Enumeration, conformation sampling and population of libraries of peptide macrocycles for the search of chemotherapeutic cardioprotection agents
- Authors: Sigauke, Lester Takunda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Peptides -- Synthesis , Macrocyclic compounds , Drug development , Drug discovery , Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- Prevention , Proteins -- Synthesis
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/116056 , vital:34293
- Description: Peptides are uniquely endowed with features that allow them to perturb previously difficult to drug biomolecular targets. Peptide macrocycles in particular have seen a flurry of recent interest due to their enhanced bioavailability, tunability and specificity. Although these properties make them attractive hit-candidates in early stage drug discovery, knowing which peptides to pursue is non‐trivial due to the magnitude of the peptide sequence space. Computational screening approaches show promise in their ability to address the size of this search space but suffer from their inability to accurately interrogate the conformational landscape of peptide macrocycles. We developed an in‐silico compound enumerator that was tasked with populating a conformationally laden peptide virtual library. This library was then used in the search for cardio‐protective agents (that may be administered, reducing tissue damage during reperfusion after ischemia (heart attacks)). Our enumerator successfully generated a library of 15.2 billion compounds, requiring the use of compression algorithms, conformational sampling protocols and management of aggregated compute resources in the context of a local cluster. In the absence of experimental biophysical data, we performed biased sampling during alchemical molecular dynamics simulations in order to observe cyclophilin‐D perturbation by cyclosporine A and its mitochondrial targeted analogue. Reliable intermediate state averaging through a WHAM analysis of the biased dynamic pulling simulations confirmed that the cardio‐protective activity of cyclosporine A was due to its mitochondrial targeting. Paralleltempered solution molecular dynamics in combination with efficient clustering isolated the essential dynamics of a cyclic peptide scaffold. The rapid enumeration of skeletons from these essential dynamics gave rise to a conformation laden virtual library of all the 15.2 Billion unique cyclic peptides (given the limits on peptide sequence imposed). Analysis of this library showed the exact extent of physicochemical properties covered, relative to the bare scaffold precursor. Molecular docking of a subset of the virtual library against cyclophilin‐D showed significant improvements in affinity to the target (relative to cyclosporine A). The conformation laden virtual library, accessed by our methodology, provided derivatives that were able to make many interactions per peptide with the cyclophilin‐D target. Machine learning methods showed promise in the training of Support Vector Machines for synthetic feasibility prediction for this library. The synergy between enumeration and conformational sampling greatly improves the performance of this library during virtual screening, even when only a subset is used.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Sigauke, Lester Takunda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Peptides -- Synthesis , Macrocyclic compounds , Drug development , Drug discovery , Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- Prevention , Proteins -- Synthesis
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/116056 , vital:34293
- Description: Peptides are uniquely endowed with features that allow them to perturb previously difficult to drug biomolecular targets. Peptide macrocycles in particular have seen a flurry of recent interest due to their enhanced bioavailability, tunability and specificity. Although these properties make them attractive hit-candidates in early stage drug discovery, knowing which peptides to pursue is non‐trivial due to the magnitude of the peptide sequence space. Computational screening approaches show promise in their ability to address the size of this search space but suffer from their inability to accurately interrogate the conformational landscape of peptide macrocycles. We developed an in‐silico compound enumerator that was tasked with populating a conformationally laden peptide virtual library. This library was then used in the search for cardio‐protective agents (that may be administered, reducing tissue damage during reperfusion after ischemia (heart attacks)). Our enumerator successfully generated a library of 15.2 billion compounds, requiring the use of compression algorithms, conformational sampling protocols and management of aggregated compute resources in the context of a local cluster. In the absence of experimental biophysical data, we performed biased sampling during alchemical molecular dynamics simulations in order to observe cyclophilin‐D perturbation by cyclosporine A and its mitochondrial targeted analogue. Reliable intermediate state averaging through a WHAM analysis of the biased dynamic pulling simulations confirmed that the cardio‐protective activity of cyclosporine A was due to its mitochondrial targeting. Paralleltempered solution molecular dynamics in combination with efficient clustering isolated the essential dynamics of a cyclic peptide scaffold. The rapid enumeration of skeletons from these essential dynamics gave rise to a conformation laden virtual library of all the 15.2 Billion unique cyclic peptides (given the limits on peptide sequence imposed). Analysis of this library showed the exact extent of physicochemical properties covered, relative to the bare scaffold precursor. Molecular docking of a subset of the virtual library against cyclophilin‐D showed significant improvements in affinity to the target (relative to cyclosporine A). The conformation laden virtual library, accessed by our methodology, provided derivatives that were able to make many interactions per peptide with the cyclophilin‐D target. Machine learning methods showed promise in the training of Support Vector Machines for synthetic feasibility prediction for this library. The synergy between enumeration and conformational sampling greatly improves the performance of this library during virtual screening, even when only a subset is used.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Evaluating Livestock Development Programmes through the Production Risk Interface: Case of the Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo (KyD) Scheme in South Africa
- Authors: Ngarava, Saul
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Livestock projects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15730 , vital:40513
- Description: Livestock is significant in the livelihoods of the rural poor, providing a plethora of benefits. Livestock Development Programmes (LDPs) can transform smallholder farmers’ production for increased production and poverty reduction. The Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo (KyD) Scheme is a LDP implemented in South Africa with the aim of assisting smallholder farmers to attain economic and sustainable beef production. The literature shows that most evaluations of LDPs have been quantitative based on measurable and quantifiable metrics. Furthermore, various socio-economic and institutional factors have a bearing on the decision to participate in LDPs and eventually adopting the practices. Impact assessments of LDPs have been devoid of risk consideration as well as ascertaining how risk introduced by participating in LDPs has impacted productivity. The overall objective of the study was therefore to evaluate LDPs, focussing on benefits, participation and risk. The specific objectives of the study entailed developing a conceptual tool for measuring the qualitative and secondary benefits. Secondly, it was to determine factors influencing participation decisions in the KyD Scheme. Thirdly, the study sought to measure and compare calving rate and off-take rate risk between KyD Scheme participants and non-participants. Lastly, the study highlighted the variability (risk) introduced by participating in a LDP and its impact on production. The study utilised a cross-sectional survey of KyD Scheme participants and nonparticipants in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa. Non-probability convenience sampling method was utilised in selecting a sample of 164 KyD Scheme participants and 81 non-participants. A semi-structured questionnaire was the data collection tool utilised. A conceptual “Livelihood Effect Benefit Index”; Probit, Tobit and Ordered Probit models; Just and Pope Production function; Propensity Score Matching; and Monte Carlo Simulations were utilised to analyse data. Statistical Package for Social Scientists version 24, STATA 13 and @Risk Decision Tool were the analytical packages utilised in analysing the data. The study found that the Scheme provided low qualitative benefits, mainly through social capital. Furthermore, socio-economic and institutional factors have significant impact on the decision to participate in the Scheme, extent of participation and decision to continue practicing Scheme experiences. In comparing the two groups of Scheme and Scheme non-participants, calving and off-take risk for KyD Scheme participants was lower than that of Scheme non-participants. In comparing individuals with similar characteristics between the two groups, Scheme participants reduced calving risk whilst increasing the off-take risk. Page | vi The study concluded that the Scheme exhibited low qualitative benefits. Furthermore, the decisions to participate and the extent of participation in the KyD Scheme were influenced by various socio-economic and institutional factors, which were however more favourable to resource endowed smallholder farmers. In addition, the Scheme had significant impact on production risk. The risk reducing determinants appeared to also favour more resource endowed smallholder farmers who had more farming experience. The study’s recommendations were subdivided into short term, medium term and long term. The short term recommendations included targeting farmers within a distance of between 30km and 90km from a formal market, promoting dipping services-based training and extension, and providing information and training concerning calving i.e. animal health, husbandry and breed selection for herd maximization. Participation in the Scheme and the extent of participation can be improved through enhancing awareness of the Scheme at various points where stock feed are available to farmers. Furthermore, enhanced cooperation with extension workers provides a conduit in improving awareness of the Scheme and enhancing participation. The medium term recommendations pertained to initiatives such as promoting other livelihood options to enhance benefits of the programme, and promoting social capital enhancing initiatives such as mentoring and providing social capital objectives that can be integrated into the overall livestock sector strategy. The long-term recommendations include initiatives such as subsidizing increase in herd size to between 50 and 120 cattle, maintaining a monthly frequency of farmer-extension contact of between 2 and 5 times per month, as well as incorporating calving and off-take risk in policy formulation, implementation and evaluation
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Ngarava, Saul
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Livestock projects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15730 , vital:40513
- Description: Livestock is significant in the livelihoods of the rural poor, providing a plethora of benefits. Livestock Development Programmes (LDPs) can transform smallholder farmers’ production for increased production and poverty reduction. The Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo (KyD) Scheme is a LDP implemented in South Africa with the aim of assisting smallholder farmers to attain economic and sustainable beef production. The literature shows that most evaluations of LDPs have been quantitative based on measurable and quantifiable metrics. Furthermore, various socio-economic and institutional factors have a bearing on the decision to participate in LDPs and eventually adopting the practices. Impact assessments of LDPs have been devoid of risk consideration as well as ascertaining how risk introduced by participating in LDPs has impacted productivity. The overall objective of the study was therefore to evaluate LDPs, focussing on benefits, participation and risk. The specific objectives of the study entailed developing a conceptual tool for measuring the qualitative and secondary benefits. Secondly, it was to determine factors influencing participation decisions in the KyD Scheme. Thirdly, the study sought to measure and compare calving rate and off-take rate risk between KyD Scheme participants and non-participants. Lastly, the study highlighted the variability (risk) introduced by participating in a LDP and its impact on production. The study utilised a cross-sectional survey of KyD Scheme participants and nonparticipants in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa. Non-probability convenience sampling method was utilised in selecting a sample of 164 KyD Scheme participants and 81 non-participants. A semi-structured questionnaire was the data collection tool utilised. A conceptual “Livelihood Effect Benefit Index”; Probit, Tobit and Ordered Probit models; Just and Pope Production function; Propensity Score Matching; and Monte Carlo Simulations were utilised to analyse data. Statistical Package for Social Scientists version 24, STATA 13 and @Risk Decision Tool were the analytical packages utilised in analysing the data. The study found that the Scheme provided low qualitative benefits, mainly through social capital. Furthermore, socio-economic and institutional factors have significant impact on the decision to participate in the Scheme, extent of participation and decision to continue practicing Scheme experiences. In comparing the two groups of Scheme and Scheme non-participants, calving and off-take risk for KyD Scheme participants was lower than that of Scheme non-participants. In comparing individuals with similar characteristics between the two groups, Scheme participants reduced calving risk whilst increasing the off-take risk. Page | vi The study concluded that the Scheme exhibited low qualitative benefits. Furthermore, the decisions to participate and the extent of participation in the KyD Scheme were influenced by various socio-economic and institutional factors, which were however more favourable to resource endowed smallholder farmers. In addition, the Scheme had significant impact on production risk. The risk reducing determinants appeared to also favour more resource endowed smallholder farmers who had more farming experience. The study’s recommendations were subdivided into short term, medium term and long term. The short term recommendations included targeting farmers within a distance of between 30km and 90km from a formal market, promoting dipping services-based training and extension, and providing information and training concerning calving i.e. animal health, husbandry and breed selection for herd maximization. Participation in the Scheme and the extent of participation can be improved through enhancing awareness of the Scheme at various points where stock feed are available to farmers. Furthermore, enhanced cooperation with extension workers provides a conduit in improving awareness of the Scheme and enhancing participation. The medium term recommendations pertained to initiatives such as promoting other livelihood options to enhance benefits of the programme, and promoting social capital enhancing initiatives such as mentoring and providing social capital objectives that can be integrated into the overall livestock sector strategy. The long-term recommendations include initiatives such as subsidizing increase in herd size to between 50 and 120 cattle, maintaining a monthly frequency of farmer-extension contact of between 2 and 5 times per month, as well as incorporating calving and off-take risk in policy formulation, implementation and evaluation
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Evaluation of groundwater potential based on hybrid approach of geology, geophysics, and geoinformatics: Case study of Buffalo Catchment area, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Owolabi,Solomon T
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Hydrogeology Geology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Geology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12238 , vital:39218
- Description: This study focuses on the feasibility of exploring potential groundwater zones through assessment of catchment geo-hydrodynamic processes, using hydro-statistic principles and geographic information system-based approaches. The research work integrated analysis of hydrologic variables, geologic structures, and geomorpho-tectonic processes that provide information on spatial variability of hydrologic units in a watershed. The study is aimed at improving conceptual knowledge and presenting the technical feasibility of exploring potential groundwater zones through geo-hydrodynamic perspectives in hydrogeologically challenged environments. The study adopted a case design approach at the Buffalo hydrologic basin headwater in Eastern Cape, South Africa. The methods used in this study include: field mapping of geologic units and structures, digital processing of aeromagnetic map, cross-section profiling of borehole logs, auto-extraction of lineament, streamflow variability and recession assessment, geomorpho-tectonic analysis of surficial drainage pattern, vertical electrical sounding for imaging shallow subsurface layers, and geospatial integration of thematic maps of groundwater multi-influencing factors. The results indicate that the hydrogeological settings of Buffalo watershed comprised of good, moderate, fair, poor and very poor groundwater potential zones which cover 187 km2 , 338 km2 , 406 km2 , 185 km2 , and 121 km2 respectively. The results report that the groundwater system of Buffalo watershed is mainly hosted by the well-drained fractured dolerite and the shallow unconfined sandstone aquifer. The aquifer is bounded by two parallel impermeable valley walls in the north and south. Also, the Buffalo drainage system constitutes a variable head boundary as a groundwater discharge zone. The groundwater discharge which mostly occurs at the Tshoxa upper course, Mgqakwebe, Quencwe, Yellowwoods upper course and the Buffalo River center influence the status of the Buffalo River as a perennial river system. vi The groundwater recharge occurs through the networks of surficial lineaments and fractures concentrated on the sandstone lithosome, mostly in the northern half of the watershed. The surficial tectonic features trend in a WNW-ESE and E-W direction. The groundwater flow system is controlled by the subsurface lineaments which are oriented in west-northwest – eastsoutheast direction. Most of the groundwater recharge is driven by rain which is extreme at the north. The hydro-climatic pattern of the region influences the dendritic drainage system of Buffalo watershed. The geologic characterization and geomorpho-tectonic analysis indicate that the geologic settings are made up of upward-fining lithologic material and siliciclastic materials that were deposited as fill in paleochannels by braided and meandering fluvial systems. The variability in dissection property and the fluvial system indicates that Buffalo hydrologic and geomorphic systems are heterogeneous and complex. The possible impact of these variabilities aligns with the report of geoelectric sections which revealed the heterogeneity of the aquifer intrinsic properties and variability in groundwater yield. The electric resistivity tomography revealed the existence of a fault system and variation in the thickness of the aquifer. Hydrologic characterization indicates the vulnerability status of the rivers within the watershed. In particular, the Ngqokweni River is vulnerable to diminution while Quencwe River has the potential for a flash flood. Buffalo station is an important surface water capture zone. Delineation of groundwater potential zone should incorporate geologic, hydrologic, geophysical, geomorphotectonic, and environmental perspectives due to the inherent relationship among influencing factors. The study therefore identifies groundwater capture zones which can be further explored for groundwater development and to mitigate the stake of water shortage. The study therefore recommends the approach here to the department of water affairs for adoption to map the zones of groundwater potential at a regional scale. The study also provides resourceful information on vii groundwater recharge zones and therefore recommends that the environment and water stakeholders work together to protect the recharge zones from groundwater contamination due to land use
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Owolabi,Solomon T
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Hydrogeology Geology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Geology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12238 , vital:39218
