Movement patterns of spotted grunter, Pomadasys commersonnii (Haemulidae), in a highly turbid South African estuary
- Authors: Childs, Amber-Robyn
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Grunts (Fishes) -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Pomadasys -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Freshwater fishes -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Fishes -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estaurine ecology -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Marine ecology -- South Africa -- Great Fish River
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5304 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005149 , Grunts (Fishes) -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Pomadasys -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Freshwater fishes -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Fishes -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estaurine ecology -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Marine ecology -- South Africa -- Great Fish River
- Description: The principal objective of this thesis was to gain an understanding of the movement patterns of spotted grunter Pomadasys commersonnii, an estuarine-dependent fishery species, in the turbid, freshwater dominated Great Fish Estuary. Both manual and automated telemetry methods were used to monitor the movements of spotted grunter during two separate studies conducted in summer and spring 2003 and 2004. Acoustic transmitters were surgically implanted into twenty spotted grunter with lengths between 263 and 387 mm TL in the first study and twenty spotted grunter ranging between 362 and 698 mm TL in the second study. The specific objectives were to gain an understanding of (i) the time spent in the estuarine environment (ii) the space use and home range size, and (iii) the abiotic factors governing the movement patterns of spotted grunter in the estuary. The nursery function of estuarine environments was highlighted in this study as adolescent spotted grunter spent a significantly larger proportion of their time in the estuary than adult fish (p < 0.0001; R² = 0.62). The increased frequency of sea trips, with the onset of sexual maturity, provided testimony of the end of the estuarinedependent phase of their life-cycle. Although considered to be predominantly marine, the adult spotted grunter in the Great Fish Estuary utilised the estuary for considerable periods. Adults are thought to frequent estuaries to forage, seek shelter and to possibly rid themselves of parasites. During this study, the number of sea trips made by tagged fish ranged from 0 to 53, and the duration ranged from 6 hours to 28 days. The tidal phase and time of day had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the sea trips undertaken by fish. Most tagged spotted grunter left the estuary during the night (84%) on the outgoing tide, and most returned in the evening (77%) during the incoming tide. Sea temperature (p < 0.0001; R² = 0.34), barometric pressure (p = 0.004; R² = 0.19) and wind (p = 0.01) had a significant effect on the number of spotted grunter recorded in the estuary. Spotted grunter were more prone to return to the estuary after high barometric pressure, when low sea temperatures (upwelling events) prevailed. There was a significant positive relationship between home range size and fish length (p = 0.004; R² = 0.20). Small spotted grunter (< 450 mm TL) appeared to be highly resident, with a small home range (mean size = 129 167 m²), that was generally confined to a single core area. Larger individuals (> 450 mm TL) occupied larger home ranges (mean size = 218 435 m²) with numerous core areas. The home ranges of small and large spotted grunter overlapped considerably yielding evidence of two high use areas, situated 1.2 km and 7 km from the mouth of the Great Fish Estuary. Tagged spotted grunter were located in a wide range of salinity, turbidity and temperature, but were found to avoid temperatures below 16 ºC. The daily change in environmental variables (salinity, temperature and turbidity) had a significant effect on the change in fish position in the estuary (p < 0.0001; R² = 0.38). The distribution of tagged spotted grunter, particularly the larger individuals, in the Great Fish Estuary was influenced by the tidal phase (p < 0.05); they moved upriver on the incoming tide and downriver on the outgoing tide. This study provides an understanding of the movement patterns of spotted grunter in the estuary and between the estuarine and marine environments. Consequently, it provides information that will assist in the design of a management plan to promote sustainability of this important fishery species. The techniques used and developed in this study also have direct application for further studies on other important estuarinedependent fishery species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Childs, Amber-Robyn
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Grunts (Fishes) -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Pomadasys -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Freshwater fishes -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Fishes -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estaurine ecology -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Marine ecology -- South Africa -- Great Fish River
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5304 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005149 , Grunts (Fishes) -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Pomadasys -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Freshwater fishes -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Fishes -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estaurine ecology -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Marine ecology -- South Africa -- Great Fish River
- Description: The principal objective of this thesis was to gain an understanding of the movement patterns of spotted grunter Pomadasys commersonnii, an estuarine-dependent fishery species, in the turbid, freshwater dominated Great Fish Estuary. Both manual and automated telemetry methods were used to monitor the movements of spotted grunter during two separate studies conducted in summer and spring 2003 and 2004. Acoustic transmitters were surgically implanted into twenty spotted grunter with lengths between 263 and 387 mm TL in the first study and twenty spotted grunter ranging between 362 and 698 mm TL in the second study. The specific objectives were to gain an understanding of (i) the time spent in the estuarine environment (ii) the space use and home range size, and (iii) the abiotic factors governing the movement patterns of spotted grunter in the estuary. The nursery function of estuarine environments was highlighted in this study as adolescent spotted grunter spent a significantly larger proportion of their time in the estuary than adult fish (p < 0.0001; R² = 0.62). The increased frequency of sea trips, with the onset of sexual maturity, provided testimony of the end of the estuarinedependent phase of their life-cycle. Although considered to be predominantly marine, the adult spotted grunter in the Great Fish Estuary utilised the estuary for considerable periods. Adults are thought to frequent estuaries to forage, seek shelter and to possibly rid themselves of parasites. During this study, the number of sea trips made by tagged fish ranged from 0 to 53, and the duration ranged from 6 hours to 28 days. The tidal phase and time of day had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the sea trips undertaken by fish. Most tagged spotted grunter left the estuary during the night (84%) on the outgoing tide, and most returned in the evening (77%) during the incoming tide. Sea temperature (p < 0.0001; R² = 0.34), barometric pressure (p = 0.004; R² = 0.19) and wind (p = 0.01) had a significant effect on the number of spotted grunter recorded in the estuary. Spotted grunter were more prone to return to the estuary after high barometric pressure, when low sea temperatures (upwelling events) prevailed. There was a significant positive relationship between home range size and fish length (p = 0.004; R² = 0.20). Small spotted grunter (< 450 mm TL) appeared to be highly resident, with a small home range (mean size = 129 167 m²), that was generally confined to a single core area. Larger individuals (> 450 mm TL) occupied larger home ranges (mean size = 218 435 m²) with numerous core areas. The home ranges of small and large spotted grunter overlapped considerably yielding evidence of two high use areas, situated 1.2 km and 7 km from the mouth of the Great Fish Estuary. Tagged spotted grunter were located in a wide range of salinity, turbidity and temperature, but were found to avoid temperatures below 16 ºC. The daily change in environmental variables (salinity, temperature and turbidity) had a significant effect on the change in fish position in the estuary (p < 0.0001; R² = 0.38). The distribution of tagged spotted grunter, particularly the larger individuals, in the Great Fish Estuary was influenced by the tidal phase (p < 0.05); they moved upriver on the incoming tide and downriver on the outgoing tide. This study provides an understanding of the movement patterns of spotted grunter in the estuary and between the estuarine and marine environments. Consequently, it provides information that will assist in the design of a management plan to promote sustainability of this important fishery species. The techniques used and developed in this study also have direct application for further studies on other important estuarinedependent fishery species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Negotiating impoverishment: Farm worker responses to displacement following land invasions in Zimbabwe's "Fast Track Land Reform Programme"
- Hartnack, Andrew Michael Carl
- Authors: Hartnack, Andrew Michael Carl
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/197076 , vital:45834
- Description: This thesis investigates the impacts of sudden, unplanned, and violent displacement on farm workers such as Frank Juwawo during Zimbabwe’s recent Fast Track Land Reform Programme. It seeks to illustrate how the members of a complex community were differentially impacted by displacement and displayed differing abilities to mitigate the resulting social and economic impoverishment. In order to illuminate this particular displacement scenario, this thesis uses theoretical and analytical tools developed in the field of displacement studies, adapting them to suit the kind of displacement experienced by Zimbabwean farm workers. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Anthropology, 2006
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Hartnack, Andrew Michael Carl
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/197076 , vital:45834
- Description: This thesis investigates the impacts of sudden, unplanned, and violent displacement on farm workers such as Frank Juwawo during Zimbabwe’s recent Fast Track Land Reform Programme. It seeks to illustrate how the members of a complex community were differentially impacted by displacement and displayed differing abilities to mitigate the resulting social and economic impoverishment. In order to illuminate this particular displacement scenario, this thesis uses theoretical and analytical tools developed in the field of displacement studies, adapting them to suit the kind of displacement experienced by Zimbabwean farm workers. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Anthropology, 2006
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Non-interactive modeling tools and support environment for procedural geometry generation
- Authors: Morkel, Chantelle
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Computer graphics -- Mathematical models , Three-dimensional display systems , Computer simulation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4644 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006589 , Computer graphics -- Mathematical models , Three-dimensional display systems , Computer simulation
