“But darkness was here yesterday”: an examination of travel writing and colonial narrative constructions of Africa within its sub-genres across three centuries
- Authors: Halgreen, Wesley John
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Postcolonialism in literature , Modernism (Literature) -- Africa Literature and society -- Africa English literature African literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22156 , vital:29864
- Description: This study analyses the modern twenty-first century travel writing of Paul Theroux’s Dark Star Safari (2003) to reveal its sustained impetus towards colonial discursive constructions of Africa. In doing so, it will examine the continuation of colonial methods and techniques of literary representation in travel texts by illustrating the early ‘images’ of Africa and Africans as they appear in Henry M. Stanley’s non-fictional travel text Through the Dark Continent (1878) and Joseph Conrad’s fictional travel novella Heart of Darkness (1899). With the purpose of producing a critical literary analysis, this study will employ discourse analysis to interrogate the implications of the continued employment of colonial rhetoric and language by Theroux in his representations and portrayals of Africa and African citizens. It has been found that there is an unproblematised acceptance – even reverie – of colonial sentiment and nostalgia evident in representations of Africa in modern travel literature. Literary representations of this nature continue to portray Africa as the ‘savage’, ‘backward’, ‘violent’ and ‘inferior’ continent that it had signified to travel writers during the colonial epoch. Africans, as they are portrayed in this narrative tradition, are ascribed the same denotations where their subjectivities, individualities, cultures, beliefs, ideologies and personhood are encapsulated under the conceptualisation of ‘darkness’ that signifies ‘African’ as inferior to the West, Europe and North America, and therefore subject to derogation. By demonstrating the violent and damaging nature of these representations, as they remain in twenty-first century travel literature, this dissertation hopes to initiate a dialogue around the genre’s preservation of preconceptions and prejudices that continue to plague Africa and its people. This is possible through literary critique that exposes dated colonial racism and prejudice that appears in the travel literature of the post-independent age in which we now find ourselves.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Halgreen, Wesley John
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Postcolonialism in literature , Modernism (Literature) -- Africa Literature and society -- Africa English literature African literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22156 , vital:29864
- Description: This study analyses the modern twenty-first century travel writing of Paul Theroux’s Dark Star Safari (2003) to reveal its sustained impetus towards colonial discursive constructions of Africa. In doing so, it will examine the continuation of colonial methods and techniques of literary representation in travel texts by illustrating the early ‘images’ of Africa and Africans as they appear in Henry M. Stanley’s non-fictional travel text Through the Dark Continent (1878) and Joseph Conrad’s fictional travel novella Heart of Darkness (1899). With the purpose of producing a critical literary analysis, this study will employ discourse analysis to interrogate the implications of the continued employment of colonial rhetoric and language by Theroux in his representations and portrayals of Africa and African citizens. It has been found that there is an unproblematised acceptance – even reverie – of colonial sentiment and nostalgia evident in representations of Africa in modern travel literature. Literary representations of this nature continue to portray Africa as the ‘savage’, ‘backward’, ‘violent’ and ‘inferior’ continent that it had signified to travel writers during the colonial epoch. Africans, as they are portrayed in this narrative tradition, are ascribed the same denotations where their subjectivities, individualities, cultures, beliefs, ideologies and personhood are encapsulated under the conceptualisation of ‘darkness’ that signifies ‘African’ as inferior to the West, Europe and North America, and therefore subject to derogation. By demonstrating the violent and damaging nature of these representations, as they remain in twenty-first century travel literature, this dissertation hopes to initiate a dialogue around the genre’s preservation of preconceptions and prejudices that continue to plague Africa and its people. This is possible through literary critique that exposes dated colonial racism and prejudice that appears in the travel literature of the post-independent age in which we now find ourselves.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
’n Ondersoek na die kriteria vir die realisering van die woordeboekfunksies begrip, produksie en vertaling
- Authors: Blume, Jadé
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Afrikaans language -- translations , Afrikaans language -- Lexicography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14587 , vital:27796
- Description: Daar is tot dusver nie genoegsaam besin oor die funksies waarvoor gebruikers woordeboeke benut en die woordeboekstrukture en datatipes wat nodig is om die gebruikers se behoeftes te bevredig nie. Hierdie studie betrek aspekte van woordeboeke, wat beteken dat dit binne die leksikografie as dissipline val. Hierdie dissipline is voortdurend besig om te ontwikkel en dek ’n groot area, aangesien verskillende gebruikers verskillende woordeboeke benodig afhangende van spesifieke behoeftes. Daar word aanvaar dat woordeboeke gebruikersvriendelik moet wees en dus op die behoeftes van die teikengebruikers afgestem moet wees en om dit te bepaal, moet die funksies waarvoor die woordeboek gebruik gaan word in ag geneem word. In hierdie studie word die belangrike funksies van begrip, produksie en vertaling as kategorieë vir samestelling gekoppel aan datatipes en strukture. Die rasionaal van hierdie studie is die gebrek aan ’n sistematiese en kritiese studie oor die rol wat die funksies begrip, produksie en vertaling speel by die samestelling van woordeboeke. Die doelwit van hierdie studie is om kriteria vir die inkleding van woordeboekstrukture in terme van woordeboekfunksies tydens die ontwerp en samestelling van woordeboeke (beide gedrukte en elektroniese woordeboeke) vas te stel. Die uitgangspunt is dat dit moontlik is om dit te kan doen en om daardeur ’n raamwerk te skep vir die maak van ’n woordeboek, wat die nuutste teorieë (die funksieteorie, linguistiese teorie en die bruikbaarheidsbenadering van die inligtingstegnologie) in ag neem. Hierdie navorsing is deur middel van ’n literatuurstudie ondersoek en die kriteria is aan die hand van praktiese voorbeelde toegelig.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Blume, Jadé
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Afrikaans language -- translations , Afrikaans language -- Lexicography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14587 , vital:27796
- Description: Daar is tot dusver nie genoegsaam besin oor die funksies waarvoor gebruikers woordeboeke benut en die woordeboekstrukture en datatipes wat nodig is om die gebruikers se behoeftes te bevredig nie. Hierdie studie betrek aspekte van woordeboeke, wat beteken dat dit binne die leksikografie as dissipline val. Hierdie dissipline is voortdurend besig om te ontwikkel en dek ’n groot area, aangesien verskillende gebruikers verskillende woordeboeke benodig afhangende van spesifieke behoeftes. Daar word aanvaar dat woordeboeke gebruikersvriendelik moet wees en dus op die behoeftes van die teikengebruikers afgestem moet wees en om dit te bepaal, moet die funksies waarvoor die woordeboek gebruik gaan word in ag geneem word. In hierdie studie word die belangrike funksies van begrip, produksie en vertaling as kategorieë vir samestelling gekoppel aan datatipes en strukture. Die rasionaal van hierdie studie is die gebrek aan ’n sistematiese en kritiese studie oor die rol wat die funksies begrip, produksie en vertaling speel by die samestelling van woordeboeke. Die doelwit van hierdie studie is om kriteria vir die inkleding van woordeboekstrukture in terme van woordeboekfunksies tydens die ontwerp en samestelling van woordeboeke (beide gedrukte en elektroniese woordeboeke) vas te stel. Die uitgangspunt is dat dit moontlik is om dit te kan doen en om daardeur ’n raamwerk te skep vir die maak van ’n woordeboek, wat die nuutste teorieë (die funksieteorie, linguistiese teorie en die bruikbaarheidsbenadering van die inligtingstegnologie) in ag neem. Hierdie navorsing is deur middel van ’n literatuurstudie ondersoek en die kriteria is aan die hand van praktiese voorbeelde toegelig.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
β-N-Methylamino-L-Alanine is a developmental neurotoxin
- Authors: Scott, Laura Louise
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Neurotoxic agents , Nervous system -- Diseases
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43633 , vital:36949
- Description: β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) has been implicated in the development of the neurodegenerative diseases Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Parkinsonism Dementia Complex (ALS/PDC), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), but to date no animal model has adequately substantiated this link at environmentally relevant or even exaggerated BMAA exposure levels. The resulting controversy over a possible role for BMAA in neurodegenerative diseases was further hampered by a lack of evidence for mechanistic explanation for the disease pathology associated with these diseases However, the different responses to BMAA that have been observed in neonatal compared to adult rats, together with the findings of epidemiological studies that exposure to environmental factors in utero or in the early stages of life may be important for the development of ALS several years later, suggested that age of exposure might be the determining factor of BMAA neurotoxicity. This study therefore specifically addresses the developmental nature of BMAA as a neurotoxin, and investigates the pathology and progressive nature of that pathology after exposure to the toxin at the most susceptible age. This study demonstrated the importance of BMAA exposure age over total BMAA dose by showing that the administration of a single neonatal dose of BMAA to rodents on postnatal day (PND) 3, 4 and 5, and not prenatally or on PND 6, 7 and 10, caused behavioural, locomotor, emotional and long-term cognitive deficits, clinical symptoms of neurodegeneration as well as pathological hallmarks of AD, PD and ALS in the central nervous system. Furthermore, the observed behavioural deficits and distribution of neuronal loss and proteinopathies in the rodent central nervous system following exposure to BMAA on PND 3, 4 and 5 (corresponding to the developing age of an infant during the third trimester of pregnancy) is consistent with that typically associated with the disruption of normal dopamine and/or serotonin signaling in the brain and the consequent alteration in normal hippocampal and striatal neurogenesis that is modulated, in part, by dopamine. The pattern of spread and rate of propagation of pathology in this neonatal rat BMAA model provided further evidence that BMAA potentially exerts its effect by acting on neurotransmitter signaling. The observed late onset of typical ALS symptoms and pathology suggest that in this BMAA model AD and/or PD related symptoms develop first, followed by the start of ALS symptoms only after the AD and/or PD neuropathological deficits have severely progressed. This study also demonstrated that BMAA exposure at different doses and at different developmental ages resulted in the development of different combinations of either AD and/or PD and/or ALS pathology and/or symptoms in rats, and it is therefore feasible that in humans the age and/or frequency of exposure as well as the BMAA dose might similarly be a major determinant of the variant of AD, PD and/or ALS that might develop in adulthood. Based on the low BMAA dose that was able to cause AD and/or PD-like neuropathological abnormalities in rats in this study, it is feasible that a pregnant human could over the course of her pregnancy, and specifically during the third trimester of pregnancy, consume sufficient BMAA to result in her unborn child developing AD and/or PD and/or ALS up to 30-50 years later. This neonatal BMAA model is the only non-transgenic rodent model that reproduces the behavioural deficits, neuropathology and clinical symptoms that are typically associated with AD, PD and ALS in humans and that, more importantly, mimics the delayed onset of disease symptoms and typical slow progression of these neurodegenerative diseases with age. It now seems very likely that BMAA is a developmental neurotoxin that, as a result of perinatal, but probably prenatal exposure, causes or contributes significantly to the development of neurodegenerative diseases in humans.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Scott, Laura Louise
