Like a bolt from the blue : phthalocyanines in biomedical optics
- Sekkat, N, Van den Berg, H, Nyokong, Tebello, Lange, N
- Authors: Sekkat, N , Van den Berg, H , Nyokong, Tebello , Lange, N
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Biomedical optics Fluorescence diagnosis Phthalocyanines NIR dyes Photodynamic therapy
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6597 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004346 , http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules17010098
- Description: The purpose of this review is to compile preclinical and clinical results on phthalocyanines (Pcs) as photosensitizers (PS) for Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) and contrast agents for fluorescence imaging. Indeed, Pcs are excellent candidates in these fields due to their strong absorbance in the NIR region and high chemical and photo-stability. In particular, this is mostly relevant for their in vivo activation in deeper tissular regions. However, most Pcs present two major limitations, i.e., a strong tendency to aggregate and a low water-solubility. In order to overcome these issues, both chemical tuning and pharmaceutical formulation combined with tumor targeting strategies were applied. These aspects will be developed in this review for the most extensively studied Pcs during the last 25 years, i.e., aluminium-, zinc- and silicon-based Pcs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Sekkat, N , Van den Berg, H , Nyokong, Tebello , Lange, N
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Biomedical optics Fluorescence diagnosis Phthalocyanines NIR dyes Photodynamic therapy
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6597 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004346 , http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules17010098
- Description: The purpose of this review is to compile preclinical and clinical results on phthalocyanines (Pcs) as photosensitizers (PS) for Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) and contrast agents for fluorescence imaging. Indeed, Pcs are excellent candidates in these fields due to their strong absorbance in the NIR region and high chemical and photo-stability. In particular, this is mostly relevant for their in vivo activation in deeper tissular regions. However, most Pcs present two major limitations, i.e., a strong tendency to aggregate and a low water-solubility. In order to overcome these issues, both chemical tuning and pharmaceutical formulation combined with tumor targeting strategies were applied. These aspects will be developed in this review for the most extensively studied Pcs during the last 25 years, i.e., aluminium-, zinc- and silicon-based Pcs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Investigating tools and techniques for improving software performance on multiprocessor computer systems
- Authors: Tristram, Waide Barrington
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Multiprocessors , Multiprogramming (Electronic computers) , Parallel programming (Computer science) , Linux , Abstract data types (Computer science) , Threads (Computer programs) , Computer programming
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4655 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006651 , Multiprocessors , Multiprogramming (Electronic computers) , Parallel programming (Computer science) , Linux , Abstract data types (Computer science) , Threads (Computer programs) , Computer programming
- Description: The availability of modern commodity multicore processors and multiprocessor computer systems has resulted in the widespread adoption of parallel computers in a variety of environments, ranging from the home to workstation and server environments in particular. Unfortunately, parallel programming is harder and requires more expertise than the traditional sequential programming model. The variety of tools and parallel programming models available to the programmer further complicates the issue. The primary goal of this research was to identify and describe a selection of parallel programming tools and techniques to aid novice parallel programmers in the process of developing efficient parallel C/C++ programs for the Linux platform. This was achieved by highlighting and describing the key concepts and hardware factors that affect parallel programming, providing a brief survey of commonly available software development tools and parallel programming models and libraries, and presenting structured approaches to software performance tuning and parallel programming. Finally, the performance of several parallel programming models and libraries was investigated, along with the programming effort required to implement solutions using the respective models. A quantitative research methodology was applied to the investigation of the performance and programming effort associated with the selected parallel programming models and libraries, which included automatic parallelisation by the compiler, Boost Threads, Cilk Plus, OpenMP, POSIX threads (Pthreads), and Threading Building Blocks (TBB). Additionally, the performance of the GNU C/C++ and Intel C/C++ compilers was examined. The results revealed that the choice of parallel programming model or library is dependent on the type of problem being solved and that there is no overall best choice for all classes of problem. However, the results also indicate that parallel programming models with higher levels of abstraction require less programming effort and provide similar performance compared to explicit threading models. The principle conclusion was that the problem analysis and parallel design are an important factor in the selection of the parallel programming model and tools, but that models with higher levels of abstractions, such as OpenMP and Threading Building Blocks, are favoured.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Tristram, Waide Barrington
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Multiprocessors , Multiprogramming (Electronic computers) , Parallel programming (Computer science) , Linux , Abstract data types (Computer science) , Threads (Computer programs) , Computer programming
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4655 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006651 , Multiprocessors , Multiprogramming (Electronic computers) , Parallel programming (Computer science) , Linux , Abstract data types (Computer science) , Threads (Computer programs) , Computer programming
- Description: The availability of modern commodity multicore processors and multiprocessor computer systems has resulted in the widespread adoption of parallel computers in a variety of environments, ranging from the home to workstation and server environments in particular. Unfortunately, parallel programming is harder and requires more expertise than the traditional sequential programming model. The variety of tools and parallel programming models available to the programmer further complicates the issue. The primary goal of this research was to identify and describe a selection of parallel programming tools and techniques to aid novice parallel programmers in the process of developing efficient parallel C/C++ programs for the Linux platform. This was achieved by highlighting and describing the key concepts and hardware factors that affect parallel programming, providing a brief survey of commonly available software development tools and parallel programming models and libraries, and presenting structured approaches to software performance tuning and parallel programming. Finally, the performance of several parallel programming models and libraries was investigated, along with the programming effort required to implement solutions using the respective models. A quantitative research methodology was applied to the investigation of the performance and programming effort associated with the selected parallel programming models and libraries, which included automatic parallelisation by the compiler, Boost Threads, Cilk Plus, OpenMP, POSIX threads (Pthreads), and Threading Building Blocks (TBB). Additionally, the performance of the GNU C/C++ and Intel C/C++ compilers was examined. The results revealed that the choice of parallel programming model or library is dependent on the type of problem being solved and that there is no overall best choice for all classes of problem. However, the results also indicate that parallel programming models with higher levels of abstraction require less programming effort and provide similar performance compared to explicit threading models. The principle conclusion was that the problem analysis and parallel design are an important factor in the selection of the parallel programming model and tools, but that models with higher levels of abstractions, such as OpenMP and Threading Building Blocks, are favoured.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Investigating the existance of HIV/AIDS health advisory committee in selected senior secondary schools in the Amathole District Municipality schools in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Mbayeka, Sizwe Michael
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: HIV/AIDS -- Health advisory committee -- Education (Secondary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:18466 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1009449
- Description: This study investigated the question: Have the Amathole District Municipality Schools and higher education institutions established and successfully run Health Advisory Committees (HACs) in accordance with stipulations of the National Policy on HIV/AIDS for Learners and Educators in Public Schools Act No.27 0f 1996 (DoE, 1996). The main focus of the study was to determine the existence and the performance of HIV/AIDS Health Advisory Committees in 16 senior secondary schools selected from the Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The two main research questions which the study seeks to interrogate are: Does any of the selected 16 secondary schools have HIV/AIDS Health Advisory Committees? And if HIV/AIDS Health Advisory Committees had been established in any of the schools, are they managed in accordance with the stipulated guidelines of the national education policy? The decision to investigate this phenomenon stemmed from the researcher’s observation that schools might have failed to establish and to effectively manage the HAC. This assumption was based upon the fact that in rural schools located among the less educated and illiterate rural masses, semi-educated and illiterate parent members of the school governing bodies are more likely to be poorly informed about HIV/AIDS and might not be aware of the importance setting up committees and running them efficiently. The study used a survey as its research design. Surveys typically rely on large scale data, e.g. from questionnaires ,test scores, attendance rates results of public examinations etc., all of which would be enable comparisons to be made over time or between groups. Data was collected by means of questionnaires which were analysed using SPSS. The findings produced evidence that backed the above assumption. The study revealed that Data and the findings indicated that some schools in the Amathole District do not have HAC. Instead of HACs, they have other health advisory structures. However, parents believed that there was the need for HIV/AIDS HACs in their school communities as they were considered capable of addressing health related challenges/ problems such as teenage pregnancy HIV/AIDS diseases, hygiene and healthy living style among the school stakeholders. The study concluded that the existence of the HIV/AIDS HAC is essential and necessary in all schools as it ensures a healthy living in the school communities as suggest by the findings of this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mbayeka, Sizwe Michael
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: HIV/AIDS -- Health advisory committee -- Education (Secondary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:18466 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1009449