- Description: This research examines procedural modeling in the eld of computer graphics. Procedural modeling automates the generation of objects by representing models as procedures that provide a description of the process required to create the model. The problem we solve with this research is the creation of a procedural modeling environment that consists of a procedural modeling language and a set of non-interactive modeling tools. A goal of this research is to provide comparisons between 3D manual modeling and procedural modeling, which focus on the modeling strategies, tools and model representations used by each modeling paradigm. A procedural modeling language is presented that has the same facilities and features of existing procedural modeling languages. In addition, features such as caching and a pseudorandom number generator is included, demonstrating the advantages of a procedural modeling paradigm. The non-interactive tools created within the procedural modeling framework are selection, extrusion, subdivision, curve shaping and stitching. In order to demonstrate the usefulness of the procedural modeling framework, human and furniture models are created using this procedural modeling environment. Various techniques are presented to generate these objects, and may be used to create a variety of other models. A detailed discussion of each technique is provided. Six experiments are conducted to test the support of the procedural modeling benets provided by this non- interactive modeling environment. The experiments test, namely parameterisation, re-usability, base-shape independence, model complexity, the generation of reproducible random numbers and caching. We prove that a number of distinct models can be generated from a single procedure through the use parameterisation. Modeling procedures and sub-procedures are re-usable and can be applied to different models. Procedures can be base-shape independent. The level of complexity of a model can be increased by repeatedly applying geometry to the model. The pseudo-random number generator is capable of generating reproducible random numbers. The caching facility reduces the time required to generate a model that uses repetitive geometry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Morkel, Chantelle
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Computer graphics -- Mathematical models , Three-dimensional display systems , Computer simulation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4644 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006589 , Computer graphics -- Mathematical models , Three-dimensional display systems , Computer simulation
- Description: This research examines procedural modeling in the eld of computer graphics. Procedural modeling automates the generation of objects by representing models as procedures that provide a description of the process required to create the model. The problem we solve with this research is the creation of a procedural modeling environment that consists of a procedural modeling language and a set of non-interactive modeling tools. A goal of this research is to provide comparisons between 3D manual modeling and procedural modeling, which focus on the modeling strategies, tools and model representations used by each modeling paradigm. A procedural modeling language is presented that has the same facilities and features of existing procedural modeling languages. In addition, features such as caching and a pseudorandom number generator is included, demonstrating the advantages of a procedural modeling paradigm. The non-interactive tools created within the procedural modeling framework are selection, extrusion, subdivision, curve shaping and stitching. In order to demonstrate the usefulness of the procedural modeling framework, human and furniture models are created using this procedural modeling environment. Various techniques are presented to generate these objects, and may be used to create a variety of other models. A detailed discussion of each technique is provided. Six experiments are conducted to test the support of the procedural modeling benets provided by this non- interactive modeling environment. The experiments test, namely parameterisation, re-usability, base-shape independence, model complexity, the generation of reproducible random numbers and caching. We prove that a number of distinct models can be generated from a single procedure through the use parameterisation. Modeling procedures and sub-procedures are re-usable and can be applied to different models. Procedures can be base-shape independent. The level of complexity of a model can be increased by repeatedly applying geometry to the model. The pseudo-random number generator is capable of generating reproducible random numbers. The caching facility reduces the time required to generate a model that uses repetitive geometry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Nutrient dynamics in and offshore of two permanently open South African estuaries with contrasting fresh water inflow
- Authors: Jennings, Michael Evan
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Estuaries -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Kariega River , Marine ecology -- South Africa , Freshwater ecology -- South Africa , Rivers -- Environmental aspects , Water quality management -- South Africa , Water -- Analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5735 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005421 , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Kariega River , Marine ecology -- South Africa , Freshwater ecology -- South Africa , Rivers -- Environmental aspects , Water quality management -- South Africa , Water -- Analysis
- Description: The nutrient dynamics in two contrasting estuaries and in the adjacent nearshore environment along the south-east coast of South Africa was investigated seasonally. Due to an inter-basin transfer of water from the Gariep Dam to the Great Fish River, the Great Fish estuary is a fresh water dominated, terrestrially driven system with an annual fresh water inflow of 250 – 650 x 10⁶ m³ per year. In contrast, the Kariega estuary is a fresh water deprived, marine dominated system with a fresh water inflow estimated at 2.5 – 35 x 10⁶ m³per year. The reduced fresh water inflow into the estuary is attributed to regular impoundments along the Kariega River. Water samples were collected from surface and subsurface layers along the length of the estuaries as well as from a series of transects occupied in the nearshore environment. Samples were analysed for nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, phosphate and silicate. Temperature and salinity were recorded at each station. A Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) budget was constructed for each estuary to describe the role of ecosystem-level metabolism as either a sink or a source of phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon. Seasonal variation in physico-chemical properties and nutrient concentrations in the Kariega estuary was minimal due to constant low inflow, while in the Great Fish estuary, concentrations varied in response to changes in flow rate. Nutrient concentrations were consistently higher in the Great Fish estuary than in the Kariega estuary, largely reflecting differences in fresh water inflow. During periods of high flow (32.92 m³.s⁻¹in the Great Fish River) dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations in the Great Fish estuary were an order of magnitude higher than those recorded in the Kariega estuary. Results of the LOICZ budgeting procedures revealed that in spite of the contrasting hydrodynamic features, the estuaries behave in largely the same manner – both predominantly sources of nutrients with heterotrophic processes dominating over autotrophic actions and both were net denitrifyers during all surveys. This was, however, due to different sets of processes operating in the two estuaries, namely low nutrient concentrations resulting in microbial activity in the Kariega estuary, and riverine influx of nutrients and phytoplankton combined with a short residence time of the water in the Great Fish estuary. In the marine nearshore environment, higher nutrient concentrations were recorded adjacent to the Great Fish estuary than offshore of the Kariega estuary. This was due to a surface plume of less saline water leaving the Great Fish estuary, which acted as an ‘outweller’ of nutrients. Offshore of the Kariega estuary, on the other hand, the nutrient concentrations were characteristic of marine waters due to a lack of fresh water outflow from the estuary. Nutrient concentrations in the marine environment adjacent to the Kariega estuary were, at times, higher than those recorded within the estuary. This observation supports previous statements which suggest that the Kariega estuary is not an ‘outweller’ of dissolved nutrients and particulate material, but rather an extension of the marine environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Jennings, Michael Evan
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Estuaries -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Kariega River , Marine ecology -- South Africa , Freshwater ecology -- South Africa , Rivers -- Environmental aspects , Water quality management -- South Africa , Water -- Analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5735 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005421 , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Kariega River , Marine ecology -- South Africa , Freshwater ecology -- South Africa , Rivers -- Environmental aspects , Water quality management -- South Africa , Water -- Analysis
- Description: The nutrient dynamics in two contrasting estuaries and in the adjacent nearshore environment along the south-east coast of South Africa was investigated seasonally. Due to an inter-basin transfer of water from the Gariep Dam to the Great Fish River, the Great Fish estuary is a fresh water dominated, terrestrially driven system with an annual fresh water inflow of 250 – 650 x 10⁶ m³ per year. In contrast, the Kariega estuary is a fresh water deprived, marine dominated system with a fresh water inflow estimated at 2.5 – 35 x 10⁶ m³per year. The reduced fresh water inflow into the estuary is attributed to regular impoundments along the Kariega River. Water samples were collected from surface and subsurface layers along the length of the estuaries as well as from a series of transects occupied in the nearshore environment. Samples were analysed for nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, phosphate and silicate. Temperature and salinity were recorded at each station. A Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) budget was constructed for each estuary to describe the role of ecosystem-level metabolism as either a sink or a source of phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon. Seasonal variation in physico-chemical properties and nutrient concentrations in the Kariega estuary was minimal due to constant low inflow, while in the Great Fish estuary, concentrations varied in response to changes in flow rate. Nutrient concentrations were consistently higher in the Great Fish estuary than in the Kariega estuary, largely reflecting differences in fresh water inflow. During periods of high flow (32.92 m³.s⁻¹in the Great Fish River) dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations in the Great Fish estuary were an order of magnitude higher than those recorded in the Kariega estuary. Results of the LOICZ budgeting procedures revealed that in spite of the contrasting hydrodynamic features, the estuaries behave in largely the same manner – both predominantly sources of nutrients with heterotrophic processes dominating over autotrophic actions and both were net denitrifyers during all surveys. This was, however, due to different sets of processes operating in the two estuaries, namely low nutrient concentrations resulting in microbial activity in the Kariega estuary, and riverine influx of nutrients and phytoplankton combined with a short residence time of the water in the Great Fish estuary. In the marine nearshore environment, higher nutrient concentrations were recorded adjacent to the Great Fish estuary than offshore of the Kariega estuary. This was due to a surface plume of less saline water leaving the Great Fish estuary, which acted as an ‘outweller’ of nutrients. Offshore of the Kariega estuary, on the other hand, the nutrient concentrations were characteristic of marine waters due to a lack of fresh water outflow from the estuary. Nutrient concentrations in the marine environment adjacent to the Kariega estuary were, at times, higher than those recorded within the estuary. This observation supports previous statements which suggest that the Kariega estuary is not an ‘outweller’ of dissolved nutrients and particulate material, but rather an extension of the marine environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Our society, our university, our challenges and responsibilities
- Authors: Badat, Saleem
- Date: 2006
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:574 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006567
- Description: Inaugural address of the Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University, Dr. Saleem Badat
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Badat, Saleem
- Date: 2006
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:574 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006567
- Description: Inaugural address of the Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University, Dr. Saleem Badat
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Participants' experience and perceptions of the Future Search Conference as an organizational change strategy in the Nursing Board of Namibia
- Authors: Layne, Nelao
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Organizational change -- Namibia Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1882 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005909
