Alternative remedies used by resource-limited farmers in the treatment and manipulation of the reproductive system of non-descript goats in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Rwodzi, Maxwell
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Goats -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional veterinary medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11831 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019767 , Goats -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional veterinary medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study was carried out to determine alternative approaches used by resource-limited farmers to enhance fertility and in the treatment of reproduction ailments of goats in Mount Frere area, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Furthermore, information on farmer perceptions pertaining to these practices was also gathered. A questionnaire survey was conducted to determine materials used by resource-limited farmers to enhance fertility and treat reproductive ailments. The survey revealed 10 plant species that were commonly used for reproductive health in goats. Elephantorrhizza elephantina (37.1%) and Rhoicissus tomentosa (25.7%) were the most frequently cited plant species. Elephantorrhiza elephantina and R. tomentosa recorded the highest Fidelity Level (FL) values of 92.86% and 75% respectively, for their use in the treatment of reproductive ailments and these were the plants on which further studies were conducted. The study also revealed that farmers had different perceptions on the effectiveness of the traditional medicines. An in-vivo assessment was done to determine efficacy of E. elephantina and R. tomentosa using serum estradiol and progesterone profiles. The highest (P<0.05) serum estradiol and progesterone concentration was observed in animals administered with aqueous extracts of E. elephantina and R. tomentosa mixture while the least (P<0.05) concentrations were observed in the negative control group. Does administered with a mixture of aqueous E. elephantina and R. tomentosa extract had the highest (P<0.05) body weight (65 kg) as well as body condition scores, while the negative control which were administered with distilled water had the least body weights (54 kg) and body condition scores. Does that were administered with a mixture of E.elephantina and R. tomentosa were all pregnant with twins (100%), confirmed by a doppler ultrasound scan.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Rwodzi, Maxwell
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Goats -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional veterinary medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11831 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019767 , Goats -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional veterinary medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study was carried out to determine alternative approaches used by resource-limited farmers to enhance fertility and in the treatment of reproduction ailments of goats in Mount Frere area, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Furthermore, information on farmer perceptions pertaining to these practices was also gathered. A questionnaire survey was conducted to determine materials used by resource-limited farmers to enhance fertility and treat reproductive ailments. The survey revealed 10 plant species that were commonly used for reproductive health in goats. Elephantorrhizza elephantina (37.1%) and Rhoicissus tomentosa (25.7%) were the most frequently cited plant species. Elephantorrhiza elephantina and R. tomentosa recorded the highest Fidelity Level (FL) values of 92.86% and 75% respectively, for their use in the treatment of reproductive ailments and these were the plants on which further studies were conducted. The study also revealed that farmers had different perceptions on the effectiveness of the traditional medicines. An in-vivo assessment was done to determine efficacy of E. elephantina and R. tomentosa using serum estradiol and progesterone profiles. The highest (P<0.05) serum estradiol and progesterone concentration was observed in animals administered with aqueous extracts of E. elephantina and R. tomentosa mixture while the least (P<0.05) concentrations were observed in the negative control group. Does administered with a mixture of aqueous E. elephantina and R. tomentosa extract had the highest (P<0.05) body weight (65 kg) as well as body condition scores, while the negative control which were administered with distilled water had the least body weights (54 kg) and body condition scores. Does that were administered with a mixture of E.elephantina and R. tomentosa were all pregnant with twins (100%), confirmed by a doppler ultrasound scan.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
A discussion and comparison of company legislation and tax legislation in South Africa, in relation to amalgamations and mergers
- Authors: Sloane, Justin
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Corporation law -- South Africa , Taxation -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Consolidation and merger of corporations -- South Africa , Income tax -- South Africa , Capital gains tax -- South Africa , Value-added tax -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:908 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013028
- Description: In his 2012 Budget Review, the Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan acknowledged that the introduction of the "new" Companies Act had given rise to certain anomalies in relation to tax and subsequently announced that the South African government would undertake to review the nature of company mergers, acquisitions and other restructurings with the view of possibly amending the Income Tax Act and/or the "new" Companies Act, to bring the two legislations in line with one another. These anomalies give rise to the present research. The literature reviewed in the present research revealed and identified the inconsistencies that exist between the "new" Companies Act, 71 of 2008 and the Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962, specifically the inconsistencies that exist in respect of the newly introduced amalgamation or merger provisions as set out in the "new" Companies Act. Moreover, this research was undertaken to identify the potential tax implications insofar as they relate to amalgamation transactions and, in particular, the potential tax implications where such transactions, because of the anomalies, fall outside the ambit section 44 of the Income Tax Act, which would in normal circumstances provide for tax "rollover relief". In this regard, the present research identified the possible income tax, capital gains tax, value-added tax, transfer duty tax and securities transfer tax affected by an amalgamation transaction, on the assumption that the "rollover relief" in section 44 of the Income Tax Act does not apply.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Sloane, Justin
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Corporation law -- South Africa , Taxation -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Consolidation and merger of corporations -- South Africa , Income tax -- South Africa , Capital gains tax -- South Africa , Value-added tax -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:908 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013028
- Description: In his 2012 Budget Review, the Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan acknowledged that the introduction of the "new" Companies Act had given rise to certain anomalies in relation to tax and subsequently announced that the South African government would undertake to review the nature of company mergers, acquisitions and other restructurings with the view of possibly amending the Income Tax Act and/or the "new" Companies Act, to bring the two legislations in line with one another. These anomalies give rise to the present research. The literature reviewed in the present research revealed and identified the inconsistencies that exist between the "new" Companies Act, 71 of 2008 and the Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962, specifically the inconsistencies that exist in respect of the newly introduced amalgamation or merger provisions as set out in the "new" Companies Act. Moreover, this research was undertaken to identify the potential tax implications insofar as they relate to amalgamation transactions and, in particular, the potential tax implications where such transactions, because of the anomalies, fall outside the ambit section 44 of the Income Tax Act, which would in normal circumstances provide for tax "rollover relief". In this regard, the present research identified the possible income tax, capital gains tax, value-added tax, transfer duty tax and securities transfer tax affected by an amalgamation transaction, on the assumption that the "rollover relief" in section 44 of the Income Tax Act does not apply.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Influences on productivity of construction projects with particular reference to core labour, unskilled labour and leadership style of managers
- Authors: Mathura, Gonasagree Sindy
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Labor productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Unskilled labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Construction workers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6851 , vital:21154
- Description: Construction productivity is an interesting phenomenon which was an initial study into time and motion. However this remains a vital part of the construction industry today as it takes into consideration cost-savings, a precise timeous delivery of projects and the correct usage of materials. This phenomenon itself is a huge challenge to many companies in South Africa. The construction industry in South Africa is seen as a tool to alleviate the increasing unemployment and poverty levels. The ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), has made statements to decrease the unemployment rate and due to these promises, the imposition of the use of local unskilled labour from the local communities has become the norm on the majority of construction projects. This formed the basis of the Expanded Public Works Programme. This initiative has indeed shown a huge success but the programme lacks long-term support. The majority of these workers are taken on short-term projects and thereafter the workers are returned to the unemployment pool. The workers are also aware of the short-term projects and therefore there is a lack of motivation which inevitably affects the productivity on any construction site. This study looks at the challenges faced by contractor's in the Eastern Cape and analyses the effects of the use of unskilled labour from the local community. Questionnaires were completed as a measurement instrument to determine the motivation, leadership style and the communication levels among the unskilled, core and the managers on construction projects. The productivity achievements of the unskilled labour and the core labour will be measured and compared and the findings are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mathura, Gonasagree Sindy
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Labor productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Unskilled labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Construction workers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6851 , vital:21154
- Description: Construction productivity is an interesting phenomenon which was an initial study into time and motion. However this remains a vital part of the construction industry today as it takes into consideration cost-savings, a precise timeous delivery of projects and the correct usage of materials. This phenomenon itself is a huge challenge to many companies in South Africa. The construction industry in South Africa is seen as a tool to alleviate the increasing unemployment and poverty levels. The ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), has made statements to decrease the unemployment rate and due to these promises, the imposition of the use of local unskilled labour from the local communities has become the norm on the majority of construction projects. This formed the basis of the Expanded Public Works Programme. This initiative has indeed shown a huge success but the programme lacks long-term support. The majority of these workers are taken on short-term projects and thereafter the workers are returned to the unemployment pool. The workers are also aware of the short-term projects and therefore there is a lack of motivation which inevitably affects the productivity on any construction site. This study looks at the challenges faced by contractor's in the Eastern Cape and analyses the effects of the use of unskilled labour from the local community. Questionnaires were completed as a measurement instrument to determine the motivation, leadership style and the communication levels among the unskilled, core and the managers on construction projects. The productivity achievements of the unskilled labour and the core labour will be measured and compared and the findings are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Carbon nanotube-enhanced photoelectrochemical properties of metallo-octacarboxyphthalocyanines
- Mphahlele, Nonhlanhla E., Roux, Lukas Le, Jafta, Charl J., Cele, Leskey, Mathe, Mkhulu K., Nyokong, Tebello, Kobayashi, Nagao, Ozoemena, Kenneth I.
- Authors: Mphahlele, Nonhlanhla E. , Roux, Lukas Le , Jafta, Charl J. , Cele, Leskey , Mathe, Mkhulu K. , Nyokong, Tebello , Kobayashi, Nagao , Ozoemena, Kenneth I.