- Description: This study investigated the question: Have the Amathole District Municipality Schools and higher education institutions established and successfully run Health Advisory Committees (HACs) in accordance with stipulations of the National Policy on HIV/AIDS for Learners and Educators in Public Schools Act No.27 0f 1996 (DoE, 1996). The main focus of the study was to determine the existence and the performance of HIV/AIDS Health Advisory Committees in 16 senior secondary schools selected from the Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The two main research questions which the study seeks to interrogate are: Does any of the selected 16 secondary schools have HIV/AIDS Health Advisory Committees? And if HIV/AIDS Health Advisory Committees had been established in any of the schools, are they managed in accordance with the stipulated guidelines of the national education policy? The decision to investigate this phenomenon stemmed from the researcher’s observation that schools might have failed to establish and to effectively manage the HAC. This assumption was based upon the fact that in rural schools located among the less educated and illiterate rural masses, semi-educated and illiterate parent members of the school governing bodies are more likely to be poorly informed about HIV/AIDS and might not be aware of the importance setting up committees and running them efficiently. The study used a survey as its research design. Surveys typically rely on large scale data, e.g. from questionnaires ,test scores, attendance rates results of public examinations etc., all of which would be enable comparisons to be made over time or between groups. Data was collected by means of questionnaires which were analysed using SPSS. The findings produced evidence that backed the above assumption. The study revealed that Data and the findings indicated that some schools in the Amathole District do not have HAC. Instead of HACs, they have other health advisory structures. However, parents believed that there was the need for HIV/AIDS HACs in their school communities as they were considered capable of addressing health related challenges/ problems such as teenage pregnancy HIV/AIDS diseases, hygiene and healthy living style among the school stakeholders. The study concluded that the existence of the HIV/AIDS HAC is essential and necessary in all schools as it ensures a healthy living in the school communities as suggest by the findings of this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Photophysicochemical and photodynamic studies of phthalocyanines conjugated to selected drug delivery agents
- Authors: Nombona, Nolwazi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines Photochemistry Photochemotherapy Drug delivery systems Magnesium Zinc Nanoparticles Staphylococcus aureus
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4333 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004994
- Description: This work reports on the successful synthesis, characterisation and photophysical properties of new asymmetric metal free, magnesium and zinc phthalocyanines. The synthesis of symmetrical phthalocyanines is also reported. A selection of phthalocyanines have been conjugated, covalently linked, encapsulated or mixed with selected of drug delivery agents which include gold or silver nanoparticles, poly-L-lysine, liposomes and folic acid. The influence of delivery agent on the photophysical and photochemical properties of conjugated phthalocyanine is investigated. The studies showed that the Au nanoparticle significantly lowered the fluorescence quantum yield values of the phthalocyanines. The photodynamic activity of Zn phthalocyanine-ε-polylysine conjugates in the presence of nanoparticles towards the inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus showed high photoinactivation in the presence of silver nanoparticles. The presence of silver nanoparticels from the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC₅₀) studies showed remarkable growth inhibition for the tested conjugates even at low concentrations. The conjugate also showed no dark toxicity when evaluated using the chick choriallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. The efficiency of selected zinc phthalocyanine as photodynamic therapy (PDT) agents was investigated. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and phototoxicity of the photosensitizers were assessed. Healthy fibroblast cells and breast cancer (MCF-7) cells were treated with either free phthalocyanine or phthalocyanine bound to either gold nanoparticles or encapsulated in liposomes. Cell viability studies showed the optimum phototoxic effect on non-malignant cells to be 4.5 J.cm⁻². The PDT effect of the liposome bound phthalocyanine showed extensive damage of the breast cancer cells. Gold nanoparticles only showed a modest improvement in PDT activity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Nombona, Nolwazi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines Photochemistry Photochemotherapy Drug delivery systems Magnesium Zinc Nanoparticles Staphylococcus aureus
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4333 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004994
- Description: This work reports on the successful synthesis, characterisation and photophysical properties of new asymmetric metal free, magnesium and zinc phthalocyanines. The synthesis of symmetrical phthalocyanines is also reported. A selection of phthalocyanines have been conjugated, covalently linked, encapsulated or mixed with selected of drug delivery agents which include gold or silver nanoparticles, poly-L-lysine, liposomes and folic acid. The influence of delivery agent on the photophysical and photochemical properties of conjugated phthalocyanine is investigated. The studies showed that the Au nanoparticle significantly lowered the fluorescence quantum yield values of the phthalocyanines. The photodynamic activity of Zn phthalocyanine-ε-polylysine conjugates in the presence of nanoparticles towards the inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus showed high photoinactivation in the presence of silver nanoparticles. The presence of silver nanoparticels from the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC₅₀) studies showed remarkable growth inhibition for the tested conjugates even at low concentrations. The conjugate also showed no dark toxicity when evaluated using the chick choriallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. The efficiency of selected zinc phthalocyanine as photodynamic therapy (PDT) agents was investigated. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and phototoxicity of the photosensitizers were assessed. Healthy fibroblast cells and breast cancer (MCF-7) cells were treated with either free phthalocyanine or phthalocyanine bound to either gold nanoparticles or encapsulated in liposomes. Cell viability studies showed the optimum phototoxic effect on non-malignant cells to be 4.5 J.cm⁻². The PDT effect of the liposome bound phthalocyanine showed extensive damage of the breast cancer cells. Gold nanoparticles only showed a modest improvement in PDT activity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The fitting problem in a lattice Universe
- Authors: Larena, Julien
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:6780 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012405
- Description: We present a regular cubic lattice solution to Einstein field equations that is exact at second order in a small parameter. We show that this solution is kinematically equivalent to the Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) solution with the same averaged energy density. This allows us to discuss the fitting problem in that framework: are observables along the past lightcone of observers equivalent to those in the analogue FLRW model obtained by smoothing spatially the distribution of matter? We find a criterion on the compacity of the objects that must be satisfied in order for the answer to this question to be positive and given by perturbative arguments. If this criterion is not met, the answer to this question must be addressed fully non perturbatively along the past lightcone, even though the spacetime geometry can be described perturbatively. , Prepared for the Proceedings of the conference 'Relativity and Gravitation: 100 years after Einstein in Prague', Prague, 25-29th June 2012.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Larena, Julien
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:6780 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012405
- Description: We present a regular cubic lattice solution to Einstein field equations that is exact at second order in a small parameter. We show that this solution is kinematically equivalent to the Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) solution with the same averaged energy density. This allows us to discuss the fitting problem in that framework: are observables along the past lightcone of observers equivalent to those in the analogue FLRW model obtained by smoothing spatially the distribution of matter? We find a criterion on the compacity of the objects that must be satisfied in order for the answer to this question to be positive and given by perturbative arguments. If this criterion is not met, the answer to this question must be addressed fully non perturbatively along the past lightcone, even though the spacetime geometry can be described perturbatively. , Prepared for the Proceedings of the conference 'Relativity and Gravitation: 100 years after Einstein in Prague', Prague, 25-29th June 2012.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Value delivered by private game reserves in South Africa : a comparison of visitors' and managers' perceptions
- Authors: Theron, Elizna
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Tourism -- South Africa , Ecotourism -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9374 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019980
- Description: The uniqueness of the wildlife and the luxurious nature of South African private game reserves could be seen as a valuable niche in the South African tourism market and for this reason make South Africa a desired destination. Due to complex visitor needs and demands regarding price, service, social connection, authenticity, quality or image, value perceptions will differ in terms of visitors’ experiences. If managers do not understand these value requirements, differences might exist between consumers’ and service providers’ perceptions of value. To maintain visitor satisfaction, loyalty and intention for return to the reserves, managers should continue to provide valued offerings and improve their visitors’ wildlife experience. This research investigated visitors’ perceptions of the value delivered by private game reserves in South Africa and compared these with reserve managers’ perceptions of the value delivered. The results of this research study could contribute to a better understanding of perceived value, which in turn could enhance the success of the private game reserves. The literature contextualised the South African private game reserve as part of wildlife tourism, the wildlife tourism offering and the characteristics of wildlife visitors. An overview of customer value, customer value models showing their development over time, and the conceptual framework of the current study was provided. The resulting conceptual model was used to evaluate managers’ and visitors’ perceptions of Quality, Monetary price, Behavioural price, Reputation, Emotional response, Social value and Novelty value delivered by South African private game reserves. The empirical data was collected by means of a survey, using two structured self-administered electronic questionnaires administered to the managers of, and the visitors to, private game reserves. One hundred and sixty two visitors and 30 managers participated in the survey. By performing exploratory factor analysis it was found that the seven value factors were consistent with the value dimensions reported in the literature. These were labelled as Quality, Emotional response, Monetary price, Reputation, Novelty value, Social value and Behavioural price. Most of managers’ perceptions of value provided exceeded visitors’ perceptions of value received. Both managers and visitors rated value items related to Emotional response highly. Considerably more managers (17 percent) thought that the reserve experience can be associated with good service, opposed to only 4 percent of visitors who perceived the service to be good. On the other hand, a larger proportion of visitors (29%) than the managers (20 percent) perceived the reserve experience as relaxing. Managers rated eleven of the thirteen game reserve attributes more positively than what the visitors did. Of these attributes, accommodation services, protection of the natural environment, game drives and service delivery, showed significant differences. It is recommended that South African private game reserve managers: • conduct market research to get a better understanding of what delights visitors. Research should be conducted on a regular basis to ensure management stays current with visitors’ changing needs; • determine whether the prices charged reflect the quality of the physical offerings, service delivery and the time and effort visitors spent to obtain the offering; • use the adventurous activities offered at the reserves as part of their promotional campaigns to attract adventure tourists; • train service delivery staff and game drive guides to educate visitors on the history, culture and eco-friendly practices related to their reserve; • always deliver superior service to ensure memorable wildlife experiences, value for money and exceed visitors’ expectations; • continue using websites, social media and magazines to inform the target market about the reserve offerings; and • stay in regular contact with visitors through social media, newsletters, blogs, follow up emails/calls or face to face discussions at the reserve.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Theron, Elizna
