compound’s potential for heme detoxification inhibition was then explored in vitro via the pyridine-hemochrome assay. The assay data suggested that the synthesized isonitrile was capable of inhibiting heme polymerization in a similar fashion to the known inhibitor chloroquine. Attempts to synthesize tricyclic analogues of 5.14 were unsuccessful and highlighted the limitation of Kitano et al’s isonitrile synthetic methodology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Adendorff, Matthew Ralph
- Date: 2011 , 2010-05-17
- Subjects: Isocyanides , Isocyanates , Marine pharmacology , Antimalarials , Antimalarials -- Development , Drug development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4398 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006674 , Isocyanides , Isocyanates , Marine pharmacology , Antimalarials , Antimalarials -- Development , Drug development
- Description: The development of Plasmodium falciparum malarial resistance to the current armoury of anti-malarial drugs requires the development of new treatments to help combat this disease. The marine environment is a well established source of potential pharmaceuticals. Of interest to us are isonitrile, isocyanate and isothiocyanate compounds isolated from marine sponges and molluscs which have exhibited nano-molar anti-plasmodial activities. Through quantitative structure-activity relation studies (QSAR), a literature precedent exists for a pseudoreceptor model from which a pharmacophore for the design of novel anti-malarial agents was proposed. The current theory suggests that these marine compounds exert their inhibitory action through interfering with the heme detoxification pathway in P. falciparum. We propose that the computational methods used to draw detailed conclusions about the mode of action of these marine compounds were inadequate. This thesis addresses this problem using contemporary computational methodologies and seeks to propose a more robust method for the rational design of new anti-malarial drug compounds that inhibit heme polymerization to hemozoin. In order to investigate the interactions of the marine compounds with their heme targets, a series of modern computational procedures were formulated, validated and then applied to theoretical systems. The validations of these algorithms, before their application to the marine compound-heme systems, were achieved through two case studies. The first was used to investigate the applicability of the statistical docking algorithm AutoDock to be used for the exploration of conformational space around the heme target. A theoretical P. falciparum 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase (PfDXR) enzyme model, constructed by the Biochemistry Department at Rhodes University, provided the ideal model to validate the AutoDock program. The protein model was accordingly subjected to rigorous docking simulations with over 30 different ligand molecules using the AutoDock algorithm which allowed for the docking algorithm’s limitations to be ascertained and improved upon. This investigation facilitated the successful validation of the protein model, which can now be used for the rational design of new PfDXR-inhibiting anti-plasmodial compounds, as well as enabling us to propose an improvement of the docking algorithm for application to the heme systems. The second case study was used to investigate the applicability of an ab initio molecular dynamics algorithm for simulation of bond breaking/forming events between the marine compounds and their heme target. This validation involved the exploration of intermolecular interactions in a naturally occurring nonoligomeric zipper using the Car-Parrinello Molecular Dynamics (CPMD) method. This study allowed us to propose a model for the intermolecular forces responsible for zipper self-assembly and showcased the CPMD method’s abilities to simulate and predict bond forming/breaking events. Data from the computational analyses suggested that the interactions between marine isonitriles, isocyanates and isothiocyanates occur through bond-less electrostatic attractions rather than through formal intermolecular bonds as had been previously suggested. Accordingly, a simple bicyclic tertiary isonitrile (5.14) was synthesized using Kitano et al’s relatively underutilized isonitrile synthetic method for the conversion of tertiary alcohols to their corresponding isonitriles. This compound’s potential for heme detoxification inhibition was then explored in vitro via the pyridine-hemochrome assay. The assay data suggested that the synthesized isonitrile was capable of inhibiting heme polymerization in a similar fashion to the known inhibitor chloroquine. Attempts to synthesize tricyclic analogues of 5.14 were unsuccessful and highlighted the limitation of Kitano et al’s isonitrile synthetic methodology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The influence of selected non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on policy-making in the Eastern Cape Amathole District Municipality and the eight local municipalities within the district
- Authors: Aiyegoro, Adeola Ikeoluwa
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Policy sciences
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11644 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001253 , Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Policy sciences
- Description: Since 1994, the South African Government embarked on an ambitious Reconstruction and Development Program (RDP) to correct the injustices of the past. One of the major programmes, which the government is implementing within the RDP framework, is the ―Integrated National Electrification Programme‖ (INEP) with the aim to address the electricity backlog by 2012. Recent figures from Statistics SA, indicate substantial progress with regard to access to electricity throughout the country and especially in previously disadvantaged areas. This study is an investigation of the impact of access to free basic electricity (FBE) on the welfare of indigent households in Buffalo City Municipality (BCM). This study aims at better understanding ways in which indigent households use electricity and to what extent access to electricity is improving the level of poverty in the households. Empirical evidences from pro-poor electrification programmes worldwide and especially in Asia suggest that greater access to electricity by poor people leads to economic and social development at both micro and macro levels. This study investigates the impact of electricity on household poverty, with focus on household income, household health and children‘s education. This study used mixed research methods to investigate the research problem. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected using survey questionnaires, focus group discussions and interviews of key informants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Aiyegoro, Adeola Ikeoluwa
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Policy sciences
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11644 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001253 , Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Policy sciences
- Description: Since 1994, the South African Government embarked on an ambitious Reconstruction and Development Program (RDP) to correct the injustices of the past. One of the major programmes, which the government is implementing within the RDP framework, is the ―Integrated National Electrification Programme‖ (INEP) with the aim to address the electricity backlog by 2012. Recent figures from Statistics SA, indicate substantial progress with regard to access to electricity throughout the country and especially in previously disadvantaged areas. This study is an investigation of the impact of access to free basic electricity (FBE) on the welfare of indigent households in Buffalo City Municipality (BCM). This study aims at better understanding ways in which indigent households use electricity and to what extent access to electricity is improving the level of poverty in the households. Empirical evidences from pro-poor electrification programmes worldwide and especially in Asia suggest that greater access to electricity by poor people leads to economic and social development at both micro and macro levels. This study investigates the impact of electricity on household poverty, with focus on household income, household health and children‘s education. This study used mixed research methods to investigate the research problem. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected using survey questionnaires, focus group discussions and interviews of key informants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An analysis of the long run comovements between financial system development and mining production in South Africa
- Authors: Ajagbe, Stephen Mayowa
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa , Econometric models , Mineral industries -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic conditions , South Africa -- Economic policy , Principal components analysis , Cointegration , Stock exchanges -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:955 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002689 , Economic development -- South Africa , Econometric models , Mineral industries -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic conditions , South Africa -- Economic policy , Principal components analysis , Cointegration , Stock exchanges -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates
- Description: This study examines the nature of the relationship which exists between mining sector production and development of the financial systems in South Africa. This is particularly important in that the mining sector is considered to be one of the major contributors to the country’s overall economic growth. South Africa is also considered to have a very well developed financial system, to the point where the dominance of one over the other is difficult to identify. Therefore offering insight into the nature of this relationship will assist policy makers in identifying the most effective policies in order to ensure that the developments within the financial systems impact appropriately on the mining sector, and ultimately on the economy. In addition to using the conventional proxies of financial system development, this study utilises the principal component analysis (PCA) to construct an index for the entire financial system. The multivariate cointegration approach as proposed by Johansen (1988) and Johansen and Juselius (1990) was then used to estimate the relationship between the development of the financial systems and the mining sector production for the period 1988-2008. The study reveals mixed results for different measures of financial system development. Those involving the banking system show that a negative relationship exists between total mining production and total credit extended to the private sector, while liquid liabilities has a positive relationship. Similarly, with the stock market system, mixed results are also obtained which reveal a negative relationship between total mining production and stock market capitalisation, while a positive relationship is found with secondary market turnover. Of all the financial system variables, only that of stock market capitalisation was found to be significant. The result with the financial development index reveals that a significant negative relationship exists between financial system development and total mining sector production. Results on the other variables controlled in the estimation show that positive and significant relationships exist between total mining production and both nominal exchange rate and political stability respectively. Increased mining production therefore takes place in periods of appreciating exchange rates, and similarly in the post-apartheid era. On the other hand, negative relationships were found for both trade openness and inflation control variables. The impulse response and variance decomposition analyses showed that total mining production explains the largest amount of shocks within itself. Overall, the study reveals that the mining sector might not have benefited much from the development in the South African financial system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Ajagbe, Stephen Mayowa