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7312 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020538
- Description: The photoelectrochemistry of metallo-octacarboxyphthalocyanines (MOCPc, where M = Zn or Si(OH)2) integrated with MWCNTs for the development of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is reported. The DSSC performance (obtained from the photo-chronoamperometric and photo-impedimetric data) decreased as ZnOCPc > (OH)2SiOCPc. The incorporation of the MWCNTs on the surface of the TiO2 film (MOCPc–MWCNT systems) gave higher photocurrent density than the bare MOCPc complexes. Also, from the EIS results, the MOCPc–MWCNT hybrids gave faster charge transport kinetics (approximately three times faster) compared to the bare MOCPc complexes. The electron lifetime was slightly longer (ca. 6 ms) at the ZnOCPc systems than at the (OH)2SiOCPc system (ca. 4 ms) meaning that the presence of the MWCNTs on the surface of the TiO2 film did not show any significant improvement on preventing charge recombination process. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10853-013-7710-1
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Mphahlele, Nonhlanhla E. , Roux, Lukas Le , Jafta, Charl J. , Cele, Leskey , Mathe, Mkhulu K. , Nyokong, Tebello , Kobayashi, Nagao , Ozoemena, Kenneth I.
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7312 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020538
- Description: The photoelectrochemistry of metallo-octacarboxyphthalocyanines (MOCPc, where M = Zn or Si(OH)2) integrated with MWCNTs for the development of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is reported. The DSSC performance (obtained from the photo-chronoamperometric and photo-impedimetric data) decreased as ZnOCPc > (OH)2SiOCPc. The incorporation of the MWCNTs on the surface of the TiO2 film (MOCPc–MWCNT systems) gave higher photocurrent density than the bare MOCPc complexes. Also, from the EIS results, the MOCPc–MWCNT hybrids gave faster charge transport kinetics (approximately three times faster) compared to the bare MOCPc complexes. The electron lifetime was slightly longer (ca. 6 ms) at the ZnOCPc systems than at the (OH)2SiOCPc system (ca. 4 ms) meaning that the presence of the MWCNTs on the surface of the TiO2 film did not show any significant improvement on preventing charge recombination process. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10853-013-7710-1
- Full Text: false
The influence of viewing context on meaning making : a reception study of the popular drama series Intersexions in Ginsberg township
- Authors: Ponono, Mvuzo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Intersexions (Television program) , Meaning (Psychology) , Context effects (Psychology) , Television programs -- South Africa , Television -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Television viewers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Television viewers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Attitudes , Educational television programs -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) in mass media -- South Africa , South Africa -- Social life and customs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3528 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013093
- Description: This study examines the home as a context of viewing for the television programme Intersexions in the township of Ginsberg in the Eastern Cape. The central question asked is whether the household influences the interpretation of the programme. The research was mainly conducted through ethnographical methods of participant observation and focus group interviews. Six families were observed and six gender-based focus groups convened. Drawing from the work of Morley (1986) and Lull (1990) that argues that the home be taken more seriously as a context of viewing; this study posits that the home is a rule-bound micro-society that influences the interpretation of media messages. As a starting point, this study contends with the arguments that the South African government has been slow to acknowledge the extent of the problem presented by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Much has been written about the inefficiency of state efforts to educate the public, with some pundits suggesting that government communications strategies have largely been outdated and thus resisted by audiences (Treffry-Goatley, Mahlinza & Imrie, 2013). To counter the pandemic, a large number of independent educational television serials have been launched in South Africa, and met with popular appeal since 1994. Furthermore, this development is in line with global trends of high audience ratings for Entertainment- Education (EE) programmes (Singhal et al., 1993). To investigate complex issue of EE reception by audiences in this burgeoning area of study, the programme at the centre of this study, Intersexions, is a good example. The serial, which concluded its second season in August 2013, is second to only the established soap opera, Generations, in television ratings in South Africa. Therefore, the impressive ratings garnered by educational serials in South Africa are a chance for audience studies to study audiences in context. This research investigates Intersexions using the understanding that television audiences must be analysed in "cultural and historic specific" sites because the struggle to make meanings of texts takes place at the moment when the text and subject meet (Fiske, 1987). This research investigates the assumption that the meanings made by audiences depend not just on the text, but also on environment. This means that the research delves into the situational context in which media are used and interpreted. Therefore, the central aim of this study is to analyse television viewing of the entertainment education programme, Intersexions, in the natural setting of the home, which is in line with analysing television viewers in cultural and historically specific sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Ponono, Mvuzo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Intersexions (Television program) , Meaning (Psychology) , Context effects (Psychology) , Television programs -- South Africa , Television -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Television viewers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Television viewers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Attitudes , Educational television programs -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) in mass media -- South Africa , South Africa -- Social life and customs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3528 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013093
- Description: This study examines the home as a context of viewing for the television programme Intersexions in the township of Ginsberg in the Eastern Cape. The central question asked is whether the household influences the interpretation of the programme. The research was mainly conducted through ethnographical methods of participant observation and focus group interviews. Six families were observed and six gender-based focus groups convened. Drawing from the work of Morley (1986) and Lull (1990) that argues that the home be taken more seriously as a context of viewing; this study posits that the home is a rule-bound micro-society that influences the interpretation of media messages. As a starting point, this study contends with the arguments that the South African government has been slow to acknowledge the extent of the problem presented by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Much has been written about the inefficiency of state efforts to educate the public, with some pundits suggesting that government communications strategies have largely been outdated and thus resisted by audiences (Treffry-Goatley, Mahlinza & Imrie, 2013). To counter the pandemic, a large number of independent educational television serials have been launched in South Africa, and met with popular appeal since 1994. Furthermore, this development is in line with global trends of high audience ratings for Entertainment- Education (EE) programmes (Singhal et al., 1993). To investigate complex issue of EE reception by audiences in this burgeoning area of study, the programme at the centre of this study, Intersexions, is a good example. The serial, which concluded its second season in August 2013, is second to only the established soap opera, Generations, in television ratings in South Africa. Therefore, the impressive ratings garnered by educational serials in South Africa are a chance for audience studies to study audiences in context. This research investigates Intersexions using the understanding that television audiences must be analysed in "cultural and historic specific" sites because the struggle to make meanings of texts takes place at the moment when the text and subject meet (Fiske, 1987). This research investigates the assumption that the meanings made by audiences depend not just on the text, but also on environment. This means that the research delves into the situational context in which media are used and interpreted. Therefore, the central aim of this study is to analyse television viewing of the entertainment education programme, Intersexions, in the natural setting of the home, which is in line with analysing television viewers in cultural and historically specific sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The interface of history and fiction in Russel Brownlee’s Garden of the plagues, Ingrid Winterbach’s To hell With Cronjé, and Etienne van Heerden’s The long silence of Mario Salviati
- Authors: Wyrill, Beth Alexandra
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Brownlee, Russel -- Criticism and interpretation , Winterbach, Ingrid -- Criticism and interpretation , Van Heerden, Etienne, 1954- -- Criticism and interpretation , South African fiction (English) -- History and criticism , South African fiction (English) -- 20th century -- History and criticism , African fiction (English) -- 21st century -- History and criticism , Brownlee, Russel -- Garden of the plagues , Winterbach, Ingrid -- Niggie -- English , Van Heerden, Etienne, 1954- -- Swye van Mario Salviati -- English , Historical fiction -- History and criticism , Magic realism (Literature)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2323 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015517
- Description: Both historiographical and literary practices have undergone revision in recent years in attempting to address the inheritance of nineteenth-century realism. Since the object of realist stylistics, employed in both the writing of fiction and history, is to render authorship authoritative or even invisible, the ideological import of these narratives is often such that the constructedness of the historical record and its absences are veiled. In developments beginning in the 1980s with the advent of ‘New Historicism’ and with the emergence of postmodern literary techniques, the interface of literature and history became of seminal importance, since both were now credited as being products of narrative and discourse, and hence, to varying degrees, of the literary imagination. This movement intersects interestingly with developments in postcolonial studies, since it is the voices of the marginalized and disempowered colonized peoples that are routinely co-opted and excised from nineteenth-century realist histories. These concerns are now being fully explored in the literature of the contemporary post-transitional South African moment, since authors in this country seemingly now feel freed up to look back to histories that precede the immediate traumas of apartheid. The concern, in relation to apartheid developments but also on a broader universal scale, is this: if history is viewed as perpetual emergences of modernities, then one of the great absences in the record is the historical determinants of any given epistemology. The attempt to recreate such an epistemological genealogy is thus simultaneously postcolonial, historiographical, and literary. Russel Brownlee’s Garden of the Plagues (2005), Ingrid Winterbach’s To Hell with Cronjé (2010), and Etienne van Heerden’s The Long Silence of Mario Salviati (2002) attempt to bridge this gap in the recorded sensibilities of any historical moment by representing a ‘lived experience’ of the past, and in the process imaginatively recreating the cultural, historical and psychological locations of the proponents of an emerging modernity. This study concerns itself with the ways in which these authors address the influence of realist historiography through the use of literary innovations that allow for the departure from realist stylistics. Most commonly, all three authors draw on forms of magic realism, but multiple refigurings and recombinations of notions of temporality, narrative, and characterization likewise work to defamiliarize the once stable discourse of history.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Wyrill, Beth Alexandra