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Tourism -- South Africa , Ecotourism -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9374 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019980
- Description: The uniqueness of the wildlife and the luxurious nature of South African private game reserves could be seen as a valuable niche in the South African tourism market and for this reason make South Africa a desired destination. Due to complex visitor needs and demands regarding price, service, social connection, authenticity, quality or image, value perceptions will differ in terms of visitors’ experiences. If managers do not understand these value requirements, differences might exist between consumers’ and service providers’ perceptions of value. To maintain visitor satisfaction, loyalty and intention for return to the reserves, managers should continue to provide valued offerings and improve their visitors’ wildlife experience. This research investigated visitors’ perceptions of the value delivered by private game reserves in South Africa and compared these with reserve managers’ perceptions of the value delivered. The results of this research study could contribute to a better understanding of perceived value, which in turn could enhance the success of the private game reserves. The literature contextualised the South African private game reserve as part of wildlife tourism, the wildlife tourism offering and the characteristics of wildlife visitors. An overview of customer value, customer value models showing their development over time, and the conceptual framework of the current study was provided. The resulting conceptual model was used to evaluate managers’ and visitors’ perceptions of Quality, Monetary price, Behavioural price, Reputation, Emotional response, Social value and Novelty value delivered by South African private game reserves. The empirical data was collected by means of a survey, using two structured self-administered electronic questionnaires administered to the managers of, and the visitors to, private game reserves. One hundred and sixty two visitors and 30 managers participated in the survey. By performing exploratory factor analysis it was found that the seven value factors were consistent with the value dimensions reported in the literature. These were labelled as Quality, Emotional response, Monetary price, Reputation, Novelty value, Social value and Behavioural price. Most of managers’ perceptions of value provided exceeded visitors’ perceptions of value received. Both managers and visitors rated value items related to Emotional response highly. Considerably more managers (17 percent) thought that the reserve experience can be associated with good service, opposed to only 4 percent of visitors who perceived the service to be good. On the other hand, a larger proportion of visitors (29%) than the managers (20 percent) perceived the reserve experience as relaxing. Managers rated eleven of the thirteen game reserve attributes more positively than what the visitors did. Of these attributes, accommodation services, protection of the natural environment, game drives and service delivery, showed significant differences. It is recommended that South African private game reserve managers: • conduct market research to get a better understanding of what delights visitors. Research should be conducted on a regular basis to ensure management stays current with visitors’ changing needs; • determine whether the prices charged reflect the quality of the physical offerings, service delivery and the time and effort visitors spent to obtain the offering; • use the adventurous activities offered at the reserves as part of their promotional campaigns to attract adventure tourists; • train service delivery staff and game drive guides to educate visitors on the history, culture and eco-friendly practices related to their reserve; • always deliver superior service to ensure memorable wildlife experiences, value for money and exceed visitors’ expectations; • continue using websites, social media and magazines to inform the target market about the reserve offerings; and • stay in regular contact with visitors through social media, newsletters, blogs, follow up emails/calls or face to face discussions at the reserve.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The sustainability of rural co-operatives within the Eastern Cape with reference to Mbhashe Local Municipality
- Authors: Ndawule, Luvuyo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9126 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018555
- Description: Mbhashe Local Municipality is part of eight local municipalities that make up Amathole District Municipality. The study is conducted in Mbhashe local Municipality where two co-operatives have been sampled. The purpose of the study was to investigate the challenges faced by co-operatives in achieving its intended purpose (i.e. alleviating poverty, creating employment and generating income). It is the intention of the researcher to investigate the socio-economic role played by co-operatives in this afore mentioned local municipality. For the research to be able to examine and analyse the performance and challenges faced by co-operatives around Mbhashe certain key aspects were extensively taken into consideration. These aspects are co-operative leadership, management structures, external support from different stakeholders, like different government departments, communities where co-operatives are located, and the role of NGO’s. It was the intention of the researcher to analyse the type of support given by each of the above mentioned stakeholders. It was through the study that the research was able to deduce whether the support given by these various stakeholders was enough or not in ensuring viability and sustainability of co-operatives. In conducting the research a qualitative approach was used whereby various instruments were used to collect data. It was through the variety of instruments used that the researcher managed to capture the challenges faced by co-operatives. Apart from the challenges which were the main focus of the researcher, the findings also reveal that co-operatives play a vital role in socio-economic development. This is more evident in rural areas such as those at Mbhashe Local Municipality. There is undisputed evidence shown by co-operatives that community members do benefit from the produce created by co-operatives. If co-operatives can receive the type of support they deserve, poverty in rural areas can be put to absolute minimum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ndawule, Luvuyo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9126 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018555
- Description: Mbhashe Local Municipality is part of eight local municipalities that make up Amathole District Municipality. The study is conducted in Mbhashe local Municipality where two co-operatives have been sampled. The purpose of the study was to investigate the challenges faced by co-operatives in achieving its intended purpose (i.e. alleviating poverty, creating employment and generating income). It is the intention of the researcher to investigate the socio-economic role played by co-operatives in this afore mentioned local municipality. For the research to be able to examine and analyse the performance and challenges faced by co-operatives around Mbhashe certain key aspects were extensively taken into consideration. These aspects are co-operative leadership, management structures, external support from different stakeholders, like different government departments, communities where co-operatives are located, and the role of NGO’s. It was the intention of the researcher to analyse the type of support given by each of the above mentioned stakeholders. It was through the study that the research was able to deduce whether the support given by these various stakeholders was enough or not in ensuring viability and sustainability of co-operatives. In conducting the research a qualitative approach was used whereby various instruments were used to collect data. It was through the variety of instruments used that the researcher managed to capture the challenges faced by co-operatives. Apart from the challenges which were the main focus of the researcher, the findings also reveal that co-operatives play a vital role in socio-economic development. This is more evident in rural areas such as those at Mbhashe Local Municipality. There is undisputed evidence shown by co-operatives that community members do benefit from the produce created by co-operatives. If co-operatives can receive the type of support they deserve, poverty in rural areas can be put to absolute minimum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The experiences of the development support group DSG in the integrated quality management system IQMS in Butterworth District, Eastern Cape
- Ndandani- Msindwana, Judith Nonkululeko
- Authors: Ndandani- Msindwana, Judith Nonkululeko
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work capacity evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16173 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/467 , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work capacity evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study investigated the experiences of the Development Support Group (DGS) when implementing the IQMS (Integrated Quality Management System) in Butterworth District of the Eastern Cape. The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of the DSG when implementing the IQMS in an attempt to determine whether the DSG can cope with the task of being part of evaluation in education, and how the negative experiences could be improved. In order to get the experiences of the DSG when implementing the IQMS, the researcher embarked on this phenomenological study. Data were collected by means of one-on-one semi-structured interviews and the perusal of the IQMS document, Resolution 8 of 2003. Responses from the participants were tape-recorded and eventually transcribed, analyzed and interpreted. The main feature revealed by the study is gross lack of confidence, feeling of insecurity and ambivalence on the part of the DSG. On the basis of the findings, recommendations that will assist the DSG (and other IQMS implementers) to improve IQMS implementation, have been made. This study also serves as the voice of the DSG for they have also made suggestions to improve on the negative experiences they have highlighted. The conclusions arrived at in this study are specific to the DSG of the sampled schools. The conclusions reflect and explain the challenges faced by the DSG in Butterworth district. But the findings give a reflective explanatory depth to the experiences the DSG when implementing the IQMS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ndandani- Msindwana, Judith Nonkululeko
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work capacity evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16173 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/467 , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work capacity evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study investigated the experiences of the Development Support Group (DGS) when implementing the IQMS (Integrated Quality Management System) in Butterworth District of the Eastern Cape. The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of the DSG when implementing the IQMS in an attempt to determine whether the DSG can cope with the task of being part of evaluation in education, and how the negative experiences could be improved. In order to get the experiences of the DSG when implementing the IQMS, the researcher embarked on this phenomenological study. Data were collected by means of one-on-one semi-structured interviews and the perusal of the IQMS document, Resolution 8 of 2003. Responses from the participants were tape-recorded and eventually transcribed, analyzed and interpreted. The main feature revealed by the study is gross lack of confidence, feeling of insecurity and ambivalence on the part of the DSG. On the basis of the findings, recommendations that will assist the DSG (and other IQMS implementers) to improve IQMS implementation, have been made. This study also serves as the voice of the DSG for they have also made suggestions to improve on the negative experiences they have highlighted. The conclusions arrived at in this study are specific to the DSG of the sampled schools. The conclusions reflect and explain the challenges faced by the DSG in Butterworth district. But the findings give a reflective explanatory depth to the experiences the DSG when implementing the IQMS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Interaction of terpenes and oxygenated terpenes with some drugs
- Authors: Ajayi, Emmanuel Olusegun
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Terpenes -- Essences and essential oils , Lavenders -- Monoterpenes -- Drug interactions , Drugs -- Camphor -- Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11332 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/418 , Terpenes -- Essences and essential oils , Lavenders -- Monoterpenes -- Drug interactions , Drugs -- Camphor -- Medicinal plants