- Description: Future Search is a new concept in Namibia. This study looks at the application of a Future Search Conference (FSC) with the Nursing Board of Namibia with a view to investigating participants' experiences and perceptions of the FSC as an organizational change strategy. I conducted a case study in the interpretive paradigm, since I was interested in understanding the subjective experience and individual perceptions of five respondents with regard to the FSC. To obtain in-depth information on how participants felt about the FSC, I employed two data gathering tools: un-structured individual interviews and observation. The findings confirmed that the Future Search is a new concept in the Ministry of Health in particular and in Namibia as a whole. Participants are of the opinion that leaders and managers are key figures in the success or failure of the Future Search. They showed a tremendous interest in the process and are willing to embrace and master the tool so they could try it in their various areas of work. Emphasis was put on the need to get the FSC introduced to leaders and higher management cadres on a wider scale, because they are decision makers and can decide whether or not the Future Search could be institutionalized. This study concludes with an appeal from respondents to be exposed to the Future Search again in a better time frame than the short time we had.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Layne, Nelao
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Organizational change -- Namibia Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1882 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005909
- Description: Future Search is a new concept in Namibia. This study looks at the application of a Future Search Conference (FSC) with the Nursing Board of Namibia with a view to investigating participants' experiences and perceptions of the FSC as an organizational change strategy. I conducted a case study in the interpretive paradigm, since I was interested in understanding the subjective experience and individual perceptions of five respondents with regard to the FSC. To obtain in-depth information on how participants felt about the FSC, I employed two data gathering tools: un-structured individual interviews and observation. The findings confirmed that the Future Search is a new concept in the Ministry of Health in particular and in Namibia as a whole. Participants are of the opinion that leaders and managers are key figures in the success or failure of the Future Search. They showed a tremendous interest in the process and are willing to embrace and master the tool so they could try it in their various areas of work. Emphasis was put on the need to get the FSC introduced to leaders and higher management cadres on a wider scale, because they are decision makers and can decide whether or not the Future Search could be institutionalized. This study concludes with an appeal from respondents to be exposed to the Future Search again in a better time frame than the short time we had.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Patient education : the effect on patient behaviour
- Authors: Shiri, Clarris
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Patient education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Patient compliance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Hypertension -- Treatment -- South Africa Health care services -- South Africa Community health services -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:3790 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003268
- Description: Evidence suggests that the prevalence of certain non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension, is increasing rapidly, and that patients with these diseases are making significant demands on the health services of the nations in sub-Saharan Africa. However, these countries also face other health-related challenges such as communicable diseases and underdevelopmentrelated diseases. Developing countries like South Africa have limited resources, in terms of man power and financial capital, to address the challenges that they are facing. Non-communicable diseases cannot be ignored and since health care providers cannot meet the challenges, it is worthwhile to empower patients to be involved in the management of their conditions. Patient education is a tool that can be used to enable patients to manage their chronic conditions and thereby reduce the morbidity and mortality rates of these conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a patient education intervention on participants’ levels of knowledge about hypertension and its therapy, beliefs about medicines and adherence to anti-hypertensive therapy. The intervention consisted of talks and discussions with all the participants as one group and as individuals. There was also written information given to the participants. Their levels of knowledge about hypertension and its therapy were measured using one-on-one interviews and self-administered questionnaires. Beliefs about medicines were measured using the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) whilst adherence levels were measured using pill counts, elf-reports and prescription refill records. The participants’ blood pressure readings and body mass indices were also recorded throughout the study. The parameters before and after the educational intervention were compared using statistical analyses. The participants’ levels of knowledge about hypertension and its therapy significantly increased whilst their beliefs about medicines were positively modified after the educational intervention. There were also increases, though not statistically significant, in the participants’ levels of adherence to anti-hypertensive therapy. Unexpectedly, the blood pressure readings and body mass indices increased significantly. The participants gave positive feedback regarding the educational intervention and indicated a desire for similar programmes to be run continuously. They also suggested that such programmes be implemented for other common chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes. This study proved that patient education programmes can be implemented to modify patients’ levels of knowledge about their conditions and the therapy, beliefs about medicines and adherence to therapy. However, such programmes need to be conducted over a long period of time since changes involving behaviour take a long time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Shiri, Clarris
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Patient education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Patient compliance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Hypertension -- Treatment -- South Africa Health care services -- South Africa Community health services -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:3790 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003268
- Description: Evidence suggests that the prevalence of certain non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension, is increasing rapidly, and that patients with these diseases are making significant demands on the health services of the nations in sub-Saharan Africa. However, these countries also face other health-related challenges such as communicable diseases and underdevelopmentrelated diseases. Developing countries like South Africa have limited resources, in terms of man power and financial capital, to address the challenges that they are facing. Non-communicable diseases cannot be ignored and since health care providers cannot meet the challenges, it is worthwhile to empower patients to be involved in the management of their conditions. Patient education is a tool that can be used to enable patients to manage their chronic conditions and thereby reduce the morbidity and mortality rates of these conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a patient education intervention on participants’ levels of knowledge about hypertension and its therapy, beliefs about medicines and adherence to anti-hypertensive therapy. The intervention consisted of talks and discussions with all the participants as one group and as individuals. There was also written information given to the participants. Their levels of knowledge about hypertension and its therapy were measured using one-on-one interviews and self-administered questionnaires. Beliefs about medicines were measured using the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) whilst adherence levels were measured using pill counts, elf-reports and prescription refill records. The participants’ blood pressure readings and body mass indices were also recorded throughout the study. The parameters before and after the educational intervention were compared using statistical analyses. The participants’ levels of knowledge about hypertension and its therapy significantly increased whilst their beliefs about medicines were positively modified after the educational intervention. There were also increases, though not statistically significant, in the participants’ levels of adherence to anti-hypertensive therapy. Unexpectedly, the blood pressure readings and body mass indices increased significantly. The participants gave positive feedback regarding the educational intervention and indicated a desire for similar programmes to be run continuously. They also suggested that such programmes be implemented for other common chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes. This study proved that patient education programmes can be implemented to modify patients’ levels of knowledge about their conditions and the therapy, beliefs about medicines and adherence to therapy. However, such programmes need to be conducted over a long period of time since changes involving behaviour take a long time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Pharmaceutical analysis and drug interaction studies : African potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea)
- Purushothaman Nair, Vipin Devi Prasad
- Authors: Purushothaman Nair, Vipin Devi Prasad
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Potatoes -- Africa , Potatoes -- Therapeutic use , AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment , HIV infections -- Drug therapy , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3865 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015802
- Description: In order for a medicinal product to produce a consistent and reliable therapeutic response, it is essential that the final composition of the product is invariable and that the active ingredient/s is/are present in appropriate, non-toxic amounts. However, due to the complexity involved in the standardization of natural products, quality control (QC) criteria and procedures for the registration and market approval of such products are conspicuously absent in most countries around the world. African Potato (AP) is of great medical interest and this particular plant has gained tremendous popularity following the endorsement by the South African Minister of Health as a remedy for HIV/ AIDS patients. Very little information has appeared in the literature to describe methods for the quantitative analysis of hypoxoside, an important component in AP. It has also been claimed that sterols and sterolins present in AP are responsible for its medicinal property but is yet to be proven scientifically. To-date, no QC methods have been reported for the simultaneous quantitative analysis of the combination, β- sitosterol (BSS)/ stigmasterol (STG)/ stigmastanol (STN), purported to be present in preparations containing AP. The effect of concomitant administration of AP and other herbal medicines on the safety and efficacy of conventional medicines has not yet been fully determined. Amongst the objectives of this study was to develop and validate quantitative analytical methods that are suitable for the assay and quality control of plant material, extracts and commercial formulations containing AP. Hypoxoside was isolated from AP and characterized for use as a reference standard for the quality control of AP products and a stability-indicating HPLC/ UV assay method for the quantitative determination of hypoxoside was developed. In addition, a quantitative capillary zone electrophoretic (CZE) method was developed to determine hypoxoside, specifically for its advantages over HPLC. A HPLC method was also developed and validated for the quantitative analysis of BSS, STG and STN in commercially available oral dosage forms containing AP material or extracts thereof. The antioxidant activity of an aqueous extract of lyophilized corms of AP along with hypoxoside and rooperol were investigated. In comparison with the AP extracts and also with hypoxoside, rooperol showed significant antioxidant activity. The capacity of AP, (extracts, formulations, hypoxoside and rooperol as well as sterols to inhibit in vitro metabolism of drug substrates by human cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes such as CYP 3A4, 3A5 and CYP19 were investigated. Samples were also assessed for their effect on drug transport proteins such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Various extracts of AP, AP formulations, stigmasterol and the norlignans, in particular the aglycone rooperol, exhibited inhibitory effects on CYP 3A4, 3A5 and CYP19 mediated metabolism.These results suggest that concurrent therapy with AP and other medicines, in particular antiretroviral drugs, can have important implications for safety and efficacy. Large discrepancies in marker content between AP products were found. Dissolution testing of AP products was investigated as a QC tool and the results also revealed inconsistencies between different AP products.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Purushothaman Nair, Vipin Devi Prasad
