Decent work and informal employment: the case of Bulawayo Metropolitan Province (Central Business District) Zimbabwe
- Authors: Bob, Shaka Keny
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Labor -- Zimbabwe , Informal sector (Economics) -- Zimbabwe , Job creation -- Zimbabwe , Poor -- Zimbabwe -- Employment , Labor policy -- Zimbabwe , Football coaches -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/115241 , vital:34104
- Description: Zimbabwe, similar to other developing countries experiences a high level of informal employment. However, most informal jobs are situated in very poor working conditions and are characterised by decent work deficits. Despite the fact that various studies have shown the importance of the informal economy in that it provides livelihood earning opportunities for the majority of people in the Global South, it has remained a largely forgotten sector in policy making in most countries. It is, therefore, important that informal work be taken seriously and efforts must be made to improve working conditions for the urban working poor in the developing world. The purpose of this study is to investigate on the self-reported experiences of informal workers to understand their perspectives surrounding the concept of decent work in the Zimbabwean context. The case study is the Bulawayo metropolitan province, and this study targeted informal workers who trade within the central business district. The study also aimed to measure the decent work deficit scores between two economic sectors (food and clothing traders). This was done by testing the suitability of the Edward Webster Decent Work Deficit Index as a methodology of measuring decent work at a micro level. The analysis is based on a mixed methods study which was carried out through the use of a semi-structured survey. The study revealed that decent work for the sampled informal workers meant work related improvements, insurances and risk management, right of expression and business advancement skills which closely resembles the International Labour Organisation's conceptualisation of decent work. The study also highlighted that childcare assistance and disability insurance are concepts which remained excluded in the current conceptualisation of decent work. The thesis offers a new policy angle which shows that to promote decent work the concept of heterogeneity must be adopted because inequalities persist within the informal economy. The study also suggested that the Edward Webster Decent Work Deficit Index can be used as an appropriate methodology of monitoring the progress towards achieving decent work at the micro level i.e. industry or individual level. This is because since the formation of the decent work concept; the International Labour Organisation has only provided a methodology of how to measure the progress of decent work at the county level. The survey findings revealed that food vendors scored more poorly on the decent work deficit index compared to the clothing traders. The study also identified that food vendors and clothing traders are faced with different challenges which suggests that policy makers must take that into consideration when attempting to design policies or programmes which are aimed at assisting informal workers.
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Inhalable particulate systems for anti-tubercular drug delivery
- Authors: Nkanga, Christian Isalomboto
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/37966 , vital:24720
- Description: Tuberculosis (TB) is a deadly infectious microbial disease that is currently dominating public health concerns. Among the pharmacological issues in the management of TB are the poor bioavailability of some anti-TB drugs, mostly due to the fast first-pass metabolism, and high drug load needed for combination therapy. These result in a lengthy treatment with several adverse effects causing decreased patient compliance. These factors often lead to the therapeutic failure and promote the development of drug resistant strains, justifying the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies. Liposomes are lipid-based particulate vehicles known to be the most clinically appointed drug carriers currently. Liposomal systems are reported to be rapidly engulfed by macrophages - where the mycobacterium often resides. This makes liposomes appropriate vehicles for targeted anti-TB drug delivery. Many research groups have reported the potential of liposomes systems to deliver anti-TB drugs. However, the costly formulation status of liposomes, due the use of expensive synthetic or highly purified natural phospholipids, is a limitation to the treatment of a poverty related infectious disease like TB. The aim of this study was to design and develop liposomes for pulmonary delivery of anti-TB drugs using crude soybean lecithin (CL) and its purirified version. CL is an FDA- approved naturally occurring phospholipid mixture that is quite cheap and readily available. Various liposome batches were prepared using a film hydration method and characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Liposomes composed of CL and cholesterol (Chol) in a 3:1 mass ratio were selected for drug encapsulation based on the following characteristics: polydispersity index (PDI, 0.28), mean particles sizes (PS, 502 nm) and zeta potential (ZP, -56 mV). Isoniazid (INH) was encapsulated as a model drug using a freeze-thaw loading technique and an HPLC method was validated for quantitative analysis. The physicochemical properties of INH-loaded liposomes were comprehensively investigated using thermal, microscopy and spectroscopic techniques. This formulation showed a high encapsulation efficiency (%EE) of 78%, much better than the liposomes made from purified lecithin, 20%. Other characteristics of INH- loaded liposomes, which make them attractive for pulmonary TB therapy, are presented in this dissertation. These include a controlled release of 50% of the encapsulated INH over 12 hours. Finally, rifampicin (RIF) was added as a hydrophobic model drug and several evaluations were conducted on these dual drug-loaded liposomes. Of particular interest, it was noted that the dual drug-loaded liposomes made of CL alone showed the highest %EE (59% for INH and 90% for RIF) compared to those containing Chol or those made of purified lecithin. Surprisingly, the average PS of the dual CL-based liposomes (1114 nm) was in the size range reported for optimum deep lung deposition and macrophage uptake. In addition, the mean ZP of these liposomes (-63 mV) seems to be favourable for their shelf stability and internalization by macrophages. Overall, these findings show that the dual CL-based liposomes developed would be promising for macrophage-targeting pulmonary delivery of anti-TB drugs.
