Computational design for genome reduction of Lactococcus lactis towards microbial chassis development
- Authors: Hamese, Saltiel
- Date: 2024-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/435321 , vital:73147
- Description: Access restricted. Expected release date 2026. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biotechnology Innovation Centre, 2024
- Full Text:
- Authors: Hamese, Saltiel
- Date: 2024-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/435321 , vital:73147
- Description: Access restricted. Expected release date 2026. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biotechnology Innovation Centre, 2024
- Full Text:
Developing a community of practice to promote the use of biological control in the integrated management of Prosopis in South Africa
- Authors: Van Staden, Gretha
- Date: 2024-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434998 , vital:73122
- Description: Prosopis spp. are non-native species present in the arid parts of southern Africa. These trees originated in the Americas and were first introduced as a source of fodder, shade, and wood, but have become invasive, negatively impacting local biodiversity, and disrupting the delivery of ecosystem services. Some species of Prosopis hybridise freely, complicating identification and subsequent control. The control of Prosopis in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa is still contentious, because of the perceived benefits to some landowners. The effectiveness of biological control agents to control the spread of Prosopis has been quantified, more damaging agents have been considered in recent years because of the continued increase in Prosopis density. Research into the establishment of a Community of Practice (CoP) to address the differences in perceptions regarding the control of Prosopis in the Northern Cape Province is considered an appropriate starting point to conceptualise the challenges to the successful integrated management of Prosopis. As farmers are the main stakeholders involved with Prosopis control, understanding the role of farmers and the functioning of farming enterprises in the Northern Cape is imperative for the development of both a CoP as well as the appropriate management of Prosopis. To foster engagement with as many stakeholders as possible, workshops dealing with biological control as part on an integrated approach to the control of Prosopis were held in towns in the Northern Cape Province: Groblershoop, Brandvlei, Kenhardt, Upington, Prieska and Williston. Some of the main concerns of the landusers include the host specificity of the released biocontrol agents, as well as increased transparency and communication. This is especially in regards to the research on present and future biological control agents that will possibly improve the perceptions of stakeholders. The mechanical harvesting and use of biomass as a control method was supported, especially where farmers were removing Prosopis from their properties, leaving large amounts of biomass in the veld. Continued research into Prosopis in the Northern Cape needs to consider the possibility of secondary invasions, especially in areas where native bush encroachment is already a concern. The impact of clearing in terms of natural grazing and animal improvement needs to be quantified, to conceptualise the importance of maintaining better veld quality versus using Prosopis for fodder. Biological control targeting not only the reproductive output of the trees, but also the standing biomass has support from the majority of the land users in the Northern Cape Province following these workshops and this study shows the importance of a socio-ecological approach to the control of landscape scale invasion. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2024
- Full Text:
- Authors: Van Staden, Gretha
- Date: 2024-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434998 , vital:73122
- Description: Prosopis spp. are non-native species present in the arid parts of southern Africa. These trees originated in the Americas and were first introduced as a source of fodder, shade, and wood, but have become invasive, negatively impacting local biodiversity, and disrupting the delivery of ecosystem services. Some species of Prosopis hybridise freely, complicating identification and subsequent control. The control of Prosopis in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa is still contentious, because of the perceived benefits to some landowners. The effectiveness of biological control agents to control the spread of Prosopis has been quantified, more damaging agents have been considered in recent years because of the continued increase in Prosopis density. Research into the establishment of a Community of Practice (CoP) to address the differences in perceptions regarding the control of Prosopis in the Northern Cape Province is considered an appropriate starting point to conceptualise the challenges to the successful integrated management of Prosopis. As farmers are the main stakeholders involved with Prosopis control, understanding the role of farmers and the functioning of farming enterprises in the Northern Cape is imperative for the development of both a CoP as well as the appropriate management of Prosopis. To foster engagement with as many stakeholders as possible, workshops dealing with biological control as part on an integrated approach to the control of Prosopis were held in towns in the Northern Cape Province: Groblershoop, Brandvlei, Kenhardt, Upington, Prieska and Williston. Some of the main concerns of the landusers include the host specificity of the released biocontrol agents, as well as increased transparency