Supporting environment and sustainability knowledge in the grade 10 life sciences curriculum and assessment policy context : a case study of the Fundisa for Change teacher education and development programme pilot project
- Authors: Songqwaru, Nonyameko Zintle
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Fundisa for Change Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa Life sciences -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Case studies Environmental education -- South Africa -- Case studies Curriculum planning -- South Africa Curriculum-based assessment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1907 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006842
- Description: In the context of yet another curriculum revision in South Africa, this study investigates how teachers can be supported to meet the environmental discourse requirements as outlined in the revised curriculum in the Life Sciences. The study takes place in the context of a National Case Study which has resulted in a development of a national network, curriculum framework and resources for teacher education, with specific focus on the integration of environment and sustainability in the South African teacher education system. The study intends to provide insights into what constitutes adequate professional support and assistance to teachers that enables them to understand and work with the environment and sustainability content knowledge requirements of the Life Sciences Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS). The study seeks to inform future curriculum implementation decisions and teacher education programmes. The study is designed as a qualitative case study inquiry that has used open-ended, individual and focus group interviews, direct field observation and document analysis to generate data. The study revealed that: * Teachers developed confidence from an in-depth analysis of the CAPS curriculum. * Teachers have content gaps in environment and sustainability knowledge and these can be addressed through professional development that emphasises rich subject knowledge. * Teachers are not familiar with teaching methods that can be used to teach environmental and sustainability content knowledge. * Teachers struggle to see the relationship between teaching and assessing. * Teachers do not have enough and adequate resources for teaching and learning. * Training given to teachers should be interactive to enable them to recontextualise training received in their work places. * Teacher training should go beyond content knowledge that teachers have to teach, but should also consider how teachers can teach and assess that knowledge. * It is important to have a strong framing for selection and sequencing of content knowledge and a relatively weak framing for pacing and hierarchical rules in teacher training workshops. * Professional development has the potential to lead to whole school development. The study recommends that: ** Recontextualisation should be grounded on interpreting the policy requirements ** Teacher pre- and in-service training should focus on developing teachers’ understanding of the foundational knowledge in the Life Sciences ** The links between Life Sciences pedagogy and environmental pedagogy should be made explicit. ** Good quality resources should be provided for teachers and they should be supported to use these appropriately. ** Teachers’ academic literacy needs to be developed. Further recommendations: * Further studies should be conducted that would look at how teachers can be supported to work with environment and sustainability content knowledge within other subjects or other content areas of Life Sciences. This could provide some insights in terms of looking at the patterns, similarities or differences between different cases. It would be valuable to trace the teachers who participated in this pilot to observe how they recontextualise the training in their classroom practices. There is no point in attending a course or training if it will not impact one’s practice. Some insights into classroom practices were gained through reflective interviews from the teachers who had taught the biodiversity content, but this was not observed in practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Songqwaru, Nonyameko Zintle
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Fundisa for Change Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa Life sciences -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Case studies Environmental education -- South Africa -- Case studies Curriculum planning -- South Africa Curriculum-based assessment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1907 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006842
- Description: In the context of yet another curriculum revision in South Africa, this study investigates how teachers can be supported to meet the environmental discourse requirements as outlined in the revised curriculum in the Life Sciences. The study takes place in the context of a National Case Study which has resulted in a development of a national network, curriculum framework and resources for teacher education, with specific focus on the integration of environment and sustainability in the South African teacher education system. The study intends to provide insights into what constitutes adequate professional support and assistance to teachers that enables them to understand and work with the environment and sustainability content knowledge requirements of the Life Sciences Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS). The study seeks to inform future curriculum implementation decisions and teacher education programmes. The study is designed as a qualitative case study inquiry that has used open-ended, individual and focus group interviews, direct field observation and document analysis to generate data. The study revealed that: * Teachers developed confidence from an in-depth analysis of the CAPS curriculum. * Teachers have content gaps in environment and sustainability knowledge and these can be addressed through professional development that emphasises rich subject knowledge. * Teachers are not familiar with teaching methods that can be used to teach environmental and sustainability content knowledge. * Teachers struggle to see the relationship between teaching and assessing. * Teachers do not have enough and adequate resources for teaching and learning. * Training given to teachers should be interactive to enable them to recontextualise training received in their work places. * Teacher training should go beyond content knowledge that teachers have to teach, but should also consider how teachers can teach and assess that knowledge. * It is important to have a strong framing for selection and sequencing of content knowledge and a relatively weak framing for pacing and hierarchical rules in teacher training workshops. * Professional development has the potential to lead to whole school development. The study recommends that: ** Recontextualisation should be grounded on interpreting the policy requirements ** Teacher pre- and in-service training should focus on developing teachers’ understanding of the foundational knowledge in the Life Sciences ** The links between Life Sciences pedagogy and environmental pedagogy should be made explicit. ** Good quality resources should be provided for teachers and they should be supported to use these appropriately. ** Teachers’ academic literacy needs to be developed. Further recommendations: * Further studies should be conducted that would look at how teachers can be supported to work with environment and sustainability content knowledge within other subjects or other content areas of Life Sciences. This could provide some insights in terms of looking at the patterns, similarities or differences between different cases. It would be valuable to trace the teachers who participated in this pilot to observe how they recontextualise the training in their classroom practices. There is no point in attending a course or training if it will not impact one’s practice. Some insights into classroom practices were gained through reflective interviews from the teachers who had taught the biodiversity content, but this was not observed in practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Comparative phytochemical analyses of Aloe Ferox Mill. found in Eastern and Western Cape provinces in South Africa
- Authors: Adams, Zanele
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Phytochemicals -- South Africa , Medicinal plants -- South Africa , Botanical chemistry -- South Africa , Aloe -- Analysis , Aloe -- Research -- South Africa , Aloin
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Botany)
- Identifier: vital:11308 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013114 , Phytochemicals -- South Africa , Medicinal plants -- South Africa , Botanical chemistry -- South Africa , Aloe -- Analysis , Aloe -- Research -- South Africa , Aloin
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Adams, Zanele
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Phytochemicals -- South Africa , Medicinal plants -- South Africa , Botanical chemistry -- South Africa , Aloe -- Analysis , Aloe -- Research -- South Africa , Aloin
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Botany)
- Identifier: vital:11308 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013114 , Phytochemicals -- South Africa , Medicinal plants -- South Africa , Botanical chemistry -- South Africa , Aloe -- Analysis , Aloe -- Research -- South Africa , Aloin
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Falcipains as malarial drug targets
- Authors: Kanzi, Aquillah Mumo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Malaria Malaria -- Chemotherapy Plasmodium falciparum Antimalarials -- Development Cysteine proteinases Cysteine proteinases -- Inhibitors Papain Drug development Bioinformatics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3897 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003842
- Description: Malaria is an infectious disease caused by parasites of the Plasmodium genus with mortality rates of more than a million annually, hence a major global public health concern. Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) accounts for over 90% of malaria incidence. Increased resistance to antimalarial drugs by the Plasmodium parasite, coupled with the lack of an effective malaria vaccine necessitates the urgent need for new research avenues to develop novel and more potent antimalarial drugs. This study focused on falcipains, a group of P. falciparum cysteine proteases that belong to the clan CA and papain family C1, that have emerged as potential drug targets due to their involvement in a range of crucial functions in the P. falciparum life cycle. Recently, falcipain-2 has been validated as a drug target but little is known of its Plasmodium orthologs. Currently, there are several falcipain inhibitors that have been identified, most of which are peptide based but none has proceeded to drug development due to associated poor pharmacological profiles and susceptibility to degradation by host cysteine proteases. Non-peptides inhibitors have been shown to be more stable in vivo but limited information exists. In vivo studies on falcipain-2 and falcipain-3 inhibitors have also been complicated by varying outcomes, thus a good understanding of the structural variations of falcipain Plasmodium orthologs at the active site could go a long way to ease in vivo results interpretation and effective inhibitor design. In this study, we use bioinformatics approaches to perform comparative sequence and structural analysis and molecular docking to characterize protein-inhibitor interactions of falcipain homologs at the active site. Known FP-2 and FP-3 small molecule nonpeptide inhibitors were used to identify residue variations and their effect on inhibitor binding. This was done with the aim of screening a collection of selected non-peptide compounds of South African natural origin to identify possible new inhibitor leads. Natural compounds with high binding affinities across all Plasmodium orthologs were identified. These compounds were then used to search the ZINC database for similar compounds which could have better binding affinities across all selected falcipain homologs. Compounds with high binding affinities across all Plasmodium orthologs were found.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Kanzi, Aquillah Mumo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Malaria Malaria -- Chemotherapy Plasmodium falciparum Antimalarials -- Development Cysteine proteinases Cysteine proteinases -- Inhibitors Papain Drug development Bioinformatics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3897 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003842