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Biofuels and rural development: A case study of the Mapfura-Makhura Incubator and small-scale farmers in the Limpopo Province
- Authors: Mothupi, Frans Makwena
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/1488 , vital:20062
- Description: The primary objective of the study is to examine the livelihood impact of biofuel production on small-scale rural farmers participating in the MMI project in the local districts in Limpopo province. The study is theoretically underpinned by the sustainable livelihoods framework which provides a nuanced analysis of the complex nature of poverty and livelihoods. The framework was used to examine how MMI as a structure with its own processes (incubator model) plays a role in creating a means for farmers to have more access to livelihood assets which would help them achieve improved livelihoods outcome. The findings of this study reflect what has already been articulated in literature about small-scale biofuel projects. This study shows that MMI’s incubator plays an important role for 73% of the farmers to access all of the livelihood assets and ultimately improving their farm income and food security. Furthermore, 90% of the participants admitted to have received support from MMI in a number of ways. This includes the provision of farming inputs, labour and access to markets in addition to training, mentoring and coaching. The study also found that despite the overwhelming support, both MMI and farmers face a number of challenges. Farmers still lack adequate farming inputs, transport, access to markets and vulnerability to natural disasters. MMI faces challenges in raising funds to provide inputs to all their incubatees and lack of adequate mechanization. Lack of transportation affects both farmers and MMI in that farmers find it difficult to access MMI service. In the same light, MMI has found it difficult to reach farmers for post-incubation, coaching and mentoring or delivering inputs; this can be challenging and a costly process. MMI’s biofuel production project has the capability for improving rural livelihoods through agriculture. The study concludes by recommending that MMI should improve its own capacity in order for them to better the lives of the farmers they assist. This study is significant for contributing to a field which has received less academic and research attention in South Africa. Its scholarly contribution will enhance the existing body of knowledge on biofuels and rural development in South Africa
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Mesopredator release and the effectiveness of camera traps for estimating mammal abundances in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Taylor, Jonathan Michael
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3587 , vital:20527
- Description: Remotely operated cameras (camera traps) have become an indispensable tool for many ecologists, particularly those studying rare and elusive animals. A plethora of camera trap makes and models are now commercially available, yet the effects of their varying design features on the quality and quantity of data recorded remains principally unknown. Better understanding of differing camera trap designs is needed before adequate management policies can be implemented, especially when the aim is to protect vulnerable and endangered species such as many carnivores. Habitat loss and human conflict has prompted worldwide declines of apex predator populations. Following this, many smaller predators have undergone population ‘explosions’ due to the lack of top-down forcing, a phenomenon known as mesopredator release. Land use changes in the Eastern Cape of South Africa have caused extensive degradation and fragmentation of the Subtropical Thicket Biome. In addition, coupled with anthropogenic persecution, apex predators including lions (Panthera leo), leopards (P. pardus), and brown hyaenas (Hyaena brunnea) have been extirpated from large areas of their historic range. Removal of these apex predators may provide opportunity for mesopredators, such as black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) and caracals (Caracal caracal), to be released from top-down forcing and possibly initiate trophic cascade effects. Therefore, using randomly distributed camera traps, my study aimed to explore the quality and quantity of data collected by different camera trap designs, and to investigate the mesopredator release hypothesis in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. A total of 2,989 trap nights was used to compare camera trap designs. Camera traps with narrow detection zones and fast trigger speeds (≤ 0.25 seconds) recorded a higher diversity of carnivores, but there was no significant difference in the relative abundances of carnivore species recorded by different camera trap models. A total of 19,659 trap nights was used to assess mesopredator relative abundance, occupancy, distribution and daily activity patterns at one site with, and one site without, apex predators. Consistent with the mesopredator release hypothesis, black-backed jackal relative abundance was significantly higher in the absence of apex predators, and this was supported by occupancy analyses. Further, black-backed jackal distribution was significantly concentrated in areas where apex predator activity was low, possibly indicating spatial avoidance. There was no significant difference in caracal relative abundance, occupancy, distribution, or daily activity between sites. These results provide the first indication of mesopredator release of blackbacked jackals in the Eastern Cape. The implications of black-backed jackal release including prey population structure, local extinctions, altered seed dispersal and disease dynamics are discussed.
