Decent work in global production networks: a study of Eswatini’s sugarcane outgrower schemes
- Authors: Ginindza, Wezizwe Sibusisiwe
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Sugar trade Eswatini , Sugar trade Brazil , Sugar trade Employees , International Labour Organisation , Manpower policy Eswatini , Industrial relations Eswatini , Sex discrimination in employment Eswatini , Eswatini Politics and government , Agricultural laborers Employment Eswatini , Global Production Network (GPN)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190295 , vital:44981
- Description: Research on Eswatini’s sugar industry has expanded rapidly over the past few years, which has provided information on increasing efficiencies under climate change, market competitiveness, and business integration in the industry. Such studies explore opportunities to increase profitability and sustainability in the sugar industry; motivated by low world sugar prices and rising costs of production. However, studies on farmworkers’ conditions of work at the production node of the sugarcane production network are limited. Often, suppliers/producers in the agricultural sector are faced with a dilemma of meeting market demands and maintaining secure work for their employees – but the market and institutional pressures in Eswatini’s sugar industry, because of the country’s participation in the global sugarcane production network, continue to contribute towards decent work deficits on sugarcane farms. This study, being informed by the Global Production Network (GPN) framework, evaluates workers’ conditions in the context of local embeddedness. The GPN framework enables a deeper analysis of the role of labour and the value workers add to the production process. Imperative to this study is to recognise workers’ struggles as they participate in the sugarcane production network as an effective way of locating decent work in Eswatini’s small- and medium-sized sugarcane outgrower farms. Using seven indicators adopted from the International Labour Organisation’s Decent Work pillars, this study shows how the specific conditions at the production node of the network (farms) are embedded in a particular historical, institutional, and regulatory context, which included non-firm actors (in particular, Eswatini’s government) who, in combination, shape the dynamics of the sugar industry. The study concluded that decent work deficits include informal and flexible employer-employee relations between farmers and farmworkers; the unfair treatment of women farmworkers on small-scale sugarcane farms; Eswatini’s political climate and its impact on trade union representation on farms; and the effects that climate change has on farmworkers’ conditions of work. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2021
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Development of a 3D bioprinting and standalone bioreactor unit for the production and maintenance of bioscaffolds in vitro
- Authors: Hundling, Jethro Daniel
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Bioreactors , Tissue scaffolds , Cell culture , Polyethylene glycol Biotechnology , 3D bioprinting , Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192063 , vital:45192
- Description: The most common method for in vitro cell culture currently is to grow a specific cell type in isolation, in monolayer format, adhered to a 2D culture surface. This brings about many limitations in comparison to in vivo models due to altered cell phenotypes, as caused by the culturing technique itself, and the lack of naturally occurring cell-to-cell interactions. Three dimensional mammalian cell culture technologies have the potential to overcome these limitations, and provide models more representative of natural systems. Unfortunately, the cost and difficulty associated with achieving sustainable and useful 3D mammalian cell culture is still very high, preventing its widespread adoption across scientific platforms. In this research, we investigate the feasibility of developing and producing a visible light-based 3D stereolithographic bioprinter to produce 3D scaffolds for cell culture. Furthermore, we investigate the possibility of developing and implementing a forced perfusion bioreactor system, which would support the produced scaffold and improve longer-term culture conditions. The developed 3D bioprinter, and bioreactor designs were developed and tested alongside Poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), a versatile synthetic scaffold material. PEGDA itself was also evaluated for its printability, robustness in culture conditions over time, and its ability to maintain 3D mammalian cell culture. This research showed that both the developed 3D bioprinter, and bioreactor unit were capable of producing and maintaining an easily modifiable PEGDA scaffold, in culture conditions. In addition, the PEGDA formulation developed was shown to allow for the effective and reproducible 3D cell culture conditions over the medium term, with automated media feeding. The research presented here aimed to illustrate a proof of concept that the low-cost development and production of 3D culture scaffold production and maintenance systems was feasible to the scientific research environment. This technology can then be built upon, into a system that would then allow for the broader adoption and investigation of 3D cell culture as a tool within the scientific community. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biotechnology Innovation Centre, 2021
