The supervisor’s tale: postgraduate supervisors’ experiences in a changing Higher Education environment
- Authors: Searle, Ruth Lesley
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Graduate students -- Supervision of -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Educational change -- South Africa , Archer, Margaret Scotford -- Political and social views , Critical realism , Knowledge, Sociology of , Dissertations, Academic , Faculty advisors -- South Africa , Education -- Study and teaching (Graduate) -- South Africa , Universities and colleges -- Graduate work
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1331 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019952
- Description: The environment in which higher education institutions operate is changing, and these changes are impacting on all aspects of higher education, including postgraduate levels. Changes wrought by globalisation, heralded by rapid advances in technology have inaugurated a new era in which there are long term consequences for higher education. The shift towards more quantitative and measurable "outputs" signifies a fundamental change in the educational ethos in institutions. Effectiveness is now judged primarily on numbers of graduates and publications rather than on other aspects. The drive is to produce a highly educated population, especially through increasing postgraduates who can drive national innovation and improve national economies. This affects academics in a range of ways, not least in the ways in which they engage in teaching, what they are willing to do and how they do it. Such changes influence the kinds of research done, the structures and funding which support research, and thus naturally shapes the kinds of postgraduate programmes and teaching that occurs. This study, situated in the field of Higher Education Studies, adopting a critical realist stance and drawing on the social theory of Margaret Archer and the concepts of expert and novice, explores the experiences of postgraduate supervisors from one South African institution across a range of disciplines. Individual experiences at the level of the Empirical and embodied in practice at the level of the Actual allow for the identification of possible mechanisms at the level of the Real which structure the sector. The research design then allows for an exploration across mezzo, macro and micro levels. Individuals outline their own particular situations, identifying a number of elements which enabled or constrained them and how, in exercising their agency, they develop their strategies for supervision drawing on a range of different resources that they identify and that may be available to them. Student characteristics, discipline status and placement, funding, and the emergent policy environment are all identified as influencing their practice. In some instances supervisors recognise the broader influences on the system that involve them in their undertaking, noting the international trends. Through their narratives and the discourses they engage a number of contradictions that have developed in the system with growing neo-liberal trends and vocationalism highlighting tensions between academic freedom and autonomy, and demands for productivity, efficiency and compliance, and between an educational focus and a training bias in particular along with others. Especially notable is how this contributes to the current ideologies surrounding knowledge and knowledge production. Their individual interests and concerns, and emergent academic identities as they take shape over time, also modifies the process and how individual supervisors influence their own environments in agentic moves becomes apparent. Whilst often individuals highlight the lack of support especially in the early phases of supervision, the emergent policy-constrained environment is also seen as curtailing possibilities and especially in limiting the possibilities for the exercise of agency. Whilst the study has some limitations in the range and number of respondents nevertheless the data provided rich evidence of how individual supervisors are affected, and how they respond in varied conditions. What is highlighted through these experiences are ways pressures are increasing for both supervisors and students and changing how they engage. Concerns in particular are raised about the growing functional and instrumental nature of the process with an emphasis on the effects on the kinds of researchers being developed and the knowledge that is therefore being produced. As costs increase for academics through the environments developed and with the varied roles they take on so they become more selective and reluctant to expand the role. This research has provided insights into ideas, beliefs and values relating to the postgraduate sector and to the process of postgraduate supervision and how it occurs. This includes the structures and cultural conditions that enable or constrain practitioners as they develop in the role in this particular institution. It has explored some of the ways that mechanisms at international, national and institutional levels shape the role and practices of supervisors. The effects of mechanisms are in no way a given or simply understood. In this way the research may contribute to more emancipatory knowledge which could be used in planning and deciding on emergent policies and practices which might create a more supportive and creative postgraduate environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Searle, Ruth Lesley
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Graduate students -- Supervision of -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Educational change -- South Africa , Archer, Margaret Scotford -- Political and social views , Critical realism , Knowledge, Sociology of , Dissertations, Academic , Faculty advisors -- South Africa , Education -- Study and teaching (Graduate) -- South Africa , Universities and colleges -- Graduate work
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1331 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019952
- Description: The environment in which higher education institutions operate is changing, and these changes are impacting on all aspects of higher education, including postgraduate levels. Changes wrought by globalisation, heralded by rapid advances in technology have inaugurated a new era in which there are long term consequences for higher education. The shift towards more quantitative and measurable "outputs" signifies a fundamental change in the educational ethos in institutions. Effectiveness is now judged primarily on numbers of graduates and publications rather than on other aspects. The drive is to produce a highly educated population, especially through increasing postgraduates who can drive national innovation and improve national economies. This affects academics in a range of ways, not least in the ways in which they engage in teaching, what they are willing to do and how they do it. Such changes influence the kinds of research done, the structures and funding which support research, and thus naturally shapes the kinds of postgraduate programmes and teaching that occurs. This study, situated in the field of Higher Education Studies, adopting a critical realist stance and drawing on the social theory of Margaret Archer and the concepts of expert and novice, explores the experiences of postgraduate supervisors from one South African institution across a range of disciplines. Individual experiences at the level of the Empirical and embodied in practice at the level of the Actual allow for the identification of possible mechanisms at the level of the Real which structure the sector. The research design then allows for an exploration across mezzo, macro and micro levels. Individuals outline their own particular situations, identifying a number of elements which enabled or constrained them and how, in exercising their agency, they develop their strategies for supervision drawing on a range of different resources that they identify and that may be available to them. Student characteristics, discipline status and placement, funding, and the emergent policy environment are all identified as influencing their practice. In some instances supervisors recognise the broader influences on the system that involve them in their undertaking, noting the international trends. Through their narratives and the discourses they engage a number of contradictions that have developed in the system with growing neo-liberal trends and vocationalism highlighting tensions between academic freedom and autonomy, and demands for productivity, efficiency and compliance, and between an educational focus and a training bias in particular along with others. Especially notable is how this contributes to the current ideologies surrounding knowledge and knowledge production. Their individual interests and concerns, and emergent academic identities as they take shape over time, also modifies the process and how individual supervisors influence their own environments in agentic moves becomes apparent. Whilst often individuals highlight the lack of support especially in the early phases of supervision, the emergent policy-constrained environment is also seen as curtailing possibilities and especially in limiting the possibilities for the exercise of agency. Whilst the study has some limitations in the range and number of respondents nevertheless the data provided rich evidence of how individual supervisors are affected, and how they respond in varied conditions. What is highlighted through these experiences are ways pressures are increasing for both supervisors and students and changing how they engage. Concerns in particular are raised about the growing functional and instrumental nature of the process with an emphasis on the effects on the kinds of researchers being developed and the knowledge that is therefore being produced. As costs increase for academics through the environments developed and with the varied roles they take on so they become more selective and reluctant to expand the role. This research has provided insights into ideas, beliefs and values relating to the postgraduate sector and to the process of postgraduate supervision and how it occurs. This includes the structures and cultural conditions that enable or constrain practitioners as they develop in the role in this particular institution. It has explored some of the ways that mechanisms at international, national and institutional levels shape the role and practices of supervisors. The effects of mechanisms are in no way a given or simply understood. In this way the research may contribute to more emancipatory knowledge which could be used in planning and deciding on emergent policies and practices which might create a more supportive and creative postgraduate environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Stalking black swans, dragon kings, and market crashes on the JSE
- Authors: Zuka, Mawethu
