Assessing the performance of the ‘Aquaculture Operation Phakisa Strategy’ implementation from a stakeholder perspective
- Authors: Halley, Keagan Desmond
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Marine resources -- Government policy -- South Africa , Fishery management -- South Africa , Aquaculture -- South Africa , Aquaculture industry -- South Africa , Operation Phakisa (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/93867 , vital:30964
- Description: The global demand in aquatic products has seen a number of fisheries depleted worldwide through increase fishing pressure and over exploitation. South Africa in itself has 52 fisheries that are being exploited, of which 48% of these fisheries are of concern, either depleted or heavily depleted. Countries around world have now taken on the responsibility to reduce the reliance on capture fisheries and move towards a more sustainable form of ensuring fish supply. A stabilisation of fisheries stock worldwide has seen the rise of aquaculture as alternative activity that would contribute to reducing pressure on the global fisheries stocks while feeding the demand for fish protein. Aquaculture has since almost equaled the capture based fish supply, contributing to 44.1% of the world’s total fisheries products in 2014 (FAO, 2016). Over the last few years the South African government has focused on developing the aquaculture sector through the development of strategies and policies. The most recent strategy launched in 2014 was Operation Phakisa: Unlocking the Economic Potential of South Africa’s Oceans. The approach of Operation Phakisa looked at accelerating the delivery of government development priorities pertaining to the oceans economy, through development of plans and collaboration of delivery through all stakeholders (public and private stakeholders). Operation Phakisa methodology included bringing key stakeholders within academia, private and public sector, as well as civil society organisations to work together and develop strategies with clear targets that would drive the growth of their specific sectors. The year 2017 marked the midway point of the five year strategy implementation time frame, and an opportunity to assess the performance of the strategy implementation. In order to assess performance of the strategy implementation, the strategy implementation framework developed by Okumus (2003) was identified. Okumus (2003) identifies 11 implementation factors and categorizes these into four categories in the strategy implementation process, based on their role and characteristics, namely: Strategic Content (development of strategy), Strategic Context (internal and external context), Operational Process (operational planning, resource allocation, people, communication, and control) and Outcome (results of implementations process) (Okumus, 2003). The research involved the reviewing of documentation based on the strategy implementation as well as facilitated semi-structure interviews with two stakeholder groups. This was to gain an understanding from the stakeholders’ perspective, on whether the Aquaculture Operation Phakisa Strategy (AOPS) is implemented according to Okumus (2003) Strategy Implementation Framework. Two stakeholder groups were interviewed, namely the officials implementing the strategy, and the aquaculture farmers being affected by the strategy implementation. The research found that eight of out of 11 factors from Okumus (2003) Strategy Implementation Framework were identified as being gaps within the implementation of the AOPS. These gaps were identified across all four main categories for strategy implementation (Strategic content, strategic context, operational process and outcomes). They included; strategy development, organisation structure, organisational culture, leadership, resource allocation, people, communication and outcomes. Furthermore, the researcher found that the perception from the officials differed to that of the aquaculture farmers, with the officials observing a more negative perception towards factors pertaining to organisational structure, organisational culture, leadership, resources allocated, people, communication and outcomes. This negative perception was experience towards the DAFF, Branch Fisheries Management as a whole, rather than within the officials own Chief Directorate (CD:AED), responsible for implementing the strategy. The research assisted with understanding the challenges affecting the implementation of the AOPS as well as unpacked strategy implementation in literature. This aided with developing recommendation to assist with enhancing strategy implementation performance of the AOPS. The following recommendation were provided: Change management within DAFF, Branch Fisheries Management; Identify responsible structures and personnel in DAFF, Branch Fisheries Management; Developing communication platforms within DAFF, Branch Fisheries Management; Review of outcomes of AOPS; and Ensure commitment from all at DAFF, Branch Fisheries Management (leadership). The research paper presents a simple method of assessing the strategy implementation process through the use of a strategy implementation framework.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Halley, Keagan Desmond
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Marine resources -- Government policy -- South Africa , Fishery management -- South Africa , Aquaculture -- South Africa , Aquaculture industry -- South Africa , Operation Phakisa (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/93867 , vital:30964
- Description: The global demand in aquatic products has seen a number of fisheries depleted worldwide through increase fishing pressure and over exploitation. South Africa in itself has 52 fisheries that are being exploited, of which 48% of these fisheries are of concern, either depleted or heavily depleted. Countries around world have now taken on the responsibility to reduce the reliance on capture fisheries and move towards a more sustainable form of ensuring fish supply. A stabilisation of fisheries stock worldwide has seen the rise of aquaculture as alternative activity that would contribute to reducing pressure on the global fisheries stocks while feeding the demand for fish protein. Aquaculture has since almost equaled the capture based fish supply, contributing to 44.1% of the world’s total fisheries products in 2014 (FAO, 2016). Over the last few years the South African government has focused on developing the aquaculture sector through the development of strategies and policies. The most recent strategy launched in 2014 was Operation Phakisa: Unlocking the Economic Potential of South Africa’s Oceans. The approach of Operation Phakisa looked at accelerating the delivery of government development priorities pertaining to the oceans economy, through development of plans and collaboration of delivery through all stakeholders (public and private stakeholders). Operation Phakisa methodology included bringing key stakeholders within academia, private and public sector, as well as civil society organisations to work together and develop strategies with clear targets that would drive the growth of their specific sectors. The year 2017 marked the midway point of the five year strategy implementation time frame, and an opportunity to assess the performance of the strategy implementation. In order to assess performance of the strategy implementation, the strategy implementation framework developed by Okumus (2003) was identified. Okumus (2003) identifies 11 implementation factors and categorizes these into four categories in the strategy implementation process, based on their role and characteristics, namely: Strategic Content (development of strategy), Strategic Context (internal and external context), Operational Process (operational planning, resource allocation, people, communication, and control) and Outcome (results of implementations process) (Okumus, 2003). The research involved the reviewing of documentation based on the strategy implementation as well as facilitated semi-structure interviews with two stakeholder groups. This was to gain an understanding from the stakeholders’ perspective, on whether the Aquaculture Operation Phakisa Strategy (AOPS) is implemented according to Okumus (2003) Strategy Implementation Framework. Two stakeholder groups were interviewed, namely the officials implementing the strategy, and the aquaculture farmers being affected by the strategy implementation. The research found that eight of out of 11 factors from Okumus (2003) Strategy Implementation Framework were identified as being gaps within the implementation of the AOPS. These gaps were identified across all four main categories for strategy implementation (Strategic content, strategic context, operational process and outcomes). They included; strategy development, organisation structure, organisational culture, leadership, resource allocation, people, communication and outcomes. Furthermore, the researcher found that the perception from the officials differed to that of the aquaculture farmers, with the officials observing a more negative perception towards factors pertaining to organisational structure, organisational culture, leadership, resources allocated, people, communication and outcomes. This negative perception was experience towards the DAFF, Branch Fisheries Management as a whole, rather than within the officials own Chief Directorate (CD:AED), responsible for implementing the strategy. The research assisted with understanding the challenges affecting the implementation of the AOPS as well as unpacked strategy implementation in literature. This aided with developing recommendation to assist with enhancing strategy implementation performance of the AOPS. The following recommendation were provided: Change management within DAFF, Branch Fisheries Management; Identify responsible structures and personnel in DAFF, Branch Fisheries Management; Developing communication platforms within DAFF, Branch Fisheries Management; Review of outcomes of AOPS; and Ensure commitment from all at DAFF, Branch Fisheries Management (leadership). The research paper presents a simple method of assessing the strategy implementation process through the use of a strategy implementation framework.
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Asymmetrical and symmetrical zinc phthalocyanine-cobalt ferrite conjugates embedded in electrospun fibers for dual photocatalytic degradation of azo dyes: Methyl Orange and Orange G
- Mapukata, Sivuyisiwe, Kobayashi, Nagao, Kimura, Mutsumi, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Mapukata, Sivuyisiwe , Kobayashi, Nagao , Kimura, Mutsumi , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186960 , vital:44551 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2019.04.048"
- Description: The conjugation of a symmetrical and an asymmetrical zinc phthalocyanine with amine functionalised cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles (CoFe MNPs) for enhanced photophysics and photocatalysis is reported. The MNPs, 2-[5-(phenoxy)-isophthalic acid] 9(10), 16(17), 23(24)-tris (tertbutyl) phthalocyaninato Zn (II) (2) and 2, 10, 16, 24 – tetra 5-(phenoxy)-isophthalic acid phthalocyaninato] Zn (II) (3) as well as their respective conjugates are embedded into electrospun polyamide-6 (PA-6) fibers for support and catalyst regeneration. The resulting photocatalyts (CoFe/PA-6, 2/PA-6, 3/PA-6, CoFe-2/PA-6, and CoFe-3/PA-6) were compared based on their photophysical properties and photocatalytic efficiencies in degrading azo dyes; Methyl Orange (MO) and Orange G (OG). CoFe-2/PA-6 and CoFe-3/PA-6 were found to be more effective photocatalysts than their respective electrospun Pcs and MNPs. The degradation of OG was found to follow pseudo first order kinetics and the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model while that of MO does not.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mapukata, Sivuyisiwe , Kobayashi, Nagao , Kimura, Mutsumi , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186960 , vital:44551 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2019.04.048"
- Description: The conjugation of a symmetrical and an asymmetrical zinc phthalocyanine with amine functionalised cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles (CoFe MNPs) for enhanced photophysics and photocatalysis is reported. The MNPs, 2-[5-(phenoxy)-isophthalic acid] 9(10), 16(17), 23(24)-tris (tertbutyl) phthalocyaninato Zn (II) (2) and 2, 10, 16, 24 – tetra 5-(phenoxy)-isophthalic acid phthalocyaninato] Zn (II) (3) as well as their respective conjugates are embedded into electrospun polyamide-6 (PA-6) fibers for support and catalyst regeneration. The resulting photocatalyts (CoFe/PA-6, 2/PA-6, 3/PA-6, CoFe-2/PA-6, and CoFe-3/PA-6) were compared based on their photophysical properties and photocatalytic efficiencies in degrading azo dyes; Methyl Orange (MO) and Orange G (OG). CoFe-2/PA-6 and CoFe-3/PA-6 were found to be more effective photocatalysts than their respective electrospun Pcs and MNPs. The degradation of OG was found to follow pseudo first order kinetics and the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model while that of MO does not.