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Educating learners with special educational needs in special schools: an interpretative phenomenological study of teachers’ experiences
- Authors: Matebese, Sibongile
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Children with disabilities Education South Africa , South Africa. Department of Education , Inclusive education South Africa , Special education teachers South Africa , Special education teachers South Africa Interviews , Phenomenological psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192270 , vital:45211
- Description: In 2001, the Department of Education introduced a policy known as White Paper 6: Special Needs Education: Building an Inclusive Education and Training System. This policy was a response to the worldwide call for inclusive education. It aimed to ensure that all learners with special educational needs (LSEN) and who experience barriers to learning are accommodated and taught in mainstream schooling contexts. Implementation of this policy in South Africa has been a challenge, and special schools continue to exist. While research has explored the experiences of teachers who teach LSEN, such studies have focused on teacher experiences in mainstream schools. A few international and South African studies have explored teacher experiences of teaching LSEN in special schools; however, these explore specific aspects of teacher experiences and are outdated. Based on this premise and drawing on a phenomenological approach, this study sought to explore and understand the experiences of teachers who teach LSEN in special schools. Using the semi-structured interview, eight teachers teaching in special schools in a city in the Eastern Cape were recruited and interviewed. Five superordinate themes emerged from the shared experiences, namely, ‘personal commitment and the need for a balance’, ‘recognising the learner at the centre’, ‘the importance of a holistic approach’, ‘the ups and downs of teaching LSEN’, and ‘support is available but limited’. Within these themes, the teachers experienced teaching LSEN as involving more than teaching, as a role guided by the learner, as collaborative, associated with positive experiences and challenges, including an endeavour that they are adequately supported in but simultaneously require more support for. In reflecting on this analysis, this study argues that special schools are necessary; teaching LSEN in special schools is important to teachers, and they feel a responsibility for it. Recommendations for future research include repeating the present study with a different population and methodology, interviewing parents of LSEN and LSEN themselves to gain further insights into special schooling. The study makes key recommendations for special needs education to help ensure that such an educational system is sustained as inclusion is a long way from being realised. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2021
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Employee views on organisational effectiveness of Chinese organisations operating in Kenya
- Authors: Mlotshwa, Minenhle Petronella
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Organizational effectiveness Kenya , Corporate culture Kenya Cross-cultural studies , China Foreign economic relations Kenya , International business enterprises Kenya , International business enterprises Personnel management , Bilingual communication in organizations Kenya , Religion in the workplace Kenya Cross-cultural studies , Work ethic Kenya Cross-cultural studies
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/191898 , vital:45177
- Description: Over the years there has been a growing interest in the relations between Africa and Asia. This is attributed to what is perceived as increasing Chinese influence and presence in Africa. During the past decades, China has experienced rapid economic growth and expansion which has contributed to its need for additional resources and expanding its geographic footprint into Africa and especially Kenya. The growing presence of Chinese organisations in Africa has also faced challenges. Chinese organisations operating in Kenya have been cited as facing cultural challenges, human resource management issues and external pressures which affect Chinese organisations thus impacting organisational effectiveness and performance. While there has been an abundance of research conducted at a macro level, mainly anecdotal knowledge on Chinese organisational values and management, little information exists at the organisation and community level. This study aimed to contribute an in-depth understanding of Chinese and Kenyan employee relationships in organisations at a micro level. Furthermore, this study assesses employees’ views on organisational effectiveness in a cross-cultural research setting of selected Chinese organisations operating in Kenya using the Burke-Litwin model (1992) of organisational effectiveness. This study is qualitative in nature within the interpretivistic research paradigm and used a case study approach to generate detailed comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon under investigation. Two Chinese organisations specialising in importing and exporting of diverse products, which had expanded its operations to Kenya in order to reach Africa’s growing consumer markets were selected for this study. The selected organisations