- Description: Malaria is an infectious disease caused by parasites of the Plasmodium genus with mortality rates of more than a million annually, hence a major global public health concern. Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) accounts for over 90% of malaria incidence. Increased resistance to antimalarial drugs by the Plasmodium parasite, coupled with the lack of an effective malaria vaccine necessitates the urgent need for new research avenues to develop novel and more potent antimalarial drugs. This study focused on falcipains, a group of P. falciparum cysteine proteases that belong to the clan CA and papain family C1, that have emerged as potential drug targets due to their involvement in a range of crucial functions in the P. falciparum life cycle. Recently, falcipain-2 has been validated as a drug target but little is known of its Plasmodium orthologs. Currently, there are several falcipain inhibitors that have been identified, most of which are peptide based but none has proceeded to drug development due to associated poor pharmacological profiles and susceptibility to degradation by host cysteine proteases. Non-peptides inhibitors have been shown to be more stable in vivo but limited information exists. In vivo studies on falcipain-2 and falcipain-3 inhibitors have also been complicated by varying outcomes, thus a good understanding of the structural variations of falcipain Plasmodium orthologs at the active site could go a long way to ease in vivo results interpretation and effective inhibitor design. In this study, we use bioinformatics approaches to perform comparative sequence and structural analysis and molecular docking to characterize protein-inhibitor interactions of falcipain homologs at the active site. Known FP-2 and FP-3 small molecule nonpeptide inhibitors were used to identify residue variations and their effect on inhibitor binding. This was done with the aim of screening a collection of selected non-peptide compounds of South African natural origin to identify possible new inhibitor leads. Natural compounds with high binding affinities across all Plasmodium orthologs were identified. These compounds were then used to search the ZINC database for similar compounds which could have better binding affinities across all selected falcipain homologs. Compounds with high binding affinities across all Plasmodium orthologs were found.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Community development projects in Ingquza Hill and its impact on poverty alleviation
- Authors: Tyali, Zukiswa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic assistance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9190 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020311
- Description: The fight against poverty is one of South African government priorities and challenges. Despite the large amounts of funds donated by government to poverty alleviation in South Africa almost half of the population still continue to live below the poverty line. There have been many government interventions towards projects. These projects are established in an effort to reduce poverty. However, most of these projects have had a minimal impact on the poverty level of the country. In this study, the researcher illustrated the impact of community development projects on poverty alleviation in Lubala village in Ingquza Hill Local municipality. The research methodology for the study is descriptive, sourced from available literature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Tyali, Zukiswa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic assistance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9190 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020311
- Description: The fight against poverty is one of South African government priorities and challenges. Despite the large amounts of funds donated by government to poverty alleviation in South Africa almost half of the population still continue to live below the poverty line. There have been many government interventions towards projects. These projects are established in an effort to reduce poverty. However, most of these projects have had a minimal impact on the poverty level of the country. In this study, the researcher illustrated the impact of community development projects on poverty alleviation in Lubala village in Ingquza Hill Local municipality. The research methodology for the study is descriptive, sourced from available literature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The impact of estate planning on the effectiveness of estate duty as a wealth tax in South Africa
- Authors: Ostler, Luise Marie
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Wealth tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Estates (Law) -- South Africa Inheritance and transfer tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Estate planning -- South Africa Tax planning -- South Africa Capital gains tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:894 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003741
- Description: The thesis examined the current system of the taxation of wealth in South Africa with an emphasis on the taxes that apply upon the death of the taxpayer. The focus of the research was on the problems associated with estate duty, namely the issue of double taxation; the alleged cumbersome administration of the tax and the limited revenue that it brings in; it’s questionable efficacy due to extensive estate planning on the part of taxpayers while they are still alive and its lack of uniformity with other wealth taxes. An interpretative research approach was followed which involved analysing documentary data. The conclusions that were reached were that estate duty as a wealth tax in South Africa has been rendered ineffective due to the inherent problems associated with its application, namely the fact that double taxation exists, not only in the context of capital gains tax, but also in that taxpayers resent being taxed upon death after having paid income tax during their lives. The perceived unfairness that is associated with estate duty has caused the creation of a secondary industry of estate planning, with the aim of minimising estate duty, which industry has resulted in the ineffectiveness of estate duty and its limited revenue. No evidence could be found regarding the Treasury’s assertion that estate duty is a cumbersome tax to administer. The final conclusion reached was that the current estate duty regime needs to be overhauled preferably by extending the current system of capital gains tax and abolishing estate duty, with due consideration being given to the consequences associated therewith.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Ostler, Luise Marie
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Wealth tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Estates (Law) -- South Africa Inheritance and transfer tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Estate planning -- South Africa Tax planning -- South Africa Capital gains tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:894 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003741
- Description: The thesis examined the current system of the taxation of wealth in South Africa with an emphasis on the taxes that apply upon the death of the taxpayer. The focus of the research was on the problems associated with estate duty, namely the issue of double taxation; the alleged cumbersome administration of the tax and the limited revenue that it brings in; it’s questionable efficacy due to extensive estate planning on the part of taxpayers while they are still alive and its lack of uniformity with other wealth taxes. An interpretative research approach was followed which involved analysing documentary data. The conclusions that were reached were that estate duty as a wealth tax in South Africa has been rendered ineffective due to the inherent problems associated with its application, namely the fact that double taxation exists, not only in the context of capital gains tax, but also in that taxpayers resent being taxed upon death after having paid income tax during their lives. The perceived unfairness that is associated with estate duty has caused the creation of a secondary industry of estate planning, with the aim of minimising estate duty, which industry has resulted in the ineffectiveness of estate duty and its limited revenue. No evidence could be found regarding the Treasury’s assertion that estate duty is a cumbersome tax to administer. The final conclusion reached was that the current estate duty regime needs to be overhauled preferably by extending the current system of capital gains tax and abolishing estate duty, with due consideration being given to the consequences associated therewith.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Evaluation of the applicability of Lewin's force field analysis in the implementation of the Financial Sector Charter at Standard Bank
- Authors: Skepe, Siphelo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Standard Bank of South Africa Limited (1962- ) Banks and banking -- South Africa Financial services industry -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Black people -- South Africa -- Economic conditions Business enterprises, Black -- South Africa Organizational change -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:804 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006775
- Description: According to the Financial Sector (FS) Charter, in August 2002, at the NEDLAC Financial Sector Summit, "the financial sector committed itself to the development of a Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) charter. It made this commitment, noting that: "Despite significant progress since the establishment of a democratic government in 1994, South African society remains characterised by racially based income and social services inequalities. This is not only unjust, but inhibits the country's ability to achieve its full economic potential. BEE is a mechanism aimed at addressing inequalities and mobilising the energies of all South Africans. It will contribute towards sustained economic growth, development and social transformation in South Africa. Inequalities also manifest themselves in the country's financial sector. A positive and proactive response from the sector through the implementation of BEE will further unlock the sector's potential, promote its global competitiveness, and enhance its world class status". Parties of the Financial Sector Charter agreed on the seven pillars below: 1) Human resource management - provide resources to develop skills of black people with the aim of increasing black participation in all levels of management in the sector. 2) Procurement policies - implement a targeted procurement strategy to enhance BEE. 3) Enterprise development - improve the level of support provided to BEE companies in all sectors of the economy. This would be achieved through skills transfer, administration and technical support. 4) Access to financial services - provide affordable financial services to the previously disadvantaged groups and making sure financial services are accessible to these groups. 5) Empowerment financing - work closely with government and government financial institutions to increase resources for empowerment financing. 6) Ownership in the financial sector - 25% of shares in each party of the FS Charter should be owned by black people by 2010. 7) Corporate social investrnent (CSI) - Each financial institution will have to spend 0.5% of their after-tax profit on corporate social investment projects. The projects should be targeted at black groups with a strong focus on transformation. The research evaluates the applicability of Lewin's Force Field Analysis (a change management model) in the implementation of the Financial Sector Charter at Standard Bank of South Africa. It attempts to achieve this by looking at how the Financial Sector Charter is being implemented at Standard Bank. The research looks at three main areas: 1) The "context" of the research problem, by seeking to understand Standard Bank's understanding of the FS Charter, the importance of implementing the FS Charter by the bank, the progress made thus far in the FS Charter implementation and comparison to the BEE scorecards of the other three main bank. 2) The "process", i.e. how the FS Charter is implemented in the bank, the driving and restraining forces of successful implementation of the FS Charter and the lessons learnt. 