- Description: This study focuses on the feasibility of exploring potential groundwater zones through assessment of catchment geo-hydrodynamic processes, using hydro-statistic principles and geographic information system-based approaches. The research work integrated analysis of hydrologic variables, geologic structures, and geomorpho-tectonic processes that provide information on spatial variability of hydrologic units in a watershed. The study is aimed at improving conceptual knowledge and presenting the technical feasibility of exploring potential groundwater zones through geo-hydrodynamic perspectives in hydrogeologically challenged environments. The study adopted a case design approach at the Buffalo hydrologic basin headwater in Eastern Cape, South Africa. The methods used in this study include: field mapping of geologic units and structures, digital processing of aeromagnetic map, cross-section profiling of borehole logs, auto-extraction of lineament, streamflow variability and recession assessment, geomorpho-tectonic analysis of surficial drainage pattern, vertical electrical sounding for imaging shallow subsurface layers, and geospatial integration of thematic maps of groundwater multi-influencing factors. The results indicate that the hydrogeological settings of Buffalo watershed comprised of good, moderate, fair, poor and very poor groundwater potential zones which cover 187 km2 , 338 km2 , 406 km2 , 185 km2 , and 121 km2 respectively. The results report that the groundwater system of Buffalo watershed is mainly hosted by the well-drained fractured dolerite and the shallow unconfined sandstone aquifer. The aquifer is bounded by two parallel impermeable valley walls in the north and south. Also, the Buffalo drainage system constitutes a variable head boundary as a groundwater discharge zone. The groundwater discharge which mostly occurs at the Tshoxa upper course, Mgqakwebe, Quencwe, Yellowwoods upper course and the Buffalo River center influence the status of the Buffalo River as a perennial river system. vi The groundwater recharge occurs through the networks of surficial lineaments and fractures concentrated on the sandstone lithosome, mostly in the northern half of the watershed. The surficial tectonic features trend in a WNW-ESE and E-W direction. The groundwater flow system is controlled by the subsurface lineaments which are oriented in west-northwest – eastsoutheast direction. Most of the groundwater recharge is driven by rain which is extreme at the north. The hydro-climatic pattern of the region influences the dendritic drainage system of Buffalo watershed. The geologic characterization and geomorpho-tectonic analysis indicate that the geologic settings are made up of upward-fining lithologic material and siliciclastic materials that were deposited as fill in paleochannels by braided and meandering fluvial systems. The variability in dissection property and the fluvial system indicates that Buffalo hydrologic and geomorphic systems are heterogeneous and complex. The possible impact of these variabilities aligns with the report of geoelectric sections which revealed the heterogeneity of the aquifer intrinsic properties and variability in groundwater yield. The electric resistivity tomography revealed the existence of a fault system and variation in the thickness of the aquifer. Hydrologic characterization indicates the vulnerability status of the rivers within the watershed. In particular, the Ngqokweni River is vulnerable to diminution while Quencwe River has the potential for a flash flood. Buffalo station is an important surface water capture zone. Delineation of groundwater potential zone should incorporate geologic, hydrologic, geophysical, geomorphotectonic, and environmental perspectives due to the inherent relationship among influencing factors. The study therefore identifies groundwater capture zones which can be further explored for groundwater development and to mitigate the stake of water shortage. The study therefore recommends the approach here to the department of water affairs for adoption to map the zones of groundwater potential at a regional scale. The study also provides resourceful information on vii groundwater recharge zones and therefore recommends that the environment and water stakeholders work together to protect the recharge zones from groundwater contamination due to land use
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Evaluation of pre-treatment methods on production of bioethanol from bagasse and sugarcane trash
- Authors: Dodo, Charlie Marembo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Lignocellulose
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15387 , vital:40403
- Description: A variety of methods have been researched on for bioethanol preparation from different feedstocks. Amongst the available feedstock, one such feedstock is the sugarcane plant. In most of the research on bioethanol preparation with sugarcane the sugary juice has been widely used, with the bagasse and trash having been discarded as waste. The “waste” bagasse and trash are usually removed and thrown away or burnt during harvesting or in sugar mills to supplement energy requirements. This research on lignocellulosic bagasse and trash was done so as not to discard them but to rather find ways in which to use this biomass constructively. Alternatives to burning that can potentially add value to this biomass need to be researched on by evaluating their hydrolysis content. The different lignocellulose pretreatment methods of concentrated and dilute acid pretreatment, with subsequent enzyme hydrolysis as well as alkali and oxidative alkali pretreatment with enzyme hydrolysis were experimented on the bagasse and trash for hydrolysis efficiency and effectiveness. There are two types of acid hydrolysis which were investigated on which are concentrated and dilute sulphuric acid pretreatments. Use of concentrated sulphuric acid yielded the highest amounts of reducing sugars but also resulted in the highest amounts of downstream process inhibitors formation. This resulted in the need for neutralisation steps which in turn increase the overall costs of using this method to obtain reducing sugars. It has however the advantage of occurring at a faster rate, within minutes or hours, than using biological enzymes which took days, up to 72 hours to obtain the highest reducing sugar amounts. Dilute sulphuric acid pretreatment offered the advantage of using fewer chemicals which are therefore less severe on equipment and result in fewer fermentation inhibitors being formed. Dilute sulphuric acid hydrolysis also takes a relatively shorter period than biological methods of pretreatment. A challenge of fermentation inhibitors formed during acid hydrolysis was countered by using the methods of overliming (calcium hydroxide) and comparing it to neutralization with sodium hydroxide. Alkali pretreatment with sodium hydroxide was researched on by applying different pretreatment concentrations during experiments on the lignocellulosic biomass. There was an increase in the available quantities of cellulose with a significant reduction in lignin with pretreatment. Alkali pretreatment proved effective in exposing the cellulose which made v more cellulose surface area available to cellulase enzymes for enzyme hydrolysis. The highest yield of reducing sugars was obtained from hydrolysates pretreated with 0.25 M sodium hydroxide for 60 min and a period of 72 h of enzyme hydrolysis. In general the longer the pretreatment time the more reducing sugars were produced from the enzyme hydrolysis. Alkali peroxide pretreatment also resulted in significant reductions in lignin quantities of lignocellulose material. In this method sodium hydroxide in combination with hydrogen peroxide were used in pretreating the biomass. Hydrolysates with even fewer fermentation inhibitors were produced as a result. The highest percentage concentration of cellulose of 63% (g/g) was achieved after pretreatment of bagasse with 5% alkali hydrogen peroxide and trash with 0,25M sodium hydroxide pretreatment. Pretreatment of biomass using alkali with subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis gave the highest yields of fermentable sugars of 38% (g/g) using 7% (v/v) alkali peroxide pre-treated trash than 36% (g/g) for 5% (v/v) with the least inhibitors. Reducing sugar yields of 25% (g/g) and 22% (g/g) were obtained after pretreatment with concentrated and dilute acid respectively. Neutralization of the acid hydrolysates was necessary to reduce inhibitors formed with neutralisation by sodium hydroxide resulting in low dilutions and loss of fermentable sugars as unlike in the case of overliming. Subsequent steps of fermenting the reducing sugars resulting from pretreatment into bioethanol were based on using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisae. Pretreatment hydrolysates from alkali peroxide experiments produced higher bioethanol yields of 13.7 (g/l) after enzyme hydrolysates versus 6.9 (g/l) bioethanol from dilute acid hydrolyzates. A comparison of the effects of time showed there was more bioethanol yield of 13.7 (g/l) after 72 h of fermentation with the yeast versus 7.0 (g/l) bioethanol after pretreatment for 24 h. The only drawback is the longer fermentation period which thus reduces the process and so reduces the value of the increase in yield
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Dodo, Charlie Marembo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Lignocellulose
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15387 , vital:40403
- Description: A variety of methods have been researched on for bioethanol preparation from different feedstocks. Amongst the available feedstock, one such feedstock is the sugarcane plant. In most of the research on bioethanol preparation with sugarcane the sugary juice has been widely used, with the bagasse and trash having been discarded as waste. The “waste” bagasse and trash are usually removed and thrown away or burnt during harvesting or in sugar mills to supplement energy requirements. This research on lignocellulosic bagasse and trash was done so as not to discard them but to rather find ways in which to use this biomass constructively. Alternatives to burning that can potentially add value to this biomass need to be researched on by evaluating their hydrolysis content. The different lignocellulose pretreatment methods of concentrated and dilute acid pretreatment, with subsequent enzyme hydrolysis as well as alkali and oxidative alkali pretreatment with enzyme hydrolysis were experimented on the bagasse and trash for hydrolysis efficiency and effectiveness. There are two types of acid hydrolysis which were investigated on which are concentrated and dilute sulphuric acid pretreatments. Use of concentrated sulphuric acid yielded the highest amounts of reducing sugars but also resulted in the highest amounts of downstream process inhibitors formation. This resulted in the need for neutralisation steps which in turn increase the overall costs of using this method to obtain reducing sugars. It has however the advantage of occurring at a faster rate, within minutes or hours, than using biological enzymes which took days, up to 72 hours to obtain the highest reducing sugar amounts. Dilute sulphuric acid pretreatment offered the advantage of using fewer chemicals which are therefore less severe on equipment and result in fewer fermentation inhibitors being formed. Dilute sulphuric acid hydrolysis also takes a relatively shorter period than biological methods of pretreatment. A challenge of fermentation inhibitors formed during acid hydrolysis was countered by using the methods of overliming (calcium hydroxide) and comparing it to neutralization with sodium hydroxide. Alkali pretreatment with sodium hydroxide was researched on by applying different pretreatment concentrations during experiments on the lignocellulosic biomass. There was an increase in the available quantities of cellulose with a significant reduction in lignin with pretreatment. Alkali pretreatment proved effective in exposing the cellulose which made v more cellulose surface area available to cellulase enzymes for enzyme hydrolysis. The highest yield of reducing sugars was obtained from hydrolysates pretreated with 0.25 M sodium hydroxide for 60 min and a period of 72 h of enzyme hydrolysis. In general the longer the pretreatment time the more reducing sugars were produced from the enzyme hydrolysis. Alkali peroxide pretreatment also resulted in significant reductions in lignin quantities of lignocellulose material. In this method sodium hydroxide in combination with hydrogen peroxide were used in pretreating the biomass. Hydrolysates with even fewer fermentation inhibitors were produced as a result. The highest percentage concentration of cellulose of 63% (g/g) was achieved after pretreatment of bagasse with 5% alkali hydrogen peroxide and trash with 0,25M sodium hydroxide pretreatment. Pretreatment of biomass using alkali with subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis gave the highest yields of fermentable sugars of 38% (g/g) using 7% (v/v) alkali peroxide pre-treated trash than 36% (g/g) for 5% (v/v) with the least inhibitors. Reducing sugar yields of 25% (g/g) and 22% (g/g) were obtained after pretreatment with concentrated and dilute acid respectively. Neutralization of the acid hydrolysates was necessary to reduce inhibitors formed with neutralisation by sodium hydroxide resulting in low dilutions and loss of fermentable sugars as unlike in the case of overliming. Subsequent steps of fermenting the reducing sugars resulting from pretreatment into bioethanol were based on using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisae. Pretreatment hydrolysates from alkali peroxide experiments produced higher bioethanol yields of 13.7 (g/l) after enzyme hydrolysates versus 6.9 (g/l) bioethanol from dilute acid hydrolyzates. A comparison of the effects of time showed there was more bioethanol yield of 13.7 (g/l) after 72 h of fermentation with the yeast versus 7.0 (g/l) bioethanol after pretreatment for 24 h. The only drawback is the longer fermentation period which thus reduces the process and so reduces the value of the increase in yield
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Examination of teacher mediation and its impact on foundational reading skills in Grade-R classrooms in Namibia
- Authors: Nzwala, Kenneth
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Reading (Elementary) -- Namibia -- Case studies , Elementary school teachers -- Namibia -- Case studies , Early childhood education -- Curricula -- Namibia , Vygotskiĭ, L. S. (Lev Semenovich), 1896-1934
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92291 , vital:30700
- Description: Grounded in the Sociocultural Theory (SCT) of Lev Vygotsky, this study examined teacher mediation and its impact on development of foundational reading skills in six Grade-R classrooms in the Zambezi Region of Namibia. It was a multiple case study with a mixed methods approach. Six Grade R classes attached to primary schools were studied to facilitate following of the same learners to Grade One. A purposive sampling technique was used to draw a sample of six Grade-R and Grade-One teachers. Learners were selected using stratified random sampling. Data were collected by means of interviews, observation of Grade R lessons, and an emergent Early Grade Reading Assessment (eEGRA) test. eEGRA facilitated benchmarking teacher efficacy in mediating Grade R learners’ foundational reading skills. Nine Grade One learners per teacher per school took part in the test at the beginning of Grade One. Three 35-minute lessons, per Grade-R teacher, were observed. Data were analysed statistically using ANOVA with thematic qualitative analysis of interview data against document analysis of curricula, teacher planning and learner exercise books. The study established that teachers had no understanding of ‘emergent literacy’, did not promote a love of books, or promote learning through play. There was evidence of a language barrier during lessons, which potentially reduced the efficacy of teacher mediation. The curriculum was found to be inappropriate as it lacked guidance relevant to Grade R teachers. This point was particularly pertinent as all teachers in this study had not received Grade-R training and were therefore looking to the curriculum for support. The difference between what teachers said and what they did was revealed in their classroom practice. Lesson planning was found to be superficial and non-reflective, with a marked discrepancy between what was planned and what was done. The style of pedagogy was primarily transmissive and authoritarian. Finally, the socio-economic distribution of the schools did not demonstrate significant impact on learner performance in the benchmark test. This study concludes that the Grade-R curriculum needs to be revised to be culturally and age appropriate. Teachers should be trained to understand the speciality of Grade R, and support should be given to current teachers to adopt a child-centred, play-based approach to pedagogy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Nzwala, Kenneth
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Reading (Elementary) -- Namibia -- Case studies , Elementary school teachers -- Namibia -- Case studies , Early childhood education -- Curricula -- Namibia , Vygotskiĭ, L. S. (Lev Semenovich), 1896-1934
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92291 , vital:30700
- Description: Grounded in the Sociocultural Theory (SCT) of Lev Vygotsky, this study examined teacher mediation and its impact on development of foundational reading skills in six Grade-R classrooms in the Zambezi Region of Namibia. It was a multiple case study with a mixed methods approach. Six Grade R classes attached to primary schools were studied to facilitate following of the same learners to Grade One. A purposive sampling technique was used to draw a sample of six Grade-R and Grade-One teachers. Learners were selected using stratified random sampling. Data were collected by means of interviews, observation of Grade R lessons, and an emergent Early Grade Reading Assessment (eEGRA) test. eEGRA facilitated benchmarking teacher efficacy in mediating Grade R learners’ foundational reading skills. Nine Grade One learners per teacher per school took part in the test at the beginning of Grade One. Three 35-minute lessons, per Grade-R teacher, were observed. Data were analysed statistically using ANOVA with thematic qualitative analysis of interview data against document analysis of curricula, teacher planning and learner exercise books. The study established that teachers had no understanding of ‘emergent literacy’, did not promote a love of books, or promote learning through play. There was evidence of a language barrier during lessons, which potentially reduced the efficacy of teacher mediation. The curriculum was found to be inappropriate as it lacked guidance relevant to Grade R teachers. This point was particularly pertinent as all teachers in this study had not received Grade-R training and were therefore looking to the curriculum for support. The difference between what teachers said and what they did was revealed in their classroom practice. Lesson planning was found to be superficial and non-reflective, with a marked discrepancy between what was planned and what was done. The style of pedagogy was primarily transmissive and authoritarian. Finally, the socio-economic distribution of the schools did not demonstrate significant impact on learner performance in the benchmark test. This study concludes that the Grade-R curriculum needs to be revised to be culturally and age appropriate. Teachers should be trained to understand the speciality of Grade R, and support should be given to current teachers to adopt a child-centred, play-based approach to pedagogy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Examining educators’ strategies for promoting science learning and science literacy among grade 9 learners in a South African Rural Education District
- Authors: Mtsi, Nomxolisi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Elementary) Children's literature in science education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16150 , vital:40673