and communication. This is especially in regards to the research on present and future biological control agents that will possibly improve the perceptions of stakeholders. The mechanical harvesting and use of biomass as a control method was supported, especially where farmers were removing Prosopis from their properties, leaving large amounts of biomass in the veld. Continued research into Prosopis in the Northern Cape needs to consider the possibility of secondary invasions, especially in areas where native bush encroachment is already a concern. The impact of clearing in terms of natural grazing and animal improvement needs to be quantified, to conceptualise the importance of maintaining better veld quality versus using Prosopis for fodder. Biological control targeting not only the reproductive output of the trees, but also the standing biomass has support from the majority of the land users in the Northern Cape Province following these workshops and this study shows the importance of a socio-ecological approach to the control of landscape scale invasion. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2024
- Full Text:
Functional significance of mixed-species groups for zebra (Equus quagga) in savanna habitats
- Corry-Roberts, Carys Alexandra
- Authors: Corry-Roberts, Carys Alexandra
- Date: 2024-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434925 , vital:73116
- Description: Globally, herbivore populations are facing decline, which threatens their crucial role within the ecosystems they inhabit. Herbivores are essential to ecosystem structure and function because they act as prey for higher trophic levels, cycle soil nutrients, and alter vegetation structure. Understanding the drivers that shape herbivore habitat use and selection are therefore critical for making informed conservation and management decisions. Like all prey species, herbivores must balance a trade-off between acquiring resources and avoiding predation which is influenced by a number of species-specific intrinsic traits and various ecological drivers. Herbivores can also track risk over space and time, and certain habitat structures and landscape features can influence risk perception; this is termed the landscape of fear. To mitigate the risk-reward trade-off, herbivores employ a suite of behavioural responses. Group formation is likely the most well-documented of these responses. However, grouping results in the information-competition trade-off, wherein group members may obtain valuable information regarding the location of resources and/or the risk of predation, but may suffer from increased competition, especially among larger group sizes. Mixed-species groups—an assemblage of two or more species in close spatial association—have the potential to mitigate some of the competitive costs of larger conspecific groups and enhance the anti-predator and/or foraging benefits of grouping. African savannas provide a particularly useful natural laboratory to study mixed-species groups, due to the high diversity of prey species and habitat heterogeneity present. Previous studies have investigated the mixed-species effect within these systems, but have yet to quantify some of the identity-dependent costs and benefits associated with mixed-species herding. Thus, the overall aim of my study was to quantify the functional significance of mixed-species groups for zebra (Equus quagga) herding with two of their most common herding partners, impala (Aepyceros melampus) and wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus). My study was conducted at multiple spatial scales in the southern portion of the Kruger National Park, South Africa between 2021 and 2022. I found that mixed-species herding altered zebra landscape use, resulting in a quantifiable intensification of habitat use compared to when they herd with conspecifics. I did not observe significant habitat expansion for zebra in mixed-species herds compared to single-species herds, likely because the anti-predator benefits of mixed-species herding convey enhanced foraging opportunities in already-safe habitats. Zebra foraging with impala achieved greater foraging success and experienced lower levels of competition, compared to zebra foraging with wildebeest. However, compared to foraging with conspecifics, the levelled landscape of fear zebra experienced when foraging with wildebeest resulted in increased foraging success across the landscape. My findings highlight the context-dependency of the costs and benefits associated with different herding partners for zebra, and suggest that in mixed-species herds with wildebeest, zebra experience increased potential fitness benefits compared to herding with impala or conspecifics. Overall, the findings of my study suggest that mixed-species herding is an important tool in the suite of anti-predator behaviours employed by prey species, and one with significant implications for survivorship, habitat use, and ultimately, community level interactions. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2024
- Full Text:
- Authors: Corry-Roberts, Carys Alexandra
- Date: 2024-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434925 , vital:73116