3) The "outcome" , i.e. benefits of implementing the FS Charter and what could be done to ensure that change management processes are successfully implemented. Personal interviews were used to discover other valuable information which was not available on the bank's published documents, and other related sources such as the Financial Sector Charter document. The sample size for the study was ten Standard Bank employees from different areas of the bank who are either senior managers or directors, in the bank. Internal publications available on the Standard Bank intranet such as the bank's employment equity plans, and the bank's sustainability reports from 2004 to 2011 (Standard Bank, 2004-2011) were analysed for the purpose of the study. The researcher also analysed public documents such as the bank's annual financial reports, bank's equity reports and internal publications on related topics of the research question. Lewin's Forces Field Analysis (FFA) points out that in any environment where change is required; there are both driving and restraining forces that influence the implementation of a change programme. The FFA is a valuable change management tool at trying to transform the behaviour of an individual, and this will lead to transformation of groups and, ultimately the organisation. It also helps to establish the balance between the driving and restraining forces of the change programme. Lewin's (1951) theory put forward the idea that change occurs in three stages: the first stage of change is unfreezing; the second stage is moving and lastly, the third stage is refreezing. In the unfreezing stage, the bank's change management initiatives would need to be directed at giving the individuals a desire and motivation to be ready and open about a planned change initiative. This could be achieved by clearly communicating why change is important, benefits of change and the compelling reasons for change. In moving, the bank would need to give support and confidence to the people affected by change in order to start accepting and buying-in to new perspectives, which enable them to realise that change will improve the current situation. In the refreezing stage, the bank would need to ensure that new patterns of behaviour are reinforced. This will ensure that the changes are applied in everyday business, and this helps create a sense of stability, where those affected by change feel comfortable and confident with the new approach of doing things. The research concludes that managers should recognise the sensitivity around transformation, and should always try to ensure that change management initiatives directed at transformation are unifying, fair and transparent. This should be done to avoid a situation where an employee (or prospective employees) and other stakeholders feel under-appreciated or overlooked because of their gender or race. This demands a carefully crafted and implemented change management programme, whose results will not only unify the bank's employees, but also create a competitive edge for the bank. Lewin's Force Field Analysis (FFA) model is a change management tool that could be used to produce such results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Skepe, Siphelo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Standard Bank of South Africa Limited (1962- ) Banks and banking -- South Africa Financial services industry -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Black people -- South Africa -- Economic conditions Business enterprises, Black -- South Africa Organizational change -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:804 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006775
- Description: According to the Financial Sector (FS) Charter, in August 2002, at the NEDLAC Financial Sector Summit, "the financial sector committed itself to the development of a Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) charter. It made this commitment, noting that: "Despite significant progress since the establishment of a democratic government in 1994, South African society remains characterised by racially based income and social services inequalities. This is not only unjust, but inhibits the country's ability to achieve its full economic potential. BEE is a mechanism aimed at addressing inequalities and mobilising the energies of all South Africans. It will contribute towards sustained economic growth, development and social transformation in South Africa. Inequalities also manifest themselves in the country's financial sector. A positive and proactive response from the sector through the implementation of BEE will further unlock the sector's potential, promote its global competitiveness, and enhance its world class status". Parties of the Financial Sector Charter agreed on the seven pillars below: 1) Human resource management - provide resources to develop skills of black people with the aim of increasing black participation in all levels of management in the sector. 2) Procurement policies - implement a targeted procurement strategy to enhance BEE. 3) Enterprise development - improve the level of support provided to BEE companies in all sectors of the economy. This would be achieved through skills transfer, administration and technical support. 4) Access to financial services - provide affordable financial services to the previously disadvantaged groups and making sure financial services are accessible to these groups. 5) Empowerment financing - work closely with government and government financial institutions to increase resources for empowerment financing. 6) Ownership in the financial sector - 25% of shares in each party of the FS Charter should be owned by black people by 2010. 7) Corporate social investrnent (CSI) - Each financial institution will have to spend 0.5% of their after-tax profit on corporate social investment projects. The projects should be targeted at black groups with a strong focus on transformation. The research evaluates the applicability of Lewin's Force Field Analysis (a change management model) in the implementation of the Financial Sector Charter at Standard Bank of South Africa. It attempts to achieve this by looking at how the Financial Sector Charter is being implemented at Standard Bank. The research looks at three main areas: 1) The "context" of the research problem, by seeking to understand Standard Bank's understanding of the FS Charter, the importance of implementing the FS Charter by the bank, the progress made thus far in the FS Charter implementation and comparison to the BEE scorecards of the other three main bank. 2) The "process", i.e. how the FS Charter is implemented in the bank, the driving and restraining forces of successful implementation of the FS Charter and the lessons learnt. 3) The "outcome" , i.e. benefits of implementing the FS Charter and what could be done to ensure that change management processes are successfully implemented. Personal interviews were used to discover other valuable information which was not available on the bank's published documents, and other related sources such as the Financial Sector Charter document. The sample size for the study was ten Standard Bank employees from different areas of the bank who are either senior managers or directors, in the bank. Internal publications available on the Standard Bank intranet such as the bank's employment equity plans, and the bank's sustainability reports from 2004 to 2011 (Standard Bank, 2004-2011) were analysed for the purpose of the study. The researcher also analysed public documents such as the bank's annual financial reports, bank's equity reports and internal publications on related topics of the research question. Lewin's Forces Field Analysis (FFA) points out that in any environment where change is required; there are both driving and restraining forces that influence the implementation of a change programme. The FFA is a valuable change management tool at trying to transform the behaviour of an individual, and this will lead to transformation of groups and, ultimately the organisation. It also helps to establish the balance between the driving and restraining forces of the change programme. Lewin's (1951) theory put forward the idea that change occurs in three stages: the first stage of change is unfreezing; the second stage is moving and lastly, the third stage is refreezing. In the unfreezing stage, the bank's change management initiatives would need to be directed at giving the individuals a desire and motivation to be ready and open about a planned change initiative. This could be achieved by clearly communicating why change is important, benefits of change and the compelling reasons for change. In moving, the bank would need to give support and confidence to the people affected by change in order to start accepting and buying-in to new perspectives, which enable them to realise that change will improve the current situation. In the refreezing stage, the bank would need to ensure that new patterns of behaviour are reinforced. This will ensure that the changes are applied in everyday business, and this helps create a sense of stability, where those affected by change feel comfortable and confident with the new approach of doing things. The research concludes that managers should recognise the sensitivity around transformation, and should always try to ensure that change management initiatives directed at transformation are unifying, fair and transparent. This should be done to avoid a situation where an employee (or prospective employees) and other stakeholders feel under-appreciated or overlooked because of their gender or race. This demands a carefully crafted and implemented change management programme, whose results will not only unify the bank's employees, but also create a competitive edge for the bank. Lewin's Force Field Analysis (FFA) model is a change management tool that could be used to produce such results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Curriculum Vitae of Prof Tebello Nyokong (OMB)
- Authors: Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Article , text
- Identifier: vital:7233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006180
- Description: Department of Science and Technology (DST) and National Research Foundation (NRF) Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Nanotechnology and Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Rhodes University.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Article , text
- Identifier: vital:7233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006180
- Description: Department of Science and Technology (DST) and National Research Foundation (NRF) Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Nanotechnology and Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Rhodes University.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Deploying DNSSEC in islands of security
- Authors: Murisa, Wesley Vengayi
- Date: 2013 , 2013-03-31
- Subjects: Internet domain names , Computer security , Computer network protocols , Computer security -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4577 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003053 , Internet domain names , Computer security , Computer network protocols , Computer security -- Africa
- Description: The Domain Name System (DNS), a name resolution protocol is one of the vulnerable network protocols that has been subjected to many security attacks such as cache poisoning, denial of service and the 'Kaminsky' spoofing attack. When DNS was designed, security was not incorporated into its design. The DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) provides security to the name resolution process by using public key cryptosystems. Although DNSSEC has backward compatibility with unsecured zones, it only offers security to clients when communicating with security aware zones. Widespread deployment of DNSSEC is therefore necessary to secure the name resolution process and provide security to the Internet. Only a few Top Level Domains (TLD's) have deployed DNSSEC, this inherently makes it difficult for their sub-domains to implement the security extensions to the DNS. This study analyses mechanisms that can be used by domains in islands of security to deploy DNSSEC so that the name resolution process can be secured in two specific cases where either the TLD is not signed or the domain registrar is not able to support signed domains. The DNS client side mechanisms evaluated in this study include web browser plug-ins, local validating resolvers and domain look-aside validation. The results of the study show that web browser plug-ins cannot work on their own without local validating resolvers. The web browser validators, however, proved to be useful in indicating to the user whether a domain has been validated or not. Local resolvers present a more secure option for Internet users who cannot trust the communication channel between their stub resolvers and remote name servers. However, they do not provide a way of showing the user whether a domain name has been correctly validated or not. Based on the results of the tests conducted, it is recommended that local validators be used with browser validators for visibility and improved security. On the DNS server side, Domain Look-aside Validation (DLV) presents a viable alternative for organizations in islands of security like most countries in Africa where only two country code Top Level Domains (ccTLD) have deployed DNSSEC. This research recommends use of DLV by corporates to provide DNS security to both internal and external users accessing their web based services. , LaTeX with hyperref package , pdfTeX-1.40.10
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Murisa, Wesley Vengayi
- Date: 2013 , 2013-03-31
- Subjects: Internet domain names , Computer security , Computer network protocols , Computer security -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4577 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003053 , Internet domain names , Computer security , Computer network protocols , Computer security -- Africa