- Description: Science learning and Science Literacy (SL) play a crucial role in preparing learners to participate in the country’s economy with the relevant knowledge, higher order thinking and analytical reasoning to solve day-to-day problems. The purpose of this research was to examine educators’ strategies for promoting science learning and SL among grade 9 learners in a rural education district in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province. Learning of science and promotion of SL complement each other and therefore science educators’ strategies are pertinent. The study used pragmatic paradigm and the mixed method approach and was informed by cognitive and social constructivism as theoretical frameworks. For data collection, the study used convenience sampling based on the proximity and comparative ease of the researcher to reach the rural schools to select 30 out of 67 schools spread over six out of the eight circuits in the selected education district. On the other hand, purposive sampling was used for the selection of learners by their educators based on academic performance, top, average and below average achievers. Since each school had only one grade 9 science educator, 30 grade 9 science educators from the selected 30 schools formed the sample for quantitative data. Out of these 30, 10 educators who volunteered first for interviews and gave permission for being observed in their classrooms were selected for qualitative data collection. Three learners in each of the 10 schools from which the educators for qualitative data collection were selected, constituted the learners’ sample (30 learners). While data were collected through questionnaires, interviews and observations from educators, data from learners were collected through focus group (FG) interviews. The questionnaire was structured in order to gather educators’ biographical data as well as information on educators’ strategies to promote science learning and SL. The interview schedule was similar to the questionnaire but biographical data were excluded. Observations focused on educators’ strategies for science learning, SL and assessments. The data from the questionnaire were descriptively analysed and the qualitative and transcribed observation data were thematically analysed. Final conclusions were drawn based on the triangulated data. Major findings showed that the strategies which the educators employed in the descending order of use were: Investigation at 97percent; Discussion, Presentation and Project, each at 93percent; Problem solving at 90percent; Demonstration and Question-Answer, each at 87percent; Case study and Brainstorming, each at 77percent; Role-play at 63percent; Lecture at 57percent; Modelling at 47percent, Inquiry at 27percent and Simulation at 23percent. Findings also revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the strategies used by educators. Some of the strengths were: promotion of interactive learning; stimulation of research skills; enhancement of critical thinking and development of confidence through participation. Some of the weaknesses were: learners’ tendency to rely on others; lack of resources hindering learning and promotion of plagiarism. The study recommends that all stakeholders must work together to achieve good quality education. District and Provincial officers ought to track and monitor the science curriculum implementation. Subject specialists, educator subject committees and cluster leaders must also be active in strategic planning for enhancing SL in schools by putting forward their inputs and adopting consensus-based ones. A framework for driving science content with pedagogical content knowledge and practicals-driven strategy for enhancing science content knowledge is proposed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mtsi, Nomxolisi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Elementary) Children's literature in science education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16150 , vital:40673
- Description: Science learning and Science Literacy (SL) play a crucial role in preparing learners to participate in the country’s economy with the relevant knowledge, higher order thinking and analytical reasoning to solve day-to-day problems. The purpose of this research was to examine educators’ strategies for promoting science learning and SL among grade 9 learners in a rural education district in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province. Learning of science and promotion of SL complement each other and therefore science educators’ strategies are pertinent. The study used pragmatic paradigm and the mixed method approach and was informed by cognitive and social constructivism as theoretical frameworks. For data collection, the study used convenience sampling based on the proximity and comparative ease of the researcher to reach the rural schools to select 30 out of 67 schools spread over six out of the eight circuits in the selected education district. On the other hand, purposive sampling was used for the selection of learners by their educators based on academic performance, top, average and below average achievers. Since each school had only one grade 9 science educator, 30 grade 9 science educators from the selected 30 schools formed the sample for quantitative data. Out of these 30, 10 educators who volunteered first for interviews and gave permission for being observed in their classrooms were selected for qualitative data collection. Three learners in each of the 10 schools from which the educators for qualitative data collection were selected, constituted the learners’ sample (30 learners). While data were collected through questionnaires, interviews and observations from educators, data from learners were collected through focus group (FG) interviews. The questionnaire was structured in order to gather educators’ biographical data as well as information on educators’ strategies to promote science learning and SL. The interview schedule was similar to the questionnaire but biographical data were excluded. Observations focused on educators’ strategies for science learning, SL and assessments. The data from the questionnaire were descriptively analysed and the qualitative and transcribed observation data were thematically analysed. Final conclusions were drawn based on the triangulated data. Major findings showed that the strategies which the educators employed in the descending order of use were: Investigation at 97percent; Discussion, Presentation and Project, each at 93percent; Problem solving at 90percent; Demonstration and Question-Answer, each at 87percent; Case study and Brainstorming, each at 77percent; Role-play at 63percent; Lecture at 57percent; Modelling at 47percent, Inquiry at 27percent and Simulation at 23percent. Findings also revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the strategies used by educators. Some of the strengths were: promotion of interactive learning; stimulation of research skills; enhancement of critical thinking and development of confidence through participation. Some of the weaknesses were: learners’ tendency to rely on others; lack of resources hindering learning and promotion of plagiarism. The study recommends that all stakeholders must work together to achieve good quality education. District and Provincial officers ought to track and monitor the science curriculum implementation. Subject specialists, educator subject committees and cluster leaders must also be active in strategic planning for enhancing SL in schools by putting forward their inputs and adopting consensus-based ones. A framework for driving science content with pedagogical content knowledge and practicals-driven strategy for enhancing science content knowledge is proposed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Examining mathematical reasoning through enacted visualisation
- Authors: Dongwi, Beata Lididimikeni
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Visualization , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Namibia , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Audio-visual aids , Geometry -- Study and teaching , Reasoning , Mathematical ability
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68192 , vital:29217
- Description: This study sets out to analyse the co-emergence of visualisation and reasoning processes when selected learners engaged in solving word problems. The study argues that visualisation processes and mathematical reasoning processes are closely interlinked in the process of engaging in any mathematical activity. This qualitative research project adopted a case study methodology embedded within a broader interpretative orientation. The research participants were a cohort of 17 mixedgender and mixed-ability Grade 11 learners from a private school in southern Namibia. Data was collected in three phases and comprised of one-on-one task-based interviews in the first phase, focus group task-based interviews in the second, and semi-structured reflective interviews in the third. The analytical framework was informed by elements of enactivism and consisted of a hybrid of observable visualisation and mathematical reasoning indicators. The study was framed by an enactivist perspective that served as a linking mediator to bring visualisation and reasoning processes together, and as a lens through which the coemergence of these processes was observed and analysed. The key enactivist concepts of structural coupling and co-emergence were the two mediating ideas that enabled me to discuss the links between visualisation and reasoning that emerged whilst my participants solved the set word problems. The study argues that the visualisation processes enacted by the participants when solving these problems are inseparable from the reasoning processes that the participants brought to bear; that is, they co-emerged.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Dongwi, Beata Lididimikeni
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Visualization , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Namibia , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Audio-visual aids , Geometry -- Study and teaching , Reasoning , Mathematical ability
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68192 , vital:29217
- Description: This study sets out to analyse the co-emergence of visualisation and reasoning processes when selected learners engaged in solving word problems. The study argues that visualisation processes and mathematical reasoning processes are closely interlinked in the process of engaging in any mathematical activity. This qualitative research project adopted a case study methodology embedded within a broader interpretative orientation. The research participants were a cohort of 17 mixedgender and mixed-ability Grade 11 learners from a private school in southern Namibia. Data was collected in three phases and comprised of one-on-one task-based interviews in the first phase, focus group task-based interviews in the second, and semi-structured reflective interviews in the third. The analytical framework was informed by elements of enactivism and consisted of a hybrid of observable visualisation and mathematical reasoning indicators. The study was framed by an enactivist perspective that served as a linking mediator to bring visualisation and reasoning processes together, and as a lens through which the coemergence of these processes was observed and analysed. The key enactivist concepts of structural coupling and co-emergence were the two mediating ideas that enabled me to discuss the links between visualisation and reasoning that emerged whilst my participants solved the set word problems. The study argues that the visualisation processes enacted by the participants when solving these problems are inseparable from the reasoning processes that the participants brought to bear; that is, they co-emerged.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Examining the teaching of natural sciences concepts to English second language speakers in selected primary schools in the East London Education District
- Authors: Kumanda, Nomaroma
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15925 , vital:40564
- Description: The study sought to examine the teaching of Natural Sciences (NS) concepts to English second language speakers in selected primary schools. Grade 7 was chosen for the investigation as it precedes the last class at primary school. The researcher investigated the teaching and learning of Natural sciences concepts. A mixed method design was used. The research questions focused on the teaching of NS, learner-centred strategies used, challenges encountered, strategies employed by teachers when teaching NS, and the implications for science education.The purpose was to examine the teaching of Natural Sciences concepts to English second language speakers in selected primary schools in the East London Education District. Data were collected from grade 7 teachers and learners in selected township schools in East London, by means of semi-structured interviews, questionnaires and focus groups. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to teachers and learners, individual interviews were conducted with NS head of department, focus group and interviews were held with grade 7 NS learners. Quantitative and qualitative data were independently analysed and merged at the interpretation stage for triangulation of results. The questions were grouped according to their themes. The researcher’s findings revealed that teachers linked the teaching of NS concepts by showing the teaching skills. Teachers used code-switching for learners to understand the scientific concepts for positive attitude to improve the learner performance. Teachers experienced problems using English as a Language of Learning and Teaching (LoLT) while teaching NS concepts, teachers’ understanding of NS influenced their ability to implement of transformational curriculum, but learners did not benefit much when learning science in English Language and those policies were designed by the Department of Education without teacher involvement. The study concluded by noting that It emerged that teachers and learners experienced difficulties in teaching and learning of the NS concepts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Kumanda, Nomaroma
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15925 , vital:40564
- Description: The study sought to examine the teaching of Natural Sciences (NS) concepts to English second language speakers in selected primary schools. Grade 7 was chosen for the investigation as it precedes the last class at primary school. The researcher investigated the teaching and learning of Natural sciences concepts. A mixed method design was used. The research questions focused on the teaching of NS, learner-centred strategies used, challenges encountered, strategies employed by teachers when teaching NS, and the implications for science education.The purpose was to examine the teaching of Natural Sciences concepts to English second language speakers in selected primary schools in the East London Education District. Data were collected from grade 7 teachers and learners in selected township schools in East London, by means of semi-structured interviews, questionnaires and focus groups. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to teachers and learners, individual interviews were conducted with NS head of department, focus group and interviews were held with grade 7 NS learners. Quantitative and qualitative data were independently analysed and merged at the interpretation stage for triangulation of results. The questions were grouped according to their themes. The researcher’s findings revealed that teachers linked the teaching of NS concepts by showing the teaching skills. Teachers used code-switching for learners to understand the scientific concepts for positive attitude to improve the learner performance. Teachers experienced problems using English as a Language of Learning and Teaching (LoLT) while teaching NS concepts, teachers’ understanding of NS influenced their ability to implement of transformational curriculum, but learners did not benefit much when learning science in English Language and those policies were designed by the Department of Education without teacher involvement. The study concluded by noting that It emerged that teachers and learners experienced difficulties in teaching and learning of the NS concepts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Expanding learning in clergy leadership formation in an Anglican Church Province in Southern Africa: a critical realist study
- Authors: Chinganga, Percy
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Leadership -- Africa, Southern -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , Church management -- Africa, Southern , Critical realism , Educational leadership , Anglican Church of Southern Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92258 , vital:30704
- Description: The focus of this study was to investigate the kind of learning that happened when participants involved in clergy leadership formation programmes and activities in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) engaged in their responsibilities as a collective. Further, the research sought to explore collaborative and transforming practices in ACSA clergy leadership formation programmes and activities which could be expanded through learning. The study is premised on an investigation of the historical foundations of Christian leadership formation processes which sought to establish clergy leadership formation models relevant to ACSA (the context of the study) from inception (1848) to date (2017). This entailed investigating how the developments which have happened in the church from its inception in the New Testament times through the Medieval and Reformation periods, have contributed to the emergence of distinct Christian leadership formation models which have formed the basis of clergy leadership formation in ACSA. Accordingly, the study highlighted key issues relating to clergy leadership formation which are discernible in the different historical phases of the life and work of the church with the objective of establishing how ACSA, through expansive learning, could transform her current clergy leadership formation model(s) towards collaborative and transforming practices. The concept of expansive learning, drawn from Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT), was used in the study as a methodological tool to create an environment where research participants (formators) from several dioceses would engage in collective work activities which would surface contradictions relating to how clergy leadership formation programmes and activities were understood and facilitated in ACSA. In response to the surfaced contradictions, the study engaged research participants in Change Laboratory Workshops whose goal was to transform the organisation (ACSA) in two particular ways: empowerment of participants (formators) with conceptual tools relevant to their responsibilities in clergy leadership formation programmes and activities in ACSA, and improvement of organisational cultural practices, that is, the manner in which ACSA ought to conceptualise, design, plan, facilitate and manage clergy leadership formation programmes and activities. The latter brought into the discourse the need for participants (formators) to select and employ methodologies, methods, approaches and resources relevant to the southern African context where ACSA is located even though the study also acknowledged the influence of other Anglican Church contexts on what happened at the local level. In order to decipher meaning out of investigated phenomena about clergy leadership formation in ACSA, the study employed the critical realist “underlabouring” philosophy advanced by theorists such as Bhaskar to surface underlying mechanisms that exist at the level of the “real” in order to understand the causes of particular events and experiences as they manifest in the “actual” and “empirical” domains of the world, ACSA in the case of the study. In particular, the study engaged critically the opinion deliberated by critical realists concerning the interplay between structure and agency in relation to the responsibilities of the research participants (formators) in ACSA clergy leadership formation programmes and activities. For instance, the study had an interest in investigating why bishops (principal formators in ACSA) exercised their episcopal authority in the manner they do and why individual formators were concerned about particular issues which relate to the facilitation of clergy leadership formation in ACSA (agential reflexivity/subjectivity). The study observed that, in the case of diocesan bishops, critical realists would argue that, by virtue of the authority which comes with their responsibilities (agency), they have the power to influence transformation of practices in clergy leadership formation in ACSA at any given point in time. The flip side of the discourse was also taken note of: that some bishops, for reasons known to themselves and their predecessors, are often reluctant to embrace new ideas relating to clergy leadership formation practices in their dioceses. Further, through critical realist lens, the study concluded that Canons, Vision and Mission statements, Acts, and structures such as Synod of Bishops, Provincial Synod, ABoTE, Cott, and TfM structurally shape ACSA, thus providing the organisation with a stable ontology which ought to direct, regulate and control the manner in which clergy leadership formation programmes and activities were conceptualised, designed, planned, facilitated and managed. As such, the study had an interest in establishing what would happen, in relation to clergy leadership formation practices in ACSA, when these structures would have been activated? Beyond that, in view of the goal of the study, it was enquired how expansive learning processes could be helpful in responding to the research findings towards exploring collaborative and transforming clergy leadership formation practices in ACSA. Drawing from the conceptual framework which was carved in the study on the basis of the theoretical tools (critical realism and educational leadership theory) and methodological tools (CHAT orientated concepts) undergirded by the Vygotskian theorisation of human consciousness development, the study concluded that clergy leadership formation is a collaborative activity which calls for the recognition, appreciation and utilisation of available expertise in ACSA and provision of a platform where participants (formators) could engage collectively on issues relating to their work with the objective of building each other up in knowledge and skills (expansive learning) towards realisation of the goals and objectives of the organisation. Diverse understandings (contradictions) of what needed to be prioritised in the facilitation of clergy leadership formation in ACSA would be considered as a positive rather than a negative. Ultimately, through the use of inductive, abductive and retroductive modes of inference, the study modelled a transforming, transformational, transformative, embodied and incarnational model of clergy leadership formation which ACSA could consider using in future deliberations on the object of study particularly in relation to the key research findings across the case studies which were used in the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Chinganga, Percy
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Leadership -- Africa, Southern -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , Church management -- Africa, Southern , Critical realism , Educational leadership , Anglican Church of Southern Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92258 , vital:30704
