Indian secondary school youths' understanding of sexual violence in their community in the age of HIV and AIDS: a participatory video approach
- Authors: Mahadev, Rekha
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Sex crimes , Indian youth -- Education (Secondary) , AIDS (Disease) , HIV infections
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7522 , vital:21793
- Description: This study focuses on Indian secondary school youths’ understanding of sexual violence in their community in the age of HIV and AIDS, and the contribution that participatory video can make to address sexual violence. South Africa, apart from having the highest HIV prevalence in the world, also has the highest incidence of sexual violence. South African society often appears complacent about the high levels of sexual violence. In the Indian community, especially among the youth, sexual violence is also cause for concern. Much effort and energy has been expended in educating learners about sexual violence and HIV and AIDS with the objective of raising awareness of the dangers of engaging in risky sexual behaviour, and ultimately to empower and influence positive behaviour change. Because HIV prevalence in the Indian population is on the rise, Indian youth’s particular vulnerability is the reason for focusing on how they understand sexual violence in the age of AIDS. Besides the paucity of research on Indian youth and sexual violence, the methodologies which have been used produced research which is descriptive in nature and hence a methodological shift from traditional methodologies to a participatory visual methodology which has the potential for critically engaging the Indian youth on the issues of sexual violence, could contribute to research which has a social change focus. This qualitative research therefore uses a visual participatory methodology within a critical research paradigm, to explore and contribute to addressing the problem of sexual violence in the age of HIV and AIDS. The participants in the study, a sample of 20 Indian learners (10 boys and 10 girls), from a secondary school in Durban which has predominantly Indian learners, was purposively selected from Grade 11 classes. Participatory video enabled them to voice how they understand sexual violence and in doing so move towards reflecting on their own agency. The theory of triadic influence with its three streams, i.e. cultural attitudinal, social normative and intrapersonal, was used to make meaning of the findings. It also provided a frame for a fourth path, namely the preventive intervene. While participatory video enabled exploring Indian youths’ understanding of sexual violence in their community in the age of AIDS, it at the same time enabled them to reflect on, and perhaps begin to disrupt their understanding of the cultural attitudinal, social normative and the intrapersonal influences and how these influence their thinking about sexual violence. Two a priori themes were established prior to the analysis, to respond to how Indian youths understand sexual violence in the age of AIDS, and how participatory video can address sexual violence. The findings suggest that their understanding of sexual violence stems from a culture of concealment in which veiling sexual violence is the norm; that the vulnerability of youth increases as the experience of pressure from peers to engage in sexual violence increases; and that sexual violence is traumatising. The use of participatory video increased the youths’ reflexivity and created a space for them to explore how to take action. The findings imply that addressing sexual violence with Indian youth should begin with interrogating the cultural norms of masculinities and femininities, and the cultural practices rooted in traditional structures of the family and community which perpetuate gender disparities and the restriction of the autonomy of women and girls. Addressing issues of vulnerability and sexual violence should be the focus of all school and community interventions to ensure learners’ well-being and ability to resist negative peer pressure. These interventions should encourage self-reflection and raise social awareness through active participation and in so doing bring about social change in the Indian community. Vigorous participatory interventions which draw on the voices of the Indian youth as agents of social change in addressing sexual violence in the age of HIV and AIDS, is therefore urgent. The significance of this study as research as intervention is useful in enabling the exploration - with the Indian youth - of how cultural and religious norms, gender disparity, Indian masculinities and femininities, and social peer pressure feed into youth’s understanding of sexual violence and at the same time getting them to begin rethinking, challenging and disrupting these understandings where necessary. The study demonstrates that engaging youth affords them an opportunity to draw from their own experiences and through their own voices and actions create knowledge through participatory video, thereby making a contribution to visual methodologies and research around sexual violence and HIV and AIDS in their world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mahadev, Rekha
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Sex crimes , Indian youth -- Education (Secondary) , AIDS (Disease) , HIV infections
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7522 , vital:21793
- Description: This study focuses on Indian secondary school youths’ understanding of sexual violence in their community in the age of HIV and AIDS, and the contribution that participatory video can make to address sexual violence. South Africa, apart from having the highest HIV prevalence in the world, also has the highest incidence of sexual violence. South African society often appears complacent about the high levels of sexual violence. In the Indian community, especially among the youth, sexual violence is also cause for concern. Much effort and energy has been expended in educating learners about sexual violence and HIV and AIDS with the objective of raising awareness of the dangers of engaging in risky sexual behaviour, and ultimately to empower and influence positive behaviour change. Because HIV prevalence in the Indian population is on the rise, Indian youth’s particular vulnerability is the reason for focusing on how they understand sexual violence in the age of AIDS. Besides the paucity of research on Indian youth and sexual violence, the methodologies which have been used produced research which is descriptive in nature and hence a methodological shift from traditional methodologies to a participatory visual methodology which has the potential for critically engaging the Indian youth on the issues of sexual violence, could contribute to research which has a social change focus. This qualitative research therefore uses a visual participatory methodology within a critical research paradigm, to explore and contribute to addressing the problem of sexual violence in the age of HIV and AIDS. The participants in the study, a sample of 20 Indian learners (10 boys and 10 girls), from a secondary school in Durban which has predominantly Indian learners, was purposively selected from Grade 11 classes. Participatory video enabled them to voice how they understand sexual violence and in doing so move towards reflecting on their own agency. The theory of triadic influence with its three streams, i.e. cultural attitudinal, social normative and intrapersonal, was used to make meaning of the findings. It also provided a frame for a fourth path, namely the preventive intervene. While participatory video enabled exploring Indian youths’ understanding of sexual violence in their community in the age of AIDS, it at the same time enabled them to reflect on, and perhaps begin to disrupt their understanding of the cultural attitudinal, social normative and the intrapersonal influences and how these influence their thinking about sexual violence. Two a priori themes were established prior to the analysis, to respond to how Indian youths understand sexual violence in the age of AIDS, and how participatory video can address sexual violence. The findings suggest that their understanding of sexual violence stems from a culture of concealment in which veiling sexual violence is the norm; that the vulnerability of youth increases as the experience of pressure from peers to engage in sexual violence increases; and that sexual violence is traumatising. The use of participatory video increased the youths’ reflexivity and created a space for them to explore how to take action. The findings imply that addressing sexual violence with Indian youth should begin with interrogating the cultural norms of masculinities and femininities, and the cultural practices rooted in traditional structures of the family and community which perpetuate gender disparities and the restriction of the autonomy of women and girls. Addressing issues of vulnerability and sexual violence should be the focus of all school and community interventions to ensure learners’ well-being and ability to resist negative peer pressure. These interventions should encourage self-reflection and raise social awareness through active participation and in so doing bring about social change in the Indian community. Vigorous participatory interventions which draw on the voices of the Indian youth as agents of social change in addressing sexual violence in the age of HIV and AIDS, is therefore urgent. The significance of this study as research as intervention is useful in enabling the exploration - with the Indian youth - of how cultural and religious norms, gender disparity, Indian masculinities and femininities, and social peer pressure feed into youth’s understanding of sexual violence and at the same time getting them to begin rethinking, challenging and disrupting these understandings where necessary. The study demonstrates that engaging youth affords them an opportunity to draw from their own experiences and through their own voices and actions create knowledge through participatory video, thereby making a contribution to visual methodologies and research around sexual violence and HIV and AIDS in their world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Indigenous knowledge and climate change : insights from Muzarabani, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Chanza, Nelson
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Indigenous peoples – Ecology – Zimbabwe -- Centenary District , Climatic changes -- Social aspects – Zimbabwe -- Centenary District , Climatic changes – Zimbabwe -- Centenary District
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10671 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020299
- Description: Discourse characterising climate change has largely revolved around aspects within the realm of impact identification, mitigation and adaptation. Apparently, a burgeoning appetite to examine the role of indigenous knowledge (IK) now confronts the fronts of climate science, policy and practice. The surge in attention to localbased knowledge is attributed to growing challenges posed by change and variability in the climate system. This study argues that indigenous-based knowledge is capable of filling knowledge gaps and validating current understanding about climate change particularly at local levels. Essentially, the paucity of knowledge about local climatic events can be circumvented by engaging indigenous ‘scientists’ whose many years of direct contact with the environment have equipped them with the indispensable knowledge, skills and experiences to understand the same. Primarily, the thesis’ objectives were threefold. One, it captured useful indicators of climate change and variability from the understanding of the indigenous people, which can also be used to enhance understanding of climate change impacts.Two, it drew from the knowledge, experiences, skills and practices of the locals in order to inform appropriate community level mitigation and adaptation interventions. And, three, it highlighted the fact that knowledge of the indigenous people can be used to direct research on climate change. The study area (Muzarabani in Zimbabwe) experiences recurrent droughts and floods and its villagers rely predominantly on climate-sensitive livelihoods. As such, it was selected to provide a reliable case on IK practices and experiences of the people witnessing climatic events. The study was framed within an epistemological and methodological configuration of emancipatory pedagogy that looks at the generators of climate knowledge as ‘scientists’ in their own right. A qualitative elicitation interviewing technique involving in-depth discussions with traditional leaders and elderly knowledgeable citizens was conducted. The participants were selected through chain referrals until the level of theoretical saturation. In addition, directed field observations, document analysis and key informant interviews with other respondents selected through theoretical sampling enhanced the robustness of data acquisition methods. Group-based participatory data analysis and reflexive pragmatism also enhanced rigour and quality of research findings intended to balance between the strictures of the scientific audience and the views of the knowledge generators. Three key themes were derived from IK-climate