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Augmentative releases of Dactylopius austrinus De Lotto (Dactylopiidae; Hemiptera) for biological control of Opuntia aurantiaca Lindley (Cactaceae), in South Africa
- Authors: Mulateli, Thifhelimbilu
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Opuntia aurantiaca -- Biolotical control -- South Africa , Invasive plants -- Biolotical control -- South Africa , Dactylopius austrinus De Lotto -- South Africa , Dactylopius -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92931 , vital:30765
- Description: Opuntia aurantiaca Lindely (Cactaceae) is an invasive alien cactus which has detrimental effects on agroecosystems and indigenous biodiversity in South Africa. Dense infestations over large areas reduce grazing capacity and indigenous biodiversity. Despite the release of a biological control agent, the cochineal insect Dactylopius austrinus De Lotto (Dactylopiidae), the weed is still considered a major problem in many parts of the country. Biological control has relied heavily on classical biological control, with little augmentative biological control implemented. This study investigated the outcome of mass-rearing and augmentative releases of D. austrinus for the control of O. aurantiaca. Augmentative releases are thought to improve the level of control by increasing agent densities in the field and thus increasing the level of damage inflicted to the plants. All data were collected with the intention to optimize release strategies so that the maximum benefit from the biological control agent could be achieved. An impact study was conducted using potted plants in a greenhouse to quantify the efficacy of multiple releases of the agent on the target weed. All three of the release treatments showed consistently higher proportion of cochineal than the controls, as well as the insect exclusion treatments, and these differences were statistically significant. The number of cladodes per plant increased significantly for the insect exclusion and control treatment over the period of the study, whilst all three release treatments decreased steadily over the same period. This study indicated that the agent is damaging to O. aurantiaca and that a single release event was beneficial but that multiple releases did not result in greater levels of control. A post-release evaluation was carried out to quantify the impact of releases of D. austrinus on O. aurantiaca in the field. Plots where the agent was excluded were compared with those where the agent was left at natural field densities and three treatments where agent populations were augmented to varying degrees through releases. The percentage of cochineal infested cladodes for all treatments decreased over time from the initiation of the experiment in October 2017 until the end of the experiment in October 2018. Opuntia aurantiaca densities also decreased over time for all treatments. The insect exclusion treatment had the greatest number of plants for the duration of the study, but this was not significantly different from other treatments. Dactylopius austrinus was damaging to O. aurantiaca, but climatic conditions in the field limited the efficacy of releases. Although O. aurantiaca density decreased during the experiment, it was evident that the reduced number of plants was not due to augmentation of the cochineal populations from the releases that were conducted. The experiment was conducted over a very dry period, when cochineal was particularly effective, so although augmentative releases did not improve the level of control, the natural population of cochineal was high and very damaging to O. aurantiaca over the course of the experiment. Releasing during wet periods, when the agent is less effective, could augment agent populations at a time when natural populations would be low, and hence improve levels of control further. Although this study was limited to a short period of two years, the results of this study suggest that the number of releases is less important than the timing of releases. Releasing immediately after periods of high rainfall is likely to be beneficial, while releasing during dry periods, or during winter when temperatures are low, is less effective. Dactylopius austrinus populations should be constantly monitored so that releases can be conducted when cochineal populations are low and the climatic conditions are correct. If the timing of release events is appropriate, then the over level of control of O. aurantiaca using D. austrinus could be improved.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mulateli, Thifhelimbilu
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Opuntia aurantiaca -- Biolotical control -- South Africa , Invasive plants -- Biolotical control -- South Africa , Dactylopius austrinus De Lotto -- South Africa , Dactylopius -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92931 , vital:30765
- Description: Opuntia aurantiaca Lindely (Cactaceae) is an invasive alien cactus which has detrimental effects on agroecosystems and indigenous biodiversity in South Africa. Dense infestations over large areas reduce grazing capacity and indigenous biodiversity. Despite the release of a biological control agent, the cochineal insect Dactylopius austrinus De Lotto (Dactylopiidae), the weed is still considered a major problem in many parts of the country. Biological control has relied heavily on classical biological control, with little augmentative biological control implemented. This study investigated the outcome of mass-rearing and augmentative releases of D. austrinus for the control of O. aurantiaca. Augmentative releases are thought to improve the level of control by increasing agent densities in the field and thus increasing the level of damage inflicted to the plants. All data were collected with the intention to optimize release strategies so that the maximum benefit from the biological control agent could be achieved. An impact study was conducted using potted plants in a greenhouse to quantify the efficacy of multiple releases of the agent on the target weed. All three of the release treatments showed consistently higher proportion of cochineal than the controls, as well as the insect exclusion treatments, and these differences were statistically significant. The number of cladodes per plant increased significantly for the insect exclusion and control treatment over the period of the study, whilst all three release treatments decreased steadily over the same period. This study indicated that the agent is damaging to O. aurantiaca and that a single release event was beneficial but that multiple releases did not result in greater levels of control. A post-release evaluation was carried out to quantify the impact of releases of D. austrinus on O. aurantiaca in the field. Plots where the agent was excluded were compared with those where the agent was left at natural field densities and three treatments where agent populations were augmented to varying degrees through releases. The percentage of cochineal infested cladodes for all treatments decreased over time from the initiation of the experiment in October 2017 until the end of the experiment in October 2018. Opuntia aurantiaca densities also decreased over time for all treatments. The insect exclusion treatment had the greatest number of plants for the duration of the study, but this was not significantly different from other treatments. Dactylopius austrinus was damaging to O. aurantiaca, but climatic conditions in the field limited the efficacy of releases. Although O. aurantiaca density decreased during the experiment, it was evident that the reduced number of plants was not due to augmentation of the cochineal populations from the releases that were conducted. The experiment was conducted over a very dry period, when cochineal was particularly effective, so although augmentative releases did not improve the level of control, the natural population of cochineal was high and very damaging to O. aurantiaca over the course of the experiment. Releasing during wet periods, when the agent is less effective, could augment agent populations at a time when natural populations would be low, and hence improve levels of control further. Although this study was limited to a short period of two years, the results of this study suggest that the number of releases is less important than the timing of releases. Releasing immediately after periods of high rainfall is likely to be beneficial, while releasing during dry periods, or during winter when temperatures are low, is less effective. Dactylopius austrinus populations should be constantly monitored so that releases can be conducted when cochineal populations are low and the climatic conditions are correct. If the timing of release events is appropriate, then the over level of control of O. aurantiaca using D. austrinus could be improved.
- Full Text:
Bait collecting by subsistence and recreational fishers in Knysna Estuary may impact management and conservation
- Simon, C, du Toit, A N, Smith, M K S, Claassens, Louw, Smith, F, Smith, P
- Authors: Simon, C , du Toit, A N , Smith, M K S , Claassens, Louw , Smith, F , Smith, P
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447056 , vital:74581 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-1d75666653
- Description: To facilitate development of tailored management strategies for bait species within Knysna Estuary (South Africa), demand for bait, harvesting activity and perceptions around conservation among recreational and subsistence bait fishers were investigated. In 2015 and 2016, bait collectors were interviewed (n = 84) and observed (n = 167) during low tides at six sites during peak and off-peak holiday periods. Significant associations among subsistence and recreational fishers and their favoured bait species, collecting spots and method, frequency of collection, views on regulations and desired daily limit for mudprawns suggest differences that may warrant different management strategies. Furthermore, observed methods and duration of bait collecting differed according to site, suggesting spatial variation in baiting pressures. Subsistence fishers potentially collect more mudprawns more frequently than do recreational fishers and consequently have a greater impact on mudprawn populations. By contrast, recreational fishers collect more polychaete worms, but because they are mainly active during holidays, their impact on these species may be localised and not yet critical. Most subsistence fishers would like increased daily bag limits, to sell bait and would welcome a rotational zonation scheme to replace the current permanent exclusion zone. The merits and disadvantages of these management options and suggestions are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Simon, C , du Toit, A N , Smith, M K S , Claassens, Louw , Smith, F , Smith, P
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447056 , vital:74581 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-1d75666653
- Description: To facilitate development of tailored management strategies for bait species within Knysna Estuary (South Africa), demand for bait, harvesting activity and perceptions around conservation among recreational and subsistence bait fishers were investigated. In 2015 and 2016, bait collectors were interviewed (n = 84) and observed (n = 167) during low tides at six sites during peak and off-peak holiday periods. Significant associations among subsistence and recreational fishers and their favoured bait species, collecting spots and method, frequency of collection, views on regulations and desired daily limit for mudprawns suggest differences that may warrant different management strategies. Furthermore, observed methods and duration of bait collecting differed according to site, suggesting spatial variation in baiting pressures. Subsistence fishers potentially collect more mudprawns more frequently than do recreational fishers and consequently have a greater impact on mudprawn populations. By contrast, recreational fishers collect more polychaete worms, but because they are mainly active during holidays, their impact on these species may be localised and not yet critical. Most subsistence fishers would like increased daily bag limits, to sell bait and would welcome a rotational zonation scheme to replace the current permanent exclusion zone. The merits and disadvantages of these management options and suggestions are discussed.