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Brownlee, Russel -- Criticism and interpretation , Winterbach, Ingrid -- Criticism and interpretation , Van Heerden, Etienne, 1954- -- Criticism and interpretation , South African fiction (English) -- History and criticism , South African fiction (English) -- 20th century -- History and criticism , African fiction (English) -- 21st century -- History and criticism , Brownlee, Russel -- Garden of the plagues , Winterbach, Ingrid -- Niggie -- English , Van Heerden, Etienne, 1954- -- Swye van Mario Salviati -- English , Historical fiction -- History and criticism , Magic realism (Literature)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2323 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015517
- Description: Both historiographical and literary practices have undergone revision in recent years in attempting to address the inheritance of nineteenth-century realism. Since the object of realist stylistics, employed in both the writing of fiction and history, is to render authorship authoritative or even invisible, the ideological import of these narratives is often such that the constructedness of the historical record and its absences are veiled. In developments beginning in the 1980s with the advent of ‘New Historicism’ and with the emergence of postmodern literary techniques, the interface of literature and history became of seminal importance, since both were now credited as being products of narrative and discourse, and hence, to varying degrees, of the literary imagination. This movement intersects interestingly with developments in postcolonial studies, since it is the voices of the marginalized and disempowered colonized peoples that are routinely co-opted and excised from nineteenth-century realist histories. These concerns are now being fully explored in the literature of the contemporary post-transitional South African moment, since authors in this country seemingly now feel freed up to look back to histories that precede the immediate traumas of apartheid. The concern, in relation to apartheid developments but also on a broader universal scale, is this: if history is viewed as perpetual emergences of modernities, then one of the great absences in the record is the historical determinants of any given epistemology. The attempt to recreate such an epistemological genealogy is thus simultaneously postcolonial, historiographical, and literary. Russel Brownlee’s Garden of the Plagues (2005), Ingrid Winterbach’s To Hell with Cronjé (2010), and Etienne van Heerden’s The Long Silence of Mario Salviati (2002) attempt to bridge this gap in the recorded sensibilities of any historical moment by representing a ‘lived experience’ of the past, and in the process imaginatively recreating the cultural, historical and psychological locations of the proponents of an emerging modernity. This study concerns itself with the ways in which these authors address the influence of realist historiography through the use of literary innovations that allow for the departure from realist stylistics. Most commonly, all three authors draw on forms of magic realism, but multiple refigurings and recombinations of notions of temporality, narrative, and characterization likewise work to defamiliarize the once stable discourse of history.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Die ervaring van die geregistreerde verpleegkundedosent ten opsigte van die kliniese begeleiding van verpleegstudente
- Authors: De Wet, Annemie
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Nursing students , Mentoring in nursing -- South Africa
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10053 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1018275
- Description: Die doel van die studie was om vas te stel hoe die verpleegkundedosent die begeleiding van verpleegstudente in die praktyk ervaar. In die verlede was begeleiding van verpleegstudente met praktika in gesondheidsorginstansies deur ʼn professionele verpleegkundige gedoen wat deel was van die personeel se verantwoordelikhede. Die verpleegstudente doen hul teoretiese kennis op by ʼn tersiêre instansie en verkry hul praktiese kennis by ʼn geakkrediteerde gesondheidsorginstansie soos vereis deur die Suid-Afrikaanse Raad op Verpleging (SARV). Een van die take van ‘n verpleegkundedosent van die privaat opleidingskool is om die kliniese begeleiding van verpleegstudente in geakkrediteerde instellings te doen. Omdat verpleging ʼn beroep is waar vaardighede belangrik is, is praktiese inoefening van prosedures en evaluering van die verpleegstudente se vaardigheid daarin noodsaaklik. Die verpleegstudente is heeltyd besig met die pasiënte in die vorm van prosedures waarby die teorie wat in die opleidingskool verkry was, gekorreleer moet word met die prosedure om die hele prentjie te vorm. Dit is dus nodig dat begeleiding van die verpleegstudente gedoen moet word om vaardigheid en toepassing van kennis te verseker. Die navorser het ʼn kwalitatiewe, ondersoekende, beskrywende en kontekstuele studie gedoen waarvan die populasie die geregistreerde dosente van verskeie provinsiale en privaatverpleegskole in die Klein-Karoo en Suid-kaapdistrikte was. Die navorser het gebruik gemaak van ʼn nie-waarskynlike steekproef. Inligtingryke data was ingesamel deur semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude wat aangevul was met veldnotas soos verkry tydens onderhoude. Data-ontleding was reeds begin met data-insameling en Tesch se inhoudsontleding was gebruik om ʼn mening te vorm. ‘n Literatuurkontrole was gedoen om te bepaal wat vorige navorsing oor begeleiding bevind en aanbeveel het. Lincoln en Guba se model was gebruik vir betroubaarheidsversekering volgens die kriteria wat hulle aanbeveel het, naamlik geloofwaardigheid, oordraagbaarheid, betroubaarheid en bevestigbaarheid. Uit die data-ontleding het vier belangrike temas en subtemas te voorskyn gekom. Die temas was dat die verpleegkundedosente aspekte van die begeleiding van verpleegstudente in die gesondheidsorginstansie as positief en ook as negatief beleef. Die wyse waarop die gesondheidsorginstansies bestuur word, het die begeleiding beïnvloed en daar was riglyne voorgestel wat die kliniese personeel en dosente kan rig wanneer hulle betrokke raak by die begeleiding van verpleegstudente. Die begeleiding van verpleegstudente deur verpleegkundedosente, kliniese dosente en die gesondheidsorginstansie se opgeleide personeel, is ʼn belangrike deel van verpleegopleiding en bepaal uiteindelik die kwaliteit van die pasiëntsorg wat verskaf word deur die verpleegkundiges. Die navorser het riglyne daar gestel om die begeleiding van vepleegstudente te rig. Die riglyne moet nou geïmplementeer en getoets word binne die konteks van die bepaalde verpleegskole en dan weer geëvalueer word. Beperkings wat ondervind was in die studie was dat die steekproef ʼn klein groepie verpleegkundedosente op die platteland was, wat veralgemening bemoeilik, veral in die stedelike konteks. Die begeleiding van die verpleegstudente is gedoen met die ingeskrewe verpleegstudente (Die Suid-Afrikaanse Raad op Verpleging Regulasies, Regulasie 2176 en 2175 van 19 November 1993), naamlik die kategorie met die minste status en verantwoordelikheid onder verpleegstudente. Veralgemening na alle kategorieë, veral verpleegstudente besig met professionele verpleegprogramme, mag dus nie sinvol wees nie.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: De Wet, Annemie
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Nursing students , Mentoring in nursing -- South Africa
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10053 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1018275
- Description: Die doel van die studie was om vas te stel hoe die verpleegkundedosent die begeleiding van verpleegstudente in die praktyk ervaar. In die verlede was begeleiding van verpleegstudente met praktika in gesondheidsorginstansies deur ʼn professionele verpleegkundige gedoen wat deel was van die personeel se verantwoordelikhede. Die verpleegstudente doen hul teoretiese kennis op by ʼn tersiêre instansie en verkry hul praktiese kennis by ʼn geakkrediteerde gesondheidsorginstansie soos vereis deur die Suid-Afrikaanse Raad op Verpleging (SARV). Een van die take van ‘n verpleegkundedosent van die privaat opleidingskool is om die kliniese begeleiding van verpleegstudente in geakkrediteerde instellings te doen. Omdat verpleging ʼn beroep is waar vaardighede belangrik is, is praktiese inoefening van prosedures en evaluering van die verpleegstudente se vaardigheid daarin noodsaaklik. Die verpleegstudente is heeltyd besig met die pasiënte in die vorm van prosedures waarby die teorie wat in die opleidingskool verkry was, gekorreleer moet word met die prosedure om die hele prentjie te vorm. Dit is dus nodig dat begeleiding van die verpleegstudente gedoen moet word om vaardigheid en toepassing van kennis te verseker. Die navorser het ʼn kwalitatiewe, ondersoekende, beskrywende en kontekstuele studie gedoen waarvan die populasie die geregistreerde dosente van verskeie provinsiale en privaatverpleegskole in die Klein-Karoo en Suid-kaapdistrikte was. Die navorser het gebruik gemaak van ʼn nie-waarskynlike steekproef. Inligtingryke data was ingesamel deur semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude wat aangevul was met veldnotas soos verkry tydens onderhoude. Data-ontleding was reeds begin met data-insameling en Tesch se inhoudsontleding was gebruik om ʼn mening te vorm. ‘n Literatuurkontrole was gedoen om te bepaal wat vorige navorsing oor begeleiding bevind en aanbeveel het. Lincoln en Guba se model was gebruik vir betroubaarheidsversekering volgens die kriteria wat hulle aanbeveel het, naamlik geloofwaardigheid, oordraagbaarheid, betroubaarheid en bevestigbaarheid. Uit die data-ontleding het vier belangrike temas en subtemas te voorskyn gekom. Die temas was dat die verpleegkundedosente aspekte van die begeleiding van verpleegstudente in die gesondheidsorginstansie as positief en ook as negatief beleef. Die wyse waarop die gesondheidsorginstansies bestuur word, het die begeleiding beïnvloed en daar was riglyne voorgestel wat die kliniese personeel en dosente kan rig wanneer hulle betrokke raak by die begeleiding van verpleegstudente. Die begeleiding van verpleegstudente deur verpleegkundedosente, kliniese dosente en die gesondheidsorginstansie se opgeleide personeel, is ʼn belangrike deel van verpleegopleiding en bepaal uiteindelik die kwaliteit van die pasiëntsorg wat verskaf word deur die verpleegkundiges. Die navorser het riglyne daar gestel om die begeleiding van vepleegstudente te rig. Die riglyne moet nou geïmplementeer en getoets word binne die konteks van die bepaalde verpleegskole en dan weer geëvalueer word. Beperkings wat ondervind was in die studie was dat die steekproef ʼn klein groepie verpleegkundedosente op die platteland was, wat veralgemening bemoeilik, veral in die stedelike konteks. Die begeleiding van die verpleegstudente is gedoen met die ingeskrewe verpleegstudente (Die Suid-Afrikaanse Raad op Verpleging Regulasies, Regulasie 2176 en 2175 van 19 November 1993), naamlik die kategorie met die minste status en verantwoordelikheid onder verpleegstudente. Veralgemening na alle kategorieë, veral verpleegstudente besig met professionele verpleegprogramme, mag dus nie sinvol wees nie.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Screening of entomopathogenic fungi against citrus mealybug (Planococcus citri (Risso)) and citrus thrips (Scirtothrips aurantii (Faure))
- FitzGerald, Véronique Chartier
- Authors: FitzGerald, Véronique Chartier
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Entomopathogenic fungi , Citrus mealybug -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Citrus thrips -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Citrus -- Diseases and pests , Citrus mealybug -- Biological control , Citrus thrips -- Biological control , Biological pest control agents , Scanning electron microscopy , Mycoses
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4166 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020887