- Description: SFME and HD for the extraction of essential oil in Lavandula officinalis in Alice have been reported. A total of 59 compounds were identified with the major compound being 1,8-cineole, an oxygenated monoterpene, with 46.89% and 44.84% yield obtained for HD and SFME respectively. Charge transfer (CT) complexes formed between α-pinene, 1,8-cineole and camphor as electron donors with iodine as the electron acceptor have been studied spectrophotometrically in methylene chloride solution. The Benesi- Hildebrand equation has been applied to estimate the formation constant (Kf) and molecular extinction coefficient (εCT). The value of Kf is the highest in camphor-I2 complex compared to the other two complexes. Antibacterial assessment was carried out on the various reagents, determining the MIC of individual reagents and in combination. The results show an improvement, on combination of the various reagents than when tested alone.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ajayi, Emmanuel Olusegun
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Terpenes -- Essences and essential oils , Lavenders -- Monoterpenes -- Drug interactions , Drugs -- Camphor -- Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11332 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/418 , Terpenes -- Essences and essential oils , Lavenders -- Monoterpenes -- Drug interactions , Drugs -- Camphor -- Medicinal plants
- Description: SFME and HD for the extraction of essential oil in Lavandula officinalis in Alice have been reported. A total of 59 compounds were identified with the major compound being 1,8-cineole, an oxygenated monoterpene, with 46.89% and 44.84% yield obtained for HD and SFME respectively. Charge transfer (CT) complexes formed between α-pinene, 1,8-cineole and camphor as electron donors with iodine as the electron acceptor have been studied spectrophotometrically in methylene chloride solution. The Benesi- Hildebrand equation has been applied to estimate the formation constant (Kf) and molecular extinction coefficient (εCT). The value of Kf is the highest in camphor-I2 complex compared to the other two complexes. Antibacterial assessment was carried out on the various reagents, determining the MIC of individual reagents and in combination. The results show an improvement, on combination of the various reagents than when tested alone.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Impact of economic freedom on CEMAC countries
- Authors: Ossono NII, Edith Gloria
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Free enterprise , Economic development , Monetary policy -- Africa, Central , Africa, Central -- Economic integration , Africa, Central -- Economic policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9020 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019713
- Description: The study aimed to evaluate the impact of economic freedom on economic growth and investments in the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC). The region was created in 1994 by the six states of Cameroon, Chad, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. CEMAC countries comprise low and middle-income countries that share the same currency - the CFA Franc. The CEMAC countries were observed between 1995 and 2008 and panel regression methodologies were employed. A positive impact of economic freedom on economic growth was established using fixed effects method and the generalised method of moments. The impact of a unit increase in the economic freedom index on GDP per capita ranged between 72.65 and 124.51 units (dollars) increase on GDP per capita, ceteris paribus. Economic freedom was also found to Granger-cause economic growth. The results underline a significantly positive relationship between economic freedom and economic growth which is consistent with existing literature. The impact of economic freedom on domestic investment and foreign directs investment was then examined. With regard to domestic investment, economic freedom was found to be statistically significant and positive in all specifications of the model, thereby implying that a unit increase in the economic freedom index increases domestic investment by values of between 0.50 and 0.69 dollars in the CEMAC. The results obtained were consistent with most findings on the relationship between economic freedom and investments. With regard to the relationship between economic freedom and foreign direct investment inflows, economic freedom was unexpectedly statistically insignificant in most specifications of the model. The latter implies that economic freedom does not have a significant impact on foreign direct investment in the CEMAC. However, the study revealed that economic freedom Granger-causes foreign direct investment but foreign direct investment does not Granger-cause economic freedom. This means that economic freedom precedes foreign direct investments, and foreign direct investments do not precede economic freedom. The study strongly recommends an improvement of institutions in the CEMAC in order to enjoy greater levels of economic freedom and therefore foster economic growth and domestic investment in the region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ossono NII, Edith Gloria
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Free enterprise , Economic development , Monetary policy -- Africa, Central , Africa, Central -- Economic integration , Africa, Central -- Economic policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9020 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019713
- Description: The study aimed to evaluate the impact of economic freedom on economic growth and investments in the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC). The region was created in 1994 by the six states of Cameroon, Chad, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. CEMAC countries comprise low and middle-income countries that share the same currency - the CFA Franc. The CEMAC countries were observed between 1995 and 2008 and panel regression methodologies were employed. A positive impact of economic freedom on economic growth was established using fixed effects method and the generalised method of moments. The impact of a unit increase in the economic freedom index on GDP per capita ranged between 72.65 and 124.51 units (dollars) increase on GDP per capita, ceteris paribus. Economic freedom was also found to Granger-cause economic growth. The results underline a significantly positive relationship between economic freedom and economic growth which is consistent with existing literature. The impact of economic freedom on domestic investment and foreign directs investment was then examined. With regard to domestic investment, economic freedom was found to be statistically significant and positive in all specifications of the model, thereby implying that a unit increase in the economic freedom index increases domestic investment by values of between 0.50 and 0.69 dollars in the CEMAC. The results obtained were consistent with most findings on the relationship between economic freedom and investments. With regard to the relationship between economic freedom and foreign direct investment inflows, economic freedom was unexpectedly statistically insignificant in most specifications of the model. The latter implies that economic freedom does not have a significant impact on foreign direct investment in the CEMAC. However, the study revealed that economic freedom Granger-causes foreign direct investment but foreign direct investment does not Granger-cause economic freedom. This means that economic freedom precedes foreign direct investments, and foreign direct investments do not precede economic freedom. The study strongly recommends an improvement of institutions in the CEMAC in order to enjoy greater levels of economic freedom and therefore foster economic growth and domestic investment in the region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The distinction between types of commercial and residential property for value-added tax purposes in South Africa
- Authors: Ferreira, Melanie
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Property tax -- South Africa , Value-added tax -- South Africa , Tax assessment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8955 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008710 , Property tax -- South Africa , Value-added tax -- South Africa , Tax assessment -- South Africa
- Description: It is important to distinguish between types of commercial and residential property for value-added tax (VAT) purposes. The reason for this is because the supply of residential property may be exempt from VAT in certain cases, whereas the supply of commercial property is a taxable supply. One of the aims of this treatise was to generate some characteristics that can assist vendors to distinguish between types of commercial and residential property for VAT purposes. SARS proposed numerous changes to the VAT Act with regards to fixed property in 2011. This treatise explains the reason for the changes made and also comments on them. Firstly, property developers previously had to account for an output tax adjustment when they changed the use of their property i.e. from a taxable use (selling the completed units) to a non-taxable use (renting the completed units as a residential dwelling). This „output tax adjustment‟ sometimes places developers in a financial dilemma, especially in times of an economic depression. SARS therefore provided „developers‟ as defined with a short term solution. This short term solution provides property developers with a 36 month temporarily relief period, before they have to account for the „output tax adjustment‟. Therefore, the new section 18B was proposed to assist property developers in times of an economic recession. Secondly, in the past a vendor who acquired a property from a non-vendor to make taxable supplies was allowed a notional input tax deduction, limited to the transfer duty paid. SARS has however "delinked VAT from transfer duty‟, which means that the notional input tax deduction will no longer be limited to the transfer duty paid. This change may benefit vendors as they may now be allowed a bigger input tax deduction. Furthermore, the treatise also compares the VAT treatment of the above issues to that of the goods and services tax treatment in New Zealand. The treatise concludes with a summary of all distinguishing characteristics identified and other findings noted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ferreira, Melanie
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Property tax -- South Africa , Value-added tax -- South Africa , Tax assessment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8955 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008710 , Property tax -- South Africa , Value-added tax -- South Africa , Tax assessment -- South Africa
- Description: It is important to distinguish between types of commercial and residential property for value-added tax (VAT) purposes. The reason for this is because the supply of residential property may be exempt from VAT in certain cases, whereas the supply of commercial property is a taxable supply. One of the aims of this treatise was to generate some characteristics that can assist vendors to distinguish between types of commercial and residential property for VAT purposes. SARS proposed numerous changes to the VAT Act with regards to fixed property in 2011. This treatise explains the reason for the changes made and also comments on them. Firstly, property developers previously had to account for an output tax adjustment when they changed the use of their property i.e. from a taxable use (selling the completed units) to a non-taxable use (renting the completed units as a residential dwelling). This „output tax adjustment‟ sometimes places developers in a financial dilemma, especially in times of an economic depression. SARS therefore provided „developers‟ as defined with a short term solution. This short term solution provides property developers with a 36 month temporarily relief period, before they have to account for the „output tax adjustment‟. Therefore, the new section 18B was proposed to assist property developers in times of an economic recession. Secondly, in the past a vendor who acquired a property from a non-vendor to make taxable supplies was allowed a notional input tax deduction, limited to the transfer duty paid. SARS has however "delinked VAT from transfer duty‟, which means that the notional input tax deduction will no longer be limited to the transfer duty paid. This change may benefit vendors as they may now be allowed a bigger input tax deduction. Furthermore, the treatise also compares the VAT treatment of the above issues to that of the goods and services tax treatment in New Zealand. The treatise concludes with a summary of all distinguishing characteristics identified and other findings noted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Diagnosing organizational effectiveness in the tourism sector of Zanzibar
- Authors: Raja, Sanjay Kanji
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Organizational effectiveness -- Zanzibar Management by objectives -- Zanzibar Tourism -- Zanzibar Tourism -- Management -- Zanzibar Job satisfaction -- Zanzibar Employee motivation -- Zanzibar
