A critical analysis of the application of South African business rescue provisions on small to medium enterprises (SMEs)
- Peteni, Ushimin https://orcid.org/ 0000-0001-6478-9862
- Authors: Peteni, Ushimin https://orcid.org/ 0000-0001-6478-9862
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Small business , Business enterprises , Business failures--Law and legislation
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20328 , vital:45655
- Description: Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) play an essential role and can be described as the crucial bread and butter of the South African economy. They have the potential to create employment and skills development opportunities pertinent for sustainable economic growth. The unfortunate part is that South African Small to Medium sized Enterprises have the lowest survival rates in the world, resulting in high rates of business failure and job losses. This is because the South African economy does not favour SMEs, which are often burdened with structural hurdles including access to funding, lack of access to markets, inadequate skills, uncompetitive regulatory frameworks and technological disruptions. A developing economy such as South Africa cannot grow if companies facing financial difficulty are constantly liquidated. This is because the liquidation system does not offer companies an opportunity to restructure and possibly function within the context of raised concerns. In order to facilitate sustainable SMEs growth, the legislature has come up with statutory mechanisms to support SMEs and save them from total liquidation. Most recently, the Companies Act 71 of 2008 Chapter 6 introduces a business rescue mechanism applicable to all business structures established under the Act. The purpose of business rescue is to provide companies in financial distress with opportunities to reorganise, strategize and come up with useful corporate reorganisation measures which are useful and efficient in saving the financially distressed company and possibly yielding a better return for the creditors than would have been the case if the company was liquidated. This new enactment is seen as both an improvement and necessary reform from its predecessor, judicial administration which has widely been condemned as a failure. However, despite this improvement, the application of the current business provisions to SMEs is questionable. Although Chapter 6 of the Act makes provision for SMEs, it also presents a number of stumbling blocks, including the fact that services of business rescue practitioners are out of reach for most SMEs in South Africa. The purpose of this study is to consider challenges faced by SMEs in the practical application of the current business rescue provisions. This study further emphasizes the importance of South African SMEs, whilst looking at their challenges and how the Companies Act 71 of 2008 provisions, regarding business rescue, assists SMEs. The study looks at the impediments of certain provisions of business rescue and proposes recommendations. , Thesis (MA) (Laws) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
- Authors: Peteni, Ushimin https://orcid.org/ 0000-0001-6478-9862
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Small business , Business enterprises , Business failures--Law and legislation
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20328 , vital:45655
- Description: Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) play an essential role and can be described as the crucial bread and butter of the South African economy. They have the potential to create employment and skills development opportunities pertinent for sustainable economic growth. The unfortunate part is that South African Small to Medium sized Enterprises have the lowest survival rates in the world, resulting in high rates of business failure and job losses. This is because the South African economy does not favour SMEs, which are often burdened with structural hurdles including access to funding, lack of access to markets, inadequate skills, uncompetitive regulatory frameworks and technological disruptions. A developing economy such as South Africa cannot grow if companies facing financial difficulty are constantly liquidated. This is because the liquidation system does not offer companies an opportunity to restructure and possibly function within the context of raised concerns. In order to facilitate sustainable SMEs growth, the legislature has come up with statutory mechanisms to support SMEs and save them from total liquidation. Most recently, the Companies Act 71 of 2008 Chapter 6 introduces a business rescue mechanism applicable to all business structures established under the Act. The purpose of business rescue is to provide companies in financial distress with opportunities to reorganise, strategize and come up with useful corporate reorganisation measures which are useful and efficient in saving the financially distressed company and possibly yielding a better return for the creditors than would have been the case if the company was liquidated. This new enactment is seen as both an improvement and necessary reform from its predecessor, judicial administration which has widely been condemned as a failure. However, despite this improvement, the application of the current business provisions to SMEs is questionable. Although Chapter 6 of the Act makes provision for SMEs, it also presents a number of stumbling blocks, including the fact that services of business rescue practitioners are out of reach for most SMEs in South Africa. The purpose of this study is to consider challenges faced by SMEs in the practical application of the current business rescue provisions. This study further emphasizes the importance of South African SMEs, whilst looking at their challenges and how the Companies Act 71 of 2008 provisions, regarding business rescue, assists SMEs. The study looks at the impediments of certain provisions of business rescue and proposes recommendations. , Thesis (MA) (Laws) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
Assessing the effects of the South African schools rationalisation policy on educator morale-case study of Buffalo City District Education in King Williams Town – Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mgedezi, Nomahlubi Pamela
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Teacher morale
- Language: English
- Type: Master's/ theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20439 , vital:45666
- Description: The purpose of the study was to scrutinise and assess the effects of South African school’s rationalization framework on educator morale in the Eastern Cape Department of Basic Education amidst the research objectives. The researcher wanted to establish if the Department of Education had succeeded in the implementation of the policy. In terms of the accomplishment of the objectives the researcher wanted to determine whether the exercise of the policy had affected the morale of educators. The study reviewed the literature, theoretical and empirical assessment of rationalisation process on the morale of educators in the King William’s Town district in the Eastern Cape. The study adopted a case study design of qualitative approach. The target population of the study included seventeen educators of the five schools in King William’s Town. A purposive sampling was used to select the respondents. A semi – structured interviews and questionnaires was used, and data was analysed using thematic approach according to the themes from the research questions. The questionnaire method succeeded by interviews was used for the collection of data. The tables and bar graphs were used to represent the number of respondents that participated in the study. The findings denoted that some of the educators believed the Department of Education had not planned the process of rationalisation sufficiently as it brought about anxiety and stress, though some of the affected educators mentioned that it brought relief as there are additional educators to teach other learning areas. The study recommended that the Department of basic Education in Eastern Cape should as a matter of priority provide maximum support to the affected educators. The study concluded that it became evident that the interaction with the respondents showed that the rationalisation process affects redeployed educators negatively. The outcome of the study could be helpful to the Department of Education to come up with strategies of implementing the policy and serve as a centre of reference towards other organisations and unions. , Thesis (MPA) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
- Authors: Mgedezi, Nomahlubi Pamela
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Teacher morale
- Language: English
- Type: Master's/ theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20439 , vital:45666