- Description: Mealybugs (Planococcus citri) and thrips (Scirtothrips aurantii) are common and extremely damaging citrus crop pests which have proven difficult to control via conventional methods, such as chemical pesticides and insect growth regulators. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi against these pests in laboratory bioassays. Isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana from citrus orchards in the Eastern Cape, South Africa were maintained on Sabouraud Dextrose 4% Agar supplemented with Dodine, chloramphenicol and rifampicin at 25°C. Infectivity of the fungal isolates was initially assessed using 5th instar false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta, larvae. Mealybug bioassays were performed in 24 well plates using 1 x 107 ml-1 conidial suspensions and kept at 26°C for 5 days with a photoperiod of 12 L:12 D. A Beauveria commercial product and an un-inoculated control were also screened for comparison. Isolates GAR 17 B3 (B. bassiana) and FCM AR 23 B3 (M. anisopliae) both resulted in 67.5% mealybug crawler mortality and GB AR 23 13 3 (B. bassiana) resulted in 64% crawler mortality. These 3 isolates were further tested in dose-dependent assays. Probit analyses were conducted on the dose-dependent assays data using PROBAN to determine LC₅₀ values. For both the mealybug adult and crawlers FCM AR 23 B3 required the lowest concentration to achieve LC₅₀ at 4.96 x 10⁶ conidia ml-1 and 5.29 x 10⁵ conidia ml-1, respectively. Bioassays on adult thrips were conducted in munger cells with leaf buds inoculated with the conidial suspensions. Isolate GAR 17 B3 had the highest mortality rate at 70% on thrips while FCM AR 23 B3 resulted in 60% mortality. Identification of the isolates, FCM AR 23 B3, GAR 17 B3 and GB AR 23 13 3, were confirmed to be correct using both microscopic and molecularly techniques. ITS sequences were compared to other sequences from GenBank and confirmed phylogenetically using MEGA6. Mealybug infection was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, mycosis was confirmed but the infection process could not be followed due to the extensive waxy cuticle. These results indicate that there is potential for the isolates FCM AR 23 B3 and GAR 17 B3 to be developed as biological control agents for the control of citrus mealybug and thrips. Further research would be required to determine their ability to perform under field conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: FitzGerald, Véronique Chartier
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Entomopathogenic fungi , Citrus mealybug -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Citrus thrips -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Citrus -- Diseases and pests , Citrus mealybug -- Biological control , Citrus thrips -- Biological control , Biological pest control agents , Scanning electron microscopy , Mycoses
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4166 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020887
- Description: Mealybugs (Planococcus citri) and thrips (Scirtothrips aurantii) are common and extremely damaging citrus crop pests which have proven difficult to control via conventional methods, such as chemical pesticides and insect growth regulators. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi against these pests in laboratory bioassays. Isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana from citrus orchards in the Eastern Cape, South Africa were maintained on Sabouraud Dextrose 4% Agar supplemented with Dodine, chloramphenicol and rifampicin at 25°C. Infectivity of the fungal isolates was initially assessed using 5th instar false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta, larvae. Mealybug bioassays were performed in 24 well plates using 1 x 107 ml-1 conidial suspensions and kept at 26°C for 5 days with a photoperiod of 12 L:12 D. A Beauveria commercial product and an un-inoculated control were also screened for comparison. Isolates GAR 17 B3 (B. bassiana) and FCM AR 23 B3 (M. anisopliae) both resulted in 67.5% mealybug crawler mortality and GB AR 23 13 3 (B. bassiana) resulted in 64% crawler mortality. These 3 isolates were further tested in dose-dependent assays. Probit analyses were conducted on the dose-dependent assays data using PROBAN to determine LC₅₀ values. For both the mealybug adult and crawlers FCM AR 23 B3 required the lowest concentration to achieve LC₅₀ at 4.96 x 10⁶ conidia ml-1 and 5.29 x 10⁵ conidia ml-1, respectively. Bioassays on adult thrips were conducted in munger cells with leaf buds inoculated with the conidial suspensions. Isolate GAR 17 B3 had the highest mortality rate at 70% on thrips while FCM AR 23 B3 resulted in 60% mortality. Identification of the isolates, FCM AR 23 B3, GAR 17 B3 and GB AR 23 13 3, were confirmed to be correct using both microscopic and molecularly techniques. ITS sequences were compared to other sequences from GenBank and confirmed phylogenetically using MEGA6. Mealybug infection was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, mycosis was confirmed but the infection process could not be followed due to the extensive waxy cuticle. These results indicate that there is potential for the isolates FCM AR 23 B3 and GAR 17 B3 to be developed as biological control agents for the control of citrus mealybug and thrips. Further research would be required to determine their ability to perform under field conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
A mobile phone solution for ad-hoc hitch-hiking in South Africa
- Authors: Miteche, Sacha Patrick
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Cell phones -- Information services , Cell phone users -- South Africa , Hitchhiking -- South Africa , Mobile communication systems -- Social aspects , Digital media -- South Africa , Information technology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4702 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013340
- Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of mobile phones in organizing ad-hoc vehicle ridesharing based on hitch-hiking trips involving private car drivers and commuters in South Africa. A study was conducted to learn how hitch-hiking trips are arranged in the urban and rural areas of the Eastern Cape. This involved carrying out interviews with hitch-hikers and participating in several trips. The study results provided the design specifications for a Dynamic Ridesharing System (DRS) tailor-made to the hitch-hiking culture of this context. The design of the DRS considered the delivery of the ad-hoc ridesharing service to the anticipated mobile phones owned by people who use hitch-hiking. The implementation of the system used the available open source solutions and guidelines under the Siyakhula Living Lab project, which promotes the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in marginalized communities of South Africa. The developed prototype was tested in both the simulated and live environments, then followed by usability tests to establish the viability of the system. The results from the tests indicate an initial breakthrough in the process of modernizing the ad-hoc ridesharing of hitch-hiking which is used by a section of people in the urban and rural areas of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Miteche, Sacha Patrick
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Cell phones -- Information services , Cell phone users -- South Africa , Hitchhiking -- South Africa , Mobile communication systems -- Social aspects , Digital media -- South Africa , Information technology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4702 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013340
- Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of mobile phones in organizing ad-hoc vehicle ridesharing based on hitch-hiking trips involving private car drivers and commuters in South Africa. A study was conducted to learn how hitch-hiking trips are arranged in the urban and rural areas of the Eastern Cape. This involved carrying out interviews with hitch-hikers and participating in several trips. The study results provided the design specifications for a Dynamic Ridesharing System (DRS) tailor-made to the hitch-hiking culture of this context. The design of the DRS considered the delivery of the ad-hoc ridesharing service to the anticipated mobile phones owned by people who use hitch-hiking. The implementation of the system used the available open source solutions and guidelines under the Siyakhula Living Lab project, which promotes the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in marginalized communities of South Africa. The developed prototype was tested in both the simulated and live environments, then followed by usability tests to establish the viability of the system. The results from the tests indicate an initial breakthrough in the process of modernizing the ad-hoc ridesharing of hitch-hiking which is used by a section of people in the urban and rural areas of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Challenging desire : performing whiteness in post-apartheid South Africa
- Authors: Smit, Sonja
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Performance art -- South Africa , Bailey, Brett, 1967- , Cohen, Steven, 1962- , Antwoord (Musical group) , MacGarry, Michael , Eurocentrism -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2164 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016358
- Description: The central argument of this thesis asserts that in the process of challenging dominant subject positions, such as whiteness, performance creates the possibilities for new or alternative arrangements of desire. It examines how the creative process of desire is forestalled (reified) by habitual representations of whiteness as a privileged position, and proposes that performance can be a valid form of resistance to static conceptions of race and subjectivity. The discussion takes into account how the privilege of whiteness finds representation through forms of neo-liberalism and neo-colonialism in the post apartheid context. The analysis focuses on the work of white South African artists whose work offers a critique from within the privileged “centre” of whiteness. The research is situated within the inter-disciplinary field of performance studies entailing a reading and application of critical texts to the analysis. Alongside this qualitative methodology surfaces a subjective dialogue with the information presented on whiteness. Part Two includes an analysis of Steven Cohen’s The Cradle of Humankind (2011), Brett Bailey’s Exhibit A (2011) and Michael MacGarry’s LHR-JNB (2010). Each section examines the way in which the respective works engage in a questioning of whiteness through performance. Part Three investigates South African rap-rave duo, Die Antwoord and how their appropriation of Zef interrogates desires for an essential authenticity. Part Four focuses on my own performance practice and the proposed value of engaging with a form of practice-led research. This is particularly relevant in relation to critical race studies that require a level of self-reflexivity from the researcher. It presents an analysis of the work entitled Villain (2012) as a disturbance of theatrical desire through a process of ‘becoming’. This notion of meaning and identity as ‘becoming’ is argued as a strategy to challenge prevailing modes of perception which can possibly restore the production of desire to the viewer. The thesis concludes with the notion that performance can offer a mode of immanent ethics which is significant in creating both vulnerable and critical forms of whiteness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Smit, Sonja
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Performance art -- South Africa , Bailey, Brett, 1967- , Cohen, Steven, 1962- , Antwoord (Musical group) , MacGarry, Michael , Eurocentrism -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2164 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016358
- Description: The central argument of this thesis asserts that in the process of challenging dominant subject positions, such as whiteness, performance creates the possibilities for new or alternative arrangements of desire. It examines how the creative process of desire is forestalled (reified) by habitual representations of whiteness as a privileged position, and proposes that performance can be a valid form of resistance to static conceptions of race and subjectivity. The discussion takes into account how the privilege of whiteness finds representation through forms of neo-liberalism and neo-colonialism in the post apartheid context. The analysis focuses on the work of white South African artists whose work offers a critique from within the privileged “centre” of whiteness. The research is situated within the inter-disciplinary field of performance studies entailing a reading and application of critical texts to the analysis. Alongside this qualitative methodology surfaces a subjective dialogue with the information presented on whiteness. Part Two includes an analysis of Steven Cohen’s The Cradle of Humankind (2011), Brett Bailey’s Exhibit A (2011) and Michael MacGarry’s LHR-JNB (2010). Each section examines the way in which the respective works engage in a questioning of whiteness through performance. Part Three investigates South African rap-rave duo, Die Antwoord and how their appropriation of Zef interrogates desires for an essential authenticity. Part Four focuses on my own performance practice and the proposed value of engaging with a form of practice-led research. This is particularly relevant in relation to critical race studies that require a level of self-reflexivity from the researcher. It presents an analysis of the work entitled Villain (2012) as a disturbance of theatrical desire through a process of ‘becoming’. This notion of meaning and identity as ‘becoming’ is argued as a strategy to challenge prevailing modes of perception which can possibly restore the production of desire to the viewer. The thesis concludes with the notion that performance can offer a mode of immanent ethics which is significant in creating both vulnerable and critical forms of whiteness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Ordinary people and the media: the demotic turn
