The role of renewable energy in de-urbanizing post COVID Africa
- Authors: Phillips, Russell
- Subjects: Renewable energy sources -- Africa , Telecommuting -- Africa , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52484 , vital:43673
- Description: The world is becoming increasingly urbanized with more than half of the world population living in cities. In many instances urbanization is seen as a positive phenomenon, however in Africa, urbanization is shown to result in a large proportion of the urban population living in slum conditions. The recent COVID pandemic has necessitated that many persons work remotely and has shown that this arrangement can be both cost effective and efficient. The notion of promoting a remote work concept beyond the pandemic with a view to encouraging de-urbanization is proposed in this research. To achieve meaningful levels of de-urbanization in Africa, particularly in remote, rural areas two major challenges need to be overcome, namely internet connectivity and energy supply. The imminent rollout of Low Earth Orbit Satellites (LEO) for affordable remote connectivity coupled with the maturity of the current solar photovoltaic offerings present seemingly perfect solutions to the identified challenges. Additionally, the record low prices recently reached by Photovoltaic modules and Lithium-ion batteries seem to present fortuitous timing for a mass de-urbanization drive which may have the potential to improve the lives of many people in Africa.
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- Authors: Phillips, Russell
- Subjects: Renewable energy sources -- Africa , Telecommuting -- Africa , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52484 , vital:43673
- Description: The world is becoming increasingly urbanized with more than half of the world population living in cities. In many instances urbanization is seen as a positive phenomenon, however in Africa, urbanization is shown to result in a large proportion of the urban population living in slum conditions. The recent COVID pandemic has necessitated that many persons work remotely and has shown that this arrangement can be both cost effective and efficient. The notion of promoting a remote work concept beyond the pandemic with a view to encouraging de-urbanization is proposed in this research. To achieve meaningful levels of de-urbanization in Africa, particularly in remote, rural areas two major challenges need to be overcome, namely internet connectivity and energy supply. The imminent rollout of Low Earth Orbit Satellites (LEO) for affordable remote connectivity coupled with the maturity of the current solar photovoltaic offerings present seemingly perfect solutions to the identified challenges. Additionally, the record low prices recently reached by Photovoltaic modules and Lithium-ion batteries seem to present fortuitous timing for a mass de-urbanization drive which may have the potential to improve the lives of many people in Africa.
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Towards mineral beneficiation: from basic chemistry to applications
- Authors: Tshentu, Zenixole
- Subjects: Metallurgy , Ore-dressing , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55783 , vital:53876
- Description: The role of mineral beneficiation in the survival, growth, development and sustainability of a developing economy cannot be overstated. Our development as a human species has always been involvedly linked with the use of mineral resources from the stone, bronze and iron ages through the early modern eras to the present. In the current modern era, characterized by highly technological equipment, fourth industrial revolution (4IR) and new energy technologies, the role of mineral beneficiation has been elevated. Precious metals find use in the fine chemicals and petrochemicals industry, fuel cells, electrical and electronic products, medical and dentistry applications, jewellery, autocatalysts, and glass and ceramics. The markets for precious metals keep growing and the supply does not meet demand. The development of methods for recovery of metal value from feeds of mineral ore solutions, solutions of spent secondary resources and from mining wastewaters remains of great importance. Further beneficiation strategies for utilization of mineral products in other “value-added” applications are also important for the growth of the mineral markets. The usage of platinum, palladium and rhodium in the autocatalyst industry has grown significantly and this has further elevated the importance of platinum group metals (PGMs), but other areas of application of the strategic metals need to be harnessed. The four stages of beneficiation, namely, primary, secondary, tertiary and final stage, provide an opportunity to beneficiate to greater value for domestic or export use. Our own research work is engaged in several of these stages, from hydrometallurgical recovery of base metals and platinum group metals from feeds of primary mining and solutions of waste secondary resources such as spent catalytic converters and e-waste to the use of metals in “value added” products such as metalbased catalysts for the fuel industry and in metallodrugs. Examples of “value added” products include rhodium as a promoter in molybdenum sulfide as a catalyst for hydrodesulfurization of fuel oil, vanadium as a catalyst in oxidative desulfurization of fuel oil, vanadium and palladium as therapeutic agents for diabetes and cancer, respectively. Current and future work involves (i) the development of metal-selective scavengers to recover lost metal value in mining wastewaters, and (ii) the design of metal-based catalytic materials for refinement of bio-based oils to biofuel as well as for production of green LPG through hydroprocessing. Our work centres around both basic and applied chemistry towards mineral beneficiation and with a bias towards greener production.