- Description: The focus of this study was to investigate the kind of learning that happened when participants involved in clergy leadership formation programmes and activities in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) engaged in their responsibilities as a collective. Further, the research sought to explore collaborative and transforming practices in ACSA clergy leadership formation programmes and activities which could be expanded through learning. The study is premised on an investigation of the historical foundations of Christian leadership formation processes which sought to establish clergy leadership formation models relevant to ACSA (the context of the study) from inception (1848) to date (2017). This entailed investigating how the developments which have happened in the church from its inception in the New Testament times through the Medieval and Reformation periods, have contributed to the emergence of distinct Christian leadership formation models which have formed the basis of clergy leadership formation in ACSA. Accordingly, the study highlighted key issues relating to clergy leadership formation which are discernible in the different historical phases of the life and work of the church with the objective of establishing how ACSA, through expansive learning, could transform her current clergy leadership formation model(s) towards collaborative and transforming practices. The concept of expansive learning, drawn from Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT), was used in the study as a methodological tool to create an environment where research participants (formators) from several dioceses would engage in collective work activities which would surface contradictions relating to how clergy leadership formation programmes and activities were understood and facilitated in ACSA. In response to the surfaced contradictions, the study engaged research participants in Change Laboratory Workshops whose goal was to transform the organisation (ACSA) in two particular ways: empowerment of participants (formators) with conceptual tools relevant to their responsibilities in clergy leadership formation programmes and activities in ACSA, and improvement of organisational cultural practices, that is, the manner in which ACSA ought to conceptualise, design, plan, facilitate and manage clergy leadership formation programmes and activities. The latter brought into the discourse the need for participants (formators) to select and employ methodologies, methods, approaches and resources relevant to the southern African context where ACSA is located even though the study also acknowledged the influence of other Anglican Church contexts on what happened at the local level. In order to decipher meaning out of investigated phenomena about clergy leadership formation in ACSA, the study employed the critical realist “underlabouring” philosophy advanced by theorists such as Bhaskar to surface underlying mechanisms that exist at the level of the “real” in order to understand the causes of particular events and experiences as they manifest in the “actual” and “empirical” domains of the world, ACSA in the case of the study. In particular, the study engaged critically the opinion deliberated by critical realists concerning the interplay between structure and agency in relation to the responsibilities of the research participants (formators) in ACSA clergy leadership formation programmes and activities. For instance, the study had an interest in investigating why bishops (principal formators in ACSA) exercised their episcopal authority in the manner they do and why individual formators were concerned about particular issues which relate to the facilitation of clergy leadership formation in ACSA (agential reflexivity/subjectivity). The study observed that, in the case of diocesan bishops, critical realists would argue that, by virtue of the authority which comes with their responsibilities (agency), they have the power to influence transformation of practices in clergy leadership formation in ACSA at any given point in time. The flip side of the discourse was also taken note of: that some bishops, for reasons known to themselves and their predecessors, are often reluctant to embrace new ideas relating to clergy leadership formation practices in their dioceses. Further, through critical realist lens, the study concluded that Canons, Vision and Mission statements, Acts, and structures such as Synod of Bishops, Provincial Synod, ABoTE, Cott, and TfM structurally shape ACSA, thus providing the organisation with a stable ontology which ought to direct, regulate and control the manner in which clergy leadership formation programmes and activities were conceptualised, designed, planned, facilitated and managed. As such, the study had an interest in establishing what would happen, in relation to clergy leadership formation practices in ACSA, when these structures would have been activated? Beyond that, in view of the goal of the study, it was enquired how expansive learning processes could be helpful in responding to the research findings towards exploring collaborative and transforming clergy leadership formation practices in ACSA. Drawing from the conceptual framework which was carved in the study on the basis of the theoretical tools (critical realism and educational leadership theory) and methodological tools (CHAT orientated concepts) undergirded by the Vygotskian theorisation of human consciousness development, the study concluded that clergy leadership formation is a collaborative activity which calls for the recognition, appreciation and utilisation of available expertise in ACSA and provision of a platform where participants (formators) could engage collectively on issues relating to their work with the objective of building each other up in knowledge and skills (expansive learning) towards realisation of the goals and objectives of the organisation. Diverse understandings (contradictions) of what needed to be prioritised in the facilitation of clergy leadership formation in ACSA would be considered as a positive rather than a negative. Ultimately, through the use of inductive, abductive and retroductive modes of inference, the study modelled a transforming, transformational, transformative, embodied and incarnational model of clergy leadership formation which ACSA could consider using in future deliberations on the object of study particularly in relation to the key research findings across the case studies which were used in the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Exploring emotional intelligence perceptions of school leaders in relation to social justice: a case study
- Authors: Bese, Samuel
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Educational leadership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36529 , vital:33963
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore school leaders’ perceptions of intrapersonal and interpersonal emotional intelligence (EI) in relation to social justice aspects, such as equity, access and inclusive participation in the Libode Educational District of Eastern Cape Province. This district, like many other rural districts in South Africa, has to face critical leadership issues, which have an influence on how school leaders could enact social justice practices in schools (DoE, 2012). This qualitative study employed twelve in-depth interview research participants, which included 6 purposively selected principals and 6 deputy principals. Data collection and content analysis also included the following: 6 focus group interviews with head of departments (HODs) and school governing bodies (SGBs); document analysis of the minutes of school meetings; and Department of Education (DoE) memorandums. The key findings that emerged through the descriptive, exploratory, social interpretive perspectives used in this study revealed the relevance of: • school leaders’ perceptions of intrapersonal EI in enhancing social justice practices with regard to equity, access, and inclusive participation; and • school leaders’ perceptions of interpersonal EI in enhancing social justice practices with regard to equity, access, and inclusive participation. The research participants’ perceptions of EI promoted deeper understanding of how school leaders could engage in social justice in relation to school leadership, teamwork, building bonds, developing others, becoming change agents, and managing conflicts in their schools. The study also captured that EI leaders can greatly manage their emotions to enhance their abilities to identify and control their destructive impulses as well as understanding and handling others’ emotions. It would be commendable for school leaders to have a deeper understanding of how their emotions could enhance social justice in their schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Bese, Samuel
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Educational leadership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36529 , vital:33963
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore school leaders’ perceptions of intrapersonal and interpersonal emotional intelligence (EI) in relation to social justice aspects, such as equity, access and inclusive participation in the Libode Educational District of Eastern Cape Province. This district, like many other rural districts in South Africa, has to face critical leadership issues, which have an influence on how school leaders could enact social justice practices in schools (DoE, 2012). This qualitative study employed twelve in-depth interview research participants, which included 6 purposively selected principals and 6 deputy principals. Data collection and content analysis also included the following: 6 focus group interviews with head of departments (HODs) and school governing bodies (SGBs); document analysis of the minutes of school meetings; and Department of Education (DoE) memorandums. The key findings that emerged through the descriptive, exploratory, social interpretive perspectives used in this study revealed the relevance of: • school leaders’ perceptions of intrapersonal EI in enhancing social justice practices with regard to equity, access, and inclusive participation; and • school leaders’ perceptions of interpersonal EI in enhancing social justice practices with regard to equity, access, and inclusive participation. The research participants’ perceptions of EI promoted deeper understanding of how school leaders could engage in social justice in relation to school leadership, teamwork, building bonds, developing others, becoming change agents, and managing conflicts in their schools. The study also captured that EI leaders can greatly manage their emotions to enhance their abilities to identify and control their destructive impulses as well as understanding and handling others’ emotions. It would be commendable for school leaders to have a deeper understanding of how their emotions could enhance social justice in their schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Exploring the interplay of sociolinguistic factors in the teaching of esl at secondary school level in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Jhamba , Duren
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Sociolinguistics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15770 , vital:40522
- Description: The researcher noted that earlier second language teaching models tended to treat language as an artefact to be scrutinised and adhered to with grammatical precision. This tended to reduce all language learning to the mere acquisition of grammatical skills. However, since all language behaviour is embedded in sociocultural and contextual frameworks, all teaching should provide cross-cultural awareness of that complexity as well as of the internal variation within language. Therefore, the research explored the interplay of sociolinguistic factors in the teaching of English in Zimbabwe. The Mixed Methods design; a combination of the descriptive survey and the case study was adopted. The questionnaire, interview, observation and document analysis methods were used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data to assess the role of sociolinguistic factors in second language teaching pedagogy. A combination of convenient sampling and stratified random sampling was used to come up with a sample representative of the school categories and the gender of teachers in the 38 secondary schools in Gweru District. The data for the research was collected from a random sample of 50 teachers. The data analysis supported the need for a reconceptualisation of ESL teaching in Zimbabwe. Notably, language teaching tended to be exam-centric, unimaginative and not well linked to the needs of the learners in the communicative environment outside the school. This confirmed the initial observation that the secondary school graduates generally lacked sociolinguistic competence skills. The teachers were, however generally not motivated to include culture and sociolinguistics in their teaching. The research therefore recommended a revisit of the 7 | Page allowance for the interplay of sociolinguistic factors at all the planning stages of the ESL curriculum; the status, corpus and acquisition stages.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Jhamba , Duren
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Sociolinguistics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15770 , vital:40522
- Description: The researcher noted that earlier second language teaching models tended to treat language as an artefact to be scrutinised and adhered to with grammatical precision. This tended to reduce all language learning to the mere acquisition of grammatical skills. However, since all language behaviour is embedded in sociocultural and contextual frameworks, all teaching should provide cross-cultural awareness of that complexity as well as of the internal variation within language. Therefore, the research explored the interplay of sociolinguistic factors in the teaching of English in Zimbabwe. The Mixed Methods design; a combination of the descriptive survey and the case study was adopted. The questionnaire, interview, observation and document analysis methods were used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data to assess the role of sociolinguistic factors in second language teaching pedagogy. A combination of convenient sampling and stratified random sampling was used to come up with a sample representative of the school categories and the gender of teachers in the 38 secondary schools in Gweru District. The data for the research was collected from a random sample of 50 teachers. The data analysis supported the need for a reconceptualisation of ESL teaching in Zimbabwe. Notably, language teaching tended to be exam-centric, unimaginative and not well linked to the needs of the learners in the communicative environment outside the school. This confirmed the initial observation that the secondary school graduates generally lacked sociolinguistic competence skills. The teachers were, however generally not motivated to include culture and sociolinguistics in their teaching. The research therefore recommended a revisit of the 7 | Page allowance for the interplay of sociolinguistic factors at all the planning stages of the ESL curriculum; the status, corpus and acquisition stages.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
From ‘cleanliness is next to Godliness’ to ‘without perfect health, there is nothing’: discourses of healthy lifestyle in the construction of young adult identities in urban South Africa
- Authors: De Jong, Michelle
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Health , Cleanliness , Social structure -- Health aspects , Health behavior , Social medicine
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64940 , vital:28638
- Description: This research explores popular constructions of “healthiness” as individual lifestyle choices in the context of contemporary South African consumer culture, and how these constructions relate to formations of subjectivity. This is a qualitative study conducted within a social constructionist, theoretical framework. Data was collected using in-depth, semi structured interviews and are analysed using a Foucauldian inspired version of discourse analysis. A critical stance is taken towards the assumption in these discourses that their version of healthiness is always and unquestionably positive. Special attention is paid to the lifestyle and marketing media discourses appropriated in understandings of personal health through self-management, and of the optimization of health in the pursuit of well-being. The ways in which different discourses of healthiness facilitate the construction of specific identities are considered in order to untangle some of the problems created by the moralism underpinning popular consumer health discourse. How constructions of healthiness and aspirant healthy lifestyles support, and are supported by, the ideologies and practices of neoliberal capitalism are also explored. From this perspective, healthiness as lifestyle consumption choices can be seen as an ideological apparatus that produces the subjects necessary to reproduce the social order (Althusser, 2001), functioning not only positively amongst the social classes with the leisure and economic resources to pursue these options, but also negatively as victim-blaming of those who are excluded. The argument here is not that health is bad or that people should not be bothered with activities aimed at promoting good health, but that in a context where the concept of health is idealised as always positive and beneficial, the potentially harmful consequences of some of the health discourses we make use of may be occluded. This idealisation of health or ‘healthism’ may also function to divert attention away from some of the challenges to health that are not the direct result of personal behaviours and are unlikely to be remedied through individually focussed interventions, for example, inequality and inadequate access to basic resources. Six discourses which were used to construct understandings of health are analysed. These include Happiness, Freedom, Control, Care, Balance and Goodness. The ways in which these discourses played a role in constructing the kinds of subject positions which were made available to participants, and the possible implications this has, are explored in depth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: De Jong, Michelle
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Health , Cleanliness , Social structure -- Health aspects , Health behavior , Social medicine
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64940 , vital:28638
- Description: This research explores popular constructions of “healthiness” as individual lifestyle choices in the context of contemporary South African consumer culture, and how these constructions relate to formations of subjectivity. This is a qualitative study conducted within a social constructionist, theoretical framework. Data was collected using in-depth, semi structured interviews and are analysed using a Foucauldian inspired version of discourse analysis. A critical stance is taken towards the assumption in these discourses that their version of healthiness is always and unquestionably positive. Special attention is paid to the lifestyle and marketing media discourses appropriated in understandings of personal health through self-management, and of the optimization of health in the pursuit of well-being. The ways in which different discourses of healthiness facilitate the construction of specific identities are considered in order to untangle some of the problems created by the moralism underpinning popular consumer health discourse. How constructions of healthiness and aspirant healthy lifestyles support, and are supported by, the ideologies and practices of neoliberal capitalism are also explored. From this perspective, healthiness as lifestyle consumption choices can be seen as an ideological apparatus that produces the subjects necessary to reproduce the social order (Althusser, 2001), functioning not only positively amongst the social classes with the leisure and economic resources to pursue these options, but also negatively as victim-blaming of those who are excluded. The argument here is not that health is bad or that people should not be bothered with activities aimed at promoting good health, but that in a context where the concept of health is idealised as always positive and beneficial, the potentially harmful consequences of some of the health discourses we make use of may be occluded. This idealisation of health or ‘healthism’ may also function to divert attention away from some of the challenges to health that are not the direct result of personal behaviours and are unlikely to be remedied through individually focussed interventions, for example, inequality and inadequate access to basic resources. Six discourses which were used to construct understandings of health are analysed. These include Happiness, Freedom, Control, Care, Balance and Goodness. The ways in which these discourses played a role in constructing the kinds of subject positions which were made available to participants, and the possible implications this has, are explored in depth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Genetic characterisation of a range of geographically distinct Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV) isolates and evaluation of biological activity against South African populations of the African bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hu bner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
- Mtambanengwe, Kudzai Tapiwanashe Esau
- Authors: Mtambanengwe, Kudzai Tapiwanashe Esau