- Authors: Garman, Anthea
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/159880 , vital:40352 , DOI: 10.1080/02560054.2014.886661
- Description: In this latest book, Graeme Turner, who we have come to know as a thoughtful, perceptive and questioning cultural studies theorist, investigates what the crucial underlying shift is in the relation between the media and the people. This shift is evidenced by the increasing visibility of ordinary people (and their experiences and opinions) in what we consume. At the outset he sums up what he sees as a structural move from media as ‘mediator or perhaps a broadcaster of cultural identities’ to ‘translator or even an author of identities’ (p. 3).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Garman, Anthea
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/159880 , vital:40352 , DOI: 10.1080/02560054.2014.886661
- Description: In this latest book, Graeme Turner, who we have come to know as a thoughtful, perceptive and questioning cultural studies theorist, investigates what the crucial underlying shift is in the relation between the media and the people. This shift is evidenced by the increasing visibility of ordinary people (and their experiences and opinions) in what we consume. At the outset he sums up what he sees as a structural move from media as ‘mediator or perhaps a broadcaster of cultural identities’ to ‘translator or even an author of identities’ (p. 3).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Michael Jackson : a psychobiography
- Authors: Ruiters, Jeremy John
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Jackson, Michael, 1958-2009 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Psychoanalysis , African American singers -- Biography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3228 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013061
- Description: In a psychobiography a psychological theory is used as a framework to uncover the story of an individual. The psychobiographical approach to research tends to be underutilised. The result of this is that an important area for the application of psychobiographical theory and the study of completed lives is neglected. The value of psychobiographical studies has been advocated by many scholars in the field of psychobiographical research for the development and testing of theories relating to human development. The subject under investigation in this psychobiography is Michael Jackson. Although much has been written about Jackson, not much of the existing literature adopts a psychological focus. The sampling procedure was purposive, as the subject was deliberately selected. The aim of this research was to explore and describe the life of Jackson through the use of the psychobiographical case method. Life history material in the form of biographies, newspaper articles, documentaries and interviews aided in creating a biographical sketch of Jackson's life. The progression of Jackson's personality development was analysed using Erikson’s psychosocial development theory. The data collection and analysis were conducted according to Yin's analytical generalisation which consists of two main strategies: (1) using a theoretical framework as a guide to determine what data are relevant, and (2) developing a matrix as a descriptive framework for organising and integrating the data. Furthermore, the process of data analysis was aided by the use of guidelines prepared by Alexander with Erikson’s psychosocial development as the theoretical framework. This research undertaking can be recognised as a positive demonstration of the value of Erikson’s psychosocial developmental theory in understanding the process of Michael Jackson's personality development. Recommendations regarding future research that utilises the psychobiographical research design and methodology have been made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Ruiters, Jeremy John
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Jackson, Michael, 1958-2009 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Psychoanalysis , African American singers -- Biography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3228 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013061
- Description: In a psychobiography a psychological theory is used as a framework to uncover the story of an individual. The psychobiographical approach to research tends to be underutilised. The result of this is that an important area for the application of psychobiographical theory and the study of completed lives is neglected. The value of psychobiographical studies has been advocated by many scholars in the field of psychobiographical research for the development and testing of theories relating to human development. The subject under investigation in this psychobiography is Michael Jackson. Although much has been written about Jackson, not much of the existing literature adopts a psychological focus. The sampling procedure was purposive, as the subject was deliberately selected. The aim of this research was to explore and describe the life of Jackson through the use of the psychobiographical case method. Life history material in the form of biographies, newspaper articles, documentaries and interviews aided in creating a biographical sketch of Jackson's life. The progression of Jackson's personality development was analysed using Erikson’s psychosocial development theory. The data collection and analysis were conducted according to Yin's analytical generalisation which consists of two main strategies: (1) using a theoretical framework as a guide to determine what data are relevant, and (2) developing a matrix as a descriptive framework for organising and integrating the data. Furthermore, the process of data analysis was aided by the use of guidelines prepared by Alexander with Erikson’s psychosocial development as the theoretical framework. This research undertaking can be recognised as a positive demonstration of the value of Erikson’s psychosocial developmental theory in understanding the process of Michael Jackson's personality development. Recommendations regarding future research that utilises the psychobiographical research design and methodology have been made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Characterization of animal fibres
- Authors: Notayi, Mzwamadoda
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Animal fibres , Textile fabrics , Animal science
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10552 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020426
- Description: Identification of fibres, particularly in blends, requires knowledge of their characteristics. Individual Identifying features between wool and mohair fibres were investigated in this study using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared-Attenuated Total Reflection (FTIR-ATR), Fourier Transform Raman and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). This study confirmed that wool and mohair can be differentiated and identified in blends using the cuticle scale height (CSH) criterion, wool having an average CSH of 0.6 ± 0.1 μm and mohair having an average CSH of 0.4 ± 0.1 μm. The AFM provided highly reproducible CSH results, which also confirmed the SEM results that indeed wool and mohair could be differentiated using the CSH as criterion. The AFM gave a CSH value of 0.9 ± 0.2 μm for wool and 0.6 ± 0.2 μm for mohair, the difference between the two results being statistically significant according to the student t-test. It has been demonstrated that wool and mohair identification in blends is possible, by using the AFM to measure CSH, although the method is very time consuming and might be expensive. The FTIR-ATR showed similar spectra for wool and mohair fibres, confirming that the two fibre types consist of the same polymer material. Nevertheless, a difference was observed in the ratios of the relative intensities of the amide I (around 1630 cm-1) to the amide II (around 1515cm-1) absorption bands. The FT Raman provided similar spectra for the wool and mohair fibres, although a possible distinguishing feature between the two fibres could be the intensities of the alkyl side chains chemical band near 2940 cm-1 in the spectra of the two fibre types. According to the results obtained in this study, the FTIR-ATR and the FT Raman techniques may have potential for differentiating between wool and mohair but this requires further investigation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Notayi, Mzwamadoda
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Animal fibres , Textile fabrics , Animal science
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10552 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020426
- Description: Identification of fibres, particularly in blends, requires knowledge of their characteristics. Individual Identifying features between wool and mohair fibres were investigated in this study using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared-Attenuated Total Reflection (FTIR-ATR), Fourier Transform Raman and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). This study confirmed that wool and mohair can be differentiated and identified in blends using the cuticle scale height (CSH) criterion, wool having an average CSH of 0.6 ± 0.1 μm and mohair having an average CSH of 0.4 ± 0.1 μm. The AFM provided highly reproducible CSH results, which also confirmed the SEM results that indeed wool and mohair could be differentiated using the CSH as criterion. The AFM gave a CSH value of 0.9 ± 0.2 μm for wool and 0.6 ± 0.2 μm for mohair, the difference between the two results being statistically significant according to the student t-test. It has been demonstrated that wool and mohair identification in blends is possible, by using the AFM to measure CSH, although the method is very time consuming and might be expensive. The FTIR-ATR showed similar spectra for wool and mohair fibres, confirming that the two fibre types consist of the same polymer material. Nevertheless, a difference was observed in the ratios of the relative intensities of the amide I (around 1630 cm-1) to the amide II (around 1515cm-1) absorption bands. The FT Raman provided similar spectra for the wool and mohair fibres, although a possible distinguishing feature between the two fibres could be the intensities of the alkyl side chains chemical band near 2940 cm-1 in the spectra of the two fibre types. According to the results obtained in this study, the FTIR-ATR and the FT Raman techniques may have potential for differentiating between wool and mohair but this requires further investigation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Relative contribution of wild foods to individual and household food security in the context of increasing vulnerability due to HIV/AIDS and climate variability
- Abu-Basutu, Keitometsi Ngulube
- Authors: Abu-Basutu, Keitometsi Ngulube