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa , Econometric models , Mineral industries -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic conditions , South Africa -- Economic policy , Principal components analysis , Cointegration , Stock exchanges -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:955 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002689 , Economic development -- South Africa , Econometric models , Mineral industries -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic conditions , South Africa -- Economic policy , Principal components analysis , Cointegration , Stock exchanges -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates
- Description: This study examines the nature of the relationship which exists between mining sector production and development of the financial systems in South Africa. This is particularly important in that the mining sector is considered to be one of the major contributors to the country’s overall economic growth. South Africa is also considered to have a very well developed financial system, to the point where the dominance of one over the other is difficult to identify. Therefore offering insight into the nature of this relationship will assist policy makers in identifying the most effective policies in order to ensure that the developments within the financial systems impact appropriately on the mining sector, and ultimately on the economy. In addition to using the conventional proxies of financial system development, this study utilises the principal component analysis (PCA) to construct an index for the entire financial system. The multivariate cointegration approach as proposed by Johansen (1988) and Johansen and Juselius (1990) was then used to estimate the relationship between the development of the financial systems and the mining sector production for the period 1988-2008. The study reveals mixed results for different measures of financial system development. Those involving the banking system show that a negative relationship exists between total mining production and total credit extended to the private sector, while liquid liabilities has a positive relationship. Similarly, with the stock market system, mixed results are also obtained which reveal a negative relationship between total mining production and stock market capitalisation, while a positive relationship is found with secondary market turnover. Of all the financial system variables, only that of stock market capitalisation was found to be significant. The result with the financial development index reveals that a significant negative relationship exists between financial system development and total mining sector production. Results on the other variables controlled in the estimation show that positive and significant relationships exist between total mining production and both nominal exchange rate and political stability respectively. Increased mining production therefore takes place in periods of appreciating exchange rates, and similarly in the post-apartheid era. On the other hand, negative relationships were found for both trade openness and inflation control variables. The impulse response and variance decomposition analyses showed that total mining production explains the largest amount of shocks within itself. Overall, the study reveals that the mining sector might not have benefited much from the development in the South African financial system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Assessment of the antibacterial properties of n-Hexane extract of Cocos Nucifera and its interactions with some conventional antibiotics
- Authors: Akinyele, Taiwo Adesola
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Coconut palm , Microbial sensitivity tests , Gram-negative bacterial infections , Vibrio infections , Antibiotics , Hexane , Extracts
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11245 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/416 , Coconut palm , Microbial sensitivity tests , Gram-negative bacterial infections , Vibrio infections , Antibiotics , Hexane , Extracts
- Description: Cocos nucifera belong to the family Aracaceae (palm Family). The English name is coconut and it is used extensively as medicinal remedies against infections such as urinary tract infections, gastro intestinal infections, skin and wound infections. The in vitro antibacterial (including anti-listerial and anti-vibrio) properties as well as the evaluation of the combination potentials of the plant extract with six front-line antibiotics were evaluated in this study using standard procedures. The in vitro anti-listerial properties of the crude aqueous and n-Hexane extract of the husk of Cocos nucifera were carried out against 37 Listeria isolates. Twenty-nine of the test organisms were susceptible to the aqueous extract while thirty were susceptible to the n-Hexane extract both at the screening concentration of 25 mg/ml. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values for all the susceptible bacteria ranged between 0.6 - 5.0 mg/ml. For the aqueous extract, average log reduction in viable cell count ranged between 0.32 Log10 and 4.8 Log10 CFU/ml after 8 hours interaction in 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. For the n-Hexane extract, the log reduction ranged between 2.4 Log10 and 6.2 Log10 CFU/ml after 8 hours interaction in 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. The time-kill characteristics of the two extracts suggest that at higher concentration (2 × MIC) and longer duration of interaction (8 hr), more bacteria were killed. In vitro anti-vibrio and antibacterial properties experiment revealed that of all the 45 vibrio and 25 bacteria strains that was tested, 37 were susceptible to the aqueous extract and 38 to the n-Hexane extract, while 17 were susceptible to the aqueous extract and 21 to the n-Hexane extract. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values for all the susceptible bacteria ranged between 0.3 - 5.0 mg/ml. viii The time kill studies revealed that for the aqueous extract, average log reduction in viable cell count in time kill assay ranged between 0.12 Log10 and 4.2 Log10 CFU/ml after 8 hr interaction at 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. For the n-Hexane extract, the log reduction ranged between 0.56 Log10 and 6.4 Log10 CFU/ml after 8 hr interaction in 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. In the test for the combination interactions, the checkerboard method revealed synergy of 67% and indifferent of 33%, while the time kill assay detected synergy in 72% and indifferent in 28% of the combinations tested. The synergy detected was not specific to any of the antibiotics or the Gram reaction of the bacteria, and no antagonism was detected. We conclude that the aqueous and n-Hexane extract of the husk of C. nucifera contains potential broad spectrum antibiotics resistance modulating compounds that could be relevant in the treatment of infections caused by these pathogens. In addition, the husk which is being discarded as agro waste will opens up a vista of opportunities for utilization for therapeutic purposes
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Akinyele, Taiwo Adesola
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Coconut palm , Microbial sensitivity tests , Gram-negative bacterial infections , Vibrio infections , Antibiotics , Hexane , Extracts
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11245 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/416 , Coconut palm , Microbial sensitivity tests , Gram-negative bacterial infections , Vibrio infections , Antibiotics , Hexane , Extracts
- Description: Cocos nucifera belong to the family Aracaceae (palm Family). The English name is coconut and it is used extensively as medicinal remedies against infections such as urinary tract infections, gastro intestinal infections, skin and wound infections. The in vitro antibacterial (including anti-listerial and anti-vibrio) properties as well as the evaluation of the combination potentials of the plant extract with six front-line antibiotics were evaluated in this study using standard procedures. The in vitro anti-listerial properties of the crude aqueous and n-Hexane extract of the husk of Cocos nucifera were carried out against 37 Listeria isolates. Twenty-nine of the test organisms were susceptible to the aqueous extract while thirty were susceptible to the n-Hexane extract both at the screening concentration of 25 mg/ml. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values for all the susceptible bacteria ranged between 0.6 - 5.0 mg/ml. For the aqueous extract, average log reduction in viable cell count ranged between 0.32 Log10 and 4.8 Log10 CFU/ml after 8 hours interaction in 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. For the n-Hexane extract, the log reduction ranged between 2.4 Log10 and 6.2 Log10 CFU/ml after 8 hours interaction in 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. The time-kill characteristics of the two extracts suggest that at higher concentration (2 × MIC) and longer duration of interaction (8 hr), more bacteria were killed. In vitro anti-vibrio and antibacterial properties experiment revealed that of all the 45 vibrio and 25 bacteria strains that was tested, 37 were susceptible to the aqueous extract and 38 to the n-Hexane extract, while 17 were susceptible to the aqueous extract and 21 to the n-Hexane extract. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values for all the susceptible bacteria ranged between 0.3 - 5.0 mg/ml. viii The time kill studies revealed that for the aqueous extract, average log reduction in viable cell count in time kill assay ranged between 0.12 Log10 and 4.2 Log10 CFU/ml after 8 hr interaction at 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. For the n-Hexane extract, the log reduction ranged between 0.56 Log10 and 6.4 Log10 CFU/ml after 8 hr interaction in 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. In the test for the combination interactions, the checkerboard method revealed synergy of 67% and indifferent of 33%, while the time kill assay detected synergy in 72% and indifferent in 28% of the combinations tested. The synergy detected was not specific to any of the antibiotics or the Gram reaction of the bacteria, and no antagonism was detected. We conclude that the aqueous and n-Hexane extract of the husk of C. nucifera contains potential broad spectrum antibiotics resistance modulating compounds that could be relevant in the treatment of infections caused by these pathogens. In addition, the husk which is being discarded as agro waste will opens up a vista of opportunities for utilization for therapeutic purposes
