List of Titles

Effects of household debt on economic growth in South Africa

Authors: Bwalya, Rachael Mulenga
Date: 2024-04-03
Subjects: Household debt , Mortgage loans South Africa , Credit card debt , Gross domestic product South Africa , Economic growth
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434766 , vital:73103
Description: South Africa’s household debt relative to GDP has risen rapidly over the past decade. There is concern that high levels of household debt may decrease spending in the future and hence in the long run slow down economic growth. Thus, this study investigates the impact of household debt on growth in South Africa from 1987Q3 to 2022Q1. The research draws upon first-generation theories which include the absolute income hypothesis, life cycle hypothesis, and permanent income hypothesis, and second-generation theories which include the neo-Kaleckian model, the Super multiplier model, and the Steindl model. The impact of this relationship is assessed using a Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model, with a Toda-Yamamoto modification for some regressions. It is discovered that household debt has a positive short-term influence on economic growth, however, the influence is weak, and it decreases in the long run. Types of household debt such as credit card debt have shown to have a positive and strong influence on economic growth in South Africa from the short run to the long run, however, mortgage debt has shown weak positive influence on economic growth from the short 105 run to the long run. The study found that the growth maximizing ratios for household debt to 106 GDP ratio is 70 percent. The growth maximising credit card debt level is ZAR 72 403, in nominal terms and for mortgage debt is ZAR 5 980 000. The findings are expected to assist policymakers such as central banks and government authorities in formulating relevant policies to ensure economic sustainability through macro-prudential policy and strategies for household debt management. , Thesis (MEcon) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04-03

Exploring the perceptions of coloured Christian lesbian Women of the influence of Christianity on their identity development

- Grootboom, Kim Jodie

Authors: Grootboom, Kim Jodie
Date: 2024-04
Subjects: Lesbians -- Counseling of. , Homosexuality -- Religious aspect , Gays -- Social conditions
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63857 , vital:73620
Description: South Africa is a nation of which the greater number of its citizens are followers of the Christian faith. Coloured people form part of this population, as the majority of Coloured people in South Africa consider themselves to be Christians. In the Christian faith, homosexuality is considered to be a sin and is frowned upon which may result in difficulty navigating identity development of members of the LGBTQIA+ community. This conflict may, in turn, greatly affect the identity development and overall wellness of these individuals who may want to hold onto a religious identify, but are in conflict, as their sexuality falls outside of what is considered acceptable. This research study sought to explore the perceptions of South African Coloured lesbian women, who follow Christianity, regarding the influence of religion on their identity development. This exploration was considered necessary as it contributes to a gap in the literature on the influence that religion has on identity development for a queer person. The research study was qualitative in nature and research participants were recruited by way of the purposive sampling strategy and 12 participants were interviewed. Semi-structured virtual interviews were conducted as the data collection tool to the research study. Ethical clearance to conduct this study, informed consent, voluntary participation, the right to withdraw participation from the research study, anonymity and confidentiality, and no harm of the participants are the ethical points that this study adhered to. The research study used thematic analysis to identify patterns in the data and Braun and Clarke’s data analysis technique was employed. The trustworthiness of this study, was guided by Lincoln and Guba’s four constructs; credibility, dependability, transferability and confirmability. The themes identified in this study were as follows: 1) The imposition on identity (subthemes of guilt and confusion; feelings of being lost and isolated); 2) The significance of race in prejudice against lesbian women; 3) Spiritual transition. The main finding of the aforementioned themes included an underlying understanding amongst they have at some point experienced uneasiness to “coming out” for fear of judgement as Christian lesbians. Although some participants were able to navigate through their identity development, they have experienced confusion and conflict in accepting all the different facets of their identity, simultaneously, due to judgement of other Christians who have imposed a “choose one or the other” mindset upon them. In addition, added minority stress within race factors were identified as a pinning point amongst participants, who felt that their experiences within their sexuality and religious interactions would be different, if they were other races. This highlights the triple minority stress that is faced by marginalised communities in South Africa. Finally, the participants expressed a transition away from religious communities, to a more spiritual relationship with their God, signifying a shift in religious interaction. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Science, School of Behavioural & Lifestyle Sciences, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04

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Perceptions of African musical arts education in foundation and intermediate phases in government schools as seen through the South African academy since 2011: an exploration through meta-ethnography