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Wild foods -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa , Food supply -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Chronically ill -- South Africa -- Economic conditions , Chronically ill -- South Africa -- Social conditions , Food -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Food -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4774 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1010864 , Wild foods -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa , Food supply -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Chronically ill -- South Africa -- Economic conditions , Chronically ill -- South Africa -- Social conditions , Food -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Food -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Description: Wild foods are an integral component of the household food basket, yet their quantified contribution to food security relative to other sources in the context of HIV/AIDS, climate change and variability remains underexplored. This study was carried out in Willowvale and Lesseyton which are rural communities in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Willowvale is a relatively remote, medium-rainfall coastal community, while Lesseyton is a peri-urban low rainfall inland community. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect data from 78 HIV/AIDS afflicted households with 329 individuals and 87 non-afflicted households with 365 individuals in the two study sites. Households were visited quarterly over 12 months to assess food acquisition methods, dietary intake and quality, and levels of food security, and to determine strategies employed by households to cope with droughts. The wild foods investigated were wild meat, wild birds, wild fish, wild mushrooms, wild leafy vegetables and wild fruits. Diets were moderately well-balanced and limited in variety, with cereal items contributing 52 % to total calorie intake. Mid-upper arm circumference measurements showed that all respondents were adequately nourished. The bulk of the food consumed by households was purchased, with supplementation from own production, wild vegetables and wild fruits. In Willowvale, wild vegetables comprised 46 % of overall vegetable consumption for afflicted households and 32 % for non-afflicted households, while own fruit production comprised 100 % of fruit consumption. In Lesseyton, wild vegetables comprised only 6 % and 4 % of vegetable consumption for afflicted and non-afflicted households, while wild fruit comprised 63 % and 41 % for afflicted and non-afflicted households. More than 80 % of respondents from both afflicted and non-afflicted households had sufficient daily kilocalories, although the majority of afflicted households felt they were food insecure and sometimes collected wild foods as one of their multiple coping strategies. Hunting and gathering of wild foods was associated with site, household affliction status, gender, age and season. More than 80 % of respondents ate wild vegetables and said they were more drought tolerant than conventional vegetables, making them the most consumed wild food and approximately 16 % of respondents ate wild birds, making them the least consumed wild food. Approximately 14 % of respondents from afflicted households in Willowvale sold wild fish, whilst 34 % of respondents from afflicted households and 7 % from non-afflicted households sold wild fruits in Lesseyton. Strategies adopted by households to cope with droughts were different between the two study sites, and households in Willowvale used a wider range of strategies. Given the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS coupled with the drawbacks of climate change and variability on food security, wild foods represent a free and easy way for vulnerable households to obtain food.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Abu-Basutu, Keitometsi Ngulube
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Wild foods -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa , Food supply -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Chronically ill -- South Africa -- Economic conditions , Chronically ill -- South Africa -- Social conditions , Food -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Food -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4774 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1010864 , Wild foods -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa , Food supply -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Chronically ill -- South Africa -- Economic conditions , Chronically ill -- South Africa -- Social conditions , Food -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Food -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Description: Wild foods are an integral component of the household food basket, yet their quantified contribution to food security relative to other sources in the context of HIV/AIDS, climate change and variability remains underexplored. This study was carried out in Willowvale and Lesseyton which are rural communities in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Willowvale is a relatively remote, medium-rainfall coastal community, while Lesseyton is a peri-urban low rainfall inland community. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect data from 78 HIV/AIDS afflicted households with 329 individuals and 87 non-afflicted households with 365 individuals in the two study sites. Households were visited quarterly over 12 months to assess food acquisition methods, dietary intake and quality, and levels of food security, and to determine strategies employed by households to cope with droughts. The wild foods investigated were wild meat, wild birds, wild fish, wild mushrooms, wild leafy vegetables and wild fruits. Diets were moderately well-balanced and limited in variety, with cereal items contributing 52 % to total calorie intake. Mid-upper arm circumference measurements showed that all respondents were adequately nourished. The bulk of the food consumed by households was purchased, with supplementation from own production, wild vegetables and wild fruits. In Willowvale, wild vegetables comprised 46 % of overall vegetable consumption for afflicted households and 32 % for non-afflicted households, while own fruit production comprised 100 % of fruit consumption. In Lesseyton, wild vegetables comprised only 6 % and 4 % of vegetable consumption for afflicted and non-afflicted households, while wild fruit comprised 63 % and 41 % for afflicted and non-afflicted households. More than 80 % of respondents from both afflicted and non-afflicted households had sufficient daily kilocalories, although the majority of afflicted households felt they were food insecure and sometimes collected wild foods as one of their multiple coping strategies. Hunting and gathering of wild foods was associated with site, household affliction status, gender, age and season. More than 80 % of respondents ate wild vegetables and said they were more drought tolerant than conventional vegetables, making them the most consumed wild food and approximately 16 % of respondents ate wild birds, making them the least consumed wild food. Approximately 14 % of respondents from afflicted households in Willowvale sold wild fish, whilst 34 % of respondents from afflicted households and 7 % from non-afflicted households sold wild fruits in Lesseyton. Strategies adopted by households to cope with droughts were different between the two study sites, and households in Willowvale used a wider range of strategies. Given the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS coupled with the drawbacks of climate change and variability on food security, wild foods represent a free and easy way for vulnerable households to obtain food.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Evaluation of some wastewater treatment facilities in Chris Hani and Amathole district municipalities as potential sources of Escherichia coli in the environment
- Authors: Mazwi, Sinazo Nomathamsanqa
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- Purification
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11285 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019804 , Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- Purification
- Description: Access to clean and safe water is essential for the survival of human beings. Pollution of freshwater sources constitutes a major problem hindering access to safe water for drinking and other domestic uses. Wastewater effluent discharges often impact the microbiological qualities of surface waters with its attendant health and environmental problems. This study evaluated the microbiological qualities of the discharged effluents of four selected wastewater treatment plants in Amathole and Chris Hani District Municipalities of the Eastern Cape Province over a twelve-month sampling period. Microbiological analysis (faecal coliform, Escherichia coli and Escherichia coli O157:H7) was done using standard methods and polymerase chain reaction method was used to confirm identities ofbacterial isolates. Presumptive bacteria counts ranged as follows: faecal coliforms 0 to 1.6 × 103 CFU/100 ml, E. coli 0 to 1.4 × 103 CFU/100 ml and E. coli O157:H7 0 to 9.6 × 102 CFU/100 ml. Forty eight percent (305/626) of the presumptive E. coli isolates were confirmed using species-specific uidA gene which code for β-glucuronidase enzyme in E. coli. Antibiotic susceptibility profile of the isolate using a panel of 10 antibiotics shows 100% (150/150) resistance to antibiotics rifampicin and penicillin G while 49.3% (74/150) of the isolates and 46.7% (70/150) were susceptible to streptomycin and cefotaxime respectively. Multiple antibiotic resistance phenotypes (MARP) of the isolates showed resistance to two or more test antibiotics while the calculated multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) for the tested isolated is 0.49. The detection of potentially pathogenic E. coli in the final effluents suggestspotential danger to the receiving water bodies where the effluents are discharge. The high MARI valued obtained in this study indicates that the isolates are form environment where the tested antibiotics are being used and may further lead to the spread of multiple antibiotics resistance among other pathogens that may be present in the same environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mazwi, Sinazo Nomathamsanqa
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- Purification
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11285 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019804 , Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- Purification
- Description: Access to clean and safe water is essential for the survival of human beings. Pollution of freshwater sources constitutes a major problem hindering access to safe water for drinking and other domestic uses. Wastewater effluent discharges often impact the microbiological qualities of surface waters with its attendant health and environmental problems. This study evaluated the microbiological qualities of the discharged effluents of four selected wastewater treatment plants in Amathole and Chris Hani District Municipalities of the Eastern Cape Province over a twelve-month sampling period. Microbiological analysis (faecal coliform, Escherichia coli and Escherichia coli O157:H7) was done using standard methods and polymerase chain reaction method was used to confirm identities ofbacterial isolates. Presumptive bacteria counts ranged as follows: faecal coliforms 0 to 1.6 × 103 CFU/100 ml, E. coli 0 to 1.4 × 103 CFU/100 ml and E. coli O157:H7 0 to 9.6 × 102 CFU/100 ml. Forty eight percent (305/626) of the presumptive E. coli isolates were confirmed using species-specific uidA gene which code for β-glucuronidase enzyme in E. coli. Antibiotic susceptibility profile of the isolate using a panel of 10 antibiotics shows 100% (150/150) resistance to antibiotics rifampicin and penicillin G while 49.3% (74/150) of the isolates and 46.7% (70/150) were susceptible to streptomycin and cefotaxime respectively. Multiple antibiotic resistance phenotypes (MARP) of the isolates showed resistance to two or more test antibiotics while the calculated multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) for the tested isolated is 0.49. The detection of potentially pathogenic E. coli in the final effluents suggestspotential danger to the receiving water bodies where the effluents are discharge. The high MARI valued obtained in this study indicates that the isolates are form environment where the tested antibiotics are being used and may further lead to the spread of multiple antibiotics resistance among other pathogens that may be present in the same environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Service delivery protests and development in Zandspruit informal settlements
- Authors: Jobo, Qhamani Naledi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Protest movements -- South Africa -- Randburg , Community development -- South Africa -- Randburg , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Randburg
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8879 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020632