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Neurotoxic agents , Nervous system -- Diseases
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43633 , vital:36949
- Description: β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) has been implicated in the development of the neurodegenerative diseases Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Parkinsonism Dementia Complex (ALS/PDC), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), but to date no animal model has adequately substantiated this link at environmentally relevant or even exaggerated BMAA exposure levels. The resulting controversy over a possible role for BMAA in neurodegenerative diseases was further hampered by a lack of evidence for mechanistic explanation for the disease pathology associated with these diseases However, the different responses to BMAA that have been observed in neonatal compared to adult rats, together with the findings of epidemiological studies that exposure to environmental factors in utero or in the early stages of life may be important for the development of ALS several years later, suggested that age of exposure might be the determining factor of BMAA neurotoxicity. This study therefore specifically addresses the developmental nature of BMAA as a neurotoxin, and investigates the pathology and progressive nature of that pathology after exposure to the toxin at the most susceptible age. This study demonstrated the importance of BMAA exposure age over total BMAA dose by showing that the administration of a single neonatal dose of BMAA to rodents on postnatal day (PND) 3, 4 and 5, and not prenatally or on PND 6, 7 and 10, caused behavioural, locomotor, emotional and long-term cognitive deficits, clinical symptoms of neurodegeneration as well as pathological hallmarks of AD, PD and ALS in the central nervous system. Furthermore, the observed behavioural deficits and distribution of neuronal loss and proteinopathies in the rodent central nervous system following exposure to BMAA on PND 3, 4 and 5 (corresponding to the developing age of an infant during the third trimester of pregnancy) is consistent with that typically associated with the disruption of normal dopamine and/or serotonin signaling in the brain and the consequent alteration in normal hippocampal and striatal neurogenesis that is modulated, in part, by dopamine. The pattern of spread and rate of propagation of pathology in this neonatal rat BMAA model provided further evidence that BMAA potentially exerts its effect by acting on neurotransmitter signaling. The observed late onset of typical ALS symptoms and pathology suggest that in this BMAA model AD and/or PD related symptoms develop first, followed by the start of ALS symptoms only after the AD and/or PD neuropathological deficits have severely progressed. This study also demonstrated that BMAA exposure at different doses and at different developmental ages resulted in the development of different combinations of either AD and/or PD and/or ALS pathology and/or symptoms in rats, and it is therefore feasible that in humans the age and/or frequency of exposure as well as the BMAA dose might similarly be a major determinant of the variant of AD, PD and/or ALS that might develop in adulthood. Based on the low BMAA dose that was able to cause AD and/or PD-like neuropathological abnormalities in rats in this study, it is feasible that a pregnant human could over the course of her pregnancy, and specifically during the third trimester of pregnancy, consume sufficient BMAA to result in her unborn child developing AD and/or PD and/or ALS up to 30-50 years later. This neonatal BMAA model is the only non-transgenic rodent model that reproduces the behavioural deficits, neuropathology and clinical symptoms that are typically associated with AD, PD and ALS in humans and that, more importantly, mimics the delayed onset of disease symptoms and typical slow progression of these neurodegenerative diseases with age. It now seems very likely that BMAA is a developmental neurotoxin that, as a result of perinatal, but probably prenatal exposure, causes or contributes significantly to the development of neurodegenerative diseases in humans.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Zooplankton dynamics of Algoa Bay (South Africa) under varying oceanographic conditions
- Authors: Bizani,Mfundo
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Marine zooplankton -- South Africa , Climate changes
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55943 , vital:54554
- Description: the ecological significance of ocean plankton in terms of nutrient cycling and energy transfer is widely recognised, as is their mechanistic link with both oceanographic processes and climate. Consequently, plankton are widely regarded as sentinels of climate change, principally owing to their responsiveness to changing environmental conditions. Developing an understanding of the ecological as well as socio-economic consequences associated with changes in marine plankton dynamics has emerged as a key issue worldwide. Though many exciting advances in this respect have been attained with the aid of long-term plankton time series (>50 y), global environmental datasets and innovative meta-analyses, building deep knowledge of regional bio-physical dynamics and responses to specific perturbed states remains an essential component of the collective effort. Algoa Bay, situated on the warmtemperate south-east coast of South Africa presents a unique opportunity to study key elements of plankton ecology relevant to climate change problems in the regional sense. The embayment is locally subjected to frequent wind-driven upwelling and regionally, to periodic mesoscale oceanographic forcing (e.g., large solitary meanders, Agulhas Current intrusions), all of which culminate in a complex physical and biogeochemical environment. Using zooplankton as the focal component and drawing from a multi-year monthly dataset incorporating a bay-scale sampling framework, the present study addressed three key hypotheses pertaining to 1) drivers of spatio-temporal variability, 2) biomass rate of change over temporal scales using time-series analyses, and 3) community responses to a bay-scale biological perturbation event. Zooplankton biomass exhibited prominent seasonal patterns with bimodal peaks corresponding with near-consistent year-to-year autumn and spring blooms. Overall, the spatial trend showed no heterogeneity, though statistical significance between-station variability was noted per season. An analytical framework involving generalised additive models revealed zooplankton spatial heterogeneity in Algoa Bay to be a function of seasonal variation in a suite of physicochemical variables, including the combined effects of temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, total nitrogen and silicate, but not ammonium, phosphate or chlorophyll-a (as proxy for phytoplankton). Fronts (including river plumes), warm water intrusion from the Agulhas Current, and wind-driven upwelling were postulated to be key driving forces. Structural breaks analysis performed on station-specific time series revealed significant incremental increases in zooplankton biomass over time, which in turn, corresponded with a gradual decrease in thermocline depth. The most pronounced increasing effect was associated with a period (2013– 14) of amplified land-derived nutrient input and increasing harmful algal bloom (HAB) activity. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Bizani,Mfundo
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Marine zooplankton -- South Africa , Climate changes
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55943 , vital:54554
- Description: the ecological significance of ocean plankton in terms of nutrient cycling and energy transfer is widely recognised, as is their mechanistic link with both oceanographic processes and climate. Consequently, plankton are widely regarded as sentinels of climate change, principally owing to their responsiveness to changing environmental conditions. Developing an understanding of the ecological as well as socio-economic consequences associated with changes in marine plankton dynamics has emerged as a key issue worldwide. Though many exciting advances in this respect have been attained with the aid of long-term plankton time series (>50 y), global environmental datasets and innovative meta-analyses, building deep knowledge of regional bio-physical dynamics and responses to specific perturbed states remains an essential component of the collective effort. Algoa Bay, situated on the warmtemperate south-east coast of South Africa presents a unique opportunity to study key elements of plankton ecology relevant to climate change problems in the regional sense. The embayment is locally subjected to frequent wind-driven upwelling and regionally, to periodic mesoscale oceanographic forcing (e.g., large solitary meanders, Agulhas Current intrusions), all of which culminate in a complex physical and biogeochemical environment. Using zooplankton as the focal component and drawing from a multi-year monthly dataset incorporating a bay-scale sampling framework, the present study addressed three key hypotheses pertaining to 1) drivers of spatio-temporal variability, 2) biomass rate of change over temporal scales using time-series analyses, and 3) community responses to a bay-scale biological perturbation event. Zooplankton biomass exhibited prominent seasonal patterns with bimodal peaks corresponding with near-consistent year-to-year autumn and spring blooms. Overall, the spatial trend showed no heterogeneity, though statistical significance between-station variability was noted per season. An analytical framework involving generalised additive models revealed zooplankton spatial heterogeneity in Algoa Bay to be a function of seasonal variation in a suite of physicochemical variables, including the combined effects of temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, total nitrogen and silicate, but not ammonium, phosphate or chlorophyll-a (as proxy for phytoplankton). Fronts (including river plumes), warm water intrusion from the Agulhas Current, and wind-driven upwelling were postulated to be key driving forces. Structural breaks analysis performed on station-specific time series revealed significant incremental increases in zooplankton biomass over time, which in turn, corresponded with a gradual decrease in thermocline depth. The most pronounced increasing effect was associated with a period (2013– 14) of amplified land-derived nutrient input and increasing harmful algal bloom (HAB) activity. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Zoning the Southwestern Indian Ocean to mitigate impacts from ocean-based hydrocarbon exploration and production on sea turtles
- Authors: Pretorius, Dirk
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Ocean zoning , Marine ecology -- Indian Ocean Sea turtles -- Indian Ocean Marine animals -- Ecology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43303 , vital:36787
