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The synthesis and photophysicochemical behaviour of novel water-soluble cationic indium (III) phthalocyanine

- Durmus, Mahmut, Erdoğmuş, Ali, Ogunsipe, Abimbola, Nyokong, Tebello

  • Authors: Durmus, Mahmut , Erdoğmuş, Ali , Ogunsipe, Abimbola , Nyokong, Tebello
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/263419 , vital:53626 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2009.01.008"
  • Description: The syntheses and characterization of 2,3-octakis-(3-pyridyloxyphthalocyaninato) indium(III) and quaternized 2,3-octakis-(3-pyridyloxyphthalocyaninato) indium(III) are described. The ground state electronic absorption spectra, photophysics and photochemistry of both dyes in DMSO as well as that of the quaternized compound in aqueous solution are also presented. A comparison of the photophysical and photochemical parameters of the two dyes revealed that quaternized 2,3-octakis-(3-pyridyloxyphthalocyaninato) indium(III) was a better photosensitizer than its unquaternized counterpart. The quantum yield values of fluorescence (ΦF), triplet state formation (ΦT) and singlet oxygen formation (ΦΔ) for the cationic dye were found to be 0.03, 0.68 and 0.66 respectively in DMSO; these values were higher than those for 2,3-octakis-(3-pyridyloxyphthalocyaninato) indium(III), which exhibited values of 0.02, 0.66 and 0.63, respectively in DMSO. The values for the cationic dye in aq. solution were 0.02, 0.59 and 0.56 respectively, suggesting that the water-soluble quaternized 2,3-octakis-(3-pyridyloxyphthalocyaninato) indium(III) offers potential as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy treatment.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2009

The synthesis and photophysicochemical properties of low-symmetry zinc phthalocyanine analogues

- Chidawanyika, Wadzanai J U, Nyokong, Tebello

  • Authors: Chidawanyika, Wadzanai J U , Nyokong, Tebello
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/263397 , vital:53624 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2009.06.005"
  • Description: The synthesis of a low-symmetry derivative, zinc mono-carboxy substituted phthalocyanine, ZnPc-COOH (4) has been reported. The photochemical and photophysical properties of ZnPc-COOH (4), ZnTMPyPc (5), ZnttbPc (6) and a previously synthesized low-symmetry derivative, ZnttbIPc (7), in various organic solvents are reported. The red-shifting of the spectra of 4 and 5 (relative to that of unsubstituted zinc phthalocyanine, ZnPc) is a function of the electron-donating sulfur-containing substituents attached to the periphery of the molecule. High triplet quantum yields (ФT) generally occur in response to substitution on the zinc phthalocyanine ring periphery. The highest ФT values and triplet lifetimes (τT) occur in DMSO for all derivatives as a result of the solvent's high viscosity. The strongly electron-withdrawing imido fused ring of ZnttbIPc (7) stabilizes it against photo-oxidative degradation relative to the other derivatives.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The synthesis, cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemical studies of Co (II) phthalocyanines tetra-substituted at the α and β positions with phenylthio groups

- Nombona, Nolwazi, Nyokong, Tebello

  • Authors: Nombona, Nolwazi , Nyokong, Tebello
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/264529 , vital:53742 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2008.06.002"
  • Description: Non-peripherally substituted cobalt 1,(4)-(tetraphenylthiophthalocyaninato) and peripherally substituted cobalt 2,(3)-(tetraphenylthiophthalocyaninato) complexes were synthesized. Redox processes were observed at E1/2 = −1.44 V (I), −0.39 V (II), +0.37 V (III), +0.78 V (IV) and 1.15 V (V) for the non-peripherally substituted and at E1/2 = −1.42 V (I), −0.57, −0.39 V (II), +0.27 V (III), +0.79 V (IV) and +1.10 V (V) for the peripherally substituted complexes, respectively. The couples were assigned to CoIPc−2/CoIPc−3 (I), CoIIPc−2/CoIPc−2 (II), CoIIIPc−2/CoIIPc−2 (III), and CoIIIPc−1/CoIIIPc−2 (IV) using spectroelectrochemistry. The last process (V) could not be ascertained by spectroelectrochemistry but is associated with ring oxidation. Upon reduction or oxidation, the Q band of the non-peripherally substituted complex became less red shifted compared to that of its peripherally substituted counterpart.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The TPR2B domain of the Hsp70/Hsp90 organizing protein (Hop) may contribute towards its dimerization

- Longshaw, Victoria M, Stephens, Linda L, Daniel, Sheril, Blatch, Gregory L

  • Authors: Longshaw, Victoria M , Stephens, Linda L , Daniel, Sheril , Blatch, Gregory L
  • Date: 2009
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: vital:6481 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006253 , http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986609787848162
  • Description: The role of the TPR2B domain of Hop is as yet unknown. We have shown here by site directed mutagenesis and size exclusion chromatography for the first time that the TPR1 and TPR2B domains of Hop independently dimerized, and that the dimerization of TPR2B was not dependent on its predicted two-carboxylate clamp residues. Furthermore, our data indicated that the dimerization of Hop and its domains was not disrupted in the presence of Hsp70 and Hsp90 peptides.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The transportability and utility of cognitive therapy in South African contexts: a review

- Young, Charles

  • Authors: Young, Charles
  • Date: 2009
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: vital:6279 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008280
  • Description: Cognitive therapy could be more widely promoted in South Africa given the great disparity between the need and provision of psychological therapies. Three possible objections to the promotion of cognitive therapy are considered: uncertainty surrounding the effectiveness of cognitive therapy in South African contexts; uncertainty surrounding the applicability in multicultural contexts; and suggestions that cognitive therapy is decontextualised and therefore objectionable in a country facing major social challenges. A systematic review of the literature indentified 15 outcome studies, and suggests that cognitive therapy is a viable and much-needed approach in South Africa.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The unit-based sustainability assessment tool and its use in the UNEP mainstreaming environment and sustainability in African universities partnership

- Togo, Muchaiteyi, Lotz-Sisitka, Heila

  • Authors: Togo, Muchaiteyi , Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , book chapter
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437409 , vital:73376 , ISBN 978-1-4020-8194-1 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02375-5_15
  • Description: This paper reports on the development and use of a Unit-based Sustainability Assessment Tool (USAT) for establishing the status of Education for Sustainable Development initiatives and sustainable development practices in universities. The tool was developed for use in the Swedish/Africa International Training Programme (ITP) on ‘Education for Sustainable De-velopment in Higher Education’ and complements the UNEP Mainstreaming Environment and Sustainability into African Universities (MESA) ‘Education for Sustainable Development Innovations Programmes for Universities in Africa’ materials. The USAT facilitates a quick assessment of the level of inte-gration of sustainability issues in university functions and op-erations, both to benchmark sustainability initiatives and identi-fy new areas for action or improvement. It is based on a unit-based framework which allows for sustainability assessments to be done per division, unit, department, or faculty within uni-versities. Collectively, the unit-based assessments provide for development of an institution wide picture of university sus-tainability.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The use of the van Hiele theory in investigating teaching strategies used by grade 10 geometry teachers in Namibia

- Muyeghu, Augustinus

  • Authors: Muyeghu, Augustinus
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Hiele, Pierre M. van Kilpatrick, Jeremy Geometry -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia Mathematics teachers -- Training of -- Namibia
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1817 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003703
  • Description: This study reports on the extent to which selected mathematics teachers facilitate the teaching and learning of geometry at the van Hiele levels 1 and 2 at a Grade 10 level in selected schools in Namibia. It also addresses and explores the teaching strategies teachers employ in their classrooms. Kilpatrick et al.’s model for proficient teaching and the van Hiele model of geometric thinking were used to explore the type of teaching strategies employed by selected mathematics teachers. These two models served as guidelines from which interview and classroom observation protocols were developed. Given the continuing debate across the world about the learning and teaching of geometry, my thesis aims to contribute to a wider understanding of the teaching of geometry with regard to the van Hiele levels 1 and 2. There are no similar studies on the teaching of geometry in Namibia. My study concentrates on selected Grade 10 mathematics teachers and how they teach geometry using the van Hiele theory and the five Kilpatrick components of proficient teaching. As my research looks at teaching practice it was important to deconstruct teaching proficiency with a view to understanding what makes good teachers effective. The results from this study indicated that the selected Grade 10 mathematics teachers have a good conceptual understanding of geometry as all of them involved in this study were able to facilitate the learning and teaching of geometry that is consistent with the van Hiele levels 1 and 2.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The value of measuring brand equity: the Ceres Fruit Juices case

- Khumalo, Wilson Mdala

  • Authors: Khumalo, Wilson Mdala
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Brand name products -- Management -- Case studies , Branding (Marketing) , Customer relations -- Management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8707 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/995 , Brand name products -- Management -- Case studies , Branding (Marketing) , Customer relations -- Management
  • Description: Measuring brand equity is an important brand management function but, the appropriateness of brand equity measurement methods remain a concern. This study applied levels three of brand equity measurement approach to have an understanding of consumers’ brand perception. It is hoped that this understanding could give brand managers the necessary tool to develop and deploy effective and efficient brand management strategies and tactics. At Ceres Fruit Juices (CFJ), brand equity is used to improve competitive marketing actions, gain larger margins, intermediary co-operation and management support for brand extension. This study measures CFJ Brand equity to understand consumers’ perception so that this understanding can be used to develop responsive brand management strategies and tactics. Brand equity measurement methods and model found in the literature shows that measurement success depends on the suitability of the method used. However, customers’ perception is at the centre of brand equity measurement approach – level three used in this study. With merger and acquisition taking place at Ceres Fruit Juices, brand equity measurement emerged as an important brand management function to leverage real brand value. This would inevitably lead to an improvement in customer service through adequate understanding of customers brand perception. Understanding gives brand managers the necessary tool to deploy responsive and efficient brand management strategies and tactics to lessen the severity of the negative impact merger and acquisition may have on brand equity. Thus, this study found measurement model and method to be an essential element of brand equity measurement.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The value of shared corporate services in improving patient care

- Nompozolo, Nikiwe Nomapelo

  • Authors: Nompozolo, Nikiwe Nomapelo
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: East London Hospital Complex Hospital care -- Quality control -- South Africa -- East London Case studies Customer services -- Quality control -- South Africa -- East London Case studies Customer services -- Rating of -- South Africa -- East London Hospital care -- Evaluation -- South Africa -- East London
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:724 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003844
  • Description: This case study was undertaken from mid 2003 to December 2005. It investigates the influence of the Corporate Services Centre (CSC) on customer (patient) service quality in the East London Hospital Complex (ELHC). This approach was justified on the basis that even though most patients do not have enough knowledge of clinical practices in order to make an accurate assessment on their quality, the same patients would readily appreciate factors such as faster turnaround times, drug availability and cleanliness. The study focuses on both service providers and end users for a quality health service delivery by looking at the potential of the shared corporate services centre. This was done by identifying important areas for improvements, such as response times, waiting periods and other aspects of the various services. The ELHC was formed from the merger of Frere and Cecilia Makiwane Hospitals, with a distance of 26km between the two institutions. The complex itself was in its infancy stages, having had to go through a process of re-engineering, rationalisation and standardisation of the two hospitals. The study seeks to answer the following key question: What has been the contribution of the corporate service centres in relation to health care service quality? The study examines the impediments to the realization of full potential of the Corporate Services Centre (CSC) through expedited decision-making and improved turnaround times. The main functions of the CSC were Procurement and Asset Management; General Administration (including but not limited to Transport, Office equipment, Patient Administration, Office Support, and Professional Secretariat Support); Financial Management and Administration; and Human Resource Management and Human Resources Administration. The study recommends that the CSC, to justify its existence, needs to consult with the clinicians and the patients to better understand what their needs and aspirations are. The study also emphasizes that the CSC is there purely to remove the administrative load and ease the processes and the biggest mistake is to make it an authority over the hospital, instead of being a support. Finally, it was realized that a lot of structural changes, business processes and organisational cultural changes are essential if one wants to create an impact through shared corporate services.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The war againts organised crime: a critical assessment of South African asset forfeiture law and its impact on redress for victims of crime

- Ndzengu, Nkululeko Christopher

The WHO UNESCO FIP Pharmacy Education Taskforce (commentary)

- Anderson, Claire, Bates, Ian, Beck, Diane, Penick Brock, Tina, Futter, William T, Mercer, Hugo, Rouse, Mike, Whitmarsh, Sarah, Wuliji, Tana, Yonemura, Akemi

  • Authors: Anderson, Claire , Bates, Ian , Beck, Diane , Penick Brock, Tina , Futter, William T , Mercer, Hugo , Rouse, Mike , Whitmarsh, Sarah , Wuliji, Tana , Yonemura, Akemi
  • Date: 2009
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: vital:6347 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006020
  • Description: Pharmacists' roles are evolving from that of compounders and dispensers of medicines to that of experts on medicines within multidisciplinary health care teams. In the developing country context, the pharmacy is often the most accessible or even the sole point of access to health care advice and services. Because of their knowledge of medicines and clinical therapeutics, pharmacists are suitably placed for task shifting in health care and could be further trained to undertake functions such as clinical management and laboratory diagnostics. Indeed, pharmacists have been shown to be willing, competent, and cost-effective providers of what the professional literature calls "pharmaceutical care interventions"; however, internationally, there is an underuse of pharmacists for patient care and public health efforts. A coordinated and multifaceted effort to advance workforce planning, training and education is needed in order to prepare an adequate number of well-trained pharmacists for such roles. Acknowledging that health care needs can vary across geography and culture, an international group of key stakeholders in pharmacy education and global health has reached unanimous agreement that pharmacy education must be quality-driven and directed towards societal health care needs, the services required to meet those needs, the competences necessary to provide these services and the education needed to ensure those competences. Using that framework, this commentary describes the Pharmacy Education Taskforce of the World Health Organization, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the International Pharmaceutical Federation Global Pharmacy and the Education Action Plan 2008–2010, including the foundation, domains, objectives and outcome measures, and includes several examples of current activities within this scope.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The willingness to pay for dusky kob (Argyrosomus japonicus) restocking: using recreational linefishing licence fees to fund stock enhancement in South Africa

- Palmer, Ryan M, Snowball, Jeanette D

  • Authors: Palmer, Ryan M , Snowball, Jeanette D
  • Date: 2009
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71322 , vital:29833 , https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsp075
  • Description: The economic feasibility of stock enhancement of Argyrosomus japonicus in South Africa was investigated using a willingness-to-pay (WTP) survey. The pilot study provides a unique example of the use of the contingent valuation method as a valuation tool for a proposed stock enhancement programme. An increase in the cost of a recreational fishing permit is used as a potential vehicle of payment. The median value of the maximum that fishers were willing to pay for a recreational fishing permit was R155 (South African Rand) for frequent fishers and R100 for non-frequent fishers. Analysis showed that a fee of more than R100 excluded up to 50% of anglers from the fishery, but that a fee of R100 excluded only 28% of recreational anglers and would generate an additional R12 million annually from the sale of recreational fishing permits. The estimated costs of set-up and running of a stock enhancement programme are substantially lower than this, suggesting that stock enhancement may be an economically feasible management option that deserves more investigation. The WTP method itself produces robust results and is likely to be an effective tool in the management of the marine environment.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

Theory and South African developmental psychology research and literature

- Macleod, Catriona I

  • Authors: Macleod, Catriona I
  • Date: 2009
  • Language: English
  • Type: Book chapter
  • Identifier: vital:6300 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015326
  • Description: In this chapter we shall examine the theoretical assumptions that drive developmental psychology research and literature in South Africa. The basic underlying models utilised in developmental research may be described as (a) mechanistic; (b) organismic; (c) contextual and (d) social constructionist. A description of the fundamental premises of each of these will be followed by examples of research that utilise the particular approach. In the discussion, some of the controversies that plague developmental psychology research will be highlighted.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

Ties that bind: a critical discourse analysis of the coverage of the Millennium Development Goals in the Mail and Guardian

- Marquis, Danika Ewen

Toni Morrison and the literary canon whiteness, blackness, and the construction of racial identity

- Phiri, Aretha

  • Authors: Phiri, Aretha
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Morrison, Toni -- Criticism and interpretation Morrison, Toni. Playing in the dark Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 1811-1896. Uncle Tom's cabin Whitman, Walt, 1819-1892. Leaves of grass Twain, Mark, 1835-1910. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn African Americans in literature Race in literature Race relations in literature American literature -- White authors -- History and criticism
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:2212 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002255
  • Description: Toni Morrison, in Playing in the Dark, observes the pervasive silence that surrounds race in nineteenth-century canonical literature. Observing the ways in which the “Africanist” African-American presence pervades this literature, Morrison has called for an investigation of the ways in which whiteness operates in American canonical literature. This thesis takes up that challenge. In the first section, from Chapters One through Three, I explore how whiteness operates through the representation of the African-American figure in the works of three eminent nineteenth-century American writers, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Walt Whitman, and Mark Twain. The texts studied in this regard are: Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Leaves of Grass, and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This section is not concerned with whether these texts constitute racist literature but with the ways in which the study of race, particularly whiteness, reveals the contradictions and insecurities that attend (white American) identity. As such, Morrison’s own fiction, written in response to white historical representations of African-Americans also deserves attention. The second section of this thesis focuses on Morrison’s attempt to produce an authentically “black” literature. Here I look at two of Morrison’s least studied but arguably most contentious novels particularly because of what they reveal of Morrison’s complex position on race. In Chapter Four I focus on Tar Baby and argue that this novel reveals Morrison’s somewhat essentialist position on blackness and racial, cultural, and gendered identity, particularly as this pertains to responsibilities she places on the black woman as culture-bearer. In Chapter Five I argue that Paradise, while taking a particularly challenging position on blackness, reveals Morrison’s evolving position on race, particularly her concern with the destructive nature of internalized racism. This thesis concludes that while racial identities have very real material consequences, whiteness and blackness are ideological and social constructs which, because of their constructedness, are fallible and perpetually under revision.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

Topographic thresholds in gully development on the hillslopes of communal areas in Ngqushwa Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa

- Kakembo, V, Xanga, W W, Rowntree, Kate M

  • Authors: Kakembo, V , Xanga, W W , Rowntree, Kate M
  • Date: 2009
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: vital:6691 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006726
  • Description: The relationships between the spatial distribution of gully erosion and topographic thresholds in the form of slope angle, position and configuration, as well as land use change in the form of abandoned lands were examined in several affected catchments of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Land use and permanent gullies were mapped, digitized from orthophoto maps in Arc/info 3.5.2 GIS and converted to shapefiles using ArcView 3.2 GIS. Relationships between the mapped phenomena and topographic variables were sought using a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) in Idrisi Kilimanjaro GIS. A comparison between areas with a high potential for gullying and actual gully erosion was made using the Stream Power Index (SPI) as a surrogate for critical flow shear stress. Field surveys were also conducted to assess the present condition of the gullied sites as well as to validate DEM derivations. Seventy five percent of the gullied area was noted to lie on abandoned lands. A predominance of gullying in concave bottom lands was also identified. The SPI values highlighted a distinct preferential topographic zone for gully location. A conceptual model depicting the interaction between land use and topographic parameters to induce gully erosion was developed. This should assist local authorities to develop a policy regarding management of abandoned lands.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

Tourism policy, biodiversity conservation and management: a case study of the Kruger National Park, South Africa

- Zhou, Leocadia

  • Authors: Zhou, Leocadia
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Kruger National Park , Ecosystem management -- South Africa -- Kruger National Park , Tourism -- Government policy -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Geography)
  • Identifier: vital:11513 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/174 , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Kruger National Park , Ecosystem management -- South Africa -- Kruger National Park , Tourism -- Government policy -- South Africa
  • Description: The Kruger National Park (KNP) management has recently made considerable progress in enacting new policies to address biodiversity conservation and management challenges. However, the interlinkages among the new policies to support biodiversity conservation and management have not been evaluated, particularly the principles and approaches, and how these interact in terms of policy decision-making at the economic and political levels. This study seeks to evaluate the interlinkages among the new policies and how they affect one another, as an avenue to promote a more integrated and comprehensive policy implementation. These policies include the tourism policy, the elephant management policy, and the water provision policy. At policy-making level, the integration of these three policies enhances the possibilities for balancing and controlling the pressures exerted on environmental resources. At the implementation level, it offers a framework for the coordination of the interventions of the policies in space so as to recognise and capitalize on their synergies. Given the inevitably multifarious and departmentalized nature of policy formulation in the KNP, there is a need for the analysis of interlinkages amongst policies. The conceptual framework underpinning this study derives much from Briassoulis’ (2004) policy integration. The research utilizes both qualitative and quantitative research methods, and focuses on selected camp sites within the Park. The findings indicate that current procedures for tourism policy-making and implementation are weak, and little is done by way of impact assessment. This has been attributed to the lack of capacity at the KNP. The findings also reconfirm that policy-making is too fragmented. As a result, policy coordination and cooperation among park managers is weak. This study suggests that an environmental policy integration approach can lead to improved policy-making and implementation. Informed by the data collected from interviews, questionnaires and document analyses, a management framework has been developed to demonstrate how an integrated approach to Environmental Policy Integration (EPI) or management can help sustain the practice of wildlife tourism and support biodiversity conservation. It is concluded that greater realisation of integrated policy-making and implementation in the KNP can be achieved by establishing a formal coordinating office. However, a special feature of KNP policy-making is its widespread consultation system that can provide a fertile ground for enhancing EPI.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