- Description: The Domain Name System (DNS), a name resolution protocol is one of the vulnerable network protocols that has been subjected to many security attacks such as cache poisoning, denial of service and the 'Kaminsky' spoofing attack. When DNS was designed, security was not incorporated into its design. The DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) provides security to the name resolution process by using public key cryptosystems. Although DNSSEC has backward compatibility with unsecured zones, it only offers security to clients when communicating with security aware zones. Widespread deployment of DNSSEC is therefore necessary to secure the name resolution process and provide security to the Internet. Only a few Top Level Domains (TLD's) have deployed DNSSEC, this inherently makes it difficult for their sub-domains to implement the security extensions to the DNS. This study analyses mechanisms that can be used by domains in islands of security to deploy DNSSEC so that the name resolution process can be secured in two specific cases where either the TLD is not signed or the domain registrar is not able to support signed domains. The DNS client side mechanisms evaluated in this study include web browser plug-ins, local validating resolvers and domain look-aside validation. The results of the study show that web browser plug-ins cannot work on their own without local validating resolvers. The web browser validators, however, proved to be useful in indicating to the user whether a domain has been validated or not. Local resolvers present a more secure option for Internet users who cannot trust the communication channel between their stub resolvers and remote name servers. However, they do not provide a way of showing the user whether a domain name has been correctly validated or not. Based on the results of the tests conducted, it is recommended that local validators be used with browser validators for visibility and improved security. On the DNS server side, Domain Look-aside Validation (DLV) presents a viable alternative for organizations in islands of security like most countries in Africa where only two country code Top Level Domains (ccTLD) have deployed DNSSEC. This research recommends use of DLV by corporates to provide DNS security to both internal and external users accessing their web based services. , LaTeX with hyperref package , pdfTeX-1.40.10
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The participation of women entrepreneurs in local economic development in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Awoyemi, Oluwabunmi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Businesswomen -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Economic development -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9179 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020145
- Description: The purpose of local economic development (LED) is to build up the economic capacity of a community, to improve its economic future and the quality of life for all. It is a process by which public, business and nongovernmental sector partners work collectively to create better conditions for economic growth and employment generation (World Bank, 2006). In achieving the above definition of LED by the World Bank, the participation of community members in this process cannot be over emphasized. Women entrepreneurs are a driving force in today’s modern world. Most researches on women entrepreneurs in developed countries have showed that there are significant improvements in the economic growth of these countries as a result of the entrepreneurial activities of these women. However, there are limited statistics on the impact of women entrepreneurs in developing countries. The context of this research area is the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM). This research makes a contribution to the existing body of knowledge about the promotion of LED through the participation of women entrepreneurs in NMBM. A group of women entrepreneurs in the metro completed a questionnaire. The aim of the questionnaires was to help identify their nature of business, years of being in business and most importantly, challenges each one of them encounter in carrying out their business operations and in developing their entrepreneurial skills. The research methods used in the study are the qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative method approach is used in the literature review. The literature review formed the conceptual basis against which the information gained from questionnaires were analysed. The quantitative method included the use of questionnaires. The data collected in this study revealed that the activities of women entrepreneurs contributed in their own little way to the growth and development of the metro. The study further reveals that finance is one of the major challenges of the women entrepreneurs as supported by the findings in the literature review. Therefore, if access to finance and support system are made readily available for women entrepreneurs, they would be able to make a significant impact in the development of the metro and nation at large. In conclusion, the researcher has been able to identify some of the challenges women entrepreneur face through the experience of the respondents in the study. The researcher has also been able to demonstrate how the aims and the objectives of the study have been met.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Awoyemi, Oluwabunmi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Businesswomen -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Economic development -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9179 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020145
- Description: The purpose of local economic development (LED) is to build up the economic capacity of a community, to improve its economic future and the quality of life for all. It is a process by which public, business and nongovernmental sector partners work collectively to create better conditions for economic growth and employment generation (World Bank, 2006). In achieving the above definition of LED by the World Bank, the participation of community members in this process cannot be over emphasized. Women entrepreneurs are a driving force in today’s modern world. Most researches on women entrepreneurs in developed countries have showed that there are significant improvements in the economic growth of these countries as a result of the entrepreneurial activities of these women. However, there are limited statistics on the impact of women entrepreneurs in developing countries. The context of this research area is the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM). This research makes a contribution to the existing body of knowledge about the promotion of LED through the participation of women entrepreneurs in NMBM. A group of women entrepreneurs in the metro completed a questionnaire. The aim of the questionnaires was to help identify their nature of business, years of being in business and most importantly, challenges each one of them encounter in carrying out their business operations and in developing their entrepreneurial skills. The research methods used in the study are the qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative method approach is used in the literature review. The literature review formed the conceptual basis against which the information gained from questionnaires were analysed. The quantitative method included the use of questionnaires. The data collected in this study revealed that the activities of women entrepreneurs contributed in their own little way to the growth and development of the metro. The study further reveals that finance is one of the major challenges of the women entrepreneurs as supported by the findings in the literature review. Therefore, if access to finance and support system are made readily available for women entrepreneurs, they would be able to make a significant impact in the development of the metro and nation at large. In conclusion, the researcher has been able to identify some of the challenges women entrepreneur face through the experience of the respondents in the study. The researcher has also been able to demonstrate how the aims and the objectives of the study have been met.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The role of Mnquma Local Municipality in poverty alleviation in Mbiza administrative area
- Authors: Stofile, Siyanda Colman
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9216 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020802
- Description: The central objective of the research study was to evaluate the role of Mnquma Local Municipality in poverty alleviation in Mbiza Administrative Area. The key debates after apartheid have been on the successes and shortcomings of the social and economic policies that were adopted. The ANC-led government decided to approach poverty reduction by closing the inequality gap between racial groups in South Africa. It planned to provide services that would improve the lives of the poor and also create employment to sustain development. To provide the necessary services, the Government formulated two broad, but linked macroeconomic policies namely: the RDP and GEAR. This indicated the importance with which the people’s welfare and growth are regarded by the South African government. This guided research report attempted to investigate and analyse the role played by Mnquma Local Municipality to alleviate poverty in the Mbiza Administrative Area. This report shows that poverty is still extreme. The Municipality has achieved limited success in alleviating poverty and prioritising skills development among the community. This research demonstrates the IDP and its mechanism process in trying to address poverty alleviation in the Municipality’s geographical area of responsibility. This report also reveals that much has to be done to improve the effectiveness of the IDP in enhancing and fulfilling its intended goals and objectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Stofile, Siyanda Colman
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9216 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020802
- Description: The central objective of the research study was to evaluate the role of Mnquma Local Municipality in poverty alleviation in Mbiza Administrative Area. The key debates after apartheid have been on the successes and shortcomings of the social and economic policies that were adopted. The ANC-led government decided to approach poverty reduction by closing the inequality gap between racial groups in South Africa. It planned to provide services that would improve the lives of the poor and also create employment to sustain development. To provide the necessary services, the Government formulated two broad, but linked macroeconomic policies namely: the RDP and GEAR. This indicated the importance with which the people’s welfare and growth are regarded by the South African government. This guided research report attempted to investigate and analyse the role played by Mnquma Local Municipality to alleviate poverty in the Mbiza Administrative Area. This report shows that poverty is still extreme. The Municipality has achieved limited success in alleviating poverty and prioritising skills development among the community. This research demonstrates the IDP and its mechanism process in trying to address poverty alleviation in the Municipality’s geographical area of responsibility. This report also reveals that much has to be done to improve the effectiveness of the IDP in enhancing and fulfilling its intended goals and objectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Technology transfer of antibacterial oral solid dosage form in a pharmaceutical industry
- Authors: Ramloll, Jason
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Clinical pharmacology Pharmacy -- Research , Pharmaceutical industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47913 , vital:40398