were chosen under the premises that they had been operating in Kenya for more than 20 years, they are reputable organisations in their industries and were international role players. Non-probability convenience sampling was used to select the two organisations who were willing to participate. Purposive sampling was used to identify employees from different job levels and types of work in the selected organisations who were willing to participate in this study. Data was collected by means of face-to-face open-ended semi-structured interviews, with five Chinese and 12 Kenyan employees. The findings of this study were guided by the dimensions of the Burke-Litwin model, comprising the external environment, transformational dimensions (including mission and strategy, leadership and organisational culture) and transactional dimensions (including management practices, organisational structure, systems [policies and procedures], motivation, work climate, task requirements and individual skills and abilities). Based on the findings, organisational culture was the dominant theme that had a large influence on the organisational performance. Within the context of organisational culture, the main challenges faced by employees were religious, work ethic and communication barriers. Leadership and the organisational structure set by senior managers was also impacted by culture. It is evident that the Chinese organisations are dominated by Chinese employees at senior managerial levels – except for one Indian Kenyan manager – and non-managerial levels are dominated by Kenyan employees. Between these two managerial levels there is lack of trust as well as trade union interference favouring Kenyan employees. Leadership of the selected organisations aimed at recruiting candidates who have the necessary skills to contribute toward organisational effectiveness and performance. However, recruited Kenyan employees indicated that they require strategy visibility, effective communication, and structured processes in order to be effective. Despite challenges faced, Chinese and Kenyan employees both strongly agree with and support the efforts of management for providing training and development and creating an environment that accommodates personal growth. The external environment has exerted pressure on the said Chinese organisations. The Kenyan trade unions favour Kenyan employees and place huge pressure on Chinese management. In addition the trade unions bribe locals while making it difficult for Chinese organisations operating in Kenya to conduct business. Through the empirical development of organisational-level research on the case of Chinese organisations operating in Kenya, insightful management knowledge was gathered and shared to assist Chinese and Kenyan employees in their individual and organisational performance. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Management, 2021
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Ethics matter: A critical realist account of research ethics for social science and humanities researchers
- Authors: Dlova, Lisolethu
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192440 , vital:45226
- Description: Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Centre for Higher Education Research, Teaching and Learning, 2021
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Exploring how Grade 11 chemistry teachers make use of the periodic table of elements when mediating learning of writing and balancing chemical equations
- Authors: Kambeyo, Reginald Ndeshipanda
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Chemistry Study and teaching (Secondary) Namibia , Periodic table of the elements , Chemical equations Study and teaching (Secondary) Namibia , Chemistry teachers Attitudes Namibia , Pedagogical content knowledge , Topic-Specific Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TSPCK)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/191986 , vital:45185
- Description: The periodic table of elements is central to the study of chemistry and other disciplines of science, yet Namibian learners do not perform satisfactorily in topics which require its use in answering questions. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to explore how Grade 11 chemistry teachers make use of the periodic table of elements to mediate the learning of writing and balancing chemical equations. The study was carried out with two chemistry teachers in two rural schools in the northern part of Namibia. It was underpinned by an interpretive paradigm, within which a qualitative case study approach was employed. Data were collected through in-depth interviews (semi-structured and stimulated recall interviews), observations, and participants’ group reflections. The latter afforded the participants and myself room to reflect and share ideas at the end of the data gathering process. I used Shulman’s Pedagogical Content Knowledge as my theoretical framework in this study and the data sets were analysed using the five Topic-Specific Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TSPCK) components adapted from Mavhunga and Rollnick. The findings revealed that teachers demonstrated positive attitudes towards the use of the periodic table of elements when teaching the writing and balancing of chemical equations. However, challenges regarding inadequate materials that hindered the teaching and learning process were observed. Another finding of this study was that teachers used a variety of mediation tools such as prior knowledge and appropriate representations to enhance learning. However, during lesson observations, the findings revealed that there was an imbalance in the knowledge of using easily accessible resources as opposed to what teachers had indicated during the semi-structured interviews. Nonetheless, teachers’ group reflections influenced them to analyse and improve their lessons. The study thus recommends that there is a need for continuing professional development for chemistry teachers so that teachers can be afforded opportunities and spaces to share subject matter knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge as well as easily accessible resources that they can use to enhance teaching of chemistry in their classrooms. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
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Exploring targeted metagenomics and untargeted metabolomics for characterising aquaponics bacterial ecology and phytochemistry
- Authors: Abraham, Benjamin Melakail
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192453 , vital:45227
- Description: Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2021
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Exploring the effect of the indigenous technology of oil extraction on Grade 10 Biology learners’ perspectives and sense making of enzymes
- Authors: Nyamakuti, Martha Ndeyatila
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Biology Study and teaching (Secondary) , Enzymes , Traditional ecological knowledge Namibia , Culturally relevant pedagogy Namibia , Reasoning , Contiguity Argumentation Theory (CAT) , Namibian National Curriculum for Basic Education(NCBE) , Socio-cultural theory
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192019 , vital:45188
- Description: The current status quo is that African learners’ local indigenous knowledge (IK) and experiences from home (cultural heritage) are not considered in science classrooms. In the context of Namibia, it seems that the Namibian curriculum policies do little or nothing to decolonise and address the issues of equity and social injustice in Namibian schools. For instance, although the Namibian National Curriculum for Basic Education (NCBE) claims that it “embraces traditional knowledge”, it does not specify how this should be done in schools. As a result, little or no integration of IK is enacted in many of our schools in Namibia. Resultantly, learners seem to find science inaccessible and irrelevant to their everyday lives. It is against this background that in this study I sought to explore how the mobilisation of the indigenous technology of oil extraction (okuyenga) from marula nuts and melon seeds influences (or not) Grade 10 Biology learners’ conceptions, dispositions and sense making of the topic of enzymes. The study was located within the interpretive and indigenous research paradigms. Central to the interpretive paradigm is the development of a greater understanding of how people make sense of the contexts in which they live and work. On the other hand, central to indigenous research paradigms are belief systems based on the lived experiences, values, and histories of the participants. The Ubuntu perspective or approach in which respect and humble togetherness is emphasised is critical in indigenous research paradigms especially when researchers are working with and in communities as I did in this study. The study was conducted in an under resourced school in Walvis Bay, Namibia. A qualitative case study approach was used and data were derived from a focus group interview, participatory classroom observations, learners’ reflections, and a stimulated recall interview. Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory was employed as a theoretical framework. Within the socio-cultural theory, mediation of learning, social interactions, and the zone of proximal development (ZPD) were used as analytical lenses. The conceptual framework comprised of perspectives (conceptions, dispositions) and sense making of enzymes by the learners. Criteria were also adapted from Atallah, Bryant, and Dada to analyse learners’ perspectives. A thematic approach to analysis was employed to come up with categories and sub-themes and thereafter, common sub-themes were combined to form themes. The findings of the study revealed that the presentations on the indigenous technology of oil extraction by the expert community members influenced learners’ conceptions, dispositions, and sense making of enzymes and other associated science concepts. This was noticed when learners extracted emerging science concepts from the indigenous technology of oil extraction. The implication of this study is that there is a need for science teachers to consider learners’ cultural heritage and integrate local IK in their Biology classrooms in order to make science accessible and relevant to learners. Moreover, the integration of local IK is critical for learners to embrace and respect their cultural heritage. This study thus recommends that teachers should make efforts to collaborate with expert community members who are the custodians of local IK and tap into their cultural heritage and wisdom to enrich teaching in their science classrooms. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
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Exploring the political economy of the broadcast and distribution of the Mzansi Super League in South Africa