change linkages as: indigenous based indicators of climate change, indigenous-based mitigation and indigenous based adaptation. A range of indigenous-based indicators identified pointed to a progressively drier climate with shorter growing seasons that are also punctuated by mid-season dry spells. A trend towards increased desiccation of water bodies (rivers, ponds and vleis) was further observed. There is also an upsurge in the abundance and pestiferous nature of Macrotermes spp, Quelea quelea and Acanthoplus discoidalis, which are most likely related to climate change. Some of these indicators closely match with those used in mainstream climate science and they also serve to understand climate change impacts at a finer local level of analysis. Indigenous-based mitigation is mainly driven by the notion of sacredness where the locals regard forestry, certain trees and vleis as sacrosanct. Tampering with these is believed to upset the spirits who have powers to influence climate. Opportunities associated with IK deployment in climate mitigation are understood from the viewpoint of enhancing greenhouse gas (GHG) sinks and that of reducing vulnerability to extreme climatic events. Specifically, this can be achieved through enhancing GHG sequestration through forestry and land-use management initiatives; that is, reducing emissions from deforestation and forestry related degradation (REDD+) and Land Use and Land-Use Cover and Forestry (LULUCF). These two are the dominant schemes adopted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to govern climate mitigation. Indigenous disaster risk management (DRM) strategies abound in drought, famine, flood and violent storms through various forms such as Zunde raMambo, nhimbe, rain-making ceremonies and community early warning systems (EWS).The locals in Muzarabani are not passive observers of the changing climate system. Increasing environmental risks necessitates them to devise countermeasures for responding to climatic stimuli with the intention of minimising harm and/or enhancing the benefits brought about by the same. Thus, a portfolio of IK-based adaptation strategies best described as an assortment of short-term coping practices and longterm adaptive strategies were identified. These range from exploitation of ecosystem services, agricultural based interventions, riverine farming, traditional phonological knowledge (TPK) to migration. Therefore, it was revealed that community-based adaptation (CBA) can adequately leverage on IK to improve adaptive capacity and build community resilience against climate change. Clearly, the complementary role of indigenous-based knowledge cannot be disputed, given the demonstrated range of applications from identifying several indicators of change and variability in the climate system, examination of climate change impacts, to identification and assessment of mitigation and adaptation options. The study advises that exogenous climate interventions need to be congruent with indigenous based strategies to avoid maladaptation. To the climate research community therefore, it should be realised that IK is useful both as leads and as baseline knowledge for future work on the impacts of climate change, and in the assessment of climate interventions. In this regard, the remaining challenge is to formulate a framework of constructive dialogue between indigenous scientists and conventional scientists so as to make sure that the mutual benefits of the two knowledge forms are adequately harnessed. Handled well, such collaborative effort would ensure enhanced climate change knowledge for successful mitigation and adaptation strategies. Handled poorly, there is a risk that the developmental needs of communities exposed to climatic events would not be addressed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Chanza, Nelson
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Indigenous peoples – Ecology – Zimbabwe -- Centenary District , Climatic changes -- Social aspects – Zimbabwe -- Centenary District , Climatic changes – Zimbabwe -- Centenary District
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10671 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020299
- Description: Discourse characterising climate change has largely revolved around aspects within the realm of impact identification, mitigation and adaptation. Apparently, a burgeoning appetite to examine the role of indigenous knowledge (IK) now confronts the fronts of climate science, policy and practice. The surge in attention to localbased knowledge is attributed to growing challenges posed by change and variability in the climate system. This study argues that indigenous-based knowledge is capable of filling knowledge gaps and validating current understanding about climate change particularly at local levels. Essentially, the paucity of knowledge about local climatic events can be circumvented by engaging indigenous ‘scientists’ whose many years of direct contact with the environment have equipped them with the indispensable knowledge, skills and experiences to understand the same. Primarily, the thesis’ objectives were threefold. One, it captured useful indicators of climate change and variability from the understanding of the indigenous people, which can also be used to enhance understanding of climate change impacts.Two, it drew from the knowledge, experiences, skills and practices of the locals in order to inform appropriate community level mitigation and adaptation interventions. And, three, it highlighted the fact that knowledge of the indigenous people can be used to direct research on climate change. The study area (Muzarabani in Zimbabwe) experiences recurrent droughts and floods and its villagers rely predominantly on climate-sensitive livelihoods. As such, it was selected to provide a reliable case on IK practices and experiences of the people witnessing climatic events. The study was framed within an epistemological and methodological configuration of emancipatory pedagogy that looks at the generators of climate knowledge as ‘scientists’ in their own right. A qualitative elicitation interviewing technique involving in-depth discussions with traditional leaders and elderly knowledgeable citizens was conducted. The participants were selected through chain referrals until the level of theoretical saturation. In addition, directed field observations, document analysis and key informant interviews with other respondents selected through theoretical sampling enhanced the robustness of data acquisition methods. Group-based participatory data analysis and reflexive pragmatism also enhanced rigour and quality of research findings intended to balance between the strictures of the scientific audience and the views of the knowledge generators. Three key themes were derived from IK-climate change linkages as: indigenous based indicators of climate change, indigenous-based mitigation and indigenous based adaptation. A range of indigenous-based indicators identified pointed to a progressively drier climate with shorter growing seasons that are also punctuated by mid-season dry spells. A trend towards increased desiccation of water bodies (rivers, ponds and vleis) was further observed. There is also an upsurge in the abundance and pestiferous nature of Macrotermes spp, Quelea quelea and Acanthoplus discoidalis, which are most likely related to climate change. Some of these indicators closely match with those used in mainstream climate science and they also serve to understand climate change impacts at a finer local level of analysis. Indigenous-based mitigation is mainly driven by the notion of sacredness where the locals regard forestry, certain trees and vleis as sacrosanct. Tampering with these is believed to upset the spirits who have powers to influence climate. Opportunities associated with IK deployment in climate mitigation are understood from the viewpoint of enhancing greenhouse gas (GHG) sinks and that of reducing vulnerability to extreme climatic events. Specifically, this can be achieved through enhancing GHG sequestration through forestry and land-use management initiatives; that is, reducing emissions from deforestation and forestry related degradation (REDD+) and Land Use and Land-Use Cover and Forestry (LULUCF). These two are the dominant schemes adopted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to govern climate mitigation. Indigenous disaster risk management (DRM) strategies abound in drought, famine, flood and violent storms through various forms such as Zunde raMambo, nhimbe, rain-making ceremonies and community early warning systems (EWS).The locals in Muzarabani are not passive observers of the changing climate system. Increasing environmental risks necessitates them to devise countermeasures for responding to climatic stimuli with the intention of minimising harm and/or enhancing the benefits brought about by the same. Thus, a portfolio of IK-based adaptation strategies best described as an assortment of short-term coping practices and longterm adaptive strategies were identified. These range from exploitation of ecosystem services, agricultural based interventions, riverine farming, traditional phonological knowledge (TPK) to migration. Therefore, it was revealed that community-based adaptation (CBA) can adequately leverage on IK to improve adaptive capacity and build community resilience against climate change. Clearly, the complementary role of indigenous-based knowledge cannot be disputed, given the demonstrated range of applications from identifying several indicators of change and variability in the climate system, examination of climate change impacts, to identification and assessment of mitigation and adaptation options. The study advises that exogenous climate interventions need to be congruent with indigenous based strategies to avoid maladaptation. To the climate research community therefore, it should be realised that IK is useful both as leads and as baseline knowledge for future work on the impacts of climate change, and in the assessment of climate interventions. In this regard, the remaining challenge is to formulate a framework of constructive dialogue between indigenous scientists and conventional scientists so as to make sure that the mutual benefits of the two knowledge forms are adequately harnessed. Handled well, such collaborative effort would ensure enhanced climate change knowledge for successful mitigation and adaptation strategies. Handled poorly, there is a risk that the developmental needs of communities exposed to climatic events would not be addressed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Indigenous People’s Detection of Rapid Ecological Change
- Lauer, Matthew, Aswani, Shankar
- Authors: Lauer, Matthew , Aswani, Shankar
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124811 , vital:35699 , https://doi.10.1111/cobi.12250
- Description: When sudden catastrophic events occur, it becomes critical for coastal communities to detect and respond to environmental transformations because failure to do so may undermine overall ecosystem resilience and threaten people’s livelihoods. We therefore asked how capable of detecting rapid ecological change following massive environmental disruptions local, indigenous people are. We assessed the direction and periodicity of experimental learning of people in the Western Solomon Islands after a tsunami in 2007. We compared the results of marine science surveys with local ecological knowledge of the benthos across 3 affected villages and 3 periods before and after the tsunami. We sought to determine how people recognize biophysical changes in the environment before and after catastrophic events such as earthquakes and tsunamis and whether people have the ability to detect ecological changes over short time scales or need longer time scales to recognize changes. Indigenous people were able to detect changes in the benthos over time. Detection levels differed between marine science surveys and local ecological knowledge sources over time, but overall patterns of statistically significant detection of change were evident for various habitats. Our findings have implications for marine conservation, coastal management policies, and disaster-relief efforts because when people are able to detect ecological changes, this, in turn, affects how they exploit and manage their marine resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Lauer, Matthew , Aswani, Shankar
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124811 , vital:35699 , https://doi.10.1111/cobi.12250
- Description: When sudden catastrophic events occur, it becomes critical for coastal communities to detect and respond to environmental transformations because failure to do so may undermine overall ecosystem resilience and threaten people’s livelihoods. We therefore asked how capable of detecting rapid ecological change following massive environmental disruptions local, indigenous people are. We assessed the direction and periodicity of experimental learning of people in the Western Solomon Islands after a tsunami in 2007. We compared the results of marine science surveys with local ecological knowledge of the benthos across 3 affected villages and 3 periods before and after the tsunami. We sought to determine how people recognize biophysical changes in the environment before and after catastrophic events such as earthquakes and tsunamis and whether people have the ability to detect ecological changes over short time scales or need longer time scales to recognize changes. Indigenous people were able to detect changes in the benthos over time. Detection levels differed between marine science surveys and local ecological knowledge sources over time, but overall patterns of statistically significant detection of change were evident for various habitats. Our findings have implications for marine conservation, coastal management policies, and disaster-relief efforts because when people are able to detect ecological changes, this, in turn, affects how they exploit and manage their marine resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Indium phthalocyanine–CdSe/ZnS quantum dots nanocomposites showing size dependent and near ideal optical limiting behaviour
