Prevalence of ticks and tick-borne diseases in cattle on communal rangelands in the Highland Areas of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Marufu, Munyaradzi Christopher
- Authors: Marufu, Munyaradzi Christopher
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Cattle -- Diseases , Livestock diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ixodidae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tick-borne diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ticks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11814 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/152 , Cattle -- Diseases , Livestock diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ixodidae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tick-borne diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ticks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Surveys were conducted to compare the seasonal tick prevalence and loads, and sero-prevalence of tick-borne diseases (TBD) in Nguni and non-descript cattle on the sweet and sour communal rangelands of the Eastern Cape Province. The tick species observed on both rangeland types were Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (71.0 %), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) species (29.2 %) and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (40.2 %). Hyalomma species (19.0 %) occurred only on the sour rangeland. Tick loads were higher (P < 0.05) in the hot-wet season than in the cool-dry season. Cattle in the sweet rangeland had significantly lower (P < 0.05) tick loads than those in the sour rangeland. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus loads were lower (P < 0.05) in the indigenous Nguni than non-descript cattle in the hot-wet and post-rainy season. Hyalomma species were also significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the Nguni than non-descript cattle in all the seasons. Three TBDs were observed, namely Babesia bovis (44.6 %), Babesia bigemina (45.9 %) and Anaplasma marginale (25.6 %). All the animals were sero-negative for Ehrlichia ruminantium. Nguni cattle had lower (P < 0.05) sero-prevalence for A. marginale in the cool-dry season and B. bigemina in the cool-dry and hot-wet seasons. Cattle in the sweet rangeland had significantly lower sero-prevalence of B. bovis and B. bigemina. Infection with B. bovis and A. marginale decreased (P < 0.05) the packed cell volume. Nguni cattle were recommended for use in the integrated control of ticks and TBD in the communal areas of South Africa as they were better able to cope with tick and TBD infestations than non-descript breeds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Marufu, Munyaradzi Christopher
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Cattle -- Diseases , Livestock diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ixodidae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tick-borne diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ticks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11814 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/152 , Cattle -- Diseases , Livestock diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ixodidae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tick-borne diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ticks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Surveys were conducted to compare the seasonal tick prevalence and loads, and sero-prevalence of tick-borne diseases (TBD) in Nguni and non-descript cattle on the sweet and sour communal rangelands of the Eastern Cape Province. The tick species observed on both rangeland types were Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (71.0 %), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) species (29.2 %) and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (40.2 %). Hyalomma species (19.0 %) occurred only on the sour rangeland. Tick loads were higher (P < 0.05) in the hot-wet season than in the cool-dry season. Cattle in the sweet rangeland had significantly lower (P < 0.05) tick loads than those in the sour rangeland. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus loads were lower (P < 0.05) in the indigenous Nguni than non-descript cattle in the hot-wet and post-rainy season. Hyalomma species were also significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the Nguni than non-descript cattle in all the seasons. Three TBDs were observed, namely Babesia bovis (44.6 %), Babesia bigemina (45.9 %) and Anaplasma marginale (25.6 %). All the animals were sero-negative for Ehrlichia ruminantium. Nguni cattle had lower (P < 0.05) sero-prevalence for A. marginale in the cool-dry season and B. bigemina in the cool-dry and hot-wet seasons. Cattle in the sweet rangeland had significantly lower sero-prevalence of B. bovis and B. bigemina. Infection with B. bovis and A. marginale decreased (P < 0.05) the packed cell volume. Nguni cattle were recommended for use in the integrated control of ticks and TBD in the communal areas of South Africa as they were better able to cope with tick and TBD infestations than non-descript breeds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Constructions of masculinity in young men's narratives of violence in the homeplace
- Authors: Stride, Lorenzo
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Family violence , Masculinity , Men -- Identity , Men -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11847 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/185 , Family violence , Masculinity , Men -- Identity , Men -- Psychology
- Description: This research was undertaken with a view to advancing scholarship on the production and reproduction of notions of masculinity through everyday experiences of violence in the domestic sphere. In particular, the researcher sought to explicate constructions of masculinity in men’s narratives of their experiences of violence in the homeplace. The participants in this study constituted a fairly homogenous sample in terms of age, education, geographic location, and socio-economic status. A homogenous sample was purposefully selected because it aided an analysis of the phenomenon under study without diversions from extraneous variables. Data was collected from semi-structured, personal, in-depth, face-to-face interviews with eight young men. In these interviews participants were asked to recall and to talk about one particular experience of domestic violence that they witnessed or that had happened to them in the past. Photo elicitation was used as a reflective technique aimed at facilitating recall and discussion during the interviews. Data was analysed by means of a discourse analysis. The main findings of this research were that the participants grew up in communities where a more traditional hegemonic masculinity was commonplace and where violence as a means of exerting control was associated with being a ‘real man’. The participants did however question this notion of masculinity as a result of their experiences, particularly when they perceived the violence that they had been exposed to as excessive or unwarranted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Stride, Lorenzo
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Family violence , Masculinity , Men -- Identity , Men -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11847 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/185 , Family violence , Masculinity , Men -- Identity , Men -- Psychology
- Description: This research was undertaken with a view to advancing scholarship on the production and reproduction of notions of masculinity through everyday experiences of violence in the domestic sphere. In particular, the researcher sought to explicate constructions of masculinity in men’s narratives of their experiences of violence in the homeplace. The participants in this study constituted a fairly homogenous sample in terms of age, education, geographic location, and socio-economic status. A homogenous sample was purposefully selected because it aided an analysis of the phenomenon under study without diversions from extraneous variables. Data was collected from semi-structured, personal, in-depth, face-to-face interviews with eight young men. In these interviews participants were asked to recall and to talk about one particular experience of domestic violence that they witnessed or that had happened to them in the past. Photo elicitation was used as a reflective technique aimed at facilitating recall and discussion during the interviews. Data was analysed by means of a discourse analysis. The main findings of this research were that the participants grew up in communities where a more traditional hegemonic masculinity was commonplace and where violence as a means of exerting control was associated with being a ‘real man’. The participants did however question this notion of masculinity as a result of their experiences, particularly when they perceived the violence that they had been exposed to as excessive or unwarranted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
A study of the Amathole District Municipality's settlement plan in the light of the land reform and spatial planning measures
- Authors: Zenzile, Mlamli Lennox
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Land reform -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land settlement -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- Planning -- South Africa , Restitution -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Compensation (Law) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human rights -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Right of property -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3700 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003215 , Land reform -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land settlement -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- Planning -- South Africa , Restitution -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Compensation (Law) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human rights -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Right of property -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study concerns the analysis of policy, and the statutory and regulatory impact of spatial planning on the land reform programme with emphasis on the land reform settlement plan (LSRP) of the Amathole District Municipality (ADM). There is a brief historical overview of the effect of the policy of spatial segregation in both rural and urban areas of the ADM. This study demonstrates, inter alia, the challenges faced by the ADM in both consolidating and physically integrating communities that were hitherto divided across racial lines. The critical question is whether the ADM has the ability to produce a Spatial Development Framework (SDF), which will be responsive to the needs of the region and serve as a catalyst in reversing the physical distortions caused by the land-planning legislation of the apartheid past. The greatest challenge lies in meeting the developmental aspirations of the Development Facilitation Act, 1995, the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 and the National Spatial Development Perspective, 2003. Chapter 1 deals with the purpose, research problem and the method of research, as well as the definition of terms used in this research and literature review. Chapter 2 deals with the evolution of central themes of spatial planning and land reform, spatial development plans and integrated development plans (IDPs), the alignment of Amathole SDF and Eastern Cape Spatial Development Plan and the co-ordination of spatial frameworks. Chapter 3 deals with the composition of the ADM and the evolution of the LRSP, as well as land-tenure reform programmes impacting on the Amathole Municipality region. This chapter analyses the settlement plan against spatial planning legislation, the issue of institutional arrangements and mechanisms of consolidated local planning processes. Chapter 5 deals with the thorny issue of participation of traditional leaders in municipal planning and the government’s land-reform programme. Despite the existence of legislation in this regard, implementation seems to pose some difficulties. This chapter also deals with the co-operative governance framework. Chapter 6 is a concluding chapter dealing with the gaps discovered in the Amathole Municipality in the light of existing legislation. Reference to cases is made to demonstrate the challenges confronting the ADM. One notable aspect is the issue of urban-rural dichotomy and how the two worlds are positioned in their competition for the use of space. It is evident from this research that the post-1994 policy and legislative framework and implementation machinery lacks capacity to change the current form of the apartheid city-planning paradigm, something which impacts immensely on the sustainability of the current human-settlement development programmes. Population dynamics in terms of migration are hugely driven by search for employment opportunities and better services. The efficiency and ability of the municipal spatial evelopment frameworks in directing and dictating the identification of development nodes in its juristic boundary informed by the overarching national policy and legislative framework is key in building a better South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Zenzile, Mlamli Lennox