- Authors: Pettitt, Stephen John
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Cricket Political aspects South Africa , Discrimination in sports South Africa , South Africa Social conditions , South Africa Economic conditions , Broadcasting South Africa , Cricket South Africa (Organization) , Television broadcasting of sports , Free-to-air broadcasting (FTA) South Africa , Mzansi Super League
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192308 , vital:45215
- Description: This thesis is a critical political economy analysis of the role played by the broadcast and distribution of the Mzansi Super League (MSL), a T20 cricket tournament in South Africa, in the transformation project of Cricket South Africa (CSA). The case study methodology is based on the four-leaf clover framework developed by Ruth Teer-Tomaselli. Cricket in South Africa is often viewed as a white and middle-class dominated sport, and CSA has been mandated to redress the historical racially segregated sport through a transformation agenda that focuses on changing the demographics of cricket. This paper investigates how the broadcast of a cricket tournament like the MSL on a Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) can have a positive effect on transformation due to the increased access and wider distribution. The broadcast regulations acknowledge this, as is seen in the introduction of ICASA draft regulations seeking to make more sport available on PSBs. The South African sports broadcast landscape is dominated by MultiChoice’s SuperSport, which has acquired a monopoly on sports broadcasting. The South African Broadcast Corporation (SABC) cannot compete, given its financial difficulties. A fall-out between CSA and SuperSport meant the SABC broadcast the MSL tournament, which lost CSA revenue but gained it a bigger audience. This thesis uses lived experiences and examples to illustrate that despite a financial loss, the wider media distribution of cricket will have positive effects on transformation that could counter the financial loss, especially if CSA creates new streams of income so that it relies less on broadcast revenue. In the current climate, however, compounded by internal financial and management issues, CSA cannot afford to forego the revenue from a private broadcaster and thus has no choice but to pursue a deal with a private broadcaster and lose out on the potential benefits of a wider audience. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Journalism and Media Studies, 2021
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Exploring the use of in vitro colorimetric and bioluminescence assays to distinguish between Arf GTPase isoforms and detect Arf GTPase activity
- Authors: Woolf, Alexander Robert
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192582 , vital:45240
- Description: Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2021
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Exploring visual probability teaching strategies for enhancing mathematical thinking in grade 11 classrooms
- Authors: Nghidinwa, Lavinia Tangi-Jehova
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Mathematics Study and teaching (Secondary) Namibia , Probabilities , Visualization , Learning models (Stochastic processes) , VIPROMaths project
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192002 , vital:45187
- Description: This Namibian case study aimed to explore the use of visualisation tools associated with different teaching strategies in the teaching of probability concepts in Grade 11 by selected teachers, to promote mathematical thinking. This research project is an integral component of the VIPROMaths project whose goal is to research the effective use of visualisation strategies in the mathematics classroom in the Southern African region. As a mathematics teacher, I have observed that mathematics teaching practices in our classrooms have relatively little connection with actual mathematics and as a result, teaching misses opportunities to promote mathematical thinking. This qualitative case study is underpinned by an interpretive paradigm and it is informed by the dual coding theory. Data was collected through survey questionnaires, reflective journals, field notes, observation schedules and stimulus-recall interviews. Firstly, I piloted my study by conducting a survey with the Grade 10-12 mathematics teachers in the Khomas region. The aim of this survey was to understand and explore how teachers in the Khomas region taught probability prior to the intervention programme. The data was analysed quantitatively using descriptive statistics such as tables and bar graphs. The findings from the survey necessitated the need for an intervention programme with some teachers in the region, focused on the use of visual tools to promote mathematical thinking. Lastly, three schools were selected from which three Grade 11 mathematics teachers were chosen to take part in an intervention programme. The goal was to observe how these three teachers use visual probability teaching strategies to enhance mathematical thinking after participating in an intervention programme. Lesson observations showed that all observed teachers used visual models to generate images and used models to develop a probability idea as well as to create platforms for classroom discussions. Interviews revealed that teachers’ views towards probability have shifted from that of being the centre of knowledge to that of a facilitator. As