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Johannesburg Stock Exchange -- Research Stock exchanges -- South Africa , Stocks -- South Africa -- Johannesburg Financial crises -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18376 , vital:28631
- Description: This paper examines bubbles on the JSE All Share Index as well as the critical time of the stock market crash from 2/01/ 2004 – 27/03/2014. The underlying hypothesis define bubbles as extreme and begin as a group of small events which grow in a super exponential form explained by a log periodic power law model (LPPL model). The hypothesis is based on the assumption of investors’ herding behavior, where investors collude by making investment decision correlated with their counterparties. The paper implements a Savitzky Golary Algorithm to detect peaks and calculate the critical time of the crash from the peaks. An Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method is used to determine both the value of stock market price index at the critical time and the increase in the stock market price index over the time before the crash. The remaining parameters of the LPPL model are estimated using a Maximum Likelihood Estimation method. On the empirical results; 68 peaks were detected, and the LPPL model at the critical crash time is estimated 34736.586. Five bubbles are detected; the 15/8/2005 bubble, 28/5/2013 bubble, 23/8/2013 bubble, 5/11/2013, and 1/20/2014.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Zuka, Mawethu
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Johannesburg Stock Exchange -- Research Stock exchanges -- South Africa , Stocks -- South Africa -- Johannesburg Financial crises -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18376 , vital:28631
- Description: This paper examines bubbles on the JSE All Share Index as well as the critical time of the stock market crash from 2/01/ 2004 – 27/03/2014. The underlying hypothesis define bubbles as extreme and begin as a group of small events which grow in a super exponential form explained by a log periodic power law model (LPPL model). The hypothesis is based on the assumption of investors’ herding behavior, where investors collude by making investment decision correlated with their counterparties. The paper implements a Savitzky Golary Algorithm to detect peaks and calculate the critical time of the crash from the peaks. An Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method is used to determine both the value of stock market price index at the critical time and the increase in the stock market price index over the time before the crash. The remaining parameters of the LPPL model are estimated using a Maximum Likelihood Estimation method. On the empirical results; 68 peaks were detected, and the LPPL model at the critical crash time is estimated 34736.586. Five bubbles are detected; the 15/8/2005 bubble, 28/5/2013 bubble, 23/8/2013 bubble, 5/11/2013, and 1/20/2014.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Reconsidering research ethics in ethnographic research: bearing witness to ‘irreparable harm’
- Barker, Kim, Macleod, Catriona I
- Authors: Barker, Kim , Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143805 , vital:38284 , https://ischp.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/ischp_2015_abstract_booklet.pdf
- Description: Research with persons who have experienced trauma requires careful consideration. In preparing the ethics protocol for an ethnographic study of an anti-rape protest, we thought carefully about how the first author would manage ethical decisions in accordance with the University ethics code. However, this process did not prepare us for the dynamic and reciprocal positioning the first author encountered in the field. Nor was she prepared for her sense of the ethical duty of response when entrusted with the narratives of women who had suffered ‘irredeemable harm’. Drawing on the philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas, and examples from the research, we show how ethical decision-making in ethnographic research is always relational and dialogical; extending beyond our direct interactions with participants to the ways in which we approach our ‘data’. We argue that ethics cannot be reduced to a cognitive-rational process and propose ways to acknowledge and draw on the ‘affective’ and ‘transcendent’ in our ethical decision-making.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Barker, Kim , Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143805 , vital:38284 , https://ischp.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/ischp_2015_abstract_booklet.pdf
- Description: Research with persons who have experienced trauma requires careful consideration. In preparing the ethics protocol for an ethnographic study of an anti-rape protest, we thought carefully about how the first author would manage ethical decisions in accordance with the University ethics code. However, this process did not prepare us for the dynamic and reciprocal positioning the first author encountered in the field. Nor was she prepared for her sense of the ethical duty of response when entrusted with the narratives of women who had suffered ‘irredeemable harm’. Drawing on the philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas, and examples from the research, we show how ethical decision-making in ethnographic research is always relational and dialogical; extending beyond our direct interactions with participants to the ways in which we approach our ‘data’. We argue that ethics cannot be reduced to a cognitive-rational process and propose ways to acknowledge and draw on the ‘affective’ and ‘transcendent’ in our ethical decision-making.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Survival of bifidobacteria and their usefulness in faecal source tracking
- Luyt, Catherine D, Khamanga, Sandile M, Muller, Wilhelmine J, Tandlich, Roman
- Authors: Luyt, Catherine D , Khamanga, Sandile M , Muller, Wilhelmine J , Tandlich, Roman
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/76117 , vital:30508 , https://doi.org/10.1515/lwr-2015-0001
- Description: Bifidobacteria have long since been recommended as indicators of human and animal pollution. Concentration ratio (tracking ratio) of the sorbitol-utilising bifidobacteria (SUB) and the total bifidobacteria (TB) can be used to distinguish between animal and human sources of faecal water contamination. The cut-off value needs to be calibrated in a given geographical area. Seven sites with permanent faecal contamination were selected in South Africa. Concentrations of SUB ranged from 10-50000 cells/100 mL, while TB ranged from 0-8000 cells/100 mL. The tracking ratio ranged from 0.10 to 6.25, but no clear cut-off value could be established. The YN-17 agar was replaced for TB with the modified Beerens medium with pH = 5.70, to suppress the growth of faecal streptococci. Tracking ratios observed are most likely the results of different survival rates of SUB and TB. Bifidobacteria die-off due to nutrients was not found to be significant using design of experiment. Thus a lack of continuous input or oxygen levels in water may be major factors. This would limit the ratios used as a faecal source tracking method.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Luyt, Catherine D , Khamanga, Sandile M , Muller, Wilhelmine J , Tandlich, Roman
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/76117 , vital:30508 , https://doi.org/10.1515/lwr-2015-0001
- Description: Bifidobacteria have long since been recommended as indicators of human and animal pollution. Concentration ratio (tracking ratio) of the sorbitol-utilising bifidobacteria (SUB) and the total bifidobacteria (TB) can be used to distinguish between animal and human sources of faecal water contamination. The cut-off value needs to be calibrated in a given geographical area. Seven sites with permanent faecal contamination were selected in South Africa. Concentrations of SUB ranged from 10-50000 cells/100 mL, while TB ranged from 0-8000 cells/100 mL. The tracking ratio ranged from 0.10 to 6.25, but no clear cut-off value could be established. The YN-17 agar was replaced for TB with the modified Beerens medium with pH = 5.70, to suppress the growth of faecal streptococci. Tracking ratios observed are most likely the results of different survival rates of SUB and TB. Bifidobacteria die-off due to nutrients was not found to be significant using design of experiment. Thus a lack of continuous input or oxygen levels in water may be major factors. This would limit the ratios used as a faecal source tracking method.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Synthesis and characterization of Na (Y, Gd) F4 upconversion nanoparticles and an investigation of their effects on the photophysical properties of an unsubstituted tetrathiophenoxy phthalocyanine
- Taylor, Jessica M, Litwinski, Christian, Nyokong, Tebello, Antunes, Edith M
- Authors: Taylor, Jessica M , Litwinski, Christian , Nyokong, Tebello , Antunes, Edith M
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241437 , vital:50939 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-015-2889-5"
- Description: Sphere- and star-shaped Na(Y,Gd)F4:Yb/Er(Tm)upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP) were successfully synthesized utilizing a methanol-assisted thermal decomposition approach and their spectroscopic (absorption, emission and luminescence lifetime) properties fully characterized. The factors affecting the size and shape of the UCNPs were studied and discussed in detail. The size of the nanoparticles was determined using TEM primarily and found to be approximately 19 and 30 nm for the Er and Tm spheres, respectively, while the Er and Tm “stars” were found to be much larger with sizes ranging from 110 to 240 nm, respectively (as determined along the width of the nanoparticle). In addition, their influence on the spectroscopic properties of an unsubstituted tetrathiophenoxy phthalocyanine (H2Pc) was investigated. The UCNP were found to produce characteristic upconversion luminescence emissions in the blue, green, red and NIR regions. Simple mixing with an H2Pc in toluene was found to exert no obvious changes in the spectroscopic properties of the Pc, although a considerable increase in the radiative lifetimes is observed for the Pc in the presence of the UCNPs. The singlet oxygen generation mediated by the red light excitation of the H2Pc mixed with UCNP was found to decrease in the presence of the NPs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Taylor, Jessica M , Litwinski, Christian , Nyokong, Tebello , Antunes, Edith M
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241437 , vital:50939 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-015-2889-5"