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Behaviour of an alpine range-restricted species is described by interactions between microsite use and temperature
- Oswald, Krista N, Smit, Ben, Lee, Alan T K, Cunningham, Susan J
- Authors: Oswald, Krista N , Smit, Ben , Lee, Alan T K , Cunningham, Susan J
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441531 , vital:73896 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.09.006
- Description: Climate change predictions include increased mean temperatures and increased frequency of heatwaves. Short-term responses to high air temperatures can allow animals to conserve water while maintaining a safe body temperature. For birds, cooling is often through evaporative water loss, which can be physiologically costly. Microsite use is an effective means of conserving water via reducing environmental heat load, so long as there are no negative trade-offs with other necessary functions, such as foraging. We examined behavioural responses to temperature in Cape rockjumpers, Chaetops frenatus (hereafter: ‘rockjumper’), an alpine specialist bird. We hypothesized that rockjumper behaviours would be temperature and microsite dependent. We collected data on rockjumper microsite use (sun, rock shade), behaviour (activity, foraging, preening, panting) and temperature (air, environmental). Rockjumpers made increased use of rock shade as air temperature increased. However, birds in rock shade foraged less. Depending on where their main food source is located, this suggests that when foraging demands are high, birds may need to remain in the sun despite risks of high thermal load, or else may suffer costs of lost foraging opportunities when using shade. The relationship between air temperature and heat dissipation behaviour (panting) was also mediated by microsite: birds showed significant increases in panting with increasing air temperature only when in the sun. The lack of increase in panting for birds in rock shade suggests that shade seeking may buffer physiological thermoregulatory costs (i.e. water expenditure). Individuals may therefore be able to mitigate some potential negative effects of high temperatures by making use of cooler microsites, although this could come at a cost to foraging.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Oswald, Krista N , Smit, Ben , Lee, Alan T K , Cunningham, Susan J
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441531 , vital:73896 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.09.006
- Description: Climate change predictions include increased mean temperatures and increased frequency of heatwaves. Short-term responses to high air temperatures can allow animals to conserve water while maintaining a safe body temperature. For birds, cooling is often through evaporative water loss, which can be physiologically costly. Microsite use is an effective means of conserving water via reducing environmental heat load, so long as there are no negative trade-offs with other necessary functions, such as foraging. We examined behavioural responses to temperature in Cape rockjumpers, Chaetops frenatus (hereafter: ‘rockjumper’), an alpine specialist bird. We hypothesized that rockjumper behaviours would be temperature and microsite dependent. We collected data on rockjumper microsite use (sun, rock shade), behaviour (activity, foraging, preening, panting) and temperature (air, environmental). Rockjumpers made increased use of rock shade as air temperature increased. However, birds in rock shade foraged less. Depending on where their main food source is located, this suggests that when foraging demands are high, birds may need to remain in the sun despite risks of high thermal load, or else may suffer costs of lost foraging opportunities when using shade. The relationship between air temperature and heat dissipation behaviour (panting) was also mediated by microsite: birds showed significant increases in panting with increasing air temperature only when in the sun. The lack of increase in panting for birds in rock shade suggests that shade seeking may buffer physiological thermoregulatory costs (i.e. water expenditure). Individuals may therefore be able to mitigate some potential negative effects of high temperatures by making use of cooler microsites, although this could come at a cost to foraging.
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Benchmarking a Decision Support System for Aquatic Toxicity Testing
- Griffin, Neil J, Odume, Oghenekaro N, Mensah, Paul K, Palmer, Carolyn G
- Authors: Griffin, Neil J , Odume, Oghenekaro N , Mensah, Paul K , Palmer, Carolyn G
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437798 , vital:73413 , ISBN 978-0-6392-0108-5 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/2445_final1.pdf
- Description: This book was written for the catchment management forum (CMF) in the Upper Komati Forum (UKF), and they share their experience in order to help other CMFs understand the damage coal mining does to our water resources. This booklet should be used with How to think and act in ways that make Adaptive IWRM practi-cally possible and How to establish and run a Catchment Management Forum.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Griffin, Neil J , Odume, Oghenekaro N , Mensah, Paul K , Palmer, Carolyn G
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437798 , vital:73413 , ISBN 978-0-6392-0108-5 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/2445_final1.pdf
- Description: This book was written for the catchment management forum (CMF) in the Upper Komati Forum (UKF), and they share their experience in order to help other CMFs understand the damage coal mining does to our water resources. This booklet should be used with How to think and act in ways that make Adaptive IWRM practi-cally possible and How to establish and run a Catchment Management Forum.
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Betty, Zorg and Me
- Authors: Krueger, Anton
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/225552 , vital:49234 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/00138398.2019.1636529"
- Description: This essay reminisces about the author’s encounters with Betty Blue at three different stages in his life. It reflects on stylistic elements of the film (as exemplar of Jean-Jacques Beineix’s Cinéma du look) as well as its portrayal of gender, sexuality, artistic aspiration and the concept of freedom. The essay also ruminates on the concept of having favourites and the synchronicity required to make a magical movie.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Krueger, Anton
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/225552 , vital:49234 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/00138398.2019.1636529"
- Description: This essay reminisces about the author’s encounters with Betty Blue at three different stages in his life. It reflects on stylistic elements of the film (as exemplar of Jean-Jacques Beineix’s Cinéma du look) as well as its portrayal of gender, sexuality, artistic aspiration and the concept of freedom. The essay also ruminates on the concept of having favourites and the synchronicity required to make a magical movie.
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Between drones and al-Shabaab: United States extra-judicial killings in Somalia, sovereignty and the future of liberal intervention
- Authors: Koloko, Mojalefa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Somalia -- Politics and government -- 1991- , Somalia -- History -- 1991- , Somalia -- Foreign relations -- United States , Somalia -- Foreign relations -- 1991- , Military assistance, American -- Somalia , Extrajudicial exeutions -- Somalia , Shabaab (Organization)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67657 , vital:29125
- Description: This study examines the nature of the United States intervention in Somalia, specifically the use of drone strikes that first targeted the militant Sunni Islamist transnational group, al-Qaeda, which claimed responsibility for the 11 September 2001 attacks on the United States, and now target the Somali organisation, Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahidin, commonly known as al-Shabaab. The use of drone strikes in the US led war on terror has raised concerns about sovereignty as the extra-judicial killings are conducted without the consent of the concerned states. Furthermore, drone strikes also raise questions about the processes of liberal intervention as the US conducts them without the approval of the United Nations Security Council. It is argued in this study that what is understood to be the “golden era” of liberal interventionism is a legacy of the post-Cold War unipolar dominance of the United States in global governance and security. It is argued that US unipolarity was accompanied by a shifting perception regarding the security position of weak states, whose weakness becomes understood as a source of global insecurity. This perception that so called “weak” and “fragile” states are sources of threats is a departure in International Relations theory, because the discipline is historically preoccupied with studying the actions of powerful states and their consequence for the global order. It is argued that the discourse on the war on terror, and its focus on “failed states” as breeding grounds for alleged terrorists, represents the height of the repositioning of less powerful states from a peripheral status in IR analysis and practice, to their current position that are now being represented as core sources of threat to international peace and security. Through life history interviews with Somali nationals in Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage, South Africa, the study examines the consequences of US actions from the eyes of Somali people. The findings of this study show that despite all the controversy surrounding the legitimacy of the war on terror, the manner in which it is conducted, as well as the tactics that it employs, the majority of Somali participants showed an overwhelming support for the US intervention. Participants expressed support for the US extra-judicial killings because they are understood to undermine al-Shabaab strength which is a major source of insecurity. The study also shows that the lack of necessary collaboration between the US intelligence and the Somali ground forces has resulted in high numbers of civilian deaths, which participants fear can be used by al-Shabaab to recruit and radicalise more Somalis. The study also shows that most Somalis resent the presence of the African Union Mission in Somalia because Kenya and Ethiopia are seen as 10 pursuing national interests that are not invested in Somali peace and stability. The study concludes that US extra-judicial killings have failed to constrain the actions of al-Shabaab. Somalis expressed that the leadership of current president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo, holds the unique possibilities of creating national unity that rises above clan divisions and the radical Jihadist ideology of al-Shabaab.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Koloko, Mojalefa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Somalia -- Politics and government -- 1991- , Somalia -- History -- 1991- , Somalia -- Foreign relations -- United States , Somalia -- Foreign relations -- 1991- , Military assistance, American -- Somalia , Extrajudicial exeutions -- Somalia , Shabaab (Organization)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67657 , vital:29125
- Description: This study examines the nature of the United States intervention in Somalia, specifically the use of drone strikes that first targeted the militant Sunni Islamist transnational group, al-Qaeda, which claimed responsibility for the 11 September 2001 attacks on the United States, and now target the Somali organisation, Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahidin, commonly known as al-Shabaab. The use of drone strikes in the US led war on terror has raised concerns about sovereignty as the extra-judicial killings are conducted without the consent of the concerned states. Furthermore, drone strikes also raise questions about the processes of liberal intervention as the US conducts them without the approval of the United Nations Security Council. It is argued in this study that what is understood to be the “golden era” of liberal interventionism is a legacy of the post-Cold War unipolar dominance of the United States in global governance and security. It is argued that US unipolarity was accompanied by a shifting perception regarding the security position of weak states, whose weakness becomes understood as a source of global insecurity. This perception that so called “weak” and “fragile” states are sources of threats is a departure in International Relations theory, because the discipline is historically preoccupied with studying the actions of powerful states and their consequence for the global order. It is argued that the discourse on the war on terror, and its focus on “failed states” as breeding grounds for alleged terrorists, represents the height of the repositioning of less powerful states from a peripheral status in IR analysis and practice, to their current position that are now being represented as core sources of threat to international peace and security. Through life history interviews with Somali nationals in Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage, South Africa, the study examines the consequences of US actions from the eyes of Somali people. The findings of this study show that despite all the controversy surrounding the legitimacy of the war on terror, the manner in which it is conducted, as well as the tactics that it employs, the majority of Somali participants showed an overwhelming support for the US intervention. Participants expressed support for the US extra-judicial killings because they are understood to undermine al-Shabaab strength which is a major source of insecurity. The study also shows that the lack of necessary collaboration between the US intelligence and the Somali ground forces has resulted in high numbers of civilian deaths, which participants fear can be used by al-Shabaab to recruit and radicalise more Somalis. The study also shows that most Somalis resent the presence of the African Union Mission in Somalia because Kenya and Ethiopia are seen as 10 pursuing national interests that are not invested in Somali peace and stability. The study concludes that US extra-judicial killings have failed to constrain the actions of al-Shabaab. Somalis expressed that the leadership of current president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo, holds the unique possibilities of creating national unity that rises above clan divisions and the radical Jihadist ideology of al-Shabaab.