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Selfhood, identity and madness in the works of Milan Kundera and Peter Carey
- Authors: Graven, Ashley Holm
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3904 , vital:20554
- Description: Despite all the critical attention Milan Kundera’s and Peter Carey’s fiction has received, relatively little has been said about the way in which these authors problematise selfhood. In this study, I argue that these two writers share a preoccupation with the strictures placed on the individual by his/her location in language and discourse. I show that they deconstruct subjectivity with a view to intimating the possibility of momentarily transcending discursive control, and thereby inhabiting authentic selfhood. In addition, I demonstrate that both authors draw attention to the nature of language through their thematisation of madness, and I then trace the implications of this nexus between language and madness for the reader, who of course is a subject in language. My contention in this regard is that Carey and Kundera seek to instil in the reader a self-reflexive awareness of the ways in which his/her location in language shapes his/her perception of others. In turn, this awareness charges the reader with the responsibility of questioning his/her judgements, and thereby enables him/her to negotiate a measure of authenticity from his/her position in language.
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Study into the synthesis, characterisation and applications of Vanadium-based metal organic frameworks, using 1, 2, 4, 5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid
- Authors: Feldmann, Wesley
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/55245 , vital:26680
- Description: This study focussed on the synthesis, characterisation and catalytic application of synthesised vanadium-based Metal-Organic Frameworks using 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid as a ligand. A number of synthetic methods were tested in multiple attempts to synthesise a V-MOF, these included; ambient, gel, reflux and solvothermal methods of synthesis. Two products of interest were identified, an ambient synthesis produced a vanadium-based complex with the empirical formula: V2O2(Na2H2B4C).6H2O (RU-V2) and a solvothermal synthesis produced a MOF with the empirical formula: V2O2(H2O)2(B4C) (RU-V1). Both products were characterised using elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray powder diffraction. The catalytic activity of these products was tested, alongside the activity of the solid decavanadate ion, for the conversion of cyclohexene to cyclohexene oxide. The decavanadate ion was included to determine if the ion was catalytically active in the solid state, to potentially be used in the construction of a future MOF or V-complex. The reaction for the conversion of cyclohexene to cyclohexene oxide was chosen, as it has been previously conducted using a V-MOF and was found to be successful. The product of the reaction, the epoxide: cyclohexene oxide, is a very useful precursor for a number of reactions involved in the pharmaceutical industry, so developing catalysts which are able to convert cyclohexene to the epoxide with high yields and selectivities are well sought after in industry. The results of the catalytic reactions were varied, as the materials exhibited high yields and selectivities to the epoxide, but these results were only obtained when water was present in the reaction mixture. Water was able to bring about the cleavage of the bonds between the metal and ligand in a highly coordinated framework, at a faster rate than other solvents, such as decane. This ultimately leads to the structural decomposition of the entire complex or framework, depending upon the reaction time. The use of water was a double edged sword in that it was required to initiate the catalytic reaction, but was also the reason that the catalytic materials were noted to decompose over time. The solid decavanadate ion was only noted to exhibit homogeneous activity by dissolving into the small volume of water present in the reaction mixture. The study proved that using a multidentate ligand such as 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid yielded products which were highly coordinated in nature and would therefore not have large open spaces associated with them, which is commonly observed with other MOFs. Instead the closed nature of the synthesised complexes and frameworks offered a different environment for catalytic reactions, where the small pores/channels had a controlling and inhibiting effect on the reaction. The conversion of cyclohexene to the epoxide is accompanied with a number of undesired side products, so when using the synthesised closed-natured MOF, it was found that there was a greater selectivity for the epoxide over other potential products. This indicates that close natured MOFs may find application in catalytic reactions which require high selectivities for a particular product.
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An investigation into how Zimbabwe's Bulawayo viewers negotiate the gay storyline in Generations
- Authors: Khumalo, Senziwani
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Generations (Television program) , Homosexuality on television , Homosexuality -- Social aspects -- Zimbabwe -- Bulawayo , Homosexuality -- Law and legislation -- Zimbabwe , Homophobia -- Zimbabwe -- Bulawayo , Social psychology -- Zimbabwe -- Bulawayo
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3543 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017784
- Description: This study seeks to evaluate how aspects of religion, culture, political context, education and class, amongst others, impact on the manner with which Zimbabwe’s Bulawayo residents make sense of media messages which explore issues of homosexuality, as encountered in the soap opera Generations. This is against the backdrop of Zimbabwean legislation, such as the Sexual Deviancy Act, which criminalises homosexuality and the state victimisation of gays and lesbians in this country. The inclusion of homosexual liberties was rejected by all political parties and both public and private media in the recent drafting of a new rule of law. The legislation, including gay rights exclusion in the new constitution, and state action has perpetuated an impression that Zimbabwe is a deeply homophobic society. As a starting point the study examines the claims of the media imperialism thesis which supposes an all-consuming power of western media and next examines Straubhaar’s thesis of ‘cultural proximity’ which argues that there is often a preference for regional media, which is proximate to viewers’ local culture, language and identity. The study explores the prominence of South Africa as a regional media player and that proximate identities with some cultures in that country have played a role in drawing some Bulawayo viewers to South African television, as they feel slighted by Zimbabwean media. Utilising qualitative research methods, the study explores whether or not the representation of gay images on this South African soap opera provides viewers with opportunities for ‘symbolic distancing’. The concept highlights that when people have insight into lifestyles that are different from their own, they use that as a resource to critically analyse their own lives and cultural understandings. The study evaluates if Bulawayo viewers’ sentiments towards homosexuality has been challenged and changed through their interface with the soap opera, Generations.