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Land reform -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land settlement -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- Planning -- South Africa , Restitution -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Compensation (Law) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human rights -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Right of property -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3700 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003215 , Land reform -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land settlement -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- Planning -- South Africa , Restitution -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Compensation (Law) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human rights -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Right of property -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study concerns the analysis of policy, and the statutory and regulatory impact of spatial planning on the land reform programme with emphasis on the land reform settlement plan (LSRP) of the Amathole District Municipality (ADM). There is a brief historical overview of the effect of the policy of spatial segregation in both rural and urban areas of the ADM. This study demonstrates, inter alia, the challenges faced by the ADM in both consolidating and physically integrating communities that were hitherto divided across racial lines. The critical question is whether the ADM has the ability to produce a Spatial Development Framework (SDF), which will be responsive to the needs of the region and serve as a catalyst in reversing the physical distortions caused by the land-planning legislation of the apartheid past. The greatest challenge lies in meeting the developmental aspirations of the Development Facilitation Act, 1995, the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 and the National Spatial Development Perspective, 2003. Chapter 1 deals with the purpose, research problem and the method of research, as well as the definition of terms used in this research and literature review. Chapter 2 deals with the evolution of central themes of spatial planning and land reform, spatial development plans and integrated development plans (IDPs), the alignment of Amathole SDF and Eastern Cape Spatial Development Plan and the co-ordination of spatial frameworks. Chapter 3 deals with the composition of the ADM and the evolution of the LRSP, as well as land-tenure reform programmes impacting on the Amathole Municipality region. This chapter analyses the settlement plan against spatial planning legislation, the issue of institutional arrangements and mechanisms of consolidated local planning processes. Chapter 5 deals with the thorny issue of participation of traditional leaders in municipal planning and the government’s land-reform programme. Despite the existence of legislation in this regard, implementation seems to pose some difficulties. This chapter also deals with the co-operative governance framework. Chapter 6 is a concluding chapter dealing with the gaps discovered in the Amathole Municipality in the light of existing legislation. Reference to cases is made to demonstrate the challenges confronting the ADM. One notable aspect is the issue of urban-rural dichotomy and how the two worlds are positioned in their competition for the use of space. It is evident from this research that the post-1994 policy and legislative framework and implementation machinery lacks capacity to change the current form of the apartheid city-planning paradigm, something which impacts immensely on the sustainability of the current human-settlement development programmes. Population dynamics in terms of migration are hugely driven by search for employment opportunities and better services. The efficiency and ability of the municipal spatial evelopment frameworks in directing and dictating the identification of development nodes in its juristic boundary informed by the overarching national policy and legislative framework is key in building a better South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An assessment of the African Peer Review Mechanism with specific reference to South Africa
- Authors: Sibuyi, Lucas Nkosana
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: African Peer Review Mechanism , Peer review -- South Africa , Peer review -- Political aspects -- Africa , African cooperation , Political leadership -- Africa , Africa -- Politics and government -- 1960- , Democratization -- Africa , Civil society -- Africa , Political participation -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8242 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/758 , African Peer Review Mechanism , Peer review -- South Africa , Peer review -- Political aspects -- Africa , African cooperation , Political leadership -- Africa , Africa -- Politics and government -- 1960- , Democratization -- Africa , Civil society -- Africa , Political participation -- Africa
- Description: The Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) acknowledged and recognised the centrality of good governance within the context of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), an innovative mechanism acceded to by member states of the African Union (AU) as a self- monitoring mechanism for good governance. South Africa is one of the countries which acceded to the APRM in 2003. Accordingly, South Africa appointed a National Governing Council (NGC) under the chairpersonship of the Minister of Public Services and Administration as the focal point to develop a strategy to manage the national APRM process. The NGC was constituted of business, the disabled, civil society, churches, trade unions, government and women’s coalitions thus ensuring all relevant stakeholders are represented. As part of South Africa’s country assessment, questionnaires dealing with the four core thematic areas of the APRM were sent through to the public by community development workers. In addition, four technical assessment agencies were appointed to assist in conducting research on the four thematic areas. The primary objective of this study is to examine the theoretical approach to the study and the African Peer Review Mechanism’s contemporary relevance to South Africa, its intended beneficiaries and an assessment of South Africa for the period 2006. The study revealed that Proportional Representation (PR) and floor-crossing have an impact on the sustainability, relevance, long term development, vibrancy and profundity of constitutional democracy in the country. Clearly, since the dawn of the democratic dispensation in South Africa the electoral system introduced is such that it had to take into account the challenges the country faced during the apartheid system of governance. In this context, enough space for free political competition in the country was created. On the basis of the findings of the study, it is patently clear that the time allocated for the CSAR was minimal and the country should have been given at least two years so that the self assessment could have been extensively done. On the issue of HIV and AIDS and its relationship to socio-economic conditions, it was revealed that the country has a lot to do in this regard. The debilitating effect that HIV and AIDS has on the lives of the citizens requires clarity of policy and strategy, consistency in public communication and the need for sustained partnerships amongst all relevant stakeholders. At another level, there was a call for a basic income grant although government does not necessarily support it. Based on the research findings above, a new research area outlined under recommendations can be conceptualized for further research and it requires some attention.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Sibuyi, Lucas Nkosana
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: African Peer Review Mechanism , Peer review -- South Africa , Peer review -- Political aspects -- Africa , African cooperation , Political leadership -- Africa , Africa -- Politics and government -- 1960- , Democratization -- Africa , Civil society -- Africa , Political participation -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8242 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/758 , African Peer Review Mechanism , Peer review -- South Africa , Peer review -- Political aspects -- Africa , African cooperation , Political leadership -- Africa , Africa -- Politics and government -- 1960- , Democratization -- Africa , Civil society -- Africa , Political participation -- Africa
- Description: The Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) acknowledged and recognised the centrality of good governance within the context of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), an innovative mechanism acceded to by member states of the African Union (AU) as a self- monitoring mechanism for good governance. South Africa is one of the countries which acceded to the APRM in 2003. Accordingly, South Africa appointed a National Governing Council (NGC) under the chairpersonship of the Minister of Public Services and Administration as the focal point to develop a strategy to manage the national APRM process. The NGC was constituted of business, the disabled, civil society, churches, trade unions, government and women’s coalitions thus ensuring all relevant stakeholders are represented. As part of South Africa’s country assessment, questionnaires dealing with the four core thematic areas of the APRM were sent through to the public by community development workers. In addition, four technical assessment agencies were appointed to assist in conducting research on the four thematic areas. The primary objective of this study is to examine the theoretical approach to the study and the African Peer Review Mechanism’s contemporary relevance to South Africa, its intended beneficiaries and an assessment of South Africa for the period 2006. The study revealed that Proportional Representation (PR) and floor-crossing have an impact on the sustainability, relevance, long term development, vibrancy and profundity of constitutional democracy in the country. Clearly, since the dawn of the democratic dispensation in South Africa the electoral system introduced is such that it had to take into account the challenges the country faced during the apartheid system of governance. In this context, enough space for free political competition in the country was created. On the basis of the findings of the study, it is patently clear that the time allocated for the CSAR was minimal and the country should have been given at least two years so that the self assessment could have been extensively done. On the issue of HIV and AIDS and its relationship to socio-economic conditions, it was revealed that the country has a lot to do in this regard. The debilitating effect that HIV and AIDS has on the lives of the citizens requires clarity of policy and strategy, consistency in public communication and the need for sustained partnerships amongst all relevant stakeholders. At another level, there was a call for a basic income grant although government does not necessarily support it. Based on the research findings above, a new research area outlined under recommendations can be conceptualized for further research and it requires some attention.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Tracing and erasure in Kathryn Smith's Psychogeographies: the washing away of wrongs
- Authors: de Jager, Maureen
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147413 , vital:38634 , https://0-hdl.handle.net.wam.seals.ac.za/10520/EJC31057
- Description: Kathryn Smith's Psychogeographies: The Washing Away of Wrongs is a series of twelve prints comprising photographs and handwritten text, wherein she records her 'pilgrimage' to the former homes of British serial killer Dennis Nilsen. As such, it utilises photographic and autographic traces to 'track' the elusive traces left by Nilsen. Given the lapse of two decades between Nilsen's arrest and Smith's visit, the traces of Nilsen's 'wrongs' seem all but erased by the banal façade of suburban living which has continued on, regardless. In taking this as a starting point, the following article considers the motif of absence that characterises Smith's work as intrinsic to traces per se.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: de Jager, Maureen
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147413 , vital:38634 , https://0-hdl.handle.net.wam.seals.ac.za/10520/EJC31057
- Description: Kathryn Smith's Psychogeographies: The Washing Away of Wrongs is a series of twelve prints comprising photographs and handwritten text, wherein she records her 'pilgrimage' to the former homes of British serial killer Dennis Nilsen. As such, it utilises photographic and autographic traces to 'track' the elusive traces left by Nilsen. Given the lapse of two decades between Nilsen's arrest and Smith's visit, the traces of Nilsen's 'wrongs' seem all but erased by the banal façade of suburban living which has continued on, regardless. In taking this as a starting point, the following article considers the motif of absence that characterises Smith's work as intrinsic to traces per se.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Oxbridge clerics and early ringing in South Africa
- Authors: Lewis, Colin A
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6186 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012384
- Description: During the early Twentieth Century, many gifted British clergy came to South Africa. They must have felt optimistic that many rings of bells would soon be installed in their adopted country. South Africa had survived the Boer Wars, the economy was reasonably healthy, new churches were being built and many others were being planned. The Union of South Africa was only a few years old and the political stability of this great part of the British Empire seemed assured. Sadly, their optimism was misplaced and in 2008 only eight rings exist in South Africa. Had it not been for the efforts of the Oxbridge trio: J.R. Vincent, G.H. Ridout and C.E.E. Bulwer, and other British immigrants, however, these rings would not exist. , Colin Lewis was Professor of Geography at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa from 1989 until his retirement at the end of 2007. In 1990, with the strong support of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Dr Derek Henderson, he instigated the Certificate in Change Ringing (Church Bell Ringing) in the Rhodes University Department of Music and Musicology - the first such course to be offered in Africa. Since that date he has lectured in the basic theory, and taught the practice of change ringing. He is the Ringing Master of the Cathedral of St Michael and St George, Grahamstown, South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Lewis, Colin A