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Helicoverpa armigera -- Biological control -- South Africa , Baculoviruses -- Genetics , Agricultural pests -- Biological control -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/97334 , vital:31426
- Description: The African bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a pest of economic and agricultural importance globally. It is a polyphagous pest that feeds on a wide range of host plants including economically important crops. The impact it has on agricultural systems makes its control a priority. The most common method of control is using chemical pesticides; however, continuous application of the pesticides has resulted in the development of resistance. The use of biological control has been investigated and established as an effective method of control as a standalone or part of an integrated pest management (IPM) system. The use of the baculovirus Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV), has shown promise in the control of H. armigera. Commercial formulations based on the virus are available in many global markets. However, the identification of novel HearNPV isolates will aid in the control of H. armigera as well as provide alternative isolates that may have better virulence. Three new HearNPV isolates were purified and identified from three distinct geographical South African locations H. armigera cadavers and named HearNPV-Albany, HearNPV-KZN and HearNPV-Haygrove. The genomes of two of the HearNPV isolates, namely HearNPV-Albany and HearNPV-KZN were genetically characterised and compared to other geographically distinct HearNPV isolates. Virulence studies were performed comparing the new HearNPV isolates against established commercial HearNPV formulations, Helicovir™ and Helicovex® and other geographically distinct isolated HearNPV, HearNPV-G4 and HearNPV-SP1. Two laboratory colonies were established using H. armigera collected from South African fields in the Belmont Valley near Grahamstown labelled as Albany colony and a colony provided from Haygrove Eden farm near George labelled as Haygrove colony. Biological studies were carried out using the Albany H. armigera colony comparing the rate of development, survival and fertility on bell green peppers, cabbage leaves and on artificial diet. From the biological studies, it was recorded that development and survivorship was best on artificial diet. Regular quality control was required for the maintenance of the colony and continuous generations of healthy larvae were eventually established. Diseased cadavers with signs of baculovirus infection were collected after bioprospecting from the Kwa-Zulu Natal Province in South Africa and were labelled KZN isolate; Belmont Valley near Grahamstown and were labelled Albany isolate; and Haygrove Eden farm near George and were labelled Haygrove isolate for the study. A fourth isolate made up of a crude extract of occlusion bodies (OBs) first described by Whitlock was also analysed and labelled Whitlock isolate. Occlusion bodies were extracted, purified and morphologically identified from the KZN, Albany, Haygrove and Whitlock isolates using TEM. Genomic DNA, which was extracted from the purified OBs. Using PCR, the identity of the OBs as HearNPV was confirmed. Genomic analyses were performed on HearNPV-Albany and HearNPV-KZN through genetic characterisation and comparison with other geographically distinct HearNPV genomes to confirm novelty and establish potential genetic relationships between the isolates through evolutionary distances. Full genomic sequencing of the isolated HearNPV and comparison with other geographically distinct HearNPV isolates identified genomic differences that showed that the HearNPV isolates were novel. HearNPV-Albany and HearNPV-KZN were successfully sequenced and identified as novel isolates with unique fragment patterns and unique gene sequences through deletions or insertions when compared to other geographically distinct HearNPV. This raised the potential for differences in biological activity against H. armigera larvae when tested through biological assays. HearNPV-Whit genome assembly had low quality data which resulted in many gaps and failed assembly. The biological activity of HearNPV isolates from Spain, China, South Africa and two commercial formulations were studied against the laboratory established H. armigera South African colony. The LC50 values of the different South African HearNPV isolates were established to be between 7.7 × 101 OBs.ml-1 for the most effective and 3.2 × 102 OBs.ml-1 for the least effective. The Spanish and Chinese HearNPV isolates resulted in LC50 values of 2.0 × 102 OBs.ml-1 and 1.2 × 101 OBs.ml-1 respectively. The commercial formulations resulted in the least virulence observed with an LC50 of 5.84× 102 OBs.ml-1 and 9.0 × 102 OBs.ml-1 for Helicovex® and Helicovir™ respectively. In this study, novel South African HearNPV isolates were isolated and identified. Through characterisation and bioassays against South African H. armigera populations the HearNPV isolates were shown to have different virulence in comparison to geographically distinct isolates. From this research, there is potential for development of new H. armigera biopesticides based on the novel isolates after field trial testing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mtambanengwe, Kudzai Tapiwanashe Esau
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Helicoverpa armigera -- Biological control -- South Africa , Baculoviruses -- Genetics , Agricultural pests -- Biological control -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/97334 , vital:31426
- Description: The African bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a pest of economic and agricultural importance globally. It is a polyphagous pest that feeds on a wide range of host plants including economically important crops. The impact it has on agricultural systems makes its control a priority. The most common method of control is using chemical pesticides; however, continuous application of the pesticides has resulted in the development of resistance. The use of biological control has been investigated and established as an effective method of control as a standalone or part of an integrated pest management (IPM) system. The use of the baculovirus Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV), has shown promise in the control of H. armigera. Commercial formulations based on the virus are available in many global markets. However, the identification of novel HearNPV isolates will aid in the control of H. armigera as well as provide alternative isolates that may have better virulence. Three new HearNPV isolates were purified and identified from three distinct geographical South African locations H. armigera cadavers and named HearNPV-Albany, HearNPV-KZN and HearNPV-Haygrove. The genomes of two of the HearNPV isolates, namely HearNPV-Albany and HearNPV-KZN were genetically characterised and compared to other geographically distinct HearNPV isolates. Virulence studies were performed comparing the new HearNPV isolates against established commercial HearNPV formulations, Helicovir™ and Helicovex® and other geographically distinct isolated HearNPV, HearNPV-G4 and HearNPV-SP1. Two laboratory colonies were established using H. armigera collected from South African fields in the Belmont Valley near Grahamstown labelled as Albany colony and a colony provided from Haygrove Eden farm near George labelled as Haygrove colony. Biological studies were carried out using the Albany H. armigera colony comparing the rate of development, survival and fertility on bell green peppers, cabbage leaves and on artificial diet. From the biological studies, it was recorded that development and survivorship was best on artificial diet. Regular quality control was required for the maintenance of the colony and continuous generations of healthy larvae were eventually established. Diseased cadavers with signs of baculovirus infection were collected after bioprospecting from the Kwa-Zulu Natal Province in South Africa and were labelled KZN isolate; Belmont Valley near Grahamstown and were labelled Albany isolate; and Haygrove Eden farm near George and were labelled Haygrove isolate for the study. A fourth isolate made up of a crude extract of occlusion bodies (OBs) first described by Whitlock was also analysed and labelled Whitlock isolate. Occlusion bodies were extracted, purified and morphologically identified from the KZN, Albany, Haygrove and Whitlock isolates using TEM. Genomic DNA, which was extracted from the purified OBs. Using PCR, the identity of the OBs as HearNPV was confirmed. Genomic analyses were performed on HearNPV-Albany and HearNPV-KZN through genetic characterisation and comparison with other geographically distinct HearNPV genomes to confirm novelty and establish potential genetic relationships between the isolates through evolutionary distances. Full genomic sequencing of the isolated HearNPV and comparison with other geographically distinct HearNPV isolates identified genomic differences that showed that the HearNPV isolates were novel. HearNPV-Albany and HearNPV-KZN were successfully sequenced and identified as novel isolates with unique fragment patterns and unique gene sequences through deletions or insertions when compared to other geographically distinct HearNPV. This raised the potential for differences in biological activity against H. armigera larvae when tested through biological assays. HearNPV-Whit genome assembly had low quality data which resulted in many gaps and failed assembly. The biological activity of HearNPV isolates from Spain, China, South Africa and two commercial formulations were studied against the laboratory established H. armigera South African colony. The LC50 values of the different South African HearNPV isolates were established to be between 7.7 × 101 OBs.ml-1 for the most effective and 3.2 × 102 OBs.ml-1 for the least effective. The Spanish and Chinese HearNPV isolates resulted in LC50 values of 2.0 × 102 OBs.ml-1 and 1.2 × 101 OBs.ml-1 respectively. The commercial formulations resulted in the least virulence observed with an LC50 of 5.84× 102 OBs.ml-1 and 9.0 × 102 OBs.ml-1 for Helicovex® and Helicovir™ respectively. In this study, novel South African HearNPV isolates were isolated and identified. Through characterisation and bioassays against South African H. armigera populations the HearNPV isolates were shown to have different virulence in comparison to geographically distinct isolates. From this research, there is potential for development of new H. armigera biopesticides based on the novel isolates after field trial testing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Genetic characteristics of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1, and deter-minants of late presentation for care and Diabetes mellitus amongst newly diagnosed Human Immunodeficiency Virus positive patients in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
- Authors: Sogbanmu, Olufunso Oladipo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: HIV infections
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:40495
- Description: Phylogenies may help to characterize transmission pairs, enhance contact tracing and outbreak investigations, track the origin and spread of epidemics over place and time, and to identify patterns of onward Human Immunodeficiency-Virus (HIV) transmission among risk groups. If the pattern and evolution of HIV drug resistance can be mapped, this may influence the development of guidelines in the clinical management of HIV especially with issues relating to prevalence of primary drug resistance and its impact on outcomes of present antiretroviral treatment (ART) regimen in use and the ability to trace and track the development of drug resistant strains. The roll-out of the test and treat Programme for newly diagnosed HIV infected pa-tient, seeks to identify HIV infected individuals early and to prevent morbidity and mortality associated with the late presentation for HIV care. The determination of the magnitude of ‘late presentation’ and or ‘presentation with advanced HIV disease’ can be used in very diverse settings and for many purposes. It provides a unified way to define the problem, thereby targeting appropriate interventions to prevent the detrimental outcomes associated with late presentation to care. The subtle relationship between HIV and diabetes mellitus (DM) may also help in formulating better preventive programs to aid the control of non-communicable diseases such as DM. This cross-sectional study includes a purposive selection of 335 HIV positive patients attending the voluntary counselling and Testing (VCT) and HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) centres and outpatient departments at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital and the HCT sites at the Buffalo District municipality community health centres, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Late or delayed presentation of HIV infection was defined as CD4 cell count beneath 350 cells/μL and/or patients presenting with an AIDS-defining event at the first follow-up regardless of the CD4 cell count. Chapter 1 provides the general introduction had an overview of the introduction to the study, the statement of the research problem, hypothesis, the aim and the objectives. xx Chapter 2 looked in-depth at the HIV, case definition, the latest epidemiology of HIV, the HIV genome, the life cycle of HIV, its diagnosis, the classes of antiretroviral drugs, development of drug resistance. Chapter 3 highlighted the prevalence of Transmitted Drug Resistance (TDR) with focus on the protease gene. RNA was extracted from blood samples of 72 newly diagnosed HIV-1 patients attending some HIV testing and counselling clinics from August 2016 to July 2017. Protease fragments were amplified with specific primers by RT-PCR followed by nested PCR. The amplified products were sequenced using the ABI 360 sequencer, edited with Geneious version 9.1.5 and translated into amino acid with BioEdit software. Drug related resistance mutation (DRMs) analysis was performed on all the protease sequences in accordance with the 2009 WHO list of surveillance drug resistance mutations by submitting the edited sequences to Stanford HIV drug interpretation programme and the international AIDS society-USA guidelines for query of drug resistance associated mutations while phylogenetic analysis was performed using MEGA 6 to allocate all viral sequences into subtypes. In the study, a total of 52/72 (71.1%) reliable HIV-1 protease sequences were obtained in which subtyping and drug resistance mutations were performed. Two (3.8%) major Protease resistance associated mutation (V82A/L and L90M) were observed while another polymorphism like L10F, T74S, Q58E, L10I/V and M46V were also identified. Phylogenetic analyses delineated all the sequences as HIV-1 subtype C. Chapter 4 describes the prevalence and the determinants of late presentation amongst newly diagnosed HIV positive individuals in the Eastern Cape. It indicates the extent of the prevalence of patients presenting to care and at what HIV stage they were assessing health care services since the inception of the ‘test and treat’ strategy. It is a cross-sectional study where a total of 335 newly diagnosed patients were recruited consecutively be-tween August 2016 and July 2017. Late presenter for HIV care was defined in accordance with the European Late Presenter Consensus working group as a patient who reports for care when the CD4 count is below 350 cells/μL and/or when there is an established Aids- xxi defining clinical condition, irrespective of CD4 count. Adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression analysis was used to examine the determinants of late HIV diagnosis. The study showed that 60% of patients were late presenters, with 35% presenting with advanced disease. The major determinants identified were being male and low level of education. This led to recommendations directed at ensuring programmes that targets men in identifying their HIV status and assess care at early stage to prevents the morbidity and mortality associated with delayed presentation. Also, it was recommended that effort should be made to improve access to education and also include HIV related topics into the educational curriculum. Chapter 5 aimed to describe the prevalence and determinants of DM amongst newly diagnosed HIV positive individuals. This is a cross-sectional study which recruited 335 patients between August 2016 and September 2017. Definition for diabetes mellitus was made based on the SEDMSA 2015 guideline of HBA1C of above 6.5%. Adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression analysis was used to examine the determinants of abnormal glycated haemoglobin. Findings showed the prevalence of DM at about 6% amongst newly diagnosed HIV positive individuals. This is similar to findings in other study within the country, but a bit lower than what was obtained in the developed countries. The role of older age (above 40 years) as predisposing factor to development of diabetes in newly diagnosed HIV positive individual was well noted and taken. This ensures that screening for DM should be targeted at elderly HIV positive individuals. The grey area of the appropriate mode of diagnostic test to use to diagnose HIV is still debatable, however, a combination of HBA1c and fasting blood sugar (FBS) may improve the diagnosis of DM in this population group. In chapter 6, the general conclusions, recommendations and future perspectives of the study are reflected.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Sogbanmu, Olufunso Oladipo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: HIV infections
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:40495
- Description: Phylogenies may help to characterize transmission pairs, enhance contact tracing and outbreak investigations, track the origin and spread of epidemics over place and time, and to identify patterns of onward Human Immunodeficiency-Virus (HIV) transmission among risk groups. If the pattern and evolution of HIV drug resistance can be mapped, this may influence the development of guidelines in the clinical management of HIV especially with issues relating to prevalence of primary drug resistance and its impact on outcomes of present antiretroviral treatment (ART) regimen in use and the ability to trace and track the development of drug resistant strains. The roll-out of the test and treat Programme for newly diagnosed HIV infected pa-tient, seeks to identify HIV infected individuals early and to prevent morbidity and mortality associated with the late presentation for HIV care. The determination of the magnitude of ‘late presentation’ and or ‘presentation with advanced HIV disease’ can be used in very diverse settings and for many purposes. It provides a unified way to define the problem, thereby targeting appropriate interventions to prevent the detrimental outcomes associated with late presentation to care. The subtle relationship between HIV and diabetes mellitus (DM) may also help in formulating better preventive programs to aid the control of non-communicable diseases such as DM. This cross-sectional study includes a purposive selection of 335 HIV positive patients attending the voluntary counselling and Testing (VCT) and HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) centres and outpatient departments at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital and the HCT sites at the Buffalo District municipality community health centres, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Late or delayed presentation of HIV infection was defined as CD4 cell count beneath 350 cells/μL and/or patients presenting with an AIDS-defining event at the first follow-up regardless of the CD4 cell count. Chapter 1 provides the general introduction had an overview of the introduction to the study, the statement of the research problem, hypothesis, the aim and the objectives. xx Chapter 2 looked in-depth at the HIV, case definition, the latest epidemiology of HIV, the HIV genome, the life cycle of HIV, its diagnosis, the classes of antiretroviral drugs, development of drug resistance. Chapter 3 highlighted the prevalence of Transmitted Drug Resistance (TDR) with focus on the protease gene. RNA was extracted from blood samples of 72 newly diagnosed HIV-1 patients attending some HIV testing and counselling clinics from August 2016 to July 2017. Protease fragments were amplified with specific primers by RT-PCR followed by nested PCR. The amplified products were sequenced using the ABI 360 sequencer, edited with Geneious version 9.1.5 and translated into amino acid with BioEdit software. Drug related resistance mutation (DRMs) analysis was performed on all the protease sequences in accordance with the 2009 WHO list of surveillance drug resistance mutations by submitting the edited sequences to Stanford HIV drug interpretation programme and the international AIDS society-USA guidelines for query of drug resistance associated mutations while phylogenetic analysis was performed using MEGA 6 to allocate all viral sequences into subtypes. In the study, a total of 52/72 (71.1%) reliable HIV-1 protease sequences were obtained in which subtyping and drug resistance mutations were performed. Two (3.8%) major Protease resistance associated mutation (V82A/L and L90M) were observed while another polymorphism like L10F, T74S, Q58E, L10I/V and M46V were also identified. Phylogenetic analyses delineated all the sequences as HIV-1 subtype C. Chapter 4 describes the prevalence and the determinants of late presentation amongst newly diagnosed HIV positive individuals in the Eastern Cape. It indicates the extent of the prevalence of patients presenting to care and at what HIV stage they were assessing health care services since the inception of the ‘test and treat’ strategy. It is a cross-sectional study where a total of 335 newly diagnosed patients were recruited consecutively be-tween August 2016 and July 2017. Late presenter for HIV care was defined in accordance with the European Late Presenter Consensus working group as a patient who reports for care when the CD4 count is below 350 cells/μL and/or when there is an established Aids- xxi defining clinical condition, irrespective of CD4 count. Adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression analysis was used to examine the determinants of late HIV diagnosis. The study showed that 60% of patients were late presenters, with 35% presenting with advanced disease. The major determinants identified were being male and low level of education. This led to recommendations directed at ensuring programmes that targets men in identifying their HIV status and assess care at early stage to prevents the morbidity and mortality associated with delayed presentation. Also, it was recommended that effort should be made to improve access to education and also include HIV related topics into the educational curriculum. Chapter 5 aimed to describe the prevalence and determinants of DM amongst newly diagnosed HIV positive individuals. This is a cross-sectional study which recruited 335 patients between August 2016 and September 2017. Definition for diabetes mellitus was made based on the SEDMSA 2015 guideline of HBA1C of above 6.5%. Adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression analysis was used to examine the determinants of abnormal glycated haemoglobin. Findings showed the prevalence of DM at about 6% amongst newly diagnosed HIV positive individuals. This is similar to findings in other study within the country, but a bit lower than what was obtained in the developed countries. The role of older age (above 40 years) as predisposing factor to development of diabetes in newly diagnosed HIV positive individual was well noted and taken. This ensures that screening for DM should be targeted at elderly HIV positive individuals. The grey area of the appropriate mode of diagnostic test to use to diagnose HIV is still debatable, however, a combination of HBA1c and fasting blood sugar (FBS) may improve the diagnosis of DM in this population group. In chapter 6, the general conclusions, recommendations and future perspectives of the study are reflected.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Genetic diversity, resistance profile of hiv and risk assessment of mother-to-child transmission in pregnant women on antiretroviral therapy in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Adeniyi, Oladele Vincent