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Widows' experiences of spousal mourning among AmaXhosa: an interpretative phenomenological study
- Authors: Akol, Grace
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Widowhood -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Widows -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Xhosa (African people) -- Funeral customs and rites , Xhosa (African people) -- Psychology , Bereavement -- Psychological aspects , Mourning customs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Death -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Psych)
- Identifier: vital:11609 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/523 , Widowhood -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Widows -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Xhosa (African people) -- Funeral customs and rites , Xhosa (African people) -- Psychology , Bereavement -- Psychological aspects , Mourning customs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Death -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study was conducted on the mourning rituals of the AmaXhosa widows of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study focused on the descriptive presentation of the experiences of the AmaXhosa widows in the Buffalo City municipality of the Province. The study sought to establish the widows’ perceptions regarding the mourning rituals and to interpret their experiences within the context of contemporary cultural, religious, gender and socio-political influences. The experiences among the widows interviewed were found to have a similar context but their perceptions about the mourning rituals were different between the widows younger than 40 years and those older than 50 years. Widows from urban and rural areas of East London, Mdantsane Township and from within a 60 kilometre radius of East London were interviewed. Purposive random sampling was used to identify an equal number of either urban or rural voluntary participants for the study. Structured interviews were held with widows ranging in age from 29 to 91 years. An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the recorded discussions was conducted. The experiences of the AmaXhosa widows during the conduct of the mourning rituals are described. The key findings of the study indicated that most of the widows felt they had to go through the mourning rituals mainly to show respect for their departed husbands and so that the dignity of the family and clan was maintained. The mourning rituals seemed mostly to have negative implications for the widows such as a lack of family and financial support and being treated as social outcasts; however the rituals also seemed to help the women adjust to their new status as widows. Although the mourning rituals were embedded in the socio-cultural tradition generally followed by the AmaXhosa, religious beliefs also influenced some of the traditions by introducing changes in the way some widows conducted the mourning rituals. For example, some religions advocated for shorter periods of mourning than usual as well as wearing different types of mourning clothes from the usual black or purple dress. Overall the perceptions of the older widows aged above 50 years revealed that they had no reservations about performing the mourning rituals and quite readily and unquestioningly accepted the customs. The younger widows aged below 40 years on the other hand felt that the mourning rituals were biased against women and did not serve a useful purpose and even proposed changes to the manner in which the mourning rituals are conducted particularly the shortening of the mourning period from 12 to 6 months or less. However, they seemed to recognize the role played by the mourning ritual in lessening and possibly healing the pain and sorrow caused by their bereavement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Akol, Grace
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Widowhood -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Widows -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Xhosa (African people) -- Funeral customs and rites , Xhosa (African people) -- Psychology , Bereavement -- Psychological aspects , Mourning customs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Death -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Psych)
- Identifier: vital:11609 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/523 , Widowhood -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Widows -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Xhosa (African people) -- Funeral customs and rites , Xhosa (African people) -- Psychology , Bereavement -- Psychological aspects , Mourning customs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Death -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study was conducted on the mourning rituals of the AmaXhosa widows of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study focused on the descriptive presentation of the experiences of the AmaXhosa widows in the Buffalo City municipality of the Province. The study sought to establish the widows’ perceptions regarding the mourning rituals and to interpret their experiences within the context of contemporary cultural, religious, gender and socio-political influences. The experiences among the widows interviewed were found to have a similar context but their perceptions about the mourning rituals were different between the widows younger than 40 years and those older than 50 years. Widows from urban and rural areas of East London, Mdantsane Township and from within a 60 kilometre radius of East London were interviewed. Purposive random sampling was used to identify an equal number of either urban or rural voluntary participants for the study. Structured interviews were held with widows ranging in age from 29 to 91 years. An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the recorded discussions was conducted. The experiences of the AmaXhosa widows during the conduct of the mourning rituals are described. The key findings of the study indicated that most of the widows felt they had to go through the mourning rituals mainly to show respect for their departed husbands and so that the dignity of the family and clan was maintained. The mourning rituals seemed mostly to have negative implications for the widows such as a lack of family and financial support and being treated as social outcasts; however the rituals also seemed to help the women adjust to their new status as widows. Although the mourning rituals were embedded in the socio-cultural tradition generally followed by the AmaXhosa, religious beliefs also influenced some of the traditions by introducing changes in the way some widows conducted the mourning rituals. For example, some religions advocated for shorter periods of mourning than usual as well as wearing different types of mourning clothes from the usual black or purple dress. Overall the perceptions of the older widows aged above 50 years revealed that they had no reservations about performing the mourning rituals and quite readily and unquestioningly accepted the customs. The younger widows aged below 40 years on the other hand felt that the mourning rituals were biased against women and did not serve a useful purpose and even proposed changes to the manner in which the mourning rituals are conducted particularly the shortening of the mourning period from 12 to 6 months or less. However, they seemed to recognize the role played by the mourning ritual in lessening and possibly healing the pain and sorrow caused by their bereavement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The challenges facing non-governmental organisations in transforming conflict through capacity-building in Nothern Uganda
- Authors: Akurut, Catherine
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Conflict management -- Uganda , Peace-building -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8189 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1412 , Conflict management -- Uganda , Peace-building -- Uganda
- Description: Capacity-building is an essential component of post-conflict reconstruction (PCR) and peace-building in the aftermath of violent conflict. Civilians, mainly women and children are driven or abducted from their homes during violent conflict and suffer various abuses and atrocities. Many spend the duration of the conflict as refugees in Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps in neighbouring countries. Violent conflict impinges on their psychological well-being and socio-economic development making their re-integration into their former communities extremely complex and challenging. In the case of Northern Uganda, the conflict lasted for over two decades. However, since the ―Cessation of Hostilities Agreement‖ of 2006, the peace-building process has been particularly evident here. Numerous stakeholders have been involved in the capacity-building processes in Northern Uganda, and one such organisation is the Friends of Orphans (FRO) in Pader district, Northern Uganda. The purpose of this research study is to explore the challenges facing the FRO in transforming conflict and building sustainable peace through capacity-building in Pader district. The study explores the programmes the organisation implements and investigates how these programmes are relevant for the transformation of conflict. Apart from reviewing the literature, the researcher conducted semi-structured interviews and used participant observation. The employees of the FRO – all of whom are involved with capacity-building in these communities – participated in these interviews in their capacities as social workers, teachers, administrators and field workers. The beneficiaries of these programmes include former child soldiers, abductees, child mothers, land mine survivors and orphans. Lessons learned by the FRO, as well as the researcher‘s recommendations, are discussed in the study in order to assist the future work of the organisation and other stakeholders who have devoted their efforts to the recovery of areas emerging from conflict.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Akurut, Catherine