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6186 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012384
- Description: During the early Twentieth Century, many gifted British clergy came to South Africa. They must have felt optimistic that many rings of bells would soon be installed in their adopted country. South Africa had survived the Boer Wars, the economy was reasonably healthy, new churches were being built and many others were being planned. The Union of South Africa was only a few years old and the political stability of this great part of the British Empire seemed assured. Sadly, their optimism was misplaced and in 2008 only eight rings exist in South Africa. Had it not been for the efforts of the Oxbridge trio: J.R. Vincent, G.H. Ridout and C.E.E. Bulwer, and other British immigrants, however, these rings would not exist. , Colin Lewis was Professor of Geography at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa from 1989 until his retirement at the end of 2007. In 1990, with the strong support of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Dr Derek Henderson, he instigated the Certificate in Change Ringing (Church Bell Ringing) in the Rhodes University Department of Music and Musicology - the first such course to be offered in Africa. Since that date he has lectured in the basic theory, and taught the practice of change ringing. He is the Ringing Master of the Cathedral of St Michael and St George, Grahamstown, South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
A model for legal compliance in the South African banking sector : an information security perspective
- Maphakela, Madidimalo Rabbie
- Authors: Maphakela, Madidimalo Rabbie
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Database security -- South Africa , Computer security -- South Africa , Computer networks -- Security measures -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9783 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/725 , Database security -- South Africa , Computer security -- South Africa , Computer networks -- Security measures -- South Africa
- Description: In the past, many organisations used to keep their information on paper, which resulted in the loss of important information. In today’s knowledge era the information super-highway facilitates highly connected electronic environments where business applications can communicate on an intra- as well as inter-organizational level. As business expanded more into the cyber-world, so did the need to protect the information they have. Technology advances did not only bring benefits, it also increased the vulnerability of companies’ information. Information, the lifeblood of an organization, must be protected from threats such as hackers and fraud, amongst others. In the highly regulated financial sector, the protection of information is not only a best practice, but a legal obligation carrying penalties for non-compliance. From a positive aspect, organisations can identify security controls that can help them to secure their information, with the aid of legal sources. But organisations find themselves burdened by a burgeoning number of legal sources and requirements, which require vast resources and often become unmanageable. This research focuses on finding a solution for South African banks to comply with multiple legal sources, as seen from an information security perspective.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Maphakela, Madidimalo Rabbie
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Database security -- South Africa , Computer security -- South Africa , Computer networks -- Security measures -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9783 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/725 , Database security -- South Africa , Computer security -- South Africa , Computer networks -- Security measures -- South Africa
- Description: In the past, many organisations used to keep their information on paper, which resulted in the loss of important information. In today’s knowledge era the information super-highway facilitates highly connected electronic environments where business applications can communicate on an intra- as well as inter-organizational level. As business expanded more into the cyber-world, so did the need to protect the information they have. Technology advances did not only bring benefits, it also increased the vulnerability of companies’ information. Information, the lifeblood of an organization, must be protected from threats such as hackers and fraud, amongst others. In the highly regulated financial sector, the protection of information is not only a best practice, but a legal obligation carrying penalties for non-compliance. From a positive aspect, organisations can identify security controls that can help them to secure their information, with the aid of legal sources. But organisations find themselves burdened by a burgeoning number of legal sources and requirements, which require vast resources and often become unmanageable. This research focuses on finding a solution for South African banks to comply with multiple legal sources, as seen from an information security perspective.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
The antecedents of customer satisfaction in a financial institution : a qualitative study
- Authors: Bleske, Adrian
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Standard Bank Properties , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- Customer services -- South Africa , Financial services industry -- South Africa , Bank management -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- Customer services -- Effect of marketing on
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:840 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015482
- Description: The following is a case study report on the Cape Town business unit of Standard Bank Properties. The research project falls within the ambit of services marketing which introduces several unique management challenges for service businesses that sell services as a core offering. The principal aim of the case study is to gain an understanding of why customers bank at the business unit and to discover what aspects are critical to customer satisfaction. A further goal of the research is to examine how the business unit could improve customer satisfaction and to highlight any impediments to further improving customer satisfaction at the business unit. It is generally regarded that quality customer service is essential to building customer relationships and hence the research project emphasis on services marketing and customer satisfaction within a financial services context. The paper commences with an overview of the South African Banking Sector and its unique challenges such as the Financial Service Charter and newly introduced legislation such as Financial Intelligence Centre Act. The case study will specifically investigate the property finance industry and a detailed analysis of the business unit's operations and process flow will also be undertaken. The reason for this background information is to assist the reader to understand how the business unit operates. The research project will investigate four unique differences between goods marketing and services marketing whereafter three theoretical propositions are introduced, namely the dyadic interaction and service encounter, the Service Profit Chain and finally Relationship Marketing. Evidence in the form of a narrative will be led from insights obtained from interviews conducted with customers and staff at the business unit against these propositions with support (or otherwise) from independent surveys and documents from the business unit. The result of this analysis is the identification of several areas of concern specifically: New employees and the service encounter, Problems with FICA, Lack of a customer complaint handling system, Empowerment issues, Turnaround times, Reliance on key staff These insights together with the evidence from the literature review will be analysed and several recommendations made to improve customer service and ultimately customer satisfaction at the business unit. Several recommendations for further research are offered as well as the identification of limitations including but not limited to the specificity of the case study report.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Bleske, Adrian
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Standard Bank Properties , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- Customer services -- South Africa , Financial services industry -- South Africa , Bank management -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- Customer services -- Effect of marketing on
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:840 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015482
- Description: The following is a case study report on the Cape Town business unit of Standard Bank Properties. The research project falls within the ambit of services marketing which introduces several unique management challenges for service businesses that sell services as a core offering. The principal aim of the case study is to gain an understanding of why customers bank at the business unit and to discover what aspects are critical to customer satisfaction. A further goal of the research is to examine how the business unit could improve customer satisfaction and to highlight any impediments to further improving customer satisfaction at the business unit. It is generally regarded that quality customer service is essential to building customer relationships and hence the research project emphasis on services marketing and customer satisfaction within a financial services context. The paper commences with an overview of the South African Banking Sector and its unique challenges such as the Financial Service Charter and newly introduced legislation such as Financial Intelligence Centre Act. The case study will specifically investigate the property finance industry and a detailed analysis of the business unit's operations and process flow will also be undertaken. The reason for this background information is to assist the reader to understand how the business unit operates. The research project will investigate four unique differences between goods marketing and services marketing whereafter three theoretical propositions are introduced, namely the dyadic interaction and service encounter, the Service Profit Chain and finally Relationship Marketing. Evidence in the form of a narrative will be led from insights obtained from interviews conducted with customers and staff at the business unit against these propositions with support (or otherwise) from independent surveys and documents from the business unit. The result of this analysis is the identification of several areas of concern specifically: New employees and the service encounter, Problems with FICA, Lack of a customer complaint handling system, Empowerment issues, Turnaround times, Reliance on key staff These insights together with the evidence from the literature review will be analysed and several recommendations made to improve customer service and ultimately customer satisfaction at the business unit. Several recommendations for further research are offered as well as the identification of limitations including but not limited to the specificity of the case study report.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Factors influencing interracial mixing amongst university students
- Authors: Flusk, Lynette Michelle
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Spatial behavior , Social distance , Students -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Prejudice (Psychology) , College integration -- South Africa , Colleges and universities -- South Africa -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11849 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/150 , Spatial behavior , Social distance , Students -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Prejudice (Psychology) , College integration -- South Africa , Colleges and universities -- South Africa -- Social conditions
- Description: This study examines the reasons given for the lack of interracial contact among 188 (142 Black, 25 White and 19 Coloured) university students. The most pervasive factor influencing such contact for the whole group (79.1 percent) was language differences. The statements endorsed by most black participants were; differences in behaviour (62.9 percent), socio-economic status (56.0 percent) and culture (52.5 percent). The coloured participants endorsed statements concerning socio-economic status (61.1 percent), culture (42.1 percent) and dissociation (42.1 percent). The white participants endorsed statements regarding race issues (64.0 percent), differences in behaviour (60.0 percent) and cultural differences (44.0 percent). This study found that metastereotypes social distance and contact correlate with prejudice. Metastereotypes and social distance positively influence prejudice in that an increase in these factors is associated with heightened levels of prejudice. The amount of contact between groups has a negative relationship with prejudice, indicating that increased levels of contact are associated with a decrease in prejudice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Flusk, Lynette Michelle
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Spatial behavior , Social distance , Students -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Prejudice (Psychology) , College integration -- South Africa , Colleges and universities -- South Africa -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11849 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/150 , Spatial behavior , Social distance , Students -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Prejudice (Psychology) , College integration -- South Africa , Colleges and universities -- South Africa -- Social conditions