- Description: Sphere- and star-shaped Na(Y,Gd)F4:Yb/Er(Tm)upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP) were successfully synthesized utilizing a methanol-assisted thermal decomposition approach and their spectroscopic (absorption, emission and luminescence lifetime) properties fully characterized. The factors affecting the size and shape of the UCNPs were studied and discussed in detail. The size of the nanoparticles was determined using TEM primarily and found to be approximately 19 and 30 nm for the Er and Tm spheres, respectively, while the Er and Tm “stars” were found to be much larger with sizes ranging from 110 to 240 nm, respectively (as determined along the width of the nanoparticle). In addition, their influence on the spectroscopic properties of an unsubstituted tetrathiophenoxy phthalocyanine (H2Pc) was investigated. The UCNP were found to produce characteristic upconversion luminescence emissions in the blue, green, red and NIR regions. Simple mixing with an H2Pc in toluene was found to exert no obvious changes in the spectroscopic properties of the Pc, although a considerable increase in the radiative lifetimes is observed for the Pc in the presence of the UCNPs. The singlet oxygen generation mediated by the red light excitation of the H2Pc mixed with UCNP was found to decrease in the presence of the NPs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Using vehicle activated signs as an integrated measure to improve road safety in South Africa
- Authors: Swanepoel, Charl
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Traffic signs and signals -- South Africa , Electronic traffic controls
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3745 , vital:20460
- Description: Road safety is an aspect of major concern on road networks, not only on a local scale in South Africa, but also on a global scale. South Africa is experiencing an unacceptably high rate of fatal road traffic crashes and as a result has one of the highest per capita rate of road fatalities in the world. The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 – 2020 was published in 2011 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to guide and assist countries with the improvement of road safety. The management of vehicle speeds is one of numerous important interventions identified in the Global Plan. The technical and economic feasibility of using a specific Road safety is an aspect of major concern on road networks, not only on a local scale in South Africa, but also on a global scale. South Africa is experiencing an unacceptably high rate of fatal road traffic crashes and as a result has one of the highest per capita rate of road fatalities in the world. The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 – 2020 was published in 2011 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to guide and assist countries with the improvement of road safety. The management of vehicle speeds is one of numerous important interventions identified in the Global Plan. The technical and economic feasibility of using a specific technology, namely Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS), to contribute to the overall improvement of road safety on a national level in South Africa were investigated, with particular emphasis on the improvement of road safety through the reduction of fatal road traffic crashes. VAS are part of a range of measures that can be used to curb vehicle speeds, similar to conventional measures like speed cameras and traffic calming devices. VAS technology has seen limited use in South extrapolation of results from SCC’s VAS effectiveness study, and the application of these results to the South African road safety and road user statistics for the one year period March 2011 to March 2012. Key factors relating to speed and general driver obedience were also taken into consideration. It was established that the use of VAS would lead to a moderate reduction in the number of fatal road traffic crashes that occur annually, which in turn holds financial and socio-economic benefits for South Africa. A comparison of selected products available from two South African based electronic road sign manufacturing companies with conventional VAS was also carried out, focussing on product function, use and cost. It has been concluded that it would be technically and economically feasible to introduce VAS on the South African road network to improve the prevailing road safety situation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Swanepoel, Charl
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Traffic signs and signals -- South Africa , Electronic traffic controls
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3745 , vital:20460
- Description: Road safety is an aspect of major concern on road networks, not only on a local scale in South Africa, but also on a global scale. South Africa is experiencing an unacceptably high rate of fatal road traffic crashes and as a result has one of the highest per capita rate of road fatalities in the world. The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 – 2020 was published in 2011 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to guide and assist countries with the improvement of road safety. The management of vehicle speeds is one of numerous important interventions identified in the Global Plan. The technical and economic feasibility of using a specific Road safety is an aspect of major concern on road networks, not only on a local scale in South Africa, but also on a global scale. South Africa is experiencing an unacceptably high rate of fatal road traffic crashes and as a result has one of the highest per capita rate of road fatalities in the world. The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 – 2020 was published in 2011 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to guide and assist countries with the improvement of road safety. The management of vehicle speeds is one of numerous important interventions identified in the Global Plan. The technical and economic feasibility of using a specific technology, namely Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS), to contribute to the overall improvement of road safety on a national level in South Africa were investigated, with particular emphasis on the improvement of road safety through the reduction of fatal road traffic crashes. VAS are part of a range of measures that can be used to curb vehicle speeds, similar to conventional measures like speed cameras and traffic calming devices. VAS technology has seen limited use in South extrapolation of results from SCC’s VAS effectiveness study, and the application of these results to the South African road safety and road user statistics for the one year period March 2011 to March 2012. Key factors relating to speed and general driver obedience were also taken into consideration. It was established that the use of VAS would lead to a moderate reduction in the number of fatal road traffic crashes that occur annually, which in turn holds financial and socio-economic benefits for South Africa. A comparison of selected products available from two South African based electronic road sign manufacturing companies with conventional VAS was also carried out, focussing on product function, use and cost. It has been concluded that it would be technically and economically feasible to introduce VAS on the South African road network to improve the prevailing road safety situation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Systematics and biogeography of Mesobola brevianalis (Boulenger, 1908) (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)
- Authors: Riddin, Megan Amy
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: River sardine , Molecular evolution
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5930 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017808
- Description: The accurate identification of fish species, their life stages and their products enables the correct management of fisheries, research and conservation of distinctive populations for long-term survival and sustainability. Mesobola brevianalis Boulenger, 1908, commonly known as the river sardine, is found in many river systems in southern Africa. Because it exhibits widely separated populations showing subtle differences, particularly in colour, it is thought that there may be cryptic species involved. Standard phylogenetic techniques using three genetic markers (mitochondrial COI, nuclear protein RAG1 and nuclear ribosomal 28S rRNA), enabled the building of phylogenetic networks for M. brevianalis and some outgroup species. Consistent patterns of relationship were seen with 28S supporting monophyly. COI and RAG1 suggested that populations that are currently identified as M. brevianalis in fact represent several species. There was sufficiently strong support for the evolutionary independence of the M. brevianalis populations from the Rovuma, Kunene and Orange River Systems to consider them as independent species. The independence of the genus Mesobola was brought into question because Engraulicypris sardella and Rastrineobola argentea were placed within it phylogenetically.Morphometric methods in the form of multivariate truss network analyses, were performed to locate morphological markers for populations. There was little to no variation among most of the populations synonymized under M. brevianalis. Furthermore, neither latitude nor longitude had an effect on the morphological characters that might be linked to functional evolution. A molecular clock analysis of COI data was used to calibrate a paleobiogeographical model which entailed a divergence of lineages starting from an easterly reigning Paleo-Congo Basin, via a hypothetical Paleo-Kalahari Lake that was fragmented by a series of uplifts and drying events beginning ~65 million years ago. Complete evidence supported the synonymisation of the genera Engraulicypris and Mesobola, the resurrection of the species name gariepinus for the Orange River Systempopulation, and the description of two new species: E. ngalala from the Rovuma River System and E. howesi from the Kunene River System.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Riddin, Megan Amy
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: River sardine , Molecular evolution
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5930 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017808