- Sanusi, Kayode, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Sanusi, Kayode , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189921 , vital:44947 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2014.09.021"
- Description: Indium phthalocyanine–CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) nanocomposites (InPc–CdSe/ZnS) of three sizes (5.57, 8.12 and 8.75 nm) were synthesized according to known procedures. The particle size of the CdSe/ZnS QDs alone are 3.95, 6.02, and 6.66 nm, and are denoted as QD1, QD2 and QD3 respectively. The nonlinear absorption (NLA) properties of the nanoconjugates (InPc–CdSe/ZnS) were investigated with nanosecond laser radiation at 532 nm wavelength. Enhanced NLA properties compared to the InPc alone were observed in the conjugates. The NLA was found to increase with the size of the CdSe/ZnS particles attached to the phthalocyanine. The observed increase was due to the availability of more free-carrier ions in the larger QDs, thus giving rise to the enhanced free-carrier absorption. The measured free-carrier absorption cross-sections (σFCA) are 1.10, 1.65 and 1.95 (×10−19 cm2) for InPc-QD1, InPc-QD2 and InPc-QD3 respectively. The nanoconjugates (InPc–CdSe/ZnS) showed a much lower threshold for optical limiting together with a much lower transmission at high fluences, than the previously reported nanocomposite limiters.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Sanusi, Kayode , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189921 , vital:44947 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2014.09.021"
- Description: Indium phthalocyanine–CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) nanocomposites (InPc–CdSe/ZnS) of three sizes (5.57, 8.12 and 8.75 nm) were synthesized according to known procedures. The particle size of the CdSe/ZnS QDs alone are 3.95, 6.02, and 6.66 nm, and are denoted as QD1, QD2 and QD3 respectively. The nonlinear absorption (NLA) properties of the nanoconjugates (InPc–CdSe/ZnS) were investigated with nanosecond laser radiation at 532 nm wavelength. Enhanced NLA properties compared to the InPc alone were observed in the conjugates. The NLA was found to increase with the size of the CdSe/ZnS particles attached to the phthalocyanine. The observed increase was due to the availability of more free-carrier ions in the larger QDs, thus giving rise to the enhanced free-carrier absorption. The measured free-carrier absorption cross-sections (σFCA) are 1.10, 1.65 and 1.95 (×10−19 cm2) for InPc-QD1, InPc-QD2 and InPc-QD3 respectively. The nanoconjugates (InPc–CdSe/ZnS) showed a much lower threshold for optical limiting together with a much lower transmission at high fluences, than the previously reported nanocomposite limiters.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Infection control practices for the prevention of surgical site infections in the operating room
- Authors: Opadotun, Olukemi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Surgical wound infections -- Prevention , Wounds and injuries -- Nursing , Operating room nursing , Surgical nursing , Evidence-based nursing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10050 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1017195
- Description: Infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality during the post-operative phase of patients’ recovery. Wound infections are the second most commonly encountered type of nosocomial infection. Because wound infections can be introduced by not applying infection control measures and sterile technique principles in the operating room, the implementation of infection control principles is an imperative. The aim of this study was to explore and describe infection control practices related to the prevention of Surgical site infections in the operating rooms in a public health care sector in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The findings were compared with practices, as indicated in an evidence-based guideline. The research design was quantitative, explorative, descriptive, comparative-descriptive and contextual in nature. The research sample consisted of all the professional nurses, in the operating room. The data were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to present the data in the form of tables and graphs. Based on the analysis of the data, some recommendations were made for the implementation of infection control practices, in order to prevent Surgical site infections in the operating room.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Opadotun, Olukemi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Surgical wound infections -- Prevention , Wounds and injuries -- Nursing , Operating room nursing , Surgical nursing , Evidence-based nursing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10050 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1017195
- Description: Infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality during the post-operative phase of patients’ recovery. Wound infections are the second most commonly encountered type of nosocomial infection. Because wound infections can be introduced by not applying infection control measures and sterile technique principles in the operating room, the implementation of infection control principles is an imperative. The aim of this study was to explore and describe infection control practices related to the prevention of Surgical site infections in the operating rooms in a public health care sector in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The findings were compared with practices, as indicated in an evidence-based guideline. The research design was quantitative, explorative, descriptive, comparative-descriptive and contextual in nature. The research sample consisted of all the professional nurses, in the operating room. The data were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to present the data in the form of tables and graphs. Based on the analysis of the data, some recommendations were made for the implementation of infection control practices, in order to prevent Surgical site infections in the operating room.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Influence of anthropogenic stressors on the behaviour and mortality of the endangered African penguin
- Authors: Nyengera, Reason
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: African penguin -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , Birds -- Mortality -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , Endangered species -- Breeding -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3064 , vital:20395
- Description: This study investigated the potential impacts of several anthropogenic stressors on the movement and survival of African penguins in Algoa Bay, taking into account prey availability and environmental conditions (sea surface temperature and chlorophyll productivity). The primary drive for the study was based on the seismic exploration, which took place in the habitat of the endangered African penguin. The research was also carried out to understand how pelagic fishing and prey availability influence the broader behavioural and mortality aspects of penguins. To achieve this goal, I used monthly beach surveys to assess seabird mortality, admissions of penguins in rehabilitation centres and the monitoring of breeding penguins’ movement at sea through individual GPS tracking. In addition, prey distribution and abundance were monitored with acoustic surveys to assess potential changes in relation anthropogenic stressors. Breeding African penguins did not react dramatically to seismic activities, except on St Croix Island where they changed their foraging direction during the seismic period. There was no evidence of a siginficant increase in African penguin carcasses encountered or strandings along the beaches during the period of seismic activity. However, a sharp increase in encounter rate was recorded soon after seismic operations, which may potentially indicate a delay between the effect of seismic activities on penguin mortality and the encounter of the related carcasses after the operation. However, the impact of seismic surveys on penguins may be long-term rather than short term, and additional studies would be needed to reveal long-term effects of seismic activities, if any. Foraging effort of breeding African penguins increased substantially in the presence of commercial fishing activities within close proximity to the colonies. To a greater extent, at-sea movement patterns and counts of beach cast carcasses were largely influenced by prey availability. Penguins spent more time at sea, traveled longer and covered a larger foraging area during periods of relatvely low pelagic fish abundance. There was also a sharp increase in African penguin mortality during periods of low prey availability in the Bay. However, environmental conditions showed some influence over these interactions. Foraging effort of breeding African penguins increased substantially in the presence of commercial fishing activities within close proximity to the colonies. To a greater extent, at-sea movement patterns and counts of beach cast carcasses were largely influenced by prey availability. Penguins spent more time at sea, traveled longer and covered a larger foraging area during periods of relatvely low pelagic fish abundance. There was also a sharp increase in African penguin mortality during periods of low prey availability in the Bay. However, environmental conditions showed some influence over these interactions. For example a red tide event during in period of low prey availability, made it difficult to understand impacts of prey on penguins difficult. Both anthropogenic stressors and environmental conditions influenced African penguins’ behaviour and survival. Due to the worrying trend of African penguins in South Africa for the past few years, all conservation management efforts to increase penguin numbers and limit their mortality are necessary. This study highlights the negative impact of industrial fishing on this Endangered species and the rapid increase in mortality of penguins during times of low prey availability. A network of Marine Protected Areas would certainly increase food availability to African penguins by limiting competition with fisheries, and contribute to increasing the population numbers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Nyengera, Reason
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: African penguin -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , Birds -- Mortality -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , Endangered species -- Breeding -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3064 , vital:20395