Towards a GPS-based TEC prediction model for Southern Africa with feed forward networks

- Habarulema, John B, McKinnell, Lee-Anne, Opperman, Ben D L

  • Authors: Habarulema, John B , McKinnell, Lee-Anne , Opperman, Ben D L
  • Date: 2009
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Article
  • Identifier: vital:6806 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004192
  • Description: In this paper, first results from a national Global Positioning System (GPS) based total electron content (TEC) prediction model over South Africa are presented. Data for 10 GPS receiver stations distributed through out the country were used to train a feed forward neural network (NN) over an interval of at most five years. In the NN training, validating and testing processes, five factors which are well known to influence TEC variability namely diurnal variation, seasonal variation, magnetic activity, solar activity and the geographic position of the GPS receivers were included in the NN model. The database consisted of 1-min data and therefore the NN model developed can be used to forecast TEC values 1 min in advance. Results from the NN national model (NM) were compared with hourly TEC values generated by the earlier developed NN single station models (SSMs) at Sutherland (32.38°S, 20.81°E) and Springbok (29.67°S, 17.88°E), to predict TEC variations over the Cape Town (33.95°S, 18.47°E) and Upington (28.41°S, 21.26°E) stations, respectively, during equinoxes and solstices. This revealed that, on average, the NM led to an improvement in TEC prediction accuracy compared to the SSMs for the considered testing periods.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

Traditional food crops as a source of community resilience in Zimbabwe

- Shava, Soul, O'Donoghue, Rob B, Krasny, Marianne E, Zazu, Clayton

  • Authors: Shava, Soul , O'Donoghue, Rob B , Krasny, Marianne E , Zazu, Clayton
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/438804 , vital:73501 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/18186870903101982"
  • Description: This article draws on local narratives and observations of food sustenance practices in relocated farming communities in Sebakwe, Zimbabwe. Local knowledge on traditional food crops and related agricultural practices was proven to be a source of local community resilience, enabling residents to sustain their livelihoods. Local community agency in maintaining, cultivating and processing traditional food crops was found to sustain their culture and livelihoods, thereby providing community resilience in a changing environment.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

Traditional leadership and the use of cultural laws in land administration: implications for rural women's land rights in a transforming South Africa

- Ntwasa, Bayanda

  • Authors: Ntwasa, Bayanda
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Land tenure -- South Africa , Rural women -- South Africa , Tribal government -- South Africa , Land use, Rural -- South Africa , Right of property -- South Africa , Women's rights -- South Africa , Chiefdoms -- South Africa , Political leadership -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Rural Development)
  • Identifier: vital:11938 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/134 , Land tenure -- South Africa , Rural women -- South Africa , Tribal government -- South Africa , Land use, Rural -- South Africa , Right of property -- South Africa , Women's rights -- South Africa , Chiefdoms -- South Africa , Political leadership -- South Africa
  • Description: This dissertation critically examines how traditional leaders use cultural laws to allocate land to women and to allow women to participate in land administration in communal areas. Given the government's commitment to gender equity in all spheres of life as stipulated in Section 9 (3) of the South African Constitution (Act 108 of 1996), the dissertation examines whether related legislation and policy (such as CLARA and TLGFA) alone can guarantee equitable access to land for women and their participation in land administration structures in communal areas where patriarchy dominates. In essence, the study interrogates whether state intervention through formalizing laws that govern land matters do achieve gender equity while cultural laws still exist in communal areas. Based on the view that land in communal areas is held by the state and administered by traditional leaders who have historically discriminated against women, the dissertation employs a case study method to examine whether cultural laws are exercised when women apply for a piece of land at the three levels of traditional authority viz: village, sub-village and traditional council levels in the Matolweni village of the Nqadu Tribal Authority. Although women are often the de facto rights holders in rural areas as a result of male migration to urban areas, findings seem to indicate that it is difficult and/or sometimes impossible to translate paper laws into practice while cultural laws are still operating. For effective transformation to occur, the study recommends that unless a strong women's rural movement emerges, coupled with a socialist feminist position that advocates for a radical transformation of rural society to defeat the patriarchal norms and standards, traditional leaders will continue to discriminate against women in land issues.
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  • Date Issued: 2009
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