- Description: The accurate identification of fish species, their life stages and their products enables the correct management of fisheries, research and conservation of distinctive populations for long-term survival and sustainability. Mesobola brevianalis Boulenger, 1908, commonly known as the river sardine, is found in many river systems in southern Africa. Because it exhibits widely separated populations showing subtle differences, particularly in colour, it is thought that there may be cryptic species involved. Standard phylogenetic techniques using three genetic markers (mitochondrial COI, nuclear protein RAG1 and nuclear ribosomal 28S rRNA), enabled the building of phylogenetic networks for M. brevianalis and some outgroup species. Consistent patterns of relationship were seen with 28S supporting monophyly. COI and RAG1 suggested that populations that are currently identified as M. brevianalis in fact represent several species. There was sufficiently strong support for the evolutionary independence of the M. brevianalis populations from the Rovuma, Kunene and Orange River Systems to consider them as independent species. The independence of the genus Mesobola was brought into question because Engraulicypris sardella and Rastrineobola argentea were placed within it phylogenetically.Morphometric methods in the form of multivariate truss network analyses, were performed to locate morphological markers for populations. There was little to no variation among most of the populations synonymized under M. brevianalis. Furthermore, neither latitude nor longitude had an effect on the morphological characters that might be linked to functional evolution. A molecular clock analysis of COI data was used to calibrate a paleobiogeographical model which entailed a divergence of lineages starting from an easterly reigning Paleo-Congo Basin, via a hypothetical Paleo-Kalahari Lake that was fragmented by a series of uplifts and drying events beginning ~65 million years ago. Complete evidence supported the synonymisation of the genera Engraulicypris and Mesobola, the resurrection of the species name gariepinus for the Orange River Systempopulation, and the description of two new species: E. ngalala from the Rovuma River System and E. howesi from the Kunene River System.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Strategies to improve the effectiveness of South African professional associations
- Authors: Goldman, Lester Mark
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Professional associations -- South Africa , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa , Social structure -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
- Identifier: vital:8930 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021186
- Description: Professional associations and professional relationships are a feature of the social structure of all advanced societies. Professional associations perform or provide a number of functions and services for professionals and for the organisations employing them: Continuing education, admission to practice, certification and credentialing, educational standards, enforcement of standards, codes of ethics, and standards of performance, meetings, social activities, newsletters, and journals. Professional association membership is therefore very valuable to professionals and, in turn, for the organisations which employ those professionals, because of the wide variety of important functions served and services provided by such associations. This value cascades through to the economy of the countries in which the associations perform. This study seeks to contribute to the increased effectiveness of professional associations in South Africa by assessing the level of organisational effectiveness within these associations, and the factors that affect such effectiveness. It is hoped that this research will provide the necessary information to enable senior stakeholders within the associations to make better decisions, and formulate better strategies to improve their effectiveness. If challenges of ineffectiveness are not addressed, the risk is that these associations might not achieve optimal effectiveness and growth, with negative impact on the professionals they serve, and the economy. Conversely, and optimistically, improvements in the effectiveness of professional associations, will positively impact the professionals they serve, with cascading benefits to the economy. Convenience sampling was used to target the senior staff or office bearers within the 48 SAQA registered professional associations in South Africa, at the time of survey. Self-constructed instruments were used to measure the variables included in the hypothesised model. Open-ended questions were also included in the questionnaire in order to capture qualitative information about professional associations. Using STATISTICS Version 10 (2010), the data analyses included exploratory factor analyses, the calculation of Cronbach alphas and Pearson correlations, and the content analysis of qualitative data. The most important finding of this study is that being an effective learning organisation (ELO) is an important indicator of a PA’s organisational effectiveness. To be an ELO means that the PA should continuously strive to learn and improve by conducting research that benefits the association itself, its members, its sector and its country. It is therefore important that PA’s focus their efforts on becoming effective learning organisations by planning and directing their resources on achieving this objective. It means that PA’s must employ or contract in intellectual resources that would enable them to stay at the cutting-edge of services that their members and clients want. This would require PA’s to ensure that they have the continuous services of high calibre researchers. The second important finding of this study is the indication that membership growth is another measure of a PA’s organisational effectiveness. It has already been reported above that being an ELO drives membership growth. The fact that being the first-mover in the industry increases membership growth is an indication that PA’s should capitalise on this strength, by always striving to be the first in everything its members and clients require, or will require. This calls for PA’s to conduct continuous environmental scanning, and the required research and development to deliver products and services first to their members and clients. The fact that competitive characteristics drive membership growth indicates to PA’s that they could attract more members if they maintain and improve service levels; continuously and effectively lobby government for better services for their members and clients; develop and deliver unique services to their members and clients; protect themselves against imitation of their resources and skills, outperform their competitors; and continuously enhance their credibility compared to other professional associations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Goldman, Lester Mark
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Professional associations -- South Africa , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa , Social structure -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
- Identifier: vital:8930 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021186
- Description: Professional associations and professional relationships are a feature of the social structure of all advanced societies. Professional associations perform or provide a number of functions and services for professionals and for the organisations employing them: Continuing education, admission to practice, certification and credentialing, educational standards, enforcement of standards, codes of ethics, and standards of performance, meetings, social activities, newsletters, and journals. Professional association membership is therefore very valuable to professionals and, in turn, for the organisations which employ those professionals, because of the wide variety of important functions served and services provided by such associations. This value cascades through to the economy of the countries in which the associations perform. This study seeks to contribute to the increased effectiveness of professional associations in South Africa by assessing the level of organisational effectiveness within these associations, and the factors that affect such effectiveness. It is hoped that this research will provide the necessary information to enable senior stakeholders within the associations to make better decisions, and formulate better strategies to improve their effectiveness. If challenges of ineffectiveness are not addressed, the risk is that these associations might not achieve optimal effectiveness and growth, with negative impact on the professionals they serve, and the economy. Conversely, and optimistically, improvements in the effectiveness of professional associations, will positively impact the professionals they serve, with cascading benefits to the economy. Convenience sampling was used to target the senior staff or office bearers within the 48 SAQA registered professional associations in South Africa, at the time of survey. Self-constructed instruments were used to measure the variables included in the hypothesised model. Open-ended questions were also included in the questionnaire in order to capture qualitative information about professional associations. Using STATISTICS Version 10 (2010), the data analyses included exploratory factor analyses, the calculation of Cronbach alphas and Pearson correlations, and the content analysis of qualitative data. The most important finding of this study is that being an effective learning organisation (ELO) is an important indicator of a PA’s organisational effectiveness. To be an ELO means that the PA should continuously strive to learn and improve by conducting research that benefits the association itself, its members, its sector and its country. It is therefore important that PA’s focus their efforts on becoming effective learning organisations by planning and directing their resources on achieving this objective. It means that PA’s must employ or contract in intellectual resources that would enable them to stay at the cutting-edge of services that their members and clients want. This would require PA’s to ensure that they have the continuous services of high calibre researchers. The second important finding of this study is the indication that membership growth is another measure of a PA’s organisational effectiveness. It has already been reported above that being an ELO drives membership growth. The fact that being the first-mover in the industry increases membership growth is an indication that PA’s should capitalise on this strength, by always striving to be the first in everything its members and clients require, or will require. This calls for PA’s to conduct continuous environmental scanning, and the required research and development to deliver products and services first to their members and clients. The fact that competitive characteristics drive membership growth indicates to PA’s that they could attract more members if they maintain and improve service levels; continuously and effectively lobby government for better services for their members and clients; develop and deliver unique services to their members and clients; protect themselves against imitation of their resources and skills, outperform their competitors; and continuously enhance their credibility compared to other professional associations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Establishment of human OCT4 as a putative HSP90 client protein: a case for HSP90 chaperoning pluripotency
- Authors: Sterrenberg, Jason Neville