- Full Text:
Biochemical characterization of the β-mannanase activity of Bacillus paralicheniformis SVD1
- Authors: Clarke, Matthew David
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis , Enzymes -- Biotechnology , Lignocellulose -- Biotechnology
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67570 , vital:29112
- Description: Products produced via the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass, the most abundant renewable terrestrial source of carbon, can potentially replace a lot of the fuels and chemicals currently produced using non-renewable hydrocarbons. Mannan is a polysaccharide component of lignocellulose that is abundant in softwoods and legume seeds. Enzymatic hydrolysis of mannan by β-mannanases has various industrial applications, including use in biofuel and prebiotic mannooligosaccharide (MOS) production for the improvement of human and animal health. The industrial use of β-mannanases depends on their biochemical characteristics, such as their activity, stability and substrate specificity. Knowledge of their synergistic interactions with other enzymes is also useful for effective hydrolysis. Bacillus paralicheniformis SVD1 was used as a source for β-mannanases. The two mannanases of B. paralicheniformis SVD1 have not been biochemically characterized apart from minor characterization of crude β-mannanase activity. The protein sequences of the two β-mannanases, of glycosyl hydrolase family 5 and 26, have a 95% - 96% identity to the β-mannanases of B. licheniformis DSM13T (=ATCC14580T). These small protein sequence differences could lead to quite different biochemical characteristics. These mannanases were characterized as these enzymes may have industrially useful characteristics. To induce mannanase production, B. paralicheniformis SVD1 was cultured in broth containing the mannan substrate locust bean gum. Various growth curve parameters were measured over 72 h. Mannanase activity was the highest after 48 h of growth - this was the time at which mannanase activity was concentrated, using 3 kDa centrifugal filtration devices, for biochemical characterization of the crude activity. Zymography revealed that the crude concentrated mannanase fraction consisted of at least two mannanases with relative molecular weights (MWs) of 29.6 kDa and 33 kDa. This was smaller than expected – based on their theoretical molecular masses. Protease activity, which was detected in the broth, was probably the reason. There were two pH optima, pH 5.0 and pH 7.0, which also indicated the presence of two mannanases. The concentrated mannanase displayed characteristics that were expected of a B. paralicheniformis β-mannanase. The temperature optimum was 50°C and the activity loss was less than 7% at 50°C after 24 h. Substrate specificity assays revealed that there was predominantly mannanase activity present. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis of mannan and MOS hydrolysis showed that mainly M2 and M3 MOS were produced; only MOS with a degree of polymerization of 4 or higher were hydrolyzed. Hydrolysis was minimal on mannoligosaccharides with galactose substituents. Activity and MOS production was the highest on soluble, low branched mannan substrates. The highest activity observed was on konjac glucomannan. Purification of the mannanase activity was then attempted using various methods. Ammonium sulfate precipitation, acetone precipitation, as well as centrifugal filtration device concentration was assessed for concentration of the mannanase activity.Concentration was not very successful due to low activity yields (≤ 20%). Anion exchange chromatography (AEC) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) was used for purification. AEC gave good activity yield and fold purification, but SDS-PAGE analysis revealed the presence of many different proteins so further purification was necessary. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that there were only a few protein contaminants in the SEC fraction. However, the yield was too low to allow for biochemical characterization. The optimized purification procedure, which partially purified the mannanase activity, used 85% ammonium sulfate precipitation, followed by AEC. The fold purification was high (88.9) and the specific activity was 29.5 U.mg-1. A zymogram of the partially purified mannanase showed a mannanase active band with a MW of 40 - 41 kDa. A serine protease inhibitor, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), was added during the purification steps. This indicated that the mannanase/s in the crude concentrate, without PMSF added, was hydrolyzed by serine protease activity. Native PAGE zymograms suggested that at least two different isoforms of mannanases were present. Additional purification would be required to determine the true characteristics of the mannanase/s. The biochemical characteristics of the crude and partially purified mannanases were similar. The pH optima of the partially purified mannanases were different; the pH optima were 6.0 and 9.0. The substrate specificities were similar, except that the partially purified mannanases displayed no cellulase and β-D-galactosidase activity, but showed a small amount of α-L-arabinase activity. The partially purified mannanase and a Cyamopsis tetragonolobus GH27 α-galactosidase synergistically hydrolyzed locust bean gum. The M50G50 combination displayed the highest extent of hydrolysis; after 24 h there was a 1.39 fold increase in reducing sugar release and the degree of synergy (DS) was 4.64. TLC analysis indicated that synergy increased the release of small MOS. These MOS could be useful as prebiotics. The synergy between the partially purified mannanase and the commercial cellulase mixture Cellic® CTec2 (Novozymes) on spent coffee grounds (SCG) was also determined. SCG is an abundant industrial waste product that has high mannan content. The SCG was pretreated using NaOH, and the monosaccharide, soluble phenolics and insoluble contents were determined. Glucose and mannose were the dominant monosaccharides in the SCG; the pretreated SCG contained 20.4% (w/w) glucose and 18.5% (w/w) mannose, respectively. The NaOH pretreatment improved mannanase hydrolysis of SCG. It resulted in the opening up and swelling of the SCG particles and removed some of the insoluble solids. The partially purified B. paralicheniformis SVD1 mannanase displayed no detectable activity on SCG, but showed synergy with CTec2, in terms of DS, on untreated and NaOH pretreated SCG. This is the first report of mannanasecellulase synergy on SCG; other studies found that increased hydrolysis was due to additive effects. The results obtained in this study are only an initial assessment of the biochemical properties of B. paralicheniformis SVD1 mannanase activity and its synergy with other enzymes. These results can be used to inform future studies.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Clarke, Matthew David
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis , Enzymes -- Biotechnology , Lignocellulose -- Biotechnology
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67570 , vital:29112
- Description: Products produced via the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass, the most abundant renewable terrestrial source of carbon, can potentially replace a lot of the fuels and chemicals currently produced using non-renewable hydrocarbons. Mannan is a polysaccharide component of lignocellulose that is abundant in softwoods and legume seeds. Enzymatic hydrolysis of mannan by β-mannanases has various industrial applications, including use in biofuel and prebiotic mannooligosaccharide (MOS) production for the improvement of human and animal health. The industrial use of β-mannanases depends on their biochemical characteristics, such as their activity, stability and substrate specificity. Knowledge of their synergistic interactions with other enzymes is also useful for effective hydrolysis. Bacillus paralicheniformis SVD1 was used as a source for β-mannanases. The two mannanases of B. paralicheniformis SVD1 have not been biochemically characterized apart from minor characterization of crude β-mannanase activity. The protein sequences of the two β-mannanases, of glycosyl hydrolase family 5 and 26, have a 95% - 96% identity to the β-mannanases of B. licheniformis DSM13T (=ATCC14580T). These small protein sequence differences could lead to quite different biochemical characteristics. These mannanases were characterized as these enzymes may have industrially useful characteristics. To induce mannanase production, B. paralicheniformis SVD1 was cultured in broth containing the mannan substrate locust bean gum. Various growth curve parameters were measured over 72 h. Mannanase activity was the highest after 48 h of growth - this was the time at which mannanase activity was concentrated, using 3 kDa centrifugal filtration devices, for biochemical characterization of the crude activity. Zymography revealed that the crude concentrated mannanase fraction consisted of at least two mannanases with relative molecular weights (MWs) of 29.6 kDa and 33 kDa. This was smaller than expected – based on their theoretical molecular masses. Protease activity, which was detected in the broth, was probably the reason. There were two pH optima, pH 5.0 and pH 7.0, which also indicated the presence of two mannanases. The concentrated mannanase displayed characteristics that were expected of a B. paralicheniformis β-mannanase. The temperature optimum was 50°C and the activity loss was less than 7% at 50°C after 24 h. Substrate specificity assays revealed that there was predominantly mannanase activity present. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis of mannan and MOS hydrolysis showed that mainly M2 and M3 MOS were produced; only MOS with a degree of polymerization of 4 or higher were hydrolyzed. Hydrolysis was minimal on mannoligosaccharides with galactose substituents. Activity and MOS production was the highest on soluble, low branched mannan substrates. The highest activity observed was on konjac glucomannan. Purification of the mannanase activity was then attempted using various methods. Ammonium sulfate precipitation, acetone precipitation, as well as centrifugal filtration device concentration was assessed for concentration of the mannanase activity.Concentration was not very successful due to low activity yields (≤ 20%). Anion exchange chromatography (AEC) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) was used for purification. AEC gave good activity yield and fold purification, but SDS-PAGE analysis revealed the presence of many different proteins so further purification was necessary. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that there were only a few protein contaminants in the SEC fraction. However, the yield was too low to allow for biochemical characterization. The optimized purification procedure, which partially purified the mannanase activity, used 85% ammonium sulfate precipitation, followed by AEC. The fold purification was high (88.9) and the specific activity was 29.5 U.mg-1. A zymogram of the partially purified mannanase showed a mannanase active band with a MW of 40 - 41 kDa. A serine protease inhibitor, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), was added during the purification steps. This indicated that the mannanase/s in the crude concentrate, without PMSF added, was hydrolyzed by serine protease activity. Native PAGE zymograms suggested that at least two different isoforms of mannanases were present. Additional purification would be required to determine the true characteristics of the mannanase/s. The biochemical characteristics of the crude and partially purified mannanases were similar. The pH optima of the partially purified mannanases were different; the pH optima were 6.0 and 9.0. The substrate specificities were similar, except that the partially purified mannanases displayed no cellulase and β-D-galactosidase activity, but showed a small amount of α-L-arabinase activity. The partially purified mannanase and a Cyamopsis tetragonolobus GH27 α-galactosidase synergistically hydrolyzed locust bean gum. The M50G50 combination displayed the highest extent of hydrolysis; after 24 h there was a 1.39 fold increase in reducing sugar release and the degree of synergy (DS) was 4.64. TLC analysis indicated that synergy increased the release of small MOS. These MOS could be useful as prebiotics. The synergy between the partially purified mannanase and the commercial cellulase mixture Cellic® CTec2 (Novozymes) on spent coffee grounds (SCG) was also determined. SCG is an abundant industrial waste product that has high mannan content. The SCG was pretreated using NaOH, and the monosaccharide, soluble phenolics and insoluble contents were determined. Glucose and mannose were the dominant monosaccharides in the SCG; the pretreated SCG contained 20.4% (w/w) glucose and 18.5% (w/w) mannose, respectively. The NaOH pretreatment improved mannanase hydrolysis of SCG. It resulted in the opening up and swelling of the SCG particles and removed some of the insoluble solids. The partially purified B. paralicheniformis SVD1 mannanase displayed no detectable activity on SCG, but showed synergy with CTec2, in terms of DS, on untreated and NaOH pretreated SCG. This is the first report of mannanasecellulase synergy on SCG; other studies found that increased hydrolysis was due to additive effects. The results obtained in this study are only an initial assessment of the biochemical properties of B. paralicheniformis SVD1 mannanase activity and its synergy with other enzymes. These results can be used to inform future studies.
- Full Text:
Biological monitoring in southern Africa: a review of the current status, challenges and future prospects
- Mangadze, Tinotenda, Dalu, Tatenda, Froneman, P William
- Authors: Mangadze, Tinotenda , Dalu, Tatenda , Froneman, P William
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/467193 , vital:76838 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.252
- Description: Biological monitoring programmes have gained popularity around the world particularly in southern Africa as they are fast, integrative and cost-effective approaches for assessing the effects of environmental stressors on aquatic ecosystems. This article reviews current efforts that have been made to use bioindicators (i.e. macroinvertebrates, diatoms and fish) in monitoring water resources and to summarise the challenges in employing these biological monitoring tools in southern Africa. In South Africa, macroinvertebrate (South African Scoring System (SASS)) and diatom based indices (e.g. South African diatom index (SADI)) have demonstrated their utility in identifying sources of impairment and determining the extent of impacts thus giving natural resource managers a scientifically defensible rationale for developing guidelines for conservation and management. Despite this advancement in South Africa, however, developing regionally appropriate quantitative tools for diagnosing ecosystem health is a pressing need for several other southern African countries. Together with sound scientific research, it is imperative for southern African countries to develop specific legislation and have mandated agencies, with proper training and funding to implement biomonitoring and bioassessments. We recommend for the advancement and adoption of biological criteria as an integrated approach to assessing the impact of human activities in riverine ecosystems of the southern African region.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mangadze, Tinotenda , Dalu, Tatenda , Froneman, P William
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/467193 , vital:76838 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.252
- Description: Biological monitoring programmes have gained popularity around the world particularly in southern Africa as they are fast, integrative and cost-effective approaches for assessing the effects of environmental stressors on aquatic ecosystems. This article reviews current efforts that have been made to use bioindicators (i.e. macroinvertebrates, diatoms and fish) in monitoring water resources and to summarise the challenges in employing these biological monitoring tools in southern Africa. In South Africa, macroinvertebrate (South African Scoring System (SASS)) and diatom based indices (e.g. South African diatom index (SADI)) have demonstrated their utility in identifying sources of impairment and determining the extent of impacts thus giving natural resource managers a scientifically defensible rationale for developing guidelines for conservation and management. Despite this advancement in South Africa, however, developing regionally appropriate quantitative tools for diagnosing ecosystem health is a pressing need for several other southern African countries. Together with sound scientific research, it is imperative for southern African countries to develop specific legislation and have mandated agencies, with proper training and funding to implement biomonitoring and bioassessments. We recommend for the advancement and adoption of biological criteria as an integrated approach to assessing the impact of human activities in riverine ecosystems of the southern African region.
- Full Text:
Biological properties and interactions of Kalaharituber pfeilii
- Authors: Krele, Viwe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Kalaharituber pfeilii , Pezizales -- South Africa , Desert plants -- South Africa , Truffle culture -- South Africa , Plant biochemical genetics , Enzymes -- Analysis
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/72257 , vital:30022
- Description: Dessert truffles are seasonal macro fungi and have been identified in several parts of the world including South Africa. The first part of the present study dealt with the assessment of the biologically active compounds of the Kalahari truffles found in the Northern Cape of South Africa. Truffles extracts (methanol, ethanol, aqueous) were investigated for their antimicrobial properties towards Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The results demonstrated that the truffle extracts tested had no inhibitory effects against the bacterial isolates. The truffle mycelial growth was also noted to be ineffective against the selected bacteria. The bacteria tested in the present study showed some antagonistic effects against the fungus. Cultures of K. pfeilii were also screened for enzyme production including amylase, protease, cellulose, and laccase. Evaluation of the potential of K. pfeilii mycelia to produce these industrially and economically important enzymes demonstrated both amylase and protease activity. However, for laccase and cellulose, no activity was detected. The second part of the present study aimed at optimizing biomass production by K. pfeilii in liquid culture media. FF Microplate containing 95 discreet carbon sources were employed to test for substrate utilization. Blanked readings above 0.1 were regarded as positive for utilization, and 4 substrates were selected as potential substrates and were included in liquid media. Media was evaluated for mycelial biomass production. Of the carbon sources tested sucrose proved to be the most suitable for supporting mycelial growth. The third part of the current study included investigating the diversity of microbial communities colonizing the rhizosheath of Stipagrostis ciliata var. capensis (the host plant of K. pfeilii) and these were identified by means of next-generation sequencing using Illumina Miseq. Bioinformatics tools were utilized in analyzing the data. Actinobacteria were found to be the most dominant bacterial phylum, followed by unclassified bacteria, Proteobacteria, and Acidobacteria. The top 25 sequences were selected and clustered into bacterial OTUs (at 97% threshold) which were assigned into 1 phylum (Actinobacteria), 1 family (Geodermatophilaceae) and 23 genera. This phylum is well known for its secondary metabolites. Streptomyces sp. was the most frequently encountered genus. The results from this study necessitate further investigations with regards to the function and evolution of fungal-bacterial associations. Wheather these bacteria have a contribution towards the truffle development, it is still not confirmed.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Krele, Viwe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Kalaharituber pfeilii , Pezizales -- South Africa , Desert plants -- South Africa , Truffle culture -- South Africa , Plant biochemical genetics , Enzymes -- Analysis
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/72257 , vital:30022
- Description: Dessert truffles are seasonal macro fungi and have been identified in several parts of the world including South Africa. The first part of the present study dealt with the assessment of the biologically active compounds of the Kalahari truffles found in the Northern Cape of South Africa. Truffles extracts (methanol, ethanol, aqueous) were investigated for their antimicrobial properties towards Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The results demonstrated that the truffle extracts tested had no inhibitory effects against the bacterial isolates. The truffle mycelial growth was also noted to be ineffective against the selected bacteria. The bacteria tested in the present study showed some antagonistic effects against the fungus. Cultures of K. pfeilii were also screened for enzyme production including amylase, protease, cellulose, and laccase. Evaluation of the potential of K. pfeilii mycelia to produce these industrially and economically important enzymes demonstrated both amylase and protease activity. However, for laccase and cellulose, no activity was detected. The second part of the present study aimed at optimizing biomass production by K. pfeilii in liquid culture media. FF Microplate containing 95 discreet carbon sources were employed to test for substrate utilization. Blanked readings above 0.1 were regarded as positive for utilization, and 4 substrates were selected as potential substrates and were included in liquid media. Media was evaluated for mycelial biomass production. Of the carbon sources tested sucrose proved to be the most suitable for supporting mycelial growth. The third part of the current study included investigating the diversity of microbial communities colonizing the rhizosheath of Stipagrostis ciliata var. capensis (the host plant of K. pfeilii) and these were identified by means of next-generation sequencing using Illumina Miseq. Bioinformatics tools were utilized in analyzing the data. Actinobacteria were found to be the most dominant bacterial phylum, followed by unclassified bacteria, Proteobacteria, and Acidobacteria. The top 25 sequences were selected and clustered into bacterial OTUs (at 97% threshold) which were assigned into 1 phylum (Actinobacteria), 1 family (Geodermatophilaceae) and 23 genera. This phylum is well known for its secondary metabolites. Streptomyces sp. was the most frequently encountered genus. The results from this study necessitate further investigations with regards to the function and evolution of fungal-bacterial associations. Wheather these bacteria have a contribution towards the truffle development, it is still not confirmed.