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- Authors: Tshentu, Zenixole
- Subjects: Metallurgy , Ore-dressing , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55783 , vital:53876
- Description: The role of mineral beneficiation in the survival, growth, development and sustainability of a developing economy cannot be overstated. Our development as a human species has always been involvedly linked with the use of mineral resources from the stone, bronze and iron ages through the early modern eras to the present. In the current modern era, characterized by highly technological equipment, fourth industrial revolution (4IR) and new energy technologies, the role of mineral beneficiation has been elevated. Precious metals find use in the fine chemicals and petrochemicals industry, fuel cells, electrical and electronic products, medical and dentistry applications, jewellery, autocatalysts, and glass and ceramics. The markets for precious metals keep growing and the supply does not meet demand. The development of methods for recovery of metal value from feeds of mineral ore solutions, solutions of spent secondary resources and from mining wastewaters remains of great importance. Further beneficiation strategies for utilization of mineral products in other “value-added” applications are also important for the growth of the mineral markets. The usage of platinum, palladium and rhodium in the autocatalyst industry has grown significantly and this has further elevated the importance of platinum group metals (PGMs), but other areas of application of the strategic metals need to be harnessed. The four stages of beneficiation, namely, primary, secondary, tertiary and final stage, provide an opportunity to beneficiate to greater value for domestic or export use. Our own research work is engaged in several of these stages, from hydrometallurgical recovery of base metals and platinum group metals from feeds of primary mining and solutions of waste secondary resources such as spent catalytic converters and e-waste to the use of metals in “value added” products such as metalbased catalysts for the fuel industry and in metallodrugs. Examples of “value added” products include rhodium as a promoter in molybdenum sulfide as a catalyst for hydrodesulfurization of fuel oil, vanadium as a catalyst in oxidative desulfurization of fuel oil, vanadium and palladium as therapeutic agents for diabetes and cancer, respectively. Current and future work involves (i) the development of metal-selective scavengers to recover lost metal value in mining wastewaters, and (ii) the design of metal-based catalytic materials for refinement of bio-based oils to biofuel as well as for production of green LPG through hydroprocessing. Our work centres around both basic and applied chemistry towards mineral beneficiation and with a bias towards greener production.
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Two decades of curriculum transformation: what have we learnt and where do we go from here?
- Authors: Blignaut, Sylvan
- Subjects: Curriculum change -- South Africa , Education -- South Africa , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/16076 , vital:28318
- Description: In this lecture, I will revisit the implementation of a new curriculum in South Africa’s schooling system and provide a brief overview of why curriculum change is so complex and fraught with difficulties. I will argue that an important reason for the failure of curriculum implementation could be ascribed to a relative neglect by policymakers of “teacher landscapes” or the beliefs teachers have about teaching. I will argue that it “matters what teachers think and do” and if policymakers do not take account of this reality, successful curriculum implementation will remain a challenge.
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- Authors: Blignaut, Sylvan
- Subjects: Curriculum change -- South Africa , Education -- South Africa , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/16076 , vital:28318
- Description: In this lecture, I will revisit the implementation of a new curriculum in South Africa’s schooling system and provide a brief overview of why curriculum change is so complex and fraught with difficulties. I will argue that an important reason for the failure of curriculum implementation could be ascribed to a relative neglect by policymakers of “teacher landscapes” or the beliefs teachers have about teaching. I will argue that it “matters what teachers think and do” and if policymakers do not take account of this reality, successful curriculum implementation will remain a challenge.