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Induced pluripotent stem cells , Heat shock proteins , Stem cells , Transcription factors , Molecular chaperones
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/194010 , vital:45415 , 10.21504/10962/194010
- Description: The therapeutic potential of stem cells is already being harnessed in clinical trails. Of even greater therapeutic potential has been the discovery of mechanisms to reprogram differentiated cells into a pluripotent stem cell-like state known as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Stem cell nature is governed and maintained by a hierarchy of transcription factors, the apex of which is OCT4. Although much research has elucidated the transcriptional regulation of OCT4, OCT4 regulated gene expression profiles and OCT4 transcriptional activation mechanisms in both stem cell biology and cellular reprogramming to iPSCs, the fundamental biochemistry surrounding the OCT4 transcription factor remains largely unknown. In order to analyze the biochemical relationship between HSP90 and human OCT4 we developed an exogenous active human OCT4 expression model with human OCT4 under transcriptional control of a constitutive promoter. We identified the direct interaction between HSP90 and human OCT4 despite the fact that the proteins predominantly display differential subcellular localizations. We show that HSP90 inhibition resulted in degradation of human OCT4 via the ubiquitin proteasome degradation pathway. As human OCT4 and HSP90 did not interact in the nucleus, we suggest that HSP90 functions in the cytoplasmic stabilization of human OCT4. Our analysis suggests HSP90 inhibition inhibits the transcriptional activity of human OCT4 dimers without affecting monomeric OCT4 activity. Additionally our data suggests that the HSP90 and human OCT4 complex is modulated by phosphorylation events either promoting or abrogating the interaction between HSP90 and human OCT4. Our data suggest that human OCT4 displays the characteristics describing HSP90 client proteins, therefore we identify human OCT4 as a putative HSP90 client protein. The regulation of the transcription factor OCT4 by HSP90 provides fundamental insights into the complex biochemistry of stem cell biology. This may also be suggestive that HSP90 not only regulates stem cell biology by maintaining routine cellular homeostasis but additionally through the direct regulation of pluripotency factors. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Sterrenberg, Jason Neville
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Induced pluripotent stem cells , Heat shock proteins , Stem cells , Transcription factors , Molecular chaperones
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/194010 , vital:45415 , 10.21504/10962/194010
- Description: The therapeutic potential of stem cells is already being harnessed in clinical trails. Of even greater therapeutic potential has been the discovery of mechanisms to reprogram differentiated cells into a pluripotent stem cell-like state known as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Stem cell nature is governed and maintained by a hierarchy of transcription factors, the apex of which is OCT4. Although much research has elucidated the transcriptional regulation of OCT4, OCT4 regulated gene expression profiles and OCT4 transcriptional activation mechanisms in both stem cell biology and cellular reprogramming to iPSCs, the fundamental biochemistry surrounding the OCT4 transcription factor remains largely unknown. In order to analyze the biochemical relationship between HSP90 and human OCT4 we developed an exogenous active human OCT4 expression model with human OCT4 under transcriptional control of a constitutive promoter. We identified the direct interaction between HSP90 and human OCT4 despite the fact that the proteins predominantly display differential subcellular localizations. We show that HSP90 inhibition resulted in degradation of human OCT4 via the ubiquitin proteasome degradation pathway. As human OCT4 and HSP90 did not interact in the nucleus, we suggest that HSP90 functions in the cytoplasmic stabilization of human OCT4. Our analysis suggests HSP90 inhibition inhibits the transcriptional activity of human OCT4 dimers without affecting monomeric OCT4 activity. Additionally our data suggests that the HSP90 and human OCT4 complex is modulated by phosphorylation events either promoting or abrogating the interaction between HSP90 and human OCT4. Our data suggest that human OCT4 displays the characteristics describing HSP90 client proteins, therefore we identify human OCT4 as a putative HSP90 client protein. The regulation of the transcription factor OCT4 by HSP90 provides fundamental insights into the complex biochemistry of stem cell biology. This may also be suggestive that HSP90 not only regulates stem cell biology by maintaining routine cellular homeostasis but additionally through the direct regulation of pluripotency factors. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An assessment of the effectiveness of school governing bodies in implementing school policy: a case study of Xengxe Junior Secondary School in King William's Town district
- Authors: Ngcuka, Zimkhita Zenith
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School administrators -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School boards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education -- Parent participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Admin
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1719 , vital:27552
- Description: This study looks at School Governing Bodies and its role and their effectiveness in school management. In terms of the South African Schools Act, all schools are now required to have School Government Bodies to compliment the formal school administrative structures. The research looks at how these bodies have functioned in a rural context. The empirical evidence, supported by other research evidence show that even though these bodies are sometimes dutifully constituted in schools, their functionality and effectiveness remains limited due to a number of reasons. This research study has shown that the ineffectiveness of SGBs in a rural context is attributed to that following key issues- firstly, there is limited knowledge of the functions of SGB, which can be traced to the lack of training on the body member; secondly, there is a inadequate framework in many public schools to engage with the SGBs; and finally there is a lack of school resources to make effective use of these bodies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Ngcuka, Zimkhita Zenith
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School administrators -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School boards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education -- Parent participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Admin
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1719 , vital:27552
- Description: This study looks at School Governing Bodies and its role and their effectiveness in school management. In terms of the South African Schools Act, all schools are now required to have School Government Bodies to compliment the formal school administrative structures. The research looks at how these bodies have functioned in a rural context. The empirical evidence, supported by other research evidence show that even though these bodies are sometimes dutifully constituted in schools, their functionality and effectiveness remains limited due to a number of reasons. This research study has shown that the ineffectiveness of SGBs in a rural context is attributed to that following key issues- firstly, there is limited knowledge of the functions of SGB, which can be traced to the lack of training on the body member; secondly, there is a inadequate framework in many public schools to engage with the SGBs; and finally there is a lack of school resources to make effective use of these bodies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An assessment of the Auditor General's contribution to good governance in the public service: a case of the Eastern Cape provincial administration
- Authors: Khashe, Sivuyile Churchill
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Auditing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Political corruption -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Admin
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1675 , vital:27544
- Description: The Office of the Auditor -General’s role is by no means minor, for it plays a major role in curbing corruption and acts as a ‘’watchdog’’ of the nation over public funds. Amidst high mismanagement and misuse of public resources, as well as corruption, especially in developing countries, the major question one asks is how effective the Auditor -General can be in ensuring good governance within state departments so as to improve service delivery. The gaps between approved budgets and the realisation of policy and development goals stand among key governance challenges in many developing countries. Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) play an important role in holding governments to account. However, many SAIs including AGSA face serious challenges when trying to evaluate the expenditures and performance of government agencies. Therefore this study suggests that more resources should be invested in the office of the AG so as to allow it to carry out its duties without impediments. Good governance and public finance accountability is becoming increasingly important in the public sector. One means of effecting good governance and accountability is through auditing. For this reason the Office of the Auditor-General through the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996 (Act 108 of 1996 section 216 (1)) was established to facilitate and encourage good governance and effective accountability through auditing. To this end the study assesses the contribution made by the AGSA in encouraging good governance practices in government departments in the Eastern Cape Province.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Khashe, Sivuyile Churchill
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Auditing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Political corruption -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Admin
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1675 , vital:27544