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Potatoes -- Africa , Potatoes -- Therapeutic use , AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment , HIV infections -- Drug therapy , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3865 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015802
- Description: In order for a medicinal product to produce a consistent and reliable therapeutic response, it is essential that the final composition of the product is invariable and that the active ingredient/s is/are present in appropriate, non-toxic amounts. However, due to the complexity involved in the standardization of natural products, quality control (QC) criteria and procedures for the registration and market approval of such products are conspicuously absent in most countries around the world. African Potato (AP) is of great medical interest and this particular plant has gained tremendous popularity following the endorsement by the South African Minister of Health as a remedy for HIV/ AIDS patients. Very little information has appeared in the literature to describe methods for the quantitative analysis of hypoxoside, an important component in AP. It has also been claimed that sterols and sterolins present in AP are responsible for its medicinal property but is yet to be proven scientifically. To-date, no QC methods have been reported for the simultaneous quantitative analysis of the combination, β- sitosterol (BSS)/ stigmasterol (STG)/ stigmastanol (STN), purported to be present in preparations containing AP. The effect of concomitant administration of AP and other herbal medicines on the safety and efficacy of conventional medicines has not yet been fully determined. Amongst the objectives of this study was to develop and validate quantitative analytical methods that are suitable for the assay and quality control of plant material, extracts and commercial formulations containing AP. Hypoxoside was isolated from AP and characterized for use as a reference standard for the quality control of AP products and a stability-indicating HPLC/ UV assay method for the quantitative determination of hypoxoside was developed. In addition, a quantitative capillary zone electrophoretic (CZE) method was developed to determine hypoxoside, specifically for its advantages over HPLC. A HPLC method was also developed and validated for the quantitative analysis of BSS, STG and STN in commercially available oral dosage forms containing AP material or extracts thereof. The antioxidant activity of an aqueous extract of lyophilized corms of AP along with hypoxoside and rooperol were investigated. In comparison with the AP extracts and also with hypoxoside, rooperol showed significant antioxidant activity. The capacity of AP, (extracts, formulations, hypoxoside and rooperol as well as sterols to inhibit in vitro metabolism of drug substrates by human cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes such as CYP 3A4, 3A5 and CYP19 were investigated. Samples were also assessed for their effect on drug transport proteins such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Various extracts of AP, AP formulations, stigmasterol and the norlignans, in particular the aglycone rooperol, exhibited inhibitory effects on CYP 3A4, 3A5 and CYP19 mediated metabolism.These results suggest that concurrent therapy with AP and other medicines, in particular antiretroviral drugs, can have important implications for safety and efficacy. Large discrepancies in marker content between AP products were found. Dissolution testing of AP products was investigated as a QC tool and the results also revealed inconsistencies between different AP products.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Plastochron index - an indicator of plant structure and function a case study using Pisum sativum L
- Ade-Ademilua, Omobolanle Elizabeth
- Authors: Ade-Ademilua, Omobolanle Elizabeth
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Plant anatomy Plant physiology Peas -- Anatomy Peas -- Physiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4183 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003751
- Description: The use of chronological age for example, using days after sowing (DAS), or days after germination (DAG) as a time variable may result in the inherent variability between plants resulting in differences which can be large enough to obscure subtle developmental trends that become evident among plants sown at the same time. An alternative to DAS or DAG is the plastochron index (PI), first used by Erickson and Michelini (1957) as a morphological time scale and numerical index; which to according to the authors suggested and represented a more accurate reflection of the developmental status of a plant. The research presented in this thesis was therefore aimed specifically at utilizing the index in qualitative and quantitative analyses, to confirm its usefulness in analyzing and predicting plant growth and development. Specifically this research focused on investigating various morphological and physiological events that together, hopefully, would serve as a template for the prediction of the growth, development and reactions of Pisum sativum L. to different growth conditions. In Chapter 3, the use of the average length of the first pair of leaflets on each node as a suitable parameter for calculating PI in P. sativum is suggested. The results presented in Chapter 3 suggest that plant age is best expressed using the plastochron index, as this reflects the time interval between the initiations of successive pairs of leaflets. This section of the research has been published as “Ade-Ademilua OE, Botha CEJ (2005) A re-evaluation of plastochron index in peas - a case for using leaflet length. South African Journal of Botany 71: 76-80”. The PI formula developed was subsequently used in this research to conduct qualitative and quantitative investigations of plant growth and development in which all data and observations were related directly to the plastochron index. In Chapter 4, the sink to source transition in Pisum sativum L. leaves at different plastochron ages in nodulating plants was investigated using the phloem-mobile fluorescent marker, 5,6-carboxyfluorescein (5,6-CF). The results demonstrated that young leaves remained strong sinks up until LPI 0, after which sink-source transition occurred up to LPI 1.8 and leaflets transitioned to strong source systems by LPI 2.0. A well-developed cross-connected phloem system between paired leaflets in peas, and the petiole and the stem vascular supply was observed. The data presented in the second part of Chapter 4 suggest that the phloem transport between leaflet pairs is independent of the sink/source state of the leaflets, or of movement along the source to sink gradient. The data support the presence of a modular transport system which may ensure re-allocation and balancing between leaflets of the same physiological age and photosynthetic and transport status, thereby load-balancing the local transport system, before exporting to other younger (sink) regions. The investigation of leaf development using the plastochron index (Chapter 5) revealed that the formation of air spaces in the palisade and spongy mesophyll, one of the preparatory events for transition from sink to source state in developing leaves, occurs between LPI 0 and LPI 1 in pea leaflets. Results of the anatomical and ultrastructural study related to PI are presented in Chapter 5. The density of wall ingrowths in transfer cells of minor veins increased with LPI and appeared to be associated with the probable transition to source state and the related potential increase in the production of assimilates for export. The onset of wall ingrowth development in leaflets at LPI 0 provided evidence that sink-to-source transition commences at LPI 0 in P. sativum. Presumably-functional plasmodesmata as well as a few mature sieve elements were evident in class IV veins in the apical region of young and older leaflets at LPI 0. The number of mature sieve elements per vein however, increased with increasing LPI. Most class V veins were still undergoing division at LPI 0 and their sieve elements did not show signs of maturity until LPI 1. The increase in the number of mature metaphloem sieve elements in young, supposedly importing tissue at LPI 0 to older, supposedly exporting tissues at LPI 2 is evidence of the association between phloem maturation and transition from importing to exporting status. In Chapter 6, I report on the effects of elevated CO[subscript 2] on the growth and leaf development of nodulating and non-nodulating Pisum sativum L var. Greenfeast grown under controlled environment of the same nitrogen (6mM) and nitrogen- free nutrient solution conditions. Shortterm exposure to elevated CO[subscript 2] induced rapid plant growth, irrespective of treatment. However, long-term elevated CO[subscript 2] treatment did not affect rate of leaf appearance (RLA) in nodulated plants, irrespective of mineral N supply but enhanced RLA in non- nodulating plants supplied with mineral N. Supplied N resulted in a significant increase in leaflet elongation rate (LfER) under both ambient and elevated CO[subscript 2], but LfER was not significantly affected by nodulation but was increased by high CO[subscript 2]. This suggested that the growth of nodulating P. sativum L may not be significantly affected under CO[subscript 2] levels as high as 1000 μmol mol[superscript -1]. The data suggest that elevated CO[subscript 2] will enhance canopy size, provided adequate soil N is available and more so in non-nodulating plants. This section of the research has been published as “Ade-Ademilua OE, Botha CEJ (2004) The effects of elevated CO[subscript 2] and nitrogen availability supersedes the need for nodulation in peas grown under controlled environmental conditions. South African Journal of Botany 70: 816 – 823”. This thesis demonstrates that the similarity in the qualitative analyses results obtained from plants from different CO[subscript 2], nitrogen and nodulation treatment conditions, highlights the fact that plants of same PI value are at the same developmental state, irrespective of the growth condition. Furthermore, changes in plant structure and function observed under different growth conditions can be related simply to changes in plastochron index. The work presented in this thesis demonstrate that changes in plant structure and function analyzed are related to changes in PI. An important finding of this thesis is that with the use of PI, results can be compiled as a template for predicting the structure- function state of pea plants at any plastochron age, under any growth conditions, before using small representative sample populations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Ade-Ademilua, Omobolanle Elizabeth
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Plant anatomy Plant physiology Peas -- Anatomy Peas -- Physiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4183 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003751