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Characterization and application of phthalocyanine-magnetic nanoparticle conjugates anchored to electrospun polyamide nanofibers
- Authors: Ledwaba, Mpho
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54610 , vital:26593
- Description: This work presents the syntheses, photophysical and photochemical characterization of zinc tetracarboxyphenoxy phthalocyanine (ZnTCPPc, 3) and its gadolinium oxide nanoparticle conjugate (4). By means of spectroscopic and microscopic characterization, the conjugation of the ZnTCPPc to the silica coated gadolinium oxide nanoparticles (Si-Gd2O3 NPs, 2) through an amide bond was confirmed. The thermal stability, morphology, nanoparticle sizes and their conjugates with the Pc were studied using ThermoGravimetric Analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and powder X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Conjugation of ZnTCPPc to the magnetic nanoparticles, proved to have a negligible effect on the photophysical parameters of the phthalocyanine, where a slight decrease in fluorescence and triplet quantum yields and lifetimes was observed. The singlet oxygen quantum yield, however, increased slightly upon conjugation, suggesting that the overall efficiency of the ZnTCPPc as a photosensitizer had improved. Physical mixing of the ZnTCPPc and the silica-coated gadolinium nanoparticles also showed an improvement in the singlet oxygen quantum yield and triplet lifetime, also showing an enhanced efficiency for the photosensitizer and therefore photocatalysis. ZnTCPPc (3) alone and the Pc-gadolinium oxide nanoparticle conjugate (4) were therefore electrospun into nanofibers to create a solid support. The fibers were characterized and their diameter sizes and composition was studied confirming the incorporation of the phthalocyanine and gadolinium oxide nanoparticle. Increased singlet oxygen generation resulted in increased Photodegradation of the environmental pollutant Orange G and the fibers were found to be more efficient as photocatalysts compared to the photosensitizer in solution. The nanomaterial may therefore be applied to the photodegradation of Orange G.
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Distribution of iron-titanium oxides in the vanadiferous main magnetite seam of the upper zone : Northern limb, Bushveld complex
- Authors: Gwatinetsa, Demand
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Igneous rocks -- South Africa -- Bushveld Complex , Sulfide minerals -- South Africa -- Bushveld Complex , Vanadium -- South Africa -- Bushveld Complex , Titanium dioxide -- South Africa -- Bushveld Complex , Ferric oxide -- South Africa -- Bushveld Complex , Geology -- South Africa -- Bushveld Complex , Mineralogy -- South Africa -- Bushveld Complex , Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5063 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013281
- Description: The main magnetite seam of the Upper Zone of the Rustenburg Layered Suite (SACS, 1980) on the Bushveld Complex is known to host the world‘s largest vanadium bearing titaniferous iron ores. The vanadiferous titanomagnetites, contain vanadium in sufficient concentrations (1.2 - 2.2 per cent V₂O₅) to be considered as resources and vanadium has been mined historically by a number of companies among them Anglo-American, Highveld Steel and Vanadium and VanMag Resources as well as currently by Evraz Highveld Steel and Vanadium Limited of South Africa. The titanomagnetites contain iron ore in the form of magnetite and titanium with concentrations averaging 50-75 per cent FeO and 12-21 per cent TiO₂. The titaniferous iron ores have been historically dismissed as a source of iron and titanium, due to the known difficulties of using iron ore with high titania content in blast furnaces. The economic potential for the extractability of the titaniferous magnetites lies in the capacity of the ores to be separated into iron rich and titanium rich concentrates usually through, crushing, grinding and magnetic separation. The separatability of iron oxides and titanium oxides, is dependent on the nature in which the titanium oxide occurs, with granular ilmenite being the most favourable since it can be separated from magnetite via magnetic separation. Titanium that occurs as finely exsolved lamellae or as iron-titanium oxides with low titania content such as ulvospinel render the potential recoverability of titanium poor. The Upper Zone vanadiferous titanomagnetites contain titanium in various forms varying from discrete granular ilmenite to finely exsolved lamellae as well as occurring as part of the minerals ulvospinel (Fe₂TiO₄) and titanomagnetite (a solid solution series between ulvospinel and magnetite) . Discrete ilmenite constitutes between 3-5 per cent by volume of the massive titanomagnetite ores, and between 5-10 per cent by volume of the magnetite-plagioclase cumulates with more than 50 per cent opaque oxide minerals. The purpose of this research was to investigate the mineralogical setting and distribution of the iron and titanium oxides within the magnetitite layers from top to bottom as well