- Description: The Office of the Auditor -General’s role is by no means minor, for it plays a major role in curbing corruption and acts as a ‘’watchdog’’ of the nation over public funds. Amidst high mismanagement and misuse of public resources, as well as corruption, especially in developing countries, the major question one asks is how effective the Auditor -General can be in ensuring good governance within state departments so as to improve service delivery. The gaps between approved budgets and the realisation of policy and development goals stand among key governance challenges in many developing countries. Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) play an important role in holding governments to account. However, many SAIs including AGSA face serious challenges when trying to evaluate the expenditures and performance of government agencies. Therefore this study suggests that more resources should be invested in the office of the AG so as to allow it to carry out its duties without impediments. Good governance and public finance accountability is becoming increasingly important in the public sector. One means of effecting good governance and accountability is through auditing. For this reason the Office of the Auditor-General through the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996 (Act 108 of 1996 section 216 (1)) was established to facilitate and encourage good governance and effective accountability through auditing. To this end the study assesses the contribution made by the AGSA in encouraging good governance practices in government departments in the Eastern Cape Province.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An exploration of the effect of world politics on SADC's capacity to manage and resolve violent conflict
- Authors: Matsanga, Mavis
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Conflict management -- Zimbabwe , Non-governmental organizations -- Zimbabwe , Humanitarian intervention -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6886 , vital:21157
- Description: The rise of International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOS) in the post-Cold War era in Africa exerted pressure on conflict resolution mechanisms as governments responded to perceived and real pressure from external, mainly Western countries. INGOs are well resourced and conduct ‘humanitarian’ and other work funded by donors. The issue of funding is critical to control and legitimacy. It is also tied to achievement of intended goals. The study explores the relationships and in some cases conflict between Western NGOs in Zimbabwe and the government during the period when the latter was experiencing diplomatic estrangement with Western countries. The qualitative study seeks to establish whether INGO operations were influenced by political relations. The researcher interviewed twenty experts in NGO and governmental operations using an interview guide. Data was collected and entered into Nvivo software where it was thematically analysed. The major findings of the study are that the political strand is the main relational context that determined the relationship between the government and INGOs. INGOs were viewed as active conflict drivers mostly due to the bias towards certain political parties and being conduits of Western initiatives. Local conflict resolution mechanisms were also established to be inadequate. The study recommends that the government of Zimbabwe needs to work on maladministration and resolve differences with Western countries. Local NGOs and INGOs should not meddle in politics in order to have a trustworthy relationship with government while donor funds are more appreciated when channelled through governments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Matsanga, Mavis
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Conflict management -- Zimbabwe , Non-governmental organizations -- Zimbabwe , Humanitarian intervention -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6886 , vital:21157
- Description: The rise of International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOS) in the post-Cold War era in Africa exerted pressure on conflict resolution mechanisms as governments responded to perceived and real pressure from external, mainly Western countries. INGOs are well resourced and conduct ‘humanitarian’ and other work funded by donors. The issue of funding is critical to control and legitimacy. It is also tied to achievement of intended goals. The study explores the relationships and in some cases conflict between Western NGOs in Zimbabwe and the government during the period when the latter was experiencing diplomatic estrangement with Western countries. The qualitative study seeks to establish whether INGO operations were influenced by political relations. The researcher interviewed twenty experts in NGO and governmental operations using an interview guide. Data was collected and entered into Nvivo software where it was thematically analysed. The major findings of the study are that the political strand is the main relational context that determined the relationship between the government and INGOs. INGOs were viewed as active conflict drivers mostly due to the bias towards certain political parties and being conduits of Western initiatives. Local conflict resolution mechanisms were also established to be inadequate. The study recommends that the government of Zimbabwe needs to work on maladministration and resolve differences with Western countries. Local NGOs and INGOs should not meddle in politics in order to have a trustworthy relationship with government while donor funds are more appreciated when channelled through governments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Music education in the foundation phase
- Authors: Beer, Luzaan
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Music -- Instruction and study -- South Africa , Education -- Curricula -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:8525 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020302
- Description: Music education is an essential aspect of education. The South African school curriculum for the Creative Arts combines dance, drama, music and the visual arts. The curriculum uses a combination of the theories of Carl Orff, Emile Jaques-Dalcroze and Zoltán Kodály. Each of these music theorists and educationists have their own distinctive approach to teaching music. This study explores the theories of music education of Carl Orff, Emile Jaques-Dalcroze and Zoltán Kodály. These theories are applied in a critical analysis of both the South African curriculum and the curriculum of New South Wales. The researcher developed music activities to address the shortcomings of both the South African curriculum and the music texts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Beer, Luzaan
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Music -- Instruction and study -- South Africa , Education -- Curricula -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:8525 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020302
- Description: Music education is an essential aspect of education. The South African school curriculum for the Creative Arts combines dance, drama, music and the visual arts. The curriculum uses a combination of the theories of Carl Orff, Emile Jaques-Dalcroze and Zoltán Kodály. Each of these music theorists and educationists have their own distinctive approach to teaching music. This study explores the theories of music education of Carl Orff, Emile Jaques-Dalcroze and Zoltán Kodály. These theories are applied in a critical analysis of both the South African curriculum and the curriculum of New South Wales. The researcher developed music activities to address the shortcomings of both the South African curriculum and the music texts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An exploration of perceptions, adaptive capacity and food security in the Ngqushwa local municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Mazinyo, Sonwabo Perez
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19043 , vital:40107
- Description: Approximately sixty percent of Africans depend on rainfed agriculture for their livelihoods. South Africa is evidenced to be susceptible to inclement climate which impacts on rural livelihoods as well as on farming systems. While South Africa is considered to be food sufficient, it is estimated that approximately 35percent of the population is vulnerable to food insecurity. Therefore with the application of surveys and interviews this study investigates the factors influencing household, subsistence and small-scale farmer perceptions of vulnerability to climate variability as well as the determinants of adaptive capacity. A sample of 308 households is surveyed and four focus group discussions are administered in Ngqushwa Local Municipality as a case study. Furthermore, the study also focuses on the biophysical changes or factors (scientific analysis of the prevailing climatic regimes–rainfall trends); the interrogation of the impact of food systems on both food prices as well as its implications on food sovereignty. The study also interrogates the relationship between crop yield and rainfall data over a 30-year period. Therefore the study adopts a mixed method approach to ensure triangulation. The study finds that rural communities are able to perceive climate variability and its related changes as well as its negative impact on crop production, food access and availability. The perceived rainfall trends also corroborate this Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient reveals that there is a strong correlation between crop yields and rainfall (r = 0.69). Meteorological analyses also show that the rainfall trend has been significantly variable over 112 years (1900 - 2011) with several dry spells threatening the subsistence and small-scale farmers’ sustainable livelihoods. The food systems pose threats to food safety, food security and historical food sovereignty for the rural community of Ngqushwa Local Municipality. Adaptive capacity is greatly impaired by the lack of co-ordination of adaptation strategies, which communally benefit the majority of the farming respondents in the study area. Therefore vulnerability to climate variability impacts on the ability of the respondents to achieve food security. The study also finds that there is perceived competition between the farmers and wild life for the natural resources. The respondents’ perception is that climate variability and change is responsible for such competition. The study recommends that the national, provincial and local governments must foster a new food production model that is not based on the agro-business model and its attendant technologies but on one that is based on robust agro-ecological farming techniques which enhance adaptive capacity; which foster food safety; which promote food sovereignty; and which reduce vulnerability in a sustainable manner. Given the extent of climate variability in the study area the restoration of the NLM weather station infrastructure can also aid the farmers in taking advantage of a robust early warning system for better estimation of climate trends which enhance crop production.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Mazinyo, Sonwabo Perez
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19043 , vital:40107
