Mobile money adoption: a case study of Zimbaweans residing in South Africa
- Authors: Chimusoro, Anna
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Mobile commerce Financial institutions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Business Management)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13326 , vital:39634
- Description: A mobile phone has become an essential tool for both social and economic development in various countries around the world. For Zimbabweans residing in South Africa, a mobile phone is a lifeline to support family and relatives back home through Eco-cash mobile money service. With the assistance of mobile commerce applications, consumers are able to use their devices for financial transactions, taking pictures, videos and accessing social networks. As such, a mobile phone can be used for a myriad of functions other than communication purposes. These innovative technological developments in the telecommunications sector have also empowered businesses to improve on their efficiency and effectiveness. However, the challenge remains for consumers to adopt these innovations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the factors influencing the adoption of mobile money (Eco-cash) by Zimbabweans residing in South Africa. The study also established if perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived risk, perceived trust, social influence and facilitating conditions influence the intention to adopt mobile money (Eco-cash). The research adopted the TAM, extended TAM and UTAUT constructs to develop a theoretical model. A quantitative, descriptive research approach was applied to the study. Both primary and secondary sources were utilised in the collection of data. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 377 respondents through convenience and snowballing sampling methods in East London. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 software packages was utilised to analyse the data. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and multiple linear regression analysis (MLR) statistical techniques were employed to interpret the findings. The study found significant relationships on perceived ease of use, perceived trust, perceived risk, perceived usefulness, social influence and user intention. No significant relationship was found between facilitating conditions and user intention. The study recommends that MNOs design mobile money systems that are user-friendly and simple to use. Furthermore, MNOs and mobile money agents can offer value added services to attract more consumers to use their services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Chimusoro, Anna
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Mobile commerce Financial institutions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Business Management)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13326 , vital:39634
- Description: A mobile phone has become an essential tool for both social and economic development in various countries around the world. For Zimbabweans residing in South Africa, a mobile phone is a lifeline to support family and relatives back home through Eco-cash mobile money service. With the assistance of mobile commerce applications, consumers are able to use their devices for financial transactions, taking pictures, videos and accessing social networks. As such, a mobile phone can be used for a myriad of functions other than communication purposes. These innovative technological developments in the telecommunications sector have also empowered businesses to improve on their efficiency and effectiveness. However, the challenge remains for consumers to adopt these innovations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the factors influencing the adoption of mobile money (Eco-cash) by Zimbabweans residing in South Africa. The study also established if perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived risk, perceived trust, social influence and facilitating conditions influence the intention to adopt mobile money (Eco-cash). The research adopted the TAM, extended TAM and UTAUT constructs to develop a theoretical model. A quantitative, descriptive research approach was applied to the study. Both primary and secondary sources were utilised in the collection of data. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 377 respondents through convenience and snowballing sampling methods in East London. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 software packages was utilised to analyse the data. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and multiple linear regression analysis (MLR) statistical techniques were employed to interpret the findings. The study found significant relationships on perceived ease of use, perceived trust, perceived risk, perceived usefulness, social influence and user intention. No significant relationship was found between facilitating conditions and user intention. The study recommends that MNOs design mobile money systems that are user-friendly and simple to use. Furthermore, MNOs and mobile money agents can offer value added services to attract more consumers to use their services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The effects of managerial competencies on the performance of small and medium enterprises in Makana Municipality
- Authors: Ncube, Mercy Sibusisiwe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Performance -- Management Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Business Management)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13837 , vital:39716
- Description: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a significant role in economic development, poverty alleviation and employment creation in most developing countries. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the effects of managerial competencies on the performance of SMEs in Makana Municipality. The secondary objectives of this study were to ascertain the effect of teamwork competencies on the performance SMEs, to establish the effect of global awareness competencies on the performance of SMEs, to investigate the effect of strategic action competencies on the performance of SMEs, to establish the effect of selfmanagement competencies on the performance of SMEs, and to establish the effect of communication competencies on the performance of SMEs. The study followed a quantitative research approach. Data was collected using survey method by way of self-administered questionnaires, which were distributed to a sample of 96 SMEs’ owners and managers in Makana Municipality. It was found that communication competencies, planning competencies, self-management competencies, and global awareness competencies have an effect on the performance of the SMEs in Makana Municipality. However, teamwork competencies and strategic action competencies did not show any effect on the performance of SMEs in Makana Municipality. The study concluded that managerial competencies have an effect on the performance of SMEs. Recommendations were provided to the government, local municipality as well as to the SME owners and managers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Ncube, Mercy Sibusisiwe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Performance -- Management Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Business Management)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13837 , vital:39716
- Description: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a significant role in economic development, poverty alleviation and employment creation in most developing countries. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the effects of managerial competencies on the performance of SMEs in Makana Municipality. The secondary objectives of this study were to ascertain the effect of teamwork competencies on the performance SMEs, to establish the effect of global awareness competencies on the performance of SMEs, to investigate the effect of strategic action competencies on the performance of SMEs, to establish the effect of selfmanagement competencies on the performance of SMEs, and to establish the effect of communication competencies on the performance of SMEs. The study followed a quantitative research approach. Data was collected using survey method by way of self-administered questionnaires, which were distributed to a sample of 96 SMEs’ owners and managers in Makana Municipality. It was found that communication competencies, planning competencies, self-management competencies, and global awareness competencies have an effect on the performance of the SMEs in Makana Municipality. However, teamwork competencies and strategic action competencies did not show any effect on the performance of SMEs in Makana Municipality. The study concluded that managerial competencies have an effect on the performance of SMEs. Recommendations were provided to the government, local municipality as well as to the SME owners and managers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The relationship between exposure to traumatised complainants and secondary traumatic stress among police detective officers
- Authors: Vilakazi, Julias Makhosonke
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Police -- Job stress -- South africa , Traumatic shock -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45668 , vital:38925
- Description: South Africa is faced with high incidents of sexual violence and abuse, affecting a large part of the population either directly or indirectly.Previous studies have shown that a contact with victims of violent crime may cause psychological symptoms of Secondary traumatic Stress (STS) in police officers. Despite this knowledge, there appears to be a lack of studies that focus specifically on police detective officers (PDOs) in South Africa. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between exposure to traumatic complainants and STS among PDOs in the SAPS-FCS unit. Findings: The results have shown that most of the PDOs were exposed to traumatised complainants as they often conduct investigation, testify in court, escort complainants for biopsychosocial services and collect evidence from both complainants and perpetrators. The study further found that most PDOs were experiencing a degree of STS symptoms. Additionally, no significant statistical relationship was found between exposure to traumatised complainants and STS. Nonetheless, there is a statistically significant relationship between type of crimes and STS among PDOs in the SAPS-FCS unit. This study sheds light on how the PDOs are indirectly affected by the crimes experienced by complainants’, such as indecent assault and child molestation. This research can be used as a platform for the development of various interventions with police officials exposed to or affected by indirectly trauma. Future research should investigate other pivotal risks and protective factors such as environmental factors and personal factors that may have impacted on the development of STS in the PDOs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Vilakazi, Julias Makhosonke
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Police -- Job stress -- South africa , Traumatic shock -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45668 , vital:38925
- Description: South Africa is faced with high incidents of sexual violence and abuse, affecting a large part of the population either directly or indirectly.Previous studies have shown that a contact with victims of violent crime may cause psychological symptoms of Secondary traumatic Stress (STS) in police officers. Despite this knowledge, there appears to be a lack of studies that focus specifically on police detective officers (PDOs) in South Africa. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between exposure to traumatic complainants and STS among PDOs in the SAPS-FCS unit. Findings: The results have shown that most of the PDOs were exposed to traumatised complainants as they often conduct investigation, testify in court, escort complainants for biopsychosocial services and collect evidence from both complainants and perpetrators. The study further found that most PDOs were experiencing a degree of STS symptoms. Additionally, no significant statistical relationship was found between exposure to traumatised complainants and STS. Nonetheless, there is a statistically significant relationship between type of crimes and STS among PDOs in the SAPS-FCS unit. This study sheds light on how the PDOs are indirectly affected by the crimes experienced by complainants’, such as indecent assault and child molestation. This research can be used as a platform for the development of various interventions with police officials exposed to or affected by indirectly trauma. Future research should investigate other pivotal risks and protective factors such as environmental factors and personal factors that may have impacted on the development of STS in the PDOs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Exploring teachers’ attitudes to implementing blended learning: a case study
- Authors: Williams, Monique
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Blended learning -- South Africa , Educational technology -- South Africa Education, Higher -- South Africa Internet in education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35829 , vital:33851
- Description: One of the many characteristics of the 21st century learner is that they are highly technologically skilled. This characteristic poses today’s teachers with many challenges in order to teach these learners and create optimal learning experiences. It is evident that teachers have their own preferred teaching methods which they believe work best and some teachers teach the way that they were taught at school in ways that have become part of their habitus. Blended learning is a teaching method that can promote effective learning experiences in the 21st century learning environment. This study focussed on teachers’ experiences with blended learning and their current ideas on how learners learn optimally and whether the practice of blended learning changed their ideas of learning. Furthermore, the study determined the teachers’ present technology acceptance and established teachers’ personal views regarding the challenges that teachers face to teach 21st century skills, what they think 21st century teaching is about and new insights on dealing with these challenges. Through experiencing blended learning teachers who made use of a textbook based teaching method made shifts not only to a blended approach, but also shifted their thinking away from what they prefer to what learners get out of the learning experience. Although challenges occur when using a blended teaching approach, their experiences with blended learning were mostly positive and they found learners to be more involved in the learning process. These outcomes created feelings of worthiness in the teachers since they create such positive learning opportunities for their learners. Although the teachers made shifts, some teachers continue to have a fear of technology since they had not received adequate training to incorporate technology into their teaching approaches. It is crucial for the DBE and schools to provide teachers with opportunities to improve their technological skills in order for teachers to create opportunities for blended learning experiences for the 21st century learner
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Williams, Monique
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Blended learning -- South Africa , Educational technology -- South Africa Education, Higher -- South Africa Internet in education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35829 , vital:33851
- Description: One of the many characteristics of the 21st century learner is that they are highly technologically skilled. This characteristic poses today’s teachers with many challenges in order to teach these learners and create optimal learning experiences. It is evident that teachers have their own preferred teaching methods which they believe work best and some teachers teach the way that they were taught at school in ways that have become part of their habitus. Blended learning is a teaching method that can promote effective learning experiences in the 21st century learning environment. This study focussed on teachers’ experiences with blended learning and their current ideas on how learners learn optimally and whether the practice of blended learning changed their ideas of learning. Furthermore, the study determined the teachers’ present technology acceptance and established teachers’ personal views regarding the challenges that teachers face to teach 21st century skills, what they think 21st century teaching is about and new insights on dealing with these challenges. Through experiencing blended learning teachers who made use of a textbook based teaching method made shifts not only to a blended approach, but also shifted their thinking away from what they prefer to what learners get out of the learning experience. Although challenges occur when using a blended teaching approach, their experiences with blended learning were mostly positive and they found learners to be more involved in the learning process. These outcomes created feelings of worthiness in the teachers since they create such positive learning opportunities for their learners. Although the teachers made shifts, some teachers continue to have a fear of technology since they had not received adequate training to incorporate technology into their teaching approaches. It is crucial for the DBE and schools to provide teachers with opportunities to improve their technological skills in order for teachers to create opportunities for blended learning experiences for the 21st century learner
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Pollution potential of on-site dry sanitation systems associated with the Mzimvubu Water Project, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Mamera, Matthew
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Water resources development Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6038 , vital:29485
- Description: Protecting the environment requires tools that can be used to monitor environmental conditions for proper sustainable management of water resources. The Mzimvubu River is the largest undeveloped river, in the poorest region of South Africa. The South African government announced plans to construct two large storage dams (Ntabelanga and Laleni) in the Tsitsa River, one of the largest tributaries to the Mzimvubu River. The dams and associated infrastructure is termed the Mzimvubu Water Project (MWP). In developing countries like South Africa, several households use pit latrines. Moreover, many people also rely upon untreated groundwater supplies for their drinking water. The shared utilization of both pit latrines and groundwater resources, can lead to human and ecological health risks from microbial and chemical pollutants. These threats can be accelerated due to a permanent rise in the water table associated with dam constructions. Four hillslope sites with pit latrines (MT1, MT2, MT3 and MT4) above 1st order tributaries to the Tsitsa River, in the vicinity of the proposed MWP were chosen for this study. The soils were described and classified at selected locations below the pit latrine and above the tributary. Undisturbed core samples were from representative soil horizons on which hydraulic properties were determined in the laboratory. Samples were also collected to determine the feacal coliform and other bacterial concentrations during a winter and summer period. Mechanistic modelling with Hydrus 2D for a 121 day period was conducted to determine the risk of pollution to surface and groundwater from the various sites. Apedal soils of the Clovelly form dominated upper slopes of MT1 and the lower slopes of MT2. A Clovelly form is hydropedologically termed a recharge soil, as morphological indicators of saturation are absent. Hydromorphic soil properties were observed in the sub-surface B horizons of a Tukulu form in MT1-3 and MT4. High clay contents and strong structure soils of the Sepane form were dominant in MT3. The soils of MT1 and MT2 are relatively sandy with slightly higher hydraulic conductivities compared to MT3 and MT4. In general higher measured faecal coliform concentrations were higher in winter as compared to summer seasons but in most sites both winter and summer seasons had counts < 1 CFU/g. The highest concentrations of total bacteria (9 x 106 CFU/ g soil) was observed in MT3-1. Other sites with potential pollution include MT3-3, with a count above 4 x 104 CFU /g soil in winter and MT1-1 with a count above 2.2 X 104 CFU /g soil in summer. In most of the sites, the E. coli bacteria detections were low (< 1 CFU/g) during both seasons. The highest value in summer of 1.8 x 102 CFU/g was observed in MT3-3 which increased from 1.2 x102 CFU/g in winter. As the soil water flow rate increase the mobility of bacteria increase as well. Hydrus simulations showed that surface water resources are threatened by pollution from MT3 and MT4 due to the prominence of lateral flow. Groundwater pollution is more likely to occur on MT1 and MT2 as the soils are freely drained. Future work should focus on the more direct measurements and modelling of the migration of bacterial pollutants from pit latrines to various water resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mamera, Matthew
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Water resources development Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6038 , vital:29485
- Description: Protecting the environment requires tools that can be used to monitor environmental conditions for proper sustainable management of water resources. The Mzimvubu River is the largest undeveloped river, in the poorest region of South Africa. The South African government announced plans to construct two large storage dams (Ntabelanga and Laleni) in the Tsitsa River, one of the largest tributaries to the Mzimvubu River. The dams and associated infrastructure is termed the Mzimvubu Water Project (MWP). In developing countries like South Africa, several households use pit latrines. Moreover, many people also rely upon untreated groundwater supplies for their drinking water. The shared utilization of both pit latrines and groundwater resources, can lead to human and ecological health risks from microbial and chemical pollutants. These threats can be accelerated due to a permanent rise in the water table associated with dam constructions. Four hillslope sites with pit latrines (MT1, MT2, MT3 and MT4) above 1st order tributaries to the Tsitsa River, in the vicinity of the proposed MWP were chosen for this study. The soils were described and classified at selected locations below the pit latrine and above the tributary. Undisturbed core samples were from representative soil horizons on which hydraulic properties were determined in the laboratory. Samples were also collected to determine the feacal coliform and other bacterial concentrations during a winter and summer period. Mechanistic modelling with Hydrus 2D for a 121 day period was conducted to determine the risk of pollution to surface and groundwater from the various sites. Apedal soils of the Clovelly form dominated upper slopes of MT1 and the lower slopes of MT2. A Clovelly form is hydropedologically termed a recharge soil, as morphological indicators of saturation are absent. Hydromorphic soil properties were observed in the sub-surface B horizons of a Tukulu form in MT1-3 and MT4. High clay contents and strong structure soils of the Sepane form were dominant in MT3. The soils of MT1 and MT2 are relatively sandy with slightly higher hydraulic conductivities compared to MT3 and MT4. In general higher measured faecal coliform concentrations were higher in winter as compared to summer seasons but in most sites both winter and summer seasons had counts < 1 CFU/g. The highest concentrations of total bacteria (9 x 106 CFU/ g soil) was observed in MT3-1. Other sites with potential pollution include MT3-3, with a count above 4 x 104 CFU /g soil in winter and MT1-1 with a count above 2.2 X 104 CFU /g soil in summer. In most of the sites, the E. coli bacteria detections were low (< 1 CFU/g) during both seasons. The highest value in summer of 1.8 x 102 CFU/g was observed in MT3-3 which increased from 1.2 x102 CFU/g in winter. As the soil water flow rate increase the mobility of bacteria increase as well. Hydrus simulations showed that surface water resources are threatened by pollution from MT3 and MT4 due to the prominence of lateral flow. Groundwater pollution is more likely to occur on MT1 and MT2 as the soils are freely drained. Future work should focus on the more direct measurements and modelling of the migration of bacterial pollutants from pit latrines to various water resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The representation of christian ministers in South African media : a study of Uzalo on South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC 1)
- Authors: Mbilase, Khanyisa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Television programs -- South Africa Mass media -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa Mass media -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Communication
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9745 , vital:34909
- Description: This study aimed to evaluate the manner in which Christian Ministers are represented in South African media, a study of Uzalo a South African telenovela airing on SABC1, from Monday to Friday at 20:30 pm. According to the 2017 prime time statistics, the telenovela has attracted more than 9.1 million viewers and with that said the telenovela is assumed to have an extensive impact on the society. The study was conducted at Ntselamanzi village near Alice Town in Raymond Mhlaba Municipality. The study adopted a qualitative method and primary data was collected through focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the selected episodes from the drama. The finding of this study revealed that, Christian Ministers in the telenovela are portrayed to be actively involved in criminal activities which then qualifies them to be associated with crime or be called criminals. The study further revealed that, Christian Ministers have commercialised churches as seen by the continuous mushrooming of churches in society. The study concluded that, the media representations of Christian Ministers were biased and focusing only on portraying Christian Ministers negatively. Lastly, framing and cultivation theories were used to explain how the role of Christian Ministers is crafted and presented to the audiences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mbilase, Khanyisa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Television programs -- South Africa Mass media -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa Mass media -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Communication
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9745 , vital:34909
- Description: This study aimed to evaluate the manner in which Christian Ministers are represented in South African media, a study of Uzalo a South African telenovela airing on SABC1, from Monday to Friday at 20:30 pm. According to the 2017 prime time statistics, the telenovela has attracted more than 9.1 million viewers and with that said the telenovela is assumed to have an extensive impact on the society. The study was conducted at Ntselamanzi village near Alice Town in Raymond Mhlaba Municipality. The study adopted a qualitative method and primary data was collected through focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the selected episodes from the drama. The finding of this study revealed that, Christian Ministers in the telenovela are portrayed to be actively involved in criminal activities which then qualifies them to be associated with crime or be called criminals. The study further revealed that, Christian Ministers have commercialised churches as seen by the continuous mushrooming of churches in society. The study concluded that, the media representations of Christian Ministers were biased and focusing only on portraying Christian Ministers negatively. Lastly, framing and cultivation theories were used to explain how the role of Christian Ministers is crafted and presented to the audiences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Group membership and collective action among small-scale farmers in Nkonkobe Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Arwari, Margaret Kwamboka
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Farmers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8144 , vital:31535
- Description: In South Africa, the organisation of farmers into groups has been a basic tenet for numerous, small and dispersed small-scale farmers to make their voices heard, address challenges and access support services from the government and other development agencies. However, the literature shows that the South African government promotes inappropriate forms of farmer collective action, i.e. collective production. The government seems to lack knowledge on what forms of collective action to implement and support. It is also noted in the literature that in South Africa, the majority of farmers do not participate in farmer organisations. There is limited research on the determinants of membership in farmer organisations, especially in terms of the role of ‘human agency’. Human agency is a concept which is interrelated with the concept of ‘empowerme nt’, whereby a person with strong agency is someone who is an agent of positive change. Therefore, the study sought to address these gaps. The broad objective of this study was to explore the phenomenon of group membership and collective action among small-scale farmers in Nkonkobe Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study used the mixed method approach where an exploratory design was employed. A mult istage sampling technique was used which employed random, purposive and convenience sampling techniques. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 245 farmers using semistructured questionnaires and detailed qualitative data were elicited from 16 farmer organisat ions using interview guides. For the quantitative research, a cross-sectional survey design was employed. After discarded unusable observations, data from 228 farmers were analysed using a combination of descriptive statistics, simple inferential statistics, and econometric analysis. For the qualitative data obtained, thematic analysis was used in line with the study objectives. The study findings show that farmers undertake collective action through farmer organisations. These farmer organisations were categorised into two types, i.e. farmer cooperatives and farmer associations. However, low membership in these farmer organisations is noted and this was attributed to the following: (1) low farmer awareness of the existence of farmer organisations, (2) challenges faced by the organisations that contribute to their ineffectiveness and thus low membership, (3) the prevalence of negative perceptions of farmer organisations due to confusion as to their role, (4) the government’s farmer support approach which compels or encourages farmers to form groups. The results also showed that the following are determinants of participation in farmer organisations: farmer’s age, level of education, human agency, whether a farmer has off-farm income sources, whether a farmer is involved in government supported projects, whether a farmer accesses extension information, the number of visits from extension officers received by a farmer, and the number of adults in a household contributing family labour. The study findings also show that the farmers in farmer organisations have higher human agency compared to those not in farmer organisations. According to the study results, farmer groups offer a number of benefits. For one, farmer organisations are avenues for farmers’ voices to be heard, they lobby government for better access to support services such as credit, input supply, information, and training. In addition, farmers who belong to organisations experience the benefits of collective marketing. Despite the aforementioned benefits of farmer organisations, group challenges are observed. For example, farmer organisations face declining membership, the free rider problem and conflicts between members, have a problem of ineffective, old members and lack of commitment of some group members. It was therefore recommended that there is a need for concerted effort by the government, development agencies, non-governmental organisations, farmers, and farmer organisations to ensure the success of farmer organisations in promoting small-scale agriculture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Arwari, Margaret Kwamboka
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Farmers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8144 , vital:31535
- Description: In South Africa, the organisation of farmers into groups has been a basic tenet for numerous, small and dispersed small-scale farmers to make their voices heard, address challenges and access support services from the government and other development agencies. However, the literature shows that the South African government promotes inappropriate forms of farmer collective action, i.e. collective production. The government seems to lack knowledge on what forms of collective action to implement and support. It is also noted in the literature that in South Africa, the majority of farmers do not participate in farmer organisations. There is limited research on the determinants of membership in farmer organisations, especially in terms of the role of ‘human agency’. Human agency is a concept which is interrelated with the concept of ‘empowerme nt’, whereby a person with strong agency is someone who is an agent of positive change. Therefore, the study sought to address these gaps. The broad objective of this study was to explore the phenomenon of group membership and collective action among small-scale farmers in Nkonkobe Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study used the mixed method approach where an exploratory design was employed. A mult istage sampling technique was used which employed random, purposive and convenience sampling techniques. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 245 farmers using semistructured questionnaires and detailed qualitative data were elicited from 16 farmer organisat ions using interview guides. For the quantitative research, a cross-sectional survey design was employed. After discarded unusable observations, data from 228 farmers were analysed using a combination of descriptive statistics, simple inferential statistics, and econometric analysis. For the qualitative data obtained, thematic analysis was used in line with the study objectives. The study findings show that farmers undertake collective action through farmer organisations. These farmer organisations were categorised into two types, i.e. farmer cooperatives and farmer associations. However, low membership in these farmer organisations is noted and this was attributed to the following: (1) low farmer awareness of the existence of farmer organisations, (2) challenges faced by the organisations that contribute to their ineffectiveness and thus low membership, (3) the prevalence of negative perceptions of farmer organisations due to confusion as to their role, (4) the government’s farmer support approach which compels or encourages farmers to form groups. The results also showed that the following are determinants of participation in farmer organisations: farmer’s age, level of education, human agency, whether a farmer has off-farm income sources, whether a farmer is involved in government supported projects, whether a farmer accesses extension information, the number of visits from extension officers received by a farmer, and the number of adults in a household contributing family labour. The study findings also show that the farmers in farmer organisations have higher human agency compared to those not in farmer organisations. According to the study results, farmer groups offer a number of benefits. For one, farmer organisations are avenues for farmers’ voices to be heard, they lobby government for better access to support services such as credit, input supply, information, and training. In addition, farmers who belong to organisations experience the benefits of collective marketing. Despite the aforementioned benefits of farmer organisations, group challenges are observed. For example, farmer organisations face declining membership, the free rider problem and conflicts between members, have a problem of ineffective, old members and lack of commitment of some group members. It was therefore recommended that there is a need for concerted effort by the government, development agencies, non-governmental organisations, farmers, and farmer organisations to ensure the success of farmer organisations in promoting small-scale agriculture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Mineralogical variation in the basal Upper Zone, Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa: implications for ore genesis and mineral extraction
- Van Huyssteen, Darryn Ashley
- Authors: Van Huyssteen, Darryn Ashley
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5060 , vital:20762
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Van Huyssteen, Darryn Ashley
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5060 , vital:20762
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Post-release evaluation and thermal physiology of the Pereskia stem-wilter, Catorhintha schaffneri (Coreidae), a new biological control agent for Pereskia aculeata (Cactaceae)
- Authors: Muskett, Phillippa Claire
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/36094 , vital:24477
- Description: Catorhintha schaffneri Brailovsky and Garcia (Hemiptera: Coreidae) is a biological control agent that was recently accepted for release in South Africa to control Pereskia aculeata Miller (Cactaceae), an invasive creeping cactus. The aim of this thesis was to conduct post-release research to ensure that C. schaffneri is utilised to its full potential. To achieve this aim, and focus release efforts, the thermal physiology of C. schaffneri was investigated to predict where in South Africa the agent is most likely to establish. These predictions were then tested by releasing the agent at field sites with a wide variety of climatic conditions and evaluating establishment success. When invasive plants invade a wide distribution, made up of areas with different climatic conditions, biological control agents may not establish or be effective throughout the invaded distribution. According to the thermal physiology of C. schaffneri, it is most likely to establish and become effective in the subtropical region of South Africa, along the coast of KwaZulu- Natal. Cold winters, or generally low year-round temperatures, may limit establishment in the more temperate areas of South Africa in the Eastern and Western Cape as well as inland in the Highveld region. These predictions can be used to focus release efforts to climatically suitable regions and stop releases in areas where C. schaffneri cannot survive. Predictions based on thermal physiology may not account for all of the variables which affect establishment. To account for other variables, the establishment of C. schaffneri was tested using closely monitored field release studies. During these studies the effect of other variables such as; microclimate temperature, humidity, precipitation, plant quality and release strategy were considered. Low humidity, precipitation and plant quality appear to affect the establishment of C. schaffneri in the subtropical areas of South Africa. The experiment was conducted during a period of drought, and this may have resulted in lower establishment rates. The most successful release strategy for C. schaffneri was the use of multiple, small releases rather than single releases of the same number of individuals. The field based study was therefore able to improve the biological control of P. aculeata by increasing the chance that each release of C. schaffneri results in establishment. The post-release studies presented in this thesis will increase the impact of C. schaffneri by focussing release efforts to climatically suitable sites, releasing at appropriate times of year and releasing the agent in a manner that increases establishment success. Post-release studies, such as those presented here, can make biological control programmes more efficient and effective.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Muskett, Phillippa Claire
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/36094 , vital:24477
- Description: Catorhintha schaffneri Brailovsky and Garcia (Hemiptera: Coreidae) is a biological control agent that was recently accepted for release in South Africa to control Pereskia aculeata Miller (Cactaceae), an invasive creeping cactus. The aim of this thesis was to conduct post-release research to ensure that C. schaffneri is utilised to its full potential. To achieve this aim, and focus release efforts, the thermal physiology of C. schaffneri was investigated to predict where in South Africa the agent is most likely to establish. These predictions were then tested by releasing the agent at field sites with a wide variety of climatic conditions and evaluating establishment success. When invasive plants invade a wide distribution, made up of areas with different climatic conditions, biological control agents may not establish or be effective throughout the invaded distribution. According to the thermal physiology of C. schaffneri, it is most likely to establish and become effective in the subtropical region of South Africa, along the coast of KwaZulu- Natal. Cold winters, or generally low year-round temperatures, may limit establishment in the more temperate areas of South Africa in the Eastern and Western Cape as well as inland in the Highveld region. These predictions can be used to focus release efforts to climatically suitable regions and stop releases in areas where C. schaffneri cannot survive. Predictions based on thermal physiology may not account for all of the variables which affect establishment. To account for other variables, the establishment of C. schaffneri was tested using closely monitored field release studies. During these studies the effect of other variables such as; microclimate temperature, humidity, precipitation, plant quality and release strategy were considered. Low humidity, precipitation and plant quality appear to affect the establishment of C. schaffneri in the subtropical areas of South Africa. The experiment was conducted during a period of drought, and this may have resulted in lower establishment rates. The most successful release strategy for C. schaffneri was the use of multiple, small releases rather than single releases of the same number of individuals. The field based study was therefore able to improve the biological control of P. aculeata by increasing the chance that each release of C. schaffneri results in establishment. The post-release studies presented in this thesis will increase the impact of C. schaffneri by focussing release efforts to climatically suitable sites, releasing at appropriate times of year and releasing the agent in a manner that increases establishment success. Post-release studies, such as those presented here, can make biological control programmes more efficient and effective.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Post-release evaluation of the biological control programme against Cereus jamacaru De Candolle (Cactaceae), in South Africa
- Authors: Sutton, Guy Frederick
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7982 , vital:21330
- Description: Cereus jamacaru De Candolle (Cactaceae) is an environment-transforming weed of both agricultural and wildlife habitats in South Africa. Weed infestations reduce carrying capacity of the land, and pose a risk to livestock, wildlife and human safety due to the plant’s spiny thorns. The weed is considered to be under complete biological control in South Africa, due to its introduced control agent, Hypogeococcus festerianus Lizer y Trelles (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), although observational reports suggest that the level of success achieved is variable. In this thesis, a formal post-release evaluation of this biological control programme was conducted, specifically to determine the efficacy of H. festerianus as a biological control agent, and to identify factors which may limit or constrain the level of success achieved by the control agent. These data were collected with the intention of improving the control of C. jamacaru in South Africa. A field-based study of C. jamacaru population demographics investigated the efficacy of H. festerianus as a biological control agent of the weed, by integrating weed growth, fecundity and survival metrics with C. jamacaru population dynamics and demographic patterns from 8 sites where H. festerianus was present and 14 sites where the control agent was absent. The findings indicated that H. festerianus significantly reduced weed fecundity, which resulted in fewer seedling recruits, and that levels of plant mortality were greater at sites where H. festerianus was present. The reduction in weed fecundity and survival translated into negative population-level consequences for H. festerianus. Weed-population age frequency distributions in the absence of H. festerianus demonstrated a “reverse J-shaped” distribution, indicative of high recruitment rates and population stability, while C. jamacaru populations infected with H. festerianus were described by bell-shaped distributions, and were typified by limited recruitment, or a complete lack thereof. By constraining recruitment and inhibiting selfregeneration, H. festerianus appears to regulate populations of C. jamacaru. Predation and parasitism of H. festerianus was believed to be a limiting factor for the biological control programme against C. jamacaru in South Africa, although no formal evaluation of this claim had been undertaken. Accordingly, the assemblage of natural enemies acquired by H. festerianus in South Africa was identified by field-collections of infected H. festerianus gall-material. Further, timed point-count surveys of natural enemies associated with H. festerianus were performed and integrated with the data on the impact of H. festerianus on weed population dynamics to assess the impact of two prominent predaceous taxa on H. festerianus efficacy as a biological control agent. Although H. festerianus had acquired a diverse suite of novel natural enemies in South Africa, this has not prevented the biocontrol agent from having an impact on C. jamacaru populations, although other subtler effects cannot be ruled out. This study showed that biological control efforts employing H. festerianus for the management of C. jamacaru have been successful. Furthermore, these data demonstrated the utility of retrospective analyses in developing and improving the science of biological control, specifically how to improve candidate agent prioritisation, determining how many agents are required for successful biological control, and how to evaluate the success of biological control efforts. Improvements in our theoretical understanding of biological control will undoubtedly reduce costs of biological control programmes, improve success rates, and increase the predictability of biological control.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Sutton, Guy Frederick
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7982 , vital:21330
- Description: Cereus jamacaru De Candolle (Cactaceae) is an environment-transforming weed of both agricultural and wildlife habitats in South Africa. Weed infestations reduce carrying capacity of the land, and pose a risk to livestock, wildlife and human safety due to the plant’s spiny thorns. The weed is considered to be under complete biological control in South Africa, due to its introduced control agent, Hypogeococcus festerianus Lizer y Trelles (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), although observational reports suggest that the level of success achieved is variable. In this thesis, a formal post-release evaluation of this biological control programme was conducted, specifically to determine the efficacy of H. festerianus as a biological control agent, and to identify factors which may limit or constrain the level of success achieved by the control agent. These data were collected with the intention of improving the control of C. jamacaru in South Africa. A field-based study of C. jamacaru population demographics investigated the efficacy of H. festerianus as a biological control agent of the weed, by integrating weed growth, fecundity and survival metrics with C. jamacaru population dynamics and demographic patterns from 8 sites where H. festerianus was present and 14 sites where the control agent was absent. The findings indicated that H. festerianus significantly reduced weed fecundity, which resulted in fewer seedling recruits, and that levels of plant mortality were greater at sites where H. festerianus was present. The reduction in weed fecundity and survival translated into negative population-level consequences for H. festerianus. Weed-population age frequency distributions in the absence of H. festerianus demonstrated a “reverse J-shaped” distribution, indicative of high recruitment rates and population stability, while C. jamacaru populations infected with H. festerianus were described by bell-shaped distributions, and were typified by limited recruitment, or a complete lack thereof. By constraining recruitment and inhibiting selfregeneration, H. festerianus appears to regulate populations of C. jamacaru. Predation and parasitism of H. festerianus was believed to be a limiting factor for the biological control programme against C. jamacaru in South Africa, although no formal evaluation of this claim had been undertaken. Accordingly, the assemblage of natural enemies acquired by H. festerianus in South Africa was identified by field-collections of infected H. festerianus gall-material. Further, timed point-count surveys of natural enemies associated with H. festerianus were performed and integrated with the data on the impact of H. festerianus on weed population dynamics to assess the impact of two prominent predaceous taxa on H. festerianus efficacy as a biological control agent. Although H. festerianus had acquired a diverse suite of novel natural enemies in South Africa, this has not prevented the biocontrol agent from having an impact on C. jamacaru populations, although other subtler effects cannot be ruled out. This study showed that biological control efforts employing H. festerianus for the management of C. jamacaru have been successful. Furthermore, these data demonstrated the utility of retrospective analyses in developing and improving the science of biological control, specifically how to improve candidate agent prioritisation, determining how many agents are required for successful biological control, and how to evaluate the success of biological control efforts. Improvements in our theoretical understanding of biological control will undoubtedly reduce costs of biological control programmes, improve success rates, and increase the predictability of biological control.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
A critical analysis of the relationship between the South African Defence Force and the South African media from 1975-83
- Authors: Kirsten, Frederik Fouche
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: South Africa -- South African Defence Force , Mass media -- Political aspects -- South Africa , Freedom of information -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2626 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020841
- Description: The main focus of this thesis is to show the nature of the relationship between the South African Defence Force and the local media from 1975-83. The thesis will analyse issues specifically relating to the nature of the relationship and show how and why they are relevant to understanding the authoritarianism of the apartheid state. The nature of the relationship will be conceptualised by way of the analogy of a marriage. The thesis will show that for the SADF the relationship was “a marriage of convenience” whereas for the media it was a “marriage of necessity”. This relationship operated within the context of a highly militarised society that has been termed a “Garrison State”. The apartheid government introduced legislation governing reporting of defence matters and the media (namely the South African Defence Act 1957 including amendments made up until 1980) that imposed legal constraints within which defence correspondents had to operate. Moreover, the MID’s secret monitoring of the local media reveals the extent to which the military distrusted the media. A sampling of the coverage of defence matters in a selection of newspapers will reveal how their editorial staffs and reporters operated in a situation where the flow of information was controlled by the military. This will also show that certain defence correspondents cultivated close relations with SADF personnel to ensure that they were kept informed. The thesis will also show how the SADF reacted to the international media exposure of Operation Savannah and Operation Reindeer and how the SADF sought to limit the damage to its reputation by clamping down on the local media. The creation of two media commissions both headed by Justice MT Steyn, set out to investigate the manner in which local media reported on security issues in an environment in which the media and the public were confronted by the “Total Strategy” discourse of the apartheid government. The working relationship between the SADF and the media encapsulated in the thesis can be described as highly complex and the use of the “marriage” analogy assists in understanding this relationship.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kirsten, Frederik Fouche
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: South Africa -- South African Defence Force , Mass media -- Political aspects -- South Africa , Freedom of information -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2626 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020841
- Description: The main focus of this thesis is to show the nature of the relationship between the South African Defence Force and the local media from 1975-83. The thesis will analyse issues specifically relating to the nature of the relationship and show how and why they are relevant to understanding the authoritarianism of the apartheid state. The nature of the relationship will be conceptualised by way of the analogy of a marriage. The thesis will show that for the SADF the relationship was “a marriage of convenience” whereas for the media it was a “marriage of necessity”. This relationship operated within the context of a highly militarised society that has been termed a “Garrison State”. The apartheid government introduced legislation governing reporting of defence matters and the media (namely the South African Defence Act 1957 including amendments made up until 1980) that imposed legal constraints within which defence correspondents had to operate. Moreover, the MID’s secret monitoring of the local media reveals the extent to which the military distrusted the media. A sampling of the coverage of defence matters in a selection of newspapers will reveal how their editorial staffs and reporters operated in a situation where the flow of information was controlled by the military. This will also show that certain defence correspondents cultivated close relations with SADF personnel to ensure that they were kept informed. The thesis will also show how the SADF reacted to the international media exposure of Operation Savannah and Operation Reindeer and how the SADF sought to limit the damage to its reputation by clamping down on the local media. The creation of two media commissions both headed by Justice MT Steyn, set out to investigate the manner in which local media reported on security issues in an environment in which the media and the public were confronted by the “Total Strategy” discourse of the apartheid government. The working relationship between the SADF and the media encapsulated in the thesis can be described as highly complex and the use of the “marriage” analogy assists in understanding this relationship.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
An appraisal of the Methodist church’s role in poverty alleviation in the Alice region
- Authors: Jibiliza, Xolisa Terrance
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Economic assistance, Domestic , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Th
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1451 , vital:27187
- Description: “All religions emphasize the need to support charity, welfare and the disadvantaged. Obligatory giving is, thus, a manifestation of spirituality. This is why religious communities are capable, like no other sector of society, of mobilizing enormous resources for poverty alleviation and development initiative” (Maharaj & Chetty, 2007:82). Most African countries are faced with serious and worsening poverty (Wogaman, 1986:47), and one of greatest issues that demands our immediate attention within the church and society is poverty alleviation. Wogaman (1986:47) further argues that the increase in production has not served to bridge the great historic chasm between rich and poor. Hence, the church needs to direct its attention and its activity to poverty alleviation so that it becomes an advocate for the poor. Lawrence (2012:1) argued that we are created for fellowship with other people and also depend on God for our survival. Therefore, poverty touches all of God’s creatures and not simply those who experience it directly. Poverty prevents human beings from realizing their potential; it creates barriers of inequality between people, and bars people from experiencing the abundance of God’s creation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Jibiliza, Xolisa Terrance
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Economic assistance, Domestic , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Th
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1451 , vital:27187
- Description: “All religions emphasize the need to support charity, welfare and the disadvantaged. Obligatory giving is, thus, a manifestation of spirituality. This is why religious communities are capable, like no other sector of society, of mobilizing enormous resources for poverty alleviation and development initiative” (Maharaj & Chetty, 2007:82). Most African countries are faced with serious and worsening poverty (Wogaman, 1986:47), and one of greatest issues that demands our immediate attention within the church and society is poverty alleviation. Wogaman (1986:47) further argues that the increase in production has not served to bridge the great historic chasm between rich and poor. Hence, the church needs to direct its attention and its activity to poverty alleviation so that it becomes an advocate for the poor. Lawrence (2012:1) argued that we are created for fellowship with other people and also depend on God for our survival. Therefore, poverty touches all of God’s creatures and not simply those who experience it directly. Poverty prevents human beings from realizing their potential; it creates barriers of inequality between people, and bars people from experiencing the abundance of God’s creation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Gender possibilities in the African context as explored by Mariama Ba's So long a letter, Neshani Andrea's The purple violet of Oshaantu and Sindiwe Magona's Beauty gift
- Authors: Goremusandu, Tania
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Women and literature Feminist fiction -- History and criticism Women authors, African
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6469 , vital:29739
- Description: Gender oppression has been a significant discussion to the development of gender, cultural and feminist theories. The primary focus of this study is to investigate how patriarchal traditions, colonialism, and religious oppression force women to struggle under constrictions oppositional to empowerment. Thus, the project provides a comparative analysis of three texts from different African postcolonial societies by three African female writers: Mariama Bâ, Neshani Andreas and Sindiwe Magona. The author‟s biographies and historical context of their novels will be analyzed, as well as a summary of their stories will be included in order to provide the context for gender criticism. These writer‟s work; So Long a Letter, The Purple Violet of Oshaantu and Beauty‟s Gift depict patriarchal, cultural and religious laws which exist in Senegal, Namibia and South Africa, respectively, that limit the position of women. Therefore, this study will interrogate the experience of African women as inscribed in these selected texts, uncovering the literary expressions of gender oppression as well as the possibilities of empowerment. The selected texts will be analyzed through the lens of Gender studies, African feminism and Cultural studies. From these theories, the focus of the study is on the struggles of the female characters living in patriarchal societies as well as on the idea that gender is constructed socially and culturally in the African context. In conclusion, the emergence of these renowned female African writers together with the emancipation of African countries from colonial supremacy has opened a space for women to compensate and correct the stereotyped female images in African literature and post- colonial societies. Most contemporary African writers like Buchi Emecheta, Tsitsi Dangarembga, Sindiwe Magona, Mariama Bâ and Neshani Andreas have shown that women are seeking to attain empowerment. As a result, this study can be viewed as an opportunity to highlight such experiences by continuing to interrogate the writings of African women writers and to explore their gender-based themes so as to inform and or inspire the implementation of women empowerment. It will broaden and encourage further academic discussion in the field of Cultural studies and gender criticism of women‟s literature within the African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Goremusandu, Tania
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Women and literature Feminist fiction -- History and criticism Women authors, African
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6469 , vital:29739
- Description: Gender oppression has been a significant discussion to the development of gender, cultural and feminist theories. The primary focus of this study is to investigate how patriarchal traditions, colonialism, and religious oppression force women to struggle under constrictions oppositional to empowerment. Thus, the project provides a comparative analysis of three texts from different African postcolonial societies by three African female writers: Mariama Bâ, Neshani Andreas and Sindiwe Magona. The author‟s biographies and historical context of their novels will be analyzed, as well as a summary of their stories will be included in order to provide the context for gender criticism. These writer‟s work; So Long a Letter, The Purple Violet of Oshaantu and Beauty‟s Gift depict patriarchal, cultural and religious laws which exist in Senegal, Namibia and South Africa, respectively, that limit the position of women. Therefore, this study will interrogate the experience of African women as inscribed in these selected texts, uncovering the literary expressions of gender oppression as well as the possibilities of empowerment. The selected texts will be analyzed through the lens of Gender studies, African feminism and Cultural studies. From these theories, the focus of the study is on the struggles of the female characters living in patriarchal societies as well as on the idea that gender is constructed socially and culturally in the African context. In conclusion, the emergence of these renowned female African writers together with the emancipation of African countries from colonial supremacy has opened a space for women to compensate and correct the stereotyped female images in African literature and post- colonial societies. Most contemporary African writers like Buchi Emecheta, Tsitsi Dangarembga, Sindiwe Magona, Mariama Bâ and Neshani Andreas have shown that women are seeking to attain empowerment. As a result, this study can be viewed as an opportunity to highlight such experiences by continuing to interrogate the writings of African women writers and to explore their gender-based themes so as to inform and or inspire the implementation of women empowerment. It will broaden and encourage further academic discussion in the field of Cultural studies and gender criticism of women‟s literature within the African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
How do editors' attitudes and their perceptions of readers' interests combine with other factors to influence the publication of articles on the natural sciences in the Daily Dispatch?
- Authors: Lang, Steven
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3893 , vital:20553
- Description: This half-thesis examines how editorial values and perceptions determine the quantity and nature of science articles published in the Daily Dispatch, a newspaper distributed through large parts of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. It was predicated on the notion that South African media in general does not cover the natural sciences adequately. In order to test this assumption I decided to investigate the production and publication of science content at the Daily Dispatch as a test case. This study‘s theoretical framework draws on the normative roles of the media in a democracy developed by Christians et al. (2009) and the models of science journalism described by Secko et al. (2012) to demonstrate how two parallel conceptions of democracy set diverse journalistic objectives and engender different types of science content. Having applied an essentially political framework, this thesis uses the Hierarchy of Influences Model devised by Reese and Shoemaker‘s (2014) to explore how an array of forces acting inside and outside the news organisation can shape the publication of science articles. A quantitative content analysis is used to ascertain the number of science articles published in the first six months of 2014. It investigates which science fields received the most coverage, and how prominently the articles are positioned. As the Daily Dispatch does not have any staff dedicated to the science beat, the analysis finds out who produces the science articles that are published. The second phase of this research is a series of interviews with senior editorial staff members aimed at probing the editorial thought processes that determine when and whether specific science stories should be covered. The personal views and biases of the editorial leadership are pivotal to this research because although the newspaper commissioned surveys to determine readership preferences, there were no questions about the sciences. Senior reporters were adamant that they worked for a political newspaper and that as a significant proportion of their readership lived in socio-economically deprived circumstances, they were bound to give priority to articles aimed at improving the lot of their readers. The third phase is a qualitative content analysis of selected articles designed to reveal how science articles are constructed. The final element of this thesis, which ultimately provides an answer to the research question, draws together conclusions from the previous phases to demonstrate the linkage between editorial values and the production of science content.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Lang, Steven
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3893 , vital:20553
- Description: This half-thesis examines how editorial values and perceptions determine the quantity and nature of science articles published in the Daily Dispatch, a newspaper distributed through large parts of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. It was predicated on the notion that South African media in general does not cover the natural sciences adequately. In order to test this assumption I decided to investigate the production and publication of science content at the Daily Dispatch as a test case. This study‘s theoretical framework draws on the normative roles of the media in a democracy developed by Christians et al. (2009) and the models of science journalism described by Secko et al. (2012) to demonstrate how two parallel conceptions of democracy set diverse journalistic objectives and engender different types of science content. Having applied an essentially political framework, this thesis uses the Hierarchy of Influences Model devised by Reese and Shoemaker‘s (2014) to explore how an array of forces acting inside and outside the news organisation can shape the publication of science articles. A quantitative content analysis is used to ascertain the number of science articles published in the first six months of 2014. It investigates which science fields received the most coverage, and how prominently the articles are positioned. As the Daily Dispatch does not have any staff dedicated to the science beat, the analysis finds out who produces the science articles that are published. The second phase of this research is a series of interviews with senior editorial staff members aimed at probing the editorial thought processes that determine when and whether specific science stories should be covered. The personal views and biases of the editorial leadership are pivotal to this research because although the newspaper commissioned surveys to determine readership preferences, there were no questions about the sciences. Senior reporters were adamant that they worked for a political newspaper and that as a significant proportion of their readership lived in socio-economically deprived circumstances, they were bound to give priority to articles aimed at improving the lot of their readers. The third phase is a qualitative content analysis of selected articles designed to reveal how science articles are constructed. The final element of this thesis, which ultimately provides an answer to the research question, draws together conclusions from the previous phases to demonstrate the linkage between editorial values and the production of science content.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
A critical Fanonian understanding of black student identities at Rhodes University, South Africa
- Mercadal-Barroso, Adriana Kimberly
- Authors: Mercadal-Barroso, Adriana Kimberly
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Fanon, Frantz, 1925-1961 -- Political and social views , Rhodes University , Education, Higher , College graduates, Black -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Attitudes , Identity , Black people -- Ethnic identity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3391 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016375
- Description: South African history is rooted in racial identities, inequalities and injustices, which the post-apartheid government has sought to address for twenty years since 1994. The transition to a post-apartheid society though has been a difficult one with the social structure and everyday life still marked by the racial past. Though racial classifications on an official basis no longer exist, racial identities continue to pervade the country. Of particular significance to this thesis are black identities including the possibility of black inferiority, which I examine in relation to black post-graduate university students in contemporary South Africa, specifically at Rhodes University. In examining this topic, I draw extensively on the work of Frantz Fanon, who wrote about both colonial society and the emerging post-colonial experience. Fanon was a young black intellectual whose work was in part based on his own experiences of being a once-colonised black person in a world which he perceived as being dominated by whiteness. In his work he expresses his own perceptions of whiteness and how the black identity has come to be shaped by and around this dominant white foundation. Fanon extensively discussed the lives of black intellectuals and elites, and demonstrated how the black identity becomes shaped by and around the world of whiteness. In doing so, he raised a range of themes, such as black inferiority, mimicry and double consciousness. I draw upon the work of Fanon in a critically sympathetic manner to delve into the experiences of black postgraduate students as they negotiate their way through a university setting dominated by a white institutional culture. I bring to the fore the argument that the racial identities of these students is not fixed and sutured but, rather, is marked by considerable fluidity and ambiguity such that black identity must be understood not just as a state of being but also as a process of becoming.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Mercadal-Barroso, Adriana Kimberly
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Fanon, Frantz, 1925-1961 -- Political and social views , Rhodes University , Education, Higher , College graduates, Black -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Attitudes , Identity , Black people -- Ethnic identity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3391 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016375
- Description: South African history is rooted in racial identities, inequalities and injustices, which the post-apartheid government has sought to address for twenty years since 1994. The transition to a post-apartheid society though has been a difficult one with the social structure and everyday life still marked by the racial past. Though racial classifications on an official basis no longer exist, racial identities continue to pervade the country. Of particular significance to this thesis are black identities including the possibility of black inferiority, which I examine in relation to black post-graduate university students in contemporary South Africa, specifically at Rhodes University. In examining this topic, I draw extensively on the work of Frantz Fanon, who wrote about both colonial society and the emerging post-colonial experience. Fanon was a young black intellectual whose work was in part based on his own experiences of being a once-colonised black person in a world which he perceived as being dominated by whiteness. In his work he expresses his own perceptions of whiteness and how the black identity has come to be shaped by and around this dominant white foundation. Fanon extensively discussed the lives of black intellectuals and elites, and demonstrated how the black identity becomes shaped by and around the world of whiteness. In doing so, he raised a range of themes, such as black inferiority, mimicry and double consciousness. I draw upon the work of Fanon in a critically sympathetic manner to delve into the experiences of black postgraduate students as they negotiate their way through a university setting dominated by a white institutional culture. I bring to the fore the argument that the racial identities of these students is not fixed and sutured but, rather, is marked by considerable fluidity and ambiguity such that black identity must be understood not just as a state of being but also as a process of becoming.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Teacher perceptions regarding training and their subsequent ability to integrate ICTs into marginalised rural schools : The ICT4RED Case Study
- Authors: Nkula, Kanya Zonke
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:20978 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5798
- Description: It is well documented that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) play an important role in education and that their use is associated with improving student learning and adding value to the curriculum. However, despite the opportunities that ICTs offer, numerous schools in South Africa face various barriers that result in the limited use of ICTs in the classroom. Literature has highlighted the lack of integration as one of these barriers. Teachers focus on teaching about ICTs where the focus is on developing computer literacy or technical knowledge rather than allowing students to learn through or with ICTs. This thesis aims to explore the concept of ICT integration in rural schools, where ICTs form an integral part of teaching and learning practices. It presents a number of theoretical considerations for ICT integration with a particular focus on teacher pedagogical beliefs and barriers to integration. Using interpretivism as the underlying philosophy and thematic analysis as the analysis tool, the author reflects on ICT integration in the ICT4RED project at Arthur Mfebe Senior Secondary School in the Eastern Cape Province. Furthermore, this thesis offers an in-depth understanding of integration barriers in rural marginalised schools. These barriers are presented in Thematic Maps as well as a framework which incorporates both theoretical considerations and themes that emerged from fieldwork.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Nkula, Kanya Zonke
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:20978 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5798
- Description: It is well documented that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) play an important role in education and that their use is associated with improving student learning and adding value to the curriculum. However, despite the opportunities that ICTs offer, numerous schools in South Africa face various barriers that result in the limited use of ICTs in the classroom. Literature has highlighted the lack of integration as one of these barriers. Teachers focus on teaching about ICTs where the focus is on developing computer literacy or technical knowledge rather than allowing students to learn through or with ICTs. This thesis aims to explore the concept of ICT integration in rural schools, where ICTs form an integral part of teaching and learning practices. It presents a number of theoretical considerations for ICT integration with a particular focus on teacher pedagogical beliefs and barriers to integration. Using interpretivism as the underlying philosophy and thematic analysis as the analysis tool, the author reflects on ICT integration in the ICT4RED project at Arthur Mfebe Senior Secondary School in the Eastern Cape Province. Furthermore, this thesis offers an in-depth understanding of integration barriers in rural marginalised schools. These barriers are presented in Thematic Maps as well as a framework which incorporates both theoretical considerations and themes that emerged from fieldwork.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Modern slavery and worst forms of child labour in South Africa: case of the former homeland areas
- Obi, A
- Authors: Obi, A
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Human rights , Child labour , Slavery
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA (Human Rights)
- Identifier: vital:11104 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016119 , Human rights , Child labour , Slavery
- Description: Despite a progressive constitution lauded as one of the best and most forward-looking in the world, with an advanced Bill of Rights, instances of human rights violations have been detected at all levels of the South African society. The most disturbing revelations have been associated with situations in many farming communities in South Africa. On the basis of a comprehensive nationwide study initiated in June 2001 and documented in 2003, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) confirmed widespread human rights violations on South African farms. Through the efforts of the South African Human Rights Commission, many of these violations have been brought to the attention of the authorities and there are already numerous actions being taken to contain and possibly eliminate them. Among these is the Child Labour Programme of Action which was adopted in 2003 by the large number of government departments that constitute the stakeholders, particularly those that have responsibility for labour, education, provincial and local government, water services, justice, policing, prosecution, and social development. However, the SAHRC study had limited coverage due to constraints of time and funding and did not pay adequate attention to the former independent homelands. In addition to this significant shortcoming, recent international experience reveals other forms of violations that may not be immediately obvious and therefore go undetected for a very long time. Among these, the International Labour Organization (ILO), together with various non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other bodies have drawn attention to existence of what are termed “worst forms of child labour”. The latter involves a wide range of abuses to which under-age individuals are subjected against their will and often exposed to hazards that may leave them permanently excluded from formal educational and economic opportunities. The fact that national definitions differ complicates the situation. As a result, systematic investigation is needed to see to what extent local practices compare with international norms and standards. Similarly, the fact that the former independent homelands were not adequately covered in such an important study that aimed to inform policy on the optimal direction of the transformation process also raises serious questions that must be addressed. This mini-dissertation documents evidence based on a rapid appraisal of farm and non-farm environments in two polar regions of the province, namely the Port St John’s Municipality in the Oliver Tambo District Municipality of the former Transkei homeland and Alice in the Nkonkobe Municipality of the former Ciskei homeland. Descriptive and content analysis methodologies were employed to analyze the data obtained from interviews of employers of labour, the labourers themselves, as well as community members and “bystanders” who had opinions about the insertion of children into the labour market. Correlational analysis and logistic regression were performed to draw inferences about the determinants of child labour in the farming system. The indication is that child labour is an established phenomenon whose discussion is however quite sensitive and elicits a wide range of emotions. The role of socioeconomic factors in influencing the decision to engage child labour seems to be quite extensive. For instance, monthly income of household has important practical implications for national and global policy on the use of child labour are foreseen and form the basis for the recommendations put forward to address the associated concerns.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Obi, A
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Human rights , Child labour , Slavery
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA (Human Rights)
- Identifier: vital:11104 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016119 , Human rights , Child labour , Slavery
- Description: Despite a progressive constitution lauded as one of the best and most forward-looking in the world, with an advanced Bill of Rights, instances of human rights violations have been detected at all levels of the South African society. The most disturbing revelations have been associated with situations in many farming communities in South Africa. On the basis of a comprehensive nationwide study initiated in June 2001 and documented in 2003, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) confirmed widespread human rights violations on South African farms. Through the efforts of the South African Human Rights Commission, many of these violations have been brought to the attention of the authorities and there are already numerous actions being taken to contain and possibly eliminate them. Among these is the Child Labour Programme of Action which was adopted in 2003 by the large number of government departments that constitute the stakeholders, particularly those that have responsibility for labour, education, provincial and local government, water services, justice, policing, prosecution, and social development. However, the SAHRC study had limited coverage due to constraints of time and funding and did not pay adequate attention to the former independent homelands. In addition to this significant shortcoming, recent international experience reveals other forms of violations that may not be immediately obvious and therefore go undetected for a very long time. Among these, the International Labour Organization (ILO), together with various non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other bodies have drawn attention to existence of what are termed “worst forms of child labour”. The latter involves a wide range of abuses to which under-age individuals are subjected against their will and often exposed to hazards that may leave them permanently excluded from formal educational and economic opportunities. The fact that national definitions differ complicates the situation. As a result, systematic investigation is needed to see to what extent local practices compare with international norms and standards. Similarly, the fact that the former independent homelands were not adequately covered in such an important study that aimed to inform policy on the optimal direction of the transformation process also raises serious questions that must be addressed. This mini-dissertation documents evidence based on a rapid appraisal of farm and non-farm environments in two polar regions of the province, namely the Port St John’s Municipality in the Oliver Tambo District Municipality of the former Transkei homeland and Alice in the Nkonkobe Municipality of the former Ciskei homeland. Descriptive and content analysis methodologies were employed to analyze the data obtained from interviews of employers of labour, the labourers themselves, as well as community members and “bystanders” who had opinions about the insertion of children into the labour market. Correlational analysis and logistic regression were performed to draw inferences about the determinants of child labour in the farming system. The indication is that child labour is an established phenomenon whose discussion is however quite sensitive and elicits a wide range of emotions. The role of socioeconomic factors in influencing the decision to engage child labour seems to be quite extensive. For instance, monthly income of household has important practical implications for national and global policy on the use of child labour are foreseen and form the basis for the recommendations put forward to address the associated concerns.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
An exploration of natural science teachers' experiences and perceptions of the National Standardised Achievement Tests : a case study
- Shaakumeni, Simson Ndadaleka
- Authors: Shaakumeni, Simson Ndadaleka
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Achievement tests -- Education (Elementary) -- Research -- Namibia Educational tests and measurements -- Research -- Namibia Educational tests and measurements -- Research -- Namibia Science -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Namibia Science teachers -- Namibia Education, Elementary -- Standards -- Research -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1390 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001670
- Description: The primary purpose of this study was to capture Natural Science teachers’ perceptions of the national standardised achievement tests (SATs), with a view to illuminating whether or not they were able to interpret and use the SATs reports to inform their practice and for improvement purposes as envisaged in the standardised tests’ objectives. It further sought to investigate how the grade 7 Natural Science teachers were teaching the subject matter, with a view to understanding the performance of learners as illustrated in the 2010 SATs results. The study mainly used qualitative methods such as observations, interviews and document analysis. These were complemented by quantitative methods through the use of the questionnaires, which were used to capture the general perceptions and experiences of Natural Science teachers. Thirty-five questionnaires were sent out and ten responses were received. Quantitative data from the questionnaires were analysed by tabulation to ascertain the frequencies of responses regarding teachers’ perceptions and experiences of SATs, as indicated in different scales per indicator. Furthermore, data generated through video-taped lessons, analysis of learners’ written notes, interviews and open-ended questions from the questionnaires were inductively analyzed. The findings of the study revealed that teachers had positive perceptions towards the ideals of SATs. However, their use of the SATs reports in their teaching was inconclusive. The study also revealed that there were no policy imperatives on SATs, in particular, to guide their use in schools. It was also found that teachers were not teaching the syllabus competencies fully and their Natural Science content knowledge was inadequate. The principal recommendation is that teachers need to acquaint themselves sufficiently with the SATs reports to enable them to use the reports for their intended purposes. Furthermore, teachers need to engage in continuous professional development programmes to improve their Natural Science content knowledge, especially with regard to making information in the textbooks accessible to learners in terms of addressing competencies in the syllabus. Finally, there is a need for policy intervention from the Ministry of Education in Namibia so that the existing tensions between policy formulation and implementation are addressed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Shaakumeni, Simson Ndadaleka
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Achievement tests -- Education (Elementary) -- Research -- Namibia Educational tests and measurements -- Research -- Namibia Educational tests and measurements -- Research -- Namibia Science -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Namibia Science teachers -- Namibia Education, Elementary -- Standards -- Research -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1390 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001670
- Description: The primary purpose of this study was to capture Natural Science teachers’ perceptions of the national standardised achievement tests (SATs), with a view to illuminating whether or not they were able to interpret and use the SATs reports to inform their practice and for improvement purposes as envisaged in the standardised tests’ objectives. It further sought to investigate how the grade 7 Natural Science teachers were teaching the subject matter, with a view to understanding the performance of learners as illustrated in the 2010 SATs results. The study mainly used qualitative methods such as observations, interviews and document analysis. These were complemented by quantitative methods through the use of the questionnaires, which were used to capture the general perceptions and experiences of Natural Science teachers. Thirty-five questionnaires were sent out and ten responses were received. Quantitative data from the questionnaires were analysed by tabulation to ascertain the frequencies of responses regarding teachers’ perceptions and experiences of SATs, as indicated in different scales per indicator. Furthermore, data generated through video-taped lessons, analysis of learners’ written notes, interviews and open-ended questions from the questionnaires were inductively analyzed. The findings of the study revealed that teachers had positive perceptions towards the ideals of SATs. However, their use of the SATs reports in their teaching was inconclusive. The study also revealed that there were no policy imperatives on SATs, in particular, to guide their use in schools. It was also found that teachers were not teaching the syllabus competencies fully and their Natural Science content knowledge was inadequate. The principal recommendation is that teachers need to acquaint themselves sufficiently with the SATs reports to enable them to use the reports for their intended purposes. Furthermore, teachers need to engage in continuous professional development programmes to improve their Natural Science content knowledge, especially with regard to making information in the textbooks accessible to learners in terms of addressing competencies in the syllabus. Finally, there is a need for policy intervention from the Ministry of Education in Namibia so that the existing tensions between policy formulation and implementation are addressed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Population size, demography and spatial ecology of cheetahs in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, South Africa
- Authors: Dyer, Siobhan Margaret
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Timbavati Game Reserve (South Africa) Cheetah -- South Africa -- Timbavati Game Reserve Spatial behavior in animals Cheetah -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Timbavati Game Reserve Animal populations Population biology Rare mammals -- South Africa -- Timbavati Game Reserve Cheetah -- Effect of human beings on -- South Africa -- Timbavati Game Reserve
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5608 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002058
- Description: The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) has experienced a drastic decline in numbers over the last 20 years globally and is currently listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In South Africa, there are only an estimated 763 free-ranging cheetahs and conflict with humans is arguably the most significant reason for this low number. The aim of my study was to determine the population size and demographic characteristics of the cheetah population within the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve (TPNR), South Africa, and to contribute to a better understanding of cheetah space use and habitat selection. The research was conducted on TPNR between November 2009 and June 2011 and I used a photographic survey to assess cheetah population size and demographic characteristics. Location data was obtained by collaring two adult male cheetahs with GPS/GSM collars and ad hoc sightings data from across the reserve for an adult female with cubs and three adolescent females. A relatively high minimum population density of 4.46 cheetahs/100km² was estimated, signifying a relatively healthy cheetah population. The sex ratio data indicated a higher male to female ratio and an average litter size of three cubs. The relatively high cub survival rate and density is promising in terms of the status of species within the area, as the data denote the success and potential persistence of the species. Cheetah home ranges varied between 20.97km² for the female with cubs and 659.65km² for the younger collared male. Season did not appear to be a determining factor in terms of home range sizes for the three social groups within the TPNR. However, the males did show a slight increase in their home range sizes during the dry season when resources where presumably more widespread. My results indicate that the cheetah is an adaptable species, flexible in behaviour and able to tolerate a variety of habitat types. Such knowledge is fundamental for planning and implementing the effective management and conservation of cheetahs in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Dyer, Siobhan Margaret
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Timbavati Game Reserve (South Africa) Cheetah -- South Africa -- Timbavati Game Reserve Spatial behavior in animals Cheetah -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Timbavati Game Reserve Animal populations Population biology Rare mammals -- South Africa -- Timbavati Game Reserve Cheetah -- Effect of human beings on -- South Africa -- Timbavati Game Reserve
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5608 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002058
- Description: The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) has experienced a drastic decline in numbers over the last 20 years globally and is currently listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In South Africa, there are only an estimated 763 free-ranging cheetahs and conflict with humans is arguably the most significant reason for this low number. The aim of my study was to determine the population size and demographic characteristics of the cheetah population within the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve (TPNR), South Africa, and to contribute to a better understanding of cheetah space use and habitat selection. The research was conducted on TPNR between November 2009 and June 2011 and I used a photographic survey to assess cheetah population size and demographic characteristics. Location data was obtained by collaring two adult male cheetahs with GPS/GSM collars and ad hoc sightings data from across the reserve for an adult female with cubs and three adolescent females. A relatively high minimum population density of 4.46 cheetahs/100km² was estimated, signifying a relatively healthy cheetah population. The sex ratio data indicated a higher male to female ratio and an average litter size of three cubs. The relatively high cub survival rate and density is promising in terms of the status of species within the area, as the data denote the success and potential persistence of the species. Cheetah home ranges varied between 20.97km² for the female with cubs and 659.65km² for the younger collared male. Season did not appear to be a determining factor in terms of home range sizes for the three social groups within the TPNR. However, the males did show a slight increase in their home range sizes during the dry season when resources where presumably more widespread. My results indicate that the cheetah is an adaptable species, flexible in behaviour and able to tolerate a variety of habitat types. Such knowledge is fundamental for planning and implementing the effective management and conservation of cheetahs in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Financial integration in East Africa: evidence from interest rate pass-through analysis
- Authors: Bholla, Zohaib Salim
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: East African Community -- Economic integration East African Community -- Economic conditions -- 21st century Interest rates -- Africa, East Interest rates -- Econometric models -- Africa, East Interest rates -- Effect of inflation on -- Africa, East Banks and banking -- Africa, East
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1044 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006131
- Description: The successful launch of the European Monetary Union (EMU) raised an already ever growing interest in the economics of monetary integration and the formation of monetary unions around the world. Following the EMU experience, countries have considered forming a monetary union amongst themselves. The East African Community (EAC), comprising the three original member countries Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and now including Burundi and Rwanda, is an example of such a group of countries that seek to form a monetary union. This study aims to identify the current level of financial integration amongst the East African countries. In order to do so the study examines whether the pass-through of monetary policy in the five countries has become similar over time. This is to provide an indication of the extent to which the nominal convergence criteria amongst the member countries have been met. The results of the study provide an indication of whether the formation of a monetary union in East Africa is possible. The empirical analysis used in this study included stationarity tests, four tests of co integration and an asymmetric error correction model to investigate whether the pass-through of monetary policy transmission in the five countries has become more similar over the ten year sample period from 1999 to 2008. The analysis uses three interest rates and 6-year rolling windows to identify the extent of macroeconomic convergence that prevails within the EAC, and consequently whether the formation of a monetary union is possible. The results suggest that the magnitude of the convergence amongst the countries remain low and there are significant rigidities in the deposit and lending rates over time, however the passthrough has improved with respect to the lending rate but not the deposit rate. The overall conclusion of the study suggests that an EAC wide monetary union is currently not possible based on the evidence provided from the pass-through analysis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Bholla, Zohaib Salim
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: East African Community -- Economic integration East African Community -- Economic conditions -- 21st century Interest rates -- Africa, East Interest rates -- Econometric models -- Africa, East Interest rates -- Effect of inflation on -- Africa, East Banks and banking -- Africa, East
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1044 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006131
- Description: The successful launch of the European Monetary Union (EMU) raised an already ever growing interest in the economics of monetary integration and the formation of monetary unions around the world. Following the EMU experience, countries have considered forming a monetary union amongst themselves. The East African Community (EAC), comprising the three original member countries Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and now including Burundi and Rwanda, is an example of such a group of countries that seek to form a monetary union. This study aims to identify the current level of financial integration amongst the East African countries. In order to do so the study examines whether the pass-through of monetary policy in the five countries has become similar over time. This is to provide an indication of the extent to which the nominal convergence criteria amongst the member countries have been met. The results of the study provide an indication of whether the formation of a monetary union in East Africa is possible. The empirical analysis used in this study included stationarity tests, four tests of co integration and an asymmetric error correction model to investigate whether the pass-through of monetary policy transmission in the five countries has become more similar over the ten year sample period from 1999 to 2008. The analysis uses three interest rates and 6-year rolling windows to identify the extent of macroeconomic convergence that prevails within the EAC, and consequently whether the formation of a monetary union is possible. The results suggest that the magnitude of the convergence amongst the countries remain low and there are significant rigidities in the deposit and lending rates over time, however the passthrough has improved with respect to the lending rate but not the deposit rate. The overall conclusion of the study suggests that an EAC wide monetary union is currently not possible based on the evidence provided from the pass-through analysis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011