- Description: The purpose of the study was to scrutinise and assess the effects of South African school’s rationalization framework on educator morale in the Eastern Cape Department of Basic Education amidst the research objectives. The researcher wanted to establish if the Department of Education had succeeded in the implementation of the policy. In terms of the accomplishment of the objectives the researcher wanted to determine whether the exercise of the policy had affected the morale of educators. The study reviewed the literature, theoretical and empirical assessment of rationalisation process on the morale of educators in the King William’s Town district in the Eastern Cape. The study adopted a case study design of qualitative approach. The target population of the study included seventeen educators of the five schools in King William’s Town. A purposive sampling was used to select the respondents. A semi – structured interviews and questionnaires was used, and data was analysed using thematic approach according to the themes from the research questions. The questionnaire method succeeded by interviews was used for the collection of data. The tables and bar graphs were used to represent the number of respondents that participated in the study. The findings denoted that some of the educators believed the Department of Education had not planned the process of rationalisation sufficiently as it brought about anxiety and stress, though some of the affected educators mentioned that it brought relief as there are additional educators to teach other learning areas. The study recommended that the Department of basic Education in Eastern Cape should as a matter of priority provide maximum support to the affected educators. The study concluded that it became evident that the interaction with the respondents showed that the rationalisation process affects redeployed educators negatively. The outcome of the study could be helpful to the Department of Education to come up with strategies of implementing the policy and serve as a centre of reference towards other organisations and unions. , Thesis (MPA) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
Capital flows and real exchange rate movement in South Africa
- Authors: Lindani, Sandiswa
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Foreign exchange rates , Exchange rate pass-through , Capital movements
- Language: English
- Type: Master's/ theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20417 , vital:45664
- Description: The neoclassical theory suggests that free flow of external capital should be equilibrating and thereby facilitating smoothening of an economy's consumption or production patterns. Based on this background, this study empirically examines the extent to which the different forms of capital flows amongst other variables influence the real exchange rate in South Africa for the period 1980 to 2019, using annual data. Estimation techniques employed include the Johansen Co-integration Approach and the Vector error correction model (VECM). The variables were found to be co-integrated, with six co-integrating vectors existing. The long-run results revealed that FPI has an appreciating effect on the exchange rate in South Africa. Based on the results, policy recommendations are suggested. , Thesis (MCom) (Economics) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
- Authors: Lindani, Sandiswa
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Foreign exchange rates , Exchange rate pass-through , Capital movements
- Language: English
- Type: Master's/ theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20417 , vital:45664
- Description: The neoclassical theory suggests that free flow of external capital should be equilibrating and thereby facilitating smoothening of an economy's consumption or production patterns. Based on this background, this study empirically examines the extent to which the different forms of capital flows amongst other variables influence the real exchange rate in South Africa for the period 1980 to 2019, using annual data. Estimation techniques employed include the Johansen Co-integration Approach and the Vector error correction model (VECM). The variables were found to be co-integrated, with six co-integrating vectors existing. The long-run results revealed that FPI has an appreciating effect on the exchange rate in South Africa. Based on the results, policy recommendations are suggested. , Thesis (MCom) (Economics) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
Chemical composition and in vitro ruminal degradation of diets containing Vachellia karro leaf meal and their effect on physiological responses of indigenous Xhosa lop-eared goats
- Authors: Mfisi, Khanyisa
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Ruminants--Feeding and feeds , Animal nutrition
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20719 , vital:46460
- Description: The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition and in vitro ruminal dry matter degradation (DMD) of Vachellia karro leaf meal-containing diets and their effect on feed intake and physiological responses of indigenous Xhosa lop-eared goats. Experimental diets containing 0 percent (Treatment 1), 15 percent (Treatment 2) and 30 percent (Treatment 3) Vachellia karroo leaf meal were mixed with grass hay and crushed maize. Samples of each diet were analysed for chemical composition and in vitro ruminal DM degradability. A total of 18 eight-month-old indigenous Xhosa lop-eared goats, initially weighing 20.81 ± 1.83 kg were randomly assigned to each diet in a Completely Randomized Design. The goats were confined in individual well-ventilated roofed pens and each dietary treatment had a total of 6 goats. The feed was offered at a rate of 3 percent of live weight twice a day, at 08:00 in the morning and at 16:00 in the afternoon. The experimental feeding trial lasted for 80 days, where 10 days was allowed for adaptation. Goat live weight, Average daily feed intake (ADFI), and Body condition scores (BCS) were recorded weekly FAMACHA scores and fecal eggs counts were also determined weekly. Blood samples were collected via vein puncture on the last day of the feeding trial for determination of glucose, total cholesterol, albumin and blood urea. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) crude protein (CP) and condensed tannins (CT) levels were observed in Vachellia karroo containing diets., while acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the control diet. During early hours of incubation, DMD was similar (P > 0.05) across all dietary treatments. At 12 to 72 hours, the DMD was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Vachellia karroo containing diets except at 48 hours. Correlation between DMD and NDF, ADF and fat was only visible at 24 hours. Fibre (ADF and NDF) were negatively related to DMD, while fat was positively related. A positive correlation was observed between DMD and DM, CP and ADFI. The body weight and BCS of goats was similar (P > 0.05) in all dietary treatments (P > 0.05). The ADFI was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Vachellia karroo supplemented goats. Faecal egg count and FAMACHA scores were significantly higher (P< 0.05) in the control group compared to the Vachellia karroo supplemented treatments; while glucose levels were significantly higher in goats supplemented with Vachellia karroo compared to non-supplemented goats. Cholesterol levels were similar (P > 0.05) across all experimental groups. Goats consuming 30 percent of Vachellia karroo leaf meal had higher (P < 0.05) creatinine levels than the non-supplemented treatment. Urea levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in goats fed 30 percent of Vachellia karroo leaf meal than other treatments. It was concluded that the inclusion of Vachellia karroo leaves improves diet quality, diet degradability, average daily feed intake and physiological responses. , Thesis (MSc) (Animal Science) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
- Authors: Mfisi, Khanyisa
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Ruminants--Feeding and feeds , Animal nutrition
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20719 , vital:46460
- Description: The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition and in vitro ruminal dry matter degradation (DMD) of Vachellia karro leaf meal-containing diets and their effect on feed intake and physiological responses of indigenous Xhosa lop-eared goats. Experimental diets containing 0 percent (Treatment 1), 15 percent (Treatment 2) and 30 percent (Treatment 3) Vachellia karroo leaf meal were mixed with grass hay and crushed maize. Samples of each diet were analysed for chemical composition and in vitro ruminal DM degradability. A total of 18 eight-month-old indigenous Xhosa lop-eared goats, initially weighing 20.81 ± 1.83 kg were randomly assigned to each diet in a Completely Randomized Design. The goats were confined in individual well-ventilated roofed pens and each dietary treatment had a total of 6 goats. The feed was offered at a rate of 3 percent of live weight twice a day, at 08:00 in the morning and at 16:00 in the afternoon. The experimental feeding trial lasted for 80 days, where 10 days was allowed for adaptation. Goat live weight, Average daily feed intake (ADFI), and Body condition scores (BCS) were recorded weekly FAMACHA scores and fecal eggs counts were also determined weekly. Blood samples were collected via vein puncture on the last day of the feeding trial for determination of glucose, total cholesterol, albumin and blood urea. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) crude protein (CP) and condensed tannins (CT) levels were observed in Vachellia karroo containing diets., while acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the control diet. During early hours of incubation, DMD was similar (P > 0.05) across all dietary treatments. At 12 to 72 hours, the DMD was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Vachellia karroo containing diets except at 48 hours. Correlation between DMD and NDF, ADF and fat was only visible at 24 hours. Fibre (ADF and NDF) were negatively related to DMD, while fat was positively related. A positive correlation was observed between DMD and DM, CP and ADFI. The body weight and BCS of goats was similar (P > 0.05) in all dietary treatments (P > 0.05). The ADFI was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Vachellia karroo supplemented goats. Faecal egg count and FAMACHA scores were significantly higher (P< 0.05) in the control group compared to the Vachellia karroo supplemented treatments; while glucose levels were significantly higher in goats supplemented with Vachellia karroo compared to non-supplemented goats. Cholesterol levels were similar (P > 0.05) across all experimental groups. Goats consuming 30 percent of Vachellia karroo leaf meal had higher (P < 0.05) creatinine levels than the non-supplemented treatment. Urea levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in goats fed 30 percent of Vachellia karroo leaf meal than other treatments. It was concluded that the inclusion of Vachellia karroo leaves improves diet quality, diet degradability, average daily feed intake and physiological responses. , Thesis (MSc) (Animal Science) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