- Description: At the dawn of democracy, the ANC led government inherited an economy with wide spread socio-economic imbalances and geo-spatial challenges. Since 1994, policies have been put in place to try and close the gap between the haves and the have nots in society. It is twenty years on, and significant in-roads have been made towards improving the lives of the masses. Twenty years has not been enough time however, to eliminate the remnants of the oppressive regime. Since 2004, there has been a steady rise in the number of service delivery protests witnessed across the country. The masses of the poor are showing their dissatisfaction with the slow pace of change and development. Service delivery protests as they are known are community protests driven primarily by complaints around inadequate basic service provision. These protests have however been proven to be about a variety of other complaints against municipalities. These include: lack of proper housing, inadequate job opportunities, and allegations of nepotism, fraud and corruption against municipal officials and a general feeling of alienation from the structures of democracy. These inadequacies and frustrations are compounded in the case of informal settlements, where the most basic of services are scarce. The City of Johannesburg has one hundred and eighty four informal settlements, which present the city with major service provision challenges. A substantial amount of research has been done on the causes of service delivery protests and yet a gap exists in terms of literature on the impact of these on development. The main aim of this study was therefore to determine the impact of service delivery protests on development in the Zandspruit informal settlement. The research was carried out in the form of unstructured and semi-structured interviews with the Ward Councillor for Zandspruit (which is in Ward 114, Region C of the City of Johannesburg), the Ward Administrator, Ward Committee as well as members of the community. The findings of the study show a community in distress, with little or no access to basic services such as water and sanitation. The housing challenges in the area are representative of some of the worst housing challenges faced by the city. Lack of communication and a general distrust between the ward councillor and her ward committee make for very poor ward governance. The apparent apathy shown by the municipality is alarming. The pace of development in Zandspruit is incredibly slow, and not even the often violent service delivery protests witnessed in the area have improved the situation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Jobo, Qhamani Naledi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Protest movements -- South Africa -- Randburg , Community development -- South Africa -- Randburg , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Randburg
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8879 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020632
- Description: At the dawn of democracy, the ANC led government inherited an economy with wide spread socio-economic imbalances and geo-spatial challenges. Since 1994, policies have been put in place to try and close the gap between the haves and the have nots in society. It is twenty years on, and significant in-roads have been made towards improving the lives of the masses. Twenty years has not been enough time however, to eliminate the remnants of the oppressive regime. Since 2004, there has been a steady rise in the number of service delivery protests witnessed across the country. The masses of the poor are showing their dissatisfaction with the slow pace of change and development. Service delivery protests as they are known are community protests driven primarily by complaints around inadequate basic service provision. These protests have however been proven to be about a variety of other complaints against municipalities. These include: lack of proper housing, inadequate job opportunities, and allegations of nepotism, fraud and corruption against municipal officials and a general feeling of alienation from the structures of democracy. These inadequacies and frustrations are compounded in the case of informal settlements, where the most basic of services are scarce. The City of Johannesburg has one hundred and eighty four informal settlements, which present the city with major service provision challenges. A substantial amount of research has been done on the causes of service delivery protests and yet a gap exists in terms of literature on the impact of these on development. The main aim of this study was therefore to determine the impact of service delivery protests on development in the Zandspruit informal settlement. The research was carried out in the form of unstructured and semi-structured interviews with the Ward Councillor for Zandspruit (which is in Ward 114, Region C of the City of Johannesburg), the Ward Administrator, Ward Committee as well as members of the community. The findings of the study show a community in distress, with little or no access to basic services such as water and sanitation. The housing challenges in the area are representative of some of the worst housing challenges faced by the city. Lack of communication and a general distrust between the ward councillor and her ward committee make for very poor ward governance. The apparent apathy shown by the municipality is alarming. The pace of development in Zandspruit is incredibly slow, and not even the often violent service delivery protests witnessed in the area have improved the situation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Journalism sourcing and credibility: a study of Raia Mwema’s use of anonymous sources
- Authors: Mkoko, Egbert
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Raia Mwema , Newspapers -- Tanzania , Journalism -- Tanzania , Attribution of news -- Tanzania
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3529 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013219
- Description: This study analyses how readers impute credibility to the Tanzanian investigative newspaper Raia Mwema which, as a matter of routine journalistic practice, uses a high number of anonymous sources. Against the backdrop of a strong theoretical position, espoused by media studies theorists in both Western media contexts and in Africa, in which this practice is deemed to diminish the credibility of both journalists and their stories, the study’s main purpose is to examine how readers make sense of this very prevalent practice in a country that has recently opened up to media plurality. It also investigates where they locate the source of credibility for this high-selling newspaper, if not in the traditional way through its named sources of information. The study surveys the frequency of appearance of anonymous sources in this newspaper for the period of one year from January 2011 to December 2011. Then the study considered how this practice is viewed and understood by the wider journalistic community in Tanzania as well as looking into how the journalists and owners of Raia Mwema make choices about attributing their journalism. Lastly, the study engaged with particular readers to understand what sense they make of this practice in the wider landscape of Tanzanian media and the post-repressive political situation. The study makes use of theories of the sociology of news production so as to understand the context in which Raia Mwema has routinised the practice of anonymous attribution and whether the journalistic community and newspaper readers find the practice credible. The study also employs reception analysis in order to understand to what extent Raia Mwema readers negotiate and make sense of the mainly political, and often critical, media messages they get from newspaper. In this way, it introduces the importance of the reader in the production of meaning and of assessment of credibility of journalism. The interviews – ranging from journalists working at the paper, through the wider journalistic community and taking in the readership of the paper – show that theoretical considerations of journalistic credibility must take into account the political, social and media context in which journalism is produced. Pronouncements on the overuse of anonymous sources, without understanding the way readers and journalists negotiate the complexities of an actual situation, do not tell us much about credibility and how readers understand the messages they are given. From this study, it is clear that in African countries embarking on opening media systems, credibility involves more factors than have been discussed in the literature and that readers and journalists are sophisticated consumers and producers of media messages in countries that place a host of obstacles in the way of investigative journalism and open political communication.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mkoko, Egbert
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Raia Mwema , Newspapers -- Tanzania , Journalism -- Tanzania , Attribution of news -- Tanzania
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3529 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013219
- Description: This study analyses how readers impute credibility to the Tanzanian investigative newspaper Raia Mwema which, as a matter of routine journalistic practice, uses a high number of anonymous sources. Against the backdrop of a strong theoretical position, espoused by media studies theorists in both Western media contexts and in Africa, in which this practice is deemed to diminish the credibility of both journalists and their stories, the study’s main purpose is to examine how readers make sense of this very prevalent practice in a country that has recently opened up to media plurality. It also investigates where they locate the source of credibility for this high-selling newspaper, if not in the traditional way through its named sources of information. The study surveys the frequency of appearance of anonymous sources in this newspaper for the period of one year from January 2011 to December 2011. Then the study considered how this practice is viewed and understood by the wider journalistic community in Tanzania as well as looking into how the journalists and owners of Raia Mwema make choices about attributing their journalism. Lastly, the study engaged with particular readers to understand what sense they make of this practice in the wider landscape of Tanzanian media and the post-repressive political situation. The study makes use of theories of the sociology of news production so as to understand the context in which Raia Mwema has routinised the practice of anonymous attribution and whether the journalistic community and newspaper readers find the practice credible. The study also employs reception analysis in order to understand to what extent Raia Mwema readers negotiate and make sense of the mainly political, and often critical, media messages they get from newspaper. In this way, it introduces the importance of the reader in the production of meaning and of assessment of credibility of journalism. The interviews – ranging from journalists working at the paper, through the wider journalistic community and taking in the readership of the paper – show that theoretical considerations of journalistic credibility must take into account the political, social and media context in which journalism is produced. Pronouncements on the overuse of anonymous sources, without understanding the way readers and journalists negotiate the complexities of an actual situation, do not tell us much about credibility and how readers understand the messages they are given. From this study, it is clear that in African countries embarking on opening media systems, credibility involves more factors than have been discussed in the literature and that readers and journalists are sophisticated consumers and producers of media messages in countries that place a host of obstacles in the way of investigative journalism and open political communication.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Cosmological efficacy and the politics of Sacred Place: Soli Rainmaking in contemporary Zambia
- Authors: Simbao, Ruth K
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147482 , vital:38642 , https://doi.org/10.1162/AFAR_a_00163
- Description: In this article I analyze cosmological efficacy in light of the politicization and apparent secularization of contemporary annual ceremonies in Zambia, south-central Africa, which are framed by scholars as neotraditional (Lentz 2001), folklorized (van Binsbergen 1994), or retraditionalized (Gould 2005:3, 6) events. My term “festivalization” registers the formalization of Zambian performances such as rituals, harvest festivals, inaugurations, and initiations as annual festival events, but does not imply a pejorative attitude towards cultural change and so-called inauthenticity, as the words “folklorization” or “retraditionalization” seem to do.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Simbao, Ruth K