- Description: Approximately sixty percent of Africans depend on rainfed agriculture for their livelihoods. South Africa is evidenced to be susceptible to inclement climate which impacts on rural livelihoods as well as on farming systems. While South Africa is considered to be food sufficient, it is estimated that approximately 35percent of the population is vulnerable to food insecurity. Therefore with the application of surveys and interviews this study investigates the factors influencing household, subsistence and small-scale farmer perceptions of vulnerability to climate variability as well as the determinants of adaptive capacity. A sample of 308 households is surveyed and four focus group discussions are administered in Ngqushwa Local Municipality as a case study. Furthermore, the study also focuses on the biophysical changes or factors (scientific analysis of the prevailing climatic regimes–rainfall trends); the interrogation of the impact of food systems on both food prices as well as its implications on food sovereignty. The study also interrogates the relationship between crop yield and rainfall data over a 30-year period. Therefore the study adopts a mixed method approach to ensure triangulation. The study finds that rural communities are able to perceive climate variability and its related changes as well as its negative impact on crop production, food access and availability. The perceived rainfall trends also corroborate this Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient reveals that there is a strong correlation between crop yields and rainfall (r = 0.69). Meteorological analyses also show that the rainfall trend has been significantly variable over 112 years (1900 - 2011) with several dry spells threatening the subsistence and small-scale farmers’ sustainable livelihoods. The food systems pose threats to food safety, food security and historical food sovereignty for the rural community of Ngqushwa Local Municipality. Adaptive capacity is greatly impaired by the lack of co-ordination of adaptation strategies, which communally benefit the majority of the farming respondents in the study area. Therefore vulnerability to climate variability impacts on the ability of the respondents to achieve food security. The study also finds that there is perceived competition between the farmers and wild life for the natural resources. The respondents’ perception is that climate variability and change is responsible for such competition. The study recommends that the national, provincial and local governments must foster a new food production model that is not based on the agro-business model and its attendant technologies but on one that is based on robust agro-ecological farming techniques which enhance adaptive capacity; which foster food safety; which promote food sovereignty; and which reduce vulnerability in a sustainable manner. Given the extent of climate variability in the study area the restoration of the NLM weather station infrastructure can also aid the farmers in taking advantage of a robust early warning system for better estimation of climate trends which enhance crop production.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
DNA-based identification of Lepidoptera associated with citrus in South Africa
- Marsberg, Tamryn, Hill, Martin P, Moore, Sean D, Timm, A E
- Authors: Marsberg, Tamryn , Hill, Martin P , Moore, Sean D , Timm, A E
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/405782 , vital:70205 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC167513"
- Description: A number of insects, primarily Lepidoptera, cause damage to citrus in South Africa. A major limitation to the management and control of these pests is their correct identification. The aim of this study was to develop a database of gene sequences to aid in the identification of these Lepidoptera. Multiple specimens of 12 species were sequenced for the ~650 bp of the cytochrome oxidase I gene. These sequence data were supplemented and validated using sequences available in public databases. Results showed that each species could be unambiguously identified, and neighbour-joining analysis based on K2P distances formed highly supported, distinct clusters for each species, i.e. the maximum intraspecific genetic distance was less than that of the minimum interspecific genetic distances. Thus, this data set provides a molecular means to successfully identify the most important Lepidoptera associated with citrus in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Marsberg, Tamryn , Hill, Martin P , Moore, Sean D , Timm, A E
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/405782 , vital:70205 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC167513"
- Description: A number of insects, primarily Lepidoptera, cause damage to citrus in South Africa. A major limitation to the management and control of these pests is their correct identification. The aim of this study was to develop a database of gene sequences to aid in the identification of these Lepidoptera. Multiple specimens of 12 species were sequenced for the ~650 bp of the cytochrome oxidase I gene. These sequence data were supplemented and validated using sequences available in public databases. Results showed that each species could be unambiguously identified, and neighbour-joining analysis based on K2P distances formed highly supported, distinct clusters for each species, i.e. the maximum intraspecific genetic distance was less than that of the minimum interspecific genetic distances. Thus, this data set provides a molecular means to successfully identify the most important Lepidoptera associated with citrus in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The reform of world order?: BRICS in an Interpolar world
- Authors: Phyllis, Yvonne
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193520 , vital:45339
- Description: International relations has recently seen new developments which are unpredictable and in their infant stage. The causes of these developments are plentiful, the consequences stemming from waning unipolarity to the emergence of new fora creating their own spaces. Whatever the case, international relations is not as it was in the period just after the Cold War. As a result, the terms of global governance established after 1990 have come under serious scrutiny. This transition has the makings of a new world order, an interpolar world order. This study asserts that we no longer live in a unipolar world, nor do we live in a world which can only be described as multipolar. It makes the argument that although multipolarity is a crucial element of the world, it only offers a partial description of today’s order. The study asserts that it is interpolarity which is closest in accounting for today’s world. Not only does it describe the world as multipolar, it also describes it as interdependent. To this end, the study provides a detailed account of what is meant by an interpolar world order and how differently it explains international events. It also provides an account of factors which can develop in an interpolar world. One of these includes allowing room for emerging powers to create their own spaces in efforts of avoiding co-option while continuing to realise the importance of operating within a context of continuity. This means that emerging countries create their own spaces but they also realise the importance of working with already established regimes such as the G20. BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) is used as a case study to indicate one of the new developments afforded by an interpolar order-the emergence of new fora. The study asserts that although BRICS is rife with internal dissimilarities, it has indicated some degree of political will in one aspect; that is; advocating for the reform of the terms of global governance, advocating for more representative forms of global governance. The study thus explores factors of a world whose contours are gradually changing but which are unpredictable and in flux. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Political and International Studies, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Phyllis, Yvonne
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193520 , vital:45339
- Description: International relations has recently seen new developments which are unpredictable and in their infant stage. The causes of these developments are plentiful, the consequences stemming from waning unipolarity to the emergence of new fora creating their own spaces. Whatever the case, international relations is not as it was in the period just after the Cold War. As a result, the terms of global governance established after 1990 have come under serious scrutiny. This transition has the makings of a new world order, an interpolar world order. This study asserts that we no longer live in a unipolar world, nor do we live in a world which can only be described as multipolar. It makes the argument that although multipolarity is a crucial element of the world, it only offers a partial description of today’s order. The study asserts that it is interpolarity which is closest in accounting for today’s world. Not only does it describe the world as multipolar, it also describes it as interdependent. To this end, the study provides a detailed account of what is meant by an interpolar world order and how differently it explains international events. It also provides an account of factors which can develop in an interpolar world. One of these includes allowing room for emerging powers to create their own spaces in efforts of avoiding co-option while continuing to realise the importance of operating within a context of continuity. This means that emerging countries create their own spaces but they also realise the importance of working with already established regimes such as the G20. BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) is used as a case study to indicate one of the new developments afforded by an interpolar order-the emergence of new fora. The study asserts that although BRICS is rife with internal dissimilarities, it has indicated some degree of political will in one aspect; that is; advocating for the reform of the terms of global governance, advocating for more representative forms of global governance. The study thus explores factors of a world whose contours are gradually changing but which are unpredictable and in flux. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Political and International Studies, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The status of vaccine availability and associated factors in Tshwane government clinics
- Authors: Ngcobo, Ntombenhle Judith
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Health facilities -- Materials management -- South Africa -- City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality , Inventory shortages -- South Africa -- City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8967 , vital:26447