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Antiretroviral agents , HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15120 , vital:40183
- Description: Despite the initiation of life-long ART in HIV-infected pregnant women, the rate and determinants of infant HIV transmission are not known, especially in the poor resource settings of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Maternal anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is crucial for elimination of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. However, the inevitable risks of emergence of HIV drug resistance poses significant threat to achieving this goal of HIV-free generation and keeping mothers alive. Also, it is unclear if women with high viral load at delivery have acquired clinically relevant mutations, which could confer resistance to the ART, thus, further increasing the risks of motherto-child transmission of HIV-drug resistance strains. In addition to the gaps identified in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) context, the understanding of regional epidemics is crucial to the broader epidemiological profiling of HIV infections in the country. Despite the rapid influx of foreign nationals to South African and Eastern Cape Province, there has not been any molecular epidemiological studies profiling the HIV diversity in the Eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Adeniyi, Oladele Vincent
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Antiretroviral agents , HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15120 , vital:40183
- Description: Despite the initiation of life-long ART in HIV-infected pregnant women, the rate and determinants of infant HIV transmission are not known, especially in the poor resource settings of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Maternal anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is crucial for elimination of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. However, the inevitable risks of emergence of HIV drug resistance poses significant threat to achieving this goal of HIV-free generation and keeping mothers alive. Also, it is unclear if women with high viral load at delivery have acquired clinically relevant mutations, which could confer resistance to the ART, thus, further increasing the risks of motherto-child transmission of HIV-drug resistance strains. In addition to the gaps identified in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) context, the understanding of regional epidemics is crucial to the broader epidemiological profiling of HIV infections in the country. Despite the rapid influx of foreign nationals to South African and Eastern Cape Province, there has not been any molecular epidemiological studies profiling the HIV diversity in the Eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Geological and geophysical assessment of groundwater vulnerability to contamination in selected general landfill sites in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Mepaiyeda, Seyi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Groundwater -- Pollution Sanitary landfills
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Geology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12227 , vital:39217
- Description: Increasing expansion, population and urbanization have resulted in high volume of waste generated daily in South Africa. Most municipalities in the Eastern Cape are experiencing challenges in effective waste disposal, thus resulting in pollution of the air, soil and groundwater by the percolation of harmful contaminants into the environment from landfill leachate. Groundwater resources are limited in South Africa due to itssemi-arid nature. Also, there islimited information available, not only about where it occurs but how to manage it so that its quality does not depreciate to unacceptable levels. A combination of these factors coupled with a gap between waste policy and its subsequent implementation may be disastrous to South Africa. This research examines the impact of landfill sites on groundwater resources at three selected sites in the Eastern Cape Province using an integrated geological and geophysical approach. The methodology adopted include: an exhaustive literature review on waste management policies and practices in South Africa and Eastern Cape specifically. It also involved remote sensing for the study of geomorphology and structural interpretations of lineaments. Field excursions, analysis of physico-chemical and geochemical properties of groundwater obtained from monitoring boreholes and leachate pond in the vicinity of the landfill sites was also carried out. Combined induced polarization (IP) and electrical resistivity measurements for geophysical assessment of groundwater vulnerability and petrographical analysis was alos adopted. Data analysis and interpretation of the obtained results showed that the selected landfill sites are generally characterized by a 4-layer Earth structure with an average depth to top of the bedrock between 15 m - 30 m. Plant-rock association observed from the aerial photo-interpretation showed groundwater potential around the locality of the landfill sites with a dendritic to poorly drained x patterns and moderate to high topography. Structural controls such as the presence of lineaments and a fractured bedrock beneath, which are excellent pathways for the migration of leachate, particularly at the Berlin and King Williams Town landfill sites were observed. Analysis of physico-chemical and geochemical properties of water samples showed contamination of the groundwater by heavy metals and some of the physico-chemical properties were above the generally acceptable limits (WHO). These include high electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solid (TDS) values observed in the groundwater samples from the King Williams Town landfill which indicated a downward transfer of leachate into the groundwater. The difference in EC and TDS values for boreholes BH2 and BH1 (9892 µS/cm, 4939 mg/L and 6988 µS/cm, 3497 mg/L respectively), showed that concentration of contaminants increased towards the centre of the landfill. Interpretation of the obtained results from the Berlin landfill showed the presence of heavy metals in groundwater samples in high concentrations. This indicated the dumping of toxic and hazardous waste substances on the landfill, contrary to the landfill design and classification. This could have harmful effect on plants and animals. Integrated geophysical assessment showed the presence of leachate plumes on pseudosections across the landfill sites. This was further corroborated on the chargeability pseudosections. Resistivity and IP pseudosections from the Berlin landfill showed a 4-layered Earth structure and anomalous zones of resistivity (≤ 112 Ώ-m) and low chargeability (≤1.25 ms) in the top layers. This is indicative of percolating leachate plume in the unsaturated zone. Contaminants ranging from unsaturated waste with high ion content to dense aqueous phase liquid contaminants, characterized by low resistivity (34 Ώm to 80 Ώ-m) and low chargeability values (0.05 ms to 5.75 ms) were identified across the Alice landfill. Results from the King Williams Town Landfill revealed plume contamination to a depth of about 75 m, well within the aquiferous zone. xi It is suggested that waste disposal practices should be improved by proper waste inspection and classification at landfills prior to disposal, use of lining and cap material to prevent leaching of contaminants into the groundwater below and the construction of waste cells and containment structures. This will go a long way in mitigating groundwater contamination due to landfilling at the study areas
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mepaiyeda, Seyi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Groundwater -- Pollution Sanitary landfills
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Geology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12227 , vital:39217
- Description: Increasing expansion, population and urbanization have resulted in high volume of waste generated daily in South Africa. Most municipalities in the Eastern Cape are experiencing challenges in effective waste disposal, thus resulting in pollution of the air, soil and groundwater by the percolation of harmful contaminants into the environment from landfill leachate. Groundwater resources are limited in South Africa due to itssemi-arid nature. Also, there islimited information available, not only about where it occurs but how to manage it so that its quality does not depreciate to unacceptable levels. A combination of these factors coupled with a gap between waste policy and its subsequent implementation may be disastrous to South Africa. This research examines the impact of landfill sites on groundwater resources at three selected sites in the Eastern Cape Province using an integrated geological and geophysical approach. The methodology adopted include: an exhaustive literature review on waste management policies and practices in South Africa and Eastern Cape specifically. It also involved remote sensing for the study of geomorphology and structural interpretations of lineaments. Field excursions, analysis of physico-chemical and geochemical properties of groundwater obtained from monitoring boreholes and leachate pond in the vicinity of the landfill sites was also carried out. Combined induced polarization (IP) and electrical resistivity measurements for geophysical assessment of groundwater vulnerability and petrographical analysis was alos adopted. Data analysis and interpretation of the obtained results showed that the selected landfill sites are generally characterized by a 4-layer Earth structure with an average depth to top of the bedrock between 15 m - 30 m. Plant-rock association observed from the aerial photo-interpretation showed groundwater potential around the locality of the landfill sites with a dendritic to poorly drained x patterns and moderate to high topography. Structural controls such as the presence of lineaments and a fractured bedrock beneath, which are excellent pathways for the migration of leachate, particularly at the Berlin and King Williams Town landfill sites were observed. Analysis of physico-chemical and geochemical properties of water samples showed contamination of the groundwater by heavy metals and some of the physico-chemical properties were above the generally acceptable limits (WHO). These include high electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solid (TDS) values observed in the groundwater samples from the King Williams Town landfill which indicated a downward transfer of leachate into the groundwater. The difference in EC and TDS values for boreholes BH2 and BH1 (9892 µS/cm, 4939 mg/L and 6988 µS/cm, 3497 mg/L respectively), showed that concentration of contaminants increased towards the centre of the landfill. Interpretation of the obtained results from the Berlin landfill showed the presence of heavy metals in groundwater samples in high concentrations. This indicated the dumping of toxic and hazardous waste substances on the landfill, contrary to the landfill design and classification. This could have harmful effect on plants and animals. Integrated geophysical assessment showed the presence of leachate plumes on pseudosections across the landfill sites. This was further corroborated on the chargeability pseudosections. Resistivity and IP pseudosections from the Berlin landfill showed a 4-layered Earth structure and anomalous zones of resistivity (≤ 112 Ώ-m) and low chargeability (≤1.25 ms) in the top layers. This is indicative of percolating leachate plume in the unsaturated zone. Contaminants ranging from unsaturated waste with high ion content to dense aqueous phase liquid contaminants, characterized by low resistivity (34 Ώm to 80 Ώ-m) and low chargeability values (0.05 ms to 5.75 ms) were identified across the Alice landfill. Results from the King Williams Town Landfill revealed plume contamination to a depth of about 75 m, well within the aquiferous zone. xi It is suggested that waste disposal practices should be improved by proper waste inspection and classification at landfills prior to disposal, use of lining and cap material to prevent leaching of contaminants into the groundwater below and the construction of waste cells and containment structures. This will go a long way in mitigating groundwater contamination due to landfilling at the study areas
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Governing pregnancy in South Africa: political and health debate, policy and procedures
- Authors: Du Plessis, Ulandi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: South Africa. Department of Health (1994- ) , Maternal health services -- South Africa , Mothers -- Mortality -- South Africa , Prenatal care -- South Africa , African mothers -- Mortality -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/76552 , vital:30600
- Description: South Africa democratised in 1994. However, due to the discriminatory and segregationist character of the preceding regime, vast swathes of the country’s spaces and people entered the democratic period heavily deprived of essential government services. This was the case with health care in general, including maternal health care. There were also little to no national data available on maternal deaths, especially among the black population. One of the first tasks of the new National Department of Health (NDoH) was to target the high maternal mortality rate. The NDoH made maternal deaths notifiable by law and instituted auditing and information gathering systems in the health sector; health infrastructure was expanded exponentially, and maternal health care was made free. Despite this, the last 24 years have seen the maternal mortality escalate. The latest statistics show that between 1200 and 1300 women die in the South African public health sector each year during pregnancy and the puerperium. This puts the current institutional maternal mortality rate (MMR) at around 154/100 000 live births. The international target for ‘developing’ countries was to reduce the MMR rate by three quarters by 2015, which would have meant a reduction to 38/100 000 live births. The aim of this dissertation is to examine how the democratic South African government (influenced heavily by global health thinking) has laboured to reduce that statistic. I analyse, using Foucauldian discourse analysis, all relevant health and maternal health policies, procedural documents and reports produced by and for the NDoH in the last 24 years. I draw on Foucauldian concepts, specifically those related to Foucault’s work on governmentality. In this dissertation I introduce a new perspective towards the maternal health practices implemented in South Africa, practices that have generally remained unquestioned, been perceived as self-evident, and thus often escaping critical analysis. Through an analysis of the intended operation of the public antenatal clinic (within the larger institutional system) I show how ‘development’ has come to operate as a truth regime in South Africa – facilitating the introduction of liberal governmentality (including some advanced liberal practices) into public health service provision.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Du Plessis, Ulandi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: South Africa. Department of Health (1994- ) , Maternal health services -- South Africa , Mothers -- Mortality -- South Africa , Prenatal care -- South Africa , African mothers -- Mortality -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/76552 , vital:30600
- Description: South Africa democratised in 1994. However, due to the discriminatory and segregationist character of the preceding regime, vast swathes of the country’s spaces and people entered the democratic period heavily deprived of essential government services. This was the case with health care in general, including maternal health care. There were also little to no national data available on maternal deaths, especially among the black population. One of the first tasks of the new National Department of Health (NDoH) was to target the high maternal mortality rate. The NDoH made maternal deaths notifiable by law and instituted auditing and information gathering systems in the health sector; health infrastructure was expanded exponentially, and maternal health care was made free. Despite this, the last 24 years have seen the maternal mortality escalate. The latest statistics show that between 1200 and 1300 women die in the South African public health sector each year during pregnancy and the puerperium. This puts the current institutional maternal mortality rate (MMR) at around 154/100 000 live births. The international target for ‘developing’ countries was to reduce the MMR rate by three quarters by 2015, which would have meant a reduction to 38/100 000 live births. The aim of this dissertation is to examine how the democratic South African government (influenced heavily by global health thinking) has laboured to reduce that statistic. I analyse, using Foucauldian discourse analysis, all relevant health and maternal health policies, procedural documents and reports produced by and for the NDoH in the last 24 years. I draw on Foucauldian concepts, specifically those related to Foucault’s work on governmentality. In this dissertation I introduce a new perspective towards the maternal health practices implemented in South Africa, practices that have generally remained unquestioned, been perceived as self-evident, and thus often escaping critical analysis. Through an analysis of the intended operation of the public antenatal clinic (within the larger institutional system) I show how ‘development’ has come to operate as a truth regime in South Africa – facilitating the introduction of liberal governmentality (including some advanced liberal practices) into public health service provision.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
HIV-related stigma in rural areas: a case of citrus farm workers based in Addo community in Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mazorodze, Tasara
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Stigma (Social psychology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Discrimination -- Psychology HIV infections -- Psychology AIDS (Disease) -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41526 , vital:36501