a result, teachers used different models to build on learners’ prior knowledge, to assess whether they grasped the probability concept and extend their teaching to real-life situations. This study concluded that the teachers need to consider using mathematical models for creating a platform for discussion to ensure that their verbal explanations are in line with the visuals incorporated. Coupled with that, the teachers’ correct use of visual probability teaching strategies has the potential of enhancing learners’ mathematical thinking. Therefore, teachers need to teach the learners how to create visuals for enhancing maximise understanding of probability concepts in mathematics. Furthermore, it is hoped that the findings will be useful to mathematics teachers, scholars and educators to improve the teaching of probability. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
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Fabrication of gold-nanoparticle/conductive polymer composite materials: application to aptamer-based impedimetric biosensors for detection of histamine
- Authors: Ojo, Dupe Ruth
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192550 , vital:45236
- Description: Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biotechnology Innovation Centre, 2021
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Formulation and optimization of lamotrigine liquid loaded self-microemulsifying emulsion
- Authors: Mano, Tanaka
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192430 , vital:45225
- Description: Thesis (MSc (Pharm)) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy, 2021
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Generation news: Consuming, sharing, and producing news across generations in five Johannesburg households
- Authors: Silber, Gerson Russel
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Baby boom generation South Africa , Generation Y South Africa , Conflict of generations South Africa Johannesburg , Generations South Africa Johannesburg , Digital media South Africa , Social media and journalism South Africa , Digital media Social aspects South Africa , News audiences South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192342 , vital:45217
- Description: This study sets out to explore the meaning, extent, and impact of the generational divide, between so-called Baby Boomers and their Millennial offspring, on the way news is accessed, consumed, shared, and produced in five purposively selected households in the Johannesburg area. Aside from these widely-used generational identifiers, Baby Boomers and Millennials are also commonly referred to as Digital Immigrants and Digital Natives, respectively. However, in a world where smartphones have become commonplace, and internet connectivity via fixed broadband and mobile data is ubiquitous, it can be argued that digital technologies now serve as a link, or perhaps even a bridge, between younger and older generations living in the same household. The study aims to put this proposition to the test, by interrogating the role of news as a conduit for storytelling and information-sharing in environments where each occupant will typically be using their own devices, with a wide variety of personally-curated news sources and platforms at their fingertips. This fragmentation or individualisation of access to news stands in sharp contrast to the communal traditions of the pre-Internet era, during which families would gather around the TV set to watch the evening newscast, or share sections of the Sunday newspaper according to their age and interest. This research, which seeks to address a gap in the literature of research into intra-generational news consumption in family households in the digital era, identifies points of intersection as well as diversion in media usage habits. An example of the former is the prevalence of WhatsApp as a centralised "meeting-point" for the sharing of useful, hyper-localised information within the family group, and beyond that, as a cross-generational news and discussion platform in its own right. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the study explores strict and seemingly counterintuitive divides between the generations, with some Millennial respondents rejecting social media platforms as "pointless and invasive, and some Baby Boomer parents embracing the platforms as forums for free expression and networking. In line with the key research question, which seeks to identify and analyse news usage and consumption across the generations in a selection of family households, the study considers the ways in which families in the digital era are creating a culture of shared interests and the active sharing of news, breaching the boundaries of their private spaces in a microcosm of the Habermasian public sphere of discourse and opinion. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Journalism and Media Studies, 2021
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Genetic connectivity of the roundjaw bonefish (Albula glossodonta) in the Southwest Indian Ocean
- Authors: Talma, Sheena Claudia Aisa Lydie
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Bonefish Mauritius , Bonefish Seychelles , Bonefish Genetics , Bonefish Habitat , Bonefish Geographical distribution , Bonefish Larvae Dispersal , Genetic markers , Cytochrome b , Fish populations Mauritius , Fish populations Seychelles , Marine ecotourism , Saltwater fly fishing , Bonefish fisheries Catch effort