- Description: Vaccines have greatly contributed to the control of vaccine preventable diseases. The adoption of the Decade of Vaccines (DoV) by the World Health Assembly in 2011 is an indication of how the global community values the benefits of vaccines. Efforts by many countries to introduce new vaccines are a significant move towards attaining this vision. However, new vaccines put strain on vaccine supply chains. The immunization programme in South Africa has similar challenges, with indications of vaccine stock outs in clinics since the introduction of three new vaccines in 2009. This study set out to establish the status of availability of vaccines in Tshwane government clinics and associated factors. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of randomly selected government clinics in Tshwane health district of Gauteng province. Data was collected using a structured measurement instrument during a visit to each of the participating clinics. Data was collated and analysed using excel based software. Results: A total of 31 clinics participated. In the preceding 12 months, clinics experienced vaccine stock outs, especially of the 3 new vaccines: pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), rotavirus (RV) vaccine and Pentaxim ®. These were also out of stock for a long duration; for over 2 weeks in a majority of clinics. The causes of vaccine stock outs were: poor management of stock, depot out of stock, unreliable deliveries, lack of pharmacy assistants, and limited fridge capacity. Further burdening the situation is the emergency ordering system that does not function effectively. Conclusion: Significant vaccine shortages occur in Tshwane government clinics. It is recommended that the vaccine supply chain should be restructured and overhauled with the use of advances in technology. Urgent measures should be taken to address the identified causes of stock outs including ensuring reliable deliveries of stock and emergency orders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Ngcobo, Ntombenhle Judith
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Health facilities -- Materials management -- South Africa -- City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality , Inventory shortages -- South Africa -- City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8967 , vital:26447
- Description: Vaccines have greatly contributed to the control of vaccine preventable diseases. The adoption of the Decade of Vaccines (DoV) by the World Health Assembly in 2011 is an indication of how the global community values the benefits of vaccines. Efforts by many countries to introduce new vaccines are a significant move towards attaining this vision. However, new vaccines put strain on vaccine supply chains. The immunization programme in South Africa has similar challenges, with indications of vaccine stock outs in clinics since the introduction of three new vaccines in 2009. This study set out to establish the status of availability of vaccines in Tshwane government clinics and associated factors. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of randomly selected government clinics in Tshwane health district of Gauteng province. Data was collected using a structured measurement instrument during a visit to each of the participating clinics. Data was collated and analysed using excel based software. Results: A total of 31 clinics participated. In the preceding 12 months, clinics experienced vaccine stock outs, especially of the 3 new vaccines: pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), rotavirus (RV) vaccine and Pentaxim ®. These were also out of stock for a long duration; for over 2 weeks in a majority of clinics. The causes of vaccine stock outs were: poor management of stock, depot out of stock, unreliable deliveries, lack of pharmacy assistants, and limited fridge capacity. Further burdening the situation is the emergency ordering system that does not function effectively. Conclusion: Significant vaccine shortages occur in Tshwane government clinics. It is recommended that the vaccine supply chain should be restructured and overhauled with the use of advances in technology. Urgent measures should be taken to address the identified causes of stock outs including ensuring reliable deliveries of stock and emergency orders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The barefoot road
- Authors: Dingle, Brian Clinton
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century , Creative writing (Higher education) , South African fiction (English) -- Study and teaching (Higher)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5989 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017773
- Description: My novella is set in South Africa in a post-apocalyptic world. The drone technology theorised for the near future is widespread and scattered survivors live under the constant threat of drone strikes. The protagonist tries to negotiate these dangers and the looming threat of a slave empire to reconnect with his friends and family. He encounters bizarre hallucinations and flashbacks as a result of exposure to an unidentified gas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Dingle, Brian Clinton
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century , Creative writing (Higher education) , South African fiction (English) -- Study and teaching (Higher)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5989 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017773
- Description: My novella is set in South Africa in a post-apocalyptic world. The drone technology theorised for the near future is widespread and scattered survivors live under the constant threat of drone strikes. The protagonist tries to negotiate these dangers and the looming threat of a slave empire to reconnect with his friends and family. He encounters bizarre hallucinations and flashbacks as a result of exposure to an unidentified gas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Improving the performance management system in a selected firm
- Authors: Sonti, Phindile Clinton
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Performance -- Management , Employees -- Rating of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8928 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021172
- Description: The performance management system has become a vital process of retaining skilled employees, helping to improve communication between the employees and management, providing feedback to employees and clear understanding of job expectation. A performance management system assists the firm to identify the ways to improve individual and firm performance and provides the opportunity for discussion about individual career direction and growth within the firm. It provides the opportunity to set employee targets linked to the departmental targets. The performance management system is the catalyst for firms to become globally competitive and be able to meet targets. Over the years the firm has introduced a performance management system to help employees to achieve their targets, which will result in the company meeting its own objectives. The study focused on the factors that affect the performance management system. The objective of the research was to improve the performance management system of the firm. The study was conducted to assess the effect of the following independent variables on the improvement of the performance management system: leadership style, training, organisational culture, reward system and organisational communication. The sample consisted of only the employees of the firm selected for the study. One hundred and fifty (150) questionnaires were distributed, but only seventy-six (76) respondents (response rate = 50.7 percent) participated in the final study. The empirical results revealed that the three independent variables play a very important role in improving a performance management system. These three variables are organisational culture, training, and reward system. Implementing the recommendations that came from these results will go a long way to making sure that the firm will improve its performance management system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Sonti, Phindile Clinton
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Performance -- Management , Employees -- Rating of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8928 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021172
- Description: The performance management system has become a vital process of retaining skilled employees, helping to improve communication between the employees and management, providing feedback to employees and clear understanding of job expectation. A performance management system assists the firm to identify the ways to improve individual and firm performance and provides the opportunity for discussion about individual career direction and growth within the firm. It provides the opportunity to set employee targets linked to the departmental targets. The performance management system is the catalyst for firms to become globally competitive and be able to meet targets. Over the years the firm has introduced a performance management system to help employees to achieve their targets, which will result in the company meeting its own objectives. The study focused on the factors that affect the performance management system. The objective of the research was to improve the performance management system of the firm. The study was conducted to assess the effect of the following independent variables on the improvement of the performance management system: leadership style, training, organisational culture, reward system and organisational communication. The sample consisted of only the employees of the firm selected for the study. One hundred and fifty (150) questionnaires were distributed, but only seventy-six (76) respondents (response rate = 50.7 percent) participated in the final study. The empirical results revealed that the three independent variables play a very important role in improving a performance management system. These three variables are organisational culture, training, and reward system. Implementing the recommendations that came from these results will go a long way to making sure that the firm will improve its performance management system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Deconstructing developmental psychology twenty years on : reflections, implications and empirical work
- Callaghan, Jane, Andenæs, Agnes, Macleod, Catriona I
- Authors: Callaghan, Jane , Andenæs, Agnes , Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6315 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020934 , http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0959353515583702
- Description: Editorial
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Callaghan, Jane , Andenæs, Agnes , Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6315 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020934 , http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0959353515583702
- Description: Editorial
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015