- Description: This study examines the reasons given for the lack of interracial contact among 188 (142 Black, 25 White and 19 Coloured) university students. The most pervasive factor influencing such contact for the whole group (79.1 percent) was language differences. The statements endorsed by most black participants were; differences in behaviour (62.9 percent), socio-economic status (56.0 percent) and culture (52.5 percent). The coloured participants endorsed statements concerning socio-economic status (61.1 percent), culture (42.1 percent) and dissociation (42.1 percent). The white participants endorsed statements regarding race issues (64.0 percent), differences in behaviour (60.0 percent) and cultural differences (44.0 percent). This study found that metastereotypes social distance and contact correlate with prejudice. Metastereotypes and social distance positively influence prejudice in that an increase in these factors is associated with heightened levels of prejudice. The amount of contact between groups has a negative relationship with prejudice, indicating that increased levels of contact are associated with a decrease in prejudice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Dumping, antidumping and the future prospects for fair international trade
- Authors: Zvidza, Tinevimbo
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Dumping -- International trade -- International trade -- Fair trad , Foreign trade regulation -- International cooperation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:11114 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/100 , Dumping -- International trade -- International trade -- Fair trad , Foreign trade regulation -- International cooperation
- Description: More than a century has passed since Canada adopted the first antidumping law in 1904. Similar legislation in most of the major trading nations followed the Canadian legislation prior to and after the World War II. Antidumping provisions were later integrated into the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) after the said war. Today, nearly all developed and developing countries have this type of legislation in place within their municipal legal framework. The subject of antidumping has received growing attention in international trade policy and has become a source of tension between trading nations. This is evident in the substantial increase of antidumping actions since the establishment of the WTO. Antidumping policy has emerged as a significant trade barrier because of its misuse by both developed and developing countries. The primary instruments governing antidumping actions are GATT Article VI and the Antidumping Agreement (ADA). The ADA contains both the substantive and procedural rules governing the interpretation and application of the instrument. Its purpose is to ensure that the instrument is used only as a contingency measure judged upon merit and not as a disguised protectionist device. Given the growing number of countries participating more actively in the world trading system and the notorious misuse of antidumping provisions, there is a vital need to critically analyse the key provisions of the said instruments. This study is an attempt at that academic enterprise. It concludes by giving proposals for future reform of both real and potential future reform of the current WTO antidumping regime. Dumping, antidumping, antidumping regulation, antidumping duties, like products, dumping margin, zeroing, facts available, protectionism, ADA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Zvidza, Tinevimbo
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Dumping -- International trade -- International trade -- Fair trad , Foreign trade regulation -- International cooperation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:11114 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/100 , Dumping -- International trade -- International trade -- Fair trad , Foreign trade regulation -- International cooperation
- Description: More than a century has passed since Canada adopted the first antidumping law in 1904. Similar legislation in most of the major trading nations followed the Canadian legislation prior to and after the World War II. Antidumping provisions were later integrated into the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) after the said war. Today, nearly all developed and developing countries have this type of legislation in place within their municipal legal framework. The subject of antidumping has received growing attention in international trade policy and has become a source of tension between trading nations. This is evident in the substantial increase of antidumping actions since the establishment of the WTO. Antidumping policy has emerged as a significant trade barrier because of its misuse by both developed and developing countries. The primary instruments governing antidumping actions are GATT Article VI and the Antidumping Agreement (ADA). The ADA contains both the substantive and procedural rules governing the interpretation and application of the instrument. Its purpose is to ensure that the instrument is used only as a contingency measure judged upon merit and not as a disguised protectionist device. Given the growing number of countries participating more actively in the world trading system and the notorious misuse of antidumping provisions, there is a vital need to critically analyse the key provisions of the said instruments. This study is an attempt at that academic enterprise. It concludes by giving proposals for future reform of both real and potential future reform of the current WTO antidumping regime. Dumping, antidumping, antidumping regulation, antidumping duties, like products, dumping margin, zeroing, facts available, protectionism, ADA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
The efficacy of education decentralisation policy in Zimbabwe: a case of Kadoma district
- Authors: Mupindu, Wisemen
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Universities and colleges -- Decentralization -- Zimbabwe , Education and state -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11410 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/202 , Universities and colleges -- Decentralization -- Zimbabwe , Education and state -- Zimbabwe
- Description: The study focused on the efficacy of the democratic education decentralization policy. The study focused on the efficacy of the democratic education decentralization policy implementation of the four schools of Kadoma District in Zimbabwe. The thesis reviewed literature and discussed the concept of the democratic education decentralization policy implementation and how this has been practiced in Zimbabwe. The theoretical basis of democratic education decentralization policies were outlined and the argument for and against the policy discussed. Thus the dissertation explored the concept of education decentralization policy with specific reference to the notions of democratization and participation in Zimbabwe. Besides the qualitative and the quantitative research methods employed, the study was complemented by the observation on the ground and document analysis. The thesis unearthed that; the democratic education decentralization policy is characterized by some successes and problems during implementation of the policy as indicated by the paucity of the teaching and learning resources. The research findings revealed that, there is prevalence of poor learning outcomes at ‘O’ level in schools; the SDCs/SDAs are underutilized sources of school development because they are not fully empowered by the education system since they had a minimum role in participating towards the implementation of the policy in order to acquire the teaching and learning resources at the schools in Kadoma District. The above findings long-established the view held by critical theorists of the Participatory Governance Model that there is a complementary relationship between the participation of the SDC/SDA in acquiring the teaching as well as the learning resources and the academic performance of learners. Thus, the study concluded that decentralization policy implementation was the major driving force in strengthening efficiency and accountability of resources and results.mplementation of the four schools of Kadoma District in Zimbabwe. The thesis reviewed literature and discussed the concept of the democratic education decentralization policy implementation and how this has been practiced in Zimbabwe. The theoretical basis of democratic education decentralization policies were outlined and the argument for and against the policy discussed. Thus the dissertation explored the concept of education decentralization policy with specific reference to the notions of democratization and participation in Zimbabwe. Besides the qualitative and the quantitative research methods employed, the study was complemented by the observation on the ground and document analysis. The thesis unearthed that; the democratic education decentralization policy is characterized by some successes and problems during implementation of the policy as indicated by the paucity of the teaching and learning resources. The research findings revealed that, there is prevalence of poor learning outcomes at ‘O’ level in schools; the SDCs/SDAs are underutilized sources of school development because they are not fully empowered by the education system since they had a minimum role in participating towards the implementation of the policy in order to acquire the teaching and learning resources at the schools in Kadoma District. The above findings long-established the view held by critical theorists of the Participatory Governance Model that there is a complementary relationship between the participation of the SDC/SDA in acquiring the teaching as well as the learning resources and the academic performance of learners. Thus, the study concluded that decentralization policy implementation was the major driving force in strengthening efficiency and accountability of resources and results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Mupindu, Wisemen
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Universities and colleges -- Decentralization -- Zimbabwe , Education and state -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11410 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/202 , Universities and colleges -- Decentralization -- Zimbabwe , Education and state -- Zimbabwe
- Description: The study focused on the efficacy of the democratic education decentralization policy. The study focused on the efficacy of the democratic education decentralization policy implementation of the four schools of Kadoma District in Zimbabwe. The thesis reviewed literature and discussed the concept of the democratic education decentralization policy implementation and how this has been practiced in Zimbabwe. The theoretical basis of democratic education decentralization policies were outlined and the argument for and against the policy discussed. Thus the dissertation explored the concept of education decentralization policy with specific reference to the notions of democratization and participation in Zimbabwe. Besides the qualitative and the quantitative research methods employed, the study was complemented by the observation on the ground and document analysis. The thesis unearthed that; the democratic education decentralization policy is characterized by some successes and problems during implementation of the policy as indicated by the paucity of the teaching and learning resources. The research findings revealed that, there is prevalence of poor learning outcomes at ‘O’ level in schools; the SDCs/SDAs are underutilized sources of school development because they are not fully empowered by the education system since they had a minimum role in participating towards the implementation of the policy in order to acquire the teaching and learning resources at the schools in Kadoma District. The above findings long-established the view held by critical theorists of the Participatory Governance Model that there is a complementary relationship between the participation of the SDC/SDA in acquiring the teaching as well as the learning resources and the academic performance of learners. Thus, the study concluded that decentralization policy implementation was the major driving force in strengthening efficiency and accountability of resources and results.mplementation of the four schools of Kadoma District in Zimbabwe. The thesis reviewed literature and discussed the concept of the democratic education decentralization policy implementation and how this has been practiced in Zimbabwe. The theoretical basis of democratic education decentralization policies were outlined and the argument for and against the policy discussed. Thus the dissertation explored the concept of education decentralization policy with specific reference to the notions of democratization and participation in Zimbabwe. Besides the qualitative and the quantitative research methods employed, the study was complemented by the observation on the ground and document analysis. The thesis unearthed that; the democratic education decentralization policy is characterized by some successes and problems during implementation of the policy as indicated by the paucity of the teaching and learning resources. The research findings revealed that, there is prevalence of poor learning outcomes at ‘O’ level in schools; the SDCs/SDAs are underutilized sources of school development because they are not fully empowered by the education system since they had a minimum role in participating towards the implementation of the policy in order to acquire the teaching and learning resources at the schools in Kadoma District. The above findings long-established the view held by critical theorists of the Participatory Governance Model that there is a complementary relationship between the participation of the SDC/SDA in acquiring the teaching as well as the learning resources and the academic performance of learners. Thus, the study concluded that decentralization policy implementation was the major driving force in strengthening efficiency and accountability of resources and results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
A xylem retrieval pathway in rice leaf blades – evidence of a role for endocytosis?