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192174 , vital:45202
- Description: The Southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO) islands of Mauritius and Seychelles are both highly dependent on tourism and fisheries for their economies. One of the growing ecotourism sectors is saltwater fly fishing, an industry based on catch-and-release fishing for a host of species, including bonefishes. Bonefishes (Albula spp.) have received significant research attention in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, with only sporadic research conducted in the Indian Ocean. My project aimed to investigate the genetic connectivity of the roundjaw bonefish (Albula glossodonta) in two island states (Seychelles and Mauritius) within the SWIO using a mitochondrial genetic marker (cyt-b) and next generation sequencing (ddRADseq). Samples collected were grouped based on their spatial distribution. The Seychelles consisted of four island groups (Inner Island Group, Aldabra Group, Amirantes and Alphonse Group, and Farquhar Group) whereas Mauritius was represented by one island group (Saint Brandon). Genetic analyses were undertaken between and within each of these groups. Mitochondrial cytochrome-b identified two species of bonefish: Albula glossodonta and Albula oligolepis; the latter was only genetically identified from the Inner Island Group. I hypothesise that this is due to habitat partitioning, with A. oligolepis being a deeper dwelling bonefish species compared to A. glossodonta, which occupies shallow water habitats such as sand flats, atoll lagoons and reef flats. Neutral SNP loci revealed a panmictic pattern of distribution for A. glossodonta throughout the Seychelles Island groups but showed a pattern of weak structure between Seychelles and Mauritius. Genetic diversity indices such as allelic richness, showed low diversity across the sampling sites (AR range: 1.761-1.889). Population structure tests such as pairwise FST showed low but significant population structure. The highest FST indices were recorded between the Aldabra and Farquhar Groups, as well as the Aldabra and Saint Brandon Groups (0.044 ± 0.000 and 0.040 ± 0.000, respectively). Descriptive tests such as PCA and DAPC showed similar trends, whereby Saint Brandon clustered separately from the other samples from the Seychelles Island groups. However, these trends were Abstract seen at very low variations (PCA axes 1 and 2 accounted for only 2.0 and 1.9 % of the total variation, respectively). A population assignment test grouped the individuals as one ancestral population. A spatial principal component analysis showed that Saint Brandon was dissimilar to the Seychelles Island groups. Like other Elopomorph species, bonefishes have leptocephalus larvae capable of long-distance dispersal which may explain the well-mixed genetic population observed within the Seychelles islands. Although currents within the Indian Ocean, especially on a mesoscale, are not well understood, the South Equatorial Current likely facilitates connectivity between the Seychelles islands while also limiting gene flow between Seychelles and Mauritius. Understanding population structure is important for informing the appropriate management and conservation strategies, especially in oceanic nations where data informing important industries like tourism and fisheries are often limited. The bonefish fly fishing industry is well-known to be a lucrative sector, generating, for example US$ 1.4 million a year in the Bahamas. This study recognised that there are numerous knowledge gaps relevant to the bonefish industry that need to be addressed, including: 1) understanding the socio-economic importance of fly fishing to island states like Seychelles, 2) estimating the abundance and species distribution of bonefishes within Seychelles, 3) understanding effectiveness of MPAs for recreational fishery species like bonefish and, lastly, 4) generating more fishery-relevant biological information on the heavily targeted fly fishing species within Seychelles. These needs must be met to inform management plans and to better manage the fly fishing ventures that target species like bonefish. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, 2021
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Genetic relationships between migmatites and the Swartoup Pluton in the Swartoup Hills (central Namaqua Belt)
- Authors: Schmeldt, Graeme Alvin
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Migmatite South Africa Northern Cape , Intrusions (Geology) South Africa , Metamorphic rocks South Africa Northern Cape , Metamorphism (Geology) South Africa Northern Cape , Onseepkans (South Africa) , Namaqualand (South Africa) , Anatexis , Swartoup , Koenap
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192162 , vital:45201