- Description: While South Africa has recently joined the rest of the world in the race to achieve an AIDS free generation by the year of 2030, little has been done to develop the scientific interventions that address HIV-related stigma, which is one of the major barriers to the fight against HIV. To the researcher’s knowledge, this is the first study in the South African context that seeks to assess the forms of HIV- related stigma in a local context and in a rural area in particular, where HIV related stigma research and interventions remains scant. This study acknowledges the dynamic, unique, multidimensional and sensitive nature of HIV-related stigma and, therefore, an explanatory mixed approach enabled the researcher to provide a comprehensive assessment of HIV-related stigma amongst the citrus farm workers who are based in Addo, Eastern Cape. Quantitative data was collected from 200 participants across five farms, whereas 50 employees across the 5 farms were also selected to take part in the focus group discussions. An assessment of the reliability and validity of local HIV-related stigma scales (Kalichman et al., 2005 personal stigma scale-English, isiXhosa and Afrikaans version and Visser et al. 2008 personal and attributed stigma scale-English version) and the UNAIDS (2012) HIV knowledge scale was conducted. The assessment showed that the reliability of these scales of measurement tend to vary according to context. In this study, the Kalichman et al., (2005) personal stigma scale (English version) scored a weaker reliability score (alpha=0.58). Thus, as the scale is not reliable for the rural context, it was not considered. Furthermore, quantitative findings show that citrus farm workers are characterised by lack of/ little knowledge about HIV, which results in the stigmatisation of people who are HIV positive in the form of symbolic, instrumental, personal and attributed stigma, as well as a fear of HIV disclosure. Findings also revealed that participants who display a high personal stigma score are likely to display a high attributed stigma score (r=0.47, p<0.00). This confirm the assumption of social identity theory that people tend to use stigma as a ‘protective function’ to protect their identity by labelling other people as ‘’deviant’ or ‘stigmatising’. This finding is particularly relevant in that it reveals that, while many people are aware that stigmatising people with HIV is not morally acceptable, they rather attribute stigmatising attitudes to their communities. Thus future studies need to consider emphasising the assessment of attributed stigma in a rural context. Quantitative findings also revealed that the effect of the following demographic variables, namely race (F=20.1, p=0.00), marital status (F=3.58, p=0.00), religion (F=7.17, p=0.03) and education (F=2.63, p=0.03) on HIV-related stigma was statistically significant. This provides proof that HIV-related interventions that were developed for the Addo community need to consider the above-mentioned demographics variables. The qualitative findings provided an in-depth analysis of the key quantitative findings. A lack of knowledge about HIV among participants was further confirmed by the following themes that were common during focus group discussions: misconceptions about HIV transmission and prevention; false beliefs that healthy looking people cannot have HIV; HIV symptoms are clearly visible; and HIV can be transmitted through contact with people who are HIV positive. Possible causes of HIV-related stigma as revealed by the qualitative findings include; fear of death; the belief that HIV is a punishment for bad behaviour; and the fear of being isolated and rejected. The qualitative approach revealed other forms of HIV-related stigma that were not common in the quantitative studynamely; healthcare, employment and verbal stigma. The focus group discussions revealed the major reasons why a large number of the farm works may be reluctant to disclose their status, namely fear of the unknown and attributed stigma. The study concluded by offering recommendations for the designing and tailoring of HIV-related interventions in the rural context and in the citrus sector in particular.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mazorodze, Tasara
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Stigma (Social psychology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Discrimination -- Psychology HIV infections -- Psychology AIDS (Disease) -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41526 , vital:36501
- Description: While South Africa has recently joined the rest of the world in the race to achieve an AIDS free generation by the year of 2030, little has been done to develop the scientific interventions that address HIV-related stigma, which is one of the major barriers to the fight against HIV. To the researcher’s knowledge, this is the first study in the South African context that seeks to assess the forms of HIV- related stigma in a local context and in a rural area in particular, where HIV related stigma research and interventions remains scant. This study acknowledges the dynamic, unique, multidimensional and sensitive nature of HIV-related stigma and, therefore, an explanatory mixed approach enabled the researcher to provide a comprehensive assessment of HIV-related stigma amongst the citrus farm workers who are based in Addo, Eastern Cape. Quantitative data was collected from 200 participants across five farms, whereas 50 employees across the 5 farms were also selected to take part in the focus group discussions. An assessment of the reliability and validity of local HIV-related stigma scales (Kalichman et al., 2005 personal stigma scale-English, isiXhosa and Afrikaans version and Visser et al. 2008 personal and attributed stigma scale-English version) and the UNAIDS (2012) HIV knowledge scale was conducted. The assessment showed that the reliability of these scales of measurement tend to vary according to context. In this study, the Kalichman et al., (2005) personal stigma scale (English version) scored a weaker reliability score (alpha=0.58). Thus, as the scale is not reliable for the rural context, it was not considered. Furthermore, quantitative findings show that citrus farm workers are characterised by lack of/ little knowledge about HIV, which results in the stigmatisation of people who are HIV positive in the form of symbolic, instrumental, personal and attributed stigma, as well as a fear of HIV disclosure. Findings also revealed that participants who display a high personal stigma score are likely to display a high attributed stigma score (r=0.47, p<0.00). This confirm the assumption of social identity theory that people tend to use stigma as a ‘protective function’ to protect their identity by labelling other people as ‘’deviant’ or ‘stigmatising’. This finding is particularly relevant in that it reveals that, while many people are aware that stigmatising people with HIV is not morally acceptable, they rather attribute stigmatising attitudes to their communities. Thus future studies need to consider emphasising the assessment of attributed stigma in a rural context. Quantitative findings also revealed that the effect of the following demographic variables, namely race (F=20.1, p=0.00), marital status (F=3.58, p=0.00), religion (F=7.17, p=0.03) and education (F=2.63, p=0.03) on HIV-related stigma was statistically significant. This provides proof that HIV-related interventions that were developed for the Addo community need to consider the above-mentioned demographics variables. The qualitative findings provided an in-depth analysis of the key quantitative findings. A lack of knowledge about HIV among participants was further confirmed by the following themes that were common during focus group discussions: misconceptions about HIV transmission and prevention; false beliefs that healthy looking people cannot have HIV; HIV symptoms are clearly visible; and HIV can be transmitted through contact with people who are HIV positive. Possible causes of HIV-related stigma as revealed by the qualitative findings include; fear of death; the belief that HIV is a punishment for bad behaviour; and the fear of being isolated and rejected. The qualitative approach revealed other forms of HIV-related stigma that were not common in the quantitative studynamely; healthcare, employment and verbal stigma. The focus group discussions revealed the major reasons why a large number of the farm works may be reluctant to disclose their status, namely fear of the unknown and attributed stigma. The study concluded by offering recommendations for the designing and tailoring of HIV-related interventions in the rural context and in the citrus sector in particular.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Human resources competencies, employability and career success in South Africa: reflections of a sample of senior human resource practitioners
- Hlatywayo, Clifford Kendrick
- Authors: Hlatywayo, Clifford Kendrick
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Personnel management Career development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13474 , vital:39671
- Description: Orientation: The research was a reflection on the careers of senior human resources (HR) personnel registered with the SABPP as master or chartered human resources practitioners. The study identified the human resources competencies in South Africa which are attributed to employability and subsequently career success; the study also tested the applicability of the competency model proposed by the SABPP. Purpose: The study explored human resource competencies, employability and career success in South Africa. It targeted participants registered as master or chartered practitioners with the SABPP. As human resource management is professionalising, there is a need to align the requirements of the profession to what the stakeholders (employers, universities, graduates and professional bodies) require. Without a set baseline for competencies which are instrumental to human resource employability and career success, it becomes challenging to identify human resource shortcomings in the workplace. Method: The study made use of an interpretive orientation. This interpretivist approach was adopted for two reasons – it could provide useful insight to human resource employability and secondly, to gain insight into the experiences of participants. Purposive sampling was used to solicit participants as the researcher decided to select practitioners registered as master or chartered HR professionals with the SABPP. In the study, 35 practitioner interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data and themes were derived from this. Main findings: The study identified: Volunteering; Work experience; Internships; Networking; Recommendations; Easy access to job market; Extracurricular activities; Resilience; Research; Having the right qualification; Recruitment agencies; Creativity; Further education; Willingness to learn; Attitude; Work ethic; Equity legislation; Work readiness; Passion for the job; Emotional intelligence; Personality; Positive psychology; Critical thinking; Emotional maturity; Behavioural competencies; Emotional intelligence; Technology; Entrepreneurial orientation; Technology and Entrepreneurial orientation as the factors which make one employable. Lack of work experience, Lack of jobs, Expectations of the world of work, Flooded market and No right qualification for HR professionals were identified as factors which make one unemployable. The competencies which are essential for HR employability and career success were identified. The meaning of career success for human resource practitioners was identified as: contribution to strategy. Being entrepreneurial, enjoying what one does, support from organisation, mastering HR competencies, income, v career planning and career were the themes identified to infer the meaning of career success. Areas of dissatisfaction were also identified from practitioners as: being underutilised; lack of a concise career path; always greener ‘on the other side’; monetary dissatisfaction; glass ceiling; and lack of contribution to strategy. After the SABPP model had been introduced, it enhanced organisation efficiency and guidance to HR strategy. It was used by practitioners to meet organisation objectives and to set objectives for personal development; however, in some organisations, the model was yet to be implemented and the public sector was putting in place a framework to be in line with the SABPP competency model. Some had no model in place and thus there was no impact on such organisations’. With regards to the competency model, its applicability to the human resource context and its shortcomings were deliberated upon. Practitioners gave their opinions of the applicability of the SABPP competency model: Model lays a solid foundation for HR as the Model justifies HR to the boardroom; Model covers all essential HR competencies. However, the model was also criticised as it was: too academic, lacked personal characteristics; nothing new here and it is relatively unknown by other practitioners. Practitioners also identified competencies they regarded as key: these were classified as traditional, modern and behavioural. Lastly, practitioners suggested competencies they think must be added into the SABPP competency model: the human touch; work ethic; love for people, passion for the profession, personality, emotional intelligence, attitude, behavioural competencies, positive psychology and arithmetic numeracy were identified as key items to be added. Human resource practitioners were content with the state of the model; the general weakness was the omission of personal attributes which are crucial for effective performance within the HR profession. Contribution: The study is a step towards enhancing sector-specific employability. In attaining employability, the generic skills, which are crucial, have to be cemented by disciplinespecific knowledge. Attaining a mark of 65% and above is a reflection of trainability of a job seeker. The meaning of career success is derived from the areas of dissatisfaction and satisfaction of practitioners. HR practitioners value contribution to strategy and are acknowledged for what they are doing. The legal framework in South Africa hinders career progression. There are 12 traits (networking, positive psychology, interpersonal strength, human touch, work ethic, love for people, passion for the profession, personality, emotional intelligence, arithmetic competency, attitude, behavioural competencies and being vi entrepreneurial) which are essential for effective performance which must be incorporated in the SABPP competency model. From the study, HR must go back to basics, master the basics and in doing so, create a solid foundation for HR ascendancy to the boardroom Managerial implication The implications of the study are synonymous to universities and the HR curriculum, the professional body and the future HR professional. HR graduate employability links labour market requirements to higher education. Higher education offers HR degrees for candidates who are willing to work in HR. The study is a contribution to the global professionalisation of human resource management. South Africa is setting the trend as the SABPP is actively involved in the certification of human resource curricula, setting standards and providing a sound code of ethics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Hlatywayo, Clifford Kendrick
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Personnel management Career development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13474 , vital:39671
- Description: Orientation: The research was a reflection on the careers of senior human resources (HR) personnel registered with the SABPP as master or chartered human resources practitioners. The study identified the human resources competencies in South Africa which are attributed to employability and subsequently career success; the study also tested the applicability of the competency model proposed by the SABPP. Purpose: The study explored human resource competencies, employability and career success in South Africa. It targeted participants registered as master or chartered practitioners with the SABPP. As human resource management is professionalising, there is a need to align the requirements of the profession to what the stakeholders (employers, universities, graduates and professional bodies) require. Without a set baseline for competencies which are instrumental to human resource employability and career success, it becomes challenging to identify human resource shortcomings in the workplace. Method: The study made use of an interpretive orientation. This interpretivist approach was adopted for two reasons – it could provide useful insight to human resource employability and secondly, to gain insight into the experiences of participants. Purposive sampling was used to solicit participants as the researcher decided to select practitioners registered as master or chartered HR professionals with the SABPP. In the study, 35 practitioner interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data and themes were derived from this. Main findings: The study identified: Volunteering; Work experience; Internships; Networking; Recommendations; Easy access to job market; Extracurricular activities; Resilience; Research; Having the right qualification; Recruitment agencies; Creativity; Further education; Willingness to learn; Attitude; Work ethic; Equity legislation; Work readiness; Passion for the job; Emotional intelligence; Personality; Positive psychology; Critical thinking; Emotional maturity; Behavioural competencies; Emotional intelligence; Technology; Entrepreneurial orientation; Technology and Entrepreneurial orientation as the factors which make one employable. Lack of work experience, Lack of jobs, Expectations of the world of work, Flooded market and No right qualification for HR professionals were identified as factors which make one unemployable. The competencies which are essential for HR employability and career success were identified. The meaning of career success for human resource practitioners was identified as: contribution to strategy. Being entrepreneurial, enjoying what one does, support from organisation, mastering HR competencies, income, v career planning and career were the themes identified to infer the meaning of career success. Areas of dissatisfaction were also identified from practitioners as: being underutilised; lack of a concise career path; always greener ‘on the other side’; monetary dissatisfaction; glass ceiling; and lack of contribution to strategy. After the SABPP model had been introduced, it enhanced organisation efficiency and guidance to HR strategy. It was used by practitioners to meet organisation objectives and to set objectives for personal development; however, in some organisations, the model was yet to be implemented and the public sector was putting in place a framework to be in line with the SABPP competency model. Some had no model in place and thus there was no impact on such organisations’. With regards to the competency model, its applicability to the human resource context and its shortcomings were deliberated upon. Practitioners gave their opinions of the applicability of the SABPP competency model: Model lays a solid foundation for HR as the Model justifies HR to the boardroom; Model covers all essential HR competencies. However, the model was also criticised as it was: too academic, lacked personal characteristics; nothing new here and it is relatively unknown by other practitioners. Practitioners also identified competencies they regarded as key: these were classified as traditional, modern and behavioural. Lastly, practitioners suggested competencies they think must be added into the SABPP competency model: the human touch; work ethic; love for people, passion for the profession, personality, emotional intelligence, attitude, behavioural competencies, positive psychology and arithmetic numeracy were identified as key items to be added. Human resource practitioners were content with the state of the model; the general weakness was the omission of personal attributes which are crucial for effective performance within the HR profession. Contribution: The study is a step towards enhancing sector-specific employability. In attaining employability, the generic skills, which are crucial, have to be cemented by disciplinespecific knowledge. Attaining a mark of 65% and above is a reflection of trainability of a job seeker. The meaning of career success is derived from the areas of dissatisfaction and satisfaction of practitioners. HR practitioners value contribution to strategy and are acknowledged for what they are doing. The legal framework in South Africa hinders career progression. There are 12 traits (networking, positive psychology, interpersonal strength, human touch, work ethic, love for people, passion for the profession, personality, emotional intelligence, arithmetic competency, attitude, behavioural competencies and being vi entrepreneurial) which are essential for effective performance which must be incorporated in the SABPP competency model. From the study, HR must go back to basics, master the basics and in doing so, create a solid foundation for HR ascendancy to the boardroom Managerial implication The implications of the study are synonymous to universities and the HR curriculum, the professional body and the future HR professional. HR graduate employability links labour market requirements to higher education. Higher education offers HR degrees for candidates who are willing to work in HR. The study is a contribution to the global professionalisation of human resource management. South Africa is setting the trend as the SABPP is actively involved in the certification of human resource curricula, setting standards and providing a sound code of ethics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
I want them to be confident, to build an argument: an exploration of the structure of knowledge and knowers in Political Studies
- Hlatshwayo, Mlamuli Nkosingphile
- Authors: Hlatshwayo, Mlamuli Nkosingphile
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Political science -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- Curricula -- South Africa , Rhodes University. Department of Political Studies
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92392 , vital:30719