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Conflict management -- Uganda , Peace-building -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8189 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1412 , Conflict management -- Uganda , Peace-building -- Uganda
- Description: Capacity-building is an essential component of post-conflict reconstruction (PCR) and peace-building in the aftermath of violent conflict. Civilians, mainly women and children are driven or abducted from their homes during violent conflict and suffer various abuses and atrocities. Many spend the duration of the conflict as refugees in Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps in neighbouring countries. Violent conflict impinges on their psychological well-being and socio-economic development making their re-integration into their former communities extremely complex and challenging. In the case of Northern Uganda, the conflict lasted for over two decades. However, since the ―Cessation of Hostilities Agreement‖ of 2006, the peace-building process has been particularly evident here. Numerous stakeholders have been involved in the capacity-building processes in Northern Uganda, and one such organisation is the Friends of Orphans (FRO) in Pader district, Northern Uganda. The purpose of this research study is to explore the challenges facing the FRO in transforming conflict and building sustainable peace through capacity-building in Pader district. The study explores the programmes the organisation implements and investigates how these programmes are relevant for the transformation of conflict. Apart from reviewing the literature, the researcher conducted semi-structured interviews and used participant observation. The employees of the FRO – all of whom are involved with capacity-building in these communities – participated in these interviews in their capacities as social workers, teachers, administrators and field workers. The beneficiaries of these programmes include former child soldiers, abductees, child mothers, land mine survivors and orphans. Lessons learned by the FRO, as well as the researcher‘s recommendations, are discussed in the study in order to assist the future work of the organisation and other stakeholders who have devoted their efforts to the recovery of areas emerging from conflict.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Stories from forest, river and mountain : exploring children's cultural environmental narratives and their role in the transmission of cultural connection to and protection of biodiversity
- Authors: Alexander, Jamie Kim
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Children and the environment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Environmental education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Oral tradition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social learning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional ecological knowledge -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:6061 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015267
- Description: Preservationist conservation created a legacy of national parks and protected areas that were surrounded by local people dispossessed of their land and denied the rights to use the resources they had previously relied upon. Although conservation is now shifting towards a more participatory approach, research gaps still exist in determining the meaning of 'the environment' and the role of local means of conservation in rural communities in South Africa. This study focused on children's cultural environmental narratives from two rural villages in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Children from grades 4, 7 and 10 were involved in the study, and adult family members, local experts and village elders were included in the study to allow for comparison between children's and adult's narratives and to realise what Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) was being passed on. This thesis considers children's use of the environment for play and their sense of place as key methods in ascertaining children's environmental narratives and perceptions. At both field sites, local experts and community elders possessed a wealth of cultural environmental narratives, but these narratives were not necessarily being passed on. Changing household structures and other socio-economic factors influence cultural environmental practices, which in turn have an impact on the cultural environmental narratives being passed down. In many cases, parents' safety fears strongly impacted upon children's access to the environment, resulting in gendered environmental knowledge. The study compared differing vegetation types and degrees of environmental access. The differing environments produced similar cultural environmental narratives, leading to new understandings in community environment relationships. Children living near the state administered forest had significantly less environmental knowledge, bringing about questions of sustainable bio-cultural diversity in the future. The recognition of cultural environmental values is especially important in the rural areas of South Africa, where unemployment and increased poverty levels have led to greater dependence on natural resources for social, economic and cultural purposes. It is proposed that local cultural environmental narratives and landscape perceptions be included into community conservation and environmental education policies and programmes to provide local solutions to the problem of biodiversity conservation in local contexts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Alexander, Jamie Kim
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Children and the environment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Environmental education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Oral tradition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social learning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional ecological knowledge -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:6061 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015267
- Description: Preservationist conservation created a legacy of national parks and protected areas that were surrounded by local people dispossessed of their land and denied the rights to use the resources they had previously relied upon. Although conservation is now shifting towards a more participatory approach, research gaps still exist in determining the meaning of 'the environment' and the role of local means of conservation in rural communities in South Africa. This study focused on children's cultural environmental narratives from two rural villages in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Children from grades 4, 7 and 10 were involved in the study, and adult family members, local experts and village elders were included in the study to allow for comparison between children's and adult's narratives and to realise what Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) was being passed on. This thesis considers children's use of the environment for play and their sense of place as key methods in ascertaining children's environmental narratives and perceptions. At both field sites, local experts and community elders possessed a wealth of cultural environmental narratives, but these narratives were not necessarily being passed on. Changing household structures and other socio-economic factors influence cultural environmental practices, which in turn have an impact on the cultural environmental narratives being passed down. In many cases, parents' safety fears strongly impacted upon children's access to the environment, resulting in gendered environmental knowledge. The study compared differing vegetation types and degrees of environmental access. The differing environments produced similar cultural environmental narratives, leading to new understandings in community environment relationships. Children living near the state administered forest had significantly less environmental knowledge, bringing about questions of sustainable bio-cultural diversity in the future. The recognition of cultural environmental values is especially important in the rural areas of South Africa, where unemployment and increased poverty levels have led to greater dependence on natural resources for social, economic and cultural purposes. It is proposed that local cultural environmental narratives and landscape perceptions be included into community conservation and environmental education policies and programmes to provide local solutions to the problem of biodiversity conservation in local contexts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Feeding ecology and diet shift of long-beaked common dolphins Delphinus Capensis (Gray 1828) incidentally caught in anti-shark nets off Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
- Authors: Ambrose, Shan Taryn
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Common dolphin -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Common dolphin -- Food -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Common dolphin -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Sardinops sagax -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5697 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005383 , Common dolphin -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Common dolphin -- Food -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Common dolphin -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Sardinops sagax -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal
- Description: The long-beaked common dolphin, Delphinus capensis (Gray 1828), is one of the most enigmatic predators feeding in the annual sardine run (Sardinops sagax) off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. In recent years, unpredictable inter-annual variations in the timing, spatial extent and intensity of the sardine run have been documented, possibly resulting in changes in the suite of prey available to the common dolphin during winter. Although the diets of a number of predators during the sardine run have been studied in detail (e.g. sharks and flying seabirds), little is known about the diet of long-beaked common dolphins during this period. Each year, a low number of common dolphins are incidentally caught in the anti-shark nets in the waters of KwaZulu-Natal. These captures provide a valuable source of data on selected aspects of the ecology of the long-beaked common dolphins along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline. The objective of this study was to provide new dietary data for the common dolphins feeding in the waters of KwaZulu-Natal during winter over the period 2000 to 2009, as well as to determine if any dietary changes had taken place since the common dolphin diet was last assessed, over 15 years ago. Stomach contents from 95 common dolphins (55 females, 40 males) caught between 2000 and 2009 were analysed and compared to historical data from dolphins caught between 1974 and 1992. Mesopelagic fish and squid dominated the diet, with 23 fish and 5 squid species represented in adult dolphins. Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) indicated that there was no resource partitioning between adult male and female dolphins. Numerical analyses indicated that there was a shift in the principal prey species consumed by the dolphins over the past decade, particularly during the winter. Prior to 1992, sardine comprised up to 49% of the total stomach contents, while chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) was the dominant prey item (66% by mass) recorded in the stomach contents over the period 2000 to 2009. The shift in the relative contributions of sardine and mackerel in the diets of the dolphin appeared to correspond to fluctuations in the availability of the two principal prey species. Between 2000 and 2009, the diversity of the dolphins' diets was highest during the sardine run, reflecting the presence of a wide suite of predatory teleosts in the waters of KwaZulu-Natal during the annual sardine run. Conversely, prior to 2000, the diet was dominated by sardine during the peak of the sardine run, whilst diet diversity increased after this period. Apart from sardine and chub mackerel, elf (Pomatomus saltatrix), maasbanker (Trachurus delagoa), strepie (Sarpa salpa) and flying fish (Exocoetid sp.) also formed important components of the diet both prior to 1992, and over the last decade. Blubber thickness was assessed as an indicator of animal condition. No significant change in blubber total weight (R² = 0.0016, N = 185), nor dorsal, lateral or ventral blubber thickness (R² = 0.3146, R² = 0.0003, and R² = 0.0003 respectively, N = 78) was seen over the last 30 years (1970 to 2009). Results of stable isotope analyses conducted on tissue derived from the teeth of D. capensis indicated that there has been no significant shift in the trophic position (δ¹⁵N) and potential prey consumed (δ¹³C) over the corresponding period. These data would suggest that the long-beaked common dolphins along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline can be considered as opportunistic predators generally consuming the most abundant prey species available locally. As common dolphins feed opportunistically, this dietary shift appears to indicate changes in the shoaling characteristics of the most abundant fish prey in KwaZulu-Natal during winter. Given the “Data Deficient” status of the long-beaked common dolphin on the IUCN Red Data List, and the strong climatic forcing of the sardine run, such dietary data have important implications for their conservation in the light of expanding fisheries and climate change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Ambrose, Shan Taryn
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Common dolphin -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Common dolphin -- Food -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Common dolphin -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Sardinops sagax -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5697 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005383 , Common dolphin -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Common dolphin -- Food -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Common dolphin -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Sardinops sagax -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal
- Description: The long-beaked common dolphin, Delphinus capensis (Gray 1828), is one of the most enigmatic predators feeding in the annual sardine run (Sardinops sagax) off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. In recent years, unpredictable inter-annual variations in the timing, spatial extent and intensity of the sardine run have been documented, possibly resulting in changes in the suite of prey available to the common dolphin during winter. Although the diets of a number of predators during the sardine run have been studied in detail (e.g. sharks and flying seabirds), little is known about the diet of long-beaked common dolphins during this period. Each year, a low number of common dolphins are incidentally caught in the anti-shark nets in the waters of KwaZulu-Natal. These captures provide a valuable source of data on selected aspects of the ecology of the long-beaked common dolphins along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline. The objective of this study was to provide new dietary data for the common dolphins feeding in the waters of KwaZulu-Natal during winter over the period 2000 to 2009, as well as to determine if any dietary changes had taken place since the common dolphin diet was last assessed, over 15 years ago. Stomach contents from 95 common dolphins (55 females, 40 males) caught between 2000 and 2009 were analysed and compared to historical data from dolphins caught between 1974 and 1992. Mesopelagic fish and squid dominated the diet, with 23 fish and 5 squid species represented in adult dolphins. Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) indicated that there was no resource partitioning between adult male and female dolphins. Numerical analyses indicated that there was a shift in the principal prey species consumed by the dolphins over the past decade, particularly during the winter. Prior to 1992, sardine comprised up to 49% of the total stomach contents, while chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) was the dominant prey item (66% by mass) recorded in the stomach contents over the period 2000 to 2009. The shift in the relative contributions of sardine and mackerel in the diets of the dolphin appeared to correspond to fluctuations in the availability of the two principal prey species. Between 2000 and 2009, the diversity of the dolphins' diets was highest during the sardine run, reflecting the presence of a wide suite of predatory teleosts in the waters of KwaZulu-Natal during the annual sardine run. Conversely, prior to 2000, the diet was dominated by sardine during the peak of the sardine run, whilst diet diversity increased after this period. Apart from sardine and chub mackerel, elf (Pomatomus saltatrix), maasbanker (Trachurus delagoa), strepie (Sarpa salpa) and flying fish (Exocoetid sp.) also formed important components of the diet both prior to 1992, and over the last decade. Blubber thickness was assessed as an indicator of animal condition. No significant change in blubber total weight (R² = 0.0016, N = 185), nor dorsal, lateral or ventral blubber thickness (R² = 0.3146, R² = 0.0003, and R² = 0.0003 respectively, N = 78) was seen over the last 30 years (1970 to 2009). Results of stable isotope analyses conducted on tissue derived from the teeth of D. capensis indicated that there has been no significant shift in the trophic position (δ¹⁵N) and potential prey consumed (δ¹³C) over the corresponding period. These data would suggest that the long-beaked common dolphins along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline can be considered as opportunistic predators generally consuming the most abundant prey species available locally. As common dolphins feed opportunistically, this dietary shift appears to indicate changes in the shoaling characteristics of the most abundant fish prey in KwaZulu-Natal during winter. Given the “Data Deficient” status of the long-beaked common dolphin on the IUCN Red Data List, and the strong climatic forcing of the sardine run, such dietary data have important implications for their conservation in the light of expanding fisheries and climate change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
A case study of the implementation of science process skills for grades 4 to 7 learners in natural sciences in a South African primary school
- Authors: Ambross, Johannes Nikolaas
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Primary) , Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Evaluation , Education -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9501 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1411 , Science -- Study and teaching (Primary) , Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Evaluation , Education -- Evaluation
- Description: With the publication of the National Curriculum Statement (2002) (NCS) the use and development of science process skills have become a critical part of the teaching and learning of the Natural Sciences in South Africa. This study sought to evaluate the implementation and development of these basic skills by four grade 4-7 educators at classroom level at a primary school in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth. Qualitative data for this evaluation were collected through educator interviews, classroom observation as well as a focus-group interview. Quantitative data were gathered by means of a Science Process Skills Observation Scale and through examining the learners' assessment activities. An Assessment Activity Science Process Skill Rating-Scale was used to evaluate assessment activities. Data generated from this study were carefully analysed and on the basis of their interpretation it was concluded that the implementation and development of science process skills were strongly influenced by the educators' understanding of these basic concepts, the belief held by each educator about their role and how their learners learn, the presence of quality support and effective training programmes as well continuous professional development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Ambross, Johannes Nikolaas
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Primary) , Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Evaluation , Education -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9501 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1411 , Science -- Study and teaching (Primary) , Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Evaluation , Education -- Evaluation
- Description: With the publication of the National Curriculum Statement (2002) (NCS) the use and development of science process skills have become a critical part of the teaching and learning of the Natural Sciences in South Africa. This study sought to evaluate the implementation and development of these basic skills by four grade 4-7 educators at classroom level at a primary school in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth. Qualitative data for this evaluation were collected through educator interviews, classroom observation as well as a focus-group interview. Quantitative data were gathered by means of a Science Process Skills Observation Scale and through examining the learners' assessment activities. An Assessment Activity Science Process Skill Rating-Scale was used to evaluate assessment activities. Data generated from this study were carefully analysed and on the basis of their interpretation it was concluded that the implementation and development of science process skills were strongly influenced by the educators' understanding of these basic concepts, the belief held by each educator about their role and how their learners learn, the presence of quality support and effective training programmes as well continuous professional development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Where leaders learn: constructions of leadership and leadership development at Rhodes University
- Authors: Andrews, Rushda Ruth
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Leadership -- Education (Higher) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Leadership -- Research -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Development leadership -- Education (Higher) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Rhodes University -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:782 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003903
- Description: This thesis explores the Where Leaders Learn slogan of Rhodes University. It does this by means of an analysis of discourses constructing leadership and leadership development within the institutional context. The discourse analysis was made possible as a result of interviews with a range of people involved in leadership and leadership development at the University. The analysis revealed that leadership development is constructed as taking place within a highly structured system that enables instructional and managerial leadership but constrains transformational leadership. The discourses that give meaning and understanding to the construct of leadership draw heavily on position within a hierarchy. The discourse of functional efficiency is enabled through practices related to reward, recognition, succession planning and mentorship which all serve to replicate the existing leadership structures creating more of the same and in essence stifling the potential for emancipatory leadership. The analysis also shows that a discourse of collegiality serves to create a false sense of a common understanding of leadership in the light of evidence of uncertainty and contestation around the meaning of the slogan Where Leaders Learn and, by association, the very construct of leadership. The discursive process of understanding leadership and developing an institutional theory for the purposes of infusing this into a curriculum poses many challenges. Barriers to new ways of thinking reside within the researchers' ontological and epistemological commitments. This amplifies the need for a more reflective ontology towards leadership and its consequences, especially so in a multidisciplinary environment such as Rhodes University.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Andrews, Rushda Ruth
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Leadership -- Education (Higher) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Leadership -- Research -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Development leadership -- Education (Higher) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Rhodes University -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:782 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003903
- Description: This thesis explores the Where Leaders Learn slogan of Rhodes University. It does this by means of an analysis of discourses constructing leadership and leadership development within the institutional context. The discourse analysis was made possible as a result of interviews with a range of people involved in leadership and leadership development at the University. The analysis revealed that leadership development is constructed as taking place within a highly structured system that enables instructional and managerial leadership but constrains transformational leadership. The discourses that give meaning and understanding to the construct of leadership draw heavily on position within a hierarchy. The discourse of functional efficiency is enabled through practices related to reward, recognition, succession planning and mentorship which all serve to replicate the existing leadership structures creating more of the same and in essence stifling the potential for emancipatory leadership. The analysis also shows that a discourse of collegiality serves to create a false sense of a common understanding of leadership in the light of evidence of uncertainty and contestation around the meaning of the slogan Where Leaders Learn and, by association, the very construct of leadership. The discursive process of understanding leadership and developing an institutional theory for the purposes of infusing this into a curriculum poses many challenges. Barriers to new ways of thinking reside within the researchers' ontological and epistemological commitments. This amplifies the need for a more reflective ontology towards leadership and its consequences, especially so in a multidisciplinary environment such as Rhodes University.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The general development and cognitive ability of a sample of children in specialized education
- Authors: Andrews, Samantha Lee
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Special education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Children with disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Child development -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Griffiths Development Scales
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9951 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015714
- Description: The main aim of this study was to explore and describe the development and cognitive ability of a sample of children aged six to eight enrolled in specialised education, in the category of specific learning disability (SLD). This was achieved through the utilization of the Griffiths-Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised, the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children – Fourth Edition and input from the trans-disciplinary team. A non-probability, purposive sampling method was employed and the sample consisted of eight participants. The multiple case study method was used in order to achieve the aim of the study. Both qualitative and quantitative data were incorporated to provide a holistic description of the participants. Quantitative data was obtained from the Griffiths-Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised, the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children – Fourth Edition while qualitative data was obtained from the Biographical Questionnaire, input from members of the trans-disciplinary team, data from the participants‟ archives as well as clinical observations made during the assessment process. The data was analysed according to the domains of childhood development.The results obtained revealed that the general development of the sample as measured by the Griffiths-Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised was average. The Eye and Hand Co-ordination Subscale was the most problematic for the participants. The majority of the sample obtained below average scores on the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children – Fourth Edition‟s full scale IQ (FSIQ). The Verbal Reasoning Index and the Working Memory Index yielded the lowest scores amongst the sample. The results indicated that the majority of the participants are stronger with non-verbal as opposed to verbal reasoning. The study revealed that the two measures, the Griffiths-Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised, the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children – Fourth Edition complement one another. The developmental and intellectual nature of the measures allow for gaps left by the one measure to be filled by the other. The study highlighted the importance of gaining information from the trans-disciplinary team and not relying purely on psychometric measures. It was made clear through the study that deficits often exist that are not picked up by assessment measures alone. In order to gain a comprehensive, holistic picture of a child, one needs to consult a variety of sources. Questions regarding the classification system of high needs learners as well as the current system of specialised education were raised.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Andrews, Samantha Lee
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Special education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Children with disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Child development -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Griffiths Development Scales
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9951 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015714
- Description: The main aim of this study was to explore and describe the development and cognitive ability of a sample of children aged six to eight enrolled in specialised education, in the category of specific learning disability (SLD). This was achieved through the utilization of the Griffiths-Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised, the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children – Fourth Edition and input from the trans-disciplinary team. A non-probability, purposive sampling method was employed and the sample consisted of eight participants. The multiple case study method was used in order to achieve the aim of the study. Both qualitative and quantitative data were incorporated to provide a holistic description of the participants. Quantitative data was obtained from the Griffiths-Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised, the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children – Fourth Edition while qualitative data was obtained from the Biographical Questionnaire, input from members of the trans-disciplinary team, data from the participants‟ archives as well as clinical observations made during the assessment process. The data was analysed according to the domains of childhood development.The results obtained revealed that the general development of the sample as measured by the Griffiths-Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised was average. The Eye and Hand Co-ordination Subscale was the most problematic for the participants. The majority of the sample obtained below average scores on the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children – Fourth Edition‟s full scale IQ (FSIQ). The Verbal Reasoning Index and the Working Memory Index yielded the lowest scores amongst the sample. The results indicated that the majority of the participants are stronger with non-verbal as opposed to verbal reasoning. The study revealed that the two measures, the Griffiths-Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised, the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children – Fourth Edition complement one another. The developmental and intellectual nature of the measures allow for gaps left by the one measure to be filled by the other. The study highlighted the importance of gaining information from the trans-disciplinary team and not relying purely on psychometric measures. It was made clear through the study that deficits often exist that are not picked up by assessment measures alone. In order to gain a comprehensive, holistic picture of a child, one needs to consult a variety of sources. Questions regarding the classification system of high needs learners as well as the current system of specialised education were raised.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
A critical analysis of Global Warning coverage in the National Geographic (2000-2010)
- Authors: Apostolis, Juanita Joleen
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: National geographic magazine , Global warming , Climatic changes -- Environmental aspects , Global warming -- Political aspects , Discourse analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8381 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1607 , National geographic magazine , Global warming , Climatic changes -- Environmental aspects , Global warming -- Political aspects , Discourse analysis
- Description: National Geographic is a magazine that inspires people to care about the planet through its articles of exploration, education, and conservation. Magazines are a significant source of knowledge and compete with a variety of other media, constantly rethinking where they can improve in comparison to other media. Research in this dissertation shows that some magazines offer high quality imagery for artwork, photos and advertisements, which remains critical for industries and readers. They often offer greater depth than radio, TV, or even newspapers, so that people interested in an analysis of news and events still depend on magazines for informative and general news. People often turn to media—such as television, newspapers, magazines, radio, and Internet—to help them make sense of the many complexities relating to environmental science and governance that (un)consciously shape our lives. Global warming, as a subject, demands both political and personal responses in all parts of the world, and effective decision making at both scales depends on timely, accurate information, according to Shanahan (2009:145). The quality and quantity of journalism about climate change will therefore be key in the coming years. National Geographic comprises a variety of themes, such as environment, science, wildlife, travel and photography. This study is an analysis of the writing and photography related to one theme - global warming. It provides a critical analysis of the coverage of the global warming discourse in one magazine, examined over an eleven-year period from 2000 to 2010. This theme is powerful in that it represents ethical responsibility and concern for nature and our world and the analysis attempts to define the objects of discourse within the coverage, thus, evaluating if the format of the coverage informs and educates the audience about global warming.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Apostolis, Juanita Joleen
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: National geographic magazine , Global warming , Climatic changes -- Environmental aspects , Global warming -- Political aspects , Discourse analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8381 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1607 , National geographic magazine , Global warming , Climatic changes -- Environmental aspects , Global warming -- Political aspects , Discourse analysis
- Description: National Geographic is a magazine that inspires people to care about the planet through its articles of exploration, education, and conservation. Magazines are a significant source of knowledge and compete with a variety of other media, constantly rethinking where they can improve in comparison to other media. Research in this dissertation shows that some magazines offer high quality imagery for artwork, photos and advertisements, which remains critical for industries and readers. They often offer greater depth than radio, TV, or even newspapers, so that people interested in an analysis of news and events still depend on magazines for informative and general news. People often turn to media—such as television, newspapers, magazines, radio, and Internet—to help them make sense of the many complexities relating to environmental science and governance that (un)consciously shape our lives. Global warming, as a subject, demands both political and personal responses in all parts of the world, and effective decision making at both scales depends on timely, accurate information, according to Shanahan (2009:145). The quality and quantity of journalism about climate change will therefore be key in the coming years. National Geographic comprises a variety of themes, such as environment, science, wildlife, travel and photography. This study is an analysis of the writing and photography related to one theme - global warming. It provides a critical analysis of the coverage of the global warming discourse in one magazine, examined over an eleven-year period from 2000 to 2010. This theme is powerful in that it represents ethical responsibility and concern for nature and our world and the analysis attempts to define the objects of discourse within the coverage, thus, evaluating if the format of the coverage informs and educates the audience about global warming.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Assessing the 'breaking new ground in housing' policy of South Africa in meeting the objectives of community participation
- Authors: April, Tandeka
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Housing policy -- Citizen participation , Political participation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9070 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008400 , Housing policy -- Citizen participation , Political participation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality -- Evaluation
- Description: Community participation is an important aspect of South African government policies that deal with integrated development planning and sustainable development. This report presents aspects of community participation in infrastructure delivery and in particular housing in Reeston which is part of the Duncan Village Redevelopment Initiative in East London area of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. The importance of community participation is acknowledged as it enhances the ability of the community members to demonstrate and use their own views to deal with specific issues and to address the needs and problems that emerge and prevail in their societies. The two emerging paradigms of community participation suggest that the participating communities should be involved in the ‘selection, design, planning and implementation’ of projects that will have an effect on them and from which they are going to benefit ; and that continuous feedback to communities forms a fundamental part of any development activity. This report explores how the “Breaking New Ground in Housing” (BNG) policy of the South African Government meets its objectives in the context of community participation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: April, Tandeka
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Housing policy -- Citizen participation , Political participation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9070 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008400 , Housing policy -- Citizen participation , Political participation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality -- Evaluation
- Description: Community participation is an important aspect of South African government policies that deal with integrated development planning and sustainable development. This report presents aspects of community participation in infrastructure delivery and in particular housing in Reeston which is part of the Duncan Village Redevelopment Initiative in East London area of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. The importance of community participation is acknowledged as it enhances the ability of the community members to demonstrate and use their own views to deal with specific issues and to address the needs and problems that emerge and prevail in their societies. The two emerging paradigms of community participation suggest that the participating communities should be involved in the ‘selection, design, planning and implementation’ of projects that will have an effect on them and from which they are going to benefit ; and that continuous feedback to communities forms a fundamental part of any development activity. This report explores how the “Breaking New Ground in Housing” (BNG) policy of the South African Government meets its objectives in the context of community participation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An assessment of the effectiveness of public consultation: the case study of selected ward committees in the Northern Bay Municipality
- Authors: Arends, Darrin
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Political planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Communities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8187 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1535 , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Political planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Communities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Since 1994, the South African local government has been obligated to consult with its citizenry in respect of the processes of relating to service delivery. The South African Government has developed a wide range of legislation that ensures that communities are consulted on a continuous basis with regard to how services need to be rendered. Communities have a right to be consulted and to give input into issues affecting them. Public consultation as envisaged in the South African legislation has, however, not yielded the desired results which is evident in the spate of service delivery protests over poor or non service delivery. Therefore, this study seeks to analyse the effectiveness and efficiency of pubic consultation in the Northern Areas of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The researcher used qualitative research methods since it would provide the reader with more insight into how public consultation is implemented in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The communities, senior municipal officials, and councillors have been interviewed in a structured manner and a content analysis has been made of the minutes of the ward committees in the Northern Areas, the annual reports of the Municipality’s Oversight Committee and a range of other reading material. A number of findings has been made during this research project with the most pertinent being the non-compliance to certain sections of legislation by the Municipality. The communities in the Northern Areas generally felt that efficient and effective public consultation would reduce the number of service delivery protests in that part of the Municipality. A number of interventions need to be made by the political leadership with regard to public consultation and more resources need to be committed towards those processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Arends, Darrin
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Political planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Communities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8187 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1535 , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Political planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Communities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Since 1994, the South African local government has been obligated to consult with its citizenry in respect of the processes of relating to service delivery. The South African Government has developed a wide range of legislation that ensures that communities are consulted on a continuous basis with regard to how services need to be rendered. Communities have a right to be consulted and to give input into issues affecting them. Public consultation as envisaged in the South African legislation has, however, not yielded the desired results which is evident in the spate of service delivery protests over poor or non service delivery. Therefore, this study seeks to analyse the effectiveness and efficiency of pubic consultation in the Northern Areas of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The researcher used qualitative research methods since it would provide the reader with more insight into how public consultation is implemented in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The communities, senior municipal officials, and councillors have been interviewed in a structured manner and a content analysis has been made of the minutes of the ward committees in the Northern Areas, the annual reports of the Municipality’s Oversight Committee and a range of other reading material. A number of findings has been made during this research project with the most pertinent being the non-compliance to certain sections of legislation by the Municipality. The communities in the Northern Areas generally felt that efficient and effective public consultation would reduce the number of service delivery protests in that part of the Municipality. A number of interventions need to be made by the political leadership with regard to public consultation and more resources need to be committed towards those processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An art based support programme for the amelioration of general psychological distress in marginalised children in South Africa
- Authors: Armstrong, Meredith
- Date: 2011 , 2011-06-28
- Subjects: Art therapy for children Child mental health Group psychotherapy for children Abused children -- Mental health
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3096 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003730
- Description: This study aimed to construct, and implement an in-school "art expression" based programme designed to aid in mitigation of psychological stress, behavioural difficulties, and self-negativity frequently experienced by marginalised children. It was developed for application within schools that cater for children exposed to neglect and/or abuse resulting from poverty in South Africa. This programme outline was developed and implemented through intensive exploration and review of previously effective art therapy, art expressive methods and techniques in similar contexts, together with the knowledge and experience of a qualified art therapist and educational psychologist. Data was collected through open-ended informal qualitative interviews, observations, and photographs of artworks produced during sessions. These were then analysed in conjunction, using the content analysis method, visual interpretive measures and thematic analysis. This enquiry documented the process of art creation through "art expression", and its ability to ameliorate psychological difficulties affecting marginalised children in South Africa. Following the establishment of trust between the researchers and the participants, the results found that the use of different art modalities demonstrated predominantly positive results in varying degrees. It is hoped that this study can be used to further practical interventions of this nature in comparable milieus in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Armstrong, Meredith
- Date: 2011 , 2011-06-28
- Subjects: Art therapy for children Child mental health Group psychotherapy for children Abused children -- Mental health
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3096 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003730
- Description: This study aimed to construct, and implement an in-school "art expression" based programme designed to aid in mitigation of psychological stress, behavioural difficulties, and self-negativity frequently experienced by marginalised children. It was developed for application within schools that cater for children exposed to neglect and/or abuse resulting from poverty in South Africa. This programme outline was developed and implemented through intensive exploration and review of previously effective art therapy, art expressive methods and techniques in similar contexts, together with the knowledge and experience of a qualified art therapist and educational psychologist. Data was collected through open-ended informal qualitative interviews, observations, and photographs of artworks produced during sessions. These were then analysed in conjunction, using the content analysis method, visual interpretive measures and thematic analysis. This enquiry documented the process of art creation through "art expression", and its ability to ameliorate psychological difficulties affecting marginalised children in South Africa. Following the establishment of trust between the researchers and the participants, the results found that the use of different art modalities demonstrated predominantly positive results in varying degrees. It is hoped that this study can be used to further practical interventions of this nature in comparable milieus in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An evaluation of effective customer care management at Buffalo city municipality: a case study
- Authors: Asiedu, Benjamin
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Customer services -- South Africa -- Management , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , Civil service reform -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7947 , vital:24327
- Description: In 1994, the new democratic South African government realised the magnitude of its service delivery problem and the urgency with which it needed to solve it. Emphasis was placed on better life for all. The local government, with regard to ensuring better life all, has since adopted the Batho-Pele principles and incorporated them into customer care to deliver a better life for all. However, recent service delivery reports in the Daily Dispatch and its sister publication Go & Express as well as service delivery protests across the country (including BCM) indicate all is not well. Many hypothesises have been raised as to why municipalities continue to under-perform. However, beyond these hypothesises is customer care management, and its constituents of customer service, complaint management and call centre activities. Customer care in the public sector has long been seen as the work of front-line staff. Others believe it is irrelevant in the public service due to the non-competitive nature of public service. Batho-Pele principles, since its inception in the public sector in South Africa, have been drummed up to put people first. Weary citizens see it differently and this has not escaped Buffalo City Municipality (BCM). BCM, one of the pioneers in the South African local government to have initiated customer care, admits there is institutional inefficiency. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of customer care management at BCM. In doing so; the study has narrowed the study to: describing the practice of customer care and customer care management in the public sector ( BCM included), establishing the components that constitute an integrated customer care management programme at BCM, investigating and describing the conceptual understanding of customer care and customer care management at BCM, and exploring and describing the role vision and values statements play in rendering a successful customer care programme at local government level with BCM as the focal point.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Asiedu, Benjamin
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Customer services -- South Africa -- Management , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , Civil service reform -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7947 , vital:24327
- Description: In 1994, the new democratic South African government realised the magnitude of its service delivery problem and the urgency with which it needed to solve it. Emphasis was placed on better life for all. The local government, with regard to ensuring better life all, has since adopted the Batho-Pele principles and incorporated them into customer care to deliver a better life for all. However, recent service delivery reports in the Daily Dispatch and its sister publication Go & Express as well as service delivery protests across the country (including BCM) indicate all is not well. Many hypothesises have been raised as to why municipalities continue to under-perform. However, beyond these hypothesises is customer care management, and its constituents of customer service, complaint management and call centre activities. Customer care in the public sector has long been seen as the work of front-line staff. Others believe it is irrelevant in the public service due to the non-competitive nature of public service. Batho-Pele principles, since its inception in the public sector in South Africa, have been drummed up to put people first. Weary citizens see it differently and this has not escaped Buffalo City Municipality (BCM). BCM, one of the pioneers in the South African local government to have initiated customer care, admits there is institutional inefficiency. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of customer care management at BCM. In doing so; the study has narrowed the study to: describing the practice of customer care and customer care management in the public sector ( BCM included), establishing the components that constitute an integrated customer care management programme at BCM, investigating and describing the conceptual understanding of customer care and customer care management at BCM, and exploring and describing the role vision and values statements play in rendering a successful customer care programme at local government level with BCM as the focal point.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011