- Full Text:
Black forest
- Authors: Sachikonye, Tsitsi S A
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92759 , vital:30745
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sachikonye, Tsitsi S A
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92759 , vital:30745
- Full Text:
Bloodmeal analysis in Culicoides midges collected near horses, donkeys and zebras in the Eastern Cape, South Africa:
- Riddin, Megan A, Venter, G J, Labuschagne, K, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Riddin, Megan A , Venter, G J , Labuschagne, K , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140692 , vital:37910 , DOI: 10.1111/mve.12381
- Description: An upsurge in African horse sickness (AHS) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, from 2006 led to an epidemiological reassessment of the disease there. Light trapping surveys carried out near horses, donkeys and zebras in 2014–2016 collected 39 species of Culicoides midge (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) that are potential vectors of AHS. To establish if these midges fed on equids, DNA sequences were obtained from the gut contents of 52 female midges (35 freshly blood-fed, 13 gravid and four parous), representing 11 species collected across 11 sites. Culicoides leucostictus fed on all three equids. Culicoides bolitinos, Culicoides imicola and Culicoides magnus fed on both horses and donkeys. Culicoides onderstepoortensis fed on donkeys, and Culicoides similis and Culicoides pycnostictus fed on zebras. Bloodmeals from cows, pigs, warthogs, impalas and a domestic dog were also identified in various species, but none of the midges tested had fed on birds. These results contribute to knowledge of the vectorial capacity of several species of Culicoides with regard to AHS in the Eastern Cape and point to potential reservoir hosts, of which donkeys, zebras and domestic dogs have previously been found to harbour AHS. Blood-fed midges were also obtained throughout winter, indicating the potential for endemic AHS in the province.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Riddin, Megan A , Venter, G J , Labuschagne, K , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140692 , vital:37910 , DOI: 10.1111/mve.12381
- Description: An upsurge in African horse sickness (AHS) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, from 2006 led to an epidemiological reassessment of the disease there. Light trapping surveys carried out near horses, donkeys and zebras in 2014–2016 collected 39 species of Culicoides midge (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) that are potential vectors of AHS. To establish if these midges fed on equids, DNA sequences were obtained from the gut contents of 52 female midges (35 freshly blood-fed, 13 gravid and four parous), representing 11 species collected across 11 sites. Culicoides leucostictus fed on all three equids. Culicoides bolitinos, Culicoides imicola and Culicoides magnus fed on both horses and donkeys. Culicoides onderstepoortensis fed on donkeys, and Culicoides similis and Culicoides pycnostictus fed on zebras. Bloodmeals from cows, pigs, warthogs, impalas and a domestic dog were also identified in various species, but none of the midges tested had fed on birds. These results contribute to knowledge of the vectorial capacity of several species of Culicoides with regard to AHS in the Eastern Cape and point to potential reservoir hosts, of which donkeys, zebras and domestic dogs have previously been found to harbour AHS. Blood-fed midges were also obtained throughout winter, indicating the potential for endemic AHS in the province.
- Full Text:
BODIPY and porphyrin dyes for direct glucose sensing and optical limiting applications
- Authors: Ndebele, Nobuhle
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Boron compounds , Boric acid , Porphyrins , Dyes and dying -- Chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/97221 , vital:31412
- Description: A series of BODIPY dyes functionalised with boronic acid in the 3,5-positions were successfully synthesised and characterised by using various analytical techniques. The dyes were prepared through a slight modification of the conventional acid catalysed condensation method. Phenylboronic acid moieties were added as styryl groups at the 3,5-positions of the 1,3,5,7-tetrametylBODIPY cores using a modified Knoevengal condensation method. The addition of the styryls resulted in the main absorption band of the dyes red-shifting to the 630−650 nm region. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of these dyes were studied to determine whether the dyes are suitable for use in the fluorescent, colourimetric and electrochemical detection of glucose. Boronic acid moieties were added as bioreceptor recognition elements because they have an affinity for carbohydrates and therefore would be able to bind and “detect” glucose. The series of BODIPY dyes did not show a “turn-on” fluorescence effect upon addition with glucose at the physiological pH. This was attributed on the basis of molecular modelling to the absence of an MO localised on the boronic-acid-substituted styryl moieties that lie close in energy to the HOMO and LUMO that facilitates the formation of an intramolecular charge transfer state. However, colourimetric changes that are visible to the naked eye are observed at basic pH when glucose was added to the dye solutions. The dyes exhibited favourable electrochemical behaviour and were able to detect glucose directly in this context when glassy carbon electrodes are modified through the drop dry method. A series of Sn(IV) porphyrins with thienyl and phenyl groups at the meso-positions were successfully synthesised and characterised. Pyridine and tetrabutyl axial ligands were added to the porphyrins to limit aggregation. The optical limiting properties of these porphyrins and three styrylated BODIPY dyes were studied in benzene and dichloromethane. Dyes were also embedded in polystyrene and studied as thin films to further gauge their suitability for use in optical limiting applications. Second-order hyperpolarizability, third-order susceptibly, non-linear absorption with reversible saturable absorption and the optical limiting threshold, were the parameters studied. Three of the four porphyrins and the three styrylated BODIPY dyes showed favourable optical limiting behaviour, which was further enhanced when the dyes are embedded in polymer thin films.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ndebele, Nobuhle
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Boron compounds , Boric acid , Porphyrins , Dyes and dying -- Chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/97221 , vital:31412
- Description: A series of BODIPY dyes functionalised with boronic acid in the 3,5-positions were successfully synthesised and characterised by using various analytical techniques. The dyes were prepared through a slight modification of the conventional acid catalysed condensation method. Phenylboronic acid moieties were added as styryl groups at the 3,5-positions of the 1,3,5,7-tetrametylBODIPY cores using a modified Knoevengal condensation method. The addition of the styryls resulted in the main absorption band of the dyes red-shifting to the 630−650 nm region. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of these dyes were studied to determine whether the dyes are suitable for use in the fluorescent, colourimetric and electrochemical detection of glucose. Boronic acid moieties were added as bioreceptor recognition elements because they have an affinity for carbohydrates and therefore would be able to bind and “detect” glucose. The series of BODIPY dyes did not show a “turn-on” fluorescence effect upon addition with glucose at the physiological pH. This was attributed on the basis of molecular modelling to the absence of an MO localised on the boronic-acid-substituted styryl moieties that lie close in energy to the HOMO and LUMO that facilitates the formation of an intramolecular charge transfer state. However, colourimetric changes that are visible to the naked eye are observed at basic pH when glucose was added to the dye solutions. The dyes exhibited favourable electrochemical behaviour and were able to detect glucose directly in this context when glassy carbon electrodes are modified through the drop dry method. A series of Sn(IV) porphyrins with thienyl and phenyl groups at the meso-positions were successfully synthesised and characterised. Pyridine and tetrabutyl axial ligands were added to the porphyrins to limit aggregation. The optical limiting properties of these porphyrins and three styrylated BODIPY dyes were studied in benzene and dichloromethane. Dyes were also embedded in polystyrene and studied as thin films to further gauge their suitability for use in optical limiting applications. Second-order hyperpolarizability, third-order susceptibly, non-linear absorption with reversible saturable absorption and the optical limiting threshold, were the parameters studied. Three of the four porphyrins and the three styrylated BODIPY dyes showed favourable optical limiting behaviour, which was further enhanced when the dyes are embedded in polymer thin films.