- Description: Technology transfer (TT) looks at the transfer of intellectual property from one manufacturing site to another. If carried out successfully, a TT can increase the leveraging capability of the company acquiring the intellectual property together with its brand strength. This in turn aids in a decreased time to market of the final dosage form produced. The aim of the research was to assess the TT of an antibacterial oral solid dosage form from one manufacturing site to another. An expected change of manufacturing equipment from a single-pot to a multi-phase system took place due to the equipment available at the receiving unit. The assessment done by the researcher was performed in the capacity of an observer. The assessment of the TT was performed by observing the critical stages during the transfer process, namely the development and validation stages. Prior to the start of the development stage, a characterisation of innovator was performed. At this stage, innovator batches received from the Sending Unit (SU) were characterised to allow for a means of comparison. The development stage allows for the determination of the robustness of the formulation to be used whilst the validation stage will look at the reproducibility of the chosen formulation. During the development stage, small scale trials were manufactured with amendments made to the original formulation. The amendments allowed for a formulation more comparable to the innovator product with regards to its dissolution profile. The comparable batch produced at a small scale was then up-scaled to a production scale batch and these were compared to the innovator products. The amendments made were on the amount of granulation fluid and binder as well as the method of addition of the disintegrant. When a large scale batch comparable to that of the innovator product was produced, the validation stage was started. With the aim of showing reproducibility of the Receiving Unit (RU) at producing large scale batches, three batches were produced. These were tested for all critical parameters, namely through the loss on drying, particle size distribution, hardness, disintegration and dissolution tests and, the results of the tests were compared to the specifications set by the SU. They were also compared to each other, enabling statistical determination of any significant difference across the batches through the use of comparative statistical analyses. Comparison of batches, at the development and validation stage, was done using the dissolution potential of the batches. These were performed through the use of statistical analyses. The RU made use of the similarity factor (F2) to compare the dissolution profiles. For the purpose of this research, the 1-Way analysis of variance was also used, which compared to the similarity factor, took in consideration the level of variance of the batches produced. Results and discussion: During the development stage amendments were made to produce a batch comparable to the innovator product. The amendments that led to the production of a comparable batch consisted of an extra 14 % of granulation fluid as well as 50 % of the disintegrant being added intra-granularly with the other 50 % added extra-granularly. The amendments were added on top of the amount suggested by the SU. This formulation was used and three batches produced consecutively. On comparison to the specifications set by the SU, the three batches were seen to be within the specifications. On comparison to each other, the dissolution profiles were seen to be different. Conclusion and recommendation: The development stage producing batches within the specifications set by the SU but also comparable with regards to its dissolution profile, was seen to be successful. The validation stage was seen to be unsuccessful. Even though the results of the critical parameters were within specifications, when compared to each other, the batches were seen to be significantly different. This led to the research looking at the TT as a whole as being unsuccessful. The researcher then determined what stage could be improved and how this could be done. The various stages seen as having associated problems were determined and ways to mitigate those were determined. A guideline in the form of a flow chart was proposed to aid a manufacturing facility undertaking a TT to shorten the period of time to completion as well as increase the chance of success.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Ramloll, Jason
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Clinical pharmacology Pharmacy -- Research , Pharmaceutical industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47913 , vital:40398
- Description: Technology transfer (TT) looks at the transfer of intellectual property from one manufacturing site to another. If carried out successfully, a TT can increase the leveraging capability of the company acquiring the intellectual property together with its brand strength. This in turn aids in a decreased time to market of the final dosage form produced. The aim of the research was to assess the TT of an antibacterial oral solid dosage form from one manufacturing site to another. An expected change of manufacturing equipment from a single-pot to a multi-phase system took place due to the equipment available at the receiving unit. The assessment done by the researcher was performed in the capacity of an observer. The assessment of the TT was performed by observing the critical stages during the transfer process, namely the development and validation stages. Prior to the start of the development stage, a characterisation of innovator was performed. At this stage, innovator batches received from the Sending Unit (SU) were characterised to allow for a means of comparison. The development stage allows for the determination of the robustness of the formulation to be used whilst the validation stage will look at the reproducibility of the chosen formulation. During the development stage, small scale trials were manufactured with amendments made to the original formulation. The amendments allowed for a formulation more comparable to the innovator product with regards to its dissolution profile. The comparable batch produced at a small scale was then up-scaled to a production scale batch and these were compared to the innovator products. The amendments made were on the amount of granulation fluid and binder as well as the method of addition of the disintegrant. When a large scale batch comparable to that of the innovator product was produced, the validation stage was started. With the aim of showing reproducibility of the Receiving Unit (RU) at producing large scale batches, three batches were produced. These were tested for all critical parameters, namely through the loss on drying, particle size distribution, hardness, disintegration and dissolution tests and, the results of the tests were compared to the specifications set by the SU. They were also compared to each other, enabling statistical determination of any significant difference across the batches through the use of comparative statistical analyses. Comparison of batches, at the development and validation stage, was done using the dissolution potential of the batches. These were performed through the use of statistical analyses. The RU made use of the similarity factor (F2) to compare the dissolution profiles. For the purpose of this research, the 1-Way analysis of variance was also used, which compared to the similarity factor, took in consideration the level of variance of the batches produced. Results and discussion: During the development stage amendments were made to produce a batch comparable to the innovator product. The amendments that led to the production of a comparable batch consisted of an extra 14 % of granulation fluid as well as 50 % of the disintegrant being added intra-granularly with the other 50 % added extra-granularly. The amendments were added on top of the amount suggested by the SU. This formulation was used and three batches produced consecutively. On comparison to the specifications set by the SU, the three batches were seen to be within the specifications. On comparison to each other, the dissolution profiles were seen to be different. Conclusion and recommendation: The development stage producing batches within the specifications set by the SU but also comparable with regards to its dissolution profile, was seen to be successful. The validation stage was seen to be unsuccessful. Even though the results of the critical parameters were within specifications, when compared to each other, the batches were seen to be significantly different. This led to the research looking at the TT as a whole as being unsuccessful. The researcher then determined what stage could be improved and how this could be done. The various stages seen as having associated problems were determined and ways to mitigate those were determined. A guideline in the form of a flow chart was proposed to aid a manufacturing facility undertaking a TT to shorten the period of time to completion as well as increase the chance of success.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An Unprecedented 'Precedent'?: Phodiclinics (Pty) Ltd v Pinehaven Private Hospital (Pty) Ltd (594/2010)[2011] ZASCA163 (28 September 2011); 2011 4 All SA 331 (SCA)
- Authors: Glover, Graham B
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69950 , vital:29598 , https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2364288
- Description: There are some fundamental underlying requirements that need to be in place for a system of precedent to operate. Of these I wish to isolate two that are germane to this note. The first is that court decisions (especially those in which a written judgment is handed down) need to be clearly reasoned and logically articulated to be understandable, effective and to have value in a system of precedent that finds its ultimate lodestar in the rule of law. There is no constitutional or statutory requirement that a court in all cases must furnish reasons, or even written reasons, for its decision But the practice of doing so, the Constitutional Court has said, supports the rule of law, ensuring that judicial decision-making does not occur in a manner that is arbitrary, and ensures that judges may be held accountable for their decisions. The second requirement is a technical rule – the rule of majority: if the case is heard by a full bench, and where differing opinions are handed down by the judges hearing the case, the ratio decidendi can only be identified from those judges whose reasoning is in the majority.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Glover, Graham B
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69950 , vital:29598 , https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2364288
- Description: There are some fundamental underlying requirements that need to be in place for a system of precedent to operate. Of these I wish to isolate two that are germane to this note. The first is that court decisions (especially those in which a written judgment is handed down) need to be clearly reasoned and logically articulated to be understandable, effective and to have value in a system of precedent that finds its ultimate lodestar in the rule of law. There is no constitutional or statutory requirement that a court in all cases must furnish reasons, or even written reasons, for its decision But the practice of doing so, the Constitutional Court has said, supports the rule of law, ensuring that judicial decision-making does not occur in a manner that is arbitrary, and ensures that judges may be held accountable for their decisions. The second requirement is a technical rule – the rule of majority: if the case is heard by a full bench, and where differing opinions are handed down by the judges hearing the case, the ratio decidendi can only be identified from those judges whose reasoning is in the majority.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2013
MCD spectroscopy and TD-DFT calculations of a naphthalene-ring-bridged coplanar binuclear phthalocyanine dimer
- Mack, John, Liang, Xu, Dubinina, Tatiana V, Tomilova, Larisa G, Nyokong, Tebello, Kobayashi, Nagao
- Authors: Mack, John , Liang, Xu , Dubinina, Tatiana V , Tomilova, Larisa G , Nyokong, Tebello , Kobayashi, Nagao
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232511 , vital:49998 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424613500259"
- Description: Magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy and TD-DFT calculations are used to analyze the electronic structure and optical properties of an alkyl-substituted naphthalene-ring-bridged coplanar binuclear phthalocyanine dimer. An analysis of the MCD spectrum of the naphthalene-ring-bridged dimer relative to those of benzene-bridged compounds reported previously, demonstrates that there is a significantly weaker interaction between the two phthalocyanine rings. TD-DFT results obtained using the B3LYP functional with 6–31G basis sets were found to be problematic. Closer agreement with the experimental data is obtained when the CAM-B3LYP functional is used instead. The naphthalene-ring-bridged compound is found to be unsuitable for use as a photosensitizer for the formation of singlet oxygen, because the ΦT values are negligible.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mack, John , Liang, Xu , Dubinina, Tatiana V , Tomilova, Larisa G , Nyokong, Tebello , Kobayashi, Nagao
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232511 , vital:49998 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424613500259"
- Description: Magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy and TD-DFT calculations are used to analyze the electronic structure and optical properties of an alkyl-substituted naphthalene-ring-bridged coplanar binuclear phthalocyanine dimer. An analysis of the MCD spectrum of the naphthalene-ring-bridged dimer relative to those of benzene-bridged compounds reported previously, demonstrates that there is a significantly weaker interaction between the two phthalocyanine rings. TD-DFT results obtained using the B3LYP functional with 6–31G basis sets were found to be problematic. Closer agreement with the experimental data is obtained when the CAM-B3LYP functional is used instead. The naphthalene-ring-bridged compound is found to be unsuitable for use as a photosensitizer for the formation of singlet oxygen, because the ΦT values are negligible.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Exploring and expanding capabilities, sustainability and gender justice in science teacher education : case studies in Zimbabwe and South Africa