Effect of environmental responsible behaviour intervention programme on secondary school learners in environmental education knowledge, attitudes and practices in Nigeria
- Authors: Olagbaju, Oluwaseun Olaitan
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Environmental education , Education, Secondary
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20284 , vital:45647
- Description: The depletion of the environment compelled researchers to investigate Environmental Education issues, the methods of imparting knowledge and the creation of awareness about environmental problems. However, youths have knowledge of environmental concepts but lack the skills, intentions, and action competence to exhibit positive environmentally responsible behaviour. There is, therefore, a need for a change in human behaviour to overcome current environmental problems. This study determines the effect of an environmental responsible behaviour intervention programme on Junior Secondary School learners in environmental education. It also explores the moderating effects of gender and school location. The study adopted a pre-test, post-test, control group and quasi-experimental design. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed. Eight (8) coeducational secondary schools in Ibadan, Nigeria, were selected based on environmental challenges in their immediate environment. There were four (4) schools from Ibadan city (urban area of Ibadan) and four (4) from Ibadan less city (rural area of Ibadan). Seven hypotheses were tested at a 0.05 level of significance. Five research instruments were used for this study. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used in testing the seven formulated hypotheses. Estimated Marginal mean analysis was used to determine the source of significant effect of treatment. A significant interaction effect was described using a graphical representation. All hypotheses were tested at P< .05 level of significance. The result reveals that there was a significant main effect of treatment (Environmental responsible behaviour intervention programme on Junior Secondary School learners’ environmental knowledge (F(1,715) = 40.62, p < 0.05, Partial , 2 .054). There was also significant main effect of treatment (environmental responsible behaviour intervention programme on junior secondary school students’ environmental attitude. (F(1,715) = 32.36, p < 0.05. partial 2 = 0.043). The effect of treatment (Environmental responsible behaviour intervention programme) on students’ environmental practices was statistically significant, F(1,715) = 17.02, p < 0.05. partial 2 = 0.023). The findings shows that there was a significant main effect of school location (Urban and Rural) on Junior Secondary School students’ environmental knowledge (F(1,716) = 71.62 p< 0.05. partial 2 =0.091). There was no significant main effect of gender (male / female) F(1,715) =0.27, p> 0.05, partial 2 = 0.000. The findings further shows that there was significant main effect of school location on students’ environmental attitude, (F(1,175) =39.21, p< 0.05 partial 2 = 0.052) Shows that there was no significant main effect of gender on students’ environmental attitude F(1,715) =2.1, p> 0.05. partial 2 =0.003 There was significant main effect of school location on students’ environmental practices, F(1,715) = 17.02, p< 0.05 partial 2 = 0.019 but there was no significant main effect of gender on students’ environmental practices, (F(1,715) = 1.17, p> 0.05. partial 2 = 0.002). Based on these findings, it is recommended that teachers should use an environmental responsible behaviour intervention programme in teaching environmental concepts in the classroom. To support this, group/teamwork should be encouraged amongst students. Students should be allowed to construct knowledge in order to bring about their active participation with a view to making learning realistic and effective and to enable the exhibition of environmentally friendly behaviour. , Thesis (PhD)(Education)-- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
- Authors: Olagbaju, Oluwaseun Olaitan
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Environmental education , Education, Secondary
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20284 , vital:45647
- Description: The depletion of the environment compelled researchers to investigate Environmental Education issues, the methods of imparting knowledge and the creation of awareness about environmental problems. However, youths have knowledge of environmental concepts but lack the skills, intentions, and action competence to exhibit positive environmentally responsible behaviour. There is, therefore, a need for a change in human behaviour to overcome current environmental problems. This study determines the effect of an environmental responsible behaviour intervention programme on Junior Secondary School learners in environmental education. It also explores the moderating effects of gender and school location. The study adopted a pre-test, post-test, control group and quasi-experimental design. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed. Eight (8) coeducational secondary schools in Ibadan, Nigeria, were selected based on environmental challenges in their immediate environment. There were four (4) schools from Ibadan city (urban area of Ibadan) and four (4) from Ibadan less city (rural area of Ibadan). Seven hypotheses were tested at a 0.05 level of significance. Five research instruments were used for this study. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used in testing the seven formulated hypotheses. Estimated Marginal mean analysis was used to determine the source of significant effect of treatment. A significant interaction effect was described using a graphical representation. All hypotheses were tested at P< .05 level of significance. The result reveals that there was a significant main effect of treatment (Environmental responsible behaviour intervention programme on Junior Secondary School learners’ environmental knowledge (F(1,715) = 40.62, p < 0.05, Partial , 2 .054). There was also significant main effect of treatment (environmental responsible behaviour intervention programme on junior secondary school students’ environmental attitude. (F(1,715) = 32.36, p < 0.05. partial 2 = 0.043). The effect of treatment (Environmental responsible behaviour intervention programme) on students’ environmental practices was statistically significant, F(1,715) = 17.02, p < 0.05. partial 2 = 0.023). The findings shows that there was a significant main effect of school location (Urban and Rural) on Junior Secondary School students’ environmental knowledge (F(1,716) = 71.62 p< 0.05. partial 2 =0.091). There was no significant main effect of gender (male / female) F(1,715) =0.27, p> 0.05, partial 2 = 0.000. The findings further shows that there was significant main effect of school location on students’ environmental attitude, (F(1,175) =39.21, p< 0.05 partial 2 = 0.052) Shows that there was no significant main effect of gender on students’ environmental attitude F(1,715) =2.1, p> 0.05. partial 2 =0.003 There was significant main effect of school location on students’ environmental practices, F(1,715) = 17.02, p< 0.05 partial 2 = 0.019 but there was no significant main effect of gender on students’ environmental practices, (F(1,715) = 1.17, p> 0.05. partial 2 = 0.002). Based on these findings, it is recommended that teachers should use an environmental responsible behaviour intervention programme in teaching environmental concepts in the classroom. To support this, group/teamwork should be encouraged amongst students. Students should be allowed to construct knowledge in order to bring about their active participation with a view to making learning realistic and effective and to enable the exhibition of environmentally friendly behaviour. , Thesis (PhD)(Education)-- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
Effect of grazing systems and age on enteric methane production and performance plus grazing system effect on ruminal fermentation parameters of Nguni and Bonsmara beef cows
- Authors: Kayima, Denis
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Grazing , Pastures--Management , Ruminants--Feeding and feeds
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20583 , vital:46153