- Description: This study investigated the potential impacts of several anthropogenic stressors on the movement and survival of African penguins in Algoa Bay, taking into account prey availability and environmental conditions (sea surface temperature and chlorophyll productivity). The primary drive for the study was based on the seismic exploration, which took place in the habitat of the endangered African penguin. The research was also carried out to understand how pelagic fishing and prey availability influence the broader behavioural and mortality aspects of penguins. To achieve this goal, I used monthly beach surveys to assess seabird mortality, admissions of penguins in rehabilitation centres and the monitoring of breeding penguins’ movement at sea through individual GPS tracking. In addition, prey distribution and abundance were monitored with acoustic surveys to assess potential changes in relation anthropogenic stressors. Breeding African penguins did not react dramatically to seismic activities, except on St Croix Island where they changed their foraging direction during the seismic period. There was no evidence of a siginficant increase in African penguin carcasses encountered or strandings along the beaches during the period of seismic activity. However, a sharp increase in encounter rate was recorded soon after seismic operations, which may potentially indicate a delay between the effect of seismic activities on penguin mortality and the encounter of the related carcasses after the operation. However, the impact of seismic surveys on penguins may be long-term rather than short term, and additional studies would be needed to reveal long-term effects of seismic activities, if any. Foraging effort of breeding African penguins increased substantially in the presence of commercial fishing activities within close proximity to the colonies. To a greater extent, at-sea movement patterns and counts of beach cast carcasses were largely influenced by prey availability. Penguins spent more time at sea, traveled longer and covered a larger foraging area during periods of relatvely low pelagic fish abundance. There was also a sharp increase in African penguin mortality during periods of low prey availability in the Bay. However, environmental conditions showed some influence over these interactions. Foraging effort of breeding African penguins increased substantially in the presence of commercial fishing activities within close proximity to the colonies. To a greater extent, at-sea movement patterns and counts of beach cast carcasses were largely influenced by prey availability. Penguins spent more time at sea, traveled longer and covered a larger foraging area during periods of relatvely low pelagic fish abundance. There was also a sharp increase in African penguin mortality during periods of low prey availability in the Bay. However, environmental conditions showed some influence over these interactions. For example a red tide event during in period of low prey availability, made it difficult to understand impacts of prey on penguins difficult. Both anthropogenic stressors and environmental conditions influenced African penguins’ behaviour and survival. Due to the worrying trend of African penguins in South Africa for the past few years, all conservation management efforts to increase penguin numbers and limit their mortality are necessary. This study highlights the negative impact of industrial fishing on this Endangered species and the rapid increase in mortality of penguins during times of low prey availability. A network of Marine Protected Areas would certainly increase food availability to African penguins by limiting competition with fisheries, and contribute to increasing the population numbers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Influence of local economic development strategic leaders on the formulation of the integrated development plan, Makana Municipality, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Nonxuba, Mnweba McNair
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Local Economic Development (Programme) , Community development -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Strategic planning -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Grahamstown (South Africa) -- Economic conditions -- 21st century , South Africa -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:832 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013176
- Description: The influence of local economic development strategic leaders on how Integrated Development Plans (IDP) are developed is critical to gain insights into strategic planning directed towards economically developing municipalities. Concisely, the aim of this qualitative study was to gain a multiple understanding of how LED strategic leaders, namely managers of the LED directorate and sub-directorates at Makana local municipality influenced the IDP formulation. The fact that these LED strategic leaders, ‘make consequential or strategic decisions’ suggests that their decisions have an influence on the IDP formulation. Thus, the key research question in this study was: How do LED strategic leaders at Makana local municipality influence the formulation of the IDP at this municipality? This qualitative research used purposive sampling of incidents upheld by LED Strategic leaders. A total of ten in-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted with four LED strategic leaders regarding incidents of their perceived influence on the formulation of the Integrated Development Plan at Makana. The interviews were in-depth in order to gain a rich understanding of their perspectives of reality. As the number of LED strategic leaders was already very small, all the four leaders at Makana participated in this study. Interview data was transcribed and analyzed using open coding and constant comparison. Member check was conducted to enhance confirmability of the findings of this study. Findings indicate that LED strategic leaders perceived their influence on the formulation of the IDP Makana municipality in four varied ways. Predominantly, LED strategic leaders commonly perceived that they had influence in setting evidence-driven direction, and searching for fitness of activities and issues with LED strategy. Thereafter, the other ways in which these LED strategic leaders perceived how they influenced the IDP formulation involve the facilitation of clarity and local relevance of LED mandates, and finally the integration of multiple economic voices of stakeholders. This demonstrates that LED strategic leaders at Makana emphasize proactively managing strategy process rather than content in terms of identifying key opportunities and major economic drivers in the local milieu. Instead, they perceived their influence as characterized by enhancing compliance with bringing the process of municipal strategy formulation closer to stakeholders. Implications of these findings are highlighted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Nonxuba, Mnweba McNair
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Local Economic Development (Programme) , Community development -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Strategic planning -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Grahamstown (South Africa) -- Economic conditions -- 21st century , South Africa -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:832 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013176
- Description: The influence of local economic development strategic leaders on how Integrated Development Plans (IDP) are developed is critical to gain insights into strategic planning directed towards economically developing municipalities. Concisely, the aim of this qualitative study was to gain a multiple understanding of how LED strategic leaders, namely managers of the LED directorate and sub-directorates at Makana local municipality influenced the IDP formulation. The fact that these LED strategic leaders, ‘make consequential or strategic decisions’ suggests that their decisions have an influence on the IDP formulation. Thus, the key research question in this study was: How do LED strategic leaders at Makana local municipality influence the formulation of the IDP at this municipality? This qualitative research used purposive sampling of incidents upheld by LED Strategic leaders. A total of ten in-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted with four LED strategic leaders regarding incidents of their perceived influence on the formulation of the Integrated Development Plan at Makana. The interviews were in-depth in order to gain a rich understanding of their perspectives of reality. As the number of LED strategic leaders was already very small, all the four leaders at Makana participated in this study. Interview data was transcribed and analyzed using open coding and constant comparison. Member check was conducted to enhance confirmability of the findings of this study. Findings indicate that LED strategic leaders perceived their influence on the formulation of the IDP Makana municipality in four varied ways. Predominantly, LED strategic leaders commonly perceived that they had influence in setting evidence-driven direction, and searching for fitness of activities and issues with LED strategy. Thereafter, the other ways in which these LED strategic leaders perceived how they influenced the IDP formulation involve the facilitation of clarity and local relevance of LED mandates, and finally the integration of multiple economic voices of stakeholders. This demonstrates that LED strategic leaders at Makana emphasize proactively managing strategy process rather than content in terms of identifying key opportunities and major economic drivers in the local milieu. Instead, they perceived their influence as characterized by enhancing compliance with bringing the process of municipal strategy formulation closer to stakeholders. Implications of these findings are highlighted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Influence of non-synonymous sequence mutations on the architecture of HIV-1 clade C protease receptor site : docking and molecular dynamics studies
- Authors: Onywera, David Harris
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: HIV (Viruses) -- Research , HIV infections -- Treatment -- Research , HIV infections -- Chemotherapy , Protease inhibitors -- Research , Viruses -- Effect of drugs on -- Research , Antiretroviral agents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4116 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013133
- Description: Despite the current interventions to avert contagions and AIDS-related deaths, sub-Saharan Africa is still the region most severely affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, where clade C is the dominant circulating HIV-1 strain. The pol-encoded HIV-1 protease enzyme has been extensively exploited as a drug target. Protease inhibitors have been engineered within the framework of clade B, the commonest in America, Europe and Australia. Recent studies have attested the existence of sequence and catalytic disparities between clades B and C proteases that could upset drug susceptibilities. Emergence of drug-resistant associated mutations and combinatorial explosions due to recombination thwarts the attempt to stabilize the current highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) baseline. The project aimed at identifying the structural and molecular mechanisms hired by mutants to affect the efficacies of both FDA approved and Rhodes University (RU)-synthesized inhibitors, in order to define how current and or future drugs ought to be modified or synthesized with the intent of combating drug resistance. The rationale involved the generation of homology models of the HIV-1 sequences from the South African infants failing treatment with two protease inhibitors: lopinavir and ritonavir (as monitored by alterations in surrogate markers: CD4 cell count decline and viral load upsurge). Consistent with previous studies, we established nine polymorphisms: 12S, 15V, 19I, 36I, 41K, 63P, 69K, 89M, and 93L, linked to subtype C wild-type; some of which are associated with protease treatment in clade B. Even though we predicted two occurrence patterns of M46I, I54V and V82A mutations as V82A→I54V→M46I and I54V→V82A→M46V, other possibilities might exist. Mutations either caused a protracted or contracted active site cleft, which enforced differential drug responses. The in silico docking indicated susceptibility discordances between clades B and C in certain polymorphisms and non-polymorphisms. The RU-synthesized ligands displayed varied efficacies that were below those of the FDA approved protease inhibitors. The flaps underwent a wide range of structural motions to accommodate and stabilize the ligands. Computational analyses unravelled the need for these potential drugs to be restructured by (de novo) drug engineers to improve their binding fits, affinities, energies and interactions with multiple key protease residues in order to target resilient HIV-1 assemblages. Accumulating evidences on contrasting drug-choice interpretations from the Stanford HIVdb should act as an impetus for the customization of a HIVdb for the sub-Saharan subcontinent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Onywera, David Harris
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: HIV (Viruses) -- Research , HIV infections -- Treatment -- Research , HIV infections -- Chemotherapy , Protease inhibitors -- Research , Viruses -- Effect of drugs on -- Research , Antiretroviral agents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4116 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013133
- Description: Despite the current interventions to avert contagions and AIDS-related deaths, sub-Saharan Africa is still the region most severely affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, where clade C is the dominant circulating HIV-1 strain. The pol-encoded HIV-1 protease enzyme has been extensively exploited as a drug target. Protease inhibitors have been engineered within the framework of clade B, the commonest in America, Europe and Australia. Recent studies have attested the existence of sequence and catalytic disparities between clades B and C proteases that could upset drug susceptibilities. Emergence of drug-resistant associated mutations and combinatorial explosions due to recombination thwarts the attempt to stabilize the current highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) baseline. The project aimed at identifying the structural and molecular mechanisms hired by mutants to affect the efficacies of both FDA approved and Rhodes University (RU)-synthesized inhibitors, in order to define how current and or future drugs ought to be modified or synthesized with the intent of combating drug resistance. The rationale involved the generation of homology models of the HIV-1 sequences from the South African infants failing treatment with two protease inhibitors: lopinavir and ritonavir (as monitored by alterations in surrogate markers: CD4 cell count decline and viral load upsurge). Consistent with previous studies, we established nine polymorphisms: 12S, 15V, 19I, 36I, 41K, 63P, 69K, 89M, and 93L, linked to subtype C wild-type; some of which are associated with protease treatment in clade B. Even though we predicted two occurrence patterns of M46I, I54V and V82A mutations as V82A→I54V→M46I and I54V→V82A→M46V, other possibilities might exist. Mutations either caused a protracted or contracted active site cleft, which enforced differential drug responses. The in silico docking indicated susceptibility discordances between clades B and C in certain polymorphisms and non-polymorphisms. The RU-synthesized ligands displayed varied efficacies that were below those of the FDA approved protease inhibitors. The flaps underwent a wide range of structural motions to accommodate and stabilize the ligands. Computational analyses unravelled the need for these potential drugs to be restructured by (de novo) drug engineers to improve their binding fits, affinities, energies and interactions with multiple key protease residues in order to target resilient HIV-1 assemblages. Accumulating evidences on contrasting drug-choice interpretations from the Stanford HIVdb should act as an impetus for the customization of a HIVdb for the sub-Saharan subcontinent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Influences on productivity of construction projects with particular reference to core labour, unskilled labour and leadership style of managers