- Chirombo, Ilana Elize Caroline

Authors: Chirombo, Ilana Elize Caroline
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Music Instruction and study South Africa , Music of Africa , Arts, African , Traditional knowledge , Qualitative research , Ethnography
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/425366 , vital:72233
Description: The aim of this study is twofold: first, to understand meta-ethnography as a tool of synthesis; second, to use this methodology to explore perceptions of African musical arts education in the Foundation and Intermediate Phases in government schools in South Africa after 2011. Meta-ethnography is a methodology used to synthesise qualitative material by means of seven distinct phases: getting started; deciding what is relevant to the initial interest; reading the studies; determining how they are related; translating the studies into one another; weaving them together into a synthesis; and expressing the synthesis. This study synthesises five articles discovered through a deep search of the literature. Through the process of synthesis, a narrative emerges that connects past prejudice in music education in South Africa to present day educational inequality, one that looks towards a future in which children’s agency is harnessed in the multicultural world we live in to teach music in a relevant, contextual way. The synthesis extracts perceptions on colonialism and apartheid; educational access; post-apartheid curricula; music education pedagogies; informal music making; children’s games and agency; into the classroom; and how to assess. These themes weave a clear perspective on African musical arts education, and a reciprocal synthesis of the views of the articles’ authors. This study finds meta-ethnography to be a rigorous, understandable methodological tool for qualitative synthesis, one which serves the purpose of researchers, no matter the depth of their engagement with the synthesis. , Thesis (MMus) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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Morphometric variation, heavy metal analysis and temperature effects on body weight and stoichiometric ratios (C:N:P) of cerithidea decollata along the Wild Coast, South Africa

- Fiki, Sinoxolo

Authors: Fiki, Sinoxolo
Date: 2023-07
Subjects: Zoology
Language: English
Type: Masters theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/9388 , vital:73512
Description: The truncated snail, C e rit hid e a d e c olla t a , is one of the major invertebrates in mangrove ecosystems. It’s the rapid ecophysiological response to environmental stress conditions makes C. decollata an ideal species to test the effects of climate change in mangrove ecosystems. Increased temperatures, due to climate change, is one of the major threats faced by aquatic invertebrates as thermal stress may easily lead to death. This study, thus, compared the effects of 1) environmental conditions on the morphology; 2) temperature on body weight and stoichiometry as well as 3) the heavy metal content of C. decollata across three mangrove ecosystems. Morphometry results revealed that sites significantly influenced most of the shell morphological variables (i.e., shell length, shell width, spire height and aperture width). However, sites did not significantly influence the shell depth and aperture length of C. decollata . Temperature effects on body weight revealed that C. decollata individuals gained weight at low temperatures (10 to 20 °C) in all sites. As a result, the mean % weight gain of 6.75 ± 0.11 in Mngazana, 15.82 ± 0.13 in Mbhashe and 11.2 ± 0.13 in Nqabara. Contrary, C. decollata lost weight at temperatures between 25 and 40 °C across all sites leading to a mean % weight loss of 9.51 ± 0.05 in Mngazana; 14.52 ± 0.16 in Mbhashe and 25.74 ± 0.12 in Nqabara. Stoichiometric analysis revealed that soft tissues had higher nitrogen, carbon and phosphorous than the shells. The NP ratio was higher in soft tissues than in shells while CN and CP ratios were higher in shells than in soft tissues. The N, C, P, CN, CP and NP were lowest in Mngazana and highest in Nqabara. Temperature increases resulted in increased nitrogen, phosphorous, carbon and their stoichiometric CN, CP and NP ratios. Heavy metal results showed that Zn, Cu and Cd were highest in the soft tissue than in the shells and sediment. Contrarily, Fe and Pb were higher in the sediment than in shells and soft tissues. The Cu+Zn was highest in the shells than in the soft tissues and sediment. However, arsenic concentrations were below detection levels across all sites. Overall, no significant site differences were detected for heavy metals. It was, therefore, concluded that sites influenced some of C. decollata morphological features while temperature affected the body weight and stoichiometry of C. decollata . , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Natural Sciences, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-07

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Monitoring strategies used for teaching and learning in selected scondary schoolsof OR Thambo Inland Education District, Eastern Cape Provice, South Africa