as spatially along a strike length of 2 000m to determine the potential for the titanium to be extracted from the titanomagnetite ores. The titanomagnetites of the Upper Zone of the Bushveld Complex with particular reference to the Northern Limb where this research was conducted contains titanium oxides as discrete ilmenite grains but in low concentrations whose potential for separate economic extraction will be challenging. The highest concentration of titanium in the magnetite ores is not contained in the granular ilmenite, but rather in ulvospinel and titanomagnetite as illustrated by the marked higher concentration of TiO₂ in the massive ores which contain less granular ilmenite in comparison to the disseminated ores which contain 3 to 8 percentage points higher granular ilmenite than the massive ores. On the scale of the main magnetite seam, the TiO₂ content increases with increasing stratigraphic height from being completely absent in the footwall anorthosite. The V₂2O₅ content also increases with stratigraphic height except for in one of the 3 boreholes where it drops with increasing height. The decrease or increase patterns are repeated in every seam. The titanomagnetites of the main magnetite seam display a variety of textures from coarse granular magnetite and ilmenite, to trellis ilmenite lamellae, intergranular ilmenite and magnesian spinels and fine exsolution lamellae of ulvospinel and ferro-magnesian spinels parallel to the magnetite cleavage. The bottom contact of the main magnetite seam is very sharp and there is no titanium or vanadium in the footwall barely 10cm below the contact. Chromium is present in the bottom of the 4 layers that constitute the main magnetite seam and it upwards decreases rapidly. In boreholes P21 and P55, there are slight reversals in the TiO₂ and V₂O₅ content towards the top of the magnetite seams.
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Kedibone
- Authors: Mokae, Sabata Paul
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) -- Research -- South Africa , Creative writing -- Fiction , South African fiction (English) -- Study and teaching (Higher) , South African fiction (English) -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:6000 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020883
- Description: A young woman from a rural village near Kimberley is killed by her husband in a fit of jealousy. Her illiterate mother is summoned to the hospital to authorize the removal of vital organs – eyes, liver, kidney and heart – for organ donation. But some members of the family feel that their child should not be buried with parts of her body missing. Thus begins a story that changes the lives of many people, both black and white, over the following twenty years.
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Synthesis and characterization of NaYGdF4 upconversion nanoparticles and an investigation of their effects on the spectroscopic properties of two phthalocyanine dyes
- Authors: Taylor, Jessica Mary
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54621 , vital:26594
- Description: Sphere and star shaped NaYGdF4:Yb/Er(Tm) upconversion nanoparticles were successfully synthesized utilizing a methanol assisted thermal decomposition approach and their chemical, spectroscopic and fluorescence properties were fully characterized. In addition, their influence on the spectroscopic and fluorescence properties of two phthalocyanines (Pcs) (unsubstituted tetrathiophenoxy phthalocyanine (H2Pc) and aluminium octacarboxy phthalocyanine (Cl)AlOCPc) was investigated. Upconversion nanoparticles were found to produce characteristic upconversion fluorescence emissions in the blue, green, red and NIR regions and were also shown to possess paramagnetic properties. Simple mixing with an H2Pc in toluene was found to exert no change on the spectroscopic or fluorescence properties of the Pc while covalent conjugation to a (Cl)AlOCPc resulted in a large Q band blue shift accompanied by a decrease in fluorescence lifetimes in DMSO. The red light excitation mediated singlet oxygen generation of the H2Pc mixed with upconversion nanoparticles was investigated and singlet oxygen fluorescence lifetimes were found to decrease in the presence of the nanoparticles. Upconversion mediated singlet oxygen generation, by way of resonance energy transfer to the Pc, was also attempted using 972 nm excitation; however, no singlet oxygen was detected utilizing singlet oxygen NIR emission detection. Pending further work using alternative singlet oxygen detection methods, this suggests that while upconversion nanoparticles possess excellent fluorescent imaging capabilities, they are relatively inefficient in inducing singlet oxygen production simply when mixed with phthalocyanines. Despite this, by combining phthalocyanines and upconversion nanoparticles, we present a system capable of: multimodal imaging, using both upconversion and phthalocyanines emissions, singlet oxygen generation, via direct excitation of the phthalocyanine with red laser light, and, possibly, magnetic resonance imaging, as a result of doping the upconversion nanoparticles with Gd3+ ions.