- Authors: Mathura, Gonasagree Sindy
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Labor productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Unskilled labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Construction workers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6851 , vital:21154
- Description: Construction productivity is an interesting phenomenon which was an initial study into time and motion. However this remains a vital part of the construction industry today as it takes into consideration cost-savings, a precise timeous delivery of projects and the correct usage of materials. This phenomenon itself is a huge challenge to many companies in South Africa. The construction industry in South Africa is seen as a tool to alleviate the increasing unemployment and poverty levels. The ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), has made statements to decrease the unemployment rate and due to these promises, the imposition of the use of local unskilled labour from the local communities has become the norm on the majority of construction projects. This formed the basis of the Expanded Public Works Programme. This initiative has indeed shown a huge success but the programme lacks long-term support. The majority of these workers are taken on short-term projects and thereafter the workers are returned to the unemployment pool. The workers are also aware of the short-term projects and therefore there is a lack of motivation which inevitably affects the productivity on any construction site. This study looks at the challenges faced by contractor's in the Eastern Cape and analyses the effects of the use of unskilled labour from the local community. Questionnaires were completed as a measurement instrument to determine the motivation, leadership style and the communication levels among the unskilled, core and the managers on construction projects. The productivity achievements of the unskilled labour and the core labour will be measured and compared and the findings are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mathura, Gonasagree Sindy
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Labor productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Unskilled labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Construction workers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6851 , vital:21154
- Description: Construction productivity is an interesting phenomenon which was an initial study into time and motion. However this remains a vital part of the construction industry today as it takes into consideration cost-savings, a precise timeous delivery of projects and the correct usage of materials. This phenomenon itself is a huge challenge to many companies in South Africa. The construction industry in South Africa is seen as a tool to alleviate the increasing unemployment and poverty levels. The ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), has made statements to decrease the unemployment rate and due to these promises, the imposition of the use of local unskilled labour from the local communities has become the norm on the majority of construction projects. This formed the basis of the Expanded Public Works Programme. This initiative has indeed shown a huge success but the programme lacks long-term support. The majority of these workers are taken on short-term projects and thereafter the workers are returned to the unemployment pool. The workers are also aware of the short-term projects and therefore there is a lack of motivation which inevitably affects the productivity on any construction site. This study looks at the challenges faced by contractor's in the Eastern Cape and analyses the effects of the use of unskilled labour from the local community. Questionnaires were completed as a measurement instrument to determine the motivation, leadership style and the communication levels among the unskilled, core and the managers on construction projects. The productivity achievements of the unskilled labour and the core labour will be measured and compared and the findings are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Informing the Responses of Water Service Delivery Institutions to Climate and Development Changes: A Case Study in the Amatole Region, Eastern Cape
- Hughes, Denis A, Mantel, Sukhmani K, Slaughter, Andrew R
- Authors: Hughes, Denis A , Mantel, Sukhmani K , Slaughter, Andrew R
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/438140 , vital:73438 , ISBN 978-1-4312-0520-2 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/2018-1-14.pdf
- Description: This report has been generated by the Water Research Commission (WRC) funded project Developing Climate Change Adaptation Measures and Decision-Support System for Selected South African Water Boards (Project No. K5/2018).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Hughes, Denis A , Mantel, Sukhmani K , Slaughter, Andrew R
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/438140 , vital:73438 , ISBN 978-1-4312-0520-2 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/2018-1-14.pdf
- Description: This report has been generated by the Water Research Commission (WRC) funded project Developing Climate Change Adaptation Measures and Decision-Support System for Selected South African Water Boards (Project No. K5/2018).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Innovation adaptation and institutionalization: a case study of an open and distance learning adaptation in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mswazie, Jonathan L P
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Distance education -- Zimbabwe Open learning -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11184 , vital:26893
- Description: This study set out to investigate a unique case of innovation adaptation and institutionalization in a depressed socio-economic environment. The main aim of the study was to understand and explain interventions and innovative strategies that underpin the survival and growth of the Open and Distance Learning Mode (ODLM) in Zimbabwe. Towards this end, the data to address the research questions was derived from the case study methodology which incorporated, among others, documentary analysis and interviews with persons involved in the initiation and management of the ODLM. The results of the study indicate that three broad categories of strategies, namely protectionism, innovative leadership and educational entrepreneurialism or commodification constitute the foundation of ODLM durability in Masvingo Province. Protectionism in the context of ODLM survival and growth are projected and articulated in the policy instruments such as mandates and legal frameworks which shielded the innovation from the usual hazards of the innovation process. Protectionism enabled the ODLM to gain traction in an elitist and conservative higher education landscape. Correspondingly, innovative leadership is manifested in a highly motivated team of management staff committed to the propagation of the ODLM to every part of Masvingo Province. The leadership at the Masvingo Regional Campus (MRC) utilizes the multiple stakeholder approach as strategy for establishing convergences and equilibrium in respect of the interests and concerns of the four main stakeholders, namely the government or the ruling party which initiated the implementation of the ODLM; the employers of ODL graduates who affirm the relevancy of ODL qualifications, the students who sustain ODLM by generating revenue for the ZOU, and finally, the MRC staff who are the implementers of the ODLM programmes. Likewise, educational entrepreneurialism constitute another key strategy in ODLM survival and growth. This strategy is articulated in the principle of continual adaptation and creation of market – driven programmes. The above results have several implications to various role players and actors involved in the educational reform and innovation. Firstly, the results of the study reveal the imperative for power elites or policy formulators to ensure that they initiate and adopt educational innovations that match the capacities of their implementers and the socio-economic realities of their respective countries or societies. In this regard, the ODLM appears to have been a prudent choice in light of the challenges that were being encountered in post-independence Zimbabwe. Secondly, from a management perspective, the selection of the innovation team to spearhead or steer the implementation was prioritized. Only competent and committed personnel positively disposed towards an innovation should spearhead the implementation. In addition adequate training and staff development should be instituted to keep the implementers abreast of new trends and standards in educational provision. Lastly, the results of this study constitute a clarion call to curriculum developers in African university departments to design and develop programmes which resonate with the needs of key stakeholders who constitute the support base for viable educational institutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mswazie, Jonathan L P
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Distance education -- Zimbabwe Open learning -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11184 , vital:26893
- Description: This study set out to investigate a unique case of innovation adaptation and institutionalization in a depressed socio-economic environment. The main aim of the study was to understand and explain interventions and innovative strategies that underpin the survival and growth of the Open and Distance Learning Mode (ODLM) in Zimbabwe. Towards this end, the data to address the research questions was derived from the case study methodology which incorporated, among others, documentary analysis and interviews with persons involved in the initiation and management of the ODLM. The results of the study indicate that three broad categories of strategies, namely protectionism, innovative leadership and educational entrepreneurialism or commodification constitute the foundation of ODLM durability in Masvingo Province. Protectionism in the context of ODLM survival and growth are projected and articulated in the policy instruments such as mandates and legal frameworks which shielded the innovation from the usual hazards of the innovation process. Protectionism enabled the ODLM to gain traction in an elitist and conservative higher education landscape. Correspondingly, innovative leadership is manifested in a highly motivated team of management staff committed to the propagation of the ODLM to every part of Masvingo Province. The leadership at the Masvingo Regional Campus (MRC) utilizes the multiple stakeholder approach as strategy for establishing convergences and equilibrium in respect of the interests and concerns of the four main stakeholders, namely the government or the ruling party which initiated the implementation of the ODLM; the employers of ODL graduates who affirm the relevancy of ODL qualifications, the students who sustain ODLM by generating revenue for the ZOU, and finally, the MRC staff who are the implementers of the ODLM programmes. Likewise, educational entrepreneurialism constitute another key strategy in ODLM survival and growth. This strategy is articulated in the principle of continual adaptation and creation of market – driven programmes. The above results have several implications to various role players and actors involved in the educational reform and innovation. Firstly, the results of the study reveal the imperative for power elites or policy formulators to ensure that they initiate and adopt educational innovations that match the capacities of their implementers and the socio-economic realities of their respective countries or societies. In this regard, the ODLM appears to have been a prudent choice in light of the challenges that were being encountered in post-independence Zimbabwe. Secondly, from a management perspective, the selection of the innovation team to spearhead or steer the implementation was prioritized. Only competent and committed personnel positively disposed towards an innovation should spearhead the implementation. In addition adequate training and staff development should be instituted to keep the implementers abreast of new trends and standards in educational provision. Lastly, the results of this study constitute a clarion call to curriculum developers in African university departments to design and develop programmes which resonate with the needs of key stakeholders who constitute the support base for viable educational institutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Inside the river
- Authors: Buzani, Mangaliso Welcome
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: South African poetry (English) , Xhosa poetry
- Language: English , Xhosa
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5971
- Description: My collection is of imagistic associative poetry, influenced by Spanish and other kinds of modernism, and written in my two languages, isiXhosa and English. My approach to producing these poems is first via the mastery of sound, not on the actual meaning of a poem; working on the meaning would be the last stage. The language of each poem will be encountered as it comes down on the paper, leading me to the words meaningful for that particular poem.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Buzani, Mangaliso Welcome
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: South African poetry (English) , Xhosa poetry
- Language: English , Xhosa
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5971
- Description: My collection is of imagistic associative poetry, influenced by Spanish and other kinds of modernism, and written in my two languages, isiXhosa and English. My approach to producing these poems is first via the mastery of sound, not on the actual meaning of a poem; working on the meaning would be the last stage. The language of each poem will be encountered as it comes down on the paper, leading me to the words meaningful for that particular poem.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Integrated quality management system for improving performance of selected schools in the King Williams Town Education District
- Authors: Sikiti, Siyabonga
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Total quality management in education , Educational accountability -- South Africa , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8491 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021028
- Description: In order for the democratic government in South Africa to eradicate segregatio. It was necessary to introduce new policies with school teachers being expected to be agents of change. Teachers have a big role to play in the transformation of the country. This research investigated Integrated Quality management Systems (IQMS) for improving performance of selected schools in the King Williams Town Education District. Three schools were selected in the King Williams Town District . The aim of this research was to examine the implementation of IQMS in the selected schools. The introduction of IQMS by the Department of Education in 2003, did not help the schools in the King Williams Town district improve their performance. IQMS is a government policy. The intention of public policy is to solve a problem. The findings of this study indicates that in the selected schools the problem of poor performance was not solved by the introduction of IQMS. Scholars have written extensively on performance appraisal. Different writers agree that the main purpose of appraisal is to improve performance. The Constitution (1996) and policies provide a strong foundation for the effective implementation of IQMS and public administration provides a good support for the effective implementation of IQMS. Additionally, legislation and subsequent policies give guidelines of how to implement the system successfully. In this study, questionnaires were given to 15 educators to investigate how schools understand and implement the IQMS. Qualitative analysis was undertaken to interpret the responses from the educators. Themes were formulated based on the responses received. Findings were generalised from the responses received. The research discovered that educators do implement IQMS, but they do not see it as a mechanism of improving performance. Teachers demonstrated an inadequate understanding of IQMS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Sikiti, Siyabonga
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Total quality management in education , Educational accountability -- South Africa , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8491 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021028
- Description: In order for the democratic government in South Africa to eradicate segregatio. It was necessary to introduce new policies with school teachers being expected to be agents of change. Teachers have a big role to play in the transformation of the country. This research investigated Integrated Quality management Systems (IQMS) for improving performance of selected schools in the King Williams Town Education District. Three schools were selected in the King Williams Town District . The aim of this research was to examine the implementation of IQMS in the selected schools. The introduction of IQMS by the Department of Education in 2003, did not help the schools in the King Williams Town district improve their performance. IQMS is a government policy. The intention of public policy is to solve a problem. The findings of this study indicates that in the selected schools the problem of poor performance was not solved by the introduction of IQMS. Scholars have written extensively on performance appraisal. Different writers agree that the main purpose of appraisal is to improve performance. The Constitution (1996) and policies provide a strong foundation for the effective implementation of IQMS and public administration provides a good support for the effective implementation of IQMS. Additionally, legislation and subsequent policies give guidelines of how to implement the system successfully. In this study, questionnaires were given to 15 educators to investigate how schools understand and implement the IQMS. Qualitative analysis was undertaken to interpret the responses from the educators. Themes were formulated based on the responses received. Findings were generalised from the responses received. The research discovered that educators do implement IQMS, but they do not see it as a mechanism of improving performance. Teachers demonstrated an inadequate understanding of IQMS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Integrating customary practices and institutions into comanagement of small-scale fisheries:
- Kittinger, J N, Cinner, J E, Aswani, Shankar, White, A T
- Authors: Kittinger, J N , Cinner, J E , Aswani, Shankar , White, A T
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178975 , vital:40099 , ISBN 9780520959606
- Description: This pioneering volume provides a blueprint for managing the challenges of ocean conservation using marine historical ecology—an interdisciplinary area of study that is helping society to gain a more in-depth understanding of past human-environmental interactions in coastal and marine ecosystems and of the ecological and social outcomes associated with these interactions. Developed by groundbreaking practitioners in the field, Marine Historical Ecology in Conservation highlights the innovative ways that historical ecology can be applied to improve conservation and management efforts in the oceans. The book focuses on four key challenges that confront marine conservation: (1) recovering endangered species, (2) conserving fisheries, (3) restoring ecosystems, and (4) engaging the public. Chapters emphasize real-world conservation scenarios appropriate for students, faculty, researchers, and practitioners in marine science, conservation biology, natural resource management, paleoecology, and marine and coastal archaeology. By focusing on success stories and applied solutions, this volume delivers the required up-to-date science and tools needed for restoration and protection of ocean and coastal ecosystems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Kittinger, J N , Cinner, J E , Aswani, Shankar , White, A T
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178975 , vital:40099 , ISBN 9780520959606
- Description: This pioneering volume provides a blueprint for managing the challenges of ocean conservation using marine historical ecology—an interdisciplinary area of study that is helping society to gain a more in-depth understanding of past human-environmental interactions in coastal and marine ecosystems and of the ecological and social outcomes associated with these interactions. Developed by groundbreaking practitioners in the field, Marine Historical Ecology in Conservation highlights the innovative ways that historical ecology can be applied to improve conservation and management efforts in the oceans. The book focuses on four key challenges that confront marine conservation: (1) recovering endangered species, (2) conserving fisheries, (3) restoring ecosystems, and (4) engaging the public. Chapters emphasize real-world conservation scenarios appropriate for students, faculty, researchers, and practitioners in marine science, conservation biology, natural resource management, paleoecology, and marine and coastal archaeology. By focusing on success stories and applied solutions, this volume delivers the required up-to-date science and tools needed for restoration and protection of ocean and coastal ecosystems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Integrating information and communications technology (ICT) into teaching and learning: the case of mathematics, science and technology education in one higher education institution
- Authors: Addam, Billey Bright Kwadwo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Educational teaching -- South Africa , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Education)
- Identifier: vital:16224 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019736 , Educational teaching -- South Africa , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Description: This study explores the integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into teaching and learning within one Higher Education institution. The main question driving the study was: How is ICT integrated in the teaching and learning of mathematics, science and technology education (MSTE) in a Bachelor of Education programme? This is a case study of lecturers and students in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education. It makes use of questionnaires, interviews, field notes and document analyses to collect data. MSTE lecturers and students were assumed to be well versed in ICT usage and, therefore, well placed to assess its integration into teaching and learning. There were five main findings: First, that Mathematics, Science and Technology Education lecturers showed some ambivalence in their ontological and epistemological orientation to using ICT. Some leaned towards the instruction paradigm and used ICT as a tool for the transmission of knowledge; others leaned towards the learning paradigm, showing an awareness of the need to elicit discovery through ICT. Secondly, that lecturers’ understanding of ICT integration was oriented towards teaching and learning from technologies rather than with technologies. Thirdly, that processes of ‘pedagogical evolution’ were taking place, in terms of which there was a gradual but perceptible shift in the teaching and learning practice of both students and lecturers. Fourthly, there was no evidence to show that lecturers used ICT to promote innovative and creative teaching; in fact, students appeared to be more creative in using ICT resources, than lecturers. Fifthly, and finally, lecturers did not assign ICT-based tasks that promote conceptual understanding. They assigned tasks that asked students to extract and reproduce information from computers, without demonstrating understanding. When used in this way, ICT can, in fact, be de-skilling. From these findings, it can be concluded that ICT integration cannot be understood without exploring the ontological and epistemological orientations, as well as the theoretical orientations, at play in the teaching and learning situation. It is on the basis of these that people, that is, lecturers and students, make use of, ICTs to achieve desired goals. It is therefore recommended that, for the improvement of integration, there should be a greater emphasis on developing and sharing pedagogical expertise concerning ICT use in teaching and learning. It is recommended that a country-wide research survey should be undertaken, based on probability sampling and focussing on pedagogical issues in ICT integration in teaching and learning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Addam, Billey Bright Kwadwo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Educational teaching -- South Africa , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Education)
- Identifier: vital:16224 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019736 , Educational teaching -- South Africa , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Description: This study explores the integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into teaching and learning within one Higher Education institution. The main question driving the study was: How is ICT integrated in the teaching and learning of mathematics, science and technology education (MSTE) in a Bachelor of Education programme? This is a case study of lecturers and students in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education. It makes use of questionnaires, interviews, field notes and document analyses to collect data. MSTE lecturers and students were assumed to be well versed in ICT usage and, therefore, well placed to assess its integration into teaching and learning. There were five main findings: First, that Mathematics, Science and Technology Education lecturers showed some ambivalence in their ontological and epistemological orientation to using ICT. Some leaned towards the instruction paradigm and used ICT as a tool for the transmission of knowledge; others leaned towards the learning paradigm, showing an awareness of the need to elicit discovery through ICT. Secondly, that lecturers’ understanding of ICT integration was oriented towards teaching and learning from technologies rather than with technologies. Thirdly, that processes of ‘pedagogical evolution’ were taking place, in terms of which there was a gradual but perceptible shift in the teaching and learning practice of both students and lecturers. Fourthly, there was no evidence to show that lecturers used ICT to promote innovative and creative teaching; in fact, students appeared to be more creative in using ICT resources, than lecturers. Fifthly, and finally, lecturers did not assign ICT-based tasks that promote conceptual understanding. They assigned tasks that asked students to extract and reproduce information from computers, without demonstrating understanding. When used in this way, ICT can, in fact, be de-skilling. From these findings, it can be concluded that ICT integration cannot be understood without exploring the ontological and epistemological orientations, as well as the theoretical orientations, at play in the teaching and learning situation. It is on the basis of these that people, that is, lecturers and students, make use of, ICTs to achieve desired goals. It is therefore recommended that, for the improvement of integration, there should be a greater emphasis on developing and sharing pedagogical expertise concerning ICT use in teaching and learning. It is recommended that a country-wide research survey should be undertaken, based on probability sampling and focussing on pedagogical issues in ICT integration in teaching and learning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Integration of an electrical discharge machining module onto a reconfigurable machine tool
- Authors: Roberts, Bryndan
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Machine-tools -- Numerical control , Electric discharges , Manufacturing processes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering (Mechatronics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6182 , vital:21047
- Description: Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) is a non-contact manufacturing process in which material is removed from a metal workpiece by high frequency electrical pulses produced between an electrode and the workpiece. EDM machines are usually stand-alone devices, and are quite expensive. The objective of this research was to integrate an EDM machine and an existing reconfigurable CNC machine tool, using a modular approach, to enable conventional milling and EDM to be conducted in a co-ordinated fashion on the same machine tool.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Roberts, Bryndan
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Machine-tools -- Numerical control , Electric discharges , Manufacturing processes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering (Mechatronics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6182 , vital:21047
- Description: Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) is a non-contact manufacturing process in which material is removed from a metal workpiece by high frequency electrical pulses produced between an electrode and the workpiece. EDM machines are usually stand-alone devices, and are quite expensive. The objective of this research was to integrate an EDM machine and an existing reconfigurable CNC machine tool, using a modular approach, to enable conventional milling and EDM to be conducted in a co-ordinated fashion on the same machine tool.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Inter-individual variability and phenotypic plasticity : the effect of the environment on the biogeography, population structure, ecophysiology and reproduction of the sandhoppers Talorchestia capensis and Africorchestia quadrispinosa
- Authors: Baldanzi, Simone
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Phenotypic plasticity -- Research -- Africa, Southern Talitridae -- Research -- Africa, Southern Amphipoda -- Research -- Africa, Southern Climatic changes -- Environmental aspects -- Africa, Southern Marine biology -- Africa, Southern Adaptation (Biology) -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5846 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011447
- Description: Climatic envelope models focus on the climatic variables affecting species or species assemblages, and are important tools to investigate the effect of climate change on their geographical ranges. These models have largely been proposed in order to make successful predictions on species‘ persistence, determining which variables are likely to induce range expansion, contraction, or shifting. More recent models, including the ability and the cost for individuals to respond promptly to an environmental stimulus, have revealed that species may express phenotypic plasticity able to induce adaptation to the new environment. Consequently, understanding how species evolve to a changing climate is fundamental. From this perspective, investigating intraspecific responses to an environmental variable may contribute to better understanding and prediction of the effect of climate change on the geographical range and evolution of species, particularly in the case of widespread species. In this context, the present study aimed at establishing how environmental variables (focussing mainly on temperature) may have contributed to shape the spatial distribution, physiology, reproductive biology and connectivity of two species of Southern African sandhoppers (Talorchestia capensis and Africorchestia quadrispinosa, Amphipoda, Talitridae). Most of the work was carried out on T. capensis, due to its widespread spatial distribution. A first investigation of the biogeography of T. capensis and A. quadrispinosa, revealed that, for both species, spatial patterns of abundance, size and sex ratio were not explained by the Abundant Centre Hypothesis (greater abundance at the core of a spatial range), but rather guided by bio-physical forces. Precisely, the abundance of sandhoppers was driven by the morphodynamic state of the beach, salinity and temperatures, with strong differentiation among sites that reflected local environmental conditions. In support of these findings, strong population structure in the genetics of T. capensis was found (three main groups) when investigating its phylogeography and genetic connectivity. Although such defined structure may suggests cryptic speciation, the concomitant within-population variation in the COX1 region of mtDNA, also highlighted the importance of individual genetic variability. High individual variability was also found in the response of T. capensis to temperature, both in its physiology (thermal plasticity) and its reproductive biology (maternal effects). Since temperature is one of the main variables affecting the coastal marine systems of southern Africa and the metabolism of animals in general, its effect on the physiology and reproduction of T. capensis was therefore investigated. Thermal responses to increasing/decreasing temperatures were assessed for separated populations of T. capensis. Individual variability was reported in the oxygen consumption of T. capensis in response to temperature (high variation around the means, especially for increasing temperatures). Among population differences in thermal sensitivity were significantly correlated with air temperature variability experienced over the past 23 years, highlighting the importance of historical temperature fluctuations to the current thermal physiology of these sandhoppers. Temperature also had an important effect on the reproductive plasticity of T. capensis. Different temperatures induced mothers to adjust the size of their offspring (i.e. egg size), with larger eggs produced at lower temperatures. Interestingly, females showed strongly significant among individual variation in the size of the eggs. Given the importance of understanding rapid responses of organisms to climate change and considering the fundamental role played by phenotypic plasticity in evolution, the overall study revealed the significance of individual plasticity and variability in response to the environment and highlighted its importance. Particularly, studying the thermal physiology of separated populations and understanding within population reproductive plasticity in response to temperature, helped to clarify how differences among individual responses have important consequences at the population level, possibly explaining the widespread distribution of T. capensis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Baldanzi, Simone
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Phenotypic plasticity -- Research -- Africa, Southern Talitridae -- Research -- Africa, Southern Amphipoda -- Research -- Africa, Southern Climatic changes -- Environmental aspects -- Africa, Southern Marine biology -- Africa, Southern Adaptation (Biology) -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5846 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011447
- Description: Climatic envelope models focus on the climatic variables affecting species or species assemblages, and are important tools to investigate the effect of climate change on their geographical ranges. These models have largely been proposed in order to make successful predictions on species‘ persistence, determining which variables are likely to induce range expansion, contraction, or shifting. More recent models, including the ability and the cost for individuals to respond promptly to an environmental stimulus, have revealed that species may express phenotypic plasticity able to induce adaptation to the new environment. Consequently, understanding how species evolve to a changing climate is fundamental. From this perspective, investigating intraspecific responses to an environmental variable may contribute to better understanding and prediction of the effect of climate change on the geographical range and evolution of species, particularly in the case of widespread species. In this context, the present study aimed at establishing how environmental variables (focussing mainly on temperature) may have contributed to shape the spatial distribution, physiology, reproductive biology and connectivity of two species of Southern African sandhoppers (Talorchestia capensis and Africorchestia quadrispinosa, Amphipoda, Talitridae). Most of the work was carried out on T. capensis, due to its widespread spatial distribution. A first investigation of the biogeography of T. capensis and A. quadrispinosa, revealed that, for both species, spatial patterns of abundance, size and sex ratio were not explained by the Abundant Centre Hypothesis (greater abundance at the core of a spatial range), but rather guided by bio-physical forces. Precisely, the abundance of sandhoppers was driven by the morphodynamic state of the beach, salinity and temperatures, with strong differentiation among sites that reflected local environmental conditions. In support of these findings, strong population structure in the genetics of T. capensis was found (three main groups) when investigating its phylogeography and genetic connectivity. Although such defined structure may suggests cryptic speciation, the concomitant within-population variation in the COX1 region of mtDNA, also highlighted the importance of individual genetic variability. High individual variability was also found in the response of T. capensis to temperature, both in its physiology (thermal plasticity) and its reproductive biology (maternal effects). Since temperature is one of the main variables affecting the coastal marine systems of southern Africa and the metabolism of animals in general, its effect on the physiology and reproduction of T. capensis was therefore investigated. Thermal responses to increasing/decreasing temperatures were assessed for separated populations of T. capensis. Individual variability was reported in the oxygen consumption of T. capensis in response to temperature (high variation around the means, especially for increasing temperatures). Among population differences in thermal sensitivity were significantly correlated with air temperature variability experienced over the past 23 years, highlighting the importance of historical temperature fluctuations to the current thermal physiology of these sandhoppers. Temperature also had an important effect on the reproductive plasticity of T. capensis. Different temperatures induced mothers to adjust the size of their offspring (i.e. egg size), with larger eggs produced at lower temperatures. Interestingly, females showed strongly significant among individual variation in the size of the eggs. Given the importance of understanding rapid responses of organisms to climate change and considering the fundamental role played by phenotypic plasticity in evolution, the overall study revealed the significance of individual plasticity and variability in response to the environment and highlighted its importance. Particularly, studying the thermal physiology of separated populations and understanding within population reproductive plasticity in response to temperature, helped to clarify how differences among individual responses have important consequences at the population level, possibly explaining the widespread distribution of T. capensis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Interaction of multiple stressors: vulnerability, coping and adaptation within the context of climate change and HIV/AIDS in South Africa: Investigating strategies to strengthen livelihoods and food security and build resilience
- Hamer, Nicholas G, Shackleton, Sheona E
- Authors: Hamer, Nicholas G , Shackleton, Sheona E
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- Economic aspects -- Eastern Cape (South Africa) Climatic changes -- South Africa Climatic changes -- Social aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/50065 , vital:25956
- Description: Government policy development and implementation is often designed to address different sectors of society in isolation, so social, economic and environmental issues are considered as being distinct from one other. Recently it has been acknowledged that 'working in silos' is not conducive for good governance and so efforts have been made for better co-ordination between different government departments and different spheres of government. Our research findings show the knock on effects of one problem into other areas of people's lives, highlighting why it is vital for policies and programmes to be far better co-ordinated. The different challenges and stresses that people face in their lives interact with one another in complex ways, undermining their capacity to cope with and adapt to future changes, such as those expected under climate change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Hamer, Nicholas G , Shackleton, Sheona E
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- Economic aspects -- Eastern Cape (South Africa) Climatic changes -- South Africa Climatic changes -- Social aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/50065 , vital:25956
- Description: Government policy development and implementation is often designed to address different sectors of society in isolation, so social, economic and environmental issues are considered as being distinct from one other. Recently it has been acknowledged that 'working in silos' is not conducive for good governance and so efforts have been made for better co-ordination between different government departments and different spheres of government. Our research findings show the knock on effects of one problem into other areas of people's lives, highlighting why it is vital for policies and programmes to be far better co-ordinated. The different challenges and stresses that people face in their lives interact with one another in complex ways, undermining their capacity to cope with and adapt to future changes, such as those expected under climate change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Interactive efficacies of Elephantorrhiza elephantina and Pentanisia prunelloides extracts and isolated compounds against gastrointestinal bacteria
- Mpofu, Smart J, Olivier, D K, Krause, Rui W M, Ndinteh, Derek T, Van Vuuren, S
- Authors: Mpofu, Smart J , Olivier, D K , Krause, Rui W M , Ndinteh, Derek T , Van Vuuren, S
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124122 , vital:35552 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2014.07.002
- Description: Elephantorrhiza elephantina (Burch.) Skeels (Fabaceae) and Pentanisia prunelloides (Klotzsch ex Eckl. & Zeyh.) Walp. (Rubiaceae) are two medicinal plants used extensively in southern Africa to treat various ailments. Often, decoctions and infusions from these two plants are used in combination specifically for stomach ailments. The antimicrobial activities of the methanol and aqueous extracts of the rhizomes of the two plants, as well as the two active ingredients from the plants [(−)-epicatechin and palmitic acid] have been determined apart and in combination against Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739) and Bacillus cereus (ATCC 11778). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for the aqueous (0.50–16.00 mg/mL) and methanol (0.20–16.00 mg/mL) extracts independently demonstrated varied efficacies depending on the pathogen of study. When the two plants were combined in 1:1 ratios, synergistic to additive interactions (ΣFIC values 0.19–1.00) were noted. Efficacy for the two major compounds ranged between 0.13–0.63 mg/mL and mainly synergistic interactions were noted against E. faecalis and E. coli. The predominantly synergistic interactions noted between E. elephantina and P. prunelloides and major compounds, when tested in various ratios against these pathogens, provide some validation as to the traditional use of these two plants to treat bacterial gastrointestinal infections.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mpofu, Smart J , Olivier, D K , Krause, Rui W M , Ndinteh, Derek T , Van Vuuren, S
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124122 , vital:35552 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2014.07.002
- Description: Elephantorrhiza elephantina (Burch.) Skeels (Fabaceae) and Pentanisia prunelloides (Klotzsch ex Eckl. & Zeyh.) Walp. (Rubiaceae) are two medicinal plants used extensively in southern Africa to treat various ailments. Often, decoctions and infusions from these two plants are used in combination specifically for stomach ailments. The antimicrobial activities of the methanol and aqueous extracts of the rhizomes of the two plants, as well as the two active ingredients from the plants [(−)-epicatechin and palmitic acid] have been determined apart and in combination against Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739) and Bacillus cereus (ATCC 11778). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for the aqueous (0.50–16.00 mg/mL) and methanol (0.20–16.00 mg/mL) extracts independently demonstrated varied efficacies depending on the pathogen of study. When the two plants were combined in 1:1 ratios, synergistic to additive interactions (ΣFIC values 0.19–1.00) were noted. Efficacy for the two major compounds ranged between 0.13–0.63 mg/mL and mainly synergistic interactions were noted against E. faecalis and E. coli. The predominantly synergistic interactions noted between E. elephantina and P. prunelloides and major compounds, when tested in various ratios against these pathogens, provide some validation as to the traditional use of these two plants to treat bacterial gastrointestinal infections.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
International students in South African universities: an examination of their academic choices, challenges and social integration at the University of Fort Hare and Rhodes University
- Authors: Olujobi, Omobola
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Students, Foreign -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social integration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internalization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Rural Development)
- Identifier: vital:11949 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1020183 , Students, Foreign -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social integration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internalization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: International students have become major role players in international education across the globe. Their enrollment in different universities has increased in the past few decades worldwide. Most of these students bring rich cultural diversity and skills to their various host institutions and countries. These trends signal the need to examine and understand international students within the South African context. Against this background, this study explores the factors that influence academic choices of international students, academic and social challenges they face and the role of social capital in influencing international student integration at the Universities of Fort Hare and Rhodes in South Africa. A qualitative research design was employed in this study. Thirty international students were selected (and interviewed) using purposive sampling and snowballing. The study found that some of the main factors that influence the academic choices of international students include availability of scholarships and funding, recommendations of the institution by family and friends, availability of preferred course and the reputation of the institution. Some of the main challenges faced by international students in these two institutions include language barriers, financial difficulty, expensive but improperly maintained accommodation and culture shock. These challenges impede the smooth integration of international students into their new academic and social environment. However, the students employ several strategies in attempt to address the challenges they face. These include joining a student or community social organization, community engagement and making friends. These social networks and organizations serve as a support system and connection hub for the students. The study recommends that it is pertinent for the University of Fort Hare and Rhodes University to meet the needs and expectations of its international students through regular surveys that give them room to speak about their experiences. The need for efficient International Offices at both institutions is crucial as well as the employment of open‐minded multicultural trained staff in these offices. The study also suggests the need for the both institutions to provide affordable and comfortable accommodation for its international students.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Olujobi, Omobola
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Students, Foreign -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social integration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internalization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Rural Development)
- Identifier: vital:11949 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1020183 , Students, Foreign -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social integration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internalization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: International students have become major role players in international education across the globe. Their enrollment in different universities has increased in the past few decades worldwide. Most of these students bring rich cultural diversity and skills to their various host institutions and countries. These trends signal the need to examine and understand international students within the South African context. Against this background, this study explores the factors that influence academic choices of international students, academic and social challenges they face and the role of social capital in influencing international student integration at the Universities of Fort Hare and Rhodes in South Africa. A qualitative research design was employed in this study. Thirty international students were selected (and interviewed) using purposive sampling and snowballing. The study found that some of the main factors that influence the academic choices of international students include availability of scholarships and funding, recommendations of the institution by family and friends, availability of preferred course and the reputation of the institution. Some of the main challenges faced by international students in these two institutions include language barriers, financial difficulty, expensive but improperly maintained accommodation and culture shock. These challenges impede the smooth integration of international students into their new academic and social environment. However, the students employ several strategies in attempt to address the challenges they face. These include joining a student or community social organization, community engagement and making friends. These social networks and organizations serve as a support system and connection hub for the students. The study recommends that it is pertinent for the University of Fort Hare and Rhodes University to meet the needs and expectations of its international students through regular surveys that give them room to speak about their experiences. The need for efficient International Offices at both institutions is crucial as well as the employment of open‐minded multicultural trained staff in these offices. The study also suggests the need for the both institutions to provide affordable and comfortable accommodation for its international students.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014