- Botha, Christiaan E J, Aoki, N, Scofield, G N, Liu, Lin, Furbank, R T, White, R G
- Authors: Botha, Christiaan E J , Aoki, N , Scofield, G N , Liu, Lin , Furbank, R T , White, R G
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6505 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005930 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jxb/ern150
- Description: The structure and transport properties of pit membranes at the interface between the metaxylem and xylem parenchyma cells and the possible role of these pit membranes in solute transfer to the phloem was investigated. Electron microscopy revealed a fibrillar, almost tubular matrix within the pit membrane structure between the xylem vessels and xylem parenchyma of leaf blade bundles in rice (Oryza sativa). These pits are involved primarily with regulating water flux to the surrounding xylem parenchyma cells. Vascular parenchyma cells contain large mitochondrial populations, numerous dictyosomes, endomembrane complexes and vesicles in close proximity to the pit membrane. Taken collectively this suggests that endocytosis may occur at this interface. A weak solution of 5,6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate (5,6-CFDA) was applied to cut ends of leaves and after a minimum of 45 minutes, the distribution of the fluorescent cleavage product, 5,6-carboxyfluorescein (5,6-CF) was observed using confocal microscopy. Cleavage of 5,6-CFDA occurred within the xylem parenchyma cells and the non-polar 5,6-CF was then symplasmically transported to other parenchyma elements and ultimately, via numerous pore plasmodesmata, to adjacent thick-walled sieve tubes. Application of Lucifer Yellow, and, separately, Texas Red labelled dextran (10 kDa) to the transpiration stream, confirmed that these membrane-impermeant probes could only have been offloaded from the xylem via the xylem vessel-xylem parenchyma pit membranes, suggesting endocytotic transmembrane transfer of these membrane-impermeant fluorophores. Accumulation within the thick-walled sieve tubes, but not in thin-walled sieve tubes, confirms the presence of a symplasmic phloem loading pathway, via pore plasmodesmata between xylem parenchyma and thick-walled sieve tubes, but not thin-walled sieve tubes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Botha, Christiaan E J , Aoki, N , Scofield, G N , Liu, Lin , Furbank, R T , White, R G
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6505 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005930 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jxb/ern150
- Description: The structure and transport properties of pit membranes at the interface between the metaxylem and xylem parenchyma cells and the possible role of these pit membranes in solute transfer to the phloem was investigated. Electron microscopy revealed a fibrillar, almost tubular matrix within the pit membrane structure between the xylem vessels and xylem parenchyma of leaf blade bundles in rice (Oryza sativa). These pits are involved primarily with regulating water flux to the surrounding xylem parenchyma cells. Vascular parenchyma cells contain large mitochondrial populations, numerous dictyosomes, endomembrane complexes and vesicles in close proximity to the pit membrane. Taken collectively this suggests that endocytosis may occur at this interface. A weak solution of 5,6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate (5,6-CFDA) was applied to cut ends of leaves and after a minimum of 45 minutes, the distribution of the fluorescent cleavage product, 5,6-carboxyfluorescein (5,6-CF) was observed using confocal microscopy. Cleavage of 5,6-CFDA occurred within the xylem parenchyma cells and the non-polar 5,6-CF was then symplasmically transported to other parenchyma elements and ultimately, via numerous pore plasmodesmata, to adjacent thick-walled sieve tubes. Application of Lucifer Yellow, and, separately, Texas Red labelled dextran (10 kDa) to the transpiration stream, confirmed that these membrane-impermeant probes could only have been offloaded from the xylem via the xylem vessel-xylem parenchyma pit membranes, suggesting endocytotic transmembrane transfer of these membrane-impermeant fluorophores. Accumulation within the thick-walled sieve tubes, but not in thin-walled sieve tubes, confirms the presence of a symplasmic phloem loading pathway, via pore plasmodesmata between xylem parenchyma and thick-walled sieve tubes, but not thin-walled sieve tubes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Journalists' appropriation of ICTs in news-gathering and processing: a case study of Grocott's Mail
- Authors: Dugo, Habtamu Tesfaye
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Grocott's Mail (Grahamstown, South Africa) Journalism -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Journalists -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Electronic news gathering -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Journalism -- Data processing -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Information technology -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Reporters and reporting -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Communication and technology -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3427 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002881
- Description: This study set out to investigate Grocott’s Mail journalists’ appropriation of information and communication technologies in news-gathering and processing using the social shaping of technology as a theoretical lens. It mainly focuses on digital ICTs that journalists use in news-gathering and processing including the Internet, electronic mail, and mobile telephony. Grocott’s Mail is a small-scale newspaper based in Grahamstown, South Africa. Using qualitative research method and the case study as its sub-method, the research reveals that Grocott’s Mail journalists’ appropriation of ICTs involves various opportunities and challenges in news-gathering and processing. In terms of the state of the existing technological infrastructure, the study reveals that since it embraced the digital ICTs in 2003, Grocott’s Mail boasts an adequate ICT infrastructure for a small-scale African newspaper with 30 PCs and one laptop, and professional software for 28 permanent employees. On the other hand, the research reveals serious constraints with the existing ICTs: a huge need for staff training and capacity building to fully utilise the ICTs, and the need to look for ways of raising funds to either upgrade or replace the existing ICTs. Grocott’s Mail journalists use the Internet to do background research on news stories, to verify the accuracy of information, and to check competition across other media. These are the merits of the Internet in news-gathering and processing. On the other hand, there are specific unintended consequences of the Internet such as wasting the company’s working time, and its use leading to lazy/press release journalism. Informants unanimously indicate that the main problems of the Internet are heavy dependence on other online news-sources and wasting time on online entertainment. In terms of using email in news-gathering, the research finds email technology as having advantages such as being a tool of flexibility and speed, a tool for email interviews, and as a technology that promotes participatory journalism. On the other hand, challenges related to email include its limitations because of what interviewees view as its supplementary and small-scale use because of its low contextual richness as opposed to face to face interviews. In terms of cellular telephony, the study finds that regardless of the ubiquity of cell phones and cell phone networks, they have not yet been deployed in news-gathering and processing due to various constraints. These are cell phones not being a big factor in reporting, lack of a proper funding and refunding scheme, prevalence of negative attitudes towards cell phones, and lack of a business model. Thus, cellular phones seem to have little or no relevance in news-gathering and processing at Grocott’s Mail presently.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Dugo, Habtamu Tesfaye
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Grocott's Mail (Grahamstown, South Africa) Journalism -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Journalists -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Electronic news gathering -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Journalism -- Data processing -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Information technology -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Reporters and reporting -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Communication and technology -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3427 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002881
- Description: This study set out to investigate Grocott’s Mail journalists’ appropriation of information and communication technologies in news-gathering and processing using the social shaping of technology as a theoretical lens. It mainly focuses on digital ICTs that journalists use in news-gathering and processing including the Internet, electronic mail, and mobile telephony. Grocott’s Mail is a small-scale newspaper based in Grahamstown, South Africa. Using qualitative research method and the case study as its sub-method, the research reveals that Grocott’s Mail journalists’ appropriation of ICTs involves various opportunities and challenges in news-gathering and processing. In terms of the state of the existing technological infrastructure, the study reveals that since it embraced the digital ICTs in 2003, Grocott’s Mail boasts an adequate ICT infrastructure for a small-scale African newspaper with 30 PCs and one laptop, and professional software for 28 permanent employees. On the other hand, the research reveals serious constraints with the existing ICTs: a huge need for staff training and capacity building to fully utilise the ICTs, and the need to look for ways of raising funds to either upgrade or replace the existing ICTs. Grocott’s Mail journalists use the Internet to do background research on news stories, to verify the accuracy of information, and to check competition across other media. These are the merits of the Internet in news-gathering and processing. On the other hand, there are specific unintended consequences of the Internet such as wasting the company’s working time, and its use leading to lazy/press release journalism. Informants unanimously indicate that the main problems of the Internet are heavy dependence on other online news-sources and wasting time on online entertainment. In terms of using email in news-gathering, the research finds email technology as having advantages such as being a tool of flexibility and speed, a tool for email interviews, and as a technology that promotes participatory journalism. On the other hand, challenges related to email include its limitations because of what interviewees view as its supplementary and small-scale use because of its low contextual richness as opposed to face to face interviews. In terms of cellular telephony, the study finds that regardless of the ubiquity of cell phones and cell phone networks, they have not yet been deployed in news-gathering and processing due to various constraints. These are cell phones not being a big factor in reporting, lack of a proper funding and refunding scheme, prevalence of negative attitudes towards cell phones, and lack of a business model. Thus, cellular phones seem to have little or no relevance in news-gathering and processing at Grocott’s Mail presently.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Implementing a robust, cost effective, e-commerce platform for a disadvantaged community of the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Njeje, Sicelo Given