- Authors: Chikunda, Charles
- Date: 2013 , 2013-08-30
- Subjects: Science teachers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Case studies Science teachers -- Training of -- Zimbabwe -- Case studies Mathematics teachers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Case studies Women in education -- South Africa -- Case studies Women in education -- Zimbabwe -- Case studies Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- Case studies Curriculum planning -- South Africa Curriculum planning -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1887 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006026
- Description: The focus of this study was to explore and expand capabilities, sustainability and gender justice in Science, Mathematics and Technical subjects (SMTs) in teacher education curriculum practices as a process of Education for Sustainable Development in two case studies in Zimbabwe and South Africa. The study begins by discussing gender and science education discourse, locating it within Education for Sustainable Development discourse. Through this nexus, the study was able to explore gender and sustainability responsiveness of the curriculum practices of teacher educators in Science, Mathematics and Technical subjects; scrutinise underlying mechanisms that affect (promote or constrain) gender and sustainability responsive curriculum practices; and understand if and how teacher education curriculum practices consider the functionings and capabilities of females in relation to increased socio-ecological risk in a Southern African context. Influenced by a curriculum transformation commitment, an expansive learning phase was conducted to promote gender and sustainability responsive pedagogies in teacher education curriculum practices. As shown in the study, the expansive learning processes resulted in (re)conceptualising the curriculum practices (object), analysis of contradictions and developing new ways of doing work. Drawing from the sensitising concepts of dialectics, reflexivity and agency, the study worked with the three theoretical approaches of Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT), feminist theory and capabilities theory. The capability and feminist lenses were used in the exploration of gender and sustainability responsiveness in science teacher education curriculum practices. CHAT, through its associated methodology of Developmental Work Research, offered the opportunity for researcher and participants in this study to come together to question and analyse curriculum practices and model new ways of doing work. Case study research was used in two case studies of teacher education curriculum practices in Science, Mathematics and Technical subjects, one in Zimbabwe and one in South Africa. Each case study is constituted with a networked activity system. The study used in-depth and focus group interviews and document analysis to explore gender and sustainability responsiveness in curriculum practices and to generate mirror data. Inductive and abductive modes of inference, and Critical Discourse Analysis were used to analyse data. This data was then used in Change Laboratory Workshops, where double stimulation and focus group discussions contributed to the expansive learning process. Findings from the exploration phase of the study revealed that most teacher educators in the two case studies had some basic levels of gender sensitivity, meaning that they had ability to perceive existing gender inequalities as it applies only to gender disaggregated data especially when it comes to enrolment and retention. However, there was no institutionalised pedagogic device in place in both case studies aimed at equipping future teachers with knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to promote aspects of capabilities (well-being achievement, wellbeing freedom, agency achievement and agency freedom) for girls in Science, Mathematics and Technical subjects. Science, Mathematics and Technical subjects teacher educators' curriculum practices were gender neutral, but in a gendered environment. This was a pedagogical tension that was visible in both case studies. On the other hand, socio-ecological issues, in cases where they were incorporated into the curriculum, were incorporated in a gender blind or gender neutral manner. Social ecological concerns such as climate change were treated as if they were not gendered both in their impact and in their mitigation and adaptation. It emerged that causal mechanisms shaping this situation were of a socio-political nature: there exist cultural differences between students and teacher educators; patriarchal ideology and hegemony; as well as other interfering binaries such as race and class. Other curriculum related constraints, though embedded in the socio-cultural-political nexus, include: rigid and content heavy curriculum, coupled with students who come into the system with inadequate content knowledge; and philosophy informing pedagogy namely scientism, with associated instrumentalist and functionalist tenets. All these led to contradictions between pedagogical practices with those expected by the Education for Sustainable Development framework. The study contributes in-depth insight into science teacher education curriculum development. By locating the study at the nexus of gender and Science, Mathematics and Technical subjects within the Education for Sustainable Development discourse, using the ontological lenses of feminist and capabilities, it was possible to interrogate aspects of quality and relevance of the science teacher education curriculum. The study also provides insight into participatory research and learning processes especially within the context of policy and curriculum development. It provides empirical evidence of mobilising reflexivity amongst both policy makers and policy implementers towards building human agency in policy translation for a curriculum transformation that is critical for responding to contemporary socio-ecological risks. , Microsoft� Word 2010 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Chikunda, Charles
- Date: 2013 , 2013-08-30
- Subjects: Science teachers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Case studies Science teachers -- Training of -- Zimbabwe -- Case studies Mathematics teachers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Case studies Women in education -- South Africa -- Case studies Women in education -- Zimbabwe -- Case studies Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- Case studies Curriculum planning -- South Africa Curriculum planning -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1887 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006026
- Description: The focus of this study was to explore and expand capabilities, sustainability and gender justice in Science, Mathematics and Technical subjects (SMTs) in teacher education curriculum practices as a process of Education for Sustainable Development in two case studies in Zimbabwe and South Africa. The study begins by discussing gender and science education discourse, locating it within Education for Sustainable Development discourse. Through this nexus, the study was able to explore gender and sustainability responsiveness of the curriculum practices of teacher educators in Science, Mathematics and Technical subjects; scrutinise underlying mechanisms that affect (promote or constrain) gender and sustainability responsive curriculum practices; and understand if and how teacher education curriculum practices consider the functionings and capabilities of females in relation to increased socio-ecological risk in a Southern African context. Influenced by a curriculum transformation commitment, an expansive learning phase was conducted to promote gender and sustainability responsive pedagogies in teacher education curriculum practices. As shown in the study, the expansive learning processes resulted in (re)conceptualising the curriculum practices (object), analysis of contradictions and developing new ways of doing work. Drawing from the sensitising concepts of dialectics, reflexivity and agency, the study worked with the three theoretical approaches of Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT), feminist theory and capabilities theory. The capability and feminist lenses were used in the exploration of gender and sustainability responsiveness in science teacher education curriculum practices. CHAT, through its associated methodology of Developmental Work Research, offered the opportunity for researcher and participants in this study to come together to question and analyse curriculum practices and model new ways of doing work. Case study research was used in two case studies of teacher education curriculum practices in Science, Mathematics and Technical subjects, one in Zimbabwe and one in South Africa. Each case study is constituted with a networked activity system. The study used in-depth and focus group interviews and document analysis to explore gender and sustainability responsiveness in curriculum practices and to generate mirror data. Inductive and abductive modes of inference, and Critical Discourse Analysis were used to analyse data. This data was then used in Change Laboratory Workshops, where double stimulation and focus group discussions contributed to the expansive learning process. Findings from the exploration phase of the study revealed that most teacher educators in the two case studies had some basic levels of gender sensitivity, meaning that they had ability to perceive existing gender inequalities as it applies only to gender disaggregated data especially when it comes to enrolment and retention. However, there was no institutionalised pedagogic device in place in both case studies aimed at equipping future teachers with knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to promote aspects of capabilities (well-being achievement, wellbeing freedom, agency achievement and agency freedom) for girls in Science, Mathematics and Technical subjects. Science, Mathematics and Technical subjects teacher educators' curriculum practices were gender neutral, but in a gendered environment. This was a pedagogical tension that was visible in both case studies. On the other hand, socio-ecological issues, in cases where they were incorporated into the curriculum, were incorporated in a gender blind or gender neutral manner. Social ecological concerns such as climate change were treated as if they were not gendered both in their impact and in their mitigation and adaptation. It emerged that causal mechanisms shaping this situation were of a socio-political nature: there exist cultural differences between students and teacher educators; patriarchal ideology and hegemony; as well as other interfering binaries such as race and class. Other curriculum related constraints, though embedded in the socio-cultural-political nexus, include: rigid and content heavy curriculum, coupled with students who come into the system with inadequate content knowledge; and philosophy informing pedagogy namely scientism, with associated instrumentalist and functionalist tenets. All these led to contradictions between pedagogical practices with those expected by the Education for Sustainable Development framework. The study contributes in-depth insight into science teacher education curriculum development. By locating the study at the nexus of gender and Science, Mathematics and Technical subjects within the Education for Sustainable Development discourse, using the ontological lenses of feminist and capabilities, it was possible to interrogate aspects of quality and relevance of the science teacher education curriculum. The study also provides insight into participatory research and learning processes especially within the context of policy and curriculum development. It provides empirical evidence of mobilising reflexivity amongst both policy makers and policy implementers towards building human agency in policy translation for a curriculum transformation that is critical for responding to contemporary socio-ecological risks. , Microsoft� Word 2010 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An invader within an altered landscape: one catfish, two rivers and an inter-basin water transfer scheme
- Kadye, Wilbert T, Booth, Anthony J
- Authors: Kadye, Wilbert T , Booth, Anthony J
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123776 , vital:35494 , https://doi.10.1002/rra.2599