- Description: Globally, herbivore populations are facing decline, which threatens their crucial role within the ecosystems they inhabit. Herbivores are essential to ecosystem structure and function because they act as prey for higher trophic levels, cycle soil nutrients, and alter vegetation structure. Understanding the drivers that shape herbivore habitat use and selection are therefore critical for making informed conservation and management decisions. Like all prey species, herbivores must balance a trade-off between acquiring resources and avoiding predation which is influenced by a number of species-specific intrinsic traits and various ecological drivers. Herbivores can also track risk over space and time, and certain habitat structures and landscape features can influence risk perception; this is termed the landscape of fear. To mitigate the risk-reward trade-off, herbivores employ a suite of behavioural responses. Group formation is likely the most well-documented of these responses. However, grouping results in the information-competition trade-off, wherein group members may obtain valuable information regarding the location of resources and/or the risk of predation, but may suffer from increased competition, especially among larger group sizes. Mixed-species groups—an assemblage of two or more species in close spatial association—have the potential to mitigate some of the competitive costs of larger conspecific groups and enhance the anti-predator and/or foraging benefits of grouping. African savannas provide a particularly useful natural laboratory to study mixed-species groups, due to the high diversity of prey species and habitat heterogeneity present. Previous studies have investigated the mixed-species effect within these systems, but have yet to quantify some of the identity-dependent costs and benefits associated with mixed-species herding. Thus, the overall aim of my study was to quantify the functional significance of mixed-species groups for zebra (Equus quagga) herding with two of their most common herding partners, impala (Aepyceros melampus) and wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus). My study was conducted at multiple spatial scales in the southern portion of the Kruger National Park, South Africa between 2021 and 2022. I found that mixed-species herding altered zebra landscape use, resulting in a quantifiable intensification of habitat use compared to when they herd with conspecifics. I did not observe significant habitat expansion for zebra in mixed-species herds compared to single-species herds, likely because the anti-predator benefits of mixed-species herding convey enhanced foraging opportunities in already-safe habitats. Zebra foraging with impala achieved greater foraging success and experienced lower levels of competition, compared to zebra foraging with wildebeest. However, compared to foraging with conspecifics, the levelled landscape of fear zebra experienced when foraging with wildebeest resulted in increased foraging success across the landscape. My findings highlight the context-dependency of the costs and benefits associated with different herding partners for zebra, and suggest that in mixed-species herds with wildebeest, zebra experience increased potential fitness benefits compared to herding with impala or conspecifics. Overall, the findings of my study suggest that mixed-species herding is an important tool in the suite of anti-predator behaviours employed by prey species, and one with significant implications for survivorship, habitat use, and ultimately, community level interactions. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2024
- Full Text:
Managing releases of Anagyrus vladimiri (Triapitsyn) to augment biocontrol of the citrus mealybug Planococcus citri (Risso) in South African citrus orchards
- Authors: Mommsen, Wayne Trevor
- Date: 2024-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434952 , vital:73118
- Description: In May 2019, South Korean inspectors rejected numerous grapefruit consignments from Letsitele, Hoedspruit and Onderberg in South Arica, because of live mealybug found on fruit. Growers expressed deep concern as mealybug management to a phytosanitary level was almost unattainable. Regular spray interventions for control of citrus black spot fungus, Phyllosticta citricarpa, and citrus thrips, Scirtothrips aurantii, cause repercussions in mealybug populations because they undermine the naturally occurring biocontrol complex. As part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy, release of commercially produced parasitoids is common practice, to augment the naturally occurring beneficial insect populations. Prior knowledge of the harmful effects of insecticides on parasitoids is essential to IPM planning and the success of the biocontrol component in such a programme. Timing of augmentative releases to coincide with the phenology of citrus and the mealybug pest is also considered important for the successful establishment and control. Consequently, field trials were conducted to compare efficacy of early vs. late releases of Anagyrus vladimiri (Triapitsyn), an effective parasitoid of the citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso). Semi-field bioassays were conducted concurrently to determine the impact of various thripicides on A. vladimiri. The impact of sulfoxaflor, spinetoram, spirotetramat and prothiofos were rated harmless, as A. vladimiri mortality was lower than 25% after coming into contact with aged residues between 7 and 14 days old. October and November releases of A. vladimiri resulted in early parasitism and lowered peak-infestation of mealybug. January releases are possibly too late in grapefruit and lemon, open field, orchards, considering parasitism by A. vladimiri peaked in February. In mandarin orchards under net, percentage parasitism of 3rd instar mealybug increased a month later. Notably, at harvest, the difference in efficacy between treatments was not clear. This could be explained by high levels of natural parasitism observed in the treated and untreated orchards, which emphasises the importance of conservation biocontrol. In a second season, the proportion of hyperparasitoids captured (61%) from samples of mealybug-infested fruit was larger than the proportion of primary parasitoids, Anagyrus vladimiri, Coccidoxenoides perminutus (Girault) and Leptomastix dactylopii (Howard) (39%), which was far lower than the captures of eclosing primary parasitoids the previous season, which was 60%. The new discovery of Pseudaphycus sp. in citrus orchards in South Africa could be a key in explaining the uncontrollable levels of mealybug experienced and has drawn attention to a need for further understanding of ecological factors that influence biological control in citrus. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2024