- Description: The use of chronological age for example, using days after sowing (DAS), or days after germination (DAG) as a time variable may result in the inherent variability between plants resulting in differences which can be large enough to obscure subtle developmental trends that become evident among plants sown at the same time. An alternative to DAS or DAG is the plastochron index (PI), first used by Erickson and Michelini (1957) as a morphological time scale and numerical index; which to according to the authors suggested and represented a more accurate reflection of the developmental status of a plant. The research presented in this thesis was therefore aimed specifically at utilizing the index in qualitative and quantitative analyses, to confirm its usefulness in analyzing and predicting plant growth and development. Specifically this research focused on investigating various morphological and physiological events that together, hopefully, would serve as a template for the prediction of the growth, development and reactions of Pisum sativum L. to different growth conditions. In Chapter 3, the use of the average length of the first pair of leaflets on each node as a suitable parameter for calculating PI in P. sativum is suggested. The results presented in Chapter 3 suggest that plant age is best expressed using the plastochron index, as this reflects the time interval between the initiations of successive pairs of leaflets. This section of the research has been published as “Ade-Ademilua OE, Botha CEJ (2005) A re-evaluation of plastochron index in peas - a case for using leaflet length. South African Journal of Botany 71: 76-80”. The PI formula developed was subsequently used in this research to conduct qualitative and quantitative investigations of plant growth and development in which all data and observations were related directly to the plastochron index. In Chapter 4, the sink to source transition in Pisum sativum L. leaves at different plastochron ages in nodulating plants was investigated using the phloem-mobile fluorescent marker, 5,6-carboxyfluorescein (5,6-CF). The results demonstrated that young leaves remained strong sinks up until LPI 0, after which sink-source transition occurred up to LPI 1.8 and leaflets transitioned to strong source systems by LPI 2.0. A well-developed cross-connected phloem system between paired leaflets in peas, and the petiole and the stem vascular supply was observed. The data presented in the second part of Chapter 4 suggest that the phloem transport between leaflet pairs is independent of the sink/source state of the leaflets, or of movement along the source to sink gradient. The data support the presence of a modular transport system which may ensure re-allocation and balancing between leaflets of the same physiological age and photosynthetic and transport status, thereby load-balancing the local transport system, before exporting to other younger (sink) regions. The investigation of leaf development using the plastochron index (Chapter 5) revealed that the formation of air spaces in the palisade and spongy mesophyll, one of the preparatory events for transition from sink to source state in developing leaves, occurs between LPI 0 and LPI 1 in pea leaflets. Results of the anatomical and ultrastructural study related to PI are presented in Chapter 5. The density of wall ingrowths in transfer cells of minor veins increased with LPI and appeared to be associated with the probable transition to source state and the related potential increase in the production of assimilates for export. The onset of wall ingrowth development in leaflets at LPI 0 provided evidence that sink-to-source transition commences at LPI 0 in P. sativum. Presumably-functional plasmodesmata as well as a few mature sieve elements were evident in class IV veins in the apical region of young and older leaflets at LPI 0. The number of mature sieve elements per vein however, increased with increasing LPI. Most class V veins were still undergoing division at LPI 0 and their sieve elements did not show signs of maturity until LPI 1. The increase in the number of mature metaphloem sieve elements in young, supposedly importing tissue at LPI 0 to older, supposedly exporting tissues at LPI 2 is evidence of the association between phloem maturation and transition from importing to exporting status. In Chapter 6, I report on the effects of elevated CO[subscript 2] on the growth and leaf development of nodulating and non-nodulating Pisum sativum L var. Greenfeast grown under controlled environment of the same nitrogen (6mM) and nitrogen- free nutrient solution conditions. Shortterm exposure to elevated CO[subscript 2] induced rapid plant growth, irrespective of treatment. However, long-term elevated CO[subscript 2] treatment did not affect rate of leaf appearance (RLA) in nodulated plants, irrespective of mineral N supply but enhanced RLA in non- nodulating plants supplied with mineral N. Supplied N resulted in a significant increase in leaflet elongation rate (LfER) under both ambient and elevated CO[subscript 2], but LfER was not significantly affected by nodulation but was increased by high CO[subscript 2]. This suggested that the growth of nodulating P. sativum L may not be significantly affected under CO[subscript 2] levels as high as 1000 μmol mol[superscript -1]. The data suggest that elevated CO[subscript 2] will enhance canopy size, provided adequate soil N is available and more so in non-nodulating plants. This section of the research has been published as “Ade-Ademilua OE, Botha CEJ (2004) The effects of elevated CO[subscript 2] and nitrogen availability supersedes the need for nodulation in peas grown under controlled environmental conditions. South African Journal of Botany 70: 816 – 823”. This thesis demonstrates that the similarity in the qualitative analyses results obtained from plants from different CO[subscript 2], nitrogen and nodulation treatment conditions, highlights the fact that plants of same PI value are at the same developmental state, irrespective of the growth condition. Furthermore, changes in plant structure and function observed under different growth conditions can be related simply to changes in plastochron index. The work presented in this thesis demonstrate that changes in plant structure and function analyzed are related to changes in PI. An important finding of this thesis is that with the use of PI, results can be compiled as a template for predicting the structure- function state of pea plants at any plastochron age, under any growth conditions, before using small representative sample populations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Population dynamics of the raggedtooth shark (carcharias taurus) along the east coast of South Africa
- Authors: Dicken, Matthew Laurence
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Sharks -- South Africa Shark fisheries -- South Africa Fish populations -- South Africa Sand tiger shark Fish tagging -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5310 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005155
- Description: This thesis develops the first open population model for any shark species worldwide using the Cormack-Jolly-Seber (CJS) model. In conjunction with a tagging study, five auxiliary studies were conducted to investigate stock structure, post-release mortality, tag shedding, and tag-reporting rates. The results from each of the studies were used to correct for any violations of the models assumptions to provide the first unbiased estimates of survival and abundance for the raggedtooth shark (Carcharias taurus) in South Africa. The C. taurus population exhibited complex stock structuring, by size and sex. Competitive shore anglers fished an estimated 37, 820 fishing days.year⁻¹ (95% C.I. = 28, 281 - 47, 359 days.year⁻¹) for sharks, and caught 1764 (95% C.I. = 321 – 3207) C. taurus. Although released alive, post-release mortality ranged from 3.85% for young-of-the-year sharks to 18.46% for adult sharks. Between 1984 and 2004, a total of 3471 C. taurus were tagged. In all, 302-tagged sharks (8.7%) were recaptured. Both juvenile (< 1.8 m TL) and adult sharks (> 1.8 m TL) displayed philopatric behaviour for specific parts of their ranges, including gestating and parturition areas. Significant differences were observed in the percentage of recaptures between the different tag types, tagging programs, individual taggers and capture methods used to tag sharks. The annual tag retention rate for juvenile sharks, 94.19% (95% C.I. = 80.68% - 100.00%) was significantly higher than for adult sharks, estimated at 29.00% (95% C.I. = 6.76% - 64.39%). Tag reporting rates, from fishermen varied both spatially and temporally from 0.28 (95% C.I. = 0.00 – 0.63) to 0.77 (95% C.I. = 0.56 – 0.97). Associated tag wound damage and biofouling growth indicated that B-type tags were a suitable tag type for use on C. taurus, whereas C-type tags were not. The CJS bias-adjusted estimate for juvenile survival was 0.456 (95% C.I. = 0.367 – 0.516) and for adult sharks, 0.865 (95% C.I. = 0.795 – 0.915). From 1984 to 2004 the mean bias-adjusted population size for juvenile sharks was estimated at 3506 (95% C.I. = 2433 – 4350) and for adult sharks, 5899 (95% C.I. = 7216 – 11904). Trends in abundance over the 20-year study period indicated a stable, healthy population.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Dicken, Matthew Laurence
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Sharks -- South Africa Shark fisheries -- South Africa Fish populations -- South Africa Sand tiger shark Fish tagging -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5310 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005155
- Description: This thesis develops the first open population model for any shark species worldwide using the Cormack-Jolly-Seber (CJS) model. In conjunction with a tagging study, five auxiliary studies were conducted to investigate stock structure, post-release mortality, tag shedding, and tag-reporting rates. The results from each of the studies were used to correct for any violations of the models assumptions to provide the first unbiased estimates of survival and abundance for the raggedtooth shark (Carcharias taurus) in South Africa. The C. taurus population exhibited complex stock structuring, by size and sex. Competitive shore anglers fished an estimated 37, 820 fishing days.year⁻¹ (95% C.I. = 28, 281 - 47, 359 days.year⁻¹) for sharks, and caught 1764 (95% C.I. = 321 – 3207) C. taurus. Although released alive, post-release mortality ranged from 3.85% for young-of-the-year sharks to 18.46% for adult sharks. Between 1984 and 2004, a total of 3471 C. taurus were tagged. In all, 302-tagged sharks (8.7%) were recaptured. Both juvenile (< 1.8 m TL) and adult sharks (> 1.8 m TL) displayed philopatric behaviour for specific parts of their ranges, including gestating and parturition areas. Significant differences were observed in the percentage of recaptures between the different tag types, tagging programs, individual taggers and capture methods used to tag sharks. The annual tag retention rate for juvenile sharks, 94.19% (95% C.I. = 80.68% - 100.00%) was significantly higher than for adult sharks, estimated at 29.00% (95% C.I. = 6.76% - 64.39%). Tag reporting rates, from fishermen varied both spatially and temporally from 0.28 (95% C.I. = 0.00 – 0.63) to 0.77 (95% C.I. = 0.56 – 0.97). Associated tag wound damage and biofouling growth indicated that B-type tags were a suitable tag type for use on C. taurus, whereas C-type tags were not. The CJS bias-adjusted estimate for juvenile survival was 0.456 (95% C.I. = 0.367 – 0.516) and for adult sharks, 0.865 (95% C.I. = 0.795 – 0.915). From 1984 to 2004 the mean bias-adjusted population size for juvenile sharks was estimated at 3506 (95% C.I. = 2433 – 4350) and for adult sharks, 5899 (95% C.I. = 7216 – 11904). Trends in abundance over the 20-year study period indicated a stable, healthy population.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Preparing for the information society: a critical analysis of Uganda's broadcast policy in light of the principles of the WSIS
- Authors: Namusoga, Sara
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: World Summit on the Information Society , Broadcasting policy -- Uganda , Information society -- Uganda , Information technology -- Social aspects -- Uganda , Public broadcasting -- Uganda , Radio broadcasting policy -- Uganda , Radio -- Uganda , Mass media -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3474 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002929 , World Summit on the Information Society , Broadcasting policy -- Uganda , Information society -- Uganda , Information technology -- Social aspects -- Uganda , Public broadcasting -- Uganda , Radio broadcasting policy -- Uganda , Radio -- Uganda , Mass media -- Uganda
- Description: This study analyses Uganda’s 2004 Broadcast Policy in light of the WSIS principles in order to establish whether the policy enables radio to build an inclusive and people-centred Information Society, and if so, in what ways it does this. The study specifically focuses on radio, which it views as the dominant medium in Uganda, and therefore the medium with the greatest potential to build a sustainable Information Society in the country. The study is informed by media policy theories as well as Information Society theories. It is argued that although most definitions of the Information Society consider the newer ICTs, especially the Internet, as the key drivers in the Information Society, most developing countries like Uganda are far from reaching the desired level of computer and Internet access as proposed by some Information Society theorists. Instead, most people in Uganda rely heavily on older ICTs, especially radio, for information about key issues in their daily lives. Inevitably, radio ends up being a key player in building the Information Society in these countries. The study, therefore, finds most of the common Information Society theories lacking and adopts the WSIS definition, which is more relevant to Uganda’s situation. This study also maintains that if radio is to be a key player in building an inclusive and people-centred Information Society in Uganda, the 2004 Broadcast Policy has to create that enabling environment, by, for example, promoting public service radio through local content programming, and diversifying radio ownership. The data for this study was obtained using the qualitative research approach, and specifically the research tools of document analysis and individual in-depth interviews. The findings indicate that the policy’s emphasis is on building a broadcast sector that addresses the public’s interests through local content programming and provision of diversified media services. However, the study also found that the policy is vague on some very crucial aspects, which would benefit the public, namely, local content quotas and the independence of the public service broadcaster.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Namusoga, Sara