- Description: Beef breeds of cattle are predominantly raised through extensive grazing and produce the highest levels of enteric methane (CH4) through ruminal fermentation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of breed, grazing, and age on enteric methane production and performance of beef cows as well as effect of breed and grazing system on ruminal fermentation parameters. Two separate studies were conducted; the first study evaluated the effect of grazing system, breed, and age on ruminal enteric methane production and performance of selected beef breeds. The second study evaluated the effect of the grazing system and breed on ruminal fermentation. In the first study, two breeds (Nguni and Bonsmara) raised under two grazing systems (communal and commercial) in a random complete block design were grouped into 3 age categories. Eighty-four cows aged between 24-120 months were randomly selected and grouped by age: group A (young adult cow, n = 7, 24-48 months old), group B (adult, n = 7, 60-80 months old), and group C (old adult, n = 7, 90-120 months) in either grazing system. Data were collected on methane production per day, body condition, and weight used to estimate dry matter intake (DMI), methane per DMI, and methane per body weight. In the second study, 40 cows of the same age group, parity, and physiological status were used. Ten cows per breed (Bonsmara and Nguni) in either grazing system (communal and commercial) were used in a random complete block design. Rumen fluid collection was done by the stomach tube method. Data were collected on ruminal ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N), pH, Temperature, volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Older animals produced higher methane per head in the order of C > B > A; (P<0.0001). Performance parameters like Body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW), dry matter intake (DMI), and daily methane were higher (P<0.05) in Bonsmara. However, Methane per BW was higher in Nguni (P<0.05), and methane per DMI did not differ among breeds (P>0.05). Body condition, BW, and DMI were higher (P<0.05) in commercial grazing system. Contrary, daily methane production, methane production per DMI, and methane produced per BW were higher in communal grazing. In the second study, Ruminal NH3-N concentration ranged between 69.05 - 96.78 mg/L and was higher (P<0.05) in Nguni. It was also higher (P<0.05) in the commercial grazing system. Ruminal pH, temperature, total VFAs, and certain individual VFAs (iso-butyrate, valeric and iso-valeric) did not differ (P>0.05) among breeds and grazing systems. However, total VFAs were slightly lower in communal grazing (78.87 mmol/L) than commercial grazing (89.80 mmol/L). Acetate, propionate, butyrate proportions, and acetate to propionate ratio did not differ (P>0.05) among breeds but differed (P<0.05) between grazing systems. Acetate (P<0.05) and acetate to propionate ratio (P<0.05) were higher in the communal grazing system, while the reverse was true for propionate (P<0.05) and butyrate (P<0.05). Bonsmara produced more methane than Nguni under similar conditions, with Nguni uniquely producing more methane per BW, indicating host genetics influence. Communal animals and older animals produced more CH4 than commercial and younger cows regardless of the breed, indicating ruminal inefficiencies in very old cows. These results emphasize the idea that host genetics or breed, grazing system, and age influence methane output and performance. Hence, breeding strategies for hard-to-measure traits like methane production need to put all these factors into consideration. , Thesis (MSc) (Animal Science) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
- Authors: Kayima, Denis
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Grazing , Pastures--Management , Ruminants--Feeding and feeds
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20583 , vital:46153
- Description: Beef breeds of cattle are predominantly raised through extensive grazing and produce the highest levels of enteric methane (CH4) through ruminal fermentation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of breed, grazing, and age on enteric methane production and performance of beef cows as well as effect of breed and grazing system on ruminal fermentation parameters. Two separate studies were conducted; the first study evaluated the effect of grazing system, breed, and age on ruminal enteric methane production and performance of selected beef breeds. The second study evaluated the effect of the grazing system and breed on ruminal fermentation. In the first study, two breeds (Nguni and Bonsmara) raised under two grazing systems (communal and commercial) in a random complete block design were grouped into 3 age categories. Eighty-four cows aged between 24-120 months were randomly selected and grouped by age: group A (young adult cow, n = 7, 24-48 months old), group B (adult, n = 7, 60-80 months old), and group C (old adult, n = 7, 90-120 months) in either grazing system. Data were collected on methane production per day, body condition, and weight used to estimate dry matter intake (DMI), methane per DMI, and methane per body weight. In the second study, 40 cows of the same age group, parity, and physiological status were used. Ten cows per breed (Bonsmara and Nguni) in either grazing system (communal and commercial) were used in a random complete block design. Rumen fluid collection was done by the stomach tube method. Data were collected on ruminal ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N), pH, Temperature, volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Older animals produced higher methane per head in the order of C > B > A; (P<0.0001). Performance parameters like Body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW), dry matter intake (DMI), and daily methane were higher (P<0.05) in Bonsmara. However, Methane per BW was higher in Nguni (P<0.05), and methane per DMI did not differ among breeds (P>0.05). Body condition, BW, and DMI were higher (P<0.05) in commercial grazing system. Contrary, daily methane production, methane production per DMI, and methane produced per BW were higher in communal grazing. In the second study, Ruminal NH3-N concentration ranged between 69.05 - 96.78 mg/L and was higher (P<0.05) in Nguni. It was also higher (P<0.05) in the commercial grazing system. Ruminal pH, temperature, total VFAs, and certain individual VFAs (iso-butyrate, valeric and iso-valeric) did not differ (P>0.05) among breeds and grazing systems. However, total VFAs were slightly lower in communal grazing (78.87 mmol/L) than commercial grazing (89.80 mmol/L). Acetate, propionate, butyrate proportions, and acetate to propionate ratio did not differ (P>0.05) among breeds but differed (P<0.05) between grazing systems. Acetate (P<0.05) and acetate to propionate ratio (P<0.05) were higher in the communal grazing system, while the reverse was true for propionate (P<0.05) and butyrate (P<0.05). Bonsmara produced more methane than Nguni under similar conditions, with Nguni uniquely producing more methane per BW, indicating host genetics influence. Communal animals and older animals produced more CH4 than commercial and younger cows regardless of the breed, indicating ruminal inefficiencies in very old cows. These results emphasize the idea that host genetics or breed, grazing system, and age influence methane output and performance. Hence, breeding strategies for hard-to-measure traits like methane production need to put all these factors into consideration. , Thesis (MSc) (Animal Science) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
Evaluation of medicinal potential of Boophone disticha (L.f.) Herb. used by the indigenous people in the Raymond Mhlaba Municipality Eastern Cape
- Authors: Gwayi, Yamkela
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Bulbs (Plants) , Bulbs (Plant anatomy)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20612 , vital:46375
- Description: Boophone disticha (L.f.) Herb. is a bulbous plant native to southern African areas of the continent and spreads to tropical Africa. The plant has been noted in literature for its high toxicity and has a long lineage of its use in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. Due to high demand in the conventional trade market, the plant's conservation status has been shown to be declining. The plant has been reported to cause human poisoning, which can lead to death, but the plant is still administered by an indigenous community to treat various diseases. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of B. disticha used by the people of Raymond Mhlaba municipality to show and verify its use in traditional medicine and how it can be used as a possible drug ingredient. This study was also set out to investigate the anti-mycobacterial activity of the plant for the first time for the B. disticha growing in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. The phytochemical analysis of B. disticha was carried out on four different plant parts (i.e., roots, leaves, bulb inner and outer scales) and the plant was extracted using methanol and distilled water. The qualitative phytochemical analysis displayed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, phenols and alkaloids in all plant parts for both extraction solvents. Anthraquinones were absent in all the plant extracts. The detected phytochemicals (tannins, flavonoids, phenols and alkaloids) were quantified. The roots had the highest phytochemical content for methanol extract for each phytochemical tested [439.67±1.53 mg/g (QE) flavonoids, 2414.67±1.53 mg/g (GAE) phenols and 527.33±2.08 mg/g (GAE) alkaloids] compared to all the plant parts. Methanol extracts from B. disticha revealed highest phenolic contents (2414.67±1.53 mg/g GAE) for the roots, 1395.33±2.52 mg/g (GAE) for the bulb inner scales, 1560±1 mg/g (GAE) for the leaves and 1550.7±18.9 mg/g (GAE) for the bulb outer scales). The total flavonoid content of the bulb outer scales aqueous extract was not detected. The presence of significant amounts of phytochemical compounds indicates that B. disticha has a higher medicinal value and can be extensively investigated to extract bioactive ingredients that are useful to the society, and that could be sold for higher production than using synthetic drugs with side effects. The antimicrobial activity of B. disticha extracts (methanol and distilled water) was evaluated using micro-dilution bioassay in 96-well micro-plates against nine disease-causing bacterial strains (5 Gram-negative and 4 Gram-positive) and three fungal isolates. The results revealed that methanol and aqueous extract of B. disticha demonstrated very good activity, with Gram-positive strains being more sensitive than Gram-negative ones. Boophone disticha aqueous extracts displayed the best activity against Staphylococcus aureus with MIC and MBC values ranging from 0.39 to 0.78 mg/ml. The methanolic extract of B. disticha leaves and outer scales of bulb displayed good activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae at MIC 0.78 mg/ml. The methanolic extract of B. disticha bulb outer scales also displayed good inhibition against Proteus vulgaris at MIC 0.78 mg/ml, with the root extract exhibiting activity against Shigella flexineri (MIC value of 0.078 mg/ml). Concerning antifungal activity, B. disticha extracts showed very poor inhibition properties against the fungal isolates. Anti-mycobacterium potential of B. disticha extracts (methanol and distilled water) was evaluated using micro-dilution bioassay in 96-well microtiter plates. The plant parts tested were the roots, bulb inner scales, leaves and the bulb outer scales. The highest activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis was observed with the root methanol extract at MIC 0.78 mg/ml. The anti-inflammatory properties of B. disticha were investigated using the 5-lypoxygenase (5- LOX) assay. The overall anti-inflammatory activity results for the B. disticha extracts were poor; at low concentrations, the plant displayed negative results. The leaves methanol extracts did show little activity at 0.4 mg/ml. , Thesis (MSc) (Botany) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
- Authors: Gwayi, Yamkela
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Bulbs (Plants) , Bulbs (Plant anatomy)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20612 , vital:46375
- Description: Boophone disticha (L.f.) Herb. is a bulbous plant native to southern African areas of the continent and spreads to tropical Africa. The plant has been noted in literature for its high toxicity and has a long lineage of its use in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. Due to high demand in the conventional trade market, the plant's conservation status has been shown to be declining. The plant has been reported to cause human poisoning, which can lead to death, but the plant is still administered by an indigenous community to treat various diseases. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of B. disticha used by the people of Raymond Mhlaba municipality to show and verify its use in traditional medicine and how it can be used as a possible drug ingredient. This study was also set out to investigate the anti-mycobacterial activity of the plant for the first time for the B. disticha growing in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. The phytochemical analysis of B. disticha was carried out on four different plant parts (i.e., roots, leaves, bulb inner and outer scales) and the plant was extracted using methanol and distilled water. The qualitative phytochemical analysis displayed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, phenols and alkaloids in all plant parts for both extraction solvents. Anthraquinones were absent in all the plant extracts. The detected phytochemicals (tannins, flavonoids, phenols and alkaloids) were quantified. The roots had the highest phytochemical content for methanol extract for each phytochemical tested [439.67±1.53 mg/g (QE) flavonoids, 2414.67±1.53 mg/g (GAE) phenols and 527.33±2.08 mg/g (GAE) alkaloids] compared to all the plant parts. Methanol extracts from B. disticha revealed highest phenolic contents (2414.67±1.53 mg/g GAE) for the roots, 1395.33±2.52 mg/g (GAE) for the bulb inner scales, 1560±1 mg/g (GAE) for the leaves and 1550.7±18.9 mg/g (GAE) for the bulb outer scales). The total flavonoid content of the bulb outer scales aqueous extract was not detected. The presence of significant amounts of phytochemical compounds indicates that B. disticha has a higher medicinal value and can be extensively investigated to extract bioactive ingredients that are useful to the society, and that could be sold for higher production than using synthetic drugs with side effects. The antimicrobial activity of B. disticha extracts (methanol and distilled water) was evaluated using micro-dilution bioassay in 96-well micro-plates against nine disease-causing bacterial strains (5 Gram-negative and 4 Gram-positive) and three fungal isolates. The results revealed that methanol and aqueous extract of B. disticha demonstrated very good activity, with Gram-positive strains being more sensitive than Gram-negative ones. Boophone disticha aqueous extracts displayed the best activity against Staphylococcus aureus with MIC and MBC values ranging from 0.39 to 0.78 mg/ml. The methanolic extract of B. disticha leaves and outer scales of bulb displayed good activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae at MIC 0.78 mg/ml. The methanolic extract of B. disticha bulb outer scales also displayed good inhibition against Proteus vulgaris at MIC 0.78 mg/ml, with the root extract exhibiting activity against Shigella flexineri (MIC value of 0.078 mg/ml). Concerning antifungal activity, B. disticha extracts showed very poor inhibition properties against the fungal isolates. Anti-mycobacterium potential of B. disticha extracts (methanol and distilled water) was evaluated using micro-dilution bioassay in 96-well microtiter plates. The plant parts tested were the roots, bulb inner scales, leaves and the bulb outer scales. The highest activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis was observed with the root methanol extract at MIC 0.78 mg/ml. The anti-inflammatory properties of B. disticha were investigated using the 5-lypoxygenase (5- LOX) assay. The overall anti-inflammatory activity results for the B. disticha extracts were poor; at low concentrations, the plant displayed negative results. The leaves methanol extracts did show little activity at 0.4 mg/ml. , Thesis (MSc) (Botany) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
Experiences of unmarried fathers who are denied access to their biological children among amaXhosa communities in Mqanduli, Eastern Cape province
- Nguma, Aphiwe https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9421-1279
- Authors: Nguma, Aphiwe https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9421-1279
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Unmarried fathers , Fatherhood responsibility movement
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22412 , vital:52052
- Description: This study aimed to explore the experiences of unmarried fathers who are denied access to their biological children among amaXhosa communities in Mqanduli, Eastern Cape Province. This study also endeavoured to answer the following research questions: (i). what are the challenges encountered by unmarried fathers who are denied access to their biological children among amaXhosa communities in Mqanduli, Eastern Cape Province? (ii). what are government official's perceptions on experiences of unmarried fathers who are denied access to their biological children among amaXhosa communities in Mqanduli, Eastern Cape? (iii) What are the implications of denial of access of unmarried fathers to their biological children among amaXhosa communities in Mqanduli, Eastern Cape Province? This study adopted a qualitative approach within a phenomenological case study research design. A sample of forty participants comprising twenty unmarried biological fathers, seven statutory social workers, three presiding officers of children's court and ten cultural custodians was interviewed. The study revealed the following challenges: payment of pregnancy damages and bride price, unemployment, conflict with the maternal family, poverty, psycho-emotional breakdown, cultural responsibilities, terminated intimate partner relationship with the mother of the child, financial constraints, and lack of emotional and moral intelligence. The study recommends the development of a new 'family policy' to ensure integration of customary cultural practices and the legislative frameworks to provide a detailed parental-document to assist the new generation of parents in maintaining good parenting relations. Further, the study recommends the establishment of champions against absent and uninvolved fathers, where young men will explore fatherhood roles and develop educational and preventative strategies. , Thesis (MSW) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