- Tswane, Patience Nomampondomise

Authors: Tswane, Patience Nomampondomise
Date: 2023-00
Subjects: Monitoring strategies
Language: English
Type: Masters theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/10769 , vital:75218
Description: This study was meant to investigate monitoring strategies used for teaching and learning in selected secondary schools of OR Tambo Inland Education District in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study mainly concentrated on collecting the analysed data from principals, deputy principals and heads of departments of secondary schools of Qumbu magisterial district on the basis of my proximity to their schools. A case study research design was adopted as only principals, deputy principals and HODs officially employed by the Department of Education to teach in geographically located secondary schools in Qumbu magisterial district were used as subjects to collect data. The qualitative research approach was employed in this study. A sample of 15 participants who were chosen using purposive sampling were interviewed face-to-face adopting semi-structured interviews to gather data for this study. The findings supported SMTs' use of monitoring curriculum implementation methodologies, but their actual implementation was characterised by a lack of rigour and decisiveness. Evidently, a number of contextual circumstances influenced to what extent the methods that had been decided upon were carried out. It emerged that in some SMTs’ strategies to manage and monitor the quality of teaching and learning in their secondary schools, teacher unions disrupts such systems. This implies that the teacher unions play a detrimental role in limiting effective intervention strategies by management. As long as teacher unions plays a powerful role in tying the hands of management in quality control oversight, management will find it very difficult to make inroads into improving commitment by teachers and progress of learners. The Department of Basic Education and government need to review and revise the powers of teacher unions. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Education, 2024
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Date Issued: 2023-00

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Perceptions and experience of school violence among teachers and learners within a black township in the Sarah Baartman District, Eastern Cape, South Africa

- Ndemka, Sibulela

Authors: Ndemka, Sibulela
Date: 2021-10-29
Subjects: School violence South Africa Eastern Cape , Teachers South Africa Eastern Cape Attitudes , High school students South Africa Eastern Cape Attitudes , High school students Conduct of life , High school students Economic conditions , High school students Social conditions , Social constructionism South Africa Eastern Cape
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190760 , vital:45025
Description: In exploring the knowledge/awarness of school violence within the teacher and student school relationship. The principal objective of the study was to investigate the perceptions and experiences of school violence among teachers and learners by reference to a public high school in a historically black African, working class township in the Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The high school was chosen for its geographical location within the community and relative nature of shared stories of violence within the surrounding vicinity. The conceptual, theoretical, and analytical frameworks underpinning this study is social constructionism theory, expanding from the theoretical claim that violence is socially constructed through the process of socialisation and institutionalization. The study reviewed relavant literature on violence in South African schools highlighting the relationship of school violence to current social and educational challenges and crises and the impact that school violence has on learners, teachers, and communities. The research methodology employed is qualitative and evidence was derived through semi-structured in-depth interviews. A sample male and female teachers and learners were recruited through networking. The researcher recruited participants outside the school and through participant referrals to uncover intricacies of school violence drawing on relevant literature in relation to the dynamics of this social and institutional problem. Data was analysed and thematically presented in line with the research objectives. The study findings imply that school violence is complex and gendered. Arguing that cultural, socio-economic, family, community, and social interpersonal factors account for school violence in South Africa. Male teachers and students mostly bieng the victims and perpetrators, implicating this behaviour to a culture of toxic masculinity and shared complicities as contributing factors to school violence. In addition, the study found that the change in status and expectations of boys who return from initiation sometimes provoked violence between initiated learners and adults who did not accord them the respect expected post-initiation. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2021
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Date Issued: 2021-10-29

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“Willing victims”: a study of Zimbabwean migrant workers in the citrus industry of the Sundays River Valley, Eastern Cape