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: World Summit on the Information Society , Broadcasting policy -- Uganda , Information society -- Uganda , Information technology -- Social aspects -- Uganda , Public broadcasting -- Uganda , Radio broadcasting policy -- Uganda , Radio -- Uganda , Mass media -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3474 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002929 , World Summit on the Information Society , Broadcasting policy -- Uganda , Information society -- Uganda , Information technology -- Social aspects -- Uganda , Public broadcasting -- Uganda , Radio broadcasting policy -- Uganda , Radio -- Uganda , Mass media -- Uganda
- Description: This study analyses Uganda’s 2004 Broadcast Policy in light of the WSIS principles in order to establish whether the policy enables radio to build an inclusive and people-centred Information Society, and if so, in what ways it does this. The study specifically focuses on radio, which it views as the dominant medium in Uganda, and therefore the medium with the greatest potential to build a sustainable Information Society in the country. The study is informed by media policy theories as well as Information Society theories. It is argued that although most definitions of the Information Society consider the newer ICTs, especially the Internet, as the key drivers in the Information Society, most developing countries like Uganda are far from reaching the desired level of computer and Internet access as proposed by some Information Society theorists. Instead, most people in Uganda rely heavily on older ICTs, especially radio, for information about key issues in their daily lives. Inevitably, radio ends up being a key player in building the Information Society in these countries. The study, therefore, finds most of the common Information Society theories lacking and adopts the WSIS definition, which is more relevant to Uganda’s situation. This study also maintains that if radio is to be a key player in building an inclusive and people-centred Information Society in Uganda, the 2004 Broadcast Policy has to create that enabling environment, by, for example, promoting public service radio through local content programming, and diversifying radio ownership. The data for this study was obtained using the qualitative research approach, and specifically the research tools of document analysis and individual in-depth interviews. The findings indicate that the policy’s emphasis is on building a broadcast sector that addresses the public’s interests through local content programming and provision of diversified media services. However, the study also found that the policy is vague on some very crucial aspects, which would benefit the public, namely, local content quotas and the independence of the public service broadcaster.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Raging in service of the self: exploring a five-year old boy's aggression within his play therapy
- Authors: Smith, Austin
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Play therapy , Aggressiveness in children , Self-perception in children , Child development , Child psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3057 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002566 , Play therapy , Aggressiveness in children , Self-perception in children , Child development , Child psychology
- Description: This thesis takes the form of an in-depth case study within which the play therapy process of an aggressive 5-year-old boy was explored. The aim of the research was to examine the abundant expressions of aggression that were present within his therapy, and in so doing reflect their rich communicative content and their relevance and purpose in the development of his Self. Object relations theory formed the lens and theoretical context for this research with Winnicott’s contributions and Parens' model of aggression being considered in particular. A detailed data resource of the therapy process was compiled and transposed into narrative form. These narratives were reviewed with a reading guide as a means to facilitate a hermeneutic exploration of the data. The emergent themes were considered against the case data and the current theory, which allowed for their further analysis and development. From this the value of using Parens’ model was considered and deemed useful although limited in its contribution. The analysis and the themes which emerged conveyed how within this case the child’s aggression presented as: a significant feature of his ambivalence towards relationships; a powerful and pervasive protective fantasy of omnipotence; inherently linked to his sense of self and self expression; and as actively involved in his True Self’s hope-filled attempts for an alternative experience. This thesis provides a descriptive account of a challenging case, offering insights into the value and meaningful content of aggressive behaviours, with the intention being to reflect that which is often not easily appreciated or readily observable within such a therapy process, a trace of hope.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Smith, Austin
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Play therapy , Aggressiveness in children , Self-perception in children , Child development , Child psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3057 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002566 , Play therapy , Aggressiveness in children , Self-perception in children , Child development , Child psychology
- Description: This thesis takes the form of an in-depth case study within which the play therapy process of an aggressive 5-year-old boy was explored. The aim of the research was to examine the abundant expressions of aggression that were present within his therapy, and in so doing reflect their rich communicative content and their relevance and purpose in the development of his Self. Object relations theory formed the lens and theoretical context for this research with Winnicott’s contributions and Parens' model of aggression being considered in particular. A detailed data resource of the therapy process was compiled and transposed into narrative form. These narratives were reviewed with a reading guide as a means to facilitate a hermeneutic exploration of the data. The emergent themes were considered against the case data and the current theory, which allowed for their further analysis and development. From this the value of using Parens’ model was considered and deemed useful although limited in its contribution. The analysis and the themes which emerged conveyed how within this case the child’s aggression presented as: a significant feature of his ambivalence towards relationships; a powerful and pervasive protective fantasy of omnipotence; inherently linked to his sense of self and self expression; and as actively involved in his True Self’s hope-filled attempts for an alternative experience. This thesis provides a descriptive account of a challenging case, offering insights into the value and meaningful content of aggressive behaviours, with the intention being to reflect that which is often not easily appreciated or readily observable within such a therapy process, a trace of hope.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Reactions in the solid state
- Authors: Brown, Michael Ewart
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Solid state chemistry , Thermal analysis , Chemistry, Analytic
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DSc
- Identifier: vital:4529 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015762
- Description: I have chosen the title for this thesis, "Reactions in the Solid State", for two reasons: Firstly, it is broad enough to cover all of my areas of research, which have been: • Effects of irradiation on solids (PhD topic) • Silver refining (while at the Chamber of Mines) • Kinetics of decomposition of solids (with Dr A.K. Galwey and various others) • Techniques of thermal analysis • Pyrotechnic delay systems (with support from AECI Explosives) • Thermal and photostability of drugs (with Prof B.D. Glass) and, secondly, it was the title of the very successful book co-authored by Drs Andrew Galwey, David Dollimore and me. A large part of my research has been involved in the writing and editing of books, so these are covered in a separate commentary, while commentary on the more than 100 papers to which I have contributed forms the main part of this compilation. It is hoped that the electronic format will enable ready access of to all aspects of my research, including electronic versions of the original papers. The reader will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader to access these.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Brown, Michael Ewart
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Solid state chemistry , Thermal analysis , Chemistry, Analytic
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DSc
- Identifier: vital:4529 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015762
- Description: I have chosen the title for this thesis, "Reactions in the Solid State", for two reasons: Firstly, it is broad enough to cover all of my areas of research, which have been: • Effects of irradiation on solids (PhD topic) • Silver refining (while at the Chamber of Mines) • Kinetics of decomposition of solids (with Dr A.K. Galwey and various others) • Techniques of thermal analysis • Pyrotechnic delay systems (with support from AECI Explosives) • Thermal and photostability of drugs (with Prof B.D. Glass) and, secondly, it was the title of the very successful book co-authored by Drs Andrew Galwey, David Dollimore and me. A large part of my research has been involved in the writing and editing of books, so these are covered in a separate commentary, while commentary on the more than 100 papers to which I have contributed forms the main part of this compilation. It is hoped that the electronic format will enable ready access of to all aspects of my research, including electronic versions of the original papers. The reader will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader to access these.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Relationship between employee performance, leadership and emotional intelligence in a South African parastatal organisation
- Authors: Hayward, Brett Anthony
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Employees -- Rating of , Leadership , Leadership -- Psychological aspects , Emotional intelligence , Government business enterprises -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1206 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019740
- Description: This research investigates the relationship between employee performance, leadership and emotional intelligence in a South African parastatal. The literature provided discusses the three variables of performance, leadership and emotional intelligence. Information was gathered, using three instruments, from a sample of 160 leaders and 800 raters. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire was used to determine leadership style within the parastatal, while the Emotional Competency Profiler was used to determine the emotional intelligence of the leaders within the parastatal. Employee performance was captured and recorded using the parastatal’s performance appraisal process. Leadership and emotional intelligence were identified as the independent variables and employee performance as the dependent variable. Data obtained from each of the research instruments was then statistically analysed. Through linear regression analysis it was concluded that there is a significant relationship between employee performance and an emotionally intelligent, transactional leader. However, no significant linear relationship was found between employee performance and an emotionally intelligent, transformational leader. Simple correlation analysis showed that there is a relatively weak significant linear relationship between emotional intelligence and transactional leadership. Moreover, it was found that there is a very strong significant linear relationship between emotional intelligence and transformational leadership. This research therefore adds a new dimension to employee performance, leadership and emotional intelligence, since no similar study has been conducted. As this research takes place in the South African context, it contributes to the bank of findings relating to the concepts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Hayward, Brett Anthony
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Employees -- Rating of , Leadership , Leadership -- Psychological aspects , Emotional intelligence , Government business enterprises -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1206 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019740