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Ultra-high precision manufacturing
- Authors: Abou-El-Hossein, Khaled
- Subjects: Machining , Diamond turning , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20878 , vital:29410
- Description: One of the engineering areas focusing on the research and development of highvalue components and manufacturing technologies is precision engineering. Precision engineering represents a variety of engineering and science disciplines ranging from areas such as mechanical, electronics and industrial engineering to chemistry, physics, optics and materials science. This paper aims at familiarising the reader with the recent advances in ultra-high precision manufacturing technologies and their applications for the production of various critical components employed in different sectors of the industry. In this paper, the principles of ultra-high precision manufacturing will be discussed followed by examples of its use in various industrial applications. The status of ultra-high precision manufacturing in terms of current research issues and future trends will be discussed. In addition, research activities and projects in the area of precision manufacturing that are currently conducted at the NMMU will be also highlighted. Finally, the author looks forward to presenting herewith comprehensive information that could be useful to the reader and easy to understand by the bigger NMMU’s community.
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- Authors: Abou-El-Hossein, Khaled
- Subjects: Machining , Diamond turning , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20878 , vital:29410
- Description: One of the engineering areas focusing on the research and development of highvalue components and manufacturing technologies is precision engineering. Precision engineering represents a variety of engineering and science disciplines ranging from areas such as mechanical, electronics and industrial engineering to chemistry, physics, optics and materials science. This paper aims at familiarising the reader with the recent advances in ultra-high precision manufacturing technologies and their applications for the production of various critical components employed in different sectors of the industry. In this paper, the principles of ultra-high precision manufacturing will be discussed followed by examples of its use in various industrial applications. The status of ultra-high precision manufacturing in terms of current research issues and future trends will be discussed. In addition, research activities and projects in the area of precision manufacturing that are currently conducted at the NMMU will be also highlighted. Finally, the author looks forward to presenting herewith comprehensive information that could be useful to the reader and easy to understand by the bigger NMMU’s community.
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Utilising new technology to enable sustainable chemical and drug manufacturing in Africa
- Authors: Watts, Paul
- Subjects: Drug development , Pharmacology , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21000 , vital:29426
- Description: Over the last few decades organic chemists have developed highly sophisticated chemical reactions to prepare very complex molecules. The pharmaceutical industry uses the methodology that academics develop within research programmes to manufacture drugs to treat a plethora of medical conditions. When unwell, all citizens expect treatment, however it needs to be remembered that the pharmaceutical industry is a business in order to make a profit for its shareholders, and consequently only rich nations can afford access to the most modern treatments available.
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- Authors: Watts, Paul
- Subjects: Drug development , Pharmacology , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21000 , vital:29426
- Description: Over the last few decades organic chemists have developed highly sophisticated chemical reactions to prepare very complex molecules. The pharmaceutical industry uses the methodology that academics develop within research programmes to manufacture drugs to treat a plethora of medical conditions. When unwell, all citizens expect treatment, however it needs to be remembered that the pharmaceutical industry is a business in order to make a profit for its shareholders, and consequently only rich nations can afford access to the most modern treatments available.
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Water under troubled bridge: the (ir)relevance of Development Studies pedagogies in African universities
- Authors: Makuwira, Jonathan
- Subjects: Development economics , Universities and colleges -- Africa -- Curricula , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20375 , vital:29271
- Description: The demand for “methodologies of education and learning” is very significant in the current FeesMustFall discourse. This is not just because it is necessary to consider education methodologies, but in the broader scheme of things, it is also a call to both mental and ideological transformation. It challenges university lecturers and educators alike to question their own preconceived pedagogies and engage in an introspection - a 2 reflective moment in their teaching. I will come back to this later in my presentation. The point I am trying to emphasis is that the call for “The-Fall-in-Fees” is a development issue. It is a development issue because it gravitates around access to [Higher] education. We just need to remind ourselves by what Nelson Mandela once said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. We all know-education is a fundamental human right; so too is development (United Nations, 1986). The denial to education is an act of injustice. But like Martin Luther King Jr. said: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (Luther King Jr, 1963). In this regard, there is a lot of development injustice to which my lecture this evening alludes to.