- Maisiri, Brandon James

Authors: Maisiri, Brandon James
Date: 2021-10-29
Subjects: Migrant agricultural laborers South Africa Sundays River (Eastern Cape) , Foreign workers, Zimbabwean South Africa Sundays River (Eastern Cape) , Citrus fruit industry South Africa Sundays River (Eastern Cape) , Job creation South Africa Sundays River (Eastern Cape) , Work environment South Africa Sundays River (Eastern Cape) , Agricultural wages Social aspects South Africa Sundays River (Eastern Cape) , Marginality, Social South Africa Sundays River (Eastern Cape) , Migrant agricultural laborers Legal status, laws, etc South Africa , Global Value Chains , International Labour Organisation's Decent Work Agenda
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190657 , vital:45015
Description: The citrus fruit industry is a large, lucrative industry on the global market. South Africa's citrus fruit industry competes globally and is firmly intergraded into the citrus global value chain (GVC). Sunday River's Valley (SRV) in the Eastern Cape is a powerhouse citrus producer in South Africa. This dissertation interrogates the impact of the citrus value chain on Zimbabwean unskilled immigrant farmworkers in the SRV, positioned at the bottom of the value chain. Mainstream global chain literature, which adopts a neo-liberal approach to development, assumes that businesses in the global south stand to benefit from integrating into global chains. This line of thinking also assumes that, by virtue of the suppliers’ experiencing economic upgrading, farm owners’ employees may experience social upgrading. The idea of social upgrading stems from the International Labour Organisation's Decent Work Agenda, which promotes workers' rights and conditions globally. In the agricultural sector, there is a growing trend of producers (in the global south) employing undocumented immigrant farmworkers. Free market economists perceive these immigrants' employment in the agricultural value chain as a progressive step for immigrants to step out of poverty. This study employs a qualitative research method to analyse social upgrading for immigrant workers in the citrus GVC. This is done by examining the selected workers' working and living conditions against the key pillars of the Decent Work Agenda. Using the critical GVC framework and a Marxist orientation, this study seeks to show that the use of migrant (especially undocumented) labour in the agricultural value chains is not empowering immigrants in the global south but is essentially a strategy of securing cheap and docile labour for profit maximization. While this can be said for local South African workers as well, the migrant workforce is peculiar as their fragile citizenship in South Africa makes them a less resistant labour force to farm owners labour law violations. This study's findings validate this contention, as they show that immigrants employed in the citrus industry in the Eastern Cape are subjected to several Decent Work deficits. The findings also show that these immigrants have no access to mechanisms of empowerment and are barely surviving from their earnings. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2021
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Date Issued: 2021-10-29

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The tuber-feeding weevil Listronotus frontalis as a candidate biological control agent for the invasive semi-aquatic plant Sagittaria platyphylla within South Africa

- Rogers, Daniel James

Authors: Rogers, Daniel James
Date: 2021-10
Subjects: Listronotus South Africa , Arrowhead (Plants) South Africa , Arrowhead (Plants) Biological control South Africa , Invasive plants Biological control South Africa , Insects as biological pest control agents South Africa , Plant populations South Africa
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190731 , vital:45023
Description: Sagittaria platyphylla (Engelm.) J.G.Sm. (Alismataceae) is an invasive, aquatic macrophyte originating in the southern United States of America. In South Africa, the plant was first detected in Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal Province in 2008, and due to its known impact in other countries, it was listed as a Category 1a invader species under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 2004 (NEM:BA). This invasive plant has proved difficult to manage due to its varied growth forms and reproductive strategies, such as prolific seed and below ground tuber production. Due to the limitations of conventional control mechanisms, biological control is currently being considered as a potential control option. The tuber feeding weevil Listronotus frontalis LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) has been identified as a candidate biological control agent for this invasive species. The aims of this study were twofold; to firstly determine the importance of tubers to S. platyphylla populations growing in South Africa; and secondly, to determine the biology and suitability of L. frontalis, a tuber feeder, as a candidate biological control agent. Surveys of S. platyphylla populations in South Africa showed that tubers were found in all sampled sites, except for Krantzkloof Nature reserve in KwaZulu-Natal Province. The highest number of tubers was 97.75 ± 10.62 (SE) m-2 recorded at Jonkershoek in the Western Cape Province. Monthly sampling from two sites in the Eastern Cape Province, the Makana Botanical Gardens and Maden Dam showed that neither season nor water depth affected tuber production. However, the mean number of tubers as well as mass of tubers sampled, were consistently higher (F(1,179) = 20.9542, P < 0.0001) and heavier (F(1, 857) = 585.7293, P < 0.0001) at the Botanical Gardens than at Maden Dam, respectively. The study showed that tubers are an important life stage of S. platyphylla populations and may vary in size and abundance between and within sites. The tuber feeding weevil was shown to develop from egg to ovipositing adult within just over 40 days. Females were recorded to lay up to 48 eggs within a period of one week. Impact studies showed that adult feeding led to a reduction in all but one of the 11 measured plant growth and developmental measurements, including a reduction in the mean mass of the above-ground plant material (F(2,2743) = 12.05, P = 0.002) as well as a reduction in size and abundance of tubers (F(2,58.47) = 9.756, P = 0.0006) and stolons(F(14.943) = 8.7577, P = 0.003). These results are encouraging and suggest that if the insect is released in South Africa, it may prove to be a valuable biocontrol agent. It is concluded that, until suitable biological control options become available in South Africa, the chemical and mechanical control measures currently implemented should continue, however, controlling tubers should be considered during the planning and implementation of these strategies. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2021
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Date Issued: 2021-10

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An evaluation of agricultural extension as a measure to improve broad-based Black economic empowerment in -the Eastern Cape Province: the case of orTambo District Municipality.

- Mambila, Lawrence Nzimeni

Authors: Mambila, Lawrence Nzimeni
Date: 2021-05
Subjects: Food security , Agricultural extension work , Land tenure
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21333 , vital:48486
Description: This research evaluates the extent to which broad-based black economic empowerment has been achieved as a result of the implementation of different agricultural · extension programmes in Mthatha. The overall analysis and interpretation of the findings imply that to a significant extent, broad-based black economic empowerment has been_ achieved as a result of the implementation of different agricultural extension programmes in Mthatha. This is attributable to the fact that as much as some of the respondents disagreed, most of the - 97 sampled farmers were also ·found to agree that the implementation of different agricultural extension programmes in Mthatha has influenced increased farm ownership by black farmers increase in land ownership by black farmers, the development of farming skills of black farmers and increased embracement of agriculture, as a business. Some of the sampled 97 farmers also acknowledged that such agricultural extension programmes have influenced improvement in productivity and production to boost the socio-economic development of the communities in Mthatha, expansion of numerous employment opportunities .to catalyse increase in sources of income for communities in Mthatha and improvement in food security to leverage the economic independence of communities in Mthatha. However, despite some significant progress, findings imply that there are challenges that are marring the achievement of broad-based black economic empowerment. It emerged from the findings that challenges of implementation of agricultural extension programmes, as mechanisms for achieving broad-based black economic empowerment in Mthatha, arise from lack of financial capital, poor support from government, low motivation among the population and emergence of natural calamities such as stronger sunshine that causes draught. To address the above challenges, the survey explored the opinions of the participants on intervention measures that can be undertaken. The survey results indicated that measures used for ensuring that the implementation of agricultural extension programmes impact on the improvement of broad-based black economic empowerment encompass constant training and visit by agricultural specialists from Mthatha Department of Agriculture, the use of ordinary farmers as trainers, encouragement of farmers to form groups, as a basis for training community members and frequent intervention from the district, if needed. , Thesis (MCom) (Development Studies) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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Date Issued: 2021-05

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The implementation of strategies which could develop multiplicative reasoning of learners in grade 5 mathematics classrooms

- Pansegrouw, Michelle

Authors: Pansegrouw, Michelle
Date: 2021-04
Subjects: Mathematics--Study and teaching (Elementary) , Interaction analysis in education -- South Africa , English language--Study and teaching (Elementary)
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54684 , vital:47215
Description: This research study explored whether the use of strategies such as the development of exploratory talk; the practice of number talks, and the possible development of growth mindsets during a four-week multiplicative reasoning intervention could improve the multiplicative reasoning skills of grade 5 learners in one urban school in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. This study is located within the social constructivist paradigm. The theory of social constructivism and communities of practice were applied when implementing the intervention lessons. The strategies implemented assisted the learners to create their own knowledge in a social constructivist setting, where the knowledge was created through social interaction and discussions. The data collected and analysed from the pre-tests and post-tests has indicated that the learners’ multiplicative reasoning skills have improved. This is evident when looking at the gains from the pre-test to the post-test. Based on the analysis of episodes of interaction among the students, it is evident that a progression of using exploratory talk has occurred from lesson 1 through to lesson 4 of the intervention. During the number talk interventions, the learners engaged in exploratory talk and indications of the development of growth mindsets were evident. At the end of the intervention the learners had not only shared their ideas, but also engaged in questioning one another’s ideas until they could mutually agree upon an answer for the problem at hand. Unfortunately, due to the time constraints caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, the effect of the development of growth mindsets could not be fully implemented and tested during the multiplicative reasoning intervention. Further research will have to be conducted in order to determine definitively the effects of these strategies on multiplicative reasoning ability of grade 5 mathematics learners. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Education, 2021
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Date Issued: 2021-04