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mommsen, Wayne Trevor
- Date: 2024-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434952 , vital:73118
- Description: In May 2019, South Korean inspectors rejected numerous grapefruit consignments from Letsitele, Hoedspruit and Onderberg in South Arica, because of live mealybug found on fruit. Growers expressed deep concern as mealybug management to a phytosanitary level was almost unattainable. Regular spray interventions for control of citrus black spot fungus, Phyllosticta citricarpa, and citrus thrips, Scirtothrips aurantii, cause repercussions in mealybug populations because they undermine the naturally occurring biocontrol complex. As part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy, release of commercially produced parasitoids is common practice, to augment the naturally occurring beneficial insect populations. Prior knowledge of the harmful effects of insecticides on parasitoids is essential to IPM planning and the success of the biocontrol component in such a programme. Timing of augmentative releases to coincide with the phenology of citrus and the mealybug pest is also considered important for the successful establishment and control. Consequently, field trials were conducted to compare efficacy of early vs. late releases of Anagyrus vladimiri (Triapitsyn), an effective parasitoid of the citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso). Semi-field bioassays were conducted concurrently to determine the impact of various thripicides on A. vladimiri. The impact of sulfoxaflor, spinetoram, spirotetramat and prothiofos were rated harmless, as A. vladimiri mortality was lower than 25% after coming into contact with aged residues between 7 and 14 days old. October and November releases of A. vladimiri resulted in early parasitism and lowered peak-infestation of mealybug. January releases are possibly too late in grapefruit and lemon, open field, orchards, considering parasitism by A. vladimiri peaked in February. In mandarin orchards under net, percentage parasitism of 3rd instar mealybug increased a month later. Notably, at harvest, the difference in efficacy between treatments was not clear. This could be explained by high levels of natural parasitism observed in the treated and untreated orchards, which emphasises the importance of conservation biocontrol. In a second season, the proportion of hyperparasitoids captured (61%) from samples of mealybug-infested fruit was larger than the proportion of primary parasitoids, Anagyrus vladimiri, Coccidoxenoides perminutus (Girault) and Leptomastix dactylopii (Howard) (39%), which was far lower than the captures of eclosing primary parasitoids the previous season, which was 60%. The new discovery of Pseudaphycus sp. in citrus orchards in South Africa could be a key in explaining the uncontrollable levels of mealybug experienced and has drawn attention to a need for further understanding of ecological factors that influence biological control in citrus. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2024
- Full Text:
Paul and the soul: an analysis of the Apostle’s anthropology
- Authors: Pluke, Dylan Hay
- Date: 2024-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/435506 , vital:73164
- Description: It may be no exaggeration to say that every aspect of the Apostle Paul’s thought is debated. This is certainly the case for his anthropology, which is to say his beliefs regarding the nature of the human person. There is intense debate concerning what Paul believed about the human person. This is especially so when arguing about whether or not Paul believed in a human soul. In the thesis that follows, I use a linguistic analysis of Paul’s writings as well as those of two of his putative backgrounds, to determine what he believed regarding the nature of the human soul. The results of this analysis are that, of the potential backgrounds that may have influenced the Apostle, the Jewish background into which he was born is the most pertinent, and that neither of the two words that Paul uses mean soul, in the sense of something which is immaterial and survives death. Rather, the psyche refers to one’s life, and the pneuma to the part of the person that connects one with God and which will replace the psyche and animate the person in the new age to come. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Languages and Literatures, 2024
- Full Text:
- Authors: Pluke, Dylan Hay
- Date: 2024-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/435506 , vital:73164