- Description: The conflict between sea turtles and the numerous socio-economic developments in the Southwestern Indian Ocean (SWIO) are set to intensify as countries are looking to develop their ocean-based economies. The Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production (HEP) industry is of particular importance, since many of the SWIO governments view it as catalyst for development. This has raised concerns about potentially significant environmental impacts from the HEP industry, to sea turtles and their habitats, based on international examples where sea turtles have been severely negatively impacted upon, like the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Given that the four sea turtles species in the SWIO are listed on the IUCN Red List of threatened species, the aim of this study was to derive priority areas for sea turtles in the face of HEP, that could be used in an ocean zoning strategy for sustainable economic development of HEP in the SWIO region. To achieve this, the study spatially represented the main life-history stages of sea turtles, i.e. the breeding, migrating and foraging areas of Caretta caretta (loggerhead turtles), Dermochelys coriacea (leatherback turtles), Chelonia mydas (green turtles) and Eretmochelys imbricata (hawksbill turtles), within a telemetry derived distribution for each species. This spatial representation was used to quantify the extent of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) conserving sea turtles in the SWIO, which revealed that sea turtle breeding areas were well represented in MPAs, including C. caretta (~40 %), C. mydas (~53 %), E. imbricata (~59 %) and D. coriacea (~22 %), the latter being least protected by MPAs during breeding, possibly due to a far greater extent of their internesting areas than the other three species. MPA coverage of breeding areas could be positively correlated to the increasing population trends of C. caretta and C. mydas in the SWIO, and therefore the assumption was made that increasing population trends of sea turtles are in part related to MPA protection of their breeding areas. In addition, the potential impacts on sea turtles from existing and proposed HEP developments were assessed and mapped by using a novel, species-specific rating index. The results revealed the extensive nature of potential water pollution impacts on sea turtles, constituting 16 of the top 28 most significant impacts from HEP on sea turtles. Other significant impacts on sea turtles associated with the HEP industry, included habitat destruction, light pollution and noise pollution. Importantly, this study found that ~70 % of all potential HEP impacts (irrespective of significance) on adult nesting sea turtles could be avoided if seasonal sea turtle movement during critical life stages are included as species-specific HEP mitigation measures. The data and maps on the main life-history stages of sea turtles, and the potential cumulative impacts from the HEP industry, were used in a Systematic Conservation Planning process, to derive a concept ocean zoning. As final outcome of this study, the concept ocean zoning highlighted areas where increased protection to sea turtles, and management of the conflict between sea turtles and the HEP industry, will be required if the HEP industry is to develop in a sustainable manner in the SWIO.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Pretorius, Dirk
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Ocean zoning , Marine ecology -- Indian Ocean Sea turtles -- Indian Ocean Marine animals -- Ecology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43303 , vital:36787
- Description: The conflict between sea turtles and the numerous socio-economic developments in the Southwestern Indian Ocean (SWIO) are set to intensify as countries are looking to develop their ocean-based economies. The Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production (HEP) industry is of particular importance, since many of the SWIO governments view it as catalyst for development. This has raised concerns about potentially significant environmental impacts from the HEP industry, to sea turtles and their habitats, based on international examples where sea turtles have been severely negatively impacted upon, like the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Given that the four sea turtles species in the SWIO are listed on the IUCN Red List of threatened species, the aim of this study was to derive priority areas for sea turtles in the face of HEP, that could be used in an ocean zoning strategy for sustainable economic development of HEP in the SWIO region. To achieve this, the study spatially represented the main life-history stages of sea turtles, i.e. the breeding, migrating and foraging areas of Caretta caretta (loggerhead turtles), Dermochelys coriacea (leatherback turtles), Chelonia mydas (green turtles) and Eretmochelys imbricata (hawksbill turtles), within a telemetry derived distribution for each species. This spatial representation was used to quantify the extent of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) conserving sea turtles in the SWIO, which revealed that sea turtle breeding areas were well represented in MPAs, including C. caretta (~40 %), C. mydas (~53 %), E. imbricata (~59 %) and D. coriacea (~22 %), the latter being least protected by MPAs during breeding, possibly due to a far greater extent of their internesting areas than the other three species. MPA coverage of breeding areas could be positively correlated to the increasing population trends of C. caretta and C. mydas in the SWIO, and therefore the assumption was made that increasing population trends of sea turtles are in part related to MPA protection of their breeding areas. In addition, the potential impacts on sea turtles from existing and proposed HEP developments were assessed and mapped by using a novel, species-specific rating index. The results revealed the extensive nature of potential water pollution impacts on sea turtles, constituting 16 of the top 28 most significant impacts from HEP on sea turtles. Other significant impacts on sea turtles associated with the HEP industry, included habitat destruction, light pollution and noise pollution. Importantly, this study found that ~70 % of all potential HEP impacts (irrespective of significance) on adult nesting sea turtles could be avoided if seasonal sea turtle movement during critical life stages are included as species-specific HEP mitigation measures. The data and maps on the main life-history stages of sea turtles, and the potential cumulative impacts from the HEP industry, were used in a Systematic Conservation Planning process, to derive a concept ocean zoning. As final outcome of this study, the concept ocean zoning highlighted areas where increased protection to sea turtles, and management of the conflict between sea turtles and the HEP industry, will be required if the HEP industry is to develop in a sustainable manner in the SWIO.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Youth sub-cultures: the case of izikhothane amongst youth in Port Elizabeth townships
- Authors: Laqwela, Bayanda B
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54694 , vital:47442
- Description: The studies on youth subcultures have always attracted scholars and media, both locally and internationally. Specifically, in South Africa, we have witnessed subcultural youth formations, such as amapantsula1 , umswenko2 , the smarteez, zef, emmos and so forth. In the past few years, we saw the rise of a certain subcultural youth formation, popularly known as izikhothane3 , in South African townships. Owing to an escalation in izikhothane, this study was undertaken among the youth in Port Elizabeth townships. The study sought to explore and describe the significance of izikhothane membership and the rituals that are performed during their meetings. The qualitative approach was used for the study and semi-structured interviews, focus groups and observations were employed as data collection tools. The study used the explorative, descriptive and contextual design. The population for the study was the youth who are involved in the youth subculture of izikhothane in Port Elizabeth townships. The themes, which answered the questions, were identified as follows: the definition of isikhothane according to izikhothane, pulling or attraction factors, izikhothane rituals, the significance of isikhothane membership, the stopping age and the perceptions of community members about izikhothane. One of the main findings of this study is the age at which the youth join izikhothane. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Laqwela, Bayanda B
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54694 , vital:47442
- Description: The studies on youth subcultures have always attracted scholars and media, both locally and internationally. Specifically, in South Africa, we have witnessed subcultural youth formations, such as amapantsula1 , umswenko2 , the smarteez, zef, emmos and so forth. In the past few years, we saw the rise of a certain subcultural youth formation, popularly known as izikhothane3 , in South African townships. Owing to an escalation in izikhothane, this study was undertaken among the youth in Port Elizabeth townships. The study sought to explore and describe the significance of izikhothane membership and the rituals that are performed during their meetings. The qualitative approach was used for the study and semi-structured interviews, focus groups and observations were employed as data collection tools. The study used the explorative, descriptive and contextual design. The population for the study was the youth who are involved in the youth subculture of izikhothane in Port Elizabeth townships. The themes, which answered the questions, were identified as follows: the definition of isikhothane according to izikhothane, pulling or attraction factors, izikhothane rituals, the significance of isikhothane membership, the stopping age and the perceptions of community members about izikhothane. One of the main findings of this study is the age at which the youth join izikhothane. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Youth development: a case study of vision4 mentorship programme for teenage girls in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Gqabe, Ongeziwe Sharon
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54343 , vital:46477
- Description: Investment in youth development for a country like South Africa, where social issues such as unemployment, lack of quality education, high levels of school dropouts, difficulty in accessing post-secondary education and training are of high prevalence is crucial. There are different strategies that key players in youth development such as the government, private sector and NGOs can implement in advancing the youth. This study sought to examine one of these strategies which is mentorship. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to scrutinize the essential role that a mentorship program can play in progressing youth development. The objectives of this study are as follows: to investigate the key challenges facing the teenage girls that participated on the Vision4 Mentorship Program; to investigate the effectiveness of the strategy of using mentorship programs as a tool in achieving youth development in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth and to come up with the recommendations with the view of addressing some of the problems faced by the youth in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth. The research methodology used in this study include among others, individual interviews of participants that has been previously gone through the Vision4 Mentorship Program. Furthermore, relevant scholarly published work has been consulted to supplement the interviews. Mentorship has been used as a conceptual framework to understand the impact of mentoring to the young girls at Vision4 Mentorship Program. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Gqabe, Ongeziwe Sharon
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54343 , vital:46477
- Description: Investment in youth development for a country like South Africa, where social issues such as unemployment, lack of quality education, high levels of school dropouts, difficulty in accessing post-secondary education and training are of high prevalence is crucial. There are different strategies that key players in youth development such as the government, private sector and NGOs can implement in advancing the youth. This study sought to examine one of these strategies which is mentorship. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to scrutinize the essential role that a mentorship program can play in progressing youth development. The objectives of this study are as follows: to investigate the key challenges facing the teenage girls that participated on the Vision4 Mentorship Program; to investigate the effectiveness of the strategy of using mentorship programs as a tool in achieving youth development in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth and to come up with the recommendations with the view of addressing some of the problems faced by the youth in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth. The research methodology used in this study include among others, individual interviews of participants that has been previously gone through the Vision4 Mentorship Program. Furthermore, relevant scholarly published work has been consulted to supplement the interviews. Mentorship has been used as a conceptual framework to understand the impact of mentoring to the young girls at Vision4 Mentorship Program. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Youth development through basketball in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Thuo, Andrew G