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Computer network architectures -- South Africa -- Design and construction , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet marketing , Business enterprises -- Computer networks , Electronic commerce
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11373 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/75 , Computer network architectures -- South Africa -- Design and construction , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet marketing , Business enterprises -- Computer networks , Electronic commerce
- Description: The development of electronic commerce (e-commerce) is the most visible business use of the World Wide Web. The primary goal of an e-commerce site is to sell goods and services online. This project deals with developing an e-commerce platform for marginalized communities of the Eastern Cape region, South Africa. An online “shopping mall” to support the marketing of art and crafts from disadvantaged communities is presented, with Linux-Apache-MySQL-PHP (LAMP) as the development environment. Free and Open Source Software has been chosen to develop the virtual shopping mall system because the use of Open Source allows easy localization and extensions to the system developed and long term sustainability, as the source code is available. Also, it might start a “virtuous” circle, whereby young members of the communities hosting art and craft makers become involved in maintenance, and then production, of software systems. One important design constraint from the e-commerce platform presented in this thesis is the possibility for the art and craft makers to manage their shops directly, from the initial loading of their wares to the day-to-day maintenance, such as changes of price or items. The user requirement elicitation and initial field testing were conducted in Dwesa, an area on the wild coast, South Africa. The system currently comprising two shops is live at the time of writing this thesis at www.dwesa.com.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Njeje, Sicelo Given
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Computer network architectures -- South Africa -- Design and construction , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet marketing , Business enterprises -- Computer networks , Electronic commerce
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11373 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/75 , Computer network architectures -- South Africa -- Design and construction , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet marketing , Business enterprises -- Computer networks , Electronic commerce
- Description: The development of electronic commerce (e-commerce) is the most visible business use of the World Wide Web. The primary goal of an e-commerce site is to sell goods and services online. This project deals with developing an e-commerce platform for marginalized communities of the Eastern Cape region, South Africa. An online “shopping mall” to support the marketing of art and crafts from disadvantaged communities is presented, with Linux-Apache-MySQL-PHP (LAMP) as the development environment. Free and Open Source Software has been chosen to develop the virtual shopping mall system because the use of Open Source allows easy localization and extensions to the system developed and long term sustainability, as the source code is available. Also, it might start a “virtuous” circle, whereby young members of the communities hosting art and craft makers become involved in maintenance, and then production, of software systems. One important design constraint from the e-commerce platform presented in this thesis is the possibility for the art and craft makers to manage their shops directly, from the initial loading of their wares to the day-to-day maintenance, such as changes of price or items. The user requirement elicitation and initial field testing were conducted in Dwesa, an area on the wild coast, South Africa. The system currently comprising two shops is live at the time of writing this thesis at www.dwesa.com.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
A facilities management transformation strategy for the public sector
- Authors: Tonono, Erol
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Facility management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:9666 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/767 , Facility management -- South Africa
- Description: Facilities Management (FM) has become one of the fastest growing disciplines in the built environment. Factors such as information technology, expectations of employees, the cost of mistakes in building, the cost of building space and global competition have influenced the growth of the discipline. These factors have forced facilities management to move from the basement to the boardroom; from a hidden function entrusted to the sleepy, slow and steady to one performed by increasingly bright-eyed and dynamic facilities managers. The objectives of this research focus on the need for a transformation strategy for FM in the public sector. However, before any transformation is considered, it is essential to understand the perceptions and attitudes of people dealing with FM in this sector. The National Department of Public Works (NDPW) became the focus of the study because it has the largest property portfolio in the southern hemisphere. It should be the leader in FM. The collected primary data (being quantitative) and secondary information provided the necessary basis to understand the application of FM in the NDPW. The study revealed shortcomings which are contributing to the problems outlined: namely, that no senior manager has been appointed to manage the portfolio and assist top management in decision-making; that neither a policy nor a FM framework are in place to guide the FM portfolio; that there is a lack of knowledge about the discipline, particularly by management and that there is no computer-aided FM in the entire department, let alone a FM helpdesk. FM is the coordination of workplace, people, physical infrastructure, processes and technology in order for an organization to meet its objectives. It is a wide field encompassing models that tend to differ considerably from one organization to another as it has to respond to the particular needs of each organization. It recognizes that a workplace’s configuration can have either a positive or negative impact on productivity, depending on the competency of the FM structures in place.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Tonono, Erol
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Facility management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:9666 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/767 , Facility management -- South Africa
- Description: Facilities Management (FM) has become one of the fastest growing disciplines in the built environment. Factors such as information technology, expectations of employees, the cost of mistakes in building, the cost of building space and global competition have influenced the growth of the discipline. These factors have forced facilities management to move from the basement to the boardroom; from a hidden function entrusted to the sleepy, slow and steady to one performed by increasingly bright-eyed and dynamic facilities managers. The objectives of this research focus on the need for a transformation strategy for FM in the public sector. However, before any transformation is considered, it is essential to understand the perceptions and attitudes of people dealing with FM in this sector. The National Department of Public Works (NDPW) became the focus of the study because it has the largest property portfolio in the southern hemisphere. It should be the leader in FM. The collected primary data (being quantitative) and secondary information provided the necessary basis to understand the application of FM in the NDPW. The study revealed shortcomings which are contributing to the problems outlined: namely, that no senior manager has been appointed to manage the portfolio and assist top management in decision-making; that neither a policy nor a FM framework are in place to guide the FM portfolio; that there is a lack of knowledge about the discipline, particularly by management and that there is no computer-aided FM in the entire department, let alone a FM helpdesk. FM is the coordination of workplace, people, physical infrastructure, processes and technology in order for an organization to meet its objectives. It is a wide field encompassing models that tend to differ considerably from one organization to another as it has to respond to the particular needs of each organization. It recognizes that a workplace’s configuration can have either a positive or negative impact on productivity, depending on the competency of the FM structures in place.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Model selection for cointegrated relationships in small samples
- He, Wei
- Authors: He, Wei
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Economics -- Statistical methods , Cointegration -- South Africa , Econometrics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10570 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/971 , Economics -- Statistical methods , Cointegration -- South Africa , Econometrics
- Description: Vector autoregression models have become widely used research tools in the analysis of macroeconomic time series. Cointegrated techniques are an essential part of empirical macroeconomic research. They infer causal long-run relationships between nonstationary variables. In this study, six information criteria were reviewed and compared. The methods focused on determining the optimum information criteria for detecting the correct lag structure of a two-variable cointegrated process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: He, Wei
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Economics -- Statistical methods , Cointegration -- South Africa , Econometrics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10570 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/971 , Economics -- Statistical methods , Cointegration -- South Africa , Econometrics
- Description: Vector autoregression models have become widely used research tools in the analysis of macroeconomic time series. Cointegrated techniques are an essential part of empirical macroeconomic research. They infer causal long-run relationships between nonstationary variables. In this study, six information criteria were reviewed and compared. The methods focused on determining the optimum information criteria for detecting the correct lag structure of a two-variable cointegrated process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Studies on the use of essential oils for the control of Sitophilus Zeamais (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera; Curculionidae): a pest of stored maize grains