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“Exploring barriers to citizen participation in development: a case study of a participatory broadcasting project in rural Malawi”
- Authors: Mtelera, Prince
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Political participation -- Malawi , Malawi -- Citizen participation , Citizen journalism -- Malawi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3539 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016360
- Description: In Malawi, as in many newly-democratic countries in the developing world, donor organisations and NGOs have embarked on projects aimed at making reforms in governance which have generated a profusion of new spaces for citizen engagement. This thesis critically examines one such project in Malawi against the backdrop of a democratic nation emerging from a background of dictatorial regime. For thirty years, until 1994, Malawi was under the one-party regime of Kamuzu Banda which was characterised by dictatorial tendencies, in which participatory processes were non-existent and development was defined in terms of client-patronage relationships between the state and society (Cammack, 2004: 17). In 1994, however, Malawi embraced a multiparty system of government, paving way to various political and social reforms, which adopted participatory approaches to development. Drawing on a number of literatures, this thesis seeks to historicize the relationship which developed during the pre democracy era between the state and society in Malawi to underscore its influence on the current dispositions displayed by both bureaucrats and citizens as they engage in participatory decision making processes. This is achieved through a critical realist case study of a participatory radio project in Malawi called Ndizathuzomwe which works through a network of community-based radio production structures popularly known as ‘Radio Listening Clubs’(RLCs) where communities are mobilised at village level to first identify and define development problems through consensus and then secondly engage state bureaucrats, politicians, and members of other relevant service delivery organisations in making decisions aimed at resolving community-identified development problems (Chijere-Chirwa et al, 2000). Unlike during the pre-democracy era, there is now a shift in the discourse of participation in development, from the participation of ‘beneficiaries’ in projects, to the more political and rights-based definitions of participation by citizens who are the ‘makers and shapers’ of their own development (Cornwall and Gaventa, 2000). The findings of this thesis, however point to the fact that, there remains a gap between normative expectations and empirical realities in that spaces for participation are not neutral, but are themselves shaped by power relations (Cornwall, 2002). A number of preconditions exist for entry into participatory institutions as such entry of certain interests and actors into public spaces is privileged over others through a prevailing mobilisation of bias or rules of the game (Lukes, 1974: I)
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Crossing the border : constructions of borderline personality disorder within the South African context: a discourse analytic study
- Authors: Elphick, Marie-Clair
- Date: 2013-07-12
- Subjects: Borderline personality disorder -- South Africa Borderline personality disorder -- Diagnosis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3184 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008307
- Description: This research aims to open up for critical discussion the effects of the discourses employed by mental health professionals in relation to the diagnosis of BPO, with a view of questioning the discursive practices available within a South African context. This discussion will situate identified discourses in relation to the subjects and objects to which it refers in an attempt to identify and interrogate dominant discourses which circulate to oppress and discriminate against female 'others' within the mental health setting. This discussion will serve to challenge mainstream, traditional psychology by questioning the utility of deploying these concepts within a South African context as well as the effects this deployment may have. A discourse analytic methodology is employed to identify the constructions of BPO by five mental health professionals working within a government setting. The analysis aims at interrogating the broader role of the identified discourses in supporting institutions, preserving power relations and transmitting ideological practices. Ultimately the aim of the research is to open up for critical debate, through the example of psychology and psychiatry's treatment of BPO; constituted as 'other', the possibility that there may be deleterious consequences for the wholesale acceptance of traditional psychological understandings by mental health professionals working within a South African context. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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The integration of pre-primary education into three mainstream primary schools in the Khomas Region in Namibia: implications for management and leadership
- Authors: Poulton-Busler, Richardine Masoline
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Education, Preschool -- Namibia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1388 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001581
- Description: One of the goals for Namibia’s Vision 2030, through ETSIP (2005‐2015), is to establish a preprimary year in primary schools for all children aged 5‐6 to be developed first in schools serving the poorest population and OVCs. ECD is widely recognised as having a significant impact on the subsequent learning of children. The high failure and dropout rate in grade 1 made this process an important one. In 2008 the integration of ECD became a reality in five schools in the Khomas region of Namibia. At present there are 29 pilot schools in the Khomas region 29 schools, and 504 in the whole of Namibia. According to the MoE all primary schools should have a preprimary class as ECD has been recognized as a key contributor to positive outcomes in schools. This study sought to investigate various stakeholders’ experiences and views of the integration of pre‐primary into mainstream pre‐primary schooling. The goal was to investigate the management and leadership implications of this integration. The study is an interpretive case study of three pilot primary schools. The research design made provision for data collection through semi‐structured interviews, focus groups and document analysis. The main finding was that, despite numerous challenges, principals are positive about the integration of pre‐primary. There is a sense of appreciation of the importance of pre‐primary. Principals adopt participative and collegial management approaches in leading their schools towards becoming learning organisations. The study also uncovered several significant challenges, such as the need for more training and the provision of infrastructure to make the process more effective.