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Youth development -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Youth -- Services for Sports and state Basketball -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43776 , vital:37046
- Description: Limited research exists, both internationally and in the South African context, on the use of basketball as tool for youth development through sport. In almost all sport-based youth development programs, the desired sport is football and occasionally rugby. Developing the youth is crucial for the development of a nation and the United Nations has highlighted the progress sport has had as a development tool over the past 20 years. South Africa has recently received international acclaim by becoming the focal point of the National Basketball Associations (NBA) presence in Africa by hosting the last three NBA Africa games. South Africa’s Eastern Cape province was the home of elite basketball in the early eighties and is no stranger to the sport of basketball. The study aimed to explore the possibility of using basketball as a tool for youth development in Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape. The study employed a mixed methods research approach that was explorative, descriptive and contextual in design. The empirical data was collected by means of a questionnaire distributed to target basketball players in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. While the data analysis and literature favoured basketball as a suitable tool to be used in sport-based youth development programs, there were limitations with respect to the number of female participants in the study. It was recommended that further research be considered within this field of study and on a wider scale, in an effort to expand the knowledge base on youth development through basketball across South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Thuo, Andrew G
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Youth development -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Youth -- Services for Sports and state Basketball -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43776 , vital:37046
- Description: Limited research exists, both internationally and in the South African context, on the use of basketball as tool for youth development through sport. In almost all sport-based youth development programs, the desired sport is football and occasionally rugby. Developing the youth is crucial for the development of a nation and the United Nations has highlighted the progress sport has had as a development tool over the past 20 years. South Africa has recently received international acclaim by becoming the focal point of the National Basketball Associations (NBA) presence in Africa by hosting the last three NBA Africa games. South Africa’s Eastern Cape province was the home of elite basketball in the early eighties and is no stranger to the sport of basketball. The study aimed to explore the possibility of using basketball as a tool for youth development in Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape. The study employed a mixed methods research approach that was explorative, descriptive and contextual in design. The empirical data was collected by means of a questionnaire distributed to target basketball players in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. While the data analysis and literature favoured basketball as a suitable tool to be used in sport-based youth development programs, there were limitations with respect to the number of female participants in the study. It was recommended that further research be considered within this field of study and on a wider scale, in an effort to expand the knowledge base on youth development through basketball across South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Young adults’ perceptions of the psychosocial factors impacting upon self-disclosure online
- Authors: Edwards, Megan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Self-disclosure , Young adults -- psychological aspects Interpersonal relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/29882 , vital:30788
- Description: Online communication has become a universal phenomenon, and a significant consequence of computer mediated communication (CMC) is the influence it has on self-disclosure. The aim of the present study was to explore and describe young adults’ perceptions of online self-disclosure, specifically what young adults’ self-disclose online and what psychosocial factors impact upon self-disclosure online. Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Systems Theory and the Johari Window were utilised as the theoretical framework of the study. The present study utilised a qualitative approach and was exploratory and descriptive in design. The sample size of the present study was 13, and semi-structured interviews were utilised as the method of data collection. The data obtained was analysed using thematic analysis, as outlined by Braun and Clarke. Six main themes were identified, namely Types of Online Experience, Online Self-disclosure, Information Disclosed Online, Differences between Online and Offline Self-disclosure, Privacy and Online Regrets. The findings of the present study will generate a better understanding of young adults’ online self-disclosure and can be utilised for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Edwards, Megan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Self-disclosure , Young adults -- psychological aspects Interpersonal relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/29882 , vital:30788
- Description: Online communication has become a universal phenomenon, and a significant consequence of computer mediated communication (CMC) is the influence it has on self-disclosure. The aim of the present study was to explore and describe young adults’ perceptions of online self-disclosure, specifically what young adults’ self-disclose online and what psychosocial factors impact upon self-disclosure online. Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Systems Theory and the Johari Window were utilised as the theoretical framework of the study. The present study utilised a qualitative approach and was exploratory and descriptive in design. The sample size of the present study was 13, and semi-structured interviews were utilised as the method of data collection. The data obtained was analysed using thematic analysis, as outlined by Braun and Clarke. Six main themes were identified, namely Types of Online Experience, Online Self-disclosure, Information Disclosed Online, Differences between Online and Offline Self-disclosure, Privacy and Online Regrets. The findings of the present study will generate a better understanding of young adults’ online self-disclosure and can be utilised for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Young adults’ experiences and coping strategies following the termination of a significant romantic online relationship
- Authors: Seselinyane, Lineo Dorah
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Online dating , Love -- Computer network resources Man-woman relationships -- Computer network resources Mate selection -- Computer network resources Dating (Social customs) -- Computer network resources Man-woman relationships
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43390 , vital:36871
- Description: The Internet has made it feasible for people to establish and maintain romantic relationships online. Research findings indicate that high levels of intimacy are often experienced online, and individuals find these relationships to be meaningful, with high levels of relationship satisfaction reported. Some of these online romantic relationships are, however, terminated at some stage, leading to a painful experience. Limited research has been conducted on the experience of terminated online romantic relationships and coping strategies employed. The primary aim of this study was therefore to explore and describe young adults’ experiences and coping strategies following the termination of a significant online romantic relationship. Lazarus and Folkman’s psychological stress and coping theory and relevant literature were utilised to conceptualise the study. A qualitative approach was employed in order to meet the aim of the study. The study utilised purposive and snowball sampling. The participants included nine undergraduate students at Nelson Mandela University and one working adult, all of whom met the inclusion criteria. Data was obtained through in-depth interviews, and the collected data was analysed using thematic analysis. Based on the findings of the study, the experience of a terminated online romantic relationship has an adverse impact on individuals’ overall functioning. However, there seem to be coping strategies that are effective in overcoming the turmoil caused by online romantic relationship termination. This study has therefore generated an understanding of young adults’ experiences and coping strategies following the termination of a significant online romantic relationship.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Seselinyane, Lineo Dorah
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Online dating , Love -- Computer network resources Man-woman relationships -- Computer network resources Mate selection -- Computer network resources Dating (Social customs) -- Computer network resources Man-woman relationships
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43390 , vital:36871
- Description: The Internet has made it feasible for people to establish and maintain romantic relationships online. Research findings indicate that high levels of intimacy are often experienced online, and individuals find these relationships to be meaningful, with high levels of relationship satisfaction reported. Some of these online romantic relationships are, however, terminated at some stage, leading to a painful experience. Limited research has been conducted on the experience of terminated online romantic relationships and coping strategies employed. The primary aim of this study was therefore to explore and describe young adults’ experiences and coping strategies following the termination of a significant online romantic relationship. Lazarus and Folkman’s psychological stress and coping theory and relevant literature were utilised to conceptualise the study. A qualitative approach was employed in order to meet the aim of the study. The study utilised purposive and snowball sampling. The participants included nine undergraduate students at Nelson Mandela University and one working adult, all of whom met the inclusion criteria. Data was obtained through in-depth interviews, and the collected data was analysed using thematic analysis. Based on the findings of the study, the experience of a terminated online romantic relationship has an adverse impact on individuals’ overall functioning. However, there seem to be coping strategies that are effective in overcoming the turmoil caused by online romantic relationship termination. This study has therefore generated an understanding of young adults’ experiences and coping strategies following the termination of a significant online romantic relationship.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Writing and signing to develop written genres : a study of Nigerian hearing-loss students' writing
- Milaham, Rahila Samuel, Lundgren, Berit
- Authors: Milaham, Rahila Samuel , Lundgren, Berit
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Hearing impaired children -- Nigeria -- Writing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47314 , vital:39842