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:780 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003901
- Description: The tourism sector in Zanzibar Tanzania has emerged strongly in the past 15 years, helping the development of other Industries that support it. As a result, Industries such as telecommunication, IT, transport and hospitality have also emerged recently. It is, however, speculated that organizations in the tourism sector in Zanzibar generally lack the effective performance that is required of them to compete in the contemporary complex and turbulent market environment. This research thus set out to explore and diagnose the organizational effectiveness of the accommodation units of the tourism sector in Zanzibar. The research had specific objectives of diagnosing and finding the gap between the current and the optimal organizational performance in two particular units of accommodation as well as determining the factors affecting organizational performance in these units. The study furthermore set out to recommend implementation of suitable intervention activities to improve organizational performance in the units analyzed. In order to achieve the above objectives the research deployed an action research strategy with the Weisbord’s six box model as a framework to diagnose two five star grade accommodation units in Zanzibar. A qualitative method was used to collect data. Key findings of the research are briefly presented below: - The service output of the accommodation units analyzed was not very consistent and fell short of the expectation of their customers. This showed a gap in terms of the organizations’ performance. - Factors affecting organizational effectiveness were found to be mainly in the Purpose and Rewards functions of the organizations. - The specific areas in the Purpose function that appeared to have substantial problems were: -- Goals of the organization were not clearly stated -- Employees did not understand the purpose of the organization -- Employees were not involved in deciding their work unit goals -- Employees were not in agreement with the goals of their work units. -- Employees did not understand priorities of the organization The specific areas in the Reward function that appeared to have substantial problems were: -- The pay scale and benefits of the organization did not treat employees equitably. -- Employees felt that the salary they received was not commensurate with the jobs they performed. -- Not all tasks to be accomplished were associated with incentives. Following the diagnostics findings above, the research suggested the following intervention activities that could possibly help to address the above mentioned problems: - A Management by Objectives (MBO) process was suggested to redress the problems indicated in the Purpose function. This would help to set clearly agreed goals at all levels of the organizations. Employees and resources would then be directed towards achieving these goals that would enable the organizations to perform more effectively. - Revision of the current reward system was suggested to redress the problems indicated in the Reward function. The reward system should be implemented in a manner that creates a feeling of both internal as well as external (market) equity among employees. Furthermore, rewards should be linked to performance in order to direct behaviour and motivation among employees. The performance based reward system can also help to achieve the MBO process proposed above since rewards will be designated for achievement of individual, departmental and finally organizational objectives, thus increasing organizational effectiveness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Raja, Sanjay Kanji
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Organizational effectiveness -- Zanzibar Management by objectives -- Zanzibar Tourism -- Zanzibar Tourism -- Management -- Zanzibar Job satisfaction -- Zanzibar Employee motivation -- Zanzibar
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:780 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003901
- Description: The tourism sector in Zanzibar Tanzania has emerged strongly in the past 15 years, helping the development of other Industries that support it. As a result, Industries such as telecommunication, IT, transport and hospitality have also emerged recently. It is, however, speculated that organizations in the tourism sector in Zanzibar generally lack the effective performance that is required of them to compete in the contemporary complex and turbulent market environment. This research thus set out to explore and diagnose the organizational effectiveness of the accommodation units of the tourism sector in Zanzibar. The research had specific objectives of diagnosing and finding the gap between the current and the optimal organizational performance in two particular units of accommodation as well as determining the factors affecting organizational performance in these units. The study furthermore set out to recommend implementation of suitable intervention activities to improve organizational performance in the units analyzed. In order to achieve the above objectives the research deployed an action research strategy with the Weisbord’s six box model as a framework to diagnose two five star grade accommodation units in Zanzibar. A qualitative method was used to collect data. Key findings of the research are briefly presented below: - The service output of the accommodation units analyzed was not very consistent and fell short of the expectation of their customers. This showed a gap in terms of the organizations’ performance. - Factors affecting organizational effectiveness were found to be mainly in the Purpose and Rewards functions of the organizations. - The specific areas in the Purpose function that appeared to have substantial problems were: -- Goals of the organization were not clearly stated -- Employees did not understand the purpose of the organization -- Employees were not involved in deciding their work unit goals -- Employees were not in agreement with the goals of their work units. -- Employees did not understand priorities of the organization The specific areas in the Reward function that appeared to have substantial problems were: -- The pay scale and benefits of the organization did not treat employees equitably. -- Employees felt that the salary they received was not commensurate with the jobs they performed. -- Not all tasks to be accomplished were associated with incentives. Following the diagnostics findings above, the research suggested the following intervention activities that could possibly help to address the above mentioned problems: - A Management by Objectives (MBO) process was suggested to redress the problems indicated in the Purpose function. This would help to set clearly agreed goals at all levels of the organizations. Employees and resources would then be directed towards achieving these goals that would enable the organizations to perform more effectively. - Revision of the current reward system was suggested to redress the problems indicated in the Reward function. The reward system should be implemented in a manner that creates a feeling of both internal as well as external (market) equity among employees. Furthermore, rewards should be linked to performance in order to direct behaviour and motivation among employees. The performance based reward system can also help to achieve the MBO process proposed above since rewards will be designated for achievement of individual, departmental and finally organizational objectives, thus increasing organizational effectiveness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
"Is more, less?" : insect-insect interactions in a biological control context using water hyacinth as a model
- Weyl, Philip Sebastian Richard
- Authors: Weyl, Philip Sebastian Richard
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Water hyacinth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water hyacinth -- Biological control -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Insects as biological pest control agents , Miridae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Beetles -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Competition (Biology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5724 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005410 , Water hyacinth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water hyacinth -- Biological control -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Insects as biological pest control agents , Miridae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Beetles -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Competition (Biology)
- Description: Interactions between insects have been shown to be important regulators of population abundances and dynamics as well as drivers of spatial segregation and distribution. These are important aspects of the ecology of insects used in biological control and may have implications for the overall success of a particular programme. In the history of biological control there has been a tendency to release a suite of agents against a weed, which in some cases has increased the level of success, while in others little change has been observed. In most of these cases the implications of increasing the level of complexity of the system is not taken into account and there is little research on the effect of releasing another agent into the system. A brief meta-analysis was done on all the biological control programmes initiated in South Africa. Emphasis was placed on multi-species releases and the effects that overlapping niches were having on the number of agents responsible for the success of a programme. Where overlapping niches were present among agents released the number of agents responsible for success was lower than the number established. Water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Martius) Solms-Laubach in South Africa has more arthropod agents released against it than anywhere else in the world, yet control has been variable. If the biology and host utilisation of all the agents against water hyacinth is considered, a definite overlap of niches is apparent in at least one life stage of all the agents. Therefore the probability of these insects interacting is high, especially if they are established at the same site in the field. Three of the insects released in South Africa have been selected to investigate possible interactions. They are Neochetina eichhorniae Warner, Neochetina bruchi Hustache and Eccritotarsus catarinensis (Carvalho). Y-tube olfactometer bioassays were used to measure responses of these insects to water hyacinth with prior feeding damage by either conspecifics or heterospecifics. This was done to determine whether olfactory cues played a role in host acceptability and avoidance of conspecifics or heterospecifics. The insects were given a choice between damaged and undamaged plants in various combinations. There was a significant preference for the undamaged plants when given a choice between undamaged and damaged plants. However when the insects were given a choice between two damaged plants there was no discrimination between heterospecific or conspecific damaged plants. This may indicate that there is little or no ecological cost for the insect to share a plant with other insects utilising a similar resource. Insect – insect interactions were investigated in a common garden plot experiment to measure the impact that pairwise combinations of the insect may have on their performance. There was a significant interaction between the mirid E. catarinensis and the weevil N. eichhorniae, with the weevil not performing as well when in combination with the mirid than when alone. Interestingly there was a negative interaction between the two weevil species when in combination, however it was impossible to determine which species was being affected if not both. None of the insects performed significantly better when in combination with another insect. A field study on Wriggleswade Dam in the Eastern Cape, South Africa was initiated to determine whether the relationship between the mirid E. catarinensis and the weevil N. eichhorniae could be determined in the field. The performance of the insects at the different sites in the field suggests that there was an interaction between the agents. This interaction did not limit the establishment of either insect at a site, but it did result in one insect dominating at a site over another. Interactions between the three species of insect tested in this thesis suggest that there are both negative and neutral relationships between them. A basic comparison between the insect performances from 15 sites around the country was done to determine if the spatial segregation observed in the field could be extrapolated to the natural South African situation. The interaction observed between N. eichhorniae and E. catarinensis does seem to extrapolate to the general South African situation where there is definite spatial segregation on a landscape level. The co–occurrence of the two Neochetina weevils at these sites suggests that the negative relationship observed between them in the common garden experiment does not extrapolate to the field. The results from this thesis suggest that the interactions between the agents tested would not limit establishment or have significant ramifications on performance. However, there may be spatial and temporal segregation of these species in the introduced range.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Weyl, Philip Sebastian Richard