- Description: It may be no exaggeration to say that every aspect of the Apostle Paul’s thought is debated. This is certainly the case for his anthropology, which is to say his beliefs regarding the nature of the human person. There is intense debate concerning what Paul believed about the human person. This is especially so when arguing about whether or not Paul believed in a human soul. In the thesis that follows, I use a linguistic analysis of Paul’s writings as well as those of two of his putative backgrounds, to determine what he believed regarding the nature of the human soul. The results of this analysis are that, of the potential backgrounds that may have influenced the Apostle, the Jewish background into which he was born is the most pertinent, and that neither of the two words that Paul uses mean soul, in the sense of something which is immaterial and survives death. Rather, the psyche refers to one’s life, and the pneuma to the part of the person that connects one with God and which will replace the psyche and animate the person in the new age to come. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Languages and Literatures, 2024
- Full Text:
Towards an artificial intelligence-based agent for characterising the organisation of primes
- Authors: Oyetunji, Nicole Armlade
- Date: 2024-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/435389 , vital:73153
- Description: Machine learning has experienced significant growth in recent decades, driven by advancements in computational power and data storage. One of the applications of machine learning is in the field of number theory. Prime numbers hold significant importance in mathematics and its applications, for example in cryptography, owing to their distinct properties. Therefore, it is crucial to efficiently obtain the complete list of primes below a given threshold, with low relatively computational cost. This study extensively explores a deterministic scheme, proposed by Hawing and Okouma (2016), that is centered around Consecutive Composite Odd Numbers, showing the link between these numbers and prime numbers by examining their internal structure. The main objective of this dissertation is to develop two main artificial intelligence agents capable of learning and recognizing patterns within a list of consecutive composite odd numbers. To achieve this, the mathematical foundations of the deterministic scheme are used to generate a dataset of consecutive composite odd numbers. This dataset is further transformed into a dataset of differences to simplify the prediction problem. A literature review is conducted which encompasses research from the domains of machine learning and deep learning. Two main machine learning algorithms are implemented along with their variations, Long Short-Term Memory Networks and Error Correction Neural Networks. These models are trained independently on two separate but related datasets, the dataset of consecutive composite odd numbers and the dataset of differences between those numbers. The evaluation of these models includes relevant metrics, for example, Root Mean Square Error, Mean Absolute Percentage Error, Theil U coefficient, and Directional Accuracy. Through a comparative analysis, the study identifies the top-performing 3 models, with a particular emphasis on accuracy and computational efficiency. The results indicate that the LSTM model, when trained on difference data and coupled with exponential smoothing, displays superior performance as the most accurate model overall. It achieves a RMSE of 0.08, which significantly outperforms the dataset’s standard deviation of 0.42. This model exceeds the performance of basic estimator models, implying that a data-driven approach utilizing machine learning techniques can provide valuable insights in the field of number theory. The second best model, the ECNN trained on difference data combined with exponential smoothing, achieves an RMSE of 0.28. However, it is worth mentioning that this model is the most computationally efficient, being 32 times faster than the LSTM model. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Mathematics, 2024
- Full Text:
- Authors: Oyetunji, Nicole Armlade
- Date: 2024-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/435389 , vital:73153
- Description: Machine learning has experienced significant growth in recent decades, driven by advancements in computational power and data storage. One of the applications of machine learning is in the field of number theory. Prime numbers hold significant importance in mathematics and its applications, for example in cryptography, owing to their distinct properties. Therefore, it is crucial to efficiently obtain the complete list of primes below a given threshold, with low relatively computational cost. This study extensively explores a deterministic scheme, proposed by Hawing and Okouma (2016), that is centered around Consecutive Composite Odd Numbers, showing the link between these numbers and prime numbers by examining their internal structure. The main objective of this dissertation is to develop two main artificial intelligence agents capable of learning and recognizing patterns within a list of consecutive composite odd numbers. To achieve this, the mathematical foundations of the deterministic scheme are used to generate a dataset of consecutive composite odd numbers. This dataset is further transformed into a dataset of differences to simplify the prediction problem. A literature review is conducted which encompasses research from the domains of machine learning and deep learning. Two main machine learning algorithms are implemented along with their variations, Long Short-Term Memory Networks and Error Correction Neural Networks. These models are trained independently on two separate but related datasets, the dataset of consecutive composite odd numbers and the dataset of differences between those numbers. The evaluation of these models includes relevant metrics, for example, Root Mean Square Error, Mean Absolute Percentage Error, Theil U coefficient, and Directional Accuracy. Through a comparative analysis, the study identifies the top-performing 3 models, with a particular emphasis on accuracy and computational efficiency. The results indicate that the LSTM model, when trained on difference data and coupled with exponential smoothing, displays superior performance as the most accurate model overall. It achieves a RMSE of 0.08, which significantly outperforms the dataset’s standard deviation of 0.42. This model exceeds the performance of basic estimator models, implying that a data-driven approach utilizing machine learning techniques can provide valuable insights in the field of number theory. The second best model, the ECNN trained on difference data combined with exponential smoothing, achieves an RMSE of 0.28. However, it is worth mentioning that this model is the most computationally efficient, being 32 times faster than the LSTM model. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Mathematics, 2024
- Full Text:
Capital mobility and economic growth in South Africa
- Authors: Dhlamini, Nonceba Michelle
- Date: 2024-04-03
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434712 , vital:73098
- Description: The South African current account balance has been deteriorating over the years. An investigation of the correlation between capital mobility and economic growth is of interest as South Africa is heavily reliant on capital inflows to finance the current account deficit. This research topic is of importance as there is need to devise policies that maximise the benefits the nation derives from capital mobility. The benefits that capital flows provide economies, theoretically outweigh the disadvantages, provided that capital flows are absorbed productively. The topic is also of interest in the light of the magnitude of shocks to the South African economy such as the rand crisis, dotcom bubble, stock market bubble, inflation targeting, commodity super cycle, global financial crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic and Russo-Ukrainian War, as these shocks have translated to slower economic growth and higher levels of inflation. These shocks have equally revealed that countries need to have sound macroeconomic policies in order to survive the impact of any crises. The vision 2030 secretariat has identified capital markets as the key providers of capital required for achieving social economic blueprint. The empirical evidence locally is limited in comparison to the empirical evidence from outside of South Africa. This topic is of importance as South African studies on this topic are not as recent and this study aims to bridge that gap. Data were obtained from the South African Reserve Bank Quarterly Bulletin and the World Bank database for the period 1990 to 2022. The Autoregressive Distribution Lag model was employed in order to determine the relationship. This study relied on the supply-leading theory which posits capital markets may positively or negatively affect key indicators of economic growth. The study found that there is a positive long run relationship between net capital flows, saving-investment ratio and economic growth and a negative long run relationship between the degree of trade openness and economic growth. The findings will allow opportunity to address capital flow surges and in turn boost investor confidence. Capital flow management measures can help manage destabilizing exchange rate movements and capital flows coupled with macroprudential tools helping reduce the domestic buildup of vulnerabilities. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2024
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dhlamini, Nonceba Michelle
- Date: 2024-04-03
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434712 , vital:73098
- Description: The South African current account balance has been deteriorating over the years. An investigation of the correlation between capital mobility and economic growth is of interest as South Africa is heavily reliant on capital inflows to finance the current account deficit. This research topic is of importance as there is need to devise policies that maximise the benefits the nation derives from capital mobility. The benefits that capital flows provide economies, theoretically outweigh the disadvantages, provided that capital flows are absorbed productively. The topic is also of interest in the light of the magnitude of shocks to the South African economy such as the rand crisis, dotcom bubble, stock market bubble, inflation targeting, commodity super cycle, global financial crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic and Russo-Ukrainian War, as these shocks have translated to slower economic growth and higher levels of inflation. These shocks have equally revealed that countries need to have sound macroeconomic policies in order to survive the impact of any crises. The vision 2030 secretariat has identified capital markets as the key providers of capital required for achieving social economic blueprint. The empirical evidence locally is limited in comparison to the empirical evidence from outside of South Africa. This topic is of importance as South African studies on this topic are not as recent and this study aims to bridge that gap. Data were obtained from the South African Reserve Bank Quarterly Bulletin and the World Bank database for the period 1990 to 2022. The Autoregressive Distribution Lag model was employed in order to determine the relationship. This study relied on the supply-leading theory which posits capital markets may positively or negatively affect key indicators of economic growth. The study found that there is a positive long run relationship between net capital flows, saving-investment ratio and economic growth and a negative long run relationship between the degree of trade openness and economic growth. The findings will allow opportunity to address capital flow surges and in turn boost investor confidence. Capital flow management measures can help manage destabilizing exchange rate movements and capital flows coupled with macroprudential tools helping reduce the domestic buildup of vulnerabilities. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2024