- Description: African sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus has become established as a non-native invasive species in Eastern Cape, South Africa, where it was translocated primarily through an inter-basin water transfer scheme into the Great Fish and Sundays rivers. This study examined the patterns in catfish distribution and abundance, and compared trophic niches in relation to the ichthyofauna of the two rivers. Correspondence analysis revealed upstream to downstream gradients associated with the spatial distribution in species richness for most species within the mainstream and mainstream to tributary gradients that were associated mostly with the spatial distribution of native minnows in both rivers. Catfish was predicted to occur widely within the mainstream habitats and to decrease progressively from mainstreams to tributaries. Based on classification and regression trees, the physico-chemical environment was found to be a good proxy for predicting the occurrence and abundance of catfish. Although non-significant relationships were observed between catfish and other native fish species abundances, the study suggests potential impact due to predation and interference in habitats where the invader co-occurs with other fishes. Comparisons of trophic niches indicated higher trophic diversity for the mainstream ichthyofauna than the tributary communities in both rivers, suggesting an upstream to downstream continuum in community structure and resource availability. Catfish within the invaded mainstream had comparable trophic niches and similar dispersion patterns among individuals for both rivers, but indicated differences in shapes of scatter. This suggests that the catfish exhibited a differential response, probably in relation to resource availability, that may be indicative of its dietary plasticity. The study suggests the proliferation of catfish and its probable impact within the mainstream flow-altered habitats where invasion resistance was possibly reduced. Comparisons of trophic niches provided information on its probable impact at different scales and the potential risk of invasion of tributaries inhabited by native minnow species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Kadye, Wilbert T , Booth, Anthony J
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123776 , vital:35494 , https://doi.10.1002/rra.2599
- Description: African sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus has become established as a non-native invasive species in Eastern Cape, South Africa, where it was translocated primarily through an inter-basin water transfer scheme into the Great Fish and Sundays rivers. This study examined the patterns in catfish distribution and abundance, and compared trophic niches in relation to the ichthyofauna of the two rivers. Correspondence analysis revealed upstream to downstream gradients associated with the spatial distribution in species richness for most species within the mainstream and mainstream to tributary gradients that were associated mostly with the spatial distribution of native minnows in both rivers. Catfish was predicted to occur widely within the mainstream habitats and to decrease progressively from mainstreams to tributaries. Based on classification and regression trees, the physico-chemical environment was found to be a good proxy for predicting the occurrence and abundance of catfish. Although non-significant relationships were observed between catfish and other native fish species abundances, the study suggests potential impact due to predation and interference in habitats where the invader co-occurs with other fishes. Comparisons of trophic niches indicated higher trophic diversity for the mainstream ichthyofauna than the tributary communities in both rivers, suggesting an upstream to downstream continuum in community structure and resource availability. Catfish within the invaded mainstream had comparable trophic niches and similar dispersion patterns among individuals for both rivers, but indicated differences in shapes of scatter. This suggests that the catfish exhibited a differential response, probably in relation to resource availability, that may be indicative of its dietary plasticity. The study suggests the proliferation of catfish and its probable impact within the mainstream flow-altered habitats where invasion resistance was possibly reduced. Comparisons of trophic niches provided information on its probable impact at different scales and the potential risk of invasion of tributaries inhabited by native minnow species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Rural racing is thriving: competing is mainly for prestige
- MacGregor, David, Paterson, Craig
- Authors: MacGregor, David , Paterson, Craig
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006618
- Description: Commissioned by the Eastern Cape Gambling and Betting Board (ECGBB), the Status of Traditional Horse Racing in the Eastern Cape report provides a fascinating glimpse into the long-lasting and often little known connection many Xhosa people have with horses. A cornerstone of rural Xhosa life, horses have been used for generations for work and transport - as well as racing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: MacGregor, David , Paterson, Craig
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006618
- Description: Commissioned by the Eastern Cape Gambling and Betting Board (ECGBB), the Status of Traditional Horse Racing in the Eastern Cape report provides a fascinating glimpse into the long-lasting and often little known connection many Xhosa people have with horses. A cornerstone of rural Xhosa life, horses have been used for generations for work and transport - as well as racing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Electrochemical impedimetric immunosensor for the detection of measles-specific IgG antibodies after measles infections
- Mashazi, Philani N, Tetyana, Phumlani, Vilakazi, Sibulelo, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Mashazi, Philani N , Tetyana, Phumlani , Vilakazi, Sibulelo , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241677 , vital:50960 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2013.04.028"
- Description: The detection of measles-specific primary antibodies (IgG) using electrochemical impedimetric immunosensors is reported. The optimum conditions for electrode saturation were reached after 40 min for 1 μg ml−1 antibody concentrations. Surface roughness using AFM increased with each immobilization or antigen-antibody reaction step clearly confirming the surface modification and recognition between antigen and antibody. The human serum (HS) and new-born calf serum (NCS) spiked with antigen-specific antibody were studied to mimic the real sample analysis. The HS and NCS sera containing antibodies due to measles exhibited correlation between the increasing antibody serum concentrations and the charge-transfer resistance (electrochemically measured). This work clearly showed the potential use of impedance as the preferred electrochemical method for detecting measles-antibodies in label-free manner.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mashazi, Philani N , Tetyana, Phumlani , Vilakazi, Sibulelo , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241677 , vital:50960 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2013.04.028"
- Description: The detection of measles-specific primary antibodies (IgG) using electrochemical impedimetric immunosensors is reported. The optimum conditions for electrode saturation were reached after 40 min for 1 μg ml−1 antibody concentrations. Surface roughness using AFM increased with each immobilization or antigen-antibody reaction step clearly confirming the surface modification and recognition between antigen and antibody. The human serum (HS) and new-born calf serum (NCS) spiked with antigen-specific antibody were studied to mimic the real sample analysis. The HS and NCS sera containing antibodies due to measles exhibited correlation between the increasing antibody serum concentrations and the charge-transfer resistance (electrochemically measured). This work clearly showed the potential use of impedance as the preferred electrochemical method for detecting measles-antibodies in label-free manner.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Factors influencing women teachers underrepresentation in principalship positions of Dutywa senior secondary schools in Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mokotho, Themba
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Women principals -- Dissertations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/211 , vital:26585
- Description: First of all, South Africa‟s struggle against racial discrimination has received international exposure but the focus now is on gender disenfranchisement which is, however, eclipsed by the struggle for racial redress. In the current climate of redress, post Apartheid South Africa has pledged an unequivocal commitment to the promotion of a unitary, non-sexist, non-racist South Africa in all facets of life. Several enabling national policies have been legislated to promote equity and access to those previously excluded by virtue of race and gender, particularly in assuming leadership roles in key public domains. The catalyst for this study is encapsulated from historical trajectories of women lives, in apparent intractable patriarchal higher echelons, monolithic patriarchal South African school organizations and visible paucity of women in principalship positions of Senior Secondary Schools (SSS) in Dutywa Education District. Significantly, this study actually refers to causality factors of gender imbalance in work places as a provocative factor leading to constant marginalization of women in leadership positions irrespective of sound and clear government policies. This is a principal subject of concern that has grounded this present researcher to undertake this study. Views and ideas applicable in addressing this phenomenon were invited from women teachers of Dutywa Education District and most crucially about the scarcity of women teachers in principalship positions of this District. Questionnaires were distributed to research sites of three sub-districts of concern. The population had been sampled from women teachers of Dutywa Education District, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Quantitative results show that organisational factors, culture, women‟s personalities and colonial legacies are obstacles challenging the effectiveness of females in school administration. Specifically, teachers' negative attitudes towards being a female, particularly female principal in schools are cited as the major impediments to women principals of high schools. The study implores governments to continue appointing more women to school leadership positions despite the identified challenges.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mokotho, Themba
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Women principals -- Dissertations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/211 , vital:26585
- Description: First of all, South Africa‟s struggle against racial discrimination has received international exposure but the focus now is on gender disenfranchisement which is, however, eclipsed by the struggle for racial redress. In the current climate of redress, post Apartheid South Africa has pledged an unequivocal commitment to the promotion of a unitary, non-sexist, non-racist South Africa in all facets of life. Several enabling national policies have been legislated to promote equity and access to those previously excluded by virtue of race and gender, particularly in assuming leadership roles in key public domains. The catalyst for this study is encapsulated from historical trajectories of women lives, in apparent intractable patriarchal higher echelons, monolithic patriarchal South African school organizations and visible paucity of women in principalship positions of Senior Secondary Schools (SSS) in Dutywa Education District. Significantly, this study actually refers to causality factors of gender imbalance in work places as a provocative factor leading to constant marginalization of women in leadership positions irrespective of sound and clear government policies. This is a principal subject of concern that has grounded this present researcher to undertake this study. Views and ideas applicable in addressing this phenomenon were invited from women teachers of Dutywa Education District and most crucially about the scarcity of women teachers in principalship positions of this District. Questionnaires were distributed to research sites of three sub-districts of concern. The population had been sampled from women teachers of Dutywa Education District, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Quantitative results show that organisational factors, culture, women‟s personalities and colonial legacies are obstacles challenging the effectiveness of females in school administration. Specifically, teachers' negative attitudes towards being a female, particularly female principal in schools are cited as the major impediments to women principals of high schools. The study implores governments to continue appointing more women to school leadership positions despite the identified challenges.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Accountability of armed opposition groups in Somalia
- Authors: Chingeni, Janet Chisomo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Armed Forces , Civil war -- Somalia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10294 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020779
- Description: The purpose of IHL is to protect civilians and provide obligations that parties to the conflict are to adhere to. These obligations in case of a non-international armed conflict emanate from Common Article 3, Additional Protocol II and customary international humanitarian law. The reason for the imposition of these obligations on the parties to the conflict is for the need to protect the civilian population against the effects of hostilities which mostly are women and children. As the conflict in Somalia has gone on for too long, IHL plays an important role in protecting civilians. As the Geneva Conventions regulate armed conflicts together with its Additional Protocols they set out the requirements for the treatment of those not taking part in hostilities. In direct contravention of the Geneva Conventions by the parties to the conflict, the persons not taking part in hostilities have been the victims of attacks by armed groups. Even though armed groups have obligations, breaches have continued to occur resulting in impunity and perpetrators of violence have gone unpunished and there is need to close the accountability gap in respect of holding armed groups accountable in Somalia. The aim of this research is to assess how armed groups in Somalia can be held accountable for the atrocities they have committed. In an attempt to close the gap the researcher discusses the obligations that armed groups have, and when these obligations are breached many result in criminal accountability in respect of war crimes. It is also stated in the research that a State has an obligation to prosecute those in breach of IHL obligations. For prosecution to be possible in Somalia there is need for the Federal government of Somalia to adopt new legislation to enforce the justice system in the attempt to hold armed groups accountable and where possible to also utilise available courts as it is difficult and expensive to establish a tribunal. To end impunity armed groups are to be held accountable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Chingeni, Janet Chisomo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Armed Forces , Civil war -- Somalia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10294 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020779
- Description: The purpose of IHL is to protect civilians and provide obligations that parties to the conflict are to adhere to. These obligations in case of a non-international armed conflict emanate from Common Article 3, Additional Protocol II and customary international humanitarian law. The reason for the imposition of these obligations on the parties to the conflict is for the need to protect the civilian population against the effects of hostilities which mostly are women and children. As the conflict in Somalia has gone on for too long, IHL plays an important role in protecting civilians. As the Geneva Conventions regulate armed conflicts together with its Additional Protocols they set out the requirements for the treatment of those not taking part in hostilities. In direct contravention of the Geneva Conventions by the parties to the conflict, the persons not taking part in hostilities have been the victims of attacks by armed groups. Even though armed groups have obligations, breaches have continued to occur resulting in impunity and perpetrators of violence have gone unpunished and there is need to close the accountability gap in respect of holding armed groups accountable in Somalia. The aim of this research is to assess how armed groups in Somalia can be held accountable for the atrocities they have committed. In an attempt to close the gap the researcher discusses the obligations that armed groups have, and when these obligations are breached many result in criminal accountability in respect of war crimes. It is also stated in the research that a State has an obligation to prosecute those in breach of IHL obligations. For prosecution to be possible in Somalia there is need for the Federal government of Somalia to adopt new legislation to enforce the justice system in the attempt to hold armed groups accountable and where possible to also utilise available courts as it is difficult and expensive to establish a tribunal. To end impunity armed groups are to be held accountable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Communication practices of NGOs in poverty alleviation programmes in rural communities of Zimbabwe: the case of Deutsche Welthungerhilfe German Agro Action (GAA) in Gowke South Rural District
- Authors: Tasaranago, Collet
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Deutsche Welthungerhilfe , Poverty -- Prevention , Non-governmental organizations , Communication in economic development , Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Midlands Province (Zimbabwe)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Com)
- Identifier: vital:11366 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006028 , Deutsche Welthungerhilfe , Poverty -- Prevention , Non-governmental organizations , Communication in economic development , Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Midlands Province (Zimbabwe)
- Description: The aim of this study was to analyse the communication practices of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in their poverty alleviation programmes, using Deutsche Weltihungerhilfe German Agro Action (GAA) in Gokwe South Rural District, Midlands Province, Zimbabwe as a case study. The study was based on the premise that effective communication is essential for successful poverty alleviation programmes. Communication facilitates the diffusion of innovations and encourages active participation by local people in programmes. It is also clear that despite several attempts to end the social malaise, poverty still persists. While several factors such as corruption, misappropriation of funds and misdirection of programs are not innocuous considering the failures of poverty alleviation programmes, communication is an indispensible tool to their success. It therefore becomes imperative that the communication practices be evaluated to identify the missing links. It is evident that by so doing, going forward, NGOs can effectively communicate with the local people and advances towards poverty alleviation can be realised. To this end, third world countries amongst them Zimbabwe and particularly rural communities, Gokwe included continue to suffer from poverty despite a number of programmes to address the pandemic by NGOs. The study was guided by the tenets of the Diffusion of innovations and Participatory development communication theories. These theories were considered the most applicable in terms of the research subject. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods and it was carried out in four of the wards in the district. The research methods were applied to solicit information from the rural people on how communication took place between the organisation and the community. The study found out that GAA used mainly the Indigenous Communication Systems (ICSs) in form of meetings and interpersonal face-toface communication modes. Names of projects were also fairly used for communication. The Modern Communication Systems (MCSs) used were cell phones and letters. GAA used local Page v languages mainly Shona and Ndebele and was flexible with the use of the indigenous languages. English language was also used for communication. The communication modes as well as the languages used were effective. The research also analysed and evaluated the communication practices by GAA. The study found out that the organisation effectively used the communication modes which were available for use but there were limitations in terms of access to other communication modes, especially the modern mediums due to poor infrastructure, state monopolisation of the mass media industry using regulations and fear of political persecution. The modern communication modes which GAA did not have access to could facilitate the diffusion of innovations and provide adequate information for active participation by the rural people in poverty alleviation programmes. The study also found out that only one person had heard about GAA through radio and no-one heard about GAA through the television, magazine or newspaper. The orgnanisation did not use these forms of mass media. In addition, the integration of ICSs and MCSs would provide an effective feedback system in Gokwe South Rural District. The researcher suggested the Tilled Communication Field approach whereby every stakeholder is required to make sure that the ICSs and MCSs are available for use by anyone at anytime for development purposes. There is need to give everyone adequate opportunity to use all the communication systems and users are advised to use communication for positive purposes, poverty alleviation included.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Tasaranago, Collet
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Deutsche Welthungerhilfe , Poverty -- Prevention , Non-governmental organizations , Communication in economic development , Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Midlands Province (Zimbabwe)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Com)
- Identifier: vital:11366 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006028 , Deutsche Welthungerhilfe , Poverty -- Prevention , Non-governmental organizations , Communication in economic development , Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Midlands Province (Zimbabwe)
- Description: The aim of this study was to analyse the communication practices of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in their poverty alleviation programmes, using Deutsche Weltihungerhilfe German Agro Action (GAA) in Gokwe South Rural District, Midlands Province, Zimbabwe as a case study. The study was based on the premise that effective communication is essential for successful poverty alleviation programmes. Communication facilitates the diffusion of innovations and encourages active participation by local people in programmes. It is also clear that despite several attempts to end the social malaise, poverty still persists. While several factors such as corruption, misappropriation of funds and misdirection of programs are not innocuous considering the failures of poverty alleviation programmes, communication is an indispensible tool to their success. It therefore becomes imperative that the communication practices be evaluated to identify the missing links. It is evident that by so doing, going forward, NGOs can effectively communicate with the local people and advances towards poverty alleviation can be realised. To this end, third world countries amongst them Zimbabwe and particularly rural communities, Gokwe included continue to suffer from poverty despite a number of programmes to address the pandemic by NGOs. The study was guided by the tenets of the Diffusion of innovations and Participatory development communication theories. These theories were considered the most applicable in terms of the research subject. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods and it was carried out in four of the wards in the district. The research methods were applied to solicit information from the rural people on how communication took place between the organisation and the community. The study found out that GAA used mainly the Indigenous Communication Systems (ICSs) in form of meetings and interpersonal face-toface communication modes. Names of projects were also fairly used for communication. The Modern Communication Systems (MCSs) used were cell phones and letters. GAA used local Page v languages mainly Shona and Ndebele and was flexible with the use of the indigenous languages. English language was also used for communication. The communication modes as well as the languages used were effective. The research also analysed and evaluated the communication practices by GAA. The study found out that the organisation effectively used the communication modes which were available for use but there were limitations in terms of access to other communication modes, especially the modern mediums due to poor infrastructure, state monopolisation of the mass media industry using regulations and fear of political persecution. The modern communication modes which GAA did not have access to could facilitate the diffusion of innovations and provide adequate information for active participation by the rural people in poverty alleviation programmes. The study also found out that only one person had heard about GAA through radio and no-one heard about GAA through the television, magazine or newspaper. The orgnanisation did not use these forms of mass media. In addition, the integration of ICSs and MCSs would provide an effective feedback system in Gokwe South Rural District. The researcher suggested the Tilled Communication Field approach whereby every stakeholder is required to make sure that the ICSs and MCSs are available for use by anyone at anytime for development purposes. There is need to give everyone adequate opportunity to use all the communication systems and users are advised to use communication for positive purposes, poverty alleviation included.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013