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Water hyacinth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water hyacinth -- Biological control -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Insects as biological pest control agents , Miridae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Beetles -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Competition (Biology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5724 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005410 , Water hyacinth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water hyacinth -- Biological control -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Insects as biological pest control agents , Miridae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Beetles -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Competition (Biology)
- Description: Interactions between insects have been shown to be important regulators of population abundances and dynamics as well as drivers of spatial segregation and distribution. These are important aspects of the ecology of insects used in biological control and may have implications for the overall success of a particular programme. In the history of biological control there has been a tendency to release a suite of agents against a weed, which in some cases has increased the level of success, while in others little change has been observed. In most of these cases the implications of increasing the level of complexity of the system is not taken into account and there is little research on the effect of releasing another agent into the system. A brief meta-analysis was done on all the biological control programmes initiated in South Africa. Emphasis was placed on multi-species releases and the effects that overlapping niches were having on the number of agents responsible for the success of a programme. Where overlapping niches were present among agents released the number of agents responsible for success was lower than the number established. Water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Martius) Solms-Laubach in South Africa has more arthropod agents released against it than anywhere else in the world, yet control has been variable. If the biology and host utilisation of all the agents against water hyacinth is considered, a definite overlap of niches is apparent in at least one life stage of all the agents. Therefore the probability of these insects interacting is high, especially if they are established at the same site in the field. Three of the insects released in South Africa have been selected to investigate possible interactions. They are Neochetina eichhorniae Warner, Neochetina bruchi Hustache and Eccritotarsus catarinensis (Carvalho). Y-tube olfactometer bioassays were used to measure responses of these insects to water hyacinth with prior feeding damage by either conspecifics or heterospecifics. This was done to determine whether olfactory cues played a role in host acceptability and avoidance of conspecifics or heterospecifics. The insects were given a choice between damaged and undamaged plants in various combinations. There was a significant preference for the undamaged plants when given a choice between undamaged and damaged plants. However when the insects were given a choice between two damaged plants there was no discrimination between heterospecific or conspecific damaged plants. This may indicate that there is little or no ecological cost for the insect to share a plant with other insects utilising a similar resource. Insect – insect interactions were investigated in a common garden plot experiment to measure the impact that pairwise combinations of the insect may have on their performance. There was a significant interaction between the mirid E. catarinensis and the weevil N. eichhorniae, with the weevil not performing as well when in combination with the mirid than when alone. Interestingly there was a negative interaction between the two weevil species when in combination, however it was impossible to determine which species was being affected if not both. None of the insects performed significantly better when in combination with another insect. A field study on Wriggleswade Dam in the Eastern Cape, South Africa was initiated to determine whether the relationship between the mirid E. catarinensis and the weevil N. eichhorniae could be determined in the field. The performance of the insects at the different sites in the field suggests that there was an interaction between the agents. This interaction did not limit the establishment of either insect at a site, but it did result in one insect dominating at a site over another. Interactions between the three species of insect tested in this thesis suggest that there are both negative and neutral relationships between them. A basic comparison between the insect performances from 15 sites around the country was done to determine if the spatial segregation observed in the field could be extrapolated to the natural South African situation. The interaction observed between N. eichhorniae and E. catarinensis does seem to extrapolate to the general South African situation where there is definite spatial segregation on a landscape level. The co–occurrence of the two Neochetina weevils at these sites suggests that the negative relationship observed between them in the common garden experiment does not extrapolate to the field. The results from this thesis suggest that the interactions between the agents tested would not limit establishment or have significant ramifications on performance. However, there may be spatial and temporal segregation of these species in the introduced range.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An assessment of caracal population density and human-predator conflict in the Winterberg, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Smith, Emma Ruth
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Felis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Felis -- Effect of human beings on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Predatory animals -- Control -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wildlife depredation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human-animal relationships , Felis -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Felis -- Monitoring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal populations -- Estimates
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5644 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005326 , Felis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Felis -- Effect of human beings on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Predatory animals -- Control -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wildlife depredation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human-animal relationships , Felis -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Felis -- Monitoring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal populations -- Estimates
- Description: Human-wildlife conflict frequently involves carnivores, mainly because of their large home ranges and dietary requirements. As such, carnivores tend to be the first animals to be lost in human-dominated ecosystems. This is significant because the removal of carnivores can alter the functionality of ecosystems. However, the conservation of carnivores depends as much on the socio-political and socio-economic landscapes as it does on the ecological one. The consolidation of vast, un-fragmented conservation areas in Africa and the world is unlikely. Thus, unravelling the factors (both biological and sociological) responsible for and influencing human-predator conflict is critical for carnivore conservation. The Winterberg district in the Eastern Cape, South Africa has been a sheep (Ovis aries) farming stronghold for nearly 200 years. Consequently, conflict between farmers and predators is commonplace and depredation of livestock by caracals (Caracai caracal) remains a perennial problem. However, the extent of this human-predator conflict (including a reliable assessment of caracal density) has not been quantified. This study used camera trapping to estimate the density of caracals (a nonindividually recognisable species) in the Winterberg and a structured questionnaire to gauge the general attitudes of the farmers of the region. Caracal density was estimated to be 0.20 caracals/km². This estimate equates to a population of approximately 54 caracals across the entire district. Therefore, caracals do not appear to occur at high densities in the Winterberg. However, the survey of the residents of the Winterberg Conservancy revealed that predators were rated as the greatest problem faced by farmers in the area. Although not significant, it also showed that the size of a respondent's property and sheep mortality due to caracals had the greatest probability of affecting attitudes towards predators. The farmers lost less than 10% of their stock to caracal depredation on an annual basis. Therefore, the general perception that predators were the most important factor in stock loss in the area does not appear to be fully supported by my data. The Winterberg is a male-dominated, multigenerational society and it is likely this propagates certain perceptions towards predators which are a reflection of long-held family traditions and beliefs. Such situations can result in reactions which are disproportionate to the actual scale of the problem. However, my study was limited to a sub-set of the landowners in the Winterberg. Thus, more intensive assessments of caracal space use and community attitudes towards predators are recommended.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Smith, Emma Ruth
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Felis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Felis -- Effect of human beings on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Predatory animals -- Control -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wildlife depredation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human-animal relationships , Felis -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Felis -- Monitoring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal populations -- Estimates
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5644 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005326 , Felis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Felis -- Effect of human beings on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Predatory animals -- Control -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wildlife depredation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human-animal relationships , Felis -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Felis -- Monitoring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal populations -- Estimates
- Description: Human-wildlife conflict frequently involves carnivores, mainly because of their large home ranges and dietary requirements. As such, carnivores tend to be the first animals to be lost in human-dominated ecosystems. This is significant because the removal of carnivores can alter the functionality of ecosystems. However, the conservation of carnivores depends as much on the socio-political and socio-economic landscapes as it does on the ecological one. The consolidation of vast, un-fragmented conservation areas in Africa and the world is unlikely. Thus, unravelling the factors (both biological and sociological) responsible for and influencing human-predator conflict is critical for carnivore conservation. The Winterberg district in the Eastern Cape, South Africa has been a sheep (Ovis aries) farming stronghold for nearly 200 years. Consequently, conflict between farmers and predators is commonplace and depredation of livestock by caracals (Caracai caracal) remains a perennial problem. However, the extent of this human-predator conflict (including a reliable assessment of caracal density) has not been quantified. This study used camera trapping to estimate the density of caracals (a nonindividually recognisable species) in the Winterberg and a structured questionnaire to gauge the general attitudes of the farmers of the region. Caracal density was estimated to be 0.20 caracals/km². This estimate equates to a population of approximately 54 caracals across the entire district. Therefore, caracals do not appear to occur at high densities in the Winterberg. However, the survey of the residents of the Winterberg Conservancy revealed that predators were rated as the greatest problem faced by farmers in the area. Although not significant, it also showed that the size of a respondent's property and sheep mortality due to caracals had the greatest probability of affecting attitudes towards predators. The farmers lost less than 10% of their stock to caracal depredation on an annual basis. Therefore, the general perception that predators were the most important factor in stock loss in the area does not appear to be fully supported by my data. The Winterberg is a male-dominated, multigenerational society and it is likely this propagates certain perceptions towards predators which are a reflection of long-held family traditions and beliefs. Such situations can result in reactions which are disproportionate to the actual scale of the problem. However, my study was limited to a sub-set of the landowners in the Winterberg. Thus, more intensive assessments of caracal space use and community attitudes towards predators are recommended.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Media and agriculture in Africa : a case study of agriculture radio programming in Malawi
- Authors: Manda, Levison Zeleza
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Radio in agriculture -- Malawi , Communication -- Agriculture -- Malawi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:8434 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020925
- Description: This thesis argues that although participatory communication for development has been extolled to be more effective than the monologic or top-down communication approaches associated with the modernization development paradigm, its influence in making Malawian smallholder farmers adopt radio-mediated innovations and technologies seems to be minimal and ought to be reconsidered for more effective communication for development models. The study used mostly qualitative methodology, with focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a semi-structured questionnaire to gather verbal and statistical from the primary beneficiaries in order data to understand why three mass media interventions in Malawi had similar effects when only one of them was strictly participatory. It found, inter alia, that in two sites food security was the overriding factor that influenced the community members to adopt radio messages while in the third the participants were mostly driven by the desire to earn money, essentially because the area is food-secure. Thus, participation in radio production was found not to have any significant role in the acceptance and adoption of radio-mediated innovations by the farming communities. Based on the above findings, the study recommends a) an integrated communication for development (IC4D) model that combines top-down information dissemination techniques and participatory communication approaches since the two reinforce more than they oppose each other, and b) the formation of a Communication for Development (C4D) pool fund in Malawi to finance C4D activities. The C4D pool fund is theorised to be resourced by the Malawi government departments, local farmers ‘organisations, international NGOs, and UN bodies such as UNICEF, WHO, and the FAO.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Manda, Levison Zeleza
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Radio in agriculture -- Malawi , Communication -- Agriculture -- Malawi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:8434 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020925
- Description: This thesis argues that although participatory communication for development has been extolled to be more effective than the monologic or top-down communication approaches associated with the modernization development paradigm, its influence in making Malawian smallholder farmers adopt radio-mediated innovations and technologies seems to be minimal and ought to be reconsidered for more effective communication for development models. The study used mostly qualitative methodology, with focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a semi-structured questionnaire to gather verbal and statistical from the primary beneficiaries in order data to understand why three mass media interventions in Malawi had similar effects when only one of them was strictly participatory. It found, inter alia, that in two sites food security was the overriding factor that influenced the community members to adopt radio messages while in the third the participants were mostly driven by the desire to earn money, essentially because the area is food-secure. Thus, participation in radio production was found not to have any significant role in the acceptance and adoption of radio-mediated innovations by the farming communities. Based on the above findings, the study recommends a) an integrated communication for development (IC4D) model that combines top-down information dissemination techniques and participatory communication approaches since the two reinforce more than they oppose each other, and b) the formation of a Communication for Development (C4D) pool fund in Malawi to finance C4D activities. The C4D pool fund is theorised to be resourced by the Malawi government departments, local farmers ‘organisations, international NGOs, and UN bodies such as UNICEF, WHO, and the FAO.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Fast track land reform programme and women in Goromonzi district, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Chakona, Loveness
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Land reform -- Research -- Zimbabwe Land settlement -- Government policy -- Zimbabwe Land reform beneficiaries -- Zimbabwe Sex discrimination against women -- Zimbabwe Women's rights -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3317 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003105
- Description: From the year 2000, land became the key signifier for tackling the unfinished business of the decolonisation process in Zimbabwe, notably by rectifying the racially-based land injustices of the past through land redistribution. This took the form of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP). However, the racialised character and focus of the FTLRP tended to mask or at least downplay important gender dimensions to land in Zimbabwe. Colonial and post-colonial Zimbabwe (up to 2000) had instigated, propagated and reproduced land ownership, control and access along a distinctively patriarchal basis which left women either totally excluded or incorporated in an oppressive manner. This patriarchal structuring of the land question was rooted in institutions, practices and discourses. Although a burgeoning number of studies have been undertaken on the FTLRP, few have had a distinctively gender focus in seeking to identify, examine and assess the effect of the programme on patriarchal relations and the socio-economic livelihoods of rural women. This thesis makes a contribution to filling this lacuna by offering an empirically-rich study of land redistribution in one particular district in Zimbabwe, namely, Goromonzi District. This entails a focus on women on A1 resettlement farms in the district (and specifically women who came from nearby customary areas) and on women who continue to live in customary areas in the district. My thesis concludes that the FTLRP is seriously flawed in terms of addressing and tackling the patriarchal structures that underpin the Zimbabwean land question.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Chakona, Loveness
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Land reform -- Research -- Zimbabwe Land settlement -- Government policy -- Zimbabwe Land reform beneficiaries -- Zimbabwe Sex discrimination against women -- Zimbabwe Women's rights -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3317 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003105
- Description: From the year 2000, land became the key signifier for tackling the unfinished business of the decolonisation process in Zimbabwe, notably by rectifying the racially-based land injustices of the past through land redistribution. This took the form of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP). However, the racialised character and focus of the FTLRP tended to mask or at least downplay important gender dimensions to land in Zimbabwe. Colonial and post-colonial Zimbabwe (up to 2000) had instigated, propagated and reproduced land ownership, control and access along a distinctively patriarchal basis which left women either totally excluded or incorporated in an oppressive manner. This patriarchal structuring of the land question was rooted in institutions, practices and discourses. Although a burgeoning number of studies have been undertaken on the FTLRP, few have had a distinctively gender focus in seeking to identify, examine and assess the effect of the programme on patriarchal relations and the socio-economic livelihoods of rural women. This thesis makes a contribution to filling this lacuna by offering an empirically-rich study of land redistribution in one particular district in Zimbabwe, namely, Goromonzi District. This entails a focus on women on A1 resettlement farms in the district (and specifically women who came from nearby customary areas) and on women who continue to live in customary areas in the district. My thesis concludes that the FTLRP is seriously flawed in terms of addressing and tackling the patriarchal structures that underpin the Zimbabwean land question.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The relationship between emotional stability, stress and work family conflict, among Standard Bank female employees in the Border region
- Authors: Zingwe, Tawanda
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Standard Bank Limited , Bank employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Role conflict , Women employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Job stress -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work and family -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sexual division of labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Neuroses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work-family conflict , Stress , Emotional stability , Neuroticism , Banks , Females
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: vital:11558 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007133 , Standard Bank Limited , Bank employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Role conflict , Women employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Job stress -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work and family -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sexual division of labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Neuroses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work-family conflict , Stress , Emotional stability , Neuroticism , Banks , Females
- Description: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship that exists between emotional stability, stress and work-family conflict among Standard Bank female employees. For this purpose data was collected from the female employees of Standard Banks in Alice, Fort Beaufort, King Williams and East London Town’s in the Eastern Cape. A sample of 72 female bank employees was drawn from the population. Neuroticism is the opposite of emotional stability and it was mostly often used in place of emotional stability in the study. Results of the study indicated that all study variables are significantly positively correlated with one another. The findings of this study is helpful in the banking industry in order to design human resources policies which will reduce the work-family conflict and decrease stress for female bank employees and for future research in respective topics. The implications of this study are discussed along with recommendations for future research and professional managerial practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Zingwe, Tawanda
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Standard Bank Limited , Bank employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Role conflict , Women employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Job stress -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work and family -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sexual division of labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Neuroses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work-family conflict , Stress , Emotional stability , Neuroticism , Banks , Females
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: vital:11558 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007133 , Standard Bank Limited , Bank employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Role conflict , Women employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Job stress -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work and family -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sexual division of labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Neuroses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work-family conflict , Stress , Emotional stability , Neuroticism , Banks , Females