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The protection of indigenous knowledge within the current intellectual property rights regime: a critical assessment focusing upon the Masakhane Pelargonium case
- Authors: Msomi, Zuziwe Nokwanda
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Intellectual property -- South Africa -- Case studies Cultural property -- Protection -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Indigenous peoples -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa Masakhane (South Africa) -- Trials, litigation, etc. Pelargoniums -- Therapeutic use Traditional ecological knowledge -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Pharmaceutical industry -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2871 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007744
- Description: The use of indigenous knowledge (IK) and indigenous bio-resources by pharmaceutical and herbal industries has led to concerns about the need to protect IK in order to prevent biopiracy and the misappropriation of indigenous knowledge and resources. While some commentators believe that intellectual property rights (IPR) law can effectively protect IK, others are more sceptical. In order to contribute to the growing debate on this issue, this study uses the relatively new and as yet largely critically unanalysed Masakhane Pelargonium case to address the question of whether or not IPR law can be used to effectively protect IK. It is argued here that discussion about the protection of IK is a matter that must be located within broader discussions about North-South relations and the continued struggle for economic and political freedom by indigenous people and their states. The Masakhane case suggests that IPR law in its current form cannot provide sufficient protection of IK on its own. Incompatibilities between IPR law and IK necessitate that certain factors, most important of which are land, organised representation, and what are referred as 'confidence and network resources', be present in order for IPR law to be used with any degree of success. The study also reveals various factors that undermine the possibility of using IPR law to protect IK. In particular, the study highlights the way in which local political tensions can undermine the ability of communities to effectively use IPR law to protect their knowledge. The thesis concludes with several recommendations that will enable indigenous communities and their states to benefit more substantially from the commercialisation of their bio-resources and associated IK.
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The use of the van Hiele theory in investigating teaching strategies used by grade 10 geometry teachers in Namibia
- Authors: Muyeghu, Augustinus
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Hiele, Pierre M. van Kilpatrick, Jeremy Geometry -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia Mathematics teachers -- Training of -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1817 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003703
- Description: This study reports on the extent to which selected mathematics teachers facilitate the teaching and learning of geometry at the van Hiele levels 1 and 2 at a Grade 10 level in selected schools in Namibia. It also addresses and explores the teaching strategies teachers employ in their classrooms. Kilpatrick et al.’s model for proficient teaching and the van Hiele model of geometric thinking were used to explore the type of teaching strategies employed by selected mathematics teachers. These two models served as guidelines from which interview and classroom observation protocols were developed. Given the continuing debate across the world about the learning and teaching of geometry, my thesis aims to contribute to a wider understanding of the teaching of geometry with regard to the van Hiele levels 1 and 2. There are no similar studies on the teaching of geometry in Namibia. My study concentrates on selected Grade 10 mathematics teachers and how they teach geometry using the van Hiele theory and the five Kilpatrick components of proficient teaching. As my research looks at teaching practice it was important to deconstruct teaching proficiency with a view to understanding what makes good teachers effective. The results from this study indicated that the selected Grade 10 mathematics teachers have a good conceptual understanding of geometry as all of them involved in this study were able to facilitate the learning and teaching of geometry that is consistent with the van Hiele levels 1 and 2.
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Understanding the differences in marking performance of JSC mathematics markers in Namibia : a case study
- Authors: Mutuku, Elizabeth
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Educational change -- Namibia , Mathematics -- Namibia -- Examinations -- Case studies , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Namibia -- Case studies , Grading and marking (Students) -- Namibia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1999 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015223
- Description: Education reform in Namibia brought about changes to mathematics education since independence. This has put pressure on the government to provide both resources and qualified mathematics teachers to help drive the reform process in all teaching and learning activities. This included availing reliable and valid national examination results which is a measure of whether the newly introduced programmes are working or not. For the Ministry of Education this meant training more mathematics teachers and ensuring that competent and reliable teachers are appointed for marking national examination every year. The teachers' training process however, has not been going as fast as it was expected and year after year the Directorate of National Examinations and Assessment experienced problems in obtaining competent teachers for the marking of national examination. The purpose of the study was to understand the differences in marking performances of the JSC mathematics national examination markers. Particularly the study was to create a clear and detailed understanding of different factors that could possibly affect the marking performance of different markers. In addition, the study was to investigate the effect the mathematical content knowledge of the markers has on their marking performance. It was evident from the findings that their mathematical content knowledge had influenced their marking performance. Moreover the research findings also gave a strong indication that there are other factors that were influencing the markers marking performance. These were the markers' knowledge of the assessment and marking process, the markers' marking experience, the markers' socioeconomic background. The difference in their moderators' input has emerged as the other factors that have influenced their performance in marking and consequently contributed to the differences in their marking performances.