- Full Text:
Effects of household debt on economic growth in South Africa
- Authors: Bwalya, Rachael Mulenga
- Date: 2024-04-03
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434766 , vital:73103
- Description: South Africa’s household debt relative to GDP has risen rapidly over the past decade. There is concern that high levels of household debt may decrease spending in the future and hence in the long run slow down economic growth. Thus, this study investigates the impact of household debt on growth in South Africa from 1987Q3 to 2022Q1. The research draws upon first-generation theories which include the absolute income hypothesis, life cycle hypothesis, and permanent income hypothesis, and second-generation theories which include the neo-Kaleckian model, the Super multiplier model, and the Steindl model. The impact of this relationship is assessed using a Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model, with a Toda-Yamamoto modification for some regressions. It is discovered that household debt has a positive short-term influence on economic growth, however, the influence is weak, and it decreases in the long run. Types of household debt such as credit card debt have shown to have a positive and strong influence on economic growth in South Africa from the short run to the long run, however, mortgage debt has shown weak positive influence on economic growth from the short 105 run to the long run. The study found that the growth maximizing ratios for household debt to 106 GDP ratio is 70 percent. The growth maximising credit card debt level is ZAR 72 403, in nominal terms and for mortgage debt is ZAR 5 980 000. The findings are expected to assist policymakers such as central banks and government authorities in formulating relevant policies to ensure economic sustainability through macro-prudential policy and strategies for household debt management. , Thesis (MEcon) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2024
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bwalya, Rachael Mulenga
- Date: 2024-04-03
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434766 , vital:73103
- Description: South Africa’s household debt relative to GDP has risen rapidly over the past decade. There is concern that high levels of household debt may decrease spending in the future and hence in the long run slow down economic growth. Thus, this study investigates the impact of household debt on growth in South Africa from 1987Q3 to 2022Q1. The research draws upon first-generation theories which include the absolute income hypothesis, life cycle hypothesis, and permanent income hypothesis, and second-generation theories which include the neo-Kaleckian model, the Super multiplier model, and the Steindl model. The impact of this relationship is assessed using a Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model, with a Toda-Yamamoto modification for some regressions. It is discovered that household debt has a positive short-term influence on economic growth, however, the influence is weak, and it decreases in the long run. Types of household debt such as credit card debt have shown to have a positive and strong influence on economic growth in South Africa from the short run to the long run, however, mortgage debt has shown weak positive influence on economic growth from the short 105 run to the long run. The study found that the growth maximizing ratios for household debt to 106 GDP ratio is 70 percent. The growth maximising credit card debt level is ZAR 72 403, in nominal terms and for mortgage debt is ZAR 5 980 000. The findings are expected to assist policymakers such as central banks and government authorities in formulating relevant policies to ensure economic sustainability through macro-prudential policy and strategies for household debt management. , Thesis (MEcon) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2024
- Full Text:
Short Composition Portfolio
- Authors: Mavuso, Bonelela Lindelani
- Date: 2024-04-03
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434778 , vital:73104
- Description: Short Composition Portfolio (60% performance/40%short-compositionportfolio). , Thesis (MMus) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2024
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mavuso, Bonelela Lindelani
- Date: 2024-04-03
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434778 , vital:73104
- Description: Short Composition Portfolio (60% performance/40%short-compositionportfolio). , Thesis (MMus) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2024
- Full Text:
The relationship between Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) and Corporate Financial Performance (CFP)
- Authors: Bendeman, Justin John
- Date: 2024-04-03
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434701 , vital:73097
- Description: Restricted access. Expected release date 2025. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2024
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bendeman, Justin John
- Date: 2024-04-03
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434701 , vital:73097
- Description: Restricted access. Expected release date 2025. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2024
- Full Text:
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