- Description: The competence in writing of students with hearing loss has continued to generate concern among educational administrators, school authorities, teachers and parents (Oyetunde, 2009). Acquisition of written and signed language is vital for effective functioning of students with hearing loss in school. Writing and signing helps students to interact socially, culturally and intellectually with one another and within their social environment. Therefore, this study explores the writing of specific genres by students with hearing loss using signing and the Language Experience Approach, LEA, among Junior Secondary School (JSS 3) in a Nigerian school for the deaf. The study is a qualitative research study which was underpinned by an interpretive paradigm and was theoretically framed by Vygotsky’s (1978) sociocultural theory, semiotic theory (Pierce, 1991) and socio-semiotic theory (Thibault, 2004: Kress, 1988 & Van Leeuwen, 2005). The ideological literacy perspective (Street 1984) and literacy as a social practice have provided a lens to analyse and explore the findings Class observations, students’ signed and written text samples as well as communication with teachers were used as the methods for data collection. The intervention study, which went on for 9 weeks, involved teaching and learning of three genres, namely retelling, narrative and descriptive writing. Twenty six students and two teachers were involved in the study. For the purpose of the analysis, six out of the 26 students’ written, and signed texts were purposively selected and analysed. The students’ signed and written texts were analysed according to the structure and special features of the genres. In the retelling genre, two concepts, breadth and depth vocabulary knowledge as special features, were used for the analysis of the texts. While in the narrative, students’ signed texts and written texts were analysed to know how the students use characters, settings and events in their texts. In the descriptive genre, students’ sign and written texts were analysed to see whether they gave concise descriptions, specifically using adjectives, of the object they identified in their signed text. The findings indicate that the students could retell the contextualized event with signs, using a vocabulary mostly from a breadth perspective. They also used the structure of retelling in a chronological order. In signing the narrative genre, the students were engaged in giving examples of the genre from which they derived the components of the story form such as character and events. Some could include aspects of character vi and events in their text, while others missed one structure or the other. In general, their narrative signed texts were better developed and showed a basic understanding of the storyline. In the descriptive genre, the students could describe some objects in their classroom and school environment. These descriptions were limited to adjectives like colours, as only colours were used in the teacher’s example. In general, their descriptive signed texts were short and seemed to follow a list structure. The students’ signing in descriptive genre showed an initial awareness of the genre. In this study, the teachers scaffolded and modelled the different genres with examples, stories and prompt pictures to a varying extent. The narrative writing had more scaffolding and modelling compared with the other genres. It also generated longer texts and an awareness of the structure. The teachers also supported the students with deeper exploration of examples in the narrative genre than in the retelling and descriptive genre. Data shows teacher’s interactions with the students while signing narratives indicates an understanding on how to develop a text in story form using narrative structures. LEA turned out to be a fruitful start in the retelling genre but was not as central in the teaching practice and meaningful in students’ writing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Milaham, Rahila Samuel , Lundgren, Berit
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Hearing impaired children -- Nigeria -- Writing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47314 , vital:39842
- Description: The competence in writing of students with hearing loss has continued to generate concern among educational administrators, school authorities, teachers and parents (Oyetunde, 2009). Acquisition of written and signed language is vital for effective functioning of students with hearing loss in school. Writing and signing helps students to interact socially, culturally and intellectually with one another and within their social environment. Therefore, this study explores the writing of specific genres by students with hearing loss using signing and the Language Experience Approach, LEA, among Junior Secondary School (JSS 3) in a Nigerian school for the deaf. The study is a qualitative research study which was underpinned by an interpretive paradigm and was theoretically framed by Vygotsky’s (1978) sociocultural theory, semiotic theory (Pierce, 1991) and socio-semiotic theory (Thibault, 2004: Kress, 1988 & Van Leeuwen, 2005). The ideological literacy perspective (Street 1984) and literacy as a social practice have provided a lens to analyse and explore the findings Class observations, students’ signed and written text samples as well as communication with teachers were used as the methods for data collection. The intervention study, which went on for 9 weeks, involved teaching and learning of three genres, namely retelling, narrative and descriptive writing. Twenty six students and two teachers were involved in the study. For the purpose of the analysis, six out of the 26 students’ written, and signed texts were purposively selected and analysed. The students’ signed and written texts were analysed according to the structure and special features of the genres. In the retelling genre, two concepts, breadth and depth vocabulary knowledge as special features, were used for the analysis of the texts. While in the narrative, students’ signed texts and written texts were analysed to know how the students use characters, settings and events in their texts. In the descriptive genre, students’ sign and written texts were analysed to see whether they gave concise descriptions, specifically using adjectives, of the object they identified in their signed text. The findings indicate that the students could retell the contextualized event with signs, using a vocabulary mostly from a breadth perspective. They also used the structure of retelling in a chronological order. In signing the narrative genre, the students were engaged in giving examples of the genre from which they derived the components of the story form such as character and events. Some could include aspects of character vi and events in their text, while others missed one structure or the other. In general, their narrative signed texts were better developed and showed a basic understanding of the storyline. In the descriptive genre, the students could describe some objects in their classroom and school environment. These descriptions were limited to adjectives like colours, as only colours were used in the teacher’s example. In general, their descriptive signed texts were short and seemed to follow a list structure. The students’ signing in descriptive genre showed an initial awareness of the genre. In this study, the teachers scaffolded and modelled the different genres with examples, stories and prompt pictures to a varying extent. The narrative writing had more scaffolding and modelling compared with the other genres. It also generated longer texts and an awareness of the structure. The teachers also supported the students with deeper exploration of examples in the narrative genre than in the retelling and descriptive genre. Data shows teacher’s interactions with the students while signing narratives indicates an understanding on how to develop a text in story form using narrative structures. LEA turned out to be a fruitful start in the retelling genre but was not as central in the teaching practice and meaningful in students’ writing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Workplace forums and the enhancement of collective bargaining
- Authors: Silo, Zama
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Collective bargaining--Law and legislation
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51189 , vital:43229
- Description: Historically, workers in South Africa, black and Africans in particular, fought against an oppressive regime and, in the absence of political rights, strikes were mostly violent. Labour legislation was based on racial categorisation and discrimination. There was parallel labour legislation for blacks, and a different one for whites. The legislation for blacks was called the Black Labour Relations Act 48 of 19531 , for whites it was called the Industrial Conciliation Act, it was later renamed the Labour Relations Act 28 of 19562 . Trade unions were racially divided, and black workers mostly were denied the right of joining trade unions. The unions that admitted blacks as members could not become parties to industrial councils. Before 1979, black workers in South Africa did not have access to the collective bargaining system. After that year, the guidelines proposed by the Wiehahn, Commission brought about certain changes. Attempts were made to establish independent labour organisations for black workers, but both the state and employers applied various strategies to undermine these organisations. One of these strategies was the Native Labour Settlement Disputes Act of 1953, which restricted the representation of black workers on worker committees in the workplace and prohibited them from striking. Black workers therefore never utilised these statutory works committees and by 1971, there were only 18 statutory works committees in the country. The Department of Labour indicated that there was a preference for non-statutory works committees because there were no restrictions in respect of their composition, and they provided a structure by means of which workers could be represented.3 Militant action by black labour in the early 1970s led to the promulgation of the Black Labour Relations Regulation Act of 1973.4 This Act was to extend the existing works committee system. Liaison and coordinating committees were set up to restrain activism among the workers and establish an alternative form for trade unions of labour management communication. Where statutory works committees had only consisted of employees, employers could now half the members of the new liaison committees and their chairman. The growth of these committees led to black workers building up a base for a future independent organisation. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, Mercantile Law, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Silo, Zama
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Collective bargaining--Law and legislation
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51189 , vital:43229
- Description: Historically, workers in South Africa, black and Africans in particular, fought against an oppressive regime and, in the absence of political rights, strikes were mostly violent. Labour legislation was based on racial categorisation and discrimination. There was parallel labour legislation for blacks, and a different one for whites. The legislation for blacks was called the Black Labour Relations Act 48 of 19531 , for whites it was called the Industrial Conciliation Act, it was later renamed the Labour Relations Act 28 of 19562 . Trade unions were racially divided, and black workers mostly were denied the right of joining trade unions. The unions that admitted blacks as members could not become parties to industrial councils. Before 1979, black workers in South Africa did not have access to the collective bargaining system. After that year, the guidelines proposed by the Wiehahn, Commission brought about certain changes. Attempts were made to establish independent labour organisations for black workers, but both the state and employers applied various strategies to undermine these organisations. One of these strategies was the Native Labour Settlement Disputes Act of 1953, which restricted the representation of black workers on worker committees in the workplace and prohibited them from striking. Black workers therefore never utilised these statutory works committees and by 1971, there were only 18 statutory works committees in the country. The Department of Labour indicated that there was a preference for non-statutory works committees because there were no restrictions in respect of their composition, and they provided a structure by means of which workers could be represented.3 Militant action by black labour in the early 1970s led to the promulgation of the Black Labour Relations Regulation Act of 1973.4 This Act was to extend the existing works committee system. Liaison and coordinating committees were set up to restrain activism among the workers and establish an alternative form for trade unions of labour management communication. Where statutory works committees had only consisted of employees, employers could now half the members of the new liaison committees and their chairman. The growth of these committees led to black workers building up a base for a future independent organisation. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, Mercantile Law, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Workplace Discrimination Based on Pregnancy