- Full Text:
Bolvedere: a scalable network flow threat analysis system
- Authors: Herbert, Alan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Bolvedere (Computer network analysis system) , Computer networks -- Scalability , Computer networks -- Measurement , Computer networks -- Security measures , Telecommunication -- Traffic -- Measurement
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71557 , vital:29873
- Description: Since the advent of the Internet, and its public availability in the late 90’s, there have been significant advancements to network technologies and thus a significant increase of the bandwidth available to network users, both human and automated. Although this growth is of great value to network users, it has led to an increase in malicious network-based activities and it is theorized that, as more services become available on the Internet, the volume of such activities will continue to grow. Because of this, there is a need to monitor, comprehend, discern, understand and (where needed) respond to events on networks worldwide. Although this line of thought is simple in its reasoning, undertaking such a task is no small feat. Full packet analysis is a method of network surveillance that seeks out specific characteristics within network traffic that may tell of malicious activity or anomalies in regular network usage. It is carried out within firewalls and implemented through packet classification. In the context of the networks that make up the Internet, this form of packet analysis has become infeasible, as the volume of traffic introduced onto these networks every day is so large that there are simply not enough processing resources to perform such a task on every packet in real time. One could combat this problem by performing post-incident forensics; archiving packets and processing them later. However, as one cannot process all incoming packets, the archive will eventually run out of space. Full packet analysis is also hindered by the fact that some existing, commonly-used solutions are designed around a single host and single thread of execution, an outdated approach that is far slower than necessary on current computing technology. This research explores the conceptual design and implementation of a scalable network traffic analysis system named Bolvedere. Analysis performed by Bolvedere simply asks whether the existence of a connection, coupled with its associated metadata, is enough to conclude something meaningful about that connection. This idea draws away from the traditional processing of every single byte in every single packet monitored on a network link (Deep Packet Inspection) through the concept of working with connection flows. Bolvedere performs its work by leveraging the NetFlow version 9 and IPFIX protocols, but is not limited to these. It is implemented using a modular approach that allows for either complete execution of the system on a single host or the horizontal scaling out of subsystems on multiple hosts. The use of multiple hosts is achieved through the implementation of Zero Message Queue (ZMQ). This allows for Bolvedre to horizontally scale out, which results in an increase in processing resources and thus an increase in analysis throughput. This is due to ease of interprocess communications provided by ZMQ. Many underlying mechanisms in Bolvedere have been automated. This is intended to make the system more userfriendly, as the user need only tell Bolvedere what information they wish to analyse, and the system will then rebuild itself in order to achieve this required task. Bolvedere has also been hardware-accelerated through the use of Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technologies, which more than doubled the total throughput of the system.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Herbert, Alan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Bolvedere (Computer network analysis system) , Computer networks -- Scalability , Computer networks -- Measurement , Computer networks -- Security measures , Telecommunication -- Traffic -- Measurement
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71557 , vital:29873
- Description: Since the advent of the Internet, and its public availability in the late 90’s, there have been significant advancements to network technologies and thus a significant increase of the bandwidth available to network users, both human and automated. Although this growth is of great value to network users, it has led to an increase in malicious network-based activities and it is theorized that, as more services become available on the Internet, the volume of such activities will continue to grow. Because of this, there is a need to monitor, comprehend, discern, understand and (where needed) respond to events on networks worldwide. Although this line of thought is simple in its reasoning, undertaking such a task is no small feat. Full packet analysis is a method of network surveillance that seeks out specific characteristics within network traffic that may tell of malicious activity or anomalies in regular network usage. It is carried out within firewalls and implemented through packet classification. In the context of the networks that make up the Internet, this form of packet analysis has become infeasible, as the volume of traffic introduced onto these networks every day is so large that there are simply not enough processing resources to perform such a task on every packet in real time. One could combat this problem by performing post-incident forensics; archiving packets and processing them later. However, as one cannot process all incoming packets, the archive will eventually run out of space. Full packet analysis is also hindered by the fact that some existing, commonly-used solutions are designed around a single host and single thread of execution, an outdated approach that is far slower than necessary on current computing technology. This research explores the conceptual design and implementation of a scalable network traffic analysis system named Bolvedere. Analysis performed by Bolvedere simply asks whether the existence of a connection, coupled with its associated metadata, is enough to conclude something meaningful about that connection. This idea draws away from the traditional processing of every single byte in every single packet monitored on a network link (Deep Packet Inspection) through the concept of working with connection flows. Bolvedere performs its work by leveraging the NetFlow version 9 and IPFIX protocols, but is not limited to these. It is implemented using a modular approach that allows for either complete execution of the system on a single host or the horizontal scaling out of subsystems on multiple hosts. The use of multiple hosts is achieved through the implementation of Zero Message Queue (ZMQ). This allows for Bolvedre to horizontally scale out, which results in an increase in processing resources and thus an increase in analysis throughput. This is due to ease of interprocess communications provided by ZMQ. Many underlying mechanisms in Bolvedere have been automated. This is intended to make the system more userfriendly, as the user need only tell Bolvedere what information they wish to analyse, and the system will then rebuild itself in order to achieve this required task. Bolvedere has also been hardware-accelerated through the use of Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technologies, which more than doubled the total throughput of the system.
- Full Text:
Book Review: From the Outside In
- Authors: Magadla, Siphokazi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/298628 , vital:57722 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10220461.2019.1610042"
- Description: From the Outside In: Domestic Actors and South Africa’s Foreign Policy presents an exciting collection of chapters that explore various and often-ignored domestic actors and their relationships within the state, including government departments and local government; and non-governmental organisations such as labour unions, big business and social movements. The editors evoke the imagery of the ‘chess game of foreign policy’, used by scholars such as Joseph Nye,1 to argue that power in international relations is distributed like a ‘three-dimensional chessboard’ consisting of military power, economic power and transnational relations.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Magadla, Siphokazi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/298628 , vital:57722 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10220461.2019.1610042"
- Description: From the Outside In: Domestic Actors and South Africa’s Foreign Policy presents an exciting collection of chapters that explore various and often-ignored domestic actors and their relationships within the state, including government departments and local government; and non-governmental organisations such as labour unions, big business and social movements. The editors evoke the imagery of the ‘chess game of foreign policy’, used by scholars such as Joseph Nye,1 to argue that power in international relations is distributed like a ‘three-dimensional chessboard’ consisting of military power, economic power and transnational relations.
- Full Text:
Book Review: Herman Wasserman, Media, Geopolitics and Power
- Authors: Garman, Anthea
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/158449 , vital:40187 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1177/0021909619851645
- Description: The strength of this book is not only that Herman Wasserman gives us a comprehensive overview of the major changes in South Africa’s journalism industries since the transition to democracy, but that he does it through the theoretical lens of Global South thinking. In order to cover the terrain thoroughly Wasserman draws on years of careful observation of – and his previous writings on – the shifts in the institutions and practices of journalism.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Garman, Anthea
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/158449 , vital:40187 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1177/0021909619851645
- Description: The strength of this book is not only that Herman Wasserman gives us a comprehensive overview of the major changes in South Africa’s journalism industries since the transition to democracy, but that he does it through the theoretical lens of Global South thinking. In order to cover the terrain thoroughly Wasserman draws on years of careful observation of – and his previous writings on – the shifts in the institutions and practices of journalism.
- Full Text:
Boundary-crossing learning in agricultural learning systems: formative interventions for water and seed provision in southern Africa
- Authors: Pesanayi, Victor Tichaona
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Agriultural extension work -- Africa, Southern , Agriultural colleges -- Africa, Southern , Farmers -- Education -- Africa, Southern , Agriculture and state -- Africa, Southern , Sustainable agriculture -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/94067 , vital:30997
- Description: This research was conducted in the Amathole rural district of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, and in Zvishavane and Zhombe rural districts of the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe over a period of four years. In the first two years of this period I was involved in co-engaged boundary-crossing expansive learning processes with research participants from agricultural education (agricultural college lecturers, principals and university lecturers), extension services (extension officers, advisors and workers), small-scale farmers and a local economic development (LED) agency as agricultural learning activity systems. The latter was applicable only to the South African nested case while the rest applied to both country nested cases. The study focusses on the boundary-crossing learning of sustainable agricultural water relevant for small-scale farming contexts under rain-fed and climate constrained conditions with specific attention to rainwater harvesting and conservation and climate-adaptive seed. The study employed cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) and developmental work research methodology developed by Yrjö Engeström and his colleagues at the Centre for Researching Activity Development and Learning (CRADLE) at the University of Helsinki in Finland. The study was guided by three objectives. The first objective was to find out how the different groups represented across the activity systems listed above learn together to mediate and communicate sustainable agricultural water and seed saving. To address this objective I conducted focus groups and interviews with key informants, made observations and analysed documents. The second objective was to explore and document the socio-ecological histories of rainwater harvesting and conservation, locally-adaptive seed systems and associated value chains, and socio-cultural histories of agricultural learning systems in the context of small-scale farming using historical and ethnographic research techniques. The third objective was to understand how learning, curriculum innovation and mediation tools for agricultural extension education and farmer training that can expand learning of rainwater harvesting and conservation sustainable practices for improved local agricultural water and climate-adaptive non-formal seed systems in agricultural education and small-scale farmer activity systems could be co-generated. This third objective constituted the boundary-crossing expansive learning that emerged from change laboratory workshops carefully designed to explore the common water for food object across the different but related activity systems. The study reveals historically-persisting tensions and contradictions in the work of agricultural college lecturers, small-scale farmers and extension workers that limit their ability to work together relationally leaving them operating in isolated ‘silos’. The industrially-driven agricultural college curriculum promoting conventional irrigated agriculture conflicted with the college’s objective of producing extension workers who will work with resource-poor small-scale farmers in rain-fed farming systems. This conflict was