- Authors: Nguma, Aphiwe https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9421-1279
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Unmarried fathers , Fatherhood responsibility movement
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22412 , vital:52052
- Description: This study aimed to explore the experiences of unmarried fathers who are denied access to their biological children among amaXhosa communities in Mqanduli, Eastern Cape Province. This study also endeavoured to answer the following research questions: (i). what are the challenges encountered by unmarried fathers who are denied access to their biological children among amaXhosa communities in Mqanduli, Eastern Cape Province? (ii). what are government official's perceptions on experiences of unmarried fathers who are denied access to their biological children among amaXhosa communities in Mqanduli, Eastern Cape? (iii) What are the implications of denial of access of unmarried fathers to their biological children among amaXhosa communities in Mqanduli, Eastern Cape Province? This study adopted a qualitative approach within a phenomenological case study research design. A sample of forty participants comprising twenty unmarried biological fathers, seven statutory social workers, three presiding officers of children's court and ten cultural custodians was interviewed. The study revealed the following challenges: payment of pregnancy damages and bride price, unemployment, conflict with the maternal family, poverty, psycho-emotional breakdown, cultural responsibilities, terminated intimate partner relationship with the mother of the child, financial constraints, and lack of emotional and moral intelligence. The study recommends the development of a new 'family policy' to ensure integration of customary cultural practices and the legislative frameworks to provide a detailed parental-document to assist the new generation of parents in maintaining good parenting relations. Further, the study recommends the establishment of champions against absent and uninvolved fathers, where young men will explore fatherhood roles and develop educational and preventative strategies. , Thesis (MSW) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
Factors influencing the adoption of mobile health monitoring and care systems by the elderly living at home in South Africa: a case of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.
- Authors: Fotoyi, Yolande Odwa
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Medical informatics , Wireless communication systems in medical care
- Language: English
- Type: Master's/ theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20406 , vital:45662
- Description: The gradual increase of elderly people around the globe necessitates intensive dialogue amongst government, the healthcare sector and elderly communities as per MPAA 2002 resolutions. Literature identifies technology as the enabler to drive the facilitation of improved living conditions beginning with an affordable, accessible and integrated health information system (HIS). The attainment of a better quality of care to meet the elderly’s needs requires the re-engineering of current modalities. The diverse nature of South Africa is more suited to a people-based rather than a process-centric approach currently in existence. Access barriers, affordability, the digital divide, lack of government buy-in, and fragmented HIS are considered major impediments to adoption of mobile monitoring and care systems (MMCs) for the elderly’s healthcare. Given the complications brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the adoption of MMCs cannot be more pronounced. However, despite available literature regarding elderly issues in both developed and developing countries, the elderly plight has still not been considered a national priority. The main purpose of this research was to investigate why elderly people do not adopt MMCs to improve their quality of life, with MMC technologies as a general area of research. The main objective of the study was to develop critical success factors to improve the adoption of MMCs by the elderly living at home. This would potentially alleviate the burden on healthcare resources and also improve the elderly’s quality of life. Primary data collection took place from 21 February to 28 February 2020 in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 participants comprising one male and 14 females who represented the elderly Black, Coloured, Indian and White people. This qualitative research tool and purposive sampling method were chosen in order to fully capture the participants’ experiences in the home environment, which excluded those living in frail care or step-down facilities or state institutions. Despite the sample size being small and not being generalizable, it delivered rich information which provided a deeper understanding and fresh insights into the landscape of the elderly and their healthcare needs. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. The study found that elderly communities are not entirely averse to adoption of MMCs but challenges like affordability and chronic shortage of technical skills prove to be impediments to adoption of MMCs for the elderly’s healthcare. The lack of standardisation and data governance pertaining to data sharing in HISs also serve to exacerbate the matter. The study, therefore, recommends collaborative engagements amongst government, business and the elderly to facilitate the availability of affordable and accessible ICT infrastructure for the elderly communities. Improved adoption of MMCs carry the potential benefit which emanates from the assumption of a pro-active role by the elderly and optimising available MMCs thus reducing strain and freeing-up healthcare workers to concentrate on core duties. The onus thus falls on the healthcare sector to revise the available strategies which seek to enhance the quality of life of the elderly people living in the home environment. , Thesis (MCom) (Information Systems) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
- Authors: Fotoyi, Yolande Odwa
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Medical informatics , Wireless communication systems in medical care
- Language: English
- Type: Master's/ theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20406 , vital:45662
- Description: The gradual increase of elderly people around the globe necessitates intensive dialogue amongst government, the healthcare sector and elderly communities as per MPAA 2002 resolutions. Literature identifies technology as the enabler to drive the facilitation of improved living conditions beginning with an affordable, accessible and integrated health information system (HIS). The attainment of a better quality of care to meet the elderly’s needs requires the re-engineering of current modalities. The diverse nature of South Africa is more suited to a people-based rather than a process-centric approach currently in existence. Access barriers, affordability, the digital divide, lack of government buy-in, and fragmented HIS are considered major impediments to adoption of mobile monitoring and care systems (MMCs) for the elderly’s healthcare. Given the complications brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the adoption of MMCs cannot be more pronounced. However, despite available literature regarding elderly issues in both developed and developing countries, the elderly plight has still not been considered a national priority. The main purpose of this research was to investigate why elderly people do not adopt MMCs to improve their quality of life, with MMC technologies as a general area of research. The main objective of the study was to develop critical success factors to improve the adoption of MMCs by the elderly living at home. This would potentially alleviate the burden on healthcare resources and also improve the elderly’s quality of life. Primary data collection took place from 21 February to 28 February 2020 in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 participants comprising one male and 14 females who represented the elderly Black, Coloured, Indian and White people. This qualitative research tool and purposive sampling method were chosen in order to fully capture the participants’ experiences in the home environment, which excluded those living in frail care or step-down facilities or state institutions. Despite the sample size being small and not being generalizable, it delivered rich information which provided a deeper understanding and fresh insights into the landscape of the elderly and their healthcare needs. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. The study found that elderly communities are not entirely averse to adoption of MMCs but challenges like affordability and chronic shortage of technical skills prove to be impediments to adoption of MMCs for the elderly’s healthcare. The lack of standardisation and data governance pertaining to data sharing in HISs also serve to exacerbate the matter. The study, therefore, recommends collaborative engagements amongst government, business and the elderly to facilitate the availability of affordable and accessible ICT infrastructure for the elderly communities. Improved adoption of MMCs carry the potential benefit which emanates from the assumption of a pro-active role by the elderly and optimising available MMCs thus reducing strain and freeing-up healthcare workers to concentrate on core duties. The onus thus falls on the healthcare sector to revise the available strategies which seek to enhance the quality of life of the elderly people living in the home environment. , Thesis (MCom) (Information Systems) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
Knowledge and attitude towards mastitis, culling and mortality among dairy farmworkers, and factors associated with culling and mortality among dairy cattle in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Diniso, Yanga Simamkele
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Food security , Dairying--Economic aspects , Milking
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20686 , vital:46425
- Description: Globally, food security is under threat from escalating population growth, new variants of diseases, climate change and livestock loss. Africa is vulnerable to food insecurity, with majority of the estimated 800 million suffering from hunger based in Africa. Intensification of production is a common strategy to counter the increasing demand for nutritional food to maintain and improve food security. The dairy industry is one of the leading agriculture sectors that has adopted intensification of production. The current study had two specific objectives; the first objective was to evaluate the dairy farmworkers’ knowledge and attitude towards mastitis, culling, and mortality in the southern part of the Eastern Cape Province. The data was collected from 106 dairy farm workers of different farm hierarchy in 5 out of 6 districts using questionnaire. In cases whereby a majority correctly answered a question, a point was awarded and a zero for incorrectly answered questions by the majority. A less than 50 percent pass rate was considered a poor level of knowledge, 51-69 percent pass rate was considered an average level of knowledge, and anything higher than that considered a good level of knowledge. The majority of the participants (64.2 percent) indicated that they consume unpasteurised milk even though they know its risks. There was no association (P>0.05) between workplace position, educational level, work experience, and consumption of unpasteurised milk. This study found that participants had a deficient level of knowledge of mastitis causing pathogens by attaining a pass mark of 1.60 out of a possible 10 (16 percent), and educational level was significantly associated with knowledge of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus spp. However, the participants (64.9 percent) showed good knowledge of clinical signs of mastitis, and this was attributed to the regular mastitis detection with California Mastitis Test (CMT, 60.4 percent) and a strip cup (83.0 percent). The participants had varying perceptions and limited knowledge (28.3 percent pass rate) about the major contributing factors of culling and mortality. The lack of dairy training courses and minimal use of other sources of information such as the internet might contribute to this poor knowledge and perceptions. The second objective involved identifying and describing the factors responsible for culling and mortality in dairy farms in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. The factors were grouped into seven (7) major factors namely lameness and poor growth (2.33 percent), reproduction problems (35.86 percent), health factors (6.72 percent), production factors (7.11 percent), udder-related factors (3.42 percent), voluntary culls (4.86 percent) and miscellaneous factors (26.03 percent). The most frequent reason for culling dairy cows was reproduction problems which was mainly made up of infertility (7.9 percent), reproductive failure (89.9 percent), and dystocia (1 percent). Miscellaneous factors which mainly consisted of indigenous breeds (8.2 percent), and age (2.7 percent) accounted for the second most prevalent factors for the culling of dairy cows. All the farms recorded stock-theft as part of involuntary culling and accounted for 3.6 percent dairy cows that were culled. Poor milk yield and health-related factors such as red-water (33.8 percent), milk-fever (23.3 percent), and heart-water (6.8 percent) were amongst the major factors responsible for the culling of dairy cows. There were 1774 (13.67 percent) dairy cows that died in the study farms from 2015 to 2019 and causes of death were not specified except for drowning (0.01 percent) and snake bite (1 percent). This study exposed a gap in knowledge about the causes of mastitis, culling and mortality among dairy farmworkers in the southern part of the Eastern Cape Province. Furthermore, this study provided with a baseline information on the leading causes of culling and mortality. There is a need for further research on strategies of enhancing the knowledge of dairy farmworkers about pathogens of mastitis and specific causes of culling and mortality to mitigate the challenge they pose to food security. , Thesis (MSc) (Animal Science) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
- Authors: Diniso, Yanga Simamkele
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Food security , Dairying--Economic aspects , Milking
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20686 , vital:46425
- Description: Globally, food security is under threat from escalating population growth, new variants of diseases, climate change and livestock loss. Africa is vulnerable to food insecurity, with majority of the estimated 800 million suffering from hunger based in Africa. Intensification of production is a common strategy to counter the increasing demand for nutritional food to maintain and improve food security. The dairy industry is one of the leading agriculture sectors that has adopted intensification of production. The current study had two specific objectives; the first objective was to evaluate the dairy farmworkers’ knowledge and attitude towards mastitis, culling, and mortality in the southern part of the Eastern Cape Province. The data was collected from 106 dairy farm workers of different farm hierarchy in 5 out of 6 districts using questionnaire. In cases whereby a majority correctly answered a question, a point was awarded and a zero for incorrectly answered questions by the majority. A less than 50 percent pass rate was considered a poor level of knowledge, 51-69 percent pass rate was considered an average level of knowledge, and anything higher than that considered a good level of knowledge. The majority of the participants (64.2 percent) indicated that they consume unpasteurised milk even though they know its risks. There was no association (P>0.05) between workplace position, educational level, work experience, and consumption of unpasteurised milk. This study found that participants had a deficient level of knowledge of mastitis causing pathogens by attaining a pass mark of 1.60 out of a possible 10 (16 percent), and educational level was significantly associated with knowledge of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus spp. However, the participants (64.9 percent) showed good knowledge of clinical signs of mastitis, and this was attributed to the regular mastitis detection with California Mastitis Test (CMT, 60.4 percent) and a strip cup (83.0 percent). The participants had varying perceptions and limited knowledge (28.3 percent pass rate) about the major contributing factors of culling and mortality. The lack of dairy training courses and minimal use of other sources of information such as the internet might contribute to this poor knowledge and perceptions. The second objective involved identifying and describing the factors responsible for culling and mortality in dairy farms in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. The factors were grouped into seven (7) major factors namely lameness and poor growth (2.33 percent), reproduction problems (35.86 percent), health factors (6.72 percent), production factors (7.11 percent), udder-related factors (3.42 percent), voluntary culls (4.86 percent) and miscellaneous factors (26.03 percent). The most frequent reason for culling dairy cows was reproduction problems which was mainly made up of infertility (7.9 percent), reproductive failure (89.9 percent), and dystocia (1 percent). Miscellaneous factors which mainly consisted of indigenous breeds (8.2 percent), and age (2.7 percent) accounted for the second most prevalent factors for the culling of dairy cows. All the farms recorded stock-theft as part of involuntary culling and accounted for 3.6 percent dairy cows that were culled. Poor milk yield and health-related factors such as red-water (33.8 percent), milk-fever (23.3 percent), and heart-water (6.8 percent) were amongst the major factors responsible for the culling of dairy cows. There were 1774 (13.67 percent) dairy cows that died in the study farms from 2015 to 2019 and causes of death were not specified except for drowning (0.01 percent) and snake bite (1 percent). This study exposed a gap in knowledge about the causes of mastitis, culling and mortality among dairy farmworkers in the southern part of the Eastern Cape Province. Furthermore, this study provided with a baseline information on the leading causes of culling and mortality. There is a need for further research on strategies of enhancing the knowledge of dairy farmworkers about pathogens of mastitis and specific causes of culling and mortality to mitigate the challenge they pose to food security. , Thesis (MSc) (Animal Science) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
Social media influence on graduateness skills and employability: the case of historically disadvantaged institutions.
- Authors: Murire, Obrain T
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Social media--Influence
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20383 , vital:45660
- Description: Orientation: The graduate labour force is increasing as more students are graduating from historically disadvantaged institutions (HDIs). The lack of graduateness attributes amongst final year students has in part contributed to the high rate of graduate unemployment in South Africa. Social media have been identified as a solution as more than 95percent of young adults enrolled at historically disadvantaged institutions in South Africa are using mobile technology. Research Purpose: The purpose of the study was to develop a model to enhance graduateness skills and employability through the use of social media amongst final year students at HDIs in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Motivation for the study: The study is of utmost importance as it has developed an artefact that investigated the influence of social media use on graduateness skills and employability amongst students at HDIs in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Additionally, students at HDIs are an interesting theoretical sample due to them being an under-researched sample. The HDIs context has received scant focus and attention. In theory, the link between psychological constructs (such as graduateness skills and employability) with a technology dimension especially within our South African context and internationally remains unexplored. Research approach/design and method: Social Media Integration and Career EDGE models were used as a theoretical foundation in this study. This study adopted design science as a research method, where a mixed-method technique was used to collect data from final year students and human resource practitioners. The sequential exploratory design was chosen as it offers an iterative process of developing an artefact that can be tested within a larger population. The questionnaire for interviews and the survey were developed after a thorough literature review and pilot study had been conducted. The questionnaire was distributed to all the participants, of which 411 responded, resulting in a response rate of 93percent; and 15 interviews were conducted. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data and correlations test were used to determine associations between variables. Main findings: The study found that there is a significant direct effect of social media use on graduateness skills; there is a significant direct effect of graduateness skills on perceived employability. Graduateness skills have a significant mediating effect on the relationship between social media use and perceived employability. The results also revealed that the direct effect of social media use on perceived employability does not exist. Practical/managerial implications: The study shows that there is a need for the government to devise policies that set guidelines for HR practitioners to follow when recruiting and selecting graduates. Contribution/value-add: The research study contributes to the growing body of research as it utilised a mixed-method approach to explore lived experiences. The Graduate Employability Social Media Model (GESM Model) is the main contribution made by this study to the body of knowledge in both the fields of Information Systems and Business Management. , Thesis (PhD) (Information Systems) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
- Authors: Murire, Obrain T
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Social media--Influence
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20383 , vital:45660
- Description: Orientation: The graduate labour force is increasing as more students are graduating from historically disadvantaged institutions (HDIs). The lack of graduateness attributes amongst final year students has in part contributed to the high rate of graduate unemployment in South Africa. Social media have been identified as a solution as more than 95percent of young adults enrolled at historically disadvantaged institutions in South Africa are using mobile technology. Research Purpose: The purpose of the study was to develop a model to enhance graduateness skills and employability through the use of social media amongst final year students at HDIs in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Motivation for the study: The study is of utmost importance as it has developed an artefact that investigated the influence of social media use on graduateness skills and employability amongst students at HDIs in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Additionally, students at HDIs are an interesting theoretical sample due to them being an under-researched sample. The HDIs context has received scant focus and attention. In theory, the link between psychological constructs (such as graduateness skills and employability) with a technology dimension especially within our South African context and internationally remains unexplored. Research approach/design and method: Social Media Integration and Career EDGE models were used as a theoretical foundation in this study. This study adopted design science as a research method, where a mixed-method technique was used to collect data from final year students and human resource practitioners. The sequential exploratory design was chosen as it offers an iterative process of developing an artefact that can be tested within a larger population. The questionnaire for interviews and the survey were developed after a thorough literature review and pilot study had been conducted. The questionnaire was distributed to all the participants, of which 411 responded, resulting in a response rate of 93percent; and 15 interviews were conducted. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data and correlations test were used to determine associations between variables. Main findings: The study found that there is a significant direct effect of social media use on graduateness skills; there is a significant direct effect of graduateness skills on perceived employability. Graduateness skills have a significant mediating effect on the relationship between social media use and perceived employability. The results also revealed that the direct effect of social media use on perceived employability does not exist. Practical/managerial implications: The study shows that there is a need for the government to devise policies that set guidelines for HR practitioners to follow when recruiting and selecting graduates. Contribution/value-add: The research study contributes to the growing body of research as it utilised a mixed-method approach to explore lived experiences. The Graduate Employability Social Media Model (GESM Model) is the main contribution made by this study to the body of knowledge in both the fields of Information Systems and Business Management. , Thesis (PhD) (Information Systems) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
The impact of export commodity prices on emerging markets economic growth: a case of South Africa’s mineral exports.
- Authors: Moodley, Shiven
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's/ theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20462 , vital:45668
- Description: Despite South Africa being a mineral resource-rich country, it has experienced low economic growth post-democracy era. The available literature suggests that fluctuations in global demand for commodities have harmed the production process of tradeable and non-tradable goods. Based on this, this dissertation examines the impact of export commodity price on GDP per capita in South Africa using quarterly data beginning from Q2 (April-June) 1990 to Q4 (Oct-Dec) 2018. The Johansen co-integration technique and the Vector Error Correction Method (VECM) were utilised to examine both the long and short-run relationships between the variables of interest. The outcome of the examination has revealed that export commodity price and government expenditure have a positive relationship with GDP per capita in the long run. However, net capital flows have a negative effect on GDP per capita in South Africa. In the short run, the empirical results also reveal that both net capital flows and government expenditure are negatively related to GDP per capita. Furthermore, policy action should be directed towards structural investment for the development of sustainable infrastructure projects within the commodity export sector based on the long-run relationship between commodity export prices and GDP per capita. , Thesis (MCom) (Economics) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
- Authors: Moodley, Shiven
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's/ theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20462 , vital:45668
- Description: Despite South Africa being a mineral resource-rich country, it has experienced low economic growth post-democracy era. The available literature suggests that fluctuations in global demand for commodities have harmed the production process of tradeable and non-tradable goods. Based on this, this dissertation examines the impact of export commodity price on GDP per capita in South Africa using quarterly data beginning from Q2 (April-June) 1990 to Q4 (Oct-Dec) 2018. The Johansen co-integration technique and the Vector Error Correction Method (VECM) were utilised to examine both the long and short-run relationships between the variables of interest. The outcome of the examination has revealed that export commodity price and government expenditure have a positive relationship with GDP per capita in the long run. However, net capital flows have a negative effect on GDP per capita in South Africa. In the short run, the empirical results also reveal that both net capital flows and government expenditure are negatively related to GDP per capita. Furthermore, policy action should be directed towards structural investment for the development of sustainable infrastructure projects within the commodity export sector based on the long-run relationship between commodity export prices and GDP per capita. , Thesis (MCom) (Economics) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
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