- Odeyemi, Oluwakemi Oluwaseyi
- Authors: Odeyemi, Oluwakemi Oluwaseyi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Curculionidae , Essences and essential oils , Corn -- Diseases and pests -- South Africa , Biological pest control agents -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Botany)
- Identifier: vital:11301 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/168 , Curculionidae , Essences and essential oils , Corn -- Diseases and pests -- South Africa , Biological pest control agents -- South Africa
- Description: The common maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a well known pest of stored-maize grain in most parts of the world, was identified as one of the major constraints of harvested maize grains in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The use of plants or their products is one of the recent methods being investigated for insect pest control worldwide. Therefore, the main aim of the present study was to identify available plants in the Eastern Cape that could be used to combat the problem of Sitophilus zeamais in stored-maize grains. For the realization of the aims of this research, the following studies were carried out; a preliminary survey was conducted to obtain baseline information on the farmers’ knowledge and experience of indigenous insect pest control methods in the Eastern Cape. Also, studies on the insecticidal potential of the essential oils of some plants were investigated against the maize weevil. The quality parameters of maize grains treated with the essential oils was also studied and, using a rat model, the toxicity of the essential oils was investigated. The outcome from this study revealed that there is awareness amongst the farmers in the Eastern Cape on the use of plants or their products to control insect pests. Unfortunately, such methods are currently being neglected and the knowledge of their application was found to be eroding. Among the various essential oils screened were those from Mentha longifolia L. and Tagetes minuta L. which evoked an appreciable level of contact, fumigant and repellent toxicity on the maize weevil. Further work done to determine the effects of the oils on maize stored over a period of three months revealed that the two oils had no adverse effect on the proximate compositions and some quality parameters of the stored maize. However, the toxicological study conducted on rats showed that the oils at tested concentrations exhibited some level of toxicity. It is, therefore, suggested that the essential oils of M. longifolia and T. minuta should not be used to treat maize grains intended for human consumption.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Odeyemi, Oluwakemi Oluwaseyi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Curculionidae , Essences and essential oils , Corn -- Diseases and pests -- South Africa , Biological pest control agents -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Botany)
- Identifier: vital:11301 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/168 , Curculionidae , Essences and essential oils , Corn -- Diseases and pests -- South Africa , Biological pest control agents -- South Africa
- Description: The common maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a well known pest of stored-maize grain in most parts of the world, was identified as one of the major constraints of harvested maize grains in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The use of plants or their products is one of the recent methods being investigated for insect pest control worldwide. Therefore, the main aim of the present study was to identify available plants in the Eastern Cape that could be used to combat the problem of Sitophilus zeamais in stored-maize grains. For the realization of the aims of this research, the following studies were carried out; a preliminary survey was conducted to obtain baseline information on the farmers’ knowledge and experience of indigenous insect pest control methods in the Eastern Cape. Also, studies on the insecticidal potential of the essential oils of some plants were investigated against the maize weevil. The quality parameters of maize grains treated with the essential oils was also studied and, using a rat model, the toxicity of the essential oils was investigated. The outcome from this study revealed that there is awareness amongst the farmers in the Eastern Cape on the use of plants or their products to control insect pests. Unfortunately, such methods are currently being neglected and the knowledge of their application was found to be eroding. Among the various essential oils screened were those from Mentha longifolia L. and Tagetes minuta L. which evoked an appreciable level of contact, fumigant and repellent toxicity on the maize weevil. Further work done to determine the effects of the oils on maize stored over a period of three months revealed that the two oils had no adverse effect on the proximate compositions and some quality parameters of the stored maize. However, the toxicological study conducted on rats showed that the oils at tested concentrations exhibited some level of toxicity. It is, therefore, suggested that the essential oils of M. longifolia and T. minuta should not be used to treat maize grains intended for human consumption.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Solar cycle effects on GNSS-derived ionospheric total electron content observed over Southern Africa
- Authors: Moeketsi, Daniel Mojalefa
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Ionosphere -- Africa, Southern Electrons Ionospheric electron density -- Africa, Southern Ionosondes -- Africa, Southern Electromagnetic waves
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5489 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005275
- Description: The South African Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network of dual frequency receivers provide an opportunity to investigate solar cycle effects on ionospheric Total Electron Content (TEC) over the South Africa region by taking advantage of the dispersive nature of the ionospheric medium. For this task, the global University of New Brunswick Ionospheric Modelling Technique (UNB-IMT) was adopted, modified and applied to compute TEC using data from the southern African GNSS Network. TEC values were compared with CODE International GNSS services TEC predictions and Ionosonde-derived TEC (ITEC) measurements to test and validate the UNB-IMT results over South Africa. It was found that the variation trends of GTEC and ITEC over all stations are in good agreement and show pronounced seasonal variations with high TEC values around equinoxes for a year near solar maximum and less pronounced around solar minimum. Signature TEC depletions and enhanced spikes were prevalently evident around equinoxes, particularly for a year near solar maximum. These observations were investigated and further discussed with an analysis of the midday Disturbance Storm Time (DST) index of geomagnetic activity. The residual GTEC – ITEC corresponding to plasmaspheric electron content and equivalent ionospheric foF2 and total slab thickness parameters were computed and comprehensively discussed. The results verified the use of UNB-IMT as one of the tools for ionospheric research over South Africa. The UNB-IMT algorithm was applied to investigate TEC variability during different epochs of solar cycle 23. The results were investigated and further discussed by analyzing the GOES 8 and 10 satellites X-ray flux (0.1 – 0.8 nm) and SOHO Solar Extreme Ultraviolet Monitor higher resolution data. Comparison of UNB-IMT TEC derived from collocated HRAO and HARB GNSS receivers was undertaken for the solar X17 and X9 flare events, which occurred on day 301, 2003 and day 339, 2006. It was found that there exist considerable TEC differences between the two collocated receivers with some evidence of solar cycle dependence. Furthermore, the daytime UNB TEC compared with the International Reference Ionosphere 2001 predicted TEC found both models to show a good agreement. The UNB-IMT TEC was further applied to investigate the capabilities of geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) derived TEC using the Vienna TEC Model for space weather monitoring over HartRAO during the CONT02 and CONT05 campaigns conducted during the years 2002 (near solar maximum) and 005 (near solar minimum). The results verified the use of geodetic VLBI as one of the possible instruments for monitoring space weather impacts on the ionosphere over South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Solar cycle effects on GNSS-derived ionospheric total electron content observed over Southern Africa
- Authors: Moeketsi, Daniel Mojalefa
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Ionosphere -- Africa, Southern Electrons Ionospheric electron density -- Africa, Southern Ionosondes -- Africa, Southern Electromagnetic waves
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5489 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005275
- Description: The South African Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network of dual frequency receivers provide an opportunity to investigate solar cycle effects on ionospheric Total Electron Content (TEC) over the South Africa region by taking advantage of the dispersive nature of the ionospheric medium. For this task, the global University of New Brunswick Ionospheric Modelling Technique (UNB-IMT) was adopted, modified and applied to compute TEC using data from the southern African GNSS Network. TEC values were compared with CODE International GNSS services TEC predictions and Ionosonde-derived TEC (ITEC) measurements to test and validate the UNB-IMT results over South Africa. It was found that the variation trends of GTEC and ITEC over all stations are in good agreement and show pronounced seasonal variations with high TEC values around equinoxes for a year near solar maximum and less pronounced around solar minimum. Signature TEC depletions and enhanced spikes were prevalently evident around equinoxes, particularly for a year near solar maximum. These observations were investigated and further discussed with an analysis of the midday Disturbance Storm Time (DST) index of geomagnetic activity. The residual GTEC – ITEC corresponding to plasmaspheric electron content and equivalent ionospheric foF2 and total slab thickness parameters were computed and comprehensively discussed. The results verified the use of UNB-IMT as one of the tools for ionospheric research over South Africa. The UNB-IMT algorithm was applied to investigate TEC variability during different epochs of solar cycle 23. The results were investigated and further discussed by analyzing the GOES 8 and 10 satellites X-ray flux (0.1 – 0.8 nm) and SOHO Solar Extreme Ultraviolet Monitor higher resolution data. Comparison of UNB-IMT TEC derived from collocated HRAO and HARB GNSS receivers was undertaken for the solar X17 and X9 flare events, which occurred on day 301, 2003 and day 339, 2006. It was found that there exist considerable TEC differences between the two collocated receivers with some evidence of solar cycle dependence. Furthermore, the daytime UNB TEC compared with the International Reference Ionosphere 2001 predicted TEC found both models to show a good agreement. The UNB-IMT TEC was further applied to investigate the capabilities of geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) derived TEC using the Vienna TEC Model for space weather monitoring over HartRAO during the CONT02 and CONT05 campaigns conducted during the years 2002 (near solar maximum) and 005 (near solar minimum). The results verified the use of geodetic VLBI as one of the possible instruments for monitoring space weather impacts on the ionosphere over South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