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- Authors: Makuwira, Jonathan
- Subjects: Development economics , Universities and colleges -- Africa -- Curricula , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20375 , vital:29271
- Description: The demand for “methodologies of education and learning” is very significant in the current FeesMustFall discourse. This is not just because it is necessary to consider education methodologies, but in the broader scheme of things, it is also a call to both mental and ideological transformation. It challenges university lecturers and educators alike to question their own preconceived pedagogies and engage in an introspection - a 2 reflective moment in their teaching. I will come back to this later in my presentation. The point I am trying to emphasis is that the call for “The-Fall-in-Fees” is a development issue. It is a development issue because it gravitates around access to [Higher] education. We just need to remind ourselves by what Nelson Mandela once said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. We all know-education is a fundamental human right; so too is development (United Nations, 1986). The denial to education is an act of injustice. But like Martin Luther King Jr. said: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (Luther King Jr, 1963). In this regard, there is a lot of development injustice to which my lecture this evening alludes to.
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What do you read, my lord? Words, words, words.
- Authors: Crous, Marius
- Subjects: Shakespear, William, 1564-1616 , Shakespear, William, Hamlet
- Language: English
- Type: text , PDF , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/66415 , vital:75241
- Description: The title of this lecture is from Shakespeare’s Hamlet and the two keywords, namely read and words will form the basis of my reflection on my life as an academic. Both are essential components of any academic project and both still play a significant role in my everyday life as a reader, a critic, a teacher, a reviewer, a poet or a translator. In my lecture I will focus briefly on the art of reading, reading and meaning, types of reading and end on a more personalized note with an analysis of the role of the poet as reader and make reference to both my poems and other poems within the discipline of Afrikaans literature.
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- Authors: Crous, Marius
- Subjects: Shakespear, William, 1564-1616 , Shakespear, William, Hamlet
- Language: English
- Type: text , PDF , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/66415 , vital:75241
- Description: The title of this lecture is from Shakespeare’s Hamlet and the two keywords, namely read and words will form the basis of my reflection on my life as an academic. Both are essential components of any academic project and both still play a significant role in my everyday life as a reader, a critic, a teacher, a reviewer, a poet or a translator. In my lecture I will focus briefly on the art of reading, reading and meaning, types of reading and end on a more personalized note with an analysis of the role of the poet as reader and make reference to both my poems and other poems within the discipline of Afrikaans literature.
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What is the future of financial inclusion?
- Authors: Mago, Stephen
- Subjects: Financial services industry -- Africa , Banks and banking -- Africa , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/56481 , vital:56688
- Description: The purpose of this lecture is to explicate the future of financial inclusion with a focus on Africa. Understanding financial inclusion, its advantages, and its trajectory into the future sets a scene for future research and debates. Materials and methods: In preparing this lecture, I used systematic literature and bibliometric analysis complemented with field research done in two selected areas (Masvingo district in Zimbabwe and the Kirkwood area in the Eastern Cape, South Africa). Results/Findings: Results show that financial inclusion benefits poverty alleviation, job/employment creation, small business growth (through innovation and creativity), sustainability, closing inequality gaps, inclusive economic growth and development (local, national, regional, and global), closing gender gaps, and the promotion of digital finance. In other words, it creates opportunities for individuals, businesses, and economies in various ways. It also contributes to the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs). Globally, stakeholders such as governments, supranational organisations (the UN, the WB, the IMF, the G20) and development banks are working together to achieve financial inclusion. Alleviation or elimination of financial exclusion (FE) is the ultimate. Social implications: Financial inclusion promotes socio-economic transformation and livelihood enhancement. The unbanked, or the financially excluded, and the underbanked benefit from financial inclusion, thus allowing them access to financial services. Conclusions and recommendations: Extant literature and empirical research demonstrate the immense contribution of financial inclusion. It helps to defy the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality. This lecture therefore recommends deliberate policy intentions by governments in developing countries to support financial inclusion to benefit the marginalised and promote the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs). There is a need to digitise the financial systems for inclusivity. I argue that the future of financial inclusion is achieved not only by technology, but also by acceptance, behaviour, and collaboration/synergy, built around strong ecosystems. An underlying thesis is that financial inclusion benefits economies in many ways.