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An investigation into the perceived effects of a school management/leadership training programme in the Ondangwa East Education Region of Namibia
- Authors: Udjombala, Josia S
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Ondangwa School principals -- Namibia -- Ondangwa School management and organization -- Namibia -- Ondangwa School principals -- Training of -- Namibia -- Ondangwa School improvement programs -- Namibia -- Ondangwa Action research in education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1848 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004447
- Description: The study set out to investigate the perceived effects of the Leadership Development Programme, a two-years training programme for school principals in the Ondangwa East Educational Region of Namibia. The objective has been to find out whether the training curriculum and content were related to what participating principals thought they needed to help them to do their work better, and improve their schools. Data were collected through interviews with two of the first group of nine principals who have completed the training. The study has found that the Leadership Development Programme helped the participating principals to experience personal changes and professional growth. Through the process of participatory action research, the Leadership Development Programme has been able to bring together theory and practice. It has also helped the principals to recognize their responsibility for planning, implementing and evaluation of action, and problem solving initiatives in their schools. The study has also found that the Leadership Development Programme recognized, and therefore applied, the element of experiential/adult learning. Although the Programme has had its basic core curriculum, its content and training process have been flexible in the sense that the Programme tried first to establish what participants knew, and then assisted them to gain a new and enquiring perspective on their knowledge and practice, which helped them to become reflective practitioners. While the study could not establish with a degree of certainty as to what extent the principals have taken up the processes of the training Programme in their schools, it has, however, found that there are many positive changes brought in about schools during the time the training was running. Secondly, while the study could obviously not establish a direct link between every change and the inputs made by the training Programme, it concluded, however, that the Programme at least brought about changes in the mindsets of principals, which were conducive to teaching and learning. What was important, though, was the question of how many of the initiatives were still bearing fruit three years after the training has taken place.
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Development of the South African monetary banking sector and money market
- Authors: Patel, Aadil Suleman
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: South African Reserve Bank , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Money market -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa , Monetary policy -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Financial institutions -- South Africa , Money -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:997 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002732 , South African Reserve Bank , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Money market -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa , Monetary policy -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Financial institutions -- South Africa , Money -- South Africa
- Description: This thesis presents a theoretical analysis of developments in the South African monetary banking sector and money market. In the first section, evolution of the political, social and economic environments over the past few decades are discussed to provide the reader with an idea of some factors responsible for the underdeveloped nature of this market. It has been argued that the domestic political and economic landscape is relatively stable. Nevertheless, factors such as Zimbabwe’s political and ensuing economic turmoil, coupled with numerous financial crises in other developing nations have had negative consequences on domestic financial market development and economic growth. The current state of monetary policy is also analysed, within the economic environment, and various policy considerations have been put forth concerning the inflation targeting policy. The thesis then goes on to scrutinise the statutory and institutional environments within which the monetary banking institutions operate. Recent changes in the regulations governing the operations of these institutions are identified, together with the consequences of such laws on banking institutions and possible amendments have been suggested. In particular, a system of Asset Based Reserve Requirements (ABRR) has been recommended, in place of the current cash reserve requirement, to ensure regulators create a level playing field in the financial sector. The system can also provide authorities with the necessary control required to direct funds to the most desirable sectors of the economy. Development of the interbank market and the effect of reduced banking competition on the efficacy of the South African Reserve Bank’s refinancing operations and inflation targeting policy are also considered. Finally, the thesis analyses some effects of financial development on the South African economy, and whether it is in the best interests of the country to pursue financial reforms with such vigour. While financial development may bring South Africa closer to international standards of best practice, the timing and extent of the reforms will be critical to guarantee success.
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An investigation into whether a leadership and management development project changed the perceptions of the educators in a black, disadvantaged school
- Authors: Jaftha, A P
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: University of Port Elizabeth -- Institute for Development Planning and Research Delta Foundation -- Centres of Learning School management and organization -- South Africa Educational leadership -- South Africa Educational change -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1620 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003502
- Description: This study investigates whether a leadership and management development programme changed the management perceptions of the teachers of one of the schools that participated in the programme. The programme seeks to change the organisational culture of schools and develop effective management. The development philosophy of the programme is informed by literature on school effectiveness, organisation development, whole school development and systemic change. My research is conducted in the interpretive paradigm. Interpretive researchers view reality a construct of the human mind, and therefore the way people perceive the world is not necessarily the same since there can be different understandings of what is real. I employ convenience sampling to select the school and purposive sampling to identify my research participants. Whilst overall impression that the data conveys is that much of the programme does not seem to have had a lasting effect on the culture of the school, it nonetheless made an impression on the teachers’ perceptions of management. There clearly seems to be a greater appreciation of participative management processes. The reintroduction of proper prior planning played a decisive role in re-establishing sound work ethics at the school and contributes to a more structured approach to events at the school. Some sort of organisational learning has also been introduced at the school. The realisation on the part of the staff that they now have their destiny in their own hands is an especially critical development. And whilst the vision is not a compelling force in the organisation, it has nevertheless produced some strategic focus at the school. The insights and skills they acquired concerning resource management will also stand them in good stead.
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