On academic freedom
- Authors: Pityana, Barney
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Academic Freedom -- South Africa Universities and colleges -- South Africa Equality Liberty Education and state -- South Africa Education, Higher -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/751 , vital:19987
- Description: Traditionally, higher education has formed the vanguard of ideological persuasion and even indoctrination, in support of political and social change. We should not be surprised then, that the converse also applies. Where an existing order is threatened, those intellectuals who do not toe the line are often vilified, marginalised and even worse. Many of the great revolutions have commenced with a thorough purging of intellectuals. History will testify to that. Furthermore, where the State funds higher education institutions, then notions of academic freedom will always be tempered by the expectation of some sort of reciprocal loyalty.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Pityana, Barney
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Academic Freedom -- South Africa Universities and colleges -- South Africa Equality Liberty Education and state -- South Africa Education, Higher -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/751 , vital:19987
- Description: Traditionally, higher education has formed the vanguard of ideological persuasion and even indoctrination, in support of political and social change. We should not be surprised then, that the converse also applies. Where an existing order is threatened, those intellectuals who do not toe the line are often vilified, marginalised and even worse. Many of the great revolutions have commenced with a thorough purging of intellectuals. History will testify to that. Furthermore, where the State funds higher education institutions, then notions of academic freedom will always be tempered by the expectation of some sort of reciprocal loyalty.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An investigation into the synergistic association between the major Clostridium cellulovorans cellulosomal endoglucanase and two hemicellulases on plant cell wall degradation
- Authors: Beukes, Natasha
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Clostridium , Cellulose , Hemicellulose , Cellulase , Biomass conversion , Biomass energy -- South Africa , Energy crops -- South Africa , Bagasse -- Biodegradation , Pineapple -- Biodegradation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3968 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004027 , Clostridium , Cellulose , Hemicellulose , Cellulase , Biomass conversion , Biomass energy -- South Africa , Energy crops -- South Africa , Bagasse -- Biodegradation , Pineapple -- Biodegradation
- Description: The cellulosome is a multimeric enzyme complex that has the ability to metabolise a wide variety of carbonaceous compounds. Cellulosomal composition may vary according to the microbe’s nutritional requirement and allows for the anaerobic degradation of complex substrates. The complex substrates of interest in this research study were sugarcane bagasse and pineapple fibre waste, as they represent two important lignocellulosic, South African agricultural crops. The effective degradation of complex plant biomass wastes may present a valuable source of renewable compounds for the production of a variety of biofuels, for example bioethanol, and a variety of biocomposites of industrial importance. The identification of renewable energy sources for the production of biofuels is becoming increasingly important, as a result of the rapid depletion of the fossil fuels that are traditionally used as energy sources. An effective means of completely degrading lignocellulose biomass still remains elusive due to the complex heterogeneity of the substrate structure, and the fact that the effective degradation of the substrate requires a consortium of enzymes. The cellulosome not only provides a variety of enzymes with varying specificities, but also promote a close proximity between the catalytic components (enzymes). The close proximity between the enzymes promotes the synergistic degradation of complex plant biomass for the production of valuable energy products. Previous synergy studies have focused predominantly on the synergistic associations between cellulases; however, the synergy between hemicellulases has occasionally been documented. This research project established the synergistic associations between two Clostridium cellulovorans hemicellulases that may be incorporated into the cellulosome and a cellulosomal endoglucanase that is conserved in all cellulosomes. This research study indicated that there was indeed a synergistic degradation of the complex plant biomass (sugarcane bagasse and pineapple fibre). The degrees of synergy and the ratio of the enzymes varied between the two complex substrates. The initial degradation of the bagasse required the presence of all the enzymes and proceeded at an enhanced rate under sulphidogenic conditions; however, there was a low production of fermentable sugars. The low quantity of fermentable sugars produced by the degradation of the bagasse may be related to the chemical composition of the substrate. The sugarcane contains a high percentage of lignin forming a protective layer around the holocellulose, thus the glycosidic bonds are shielded extensively from enzymatic attack. In comparison, the initial degradation of the pineapple fibre required the action of hemicellulases, and proceeded at an enhanced rate under sulphidogenic conditions. The initial degradation of the pineapple fibre produced a substantially larger quantity of fermentable sugars in comparison to the bagasse. The higher production of fermentable sugars from the degradation of the pineapple fibre may be explained by the fact that this substrate may have a lower percentage of lignin than the bagasse, thus allowing a larger percentage of the glycosidic bonds to be exposed to enzymatic attack. The data obtained also indicated that the glycosidic bonds from the hemicellulosic components of the pineapple fibre shielded the glycosidic bonds of the cellulose component. The identification of the chemical components of the different substrates may allow for the initial development of an ideal enzyme complex (designer cellulosome) with enzymes in an ideal ratio with optimal synergy that will effectively degrade the complex plant biomass substrate.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Beukes, Natasha
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Clostridium , Cellulose , Hemicellulose , Cellulase , Biomass conversion , Biomass energy -- South Africa , Energy crops -- South Africa , Bagasse -- Biodegradation , Pineapple -- Biodegradation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3968 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004027 , Clostridium , Cellulose , Hemicellulose , Cellulase , Biomass conversion , Biomass energy -- South Africa , Energy crops -- South Africa , Bagasse -- Biodegradation , Pineapple -- Biodegradation
- Description: The cellulosome is a multimeric enzyme complex that has the ability to metabolise a wide variety of carbonaceous compounds. Cellulosomal composition may vary according to the microbe’s nutritional requirement and allows for the anaerobic degradation of complex substrates. The complex substrates of interest in this research study were sugarcane bagasse and pineapple fibre waste, as they represent two important lignocellulosic, South African agricultural crops. The effective degradation of complex plant biomass wastes may present a valuable source of renewable compounds for the production of a variety of biofuels, for example bioethanol, and a variety of biocomposites of industrial importance. The identification of renewable energy sources for the production of biofuels is becoming increasingly important, as a result of the rapid depletion of the fossil fuels that are traditionally used as energy sources. An effective means of completely degrading lignocellulose biomass still remains elusive due to the complex heterogeneity of the substrate structure, and the fact that the effective degradation of the substrate requires a consortium of enzymes. The cellulosome not only provides a variety of enzymes with varying specificities, but also promote a close proximity between the catalytic components (enzymes). The close proximity between the enzymes promotes the synergistic degradation of complex plant biomass for the production of valuable energy products. Previous synergy studies have focused predominantly on the synergistic associations between cellulases; however, the synergy between hemicellulases has occasionally been documented. This research project established the synergistic associations between two Clostridium cellulovorans hemicellulases that may be incorporated into the cellulosome and a cellulosomal endoglucanase that is conserved in all cellulosomes. This research study indicated that there was indeed a synergistic degradation of the complex plant biomass (sugarcane bagasse and pineapple fibre). The degrees of synergy and the ratio of the enzymes varied between the two complex substrates. The initial degradation of the bagasse required the presence of all the enzymes and proceeded at an enhanced rate under sulphidogenic conditions; however, there was a low production of fermentable sugars. The low quantity of fermentable sugars produced by the degradation of the bagasse may be related to the chemical composition of the substrate. The sugarcane contains a high percentage of lignin forming a protective layer around the holocellulose, thus the glycosidic bonds are shielded extensively from enzymatic attack. In comparison, the initial degradation of the pineapple fibre required the action of hemicellulases, and proceeded at an enhanced rate under sulphidogenic conditions. The initial degradation of the pineapple fibre produced a substantially larger quantity of fermentable sugars in comparison to the bagasse. The higher production of fermentable sugars from the degradation of the pineapple fibre may be explained by the fact that this substrate may have a lower percentage of lignin than the bagasse, thus allowing a larger percentage of the glycosidic bonds to be exposed to enzymatic attack. The data obtained also indicated that the glycosidic bonds from the hemicellulosic components of the pineapple fibre shielded the glycosidic bonds of the cellulose component. The identification of the chemical components of the different substrates may allow for the initial development of an ideal enzyme complex (designer cellulosome) with enzymes in an ideal ratio with optimal synergy that will effectively degrade the complex plant biomass substrate.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008