aggravated by the work of extension workers who had little to no knowledge regarding how to support small-scale farmers facing persistent drought and consequent crop failure due to poor and erratic rainfall. At the same time extension services promoting genetically modified (GMO) seed in South Africa were in conflict with some small-scale farmers’ demands for seed that was adapted to their changing climate and their ability to operate independently with access to and ownership of land. This study shows that the work of agricultural colleges and extension services often defeats its intended structural objectives due to historically-constituted power relations around knowledge. This study has demonstrated the effectiveness of co-generative formative interventions in boundary-crossing scenarios in learning network contexts for expansion of activity in farming communities, agricultural colleges and extension services, with emphasis of transformed activity towards engaging a collective object of rainwater harvesting and conservation for more sustainable agriculture and poverty alleviation. The study shows that diverse combinations of change practice courses, change laboratories, demonstration sites and media engagements as mediation processes in the context of learning networks strengthened the possibility for boundary-crossing expansive learning across activity systems of agricultural college lecturers, smallholder farmers, extension workers and local economic development agency facilitators. Three of the five mediation processes emerged out of the formative intervention processes in both the South African and Zimbabwean case studies while two were not realised in the Zimbabwean case study, namely the change practice course and media engagements, due to different formative intervention conditions, inadequate time and resources. Boundary-crossing was enabled by a variety of actions including understanding and identifying with the context of the other (i.e. developing empathy) as a result of change laboratory workshops that also ensured confrontation with relational contradictions. The study concludes that it is possible for historically-constituted contradictions around water for food to be resolved when participants from different agricultural learning systems co-engage as equals in boundary-crossing change laboratory fora mediated by appropriate tools and processes. The study contributes to innovation in agricultural learning systems in southern Africa, in particular to means of engaging across boundaries of previously largely disconnected activity systems in ways that benefit smallholder farmers who have previously been marginalised from mainstream agricultural learning systems.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Pesanayi, Victor Tichaona
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Agriultural extension work -- Africa, Southern , Agriultural colleges -- Africa, Southern , Farmers -- Education -- Africa, Southern , Agriculture and state -- Africa, Southern , Sustainable agriculture -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/94067 , vital:30997
- Description: This research was conducted in the Amathole rural district of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, and in Zvishavane and Zhombe rural districts of the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe over a period of four years. In the first two years of this period I was involved in co-engaged boundary-crossing expansive learning processes with research participants from agricultural education (agricultural college lecturers, principals and university lecturers), extension services (extension officers, advisors and workers), small-scale farmers and a local economic development (LED) agency as agricultural learning activity systems. The latter was applicable only to the South African nested case while the rest applied to both country nested cases. The study focusses on the boundary-crossing learning of sustainable agricultural water relevant for small-scale farming contexts under rain-fed and climate constrained conditions with specific attention to rainwater harvesting and conservation and climate-adaptive seed. The study employed cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) and developmental work research methodology developed by Yrjö Engeström and his colleagues at the Centre for Researching Activity Development and Learning (CRADLE) at the University of Helsinki in Finland. The study was guided by three objectives. The first objective was to find out how the different groups represented across the activity systems listed above learn together to mediate and communicate sustainable agricultural water and seed saving. To address this objective I conducted focus groups and interviews with key informants, made observations and analysed documents. The second objective was to explore and document the socio-ecological histories of rainwater harvesting and conservation, locally-adaptive seed systems and associated value chains, and socio-cultural histories of agricultural learning systems in the context of small-scale farming using historical and ethnographic research techniques. The third objective was to understand how learning, curriculum innovation and mediation tools for agricultural extension education and farmer training that can expand learning of rainwater harvesting and conservation sustainable practices for improved local agricultural water and climate-adaptive non-formal seed systems in agricultural education and small-scale farmer activity systems could be co-generated. This third objective constituted the boundary-crossing expansive learning that emerged from change laboratory workshops carefully designed to explore the common water for food object across the different but related activity systems. The study reveals historically-persisting tensions and contradictions in the work of agricultural college lecturers, small-scale farmers and extension workers that limit their ability to work together relationally leaving them operating in isolated ‘silos’. The industrially-driven agricultural college curriculum promoting conventional irrigated agriculture conflicted with the college’s objective of producing extension workers who will work with resource-poor small-scale farmers in rain-fed farming systems. This conflict was aggravated by the work of extension workers who had little to no knowledge regarding how to support small-scale farmers facing persistent drought and consequent crop failure due to poor and erratic rainfall. At the same time extension services promoting genetically modified (GMO) seed in South Africa were in conflict with some small-scale farmers’ demands for seed that was adapted to their changing climate and their ability to operate independently with access to and ownership of land. This study shows that the work of agricultural colleges and extension services often defeats its intended structural objectives due to historically-constituted power relations around knowledge. This study has demonstrated the effectiveness of co-generative formative interventions in boundary-crossing scenarios in learning network contexts for expansion of activity in farming communities, agricultural colleges and extension services, with emphasis of transformed activity towards engaging a collective object of rainwater harvesting and conservation for more sustainable agriculture and poverty alleviation. The study shows that diverse combinations of change practice courses, change laboratories, demonstration sites and media engagements as mediation processes in the context of learning networks strengthened the possibility for boundary-crossing expansive learning across activity systems of agricultural college lecturers, smallholder farmers, extension workers and local economic development agency facilitators. Three of the five mediation processes emerged out of the formative intervention processes in both the South African and Zimbabwean case studies while two were not realised in the Zimbabwean case study, namely the change practice course and media engagements, due to different formative intervention conditions, inadequate time and resources. Boundary-crossing was enabled by a variety of actions including understanding and identifying with the context of the other (i.e. developing empathy) as a result of change laboratory workshops that also ensured confrontation with relational contradictions. The study concludes that it is possible for historically-constituted contradictions around water for food to be resolved when participants from different agricultural learning systems co-engage as equals in boundary-crossing change laboratory fora mediated by appropriate tools and processes. The study contributes to innovation in agricultural learning systems in southern Africa, in particular to means of engaging across boundaries of previously largely disconnected activity systems in ways that benefit smallholder farmers who have previously been marginalised from mainstream agricultural learning systems.
- Full Text:
Bushmeat use is widespread but under-researched in rural communities of South Africa
- Martins, Vusumzi, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Martins, Vusumzi , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179745 , vital:43167 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00583"
- Description: Bushmeat hunting and consumption is common throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, a recent review indicated that the prevalence and nature of bushmeat hunting was little researched or understood in southern African savannas. Here we present information from a number of rural livelihoods studies in South Africa that indicate that bushmeat consumption is common, with typically between 30 and 60% of rural households in the communal tenure regions stating that they consume it. Yet there are only five studies in the country explicitly investigating bushmeat hunting practices, motivations, offtake and target species. A review of the five studies indicates that bushmeat hunting is largely a male activity and that motivations and practices vary between sites. Hunting with dogs is the most common method, targeting multiple small and medium-sized species. With such widespread consumption, it is possible that bushmeat hunting may have significant effects on the population status of some target species and consequently requires urgent and in-depth research of both practices and effects
- Full Text:
- Authors: Martins, Vusumzi , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179745 , vital:43167 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00583"
- Description: Bushmeat hunting and consumption is common throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, a recent review indicated that the prevalence and nature of bushmeat hunting was little researched or understood in southern African savannas. Here we present information from a number of rural livelihoods studies in South Africa that indicate that bushmeat consumption is common, with typically between 30 and 60% of rural households in the communal tenure regions stating that they consume it. Yet there are only five studies in the country explicitly investigating bushmeat hunting practices, motivations, offtake and target species. A review of the five studies indicates that bushmeat hunting is largely a male activity and that motivations and practices vary between sites. Hunting with dogs is the most common method, targeting multiple small and medium-sized species. With such widespread consumption, it is possible that bushmeat hunting may have significant effects on the population status of some target species and consequently requires urgent and in-depth research of both practices and effects
- Full Text:
Busy as a Bee: Breeding Industrious Bees in Malawi
- Kasumba, Arnold M, Pullanikkatil, Deepa
- Authors: Kasumba, Arnold M , Pullanikkatil, Deepa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/433537 , vital:72982 , ISBN 978-3-319-75580-9 , https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-75580-9_14
- Description: A trial and error venture at beekeeping by Arnold Kasumbu in central Malawi, is now a successful integrated farming enterprise incorporating 160 beehives and producing honey for customers in Malawi and Kenya. It is also a site for educational visits for university students learning about agriculture. Arnold’s parents were tobacco farmers living in the Mitundu area of Lilongwe District in central Malawi. He recalls that his childhood was steeped in poverty as he observed his father put in a lot of effort in his farm with diminutive returns. Being the eldest of three children in the household, Arnold was forced to end his schooling in Standard 8, as his family could not afford the school fees. Resolving that he would not do tobacco farming, he began exploring other means of income generation that would entail fewer struggles. He wanted to become wealthy and take care of his family. Through his integrated farm and beekeeping, he has done exactly that! This is Arnold’s life story.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kasumba, Arnold M , Pullanikkatil, Deepa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/433537 , vital:72982 , ISBN 978-3-319-75580-9 , https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-75580-9_14
- Description: A trial and error venture at beekeeping by Arnold Kasumbu in central Malawi, is now a successful integrated farming enterprise incorporating 160 beehives and producing honey for customers in Malawi and Kenya. It is also a site for educational visits for university students learning about agriculture. Arnold’s parents were tobacco farmers living in the Mitundu area of Lilongwe District in central Malawi. He recalls that his childhood was steeped in poverty as he observed his father put in a lot of effort in his farm with diminutive returns. Being the eldest of three children in the household, Arnold was forced to end his schooling in Standard 8, as his family could not afford the school fees. Resolving that he would not do tobacco farming, he began exploring other means of income generation that would entail fewer struggles. He wanted to become wealthy and take care of his family. Through his integrated farm and beekeeping, he has done exactly that! This is Arnold’s life story.
- Full Text: