List of Titles

Potential futures: land management decision making in the Albertinia-Herbertsdale area of the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve

- Johnson, Ryana Elizabeth Milne

Authors: Johnson, Ryana Elizabeth Milne
Date: 2024-10-11
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/464823 , vital:76548
Description: Land use change drives biodiversity losses, and UNESCO biosphere reserves serve as laboratories for solving complex problems in the uncertain Anthropocene geological era. Land users' decisions form turning points for land use, biodiversity conservation and future trajectories of land management. This qualitative study used grounded theory, one-on-one interviews and a futures thinking workshop to explore land user decision making in the mixed agricultural Herbertsdale- Albertinia area of the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve. The study included participants using a variety of land management approaches, ranging from conservation to intensive agriculture. This study found that land managers in the study area interact with multiple complex social-ecological systems, and land management outcomes can be unpredictable for diverse reasons. Informed by learning and risk mitigation as well as their motivation for their present and future, land users are integrating sustainable land management practices in their commercial land management decisions. Their risk adaptation strategies tend to be hands on, independent and practical, as well as action oriented. This can be limiting when adaptation requires abstract, collective or systemic changes. All the participants know that they are dependent on natural resources. They all value their community and social networks. They have a strong appetite for learning, and combine an understanding of the historical context of their land management with an understanding that positive futures will require dynamic and extensive changes at multiple scales. They desire more integrated land use planning at catchment and landscape scales. Collaboration and collaborative strategies emerged as important pathways to the desired future. These include landscape level planning, lobbying for political and legal change, building community, learning, sustainable land management and social integration. It emerged that giving people time to think about abstract or large scale issues is appreciated, and not currently routine. This provides a potential leverage point for collaborative environmental stewardship in this highly biodiverse region. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Environmental Science, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-10-11

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The link between behavioural plasticity and aerobic scope phenotypes in predicting the survival of Chrysoblephus laticeps under climate variability

- Bailey, Lauren Ashleigh

Authors: Bailey, Lauren Ashleigh
Date: 2023-03-29
Subjects: Chrysoblephus laticeps , Phenotypic plasticity , Fishes Climatic factors , Fishes Physiology , Fishes Behavior , Respirometry , Anthropocene , Thermal tolerance (Physiology)
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/422606 , vital:71961 , DOI 10.21504/10962/422606
Description: Thermal variability in the marine environment is likely to have a considerable effect on fishes as it impacts physiological performance and vital (i.e metabolism, foraging and swimming style) and non-vital (i.e. reproductive fitness) energetic processes. When fish are subjected to thermal stress, they may primarily respond by changing their behaviour. Species that have broad phenotypic behavioural plasticity (i.e. defined as the ability to adjust behavioural activity in presiding environmental conditions in order to remain within their optimal thermal range) may have a competitive advantage. Fish behavioural plasticity may take many forms. Some species may seek out thermal refugia by changing their phenology or distribution, while others alter the timing of their seasonal and spawning migrations in response to a changing environment. Although fishes can use behavioural changes to cope with climate change impacts, there does appear to be variability in the behavioural responses within species. However, if alterations in behaviour are insufficient to ensure that the individual remains within their optimal thermal range, physiological acclimation (i.e. defined as the process in which an organism adjusts to prevailing conditions by broadening their thermal performance curve so that their performance is maximized in the new thermal environment) may be required. Therefore, there is a critical link between the behaviour and thermal physiology of fishes, particularly in a world where they are facing increasing thermal stress. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-03-29

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Development of a crumb rubber adsorbent for the sorption of lead and copper from waste water: Optimization of sorption in a binary component system

- Hlabana,Relebohile Gladys

Authors: Hlabana,Relebohile Gladys
Date: 2022-12
Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59688 , vital:62356
Description: Waste tyre is becoming a global environmental problem due to challenges in its disposal management and the fact that it poses fire hazards and metal leaching risk. Waste tyre can also breed mosquitos if it traps water thereby becoming an environmental health problem. There is also a portion of unused tyre in a waste tyre that is valuable and should be recycled. In South Africa waste tyre recycling is in three industries, one of which is crumb rubber where waste tyre is applied into various sized particles called crumb rubber. Crumb rubber can be applied in environmental remediation as an organic and inorganic pollutants’ adsorbent. Considering the fact that South Africa’s environment is loaded with heavy metal pollutants due to contributions by mining and agriculture as examples, it is postulated that crumb rubber produced in South Africa could be used to remediate the environment of these toxic metals. In this study adsorption of Pb (II) and Cu (II) from the synthetic waste water using waste tyre crumb rubber produced in South Africa was studied. Crumb rubber was activated using aqueous NaOH (0.02%) to make crumb rubber wettable followed by it being treated with 0.02 % acidified KMnO4 for modification of its ability to sorp positively charged metal species. Trial sorption experiments on 50 mg / L Cu (II) were successful with sorption of over 70% in 250 minutes. Final optimization of the sorption of combined Pb (II) and Cu (II) was studied using a full factorial design and optimum conditions of sorption were found to be pH 5.4; [metal] 0.617 mmol / L for Pb (II); and pH 5.4; the optimization of Cu (II) was found to be pH 5.4; [metal] 0.777 mmol / L. In Pb (II) sorptions the mechanism of adsorption on the activated crumb rubber was found to be following the Freundlich model indicating that the adsorption seemed to occur on a multilayer adsorbent, while the mechanism of copper(II) adsorption on to the activated crumb rubber was found to be following Langmuir model, indicating that the adsorption seemed to occur on a monolayer. With adsorption percentages ranging from 98.2 % to 100.0 %, for Pb (II), the crumb rubber produced under the conditions of this study, can be used in South Africa for selective removal of Pb (II). , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2022
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Date Issued: 2022-12

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The influence of societal marketing on green products consumer awareness in Polokwane City, South Africa

- Kutama, Zwannda Norman

Authors: Kutama, Zwannda Norman
Date: 2022-12
Subjects: Markets-Social aspects , green consumerism , Marketing, Polokwane City -- South Africa
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , Thesis
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:62370
Description: Rapid economic growth has resulted in excessive consumption of natural resources, which has intensified the deterioration of the ecological environment. There have been increasing public and consumer concerns about environmental issues, which has resulted in an increasing demand for green products. Despite these concerns, businesses in South Africa are not adequately utilising the societal marketing concept to influence consumer awareness of green products. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the influence of societal marketing on consumer awareness of green products in South Africa. A survey-based method was used to test a theoretically grounded set of hypotheses. Convenience sampling was used to select respondents for the study and data was collected using a 64-item online questionnaire issued to 410 respondents in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 26.0, was used to analyse data, through descriptive, spearman rank order correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, independent sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The empirical results revealed that respondents’ perceptions of the items in the 6 P’s marketing scale and the consumer awareness five factor model were positive overall. Results of the reliability test revealed that all the reported Cronbach Alpha values (0.51 - 0.71) were above the recommended guideline value of 0.7, or at least, 0.5 in the early stages of research, an indication that the constructs were reliable. All the means of the constructs seemed reasonable. With the exception of product, the results of the spearman rank order correlation analysis revealed that the correlations between price, promotion, policy and partnership with consumer awareness of green products were practically significant (r = 0.50) and practically visible (0.30). Furthermore, with the exception of product, results of the regression analysis revealed a positive significant relationship between price, place, promotion, policy and partnerships with regard to consumer awareness of green products. This implies that price, promotion, policy and partnership significantly influence consumer awareness of green products. There was no significant difference between gender, age, area of residence and level of income with regard to consumer awareness of green products. With regard to the v level of education, results of the one-way ANOVA revealed a practically visible difference between the means of respondents with high school education and vocational education or its equivalent (d=39), a Bachelor’s (d=46) and Master’s degree or higher (d=42). This is an indication that consumers with vocational education or its equivalent, a Bachelor’s, Master's degree, or a higher qualification, were more aware of green products compared to those with a high school level of education. This research provides valuable insights into consumer awareness of green products in South Africa, with emphasis on the influence of societal marketing on consumer awareness of green products. Thus, there is a need for modern-day organisations to consider societal marketing as one of the organisation's competitive marketing strategies to influence society’s awareness of recent environmental challenges, and the benefits of consuming eco-friendly products. Recommendations with regard to areas for future research are provided in the study. , Thesis (MCOM) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, 2022
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Date Issued: 2022-12

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Appropriation or appreciation: assessing cultural adoption in terms of diverse conceptions of otherness

- Manona, Lungelo Samkelo

Authors: Manona, Lungelo Samkelo
Date: 2022-04
Subjects: cultural appropriation , Fashion--Moral and ethical aspects
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55657 , vital:53404
Description: Reciprocal, cross-cultural adoption of “symbols, artefacts, rituals, genres, and/or technologies” (Rogers 2006: 477) is an everyday phenomenon in today’s highly mediated popular culture. Increasingly, however, instances of cultural adoption are coming under the spotlight of media scrutiny, and are generating public outcry, as alleged forms of exploitative ‘cultural appropriation’. In an overly easy counter-argument it may be insisted rather that cultural adoption is a form of affirmative ‘cultural appreciation’. The question arises of how cultural theorists, as well as media practitioners and media consumers may usefully assess contentions instances of cultural adoption. How does a person decide whether an instance of cultural adoption is unacceptable ‘cultural appropriation’ or acceptable ‘cultural appreciation’? It is especially important to answer this question with regard to postcolonial societies (such as South Africa), where ingrained power imbalances make it easy for instances of cultural adoption to silence, exploit, misrepresent, or offend and in this way “exacerbate inequality and marginalization” (Matthes 2018: 1003). By contrast, affirmation of cultural identity and cultural heritage through respectful cultural adoption can play a significant role in fostering social cohesion. This study aims, firstly, to address the theoretical problem of how to assess contentious instances of cultural adoption, by contributing to the development of a systematic, but non-binary, theoretical framework, that will help cultural theorists and others to justify critical assessments regarding cultural adoption and make recommendations about whether or not they should be condoned. Secondly, it aims to test the application of this theoretical framework through the critical analysis of a selected instance of cultural adoption. The study is situated in the field of cultural studies, which falls within the broader domain of media studies. The research is cross-disciplinary in nature. A preliminary literature review supports the research hypothesis that a systematic theoretical framework for justifying critical assessments regarding cultural adoption can be developed from the complex concept of ‘Otherness’. Text-based, theoretical research will be conducted to elaborate on this proposed framework. Further, media products will be critically analysed in terms of this framework, to test and potentially modify it. No interviews will be conducted, and no ethics clearance is needed for this research. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Media and Communication, 2022
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Date Issued: 2022-04

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Developing a socio- ecological framework for the restoration of estuaries using the Swartkops Estuary as a case study

- Tsipa, Vusumzi

Authors: Tsipa, Vusumzi
Date: 2022-04
Subjects: Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Swartkops River Estuary , Ecosystem
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59622 , vital:62208
Description: The aim of this study was to develop and test a socio-ecological systems framework for the restoration of estuaries in South Africa using the Swartkops Estuary as a case study. This necessitated a review of existing SES frameworks that have been developed for use in other disciplines. As part of the newly developed framework, the Swartkops estuary condition was assessed using the Estuary Health Index to understand the present ecological state (PES) of the estuary following from the last assessment done in 2013/2014. The Estuary Health Index is a nationally accepted method of measuring the health of South African estuaries. The state of the societal system was assessed through field observations, engagements with estuary users on-site, insights provided by the Zwartkops Conservancy, and from recent literature. The potential for restoration of habitats for the purpose of carbon storage was also assessed as part of this study. The suitability of disturbed habitats for stimulating future salt marsh growth was investigated since an important incentive for restoration is blue carbon storage. This is important as blue carbon ecosystems offer great potential as a climate change mitigation measure through their ability to sequester carbon. This was done by evaluating plant cover and sediment characteristics at sites along the length of the estuary representing disturbed and undisturbed areas. The estuarine health score for the Swartkops Estuary was found to be 47 out of 100 translating to a PES Category D (largely modified estuary). The main problem in the estuary is water quality along with habitat loss and resource exploitation. The three Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTWs) located upstream of the estuary are the main drivers behind the decline in estuary health in addition to other threats to the water quality which are stormwater run-off inputs from the Motherwell canal and Markman canal. This study showed that the health of the estuary is on a negative trajectory towards a largely degraded estuary. Fishing, bait collection and the use of spiritual sites are the dominant vii ecosystem services used at the estuary. Through the assessment of the state of the societal system, the estuary was highlighted to be a major food source for many people living close to the estuary through subsistence fishing and bait collection for selling to recreational fishers. The estuary is also a health hazard to the very same people that depend on it for survival because of the poor water quality particularly high metal inputs from past and present nearby industrial activities. Restoration plans need to be developed in consideration of the estuary status quo that includes the societal system and the ecosystem services provided by the estuary. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
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Date Issued: 2022-04

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Ifuthe lenkolo yobuKristu kulwimi lwesiXhosa

- Mwanda, Siyasanga Pulani

Authors: Mwanda, Siyasanga Pulani
Date: 2021-12
Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54511 , vital:46617
Description: Le ngxongxo iza kuthi ithethe ngefuthe lenkolo yobuKristu kulwimi lwesiXhosa. Akuyomfihlo ukuba ulwimi luthi lukhule okanye ludodobale ngenxa yendlela abantu bolwimi abaphila ngayo notshintsho oluthi lubekho kwindlela abaphila ngayo. AmaXhosa ke athi nawo aziswa kwinkolo yobuKristu. Le ngxoxo iza kuthi icacise ngokuthe gca ithiyori yeSimiyotiki esisiseko sesi sifundo, idakance iizimvo zeengcali zeSimiyotiki, ize ke iveze amagama amatsha ayengekho esiXhoseni mhla mnene, intsusa yalamagama nentsingiselo yawo. Okwesibini izakuthi ivelele intsingiselo yemiqondiso neempawu zobuKristu negalelo lazo kulwimi lwesiXhosa. Okokugqibela iza kuthi iveze izaci namaqhalo esiXhosa angobuKristu. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Language, Media and Communication, 2021
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Date Issued: 2021-12

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Exploring an effective energy transition management framework for the South African energy sector

- Lloyd, Vuyisile Patrick

Authors: Lloyd, Vuyisile Patrick
Date: 2021-04
Subjects: Energy development -- South Africa , Business planning -- South Africa , Power resources -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51753 , vital:43369
Description: The global energy transition slowed in 2019 according to the Energy Transition Index report from World Economic Forum, and South Africa (SA) was ranked one hundred and fourteenth out of the one hundred and fifteen countries assessed South Africa thus demonstrated low results in both the energy system performance index and the readiness for energy transition. A range of countries are also facing challenges that are central to the transformation of the energy sector, including protecting the environment, energy security and climate change. These persistent global crises and problems experienced by the energy sector in relation also to scarcity of natural resources, widening social inequalities and environmental degradation, have necessitated reforms and transitions in the energy sector. This study follows an interpretivism research philosophy because it is more suitable for a qualitative research methodology. The strategy of case study research is related to the paradigm of interpretivism approach and thus to the methodology of qualitative research. Various research strategies are used to gain in-depth knowledge, including the use of a case study research methodology to investigate a particular natural setting phenomenon. The research methodology with the embedded sub-units of analysis uses a single case study instrument. The primary unit of analysis considered for this study is the energy sector in South Africa in its current state. For this study, semi-structured interviews are utilised as the research instrument forming the primary data. Transition management and research propositions as conceptualised in this case study are theoretical concepts that management could use to positively influence the South African energy transition. SA is seriously impacted by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic since the beginning of 2020. The online research approach used resulted in some limitations during data collection, not being able to conduct interviews face-to-face and inability to observe participants during data collection. The researcher also found limitations on accessing data from some of the energy experts recruited to participate in the research. Some reported being busy and not having time to fill out the questionnaires. The researcher carried out follow-ups and recruited new participants. Primary data was ultimately collected from a total of five energy experts who participated in the study against the initial plan for eight participants. Most energy transition studies have focused almost entirely on energy technologies choices. The research intends to contribute to the body of knowledge and provides solutions for management, government and energy sector stakeholders to build strategies to resolve the complex and persistent challenges that slow down the energy transition in South Africa. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences , Business Administration, 2021
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Date Issued: 2021-04

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Synthesis and in vitro biological evaluation of 2,3-substituted quinoline derivatives