- Description: The 2015-2016 student movements in South African higher education sharply critique what was perceived to be the slow pace of institutional transformation and decolonisation in institutions of higher learning (see Badat, 2016; Heleta, 2016b; Mbembe, 2016). One of the academic fields that has come under scrutiny is Political Studies, which has been accused of being un-transformed, irrelevant and not reflecting local, indigenous scholarship in curricula or pedagogy (see for example Matthews, 2018; Mngomezulu & Hadebe, 2018; Tselapedi, 2016). Although this literature critiques neo-colonial predominance of western thought within the field, and the need to re-centre non-Western modes of being, thinking and intellectualising, I argue that this literature actually considers epistemologies without necessarily making a razor sharp critique at the underlying mechanisms and processes of Political Studies knowledge, and the extent to which it can be decolonised and transformed. It is on this gap that I make a contribution to the field.This study is positioned in the field of higher education decolonisation, with a specific focus on exploring knowledge and knower structures in Political Studies. I explore the various ways in which knowledge is valued and legitimated in the field of Political Studies by asking the “how” question – that is, how is knowledge legitimated in Political Studies? This includes a consideration of how the Postgraduate Diploma in International Studies (PDIS) programme, designed to promote and enable an “expert in African International Studies”, legitimates a certain kind of knower in the field. I employ Basil Bernstein’s pedagogic device as a theoretical foundation for exploring 1) what the field of Political Studies knowledge production looks like, 2) how knowledge is recontextualised from the field of production and into the PDIS curriculum, and 3), how that knowledge is legitimated and evaluated through the programnme’s assessment documents, and what they revel as valued and legitimate curriculum knowledge in the field. Karl Maton’s Legitimation Code theory (LCT), specifically Specialisation, is called upon to offer sharp analytical tools for investigating the underlying mechanisms and processes of the knower and knowledge structures that the programme legitimates. It particularly sheds some insight on the kinds of gazes that are valued in the field of Political Studies in general, and in the PDIS programme in particular. The case study for this research is Rhodes University, a historically white university which offered insight and contested history into the kinds of being, knowledges and knowers that were historically legitimated and valued in the institution, as well as the current institutional landscape, and challenges that the institution is grappling with. The data generation included the formally planned curriculum as contained in the programme’s curriculum documents. These included course outlines, seminar critiques, presentations, class participation; class discussions; essay questions and exams/exam portfolio. The data generation also included semi-structured interviews with the lecturers who were regarded as the “recontextualising agents”, who taught in the programme and who offered key insights on some of the curriculum choices regarding selection, pacing, sequencing and evaluation of the curriculum knowledge in the PDIS programme.This study revealed that that the PDIS programmes values and legitimates curriculum knowledge by ensuring that students have a critical understanding of African political economy, war and conflict on the African continent, as well as the challenges of peacekeeping and peace building in new and fragile African states. This was also seen in how the attributes and dispositions of knowers were also valued in how students needed to have social and cultural gazes in order to access the curriculum and to successfully participate as knowers in the field. This suggested that access to both curriculum knowledge and to being a valued knower in the field, could be said to be relatively open and unrestrictive. In this study, I first argue that looking critically at how Political Studies knowledge is recontextualised from the field of production and into the PDIS curriculum can be seen as a decolonising process as it enables us to see the underlying mechanisms and processes of how Political studies knowledge and knowers are valued and legitimated in the field. This offers us an insightful space to see to what extent the fields of production, recontextualisation, as well as reproduction of Political Studies in general, and the PDIS programme in particular, could be said to have a colonising gaze. It also offers insight on how we can go about exploring, transforming and decolonising Political Studies and the PDIS programme. Secondly, exploring the knowledge and knower structures of the PDIS programme can help curriculum designers, lecturers and students identify the knowledge and knower codes of the curriculum, and to critically reflect on their curriculum codes and how to enable epistemological access to students. Furthermore, this study can help lecturers and curriculum designers construct their curriculum in ways that are inclusive, open, and socially just, by being critically aware of the kind of knowledge that they choose to legitimate, and those they choose to disregard in their knowledge recontextualisation and its evaluation. , Unyaka wezi 2015-2016 wombhikisho wabafundi eningizimu afrika zemfundo ephakeme umcwaningi nokungabikhona kakhulu ukuthi kube kancane awuhambi zesikhungo kanye decolonisation ezikhungweni of higher learning (bheka badat, nowezi-2016; Heleta, 2016b; Mbembe, nowezi-2016). Enye yenkambu yezemfundo ephakeme ethe yaba ngaphansi kokuhlolisiswa kabanzi izifundo zezombusazwe, ebhekene nezingqinamba zokungashinsthi, ukungabi lusizo endaweni, ukungabi yisithombe somphakathi, nokukungangeneleli isifundo somdabu kwezemfundo noma i-pedagogy (bheka isibonelo Matthews, 2018; Mngomezulu & Hadebe, 2018; Tselapedi, nowezi-2016). Nakuba lo mbhalo ugxeka ineo-kholoni ikakhulukazi imicabango yasentshonalanga, nokudinga ukubuyekezwa indlela yokucabanga nobuhlakani okungasibo baseNtshonalanga. Ngiyaphikisana nokuthi lo mbhalo ubuyekeza i-epistomology ngempela ngaphandle kokucwaninga kabanzi ukusetsenziswa kobuhlakani nolwazi lwezemfundo yombusazwe, kanye nokwandisa izinguquko noshintsho. Ngizophonsa esivivaneni kulolu gebe olulapho. Lolu cwaningo lusesimeni sokwenza izinguquko kwinkundlazwelo yemfundo ephakeme, ikakhulu ukuhlola ulwazi kanye nezakhiwo ze-knower kwezemfundo yombusazwe. Ngibheka izindlela ezahlukene ngolwazi kanye nokuba semthethweni kwinkundlazwelo yezemfundo zombusazwe ngokubuza umbuzo “kanjani”-ngokuthi, ulwazi lubekwa kanjani ngokomthethwo wezemfundo yombusazwe? Lokhu kubandakanya inkokhelo yombuzo wokuthi kwenzakala kanjani ukuthi ipostgraduate Diploma in International Studies (pdis), yenzelwe ukukhuthaza kanye nokuba wumpetha kwi African International studies”, ukwenza semthethweni eminye yenkundlazwelo yama-knower. Ngisebenzisa ithiyori ya Basil Bernstein ukuhlola 1) Ibukeka kanjani inkundla yokuhkiqiza yezemfundo zezombusazwe, 2) ngolwazi lobuhlakani enkundleni lapho nasesikhathini uhlelo lwezemfundo PDIS yenza umkhiqizo kanye 3), futhi ukwazi ukuthi khona lusemthethweni uhlelo nokuhlola, nokuthi yini abayiveza ukuthi isemthethweni kwizifundo zolwazi. Ithiyori ka Karl matonâ legitimation code theory (lct), ikakhulu Specialisation, yiyona enganikeza kafuphi izinsiza zokuphenya indlela kanye nenqubo ye-knower kanye nolwazi lwesakhiwo esisemthethweni. Iveza kabanzi izindlela zokubheka ezisemqoka nezisematheni kwinkundla yezemfundo zombusazwe kanye nohlelo lwe PDIS ikakhulukazi Indawo lapho ngizoqhuba khona lolu cwaningo iNyuvesi yaseRhodes, ngokomlando iNyuvesi yabamhlophe enikezana ukuqonda nokuncintana komlando kokungena kwezinhlobo, ubuhlakani kanye nama-knower omlando osemthethweni kanye nokhethekile kulesi sikhungo, kanjalo ne-Landscape yesikhungo samanje, kanye nezinselelo lesi sikhungo sikahulumeni esibheke nazo. Idatha equkethwe ifaka izifundo ezihleliwe ngokomthetho njengokuba zitholakala ezifundweni ezihleliwe kumbhalo. Lokhu, kubandakanya isifundo esinye, amasemina abuyekeziwe, izethulo, nokubamba iqhaza ekilasini; izingxoxo zekilasi; imibuzo yendaba kanye nezivivinyo / nokuhlolwa kwezivivinyo. Idatha yesizukulwane iphinde ibandakanye izingxoxo ezihleliwe kanye nabafundisi abathathwa njengabantu abayizingcithabuchopho, abafundisiwe kulo mkhakha kanye naba neso ekukhethweni kwamanye amakharikhulamu abhekelele ukuhlunga, i-pacing, ukulandelela kanye nokuhlolwa kwekharikhulamu kulwazi lohlelo i-PDIS Lolu cwaningo ludalule ukuthi izinhlelo ze-PDIS zikubeka emqoka kanye nokubeka emthethweni ubuhlakani bekhurikhulamu ngokucophelela ukuthi abafundi bakuqonda ukubaluleka okulunzulu ngezomnotho wombusazwe wase Afrika, yimpi nokungqubuzana ezwenikazi lase-Afrika, ukugcina ukuthula kanye nezinkinga ekwakheni uxolo kanye nobuthakathaka / nophukayo kwezwekazi i-Afrika. Lokhu futhi kubonakele ngendlela yokubambisana kanye nokuziqhathulula kwama-knower aabalulekile ekufundiseni abafundi ngokudinga kokuba nezenhlalo kanye nesiko ukuze bakwazi ukuthola ikhurikhulamu kanye nokubamba iqhaza ngempumelelo njengama-knower kule nkundla. Lokhu kuchaze ukuthi ukufinyelela kuhlelo lokufunda kanye nokuba yilunga lama-knower, kungaba ukuba babonisane ngendlela evulelekile kanye nengenamkhawulo. Kulolu cwaningo, ngaqala ngabheka kabanzi ngokubalulekile ukuthi izifundo zezombusazwe ngolwazi lobuhlakani kwinkundlazwelo yokukhiqiza kanye nePDIS kungabonwa njengenguquko eyenza ukuba sikwazi ukubona ezinye izindlela zokusebenza kwezemfundo zombusazwe kanye nokubeka phambili ama-knower. Lokhu kusenza sibone ukubaluleka komkhiqizo wale nkundla, ukubuyekezwa kwezobuhlakani, kanye nomkhiqizo wezemfundo zombusazwe, kanye nohlelo lwe PDIS ikakhulukazi, kungathiwa ingaba nokubanjwa kokubheka. Iphinde isambulele kabanzi ukuthi singahlola, sense izinguquko kanye noshintsho kwezemfundo zombusazwe kanye nohlelo lwe PDIS. Okwesibili, ukuhlola ulwazi kanye nezakhiwo ze-knower ze-PDIS kungasiza abaklami bekhurikhulamu, abafundisi kanye nabafunsi ukukwazi ukuhlonza ulwazi nekhurikhulamu yekhodi ye-knower, kanye nokwazi ukubuyekeza kabanzi amakhodi ekhurikhulami yabo kanye nokwazi ukwenza i-epistemology ukuba abafundi bafinyelele kuyo. Ngaphezu kwalokhu, lolu cwaningo lungasiza abafundisi kanye nabaklamu bekhurikhulamu ukuba bakwazi ukwakha ikhurikhulamu yabo ngendlela ekhethekile, evulelekile, ngokwenhlalo nje, okubalulekile ukuthi uhlobo lophi lolwazi abakhetha lube semthethweni, kanye nalabo abakhetha ukungayilandeli inqubomgomo yolwazi kanye nokuhlola.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Hlatshwayo, Mlamuli Nkosingphile
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Political science -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- Curricula -- South Africa , Rhodes University. Department of Political Studies
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92392 , vital:30719
- Description: The 2015-2016 student movements in South African higher education sharply critique what was perceived to be the slow pace of institutional transformation and decolonisation in institutions of higher learning (see Badat, 2016; Heleta, 2016b; Mbembe, 2016). One of the academic fields that has come under scrutiny is Political Studies, which has been accused of being un-transformed, irrelevant and not reflecting local, indigenous scholarship in curricula or pedagogy (see for example Matthews, 2018; Mngomezulu & Hadebe, 2018; Tselapedi, 2016). Although this literature critiques neo-colonial predominance of western thought within the field, and the need to re-centre non-Western modes of being, thinking and intellectualising, I argue that this literature actually considers epistemologies without necessarily making a razor sharp critique at the underlying mechanisms and processes of Political Studies knowledge, and the extent to which it can be decolonised and transformed. It is on this gap that I make a contribution to the field.This study is positioned in the field of higher education decolonisation, with a specific focus on exploring knowledge and knower structures in Political Studies. I explore the various ways in which knowledge is valued and legitimated in the field of Political Studies by asking the “how” question – that is, how is knowledge legitimated in Political Studies? This includes a consideration of how the Postgraduate Diploma in International Studies (PDIS) programme, designed to promote and enable an “expert in African International Studies”, legitimates a certain kind of knower in the field. I employ Basil Bernstein’s pedagogic device as a theoretical foundation for exploring 1) what the field of Political Studies knowledge production looks like, 2) how knowledge is recontextualised from the field of production and into the PDIS curriculum, and 3), how that knowledge is legitimated and evaluated through the programnme’s assessment documents, and what they revel as valued and legitimate curriculum knowledge in the field. Karl Maton’s Legitimation Code theory (LCT), specifically Specialisation, is called upon to offer sharp analytical tools for investigating the underlying mechanisms and processes of the knower and knowledge structures that the programme legitimates. It particularly sheds some insight on the kinds of gazes that are valued in the field of Political Studies in general, and in the PDIS programme in particular. The case study for this research is Rhodes University, a historically white university which offered insight and contested history into the kinds of being, knowledges and knowers that were historically legitimated and valued in the institution, as well as the current institutional landscape, and challenges that the institution is grappling with. The data generation included the formally planned curriculum as contained in the programme’s curriculum documents. These included course outlines, seminar critiques, presentations, class participation; class discussions; essay questions and exams/exam portfolio. The data generation also included semi-structured interviews with the lecturers who were regarded as the “recontextualising agents”, who taught in the programme and who offered key insights on some of the curriculum choices regarding selection, pacing, sequencing and evaluation of the curriculum knowledge in the PDIS programme.This study revealed that that the PDIS programmes values and legitimates curriculum knowledge by ensuring that students have a critical understanding of African political economy, war and conflict on the African continent, as well as the challenges of peacekeeping and peace building in new and fragile African states. This was also seen in how the attributes and dispositions of knowers were also valued in how students needed to have social and cultural gazes in order to access the curriculum and to successfully participate as knowers in the field. This suggested that access to both curriculum knowledge and to being a valued knower in the field, could be said to be relatively open and unrestrictive. In this study, I first argue that looking critically at how Political Studies knowledge is recontextualised from the field of production and into the PDIS curriculum can be seen as a decolonising process as it enables us to see the underlying mechanisms and processes of how Political studies knowledge and knowers are valued and legitimated in the field. This offers us an insightful space to see to what extent the fields of production, recontextualisation, as well as reproduction of Political Studies in general, and the PDIS programme in particular, could be said to have a colonising gaze. It also offers insight on how we can go about exploring, transforming and decolonising Political Studies and the PDIS programme. Secondly, exploring the knowledge and knower structures of the PDIS programme can help curriculum designers, lecturers and students identify the knowledge and knower codes of the curriculum, and to critically reflect on their curriculum codes and how to enable epistemological access to students. Furthermore, this study can help lecturers and curriculum designers construct their curriculum in ways that are inclusive, open, and socially just, by being critically aware of the kind of knowledge that they choose to legitimate, and those they choose to disregard in their knowledge recontextualisation and its evaluation. , Unyaka wezi 2015-2016 wombhikisho wabafundi eningizimu afrika zemfundo ephakeme umcwaningi nokungabikhona kakhulu ukuthi kube kancane awuhambi zesikhungo kanye decolonisation ezikhungweni of higher learning (bheka badat, nowezi-2016; Heleta, 2016b; Mbembe, nowezi-2016). Enye yenkambu yezemfundo ephakeme ethe yaba ngaphansi kokuhlolisiswa kabanzi izifundo zezombusazwe, ebhekene nezingqinamba zokungashinsthi, ukungabi lusizo endaweni, ukungabi yisithombe somphakathi, nokukungangeneleli isifundo somdabu kwezemfundo noma i-pedagogy (bheka isibonelo Matthews, 2018; Mngomezulu & Hadebe, 2018; Tselapedi, nowezi-2016). Nakuba lo mbhalo ugxeka ineo-kholoni ikakhulukazi imicabango yasentshonalanga, nokudinga ukubuyekezwa indlela yokucabanga nobuhlakani okungasibo baseNtshonalanga. Ngiyaphikisana nokuthi lo mbhalo ubuyekeza i-epistomology ngempela ngaphandle kokucwaninga kabanzi ukusetsenziswa kobuhlakani nolwazi lwezemfundo yombusazwe, kanye nokwandisa izinguquko noshintsho. Ngizophonsa esivivaneni kulolu gebe olulapho. Lolu cwaningo lusesimeni sokwenza izinguquko kwinkundlazwelo yemfundo ephakeme, ikakhulu ukuhlola ulwazi kanye nezakhiwo ze-knower kwezemfundo yombusazwe. Ngibheka izindlela ezahlukene ngolwazi kanye nokuba semthethweni kwinkundlazwelo yezemfundo zombusazwe ngokubuza umbuzo “kanjani”-ngokuthi, ulwazi lubekwa kanjani ngokomthethwo wezemfundo yombusazwe? Lokhu kubandakanya inkokhelo yombuzo wokuthi kwenzakala kanjani ukuthi ipostgraduate Diploma in International Studies (pdis), yenzelwe ukukhuthaza kanye nokuba wumpetha kwi African International studies”, ukwenza semthethweni eminye yenkundlazwelo yama-knower. Ngisebenzisa ithiyori ya Basil Bernstein ukuhlola 1) Ibukeka kanjani inkundla yokuhkiqiza yezemfundo zezombusazwe, 2) ngolwazi lobuhlakani enkundleni lapho nasesikhathini uhlelo lwezemfundo PDIS yenza umkhiqizo kanye 3), futhi ukwazi ukuthi khona lusemthethweni uhlelo nokuhlola, nokuthi yini abayiveza ukuthi isemthethweni kwizifundo zolwazi. Ithiyori ka Karl matonâ legitimation code theory (lct), ikakhulu Specialisation, yiyona enganikeza kafuphi izinsiza zokuphenya indlela kanye nenqubo ye-knower kanye nolwazi lwesakhiwo esisemthethweni. Iveza kabanzi izindlela zokubheka ezisemqoka nezisematheni kwinkundla yezemfundo zombusazwe kanye nohlelo lwe PDIS ikakhulukazi Indawo lapho ngizoqhuba khona lolu cwaningo iNyuvesi yaseRhodes, ngokomlando iNyuvesi yabamhlophe enikezana ukuqonda nokuncintana komlando kokungena kwezinhlobo, ubuhlakani kanye nama-knower omlando osemthethweni kanye nokhethekile kulesi sikhungo, kanjalo ne-Landscape yesikhungo samanje, kanye nezinselelo lesi sikhungo sikahulumeni esibheke nazo. Idatha equkethwe ifaka izifundo ezihleliwe ngokomthetho njengokuba zitholakala ezifundweni ezihleliwe kumbhalo. Lokhu, kubandakanya isifundo esinye, amasemina abuyekeziwe, izethulo, nokubamba iqhaza ekilasini; izingxoxo zekilasi; imibuzo yendaba kanye nezivivinyo / nokuhlolwa kwezivivinyo. Idatha yesizukulwane iphinde ibandakanye izingxoxo ezihleliwe kanye nabafundisi abathathwa njengabantu abayizingcithabuchopho, abafundisiwe kulo mkhakha kanye naba neso ekukhethweni kwamanye amakharikhulamu abhekelele ukuhlunga, i-pacing, ukulandelela kanye nokuhlolwa kwekharikhulamu kulwazi lohlelo i-PDIS Lolu cwaningo ludalule ukuthi izinhlelo ze-PDIS zikubeka emqoka kanye nokubeka emthethweni ubuhlakani bekhurikhulamu ngokucophelela ukuthi abafundi bakuqonda ukubaluleka okulunzulu ngezomnotho wombusazwe wase Afrika, yimpi nokungqubuzana ezwenikazi lase-Afrika, ukugcina ukuthula kanye nezinkinga ekwakheni uxolo kanye nobuthakathaka / nophukayo kwezwekazi i-Afrika. Lokhu futhi kubonakele ngendlela yokubambisana kanye nokuziqhathulula kwama-knower aabalulekile ekufundiseni abafundi ngokudinga kokuba nezenhlalo kanye nesiko ukuze bakwazi ukuthola ikhurikhulamu kanye nokubamba iqhaza ngempumelelo njengama-knower kule nkundla. Lokhu kuchaze ukuthi ukufinyelela kuhlelo lokufunda kanye nokuba yilunga lama-knower, kungaba ukuba babonisane ngendlela evulelekile kanye nengenamkhawulo. Kulolu cwaningo, ngaqala ngabheka kabanzi ngokubalulekile ukuthi izifundo zezombusazwe ngolwazi lobuhlakani kwinkundlazwelo yokukhiqiza kanye nePDIS kungabonwa njengenguquko eyenza ukuba sikwazi ukubona ezinye izindlela zokusebenza kwezemfundo zombusazwe kanye nokubeka phambili ama-knower. Lokhu kusenza sibone ukubaluleka komkhiqizo wale nkundla, ukubuyekezwa kwezobuhlakani, kanye nomkhiqizo wezemfundo zombusazwe, kanye nohlelo lwe PDIS ikakhulukazi, kungathiwa ingaba nokubanjwa kokubheka. Iphinde isambulele kabanzi ukuthi singahlola, sense izinguquko kanye noshintsho kwezemfundo zombusazwe kanye nohlelo lwe PDIS. Okwesibili, ukuhlola ulwazi kanye nezakhiwo ze-knower ze-PDIS kungasiza abaklami bekhurikhulamu, abafundisi kanye nabafunsi ukukwazi ukuhlonza ulwazi nekhurikhulamu yekhodi ye-knower, kanye nokwazi ukubuyekeza kabanzi amakhodi ekhurikhulami yabo kanye nokwazi ukwenza i-epistemology ukuba abafundi bafinyelele kuyo. Ngaphezu kwalokhu, lolu cwaningo lungasiza abafundisi kanye nabaklamu bekhurikhulamu ukuba bakwazi ukwakha ikhurikhulamu yabo ngendlela ekhethekile, evulelekile, ngokwenhlalo nje, okubalulekile ukuthi uhlobo lophi lolwazi abakhetha lube semthethweni, kanye nalabo abakhetha ukungayilandeli inqubomgomo yolwazi kanye nokuhlola.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019