- Description: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship that exists between emotional stability, stress and work-family conflict among Standard Bank female employees. For this purpose data was collected from the female employees of Standard Banks in Alice, Fort Beaufort, King Williams and East London Town’s in the Eastern Cape. A sample of 72 female bank employees was drawn from the population. Neuroticism is the opposite of emotional stability and it was mostly often used in place of emotional stability in the study. Results of the study indicated that all study variables are significantly positively correlated with one another. The findings of this study is helpful in the banking industry in order to design human resources policies which will reduce the work-family conflict and decrease stress for female bank employees and for future research in respective topics. The implications of this study are discussed along with recommendations for future research and professional managerial practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Teacher practices in the grade 10 first additional language classroom: a relevance study
- Authors: Naadirah, Abader
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Action research in education , Reflective teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9438 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011093 , Action research in education , Reflective teaching
- Description: Teachers are key figures in the English First Additional Language learning process, their influence is fundamental to their learners‟ progress, or lack thereof. I am of the opinion that literacy in itself is not sufficient, as success lies in the learners‟ application of appropriate learning techniques. The purpose of my study was to reflect on and improve my own teaching practice, improve my learners‟ participation and enhance their academic outcomes in the poetry classroom. My study required that I reflect on my classroom practice to facilitate the improvement thereof. Successful learning within the classroom therefore involves interaction and collaboration between the learner, the materials, the teacher and the context. Scaffolding is a technique I used to actualize my learners‟ potential. I chose action research, because I wanted to research an educational problem (as experienced by my learners and myself), critically reflect on my classroom practice, evaluate my teaching methods, and consider practical solutions. Action research allowed me to record the events and happenings in my location, my reflection, beliefs and teaching philosophies, my ideas and my insights about my practice. In my journal I reflected on the events that took place during my poetry lessons. Both positive and negative comments were noted and I tried to closely monitor my learners during the lessons. After marking my classroom assessments, I immediately shared my thoughts regarding the assessment outcomes. My reflections gave me a better understanding of my teaching practice. I used photovoice as a data collecting strategy which is the intermingling of images and words. The actions taken through photovoice, taking photographs and telling stories as they relate to the photographs, were empowering. My study enabled me to understand the many challenges of teaching poetry. I learnt that if I teach well, poetry can add important aspects to my learners‟ language skills, including understanding metaphors, connotations and symbolic meanings. The teaching of poetry should promote a pleasurable understanding of language. This means that the language of the poem is as important as the content of the poem.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Naadirah, Abader
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Action research in education , Reflective teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9438 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011093 , Action research in education , Reflective teaching
- Description: Teachers are key figures in the English First Additional Language learning process, their influence is fundamental to their learners‟ progress, or lack thereof. I am of the opinion that literacy in itself is not sufficient, as success lies in the learners‟ application of appropriate learning techniques. The purpose of my study was to reflect on and improve my own teaching practice, improve my learners‟ participation and enhance their academic outcomes in the poetry classroom. My study required that I reflect on my classroom practice to facilitate the improvement thereof. Successful learning within the classroom therefore involves interaction and collaboration between the learner, the materials, the teacher and the context. Scaffolding is a technique I used to actualize my learners‟ potential. I chose action research, because I wanted to research an educational problem (as experienced by my learners and myself), critically reflect on my classroom practice, evaluate my teaching methods, and consider practical solutions. Action research allowed me to record the events and happenings in my location, my reflection, beliefs and teaching philosophies, my ideas and my insights about my practice. In my journal I reflected on the events that took place during my poetry lessons. Both positive and negative comments were noted and I tried to closely monitor my learners during the lessons. After marking my classroom assessments, I immediately shared my thoughts regarding the assessment outcomes. My reflections gave me a better understanding of my teaching practice. I used photovoice as a data collecting strategy which is the intermingling of images and words. The actions taken through photovoice, taking photographs and telling stories as they relate to the photographs, were empowering. My study enabled me to understand the many challenges of teaching poetry. I learnt that if I teach well, poetry can add important aspects to my learners‟ language skills, including understanding metaphors, connotations and symbolic meanings. The teaching of poetry should promote a pleasurable understanding of language. This means that the language of the poem is as important as the content of the poem.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Implementing the integragrated development plan for effective service delivery : the case of Mnquma Municipality
- Siyaya, Nompendulo Vuyolwethu
- Authors: Siyaya, Nompendulo Vuyolwethu
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Public Administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8309 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020030
- Description: This study is about implementing the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for effective service delivery: The case of Mnquma municipality. The need for improved standards of living and access to better infrastructure which are seen as crucial issues in addressing poverty have necessitated the introduction of the Integrated Development Planning. The IDP looks at the economic and social development. It aims to coordinate the work of the local government in a coherent plan to improve the quality of life of all the people living in an area. Many municipalities in South Africa are faced with the challenge of service delivery and Mnquma is one of those municipalities. There are still backlogs in service delivery in Mnquma. This study was triggered by the high level of poverty, high unemployment rate and the non service delivery in Mnquma municipality. It sought to understand whether the IDP is serving its purposes in the Mnquma Municipality. Questionnaires were used as a method of collecting data. The respondents were asked to give their opinions on the impact of IDP in Mnquma, the IDP implementation for effective service delivery, and highlight the challenges that they think hinder the IDP from realizing its intended goals. The results of this study show that there is lack of communication between the municipality and the community. The study uncovered that the communities do not understand the purpose and existence of the IDP document. IDP is a tool to fast track service delivery. The study argues that without its proper implementation, service cannot be rendered effectively and efficiently.The research findings also point out the need for sensitizing the community about the need to participate in the affairs of their development so that the IDP can be a true reflection of their needs. The mantra of this research is effective service delivery through the implementation of the IDP.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Siyaya, Nompendulo Vuyolwethu
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Public Administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8309 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020030
- Description: This study is about implementing the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for effective service delivery: The case of Mnquma municipality. The need for improved standards of living and access to better infrastructure which are seen as crucial issues in addressing poverty have necessitated the introduction of the Integrated Development Planning. The IDP looks at the economic and social development. It aims to coordinate the work of the local government in a coherent plan to improve the quality of life of all the people living in an area. Many municipalities in South Africa are faced with the challenge of service delivery and Mnquma is one of those municipalities. There are still backlogs in service delivery in Mnquma. This study was triggered by the high level of poverty, high unemployment rate and the non service delivery in Mnquma municipality. It sought to understand whether the IDP is serving its purposes in the Mnquma Municipality. Questionnaires were used as a method of collecting data. The respondents were asked to give their opinions on the impact of IDP in Mnquma, the IDP implementation for effective service delivery, and highlight the challenges that they think hinder the IDP from realizing its intended goals. The results of this study show that there is lack of communication between the municipality and the community. The study uncovered that the communities do not understand the purpose and existence of the IDP document. IDP is a tool to fast track service delivery. The study argues that without its proper implementation, service cannot be rendered effectively and efficiently.The research findings also point out the need for sensitizing the community about the need to participate in the affairs of their development so that the IDP can be a true reflection of their needs. The mantra of this research is effective service delivery through the implementation of the IDP.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
White anti-racism in post-apartheid South Africa:
- Authors: Matthews, Sally
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142361 , vital:38073 , DOI: 10.1080/02589346.2012.683938
- Description: South Africans today live not only with the memory of the racial injustices of the past, but also with present injustices that are a consequence of that past. How should white South Africans live with these past and present injustices? On recognition of the racial injustices of the past and of the continuation of forms of white privilege today, involvement in ongoing anti-racist struggles seems to be an appropriate way for white South Africans to respond to past and present injustices. However, some discussions of the way in which white privilege operates and is perpetuated in post-segregationist societies suggest the need for caution with regard to white involvement in anti-racist struggles, arguing that some of the ways in which white people involve themselves in apparently anti-racist work actually result in the perpetuation rather than the erosion of white privilege. This article explores concerns about the intractability of white privilege while also ultimately defending the appropriateness of white involvement in anti-racist struggles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Matthews, Sally
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142361 , vital:38073 , DOI: 10.1080/02589346.2012.683938
- Description: South Africans today live not only with the memory of the racial injustices of the past, but also with present injustices that are a consequence of that past. How should white South Africans live with these past and present injustices? On recognition of the racial injustices of the past and of the continuation of forms of white privilege today, involvement in ongoing anti-racist struggles seems to be an appropriate way for white South Africans to respond to past and present injustices. However, some discussions of the way in which white privilege operates and is perpetuated in post-segregationist societies suggest the need for caution with regard to white involvement in anti-racist struggles, arguing that some of the ways in which white people involve themselves in apparently anti-racist work actually result in the perpetuation rather than the erosion of white privilege. This article explores concerns about the intractability of white privilege while also ultimately defending the appropriateness of white involvement in anti-racist struggles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012