- Bokosi, Fostino Raphael Bentry

Authors: Bokosi, Fostino Raphael Bentry
Date: 2020
Subjects: Quinoline , Malaria Chemotherapy , Tuberculosis Chemotherapy , African trypanosomiasis Chemotherapy
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163193 , vital:41017
Description: The urgent need for new systemic pharmacological entities prompted us to report a library of 2,3-substituted quinoline derivatives. Considering the ubiquity of quinoline-containing compounds in pharmacologically active small molecules, synthesized 2,3-substituted quinoline derivatives were in vitro biologically evaluated for their potential antitubercular, antimalarial and antitrypanosomal activities. Quinoline scaffold was achieved by the Vilsmeier-Haack methodology, affording synthetically useful chloro and formyl substituents on C-2 and C-3 respectively. These two substituents acted as handles in expanding the chemical space around the quinoline ring. Target compounds were synthesized in six to seven steps, employing conventional synthetic organic protocols adapted from various literature. The final compounds were accessed in moderate to good yields. The structural identity of each compound was confirmed by common spectroscopic techniques. Aryl quinoline carboxamide derivatives 3.113 – 3.126 were isolated as rotamers, hence, Variable-Temperature Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (VT-NMR) was employed in resolving 1H splitting. At elevated temperature (~328 K); N-methylene carbons were not visible on 13C NMR due to signal line broadening effects. The presence of these nuclei in such cases was, however, supported by 2-dimensional NMR and high-resolution MS data. Most of the compounds achieved in this study displayed promising antimalarial activity against chloroquine-sensitive 3D7 strain of Plasmodium falciparum compared to antitrypanosomal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei 427 strain. In particular, compounds 3.80 and 3.108 showed superior activity against chloroquine-sensitive 3D7 P. falciparum strain with IC50 values < 1 μM. More importantly, most of the compounds were non-toxic as determined by HeLa cells, indicating their selectivity towards the parasites. Exploring the space provided on the quinoline scaffold revealed that methoxy incorporation on C-2 is very critical in enhancing antimalarial activity of this class of quinoline compounds. The preliminary SAR of compounds 3.57 – 3.72 showed that compounds containing the 3-cinnamate exhibited enhanced antimalarial activity compared to 2 and 4-cinnamates. Finally, benzamide compounds 3.113 − 3.126 showed poor activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain with only compounds 3.113, 3.117 – 3.120 and 3.126 showing appreciable MIC90 values in the range of 40 – 85 μM. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2020
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Date Issued: 2020

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Professional, personal and corporate ethics challenges during infrastructure delivery

- Dyariwe, Abongile

Authors: Dyariwe, Abongile
Date: 2015-01
Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53300 , vital:45131
Description: Purpose of this treatise: This study is aimed at investigating whether there is a lack of professional- and, personal ethics, and a lack of enforcing corporate ethics from the Built environment professionals working for Eskom ECOU. Design/methodology/approach: The research approach used for the study was mainly quantitative. The quantitative methods used were descriptive and non-parametric statistical methods (Kruskal- Wallis Test and Mann-Whitney U Test). The selected sample for the study was categorised as internal stakeholders (i.e. employees that are permanently employed by Eskom) and external stakeholders (i.e. people that are employed by Eskom on a contract basis as quantity surveying, project management and engineering consultants) The scope of the study was to determine whether there are professional-, personal- and corporate ethical challenges in client organisations. A literature review was conducted; and all the relevant literature relating to professional-, personal- and corporate ethics in client organisations was collated, and then used to develop a questionnaire. The questionnaires were distributed to internal and external stakeholders, who were involved during infrastructural delivery in client organisations, in order to acquire different views on ethical perceptions. The data obtained from the questionnaires were analysed, and used to test if the hypotheses were supported or not. Findings: The findings of this study revealed that the demographic profile does not have any significant influence on the ratings of internal and external stakeholders’ perceptions of the lack of professional and personal ethics – or on the enforcement of corporate ethics. Furthermore, this study also revealed that there is no significant difference in the ethical perceptions of internal and external stakeholders, on the enforcement of a professional and corporate ethical culture. Lastly, only in the personal ethics section there is a significant difference in ethical perception. In relation to the statement of the problem, the findings of this study revealed that internal and external stakeholders’ lack of professional- and personal ethics and the enforcement of corporate ethics are largely unknown. Research limitations: This study was limited to only Built environment professionals (including service providers) working for Eskom ECOU. Practical implications: The study revealed that there are ethical challenges in client organisations, even though they might be largely unknown. This clearly shows that construction industry professionals are all susceptible to unethical behaviour. Therefore, Eskom ECOU should refrain from only focusing on unethical behaviour by contractors and consulting firms; and it should also look at the client’s Built environment professionals; because there is evidence that they are also suspect during infrastructural delivery. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Information Technology, School of the Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2021
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Date Issued: 2015-01

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