- Description: The central Namaqua Metamorphic Complex can be characterised by long-standing high-temperature (up to granulite/amphibolite facies) conditions between _ 1300 and 1100Ma, inevitably resulting in widespread metamorphism and plutonism. Hosted within a NW–SE striking antiformal structure about 40 km east of Onseepkans, Northen Cape, South Africa, in the Swartoup Hills, lies the Swartoup Pluton. The Swartoup Pluton was sampled and described in hand specimen and thin section. The study area was photographed, with all data presented in this study. The various rock types are readily discerned in the field due to their characteristic weathering colours and overall fabrics. The Swartoup granodioritic body is hosted within metasediments of the Bysteek and Koenap Formations, of the Arribees Group. The package was later intruded by another later granitoid, the Polisiehoek Granite-gneiss. The Bysteek Formation, a wall rock to the S-type Swartoup Pluton, reacted at the contact with the igneous body resulting in localised feldspathic granites and granodiorites with prominent, often euhedral, garnet, pryoxene and titanite. The Swartoup Pluton is divided into two subgroups. The first is characterised by higher P2O5 contents, _ 0.3 – 0.4 wt.%, shown with a narrower constraint on its Rb contents, _ 80 – 160 ppm, than the second, with _ 0.14 – 0.4 wt.% P2O5 and 20 – 310 ppm Rb. Meanwhile the Polisiehoek Granite-gneiss shows _ 50 – 420 ppm Rb and _ 0.04 – 0:1 wt% P2O5. As a whole, the Swartoup Pluton is characterised by somewhat elevated CaO concentrations (_ 1.5 – 6.0 wt.%), relative to calculated averages of granites (1.8 wt.% CaO, Le Maitre, 1976) and granodiorites (3.9 wt.% CaO, Le Maitre, 1976). Whilst most of the Swartoup specimens were classified as granodiorites, some orthopyroxene-bearing monzodiorite and orthopyroxenebearing monzonite were locally found and sampled. However, much of the body appears to be granodioritic to granitic in composition. The Polisiehoek Granite-gneiss is characterised by its orange-brown weathering colour in the field, sheared texture, lower P2O5 and higher total alkali content than the Swartoup Pluton. The Polisiehoek Granite-gneiss is a highly fractionated S-type granite, as shown by plots of (a) (Na2O + K2O)/CaO and (b) FeOT/MgO versus Zr + Nb + Ce + Y (Whalen et al., 1987; Zhang et al., 2019) and also of (c) (Al2O3 + CaO)/(FeOT + Na2O + K2O) versus 100 × (MgO + FeOT + TiO2)/SiO2 (after Sylvester, 1989). Classification schemes identify the Polisiehoek Granite-gneiss as either a granite (TAS diagram, after Middlemost, 1994) or alkali granite (R1R2 diagram, after De la Roche et al., 1980). , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Geology, 2021
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Harry Potter: a discourse analytic approach to ‘the boy who lived’ and his attachments
- Authors: Nel, Derryn Joy
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192641 , vital:45245
- Description: Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2021
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Hermēs Dolios: Performances of Hermes as trickster in the Homeric Hymn to Hermes
- Authors: Nel, Aiden Pieter
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Hermes (Greek deity) , Hymn to Hermes , Tricksters in literature , Loki (Norse deity) , Hynes, William J , Doty, William G, 1939-J , Wakdjunkaga (Winnebago Trickster) , Ture (Zande Trickster)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190978 , vital:45046
- Description: This thesis explores the Greek god Hermes' representation in the Homeric Hymn to Hermes to establish the extent to which he partakes in Hynes' defined set of characteristics associated with mythological 'trickster' figures. Hermes is an unorthodox figure as although he embodies many aspects of the trickster, he willingly relinquishes some of these aspects within his hymn. I first outline and explore the trickster phenomenon and the complex methodological issue concerning global comparison. Hynes’ criteria are first applied to three other tricksters the Amerindian (Winnebago) trickster Wakdjunkaga, the central African (Azande) trickster Ture and the northern European (Norse) trickster Loki, which establishes a baseline that will help determine how Hermes conforms to this typology. All three figures’ cultural contexts are first addressed, as the cultural context is key in understanding a figure’s potential inclusion in the trickster category. I then explore Hermes’ performances within his hymn and other genres to formulate how his patron powers and actions relate to his designation as a trickster. I argue, in conclusion, that Hynes’ typology is a useful tool in determining any figure’s degree of ‘tricksterness’ and show that Hermes and the other three figures do embody Hynes’ characteristics. Each, however, embodies them differently and in a specific manner. I argue that the manner in which they relate to the criteria is dictated by their respective cultural contexts, and what their narrators intended to illustrate through the stories wherein tricksters reside. I further argue that narrative intent, genre and cultural context appear to be the main factors that mould each respective figure. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Languages and Literatures, 2021
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Hop-mediated alteration of cellular metabolism in KSHV infection
- Authors: Kirigin, Elisa
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192477 , vital:45229
- Description: Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2021
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Identification of potential inhibitors of the folate biosynthesis enzymes HPPK of Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli and pteridine reductase of Trypanosoma brucei through molecular docking and enzyme assays
- Authors: Gerwel, Tiaan Marc
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192419 , vital:45224
- Description: Thesis (MSc (Pharm)) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy, 2021
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