- Description: This research investigates the relationship between employee performance, leadership and emotional intelligence in a South African parastatal. The literature provided discusses the three variables of performance, leadership and emotional intelligence. Information was gathered, using three instruments, from a sample of 160 leaders and 800 raters. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire was used to determine leadership style within the parastatal, while the Emotional Competency Profiler was used to determine the emotional intelligence of the leaders within the parastatal. Employee performance was captured and recorded using the parastatal’s performance appraisal process. Leadership and emotional intelligence were identified as the independent variables and employee performance as the dependent variable. Data obtained from each of the research instruments was then statistically analysed. Through linear regression analysis it was concluded that there is a significant relationship between employee performance and an emotionally intelligent, transactional leader. However, no significant linear relationship was found between employee performance and an emotionally intelligent, transformational leader. Simple correlation analysis showed that there is a relatively weak significant linear relationship between emotional intelligence and transactional leadership. Moreover, it was found that there is a very strong significant linear relationship between emotional intelligence and transformational leadership. This research therefore adds a new dimension to employee performance, leadership and emotional intelligence, since no similar study has been conducted. As this research takes place in the South African context, it contributes to the bank of findings relating to the concepts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Relationships between social marketing strategies and school participation in environmental competitions: a case study of Collect-a-Can's annual schools competition
- Authors: Mathabathe, Andrew Tumishe
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Social marketing -- South Africa Environmental education -- South Africa Recycling (Waste, etc.) -- South Africa School recycling programs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1726 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003609
- Description: The South African formal education system has undergone many changes since the formulation of the White Paper on Education and Training in 1995. These developments challenge organisations that want to run successful programmes or projects in schools to adapt their social marketing strategies. Against this background, the aim of the study was to investigate the relationships between social marketing strategies and participation of schools in environmental competitions. The goals of the research were to identify issues that have influenced schools participation in the Collect-a-Can Annual Schools Competition, identify and review social marketing strategies used by Collect-a-Can to influence participation of schools in the competition, and identify relationships between issues that influenced school participation in the competition and the Collect-a-Can’s social marketing strategies. A qualitative design that applied an interpretative case study, which focused on the Collect-a-Can’s Annual Schools Competition was used to explore these relationships. Data was generated through interviews, document analysis and a workshop. Nine respondents from nine schools and three Collect-a-Can management staff members participated in the interview process. Twenty participants from twenty schools participated in the workshop. The findings of the research revealed that there were relationships between the social marketing strategies used by Collect-a-Can and participation of schools in the competition. These relationships were found to be linked mainly to policy changes within formal education which Collect-a-Can could not respond to as a result of various reasons which included among others, the core focus of thecompany, lack of funds and a need to operate in a cost-effective way. The recommendations indicate possible areas for improvement and guidelines which could be used by Collect-a-Can for the competition without digressing from its core focus or incurring additional costs. These include a more responsive and adaptive management approach and a stronger educational orientation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Mathabathe, Andrew Tumishe
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Social marketing -- South Africa Environmental education -- South Africa Recycling (Waste, etc.) -- South Africa School recycling programs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1726 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003609
- Description: The South African formal education system has undergone many changes since the formulation of the White Paper on Education and Training in 1995. These developments challenge organisations that want to run successful programmes or projects in schools to adapt their social marketing strategies. Against this background, the aim of the study was to investigate the relationships between social marketing strategies and participation of schools in environmental competitions. The goals of the research were to identify issues that have influenced schools participation in the Collect-a-Can Annual Schools Competition, identify and review social marketing strategies used by Collect-a-Can to influence participation of schools in the competition, and identify relationships between issues that influenced school participation in the competition and the Collect-a-Can’s social marketing strategies. A qualitative design that applied an interpretative case study, which focused on the Collect-a-Can’s Annual Schools Competition was used to explore these relationships. Data was generated through interviews, document analysis and a workshop. Nine respondents from nine schools and three Collect-a-Can management staff members participated in the interview process. Twenty participants from twenty schools participated in the workshop. The findings of the research revealed that there were relationships between the social marketing strategies used by Collect-a-Can and participation of schools in the competition. These relationships were found to be linked mainly to policy changes within formal education which Collect-a-Can could not respond to as a result of various reasons which included among others, the core focus of thecompany, lack of funds and a need to operate in a cost-effective way. The recommendations indicate possible areas for improvement and guidelines which could be used by Collect-a-Can for the competition without digressing from its core focus or incurring additional costs. These include a more responsive and adaptive management approach and a stronger educational orientation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Research portfolio
- Authors: Shaanika, E N
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Education -- Namibia Arts -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Culture -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Teachers -- Training of -- Namibia Curriculum planning -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1735 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003618
- Description: This study is a contextual analysis and evaluation of the Arts-in-Culture curriculum at Ongwediva College of Education. Arts-in-Culture is one of the core subjects in the Basic Education Teacher Diploma (BETD)’s Broad Curriculum. At colleges such as Ongwediva, Caprivi and Rundu, student teachers study Arts as a core subject, while at Windhoek College of Education it can be studied as either a major or a core subject. In this study, I have raised some questions: Why is it that at Ongwediva College, the status of Arts-in-Culture is still low in comparison to other curriculum subjects like sciences and languages? Do student teachers and teacher educators fully understand how to assess the subject? Is the syllabus open for everyone? Is the learning environment conducive to offering the subject? Do the syllabus; learning environment, teacher educators and student teachers promote the goals of education for all? This study first gives the historical background of the subject. The background is of a diverse nature, namely African Indigenous Arts education, Black Arts education under the missionaries, Black Arts education under the South Africa Regime and Arts Education in the current Namibian reform dispensation. Second, the data collecting methodologies of this study are discussed. This includes how I collected information, who I contacted to collect this information, the tools I used to collect data, when and where I used them, why they were used and how they were used, the difficulties or problems I encountered and what I have learned about myself during the process. The third part of this study is the analysis of my findings from the participants interviewed and the fourth is how I have tried to link these different sections together. The last part of the paper is my conclusion.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Shaanika, E N
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Education -- Namibia Arts -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Culture -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Teachers -- Training of -- Namibia Curriculum planning -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1735 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003618
- Description: This study is a contextual analysis and evaluation of the Arts-in-Culture curriculum at Ongwediva College of Education. Arts-in-Culture is one of the core subjects in the Basic Education Teacher Diploma (BETD)’s Broad Curriculum. At colleges such as Ongwediva, Caprivi and Rundu, student teachers study Arts as a core subject, while at Windhoek College of Education it can be studied as either a major or a core subject. In this study, I have raised some questions: Why is it that at Ongwediva College, the status of Arts-in-Culture is still low in comparison to other curriculum subjects like sciences and languages? Do student teachers and teacher educators fully understand how to assess the subject? Is the syllabus open for everyone? Is the learning environment conducive to offering the subject? Do the syllabus; learning environment, teacher educators and student teachers promote the goals of education for all? This study first gives the historical background of the subject. The background is of a diverse nature, namely African Indigenous Arts education, Black Arts education under the missionaries, Black Arts education under the South Africa Regime and Arts Education in the current Namibian reform dispensation. Second, the data collecting methodologies of this study are discussed. This includes how I collected information, who I contacted to collect this information, the tools I used to collect data, when and where I used them, why they were used and how they were used, the difficulties or problems I encountered and what I have learned about myself during the process. The third part of this study is the analysis of my findings from the participants interviewed and the fourth is how I have tried to link these different sections together. The last part of the paper is my conclusion.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Rhodes University Graduation Ceremony 2006
- Authors: Rhodes University
- Date: 2006
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: vital:8141 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007254
- Description: Rhodes University Graduation Ceremonies [at] 1820 Settlers National Monument Thursday, 6 April 2006 at 18.00 [and] Friday, 7 April 2006 at 10:30; 14:30 & 18:00 [and] Saturday, 8 April 2006 at 10:30 , Inauguration Ceremony [of] Dr Saleem Badat [as] Principal and Vice-Chancellor [at the] 1820 Settlers National Monument [on] Wednesday, 27 September 2006 at 18:15.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Rhodes University
- Date: 2006
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: vital:8141 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007254
- Description: Rhodes University Graduation Ceremonies [at] 1820 Settlers National Monument Thursday, 6 April 2006 at 18.00 [and] Friday, 7 April 2006 at 10:30; 14:30 & 18:00 [and] Saturday, 8 April 2006 at 10:30 , Inauguration Ceremony [of] Dr Saleem Badat [as] Principal and Vice-Chancellor [at the] 1820 Settlers National Monument [on] Wednesday, 27 September 2006 at 18:15.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Security community building? : an assessment of Southern African regional integration in the post-apartheid era
- Authors: Lekhooa, Tumo
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994- , Africa, Southern -- Economic integration , National security -- Africa, Southern , Political stability -- Africa, Southern , Southern African Development Community
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2844 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005958 , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994- , Africa, Southern -- Economic integration , National security -- Africa, Southern , Political stability -- Africa, Southern , Southern African Development Community