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147482 , vital:38642 , https://doi.org/10.1162/AFAR_a_00163
- Description: In this article I analyze cosmological efficacy in light of the politicization and apparent secularization of contemporary annual ceremonies in Zambia, south-central Africa, which are framed by scholars as neotraditional (Lentz 2001), folklorized (van Binsbergen 1994), or retraditionalized (Gould 2005:3, 6) events. My term “festivalization” registers the formalization of Zambian performances such as rituals, harvest festivals, inaugurations, and initiations as annual festival events, but does not imply a pejorative attitude towards cultural change and so-called inauthenticity, as the words “folklorization” or “retraditionalization” seem to do.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Direct and indirect effects of zooplanktivorous predators on the estuarine plankton community
- Authors: Wasserman, Ryan John
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Zooplankton -- Effect of predation on , Predation (Biology) , Zooplankton -- Predators of , Copepoda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5870 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012938
- Description: Although predation has been identified as a potentially important driver in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, estuarine planktonic research has focused largely on the so-called "bottom-up" drivers of community assemblages. As such, this thesis focuses on the direct and indirect effects of zooplanktivorous predators on the planktonic community in an estuarine environment. By using a suite of in situ mesocosm experiments, a number of hypotheses, pertaining to the major research themes associated with predator-prey interactions, are tested. These themes included trophic cascading, risk effects associated with predation events and the importance of predator diversity in maintaining prey communities. The first experiment assessed the significance of apex predation pressure for the planktonic community through trophic cascades. Various treatments using in situ mesocosms were established in a closed oligotrophic estuary to highlight the importance of predation in stabilising estuarine plankton abundances. Through either the removal (filtration) or addition of certain planktonic groups, varied trophic scenarios were established. The experimental treatment containing apex zooplanktivores had consequences for multiple trophic levels, exerting a stabilising pressure throughout the food web (Chapter 3). Furthermore, pyrosequencing of filtered water samples revealed that when compared to the remaining treatments, the treatment containing stable apex predatory pressure experienced limited temporal deviation-from-initial in bacterial community structure (Chapter 4). These findings are consistent with trophic cascade theory whereby predators mediate interactions at multiple lower trophic levels with consequent repercussions for diversity. To assess the non-consumptive effects of predators on prey, two experiments were conducted. Firstly, using egg numbers per clutch as a measure of potential reproductive output, the non-lethal effects of predatory pressure on reproductive success in a key planktonic copepod was investigated. In this study, the average clutch size of fecund female copepods was found to be consistently lower in the presence of predators when compared to females not exposed to predation threat (Chapter 5). The second study assessed the effects of conspecific chemical alarm cues associated with predation, on population dynamics of a copepod species. This study revealed that the copepods appear to detect the presence of chemical alarm cues associated with predation events, with repercussions for population demographics over time. Furthermore, it showed that in the absence of actual predation, copepod prey responses to alarm cues were adjusted over time, consistent with the threat sensitive predator avoidance hypothesis (Chapter 6). The final data chapter dealt with predator diversity and its implications for zooplankton community structure. By experimentally monitoring the effects of two alternate model predators on the metazoan community over time, dissimilarities in community level control emerged. Alternate key prey populations were regulated by the different model predators, highlighting the importance of predator and prey behaviour in mediating predator-prey interactions (Chapter 7). These results highlight the potential importance of predators in maintaining community dynamics in estuarine planktonic communities under certain conditions. This study represents some of the first work to address these various aspects of predator-prey dynamics within the context of planktonic estuarine ecology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Wasserman, Ryan John
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Zooplankton -- Effect of predation on , Predation (Biology) , Zooplankton -- Predators of , Copepoda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5870 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012938
- Description: Although predation has been identified as a potentially important driver in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, estuarine planktonic research has focused largely on the so-called "bottom-up" drivers of community assemblages. As such, this thesis focuses on the direct and indirect effects of zooplanktivorous predators on the planktonic community in an estuarine environment. By using a suite of in situ mesocosm experiments, a number of hypotheses, pertaining to the major research themes associated with predator-prey interactions, are tested. These themes included trophic cascading, risk effects associated with predation events and the importance of predator diversity in maintaining prey communities. The first experiment assessed the significance of apex predation pressure for the planktonic community through trophic cascades. Various treatments using in situ mesocosms were established in a closed oligotrophic estuary to highlight the importance of predation in stabilising estuarine plankton abundances. Through either the removal (filtration) or addition of certain planktonic groups, varied trophic scenarios were established. The experimental treatment containing apex zooplanktivores had consequences for multiple trophic levels, exerting a stabilising pressure throughout the food web (Chapter 3). Furthermore, pyrosequencing of filtered water samples revealed that when compared to the remaining treatments, the treatment containing stable apex predatory pressure experienced limited temporal deviation-from-initial in bacterial community structure (Chapter 4). These findings are consistent with trophic cascade theory whereby predators mediate interactions at multiple lower trophic levels with consequent repercussions for diversity. To assess the non-consumptive effects of predators on prey, two experiments were conducted. Firstly, using egg numbers per clutch as a measure of potential reproductive output, the non-lethal effects of predatory pressure on reproductive success in a key planktonic copepod was investigated. In this study, the average clutch size of fecund female copepods was found to be consistently lower in the presence of predators when compared to females not exposed to predation threat (Chapter 5). The second study assessed the effects of conspecific chemical alarm cues associated with predation, on population dynamics of a copepod species. This study revealed that the copepods appear to detect the presence of chemical alarm cues associated with predation events, with repercussions for population demographics over time. Furthermore, it showed that in the absence of actual predation, copepod prey responses to alarm cues were adjusted over time, consistent with the threat sensitive predator avoidance hypothesis (Chapter 6). The final data chapter dealt with predator diversity and its implications for zooplankton community structure. By experimentally monitoring the effects of two alternate model predators on the metazoan community over time, dissimilarities in community level control emerged. Alternate key prey populations were regulated by the different model predators, highlighting the importance of predator and prey behaviour in mediating predator-prey interactions (Chapter 7). These results highlight the potential importance of predators in maintaining community dynamics in estuarine planktonic communities under certain conditions. This study represents some of the first work to address these various aspects of predator-prey dynamics within the context of planktonic estuarine ecology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The role of traditional leaders in the Amathole District local Municipality councils (with special reference to Mbhashe and Amahlathi local municipalities)
- Authors: Tsipa, Simpiwe
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1227 , vital:26538
- Description: The advent of democracy in South Africa brought about a new era of leadership at local sphere of government. According to the Constitution Act, No.108 of 1996 municipalities must be established throughout the country, including rural areas which were ruled by traditional leaders. The introduction of Councillors in the rural areas which were predominantly ruled by traditional leaders created uncertainty, tensions and insecurity. Roles of Councillors overlapped with those of traditional leaders. The roles and powers of Councillors became clearly defined unlike those of traditional leaders which were not clearly outlined. A need, therefore, arose for the clarification and confirming the roles and relevance of traditional leaders. The objective of this study was, therefore, to look at the role of traditional leaders in service delivery, their relevance in a democratic dispensation and evaluate the impact of poor relations between traditional leaders and Councillors. In doing the study, questionnaires and interviews were conducted to traditional leaders, municipal officials and some veterans such as Mda Mda. Municipal officials included Mayors, Municipal Managers, Senior Managers and Councillors. Traditional leaders included the King of Amaxhosa, Chiefs and Headman. It transpired that current legislation is not clear and precise as to what are the roles and responsibilities of traditional leaders are in service delivery. There is some serious overlapping in the roles of traditional leaders and those of Councillors. Traditional leaders have a great influence in rural areas and for effective delivery to happen they cannot be ignored or left outside the process. Legislation must therefore be reviewed to be precise, clear and be committing when it comes to roles of traditional leaders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Tsipa, Simpiwe
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1227 , vital:26538
- Description: The advent of democracy in South Africa brought about a new era of leadership at local sphere of government. According to the Constitution Act, No.108 of 1996 municipalities must be established throughout the country, including rural areas which were ruled by traditional leaders. The introduction of Councillors in the rural areas which were predominantly ruled by traditional leaders created uncertainty, tensions and insecurity. Roles of Councillors overlapped with those of traditional leaders. The roles and powers of Councillors became clearly defined unlike those of traditional leaders which were not clearly outlined. A need, therefore, arose for the clarification and confirming the roles and relevance of traditional leaders. The objective of this study was, therefore, to look at the role of traditional leaders in service delivery, their relevance in a democratic dispensation and evaluate the impact of poor relations between traditional leaders and Councillors. In doing the study, questionnaires and interviews were conducted to traditional leaders, municipal officials and some veterans such as Mda Mda. Municipal officials included Mayors, Municipal Managers, Senior Managers and Councillors. Traditional leaders included the King of Amaxhosa, Chiefs and Headman. It transpired that current legislation is not clear and precise as to what are the roles and responsibilities of traditional leaders are in service delivery. There is some serious overlapping in the roles of traditional leaders and those of Councillors. Traditional leaders have a great influence in rural areas and for effective delivery to happen they cannot be ignored or left outside the process. Legislation must therefore be reviewed to be precise, clear and be committing when it comes to roles of traditional leaders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014