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- Authors: Mago, Stephen
- Subjects: Financial services industry -- Africa , Banks and banking -- Africa , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/56481 , vital:56688
- Description: The purpose of this lecture is to explicate the future of financial inclusion with a focus on Africa. Understanding financial inclusion, its advantages, and its trajectory into the future sets a scene for future research and debates. Materials and methods: In preparing this lecture, I used systematic literature and bibliometric analysis complemented with field research done in two selected areas (Masvingo district in Zimbabwe and the Kirkwood area in the Eastern Cape, South Africa). Results/Findings: Results show that financial inclusion benefits poverty alleviation, job/employment creation, small business growth (through innovation and creativity), sustainability, closing inequality gaps, inclusive economic growth and development (local, national, regional, and global), closing gender gaps, and the promotion of digital finance. In other words, it creates opportunities for individuals, businesses, and economies in various ways. It also contributes to the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs). Globally, stakeholders such as governments, supranational organisations (the UN, the WB, the IMF, the G20) and development banks are working together to achieve financial inclusion. Alleviation or elimination of financial exclusion (FE) is the ultimate. Social implications: Financial inclusion promotes socio-economic transformation and livelihood enhancement. The unbanked, or the financially excluded, and the underbanked benefit from financial inclusion, thus allowing them access to financial services. Conclusions and recommendations: Extant literature and empirical research demonstrate the immense contribution of financial inclusion. It helps to defy the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality. This lecture therefore recommends deliberate policy intentions by governments in developing countries to support financial inclusion to benefit the marginalised and promote the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs). There is a need to digitise the financial systems for inclusivity. I argue that the future of financial inclusion is achieved not only by technology, but also by acceptance, behaviour, and collaboration/synergy, built around strong ecosystems. An underlying thesis is that financial inclusion benefits economies in many ways.
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Whither the International Court?
- Authors: Cilliers, A. C
- Subjects: International Court of Justice -- Powers and duties , Mandates -- Namibia , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21110 , vital:29441
- Description: The International Court of Justice is an important organ regulating the pacific settlement of international disputes. If the present Court is to function effectively, disrespectful attacks on members of the Court should cease, and the organs of the United Nations should not attempt to use the Court as an instrument of policy. Moreover, the Court itself should adhere to the appropriate method of interpretation of international instruments in litigation having a bearing on political controversies. In October 1966 the General Assembly of the United Nations purported to terminate South Africa's mandate in respect of South West Africa. The Security Council thereafter requested the Court to advise it as to the legal consequences for states of South Africa's continued presence in South West Africa, notwithstanding Security Council Resolution 276 (1970). Has the mandate been validly terminated?
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Cilliers, A. C
- Subjects: International Court of Justice -- Powers and duties , Mandates -- Namibia , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21110 , vital:29441
- Description: The International Court of Justice is an important organ regulating the pacific settlement of international disputes. If the present Court is to function effectively, disrespectful attacks on members of the Court should cease, and the organs of the United Nations should not attempt to use the Court as an instrument of policy. Moreover, the Court itself should adhere to the appropriate method of interpretation of international instruments in litigation having a bearing on political controversies. In October 1966 the General Assembly of the United Nations purported to terminate South Africa's mandate in respect of South West Africa. The Security Council thereafter requested the Court to advise it as to the legal consequences for states of South Africa's continued presence in South West Africa, notwithstanding Security Council Resolution 276 (1970). Has the mandate been validly terminated?
- Full Text: false