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The utilisation of performance management system for effective provision of services: a case study of the Greater Taung Local Municipality

- Edward, Keikanetswe Angelina

Authors: Edward, Keikanetswe Angelina
Date: 2021-04
Subjects: Personnel management -- South Africa -- North-West
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52508 , vital:43682
Description: Many rural municipalities are facing challenges in service delivery, and the Greater Taung Local Municipality(GTLM) is no exception. The performance management system plays a pivotal role in the improvement of service delivery and for this to be realised, there are elements that contribute negatively to the system which are a threat and if not managed properly, the aims and objectives of the development would not be possible. The main challenges in the way of implementation of a performance management system, according to the findings, are that the service delivery department of the municipality does not fully comply with the system, non-implementation of the system and/or inadequate skills and knowledge of employees. The aim of the study is to evaluate the utilisation of performance management in the provision of effective service delivery in the Greater Taung Local Municipality. The literature review of performance management has guided the researcher and enables her understanding of performance management system implementation. The main objectives of the research study are therefore to:  To determine the purpose of performance management;  To determine ways in which performance management improve an employees’ skills and performance;  To assess the application of performance management policy at the Greater Taung Local Municipality; and  To determine how performance management by the Greater Taung Local Municipality assists in service delivery. A qualitative research method was used to collect data in a form of questionnaires and a literature review, which includes e.g. legislation, policies, journals, books, newspaper articles etc. This method guided the researcher to control the data received by communicating the meaning of what had been learnt during the process of data analysis. The main recommendations of this research study are that more needs to be done in defining the performance management system to employees so that there can be a proper understanding and that a senior official’s perception of the system needs to change. Training would provide the necessary skills for employees to carry out their tasks, thereby meeting the developmental goals of the municipality. In conclusion, the implementation of the research recommendations in this study would improve the utilisation of performance management system and provide effective service delivery in the Greater Taung Local Municipality. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, 2021
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Date Issued: 2021-04

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Upwelling over submarine canyons: an in-situ and modelling approach

- Rautenbach, Gustav

Authors: Rautenbach, Gustav
Date: 2021-04
Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Oceanography -- Research -- South Africa
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52078 , vital:43442
Description: The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, located along the coastline of northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), hosts South Africa's only tropical coral reef system and is clustered with submarine canyons. These ecosystems support a flourishing diving and pelagic sportfishing industry in the area that contributes tens of millions of rand to the South African Gross Domestic Profit (GDP) annually as well as to provide income and job security for the majority of the local residents. Understanding the oceanographic dynamics, particularly upwelling events, will improve current knowledge of how the ecosystem works and may enhance conservation techniques. The upwelling events within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park results in the influx of cold and nutrient rich waters that supports biological productivity in the area. The complex oceanography, dominated by the Northern Agulhas Current and mesoscale eddies that stem from the Mozambique Channel and South East Madagascar Current (SEMC) is understudied and lacks understanding. This thesis aims to build upon the current knowledge of the upwelling events over the submarine canyons and the concurrent influence on the Mixed Layer Depth (MLD). At the submarine canyons, six anomalous cooling events were identified from surface and subsurface measurements extracted from the Operational Sea Surface Temperature and Ice Analysis (OSTIA) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and from data collected using Underwater Temperature Recorders (UTRs) over a 12-month period. Depth-integrated lagged correlations showed a 2-to-7-hour lag period from the deep to shallow stations, suggesting that the anomalous cooling events are in fact upwelling events. Wind measurements from the Mbazwana Weather Station and snapshots of sea-level anomalies illustrated that the weaker and shorter upwelling events are driven either by alongshore wind stress or a cyclonic eddy event solely; whereas the stronger event was driven by the combination of both forcing mechanisms. An idealized canyon ocean model is used to interrogate the two forcing mechanisms more fully and showed that the most intense upwelling events are driven by the combined effect of upwelling-favourable alongshore wind stress and a cyclonic eddy which results in strong upward vertical velocity anomalies and the greatest shallowing (6.88 m) of the MLD. With the contribution of the in-situ measurements as a baseline study it is apparent that the idealised model does provide an improved understanding of the upwelling events and forcing mechanism over the submarine canyons within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Ocean Sciences, 2021
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Date Issued: 2021-04

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