- Authors: Pathiswa, Mbongwana
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Employment discrimination , Pregnancy
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60797 , vital:67819
- Description: In the past, South Africa was marked by widespread discriminatory practices, many of which still exist to date. This study investigates the persistent discrimination against pregnant women. The study revealed that in South Africa, pregnant women continue to face discrimination in employment and are often denied the right to go on maternity leave, nursing or breastfeeding and childcare facilities. Presently, pregnancy is listed as a prohibited ground for discrimination in the South African Constitution as well as many ILO Conventions. Similarly, the South African labour law framework which gives effect to the Constitution provides for the protection of women and pregnant workers. This protection comes in the form of measures that proscribe dismissal and discrimination based on. Despite these legislation, this study finds that the less favorable treatment of women and pregnant workers in South African workplaces has become increasingly common, and this has turned into a contentious subject. This study focused on labour legislation that has been developed to safeguard pregnant women in the workplace in light of applicable constitutional protections. Notwithstanding these legislative protections for pregnant women in the workplace, the analysis shows that many pregnant women continue to be treated unfairly due to their pregnancies or for reasons linked to their pregnancies. Consequently, there has been a regression in the actual execution of laws and regulations protecting pregnant workers. The study highlights the need to establish mechanisms to ensure that legislation protecting pregnant workers in the workplace achieves its intended purpose and is implemented properly. Consequently, this study presents pertinent suggestions about the implementation of labour legislation so that the employment rights of women and pregnant workers are adequately safeguarded. , Thesis (LLB) -- Faculty of Law, School of Mercantile Law, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Pathiswa, Mbongwana
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Employment discrimination , Pregnancy
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60797 , vital:67819
- Description: In the past, South Africa was marked by widespread discriminatory practices, many of which still exist to date. This study investigates the persistent discrimination against pregnant women. The study revealed that in South Africa, pregnant women continue to face discrimination in employment and are often denied the right to go on maternity leave, nursing or breastfeeding and childcare facilities. Presently, pregnancy is listed as a prohibited ground for discrimination in the South African Constitution as well as many ILO Conventions. Similarly, the South African labour law framework which gives effect to the Constitution provides for the protection of women and pregnant workers. This protection comes in the form of measures that proscribe dismissal and discrimination based on. Despite these legislation, this study finds that the less favorable treatment of women and pregnant workers in South African workplaces has become increasingly common, and this has turned into a contentious subject. This study focused on labour legislation that has been developed to safeguard pregnant women in the workplace in light of applicable constitutional protections. Notwithstanding these legislative protections for pregnant women in the workplace, the analysis shows that many pregnant women continue to be treated unfairly due to their pregnancies or for reasons linked to their pregnancies. Consequently, there has been a regression in the actual execution of laws and regulations protecting pregnant workers. The study highlights the need to establish mechanisms to ensure that legislation protecting pregnant workers in the workplace achieves its intended purpose and is implemented properly. Consequently, this study presents pertinent suggestions about the implementation of labour legislation so that the employment rights of women and pregnant workers are adequately safeguarded. , Thesis (LLB) -- Faculty of Law, School of Mercantile Law, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
Worker participation and involvement in a Zimbabwean mining environment
- Authors: Nyamahowa, Takudzwa Frank
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Management -- Employee participation -- Zimbabwe , Industrial relations -- Zimbabwe Industrial sociology -- Zimbabwe Job satisfaction Work environment -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34432 , vital:33378
- Description: Harmonious work relations can be achieved when worker involvement and participation structures are used effectively to ensure that workers‟ interests and rights are addressed. Literature has established the relationship between employee participation and worker satisfaction with working conditions. However, the extent to which employees are happy at work is also affected by their social and living conditions. It is therefore important to know the worker levels of satisfaction with participation on issues that affect them, and if the channels are being used to create an enabling environment. The objective of the study was to look at the influence employee participation has on worker satisfaction with work-life and workers satisfaction with social and living conditions, and the relationship between worker satisfaction with work-life and satisfaction with social and living conditions. The research questions were structured around this premise. The research was quantitative and used a 5-Likert scale using the three factors of employee participation, social and living conditions, and working life. The major findings revealed that there is strong relationship between worker satisfaction with employee participation and worker satisfaction with working life. Social and living conditions through an Exploratory Factor Analysis divided into exterior and interior social and living conditions. Working life was strongly correlated with interior social and living conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Nyamahowa, Takudzwa Frank
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Management -- Employee participation -- Zimbabwe , Industrial relations -- Zimbabwe Industrial sociology -- Zimbabwe Job satisfaction Work environment -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34432 , vital:33378
- Description: Harmonious work relations can be achieved when worker involvement and participation structures are used effectively to ensure that workers‟ interests and rights are addressed. Literature has established the relationship between employee participation and worker satisfaction with working conditions. However, the extent to which employees are happy at work is also affected by their social and living conditions. It is therefore important to know the worker levels of satisfaction with participation on issues that affect them, and if the channels are being used to create an enabling environment. The objective of the study was to look at the influence employee participation has on worker satisfaction with work-life and workers satisfaction with social and living conditions, and the relationship between worker satisfaction with work-life and satisfaction with social and living conditions. The research questions were structured around this premise. The research was quantitative and used a 5-Likert scale using the three factors of employee participation, social and living conditions, and working life. The major findings revealed that there is strong relationship between worker satisfaction with employee participation and worker satisfaction with working life. Social and living conditions through an Exploratory Factor Analysis divided into exterior and interior social and living conditions. Working life was strongly correlated with interior social and living conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Work-readiness of university graduates: a professional accounting educational expectation gap in South Africa
- Authors: Schoeman, Lynn Antoinette
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Accountants -- Employment -- South Africa -- Students , College graduates -- Employment -- South Africa School-to-work transition -- South Africa Employability -- South Africa -- Students
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20455 , vital:29288
- Description: The constant change in the business environment versus the curriculum content of accounting educational programmes result in a possible gap between the competencies gained by students who complete their degree qualifications compared to the expectations of employers of these entering trainee accountants. However, the universities do endeavour to teach students the syllabus that will provide them with sufficient information and skills to be able to complete the tasks expected from them without much learning following university. Universities face increasing pressure to ensure graduates are equipped with the right employability skills (Osmani, Weerakkody & Hindi, 2017) yet literature show that graduates entering the workforce are not sufficiently equipped with all the necessary non-technical skills required by the accounting profession (Fouché, 2013). The research for this study was guided by the question whether universities sufficiently prepare entering trainee accountants with regards to work-readiness skills and whether a gap exists between the level of work-readiness skills expected by employers in professional accounting practice, and the actual level of capability of these skills transferred through the formal professional accounting educational programmes offered by universities in South Africa. Published literature reviewed on the work-readiness of graduates showed that an educational gap could exist between the skills required by employees and the skills that entering trainee accountants possess. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data from supervisors and/or coordinators from Accredited Training Centres (ATCs) in the Nelson Mandela Bay Region of the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) on their perception of the level of capability expected of entering trainee accountants. The findings of this study showed that the universities provide entering trainee accountants with sufficient knowledge insofar as their technical abilities are concerned. However, employers perceive entering trainee accountants‟ capabilities in terms of their work-readiness skills, as insufficient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Schoeman, Lynn Antoinette
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Accountants -- Employment -- South Africa -- Students , College graduates -- Employment -- South Africa School-to-work transition -- South Africa Employability -- South Africa -- Students
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20455 , vital:29288
- Description: The constant change in the business environment versus the curriculum content of accounting educational programmes result in a possible gap between the competencies gained by students who complete their degree qualifications compared to the expectations of employers of these entering trainee accountants. However, the universities do endeavour to teach students the syllabus that will provide them with sufficient information and skills to be able to complete the tasks expected from them without much learning following university. Universities face increasing pressure to ensure graduates are equipped with the right employability skills (Osmani, Weerakkody & Hindi, 2017) yet literature show that graduates entering the workforce are not sufficiently equipped with all the necessary non-technical skills required by the accounting profession (Fouché, 2013). The research for this study was guided by the question whether universities sufficiently prepare entering trainee accountants with regards to work-readiness skills and whether a gap exists between the level of work-readiness skills expected by employers in professional accounting practice, and the actual level of capability of these skills transferred through the formal professional accounting educational programmes offered by universities in South Africa. Published literature reviewed on the work-readiness of graduates showed that an educational gap could exist between the skills required by employees and the skills that entering trainee accountants possess. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data from supervisors and/or coordinators from Accredited Training Centres (ATCs) in the Nelson Mandela Bay Region of the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) on their perception of the level of capability expected of entering trainee accountants. The findings of this study showed that the universities provide entering trainee accountants with sufficient knowledge insofar as their technical abilities are concerned. However, employers perceive entering trainee accountants‟ capabilities in terms of their work-readiness skills, as insufficient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Women’s participation in Kwasa vegetable garden project in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Blauw, Thandiwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Women in development , Economic development projects Community gardens -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23591 , vital:30584