- Description: The thesis traces Southern African security dimensions from the Cold War and the period of apartheid in South Africa to the post-apartheid era. It makes an attempt to investigate the prospects of Southern Africa becoming a security community and the processes and practices underlying these efforts. Using the constructivist theory approach to international relations, the thesis argues that the preoccupation with principles of sovereignty and non-interference, a lack of political will and the absence of common values that could help SADC institute binding rules and decision-making are the main blocks that prevent the region from asserting itself as a security community. All these militate against the idea of mutual accountability among SADC member states and have a negative impact on the institutional and functional capacity of SADC. This also prevents SADC from dealing with the emerging non-military human security threats in the region. In consideration of this, the thesis argues that the idea of security community building in Southern Africa remains not only a regional issue, but also requires the involvement of extra-regional actors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Lekhooa, Tumo
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994- , Africa, Southern -- Economic integration , National security -- Africa, Southern , Political stability -- Africa, Southern , Southern African Development Community
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2844 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005958 , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994- , Africa, Southern -- Economic integration , National security -- Africa, Southern , Political stability -- Africa, Southern , Southern African Development Community
- Description: The thesis traces Southern African security dimensions from the Cold War and the period of apartheid in South Africa to the post-apartheid era. It makes an attempt to investigate the prospects of Southern Africa becoming a security community and the processes and practices underlying these efforts. Using the constructivist theory approach to international relations, the thesis argues that the preoccupation with principles of sovereignty and non-interference, a lack of political will and the absence of common values that could help SADC institute binding rules and decision-making are the main blocks that prevent the region from asserting itself as a security community. All these militate against the idea of mutual accountability among SADC member states and have a negative impact on the institutional and functional capacity of SADC. This also prevents SADC from dealing with the emerging non-military human security threats in the region. In consideration of this, the thesis argues that the idea of security community building in Southern Africa remains not only a regional issue, but also requires the involvement of extra-regional actors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Software quality assurance in a remote client/contractor context
- Authors: Black, Angus Hugh
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Computer software -- Quality control , Software engineering , Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4648 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006615 , Computer software -- Quality control , Software engineering , Information technology
- Description: With the reliance on information technology and the software that this technology utilizes increasing every day, it is of paramount importance that software developed be of an acceptable quality. This quality can be achieved through the utilization of various software engineering standards and guidelines. The question is, to what extent do these standards and guidelines need to be utilized and how are these standards and guidelines implemented? This research focuses on how guidelines developed by standardization bodies and the unified process developed by Rational can be integrated to achieve a suitable process and version control system within the context of a remote client/contractor small team environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Black, Angus Hugh
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Computer software -- Quality control , Software engineering , Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4648 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006615 , Computer software -- Quality control , Software engineering , Information technology
- Description: With the reliance on information technology and the software that this technology utilizes increasing every day, it is of paramount importance that software developed be of an acceptable quality. This quality can be achieved through the utilization of various software engineering standards and guidelines. The question is, to what extent do these standards and guidelines need to be utilized and how are these standards and guidelines implemented? This research focuses on how guidelines developed by standardization bodies and the unified process developed by Rational can be integrated to achieve a suitable process and version control system within the context of a remote client/contractor small team environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
South Africa and the International Criminal Court: investigating the link between complimentarity and implementation
- Authors: Kulundu, Kenneth Wanyama
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: International Criminal Court , International criminal courts , International crimes , International law -- South Africa , South Africa -- Law and legislation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3679 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003194 , International Criminal Court , International criminal courts , International crimes , International law -- South Africa , South Africa -- Law and legislation
- Description: Complementarity, the organizing principle of the International Criminal Court (ICC), is a largely untested concept in terms of its ability to instigate State compliance with the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The ICC made its debut at a time when States were routinely accused of non-compliance with international law, particularly international criminal law. Due to perennial concerns over the protection of State sovereignty, an ingenious system of allocation of competencies between States and the ICC was evolved. This is embodied by the principle of complementarity. At the heart of complementarity is an arrangement by which States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC are regarded as the prime fora for the prosecution of crimes of grave concern to the international community. In the event of inaction, however, the ICC is mandated to wrest specific cases from the jurisdiction of national courts and try them. In effect, a carrot-and-stick mechanism has been built into the Rome Statute to induce States to comply with the Statute. This thesis examines the principle of complementarity from a theoretical perspective, bearing in mind contemporary international law structures and institutions. A better understanding of the theoretical assumptions of complementarity, it is suggested, will foster a more effective application of the tenets of the Rome Statute within the municipal system. The thesis argues that complementarity is a catalyst for implementation of the Rome Statute only to the extent to which it alters or re-defines well established and encumbering procedures and norms within the municipal system. In this regard, although South Africa’s status of constitutional democracy may be reason to expect that the obligations imposed by the Rome Statute will be observed, that very fact may increase the inclination to preserve the “baseline of conduct” rather than be swayed by the Rome Statute. An illustrative excursion into South African rules and norms is undertaken, after which the argument is advanced that not much change has been effected to the South African legal landscape through implementation of the Rome Statute. The sole exception to this is the issue of prosecutorial discretion. On this, the South African legislature has uniquely crafted a mechanism for ensuring accountability, presumably with a view to ensuring that South Africa is always able to prosecute the crimes concerned. However, the thesis cautions against complacency, arguing that the tension between national law and international obligations may yet play itself out, owing to insufficient attention to the role of national courts in giving effect to the Rome Statute. The act of implementation may be a response to stimuli such as the perceived need to avoid civil liability for international crimes, or the general inertia of implementing human rights instruments. Therefore, the carrot-and-stick mechanism may be lacking in the compulsive qualities it is presumed to have. Through an exploratory survey of South African law, the thesis illustrates that prosecutorial accountability is the major factor in determining whether a State has fully complied with is obligations under the Rome Statute. However, it also points out that the way courts of law apply the new norms in municipal systems in the future will be crucial.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Kulundu, Kenneth Wanyama
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: International Criminal Court , International criminal courts , International crimes , International law -- South Africa , South Africa -- Law and legislation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3679 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003194 , International Criminal Court , International criminal courts , International crimes , International law -- South Africa , South Africa -- Law and legislation
- Description: Complementarity, the organizing principle of the International Criminal Court (ICC), is a largely untested concept in terms of its ability to instigate State compliance with the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The ICC made its debut at a time when States were routinely accused of non-compliance with international law, particularly international criminal law. Due to perennial concerns over the protection of State sovereignty, an ingenious system of allocation of competencies between States and the ICC was evolved. This is embodied by the principle of complementarity. At the heart of complementarity is an arrangement by which States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC are regarded as the prime fora for the prosecution of crimes of grave concern to the international community. In the event of inaction, however, the ICC is mandated to wrest specific cases from the jurisdiction of national courts and try them. In effect, a carrot-and-stick mechanism has been built into the Rome Statute to induce States to comply with the Statute. This thesis examines the principle of complementarity from a theoretical perspective, bearing in mind contemporary international law structures and institutions. A better understanding of the theoretical assumptions of complementarity, it is suggested, will foster a more effective application of the tenets of the Rome Statute within the municipal system. The thesis argues that complementarity is a catalyst for implementation of the Rome Statute only to the extent to which it alters or re-defines well established and encumbering procedures and norms within the municipal system. In this regard, although South Africa’s status of constitutional democracy may be reason to expect that the obligations imposed by the Rome Statute will be observed, that very fact may increase the inclination to preserve the “baseline of conduct” rather than be swayed by the Rome Statute. An illustrative excursion into South African rules and norms is undertaken, after which the argument is advanced that not much change has been effected to the South African legal landscape through implementation of the Rome Statute. The sole exception to this is the issue of prosecutorial discretion. On this, the South African legislature has uniquely crafted a mechanism for ensuring accountability, presumably with a view to ensuring that South Africa is always able to prosecute the crimes concerned. However, the thesis cautions against complacency, arguing that the tension between national law and international obligations may yet play itself out, owing to insufficient attention to the role of national courts in giving effect to the Rome Statute. The act of implementation may be a response to stimuli such as the perceived need to avoid civil liability for international crimes, or the general inertia of implementing human rights instruments. Therefore, the carrot-and-stick mechanism may be lacking in the compulsive qualities it is presumed to have. Through an exploratory survey of South African law, the thesis illustrates that prosecutorial accountability is the major factor in determining whether a State has fully complied with is obligations under the Rome Statute. However, it also points out that the way courts of law apply the new norms in municipal systems in the future will be crucial.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006