- Description: Poverty is one of the major challenges faced by South Africa today, even after twenty three years of being a democratic country. A majority of South Africa’s population still lives below poverty line and the most affected are women and children. The alleviation of poverty is one of the priorities for the government, and the communities where the poor live engage in projects that support poverty alleviation while on the same breath also helps with skills development and financial freedom. In this research study, the researcher has investigated the impact of women participation on urban agriculture project by means of a vegetable garden to alleviate poverty at Kwasa Project in Walmer Township. The research has followed a qualitative approach which included individual interviews using an interview schedule. To supplement the above, secondary relevant scholarly sources were consulted. The objectives of the research were outlined which include the investigation of the challenges facing the Kwasa Project in Walmer Township. In the final analysis, the researcher has provided recommendations with the view of resolving some of the problems discovered during the interviews.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Blauw, Thandiwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Women in development , Economic development projects Community gardens -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23591 , vital:30584
- Description: Poverty is one of the major challenges faced by South Africa today, even after twenty three years of being a democratic country. A majority of South Africa’s population still lives below poverty line and the most affected are women and children. The alleviation of poverty is one of the priorities for the government, and the communities where the poor live engage in projects that support poverty alleviation while on the same breath also helps with skills development and financial freedom. In this research study, the researcher has investigated the impact of women participation on urban agriculture project by means of a vegetable garden to alleviate poverty at Kwasa Project in Walmer Township. The research has followed a qualitative approach which included individual interviews using an interview schedule. To supplement the above, secondary relevant scholarly sources were consulted. The objectives of the research were outlined which include the investigation of the challenges facing the Kwasa Project in Walmer Township. In the final analysis, the researcher has provided recommendations with the view of resolving some of the problems discovered during the interviews.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Women teachers leading change against intimate partner violence at a state university in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Matope, Nogget
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Women teachers -- Zimbabwe , Sex discrimination in education -- Zimbabwe Women college students -- Crimes against -- Zimbabwe Campus violence -- Zimbabwe Rape in universities and colleges -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41021 , vital:36283
- Description: This study responded to the following research question: How can participatory and visual methodology enable women teachers to lead change against intimate partner violence at a state university in Zimbabwe? The study was qualitative and informed by the critical paradigm and employed visual participatory research methodology (PVM). The participants in this study were six women teachers from a state university who were selected by means of snowballing. The visual methods of data generation that were employed were memory accounts, drawings, participatory videos and focus group discussions. Memory accounts expressed the participants’ experiences and understanding of IPV as they made meaning of their lived realities. Data generated from the drawings depicted the participants’ positioning and the way in which they were positioned in intimate relationships. The participatory video was used to express the participants’ understanding of IPV and the critical steps that can be taken to address the issue. The findings indicated that the participants understand IPV as a complex issue and they can engage in and explore issues that affect them. The participants’ voices can initiate change by breaking down barriers as they address the issue. The participants also indicated that students’ voices should be heard in the drafting of policies to include issues that affect them directly. The findings suggest that engagement with women, listening to one another, being listened to and working collaboratively to offer solutions to problems as agents of change, empowers the women. The findings have implications for the university community in that they show that the women teachers are actors who are aware of IPV and can participate and inform intervention programs. The participants can lead change through their work as educators as they continue to share with the community. This could enhance knowledge co-production. I conclude by arguing that using PVM provided a safe space for the women to talk about their lived realities of IPV with a wider audience and propose solutions to a phenomenon that has always been taboo; thus leading change towards an IPV free society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Matope, Nogget
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Women teachers -- Zimbabwe , Sex discrimination in education -- Zimbabwe Women college students -- Crimes against -- Zimbabwe Campus violence -- Zimbabwe Rape in universities and colleges -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41021 , vital:36283
- Description: This study responded to the following research question: How can participatory and visual methodology enable women teachers to lead change against intimate partner violence at a state university in Zimbabwe? The study was qualitative and informed by the critical paradigm and employed visual participatory research methodology (PVM). The participants in this study were six women teachers from a state university who were selected by means of snowballing. The visual methods of data generation that were employed were memory accounts, drawings, participatory videos and focus group discussions. Memory accounts expressed the participants’ experiences and understanding of IPV as they made meaning of their lived realities. Data generated from the drawings depicted the participants’ positioning and the way in which they were positioned in intimate relationships. The participatory video was used to express the participants’ understanding of IPV and the critical steps that can be taken to address the issue. The findings indicated that the participants understand IPV as a complex issue and they can engage in and explore issues that affect them. The participants’ voices can initiate change by breaking down barriers as they address the issue. The participants also indicated that students’ voices should be heard in the drafting of policies to include issues that affect them directly. The findings suggest that engagement with women, listening to one another, being listened to and working collaboratively to offer solutions to problems as agents of change, empowers the women. The findings have implications for the university community in that they show that the women teachers are actors who are aware of IPV and can participate and inform intervention programs. The participants can lead change through their work as educators as they continue to share with the community. This could enhance knowledge co-production. I conclude by arguing that using PVM provided a safe space for the women to talk about their lived realities of IPV with a wider audience and propose solutions to a phenomenon that has always been taboo; thus leading change towards an IPV free society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Women at work: A Muslim perspective
- Authors: Arghedien, Nuraan
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Personnel management , Muslim women
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60510 , vital:65640
- Description: Globally, women, including Muslim women face challenges advancing within their careers. This is supported by research focusing on the advancement of women. However, a paucity of research exists, focusing on the factors contributing to specifically the success and advancement of Muslim women. This study therefore explored the factors impacting on the experienced career success of women, particularly Muslim women and sought to identify additional barriers faced by Muslim women in the work context. In addition, the study identified interventions that can be used to enhance their success. For the purpose of this study, experienced career success referred to the subjective view of success individuals hold of themselves in relation to their careers. The target population of this study included women and men, irrespective of religious orientation or ethnic profile who reside and work in South Africa (n=243). A self-administered online survey was developed and distributed via an electronic link to individuals within a professional network as well as on various social media platforms. In addition, the study was subjected to various statistical analyses, including an Exploratory Factor Analysis, Reliability, Multiple Correlations, and Group Comparisons using ANOVAs, Tukey HSD, Independent Sample t-tests and Cohen’s d. Moreover, the qualitative analysis included ATLAS.ti, a manual search and the use of word clouds to extract themes that were highlighted or emphasised in the empirical study. The main findings of this study suggest that there are various factors impacting on the experienced career success of Muslim women. Positive significant relationships were found between Internal Factors and Success Indicators, indicating that the higher the level of motivation, the more successful are Muslim women. In addition, Organisational Factors and Success Indicators showed a positive relationship, implying that the importance placed on career-related interventions and commitment from top management influence the success of Muslim women. A significant relationship was found between Organisational Success Strategies and Success Indicators which means that the more aware and exposed Muslim women are to the identified career-related interventions, the greater their success. x No relationships were evident between gender and success, nor were differences found in the responses of men and women, contrary to the perception that the extent to which the factors apply to men and women are different. Furthermore, a model was developed based on the theoretical underpinnings and empirical evidence to assist in understanding the factors impacting on the experienced success of Muslim women. Additionally, strategies in the form of recommendations were advised with the aim of enhancing the experienced success of Muslim women. This study contributes to the body of knowledge relating to the advancement of Muslim women in the South African context. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Arghedien, Nuraan
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Personnel management , Muslim women
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60510 , vital:65640
- Description: Globally, women, including Muslim women face challenges advancing within their careers. This is supported by research focusing on the advancement of women. However, a paucity of research exists, focusing on the factors contributing to specifically the success and advancement of Muslim women. This study therefore explored the factors impacting on the experienced career success of women, particularly Muslim women and sought to identify additional barriers faced by Muslim women in the work context. In addition, the study identified interventions that can be used to enhance their success. For the purpose of this study, experienced career success referred to the subjective view of success individuals hold of themselves in relation to their careers. The target population of this study included women and men, irrespective of religious orientation or ethnic profile who reside and work in South Africa (n=243). A self-administered online survey was developed and distributed via an electronic link to individuals within a professional network as well as on various social media platforms. In addition, the study was subjected to various statistical analyses, including an Exploratory Factor Analysis, Reliability, Multiple Correlations, and Group Comparisons using ANOVAs, Tukey HSD, Independent Sample t-tests and Cohen’s d. Moreover, the qualitative analysis included ATLAS.ti, a manual search and the use of word clouds to extract themes that were highlighted or emphasised in the empirical study. The main findings of this study suggest that there are various factors impacting on the experienced career success of Muslim women. Positive significant relationships were found between Internal Factors and Success Indicators, indicating that the higher the level of motivation, the more successful are Muslim women. In addition, Organisational Factors and Success Indicators showed a positive relationship, implying that the importance placed on career-related interventions and commitment from top management influence the success of Muslim women. A significant relationship was found between Organisational Success Strategies and Success Indicators which means that the more aware and exposed Muslim women are to the identified career-related interventions, the greater their success. x No relationships were evident between gender and success, nor were differences found in the responses of men and women, contrary to the perception that the extent to which the factors apply to men and women are different. Furthermore, a model was developed based on the theoretical underpinnings and empirical evidence to assist in understanding the factors impacting on the experienced success of Muslim women. Additionally, strategies in the form of recommendations were advised with the aim of enhancing the experienced success of Muslim women. This study contributes to the body of knowledge relating to the advancement of Muslim women in the South African context. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
Wind damage impacts on Eucalyptus species performance in South Africa
- Authors: Hechter, Heinrich
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Commercial forests -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48368 , vital:40853
- Description: Commercial forestry plantations in South Africa play an important role in the economy of the country, contributing 1.2% towards the gross domestic product, as well as with job creation in rural communities. Currently plantation forests cover 1% (1.2 million hectares) of the South African land surface, of which ±75 000 hectares (±43 000 hectares to Eucalyptus species) are re-established each year. Different timber companies afforest areas with different species to satisfy specific management objectives, with the two main objectives being for either the production of saw-timber or pulpwood. Species of the Eucalyptus genera are preferred as they are fast growing and have desirable wood and pulping properties. However, their productive potential can be negatively impacted by numerous abiotic and biotic risk factors. Of the various risk factors that forest stands are exposed to, wind and wind-related tree damage has received very little attention, both nationally and internationally. Wind-related tree damage may result in wind-throw (uprooting or stem breakage), or trees that tilt (lean off vertical). Trees that are tilting can recover to an upright position, but are likely to retain some level of stem sinuosity or butt-sweep. Although strong winds increase the risk of tree damage, a number of other factors can also act to predispose trees to wind-related damage. These include choice of planting stock (genotype and type of plant stock), planting practices (including soil cultivation), site factors (wind exposure, rainfall, soil texture and soil fertility) or excessive weed competition. Most of the literature dealing with wind-related tree damage has focused on trees growing in natural forests, whereas trees in natural forests differ from forest grown plantation trees in terms of above- and below-ground morphological differences, as well as the stability factors of the trees. There is a need to not only understand the impacts of severe (catastrophic) wind events on mature trees, but also to test management strategies that prevent, or minimize damage prior to any severe wind events. Two existing eucalypt trials were used to provide information on the influence of selected re-establishment silvicultural practices on short-term pulpwood and long-term saw-timber survival, growth and uniformity when influenced by catastrophic wind events, within South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Hechter, Heinrich
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Commercial forests -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48368 , vital:40853
- Description: Commercial forestry plantations in South Africa play an important role in the economy of the country, contributing 1.2% towards the gross domestic product, as well as with job creation in rural communities. Currently plantation forests cover 1% (1.2 million hectares) of the South African land surface, of which ±75 000 hectares (±43 000 hectares to Eucalyptus species) are re-established each year. Different timber companies afforest areas with different species to satisfy specific management objectives, with the two main objectives being for either the production of saw-timber or pulpwood. Species of the Eucalyptus genera are preferred as they are fast growing and have desirable wood and pulping properties. However, their productive potential can be negatively impacted by numerous abiotic and biotic risk factors. Of the various risk factors that forest stands are exposed to, wind and wind-related tree damage has received very little attention, both nationally and internationally. Wind-related tree damage may result in wind-throw (uprooting or stem breakage), or trees that tilt (lean off vertical). Trees that are tilting can recover to an upright position, but are likely to retain some level of stem sinuosity or butt-sweep. Although strong winds increase the risk of tree damage, a number of other factors can also act to predispose trees to wind-related damage. These include choice of planting stock (genotype and type of plant stock), planting practices (including soil cultivation), site factors (wind exposure, rainfall, soil texture and soil fertility) or excessive weed competition. Most of the literature dealing with wind-related tree damage has focused on trees growing in natural forests, whereas trees in natural forests differ from forest grown plantation trees in terms of above- and below-ground morphological differences, as well as the stability factors of the trees. There is a need to not only understand the impacts of severe (catastrophic) wind events on mature trees, but also to test management strategies that prevent, or minimize damage prior to any severe wind events. Two existing eucalypt trials were used to provide information on the influence of selected re-establishment silvicultural practices on short-term pulpwood and long-term saw-timber survival, growth and uniformity when influenced by catastrophic wind events, within South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Why municipalities do not comply and implement expanded public works programmes: a case study of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in South Africa
- Jikwana, Mvumelwano Valithuba
- Authors: Jikwana, Mvumelwano Valithuba
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22486 , vital:29975
- Description: The Expanded public works programme (EPWP) was a South African government initiative that was meant to fight poverty, reduce unemployment and develop skills for young people, women and people with disabilities. EPWP was to be implemented by the national, provincial and local governments in order to alleviate poverty and increase economic growth. The programme started with phase 1 in April 2004, where the objective was to create a minimum of 1 million job opportunities by March 2009. The target was achieved by the South African government, but many municipalities faced challenges as they were struggling to meet their own targets. EPWP phase 2 started in April 2009, where the target of creating 4.5 million work opportunities was set and it was meant to end in March 2014. Phase 3 was scheduled to start in April 2014 to March 2019. Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) is a metropolitan municipality, which should implement EPWP, and it consists of the towns of East London, King Williams Town and Bisho. BCMM council accepted the EPWP structure in the financial year 2013/14, charging the Programme Manager to lead the EPWP unit, consisting of a single office to implement the programme. The municipality faced many challenges, in failing to meet the targets set by the National Department of Public Works (NDPW). These challenges include: the lack of political and administration commitment towards EPWP, lack of proper EPWP training and lack of accountability from Senior Management. Other challenges facing BCMM include: a lack of data capturers to consolidate EPWP information, lack of qualifies people to design and implement labour intensive projects and the shortage of staff within the EPWP unit, which was meant to support all departments. If the municipality can overcome all the challenges, the set targets can be met, unemployment can be reduced and poverty can be alleviated. There is an urgent need for the Mayor and Municipal Manager to commit themselves toward the full implementation of EPWP.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Jikwana, Mvumelwano Valithuba
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22486 , vital:29975
- Description: The Expanded public works programme (EPWP) was a South African government initiative that was meant to fight poverty, reduce unemployment and develop skills for young people, women and people with disabilities. EPWP was to be implemented by the national, provincial and local governments in order to alleviate poverty and increase economic growth. The programme started with phase 1 in April 2004, where the objective was to create a minimum of 1 million job opportunities by March 2009. The target was achieved by the South African government, but many municipalities faced challenges as they were struggling to meet their own targets. EPWP phase 2 started in April 2009, where the target of creating 4.5 million work opportunities was set and it was meant to end in March 2014. Phase 3 was scheduled to start in April 2014 to March 2019. Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) is a metropolitan municipality, which should implement EPWP, and it consists of the towns of East London, King Williams Town and Bisho. BCMM council accepted the EPWP structure in the financial year 2013/14, charging the Programme Manager to lead the EPWP unit, consisting of a single office to implement the programme. The municipality faced many challenges, in failing to meet the targets set by the National Department of Public Works (NDPW). These challenges include: the lack of political and administration commitment towards EPWP, lack of proper EPWP training and lack of accountability from Senior Management. Other challenges facing BCMM include: a lack of data capturers to consolidate EPWP information, lack of qualifies people to design and implement labour intensive projects and the shortage of staff within the EPWP unit, which was meant to support all departments. If the municipality can overcome all the challenges, the set targets can be met, unemployment can be reduced and poverty can be alleviated. There is an urgent need for the Mayor and Municipal Manager to commit themselves toward the full implementation of EPWP.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018