Perceptions of organisational commitment within a selected Chinese organisation in South Africa: a case study approach
- Authors: Paterson, Steven James
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Organizational commitment -- South Africa , Personnel management -- South Africa , Employee motivation -- South Africa , International business enterprises -- South Africa , China -- Foreign economic relations -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1201 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013094
- Description: Chinese organisations are benefiting from increasing support from the Chinese government to enter into Africa. It is believed that over 2 000 Chinese organisations are operational in Africa, contributing greatly to employment within the continent. Despite the importance of Chinese organisations and their operations in Africa, very little research has been done on individual and organisational issues in Chinese organisations operating in Africa, and more specifically the local employees' organisational commitment to such organisations. The organisational commitment of South African employees within Chinese organisations in South Africa is important as it promotes the success of Chinese business, which may promote further investment into the country, as well as the use of local human resources. The primary aim of this research was therefore to conduct a literature and empirical study into the levels of and factors influencing the organisational commitment of South African employees in a selected Chinese organisation in South Africa. For the purposes of this study, a single case study approach, located within the phenomenological research paradigm, was used. A large multinational Chinese organisation with operations in South Africa agreed to participate in this study. The research made use of a descriptive case study design. To give effect to the primary aim of the study, three research objectives were identified. Firstly, to identify and describe key factors influencing local employee commitment. Secondly, to identify and describe current commitment levels amongst local employees, and lastly, to propose recommendations to improve local employee commitment and its implications for the appropriate management of human resources within the Chinese organisation. Data were collected by means of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 20 participating employees at four organisational branches across South Africa. Moreover, although the interview transcripts were the primary source of data, the collection process was enriched with the use of organisational and participant observations. The findings of this research revealed ten factors which are perceived to influence the commitment of South African employees within the organisation, namely: Open communication, Leadership, Supervisory support, Opportunities for training and development, Compensation, Job security, Promotional opportunities, Shared values, Recognition and Trust. Certain issues were raised by the participants during the in-depth interviews, most notably the limited opportunities for training, development and promotion, as well as issues regarding the perceived limited compensation received from the organisation. Despite these issues, the general findings relating to the levels of commitment in the organisation were positive for the organisation under study, with the majority of the participants being perceived to demonstrate high levels of affective, normative and continuance commitment.
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Petrography, geochemistry and origin of atypical sedimentary-igneous contact relationships at the base of the Hotazel Formation around Middelplaats, Northern Cape Province, RSA
- Authors: Terracin, Matthew Theodore
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Petrology -- South Africa , Geochemistry -- South Africa , Igneous rocks -- South Africa , Manganese ores -- South Africa , Manganese ores -- Geology -- South Africa , Metasomatism (Mineralogy) , Potassium
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5059 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012985
- Description: In the Middelplaats mine area of the Kalahari manganese field, two drill holes (MP53 and MP54) intersected anomalously high-grade manganese ore sitting stratigraphically just above an igneous body (likely a dike or sill). Manganese ore located within approximate 5 meters of the contact with the underlying igneous rocks has been substantially metasomatically upgraded from 25 percent manganese, to over 40 percent whilst the dominant manganese species within the ore has been altered to hausmannite. This report demonstrates the metasomatic alteration is related to devolatilization (removal and/or remobilization of H₂O, CO₂ and CaO) due to contact metamorphism caused by the underlying igneous rocks. The Middelplaats mine is situated in the southwest corner of the Kalahari manganese field where the paleo basin shallows out and ends. Within the mine area, several stratigraphic units pinch out or are truncated by the side of the basin. This pinching out of lithological formations has led to the underlying Ongeluk Formation being in contact with the much younger units of the Hotazel Formation. Therefore, geochemical investigation into the nature and source of the igneous rocks was also undertaken to see if the rocks from the two drill holes were related to one another and/or the underlying Ongeluk Formation. Results of these geochemical studies have demonstrated that the Middelplaats igneous rocks (dolerites) from the two drill holes (MP53 and MP54) share a co-genetic source region. There is also reasonable geochemical evidence that the source region of the Middelplaats igneous rocks was substantially similar to the source region of the Ongeluk Formation. This may indicate that the source region of the Ongeluk Formation was reactivated at some later stage resulting in the emplacement of doleritic dikes or sills in the Middelplaats mine area. The Middelplaats igneous rocks were also found to have undergone a slight but pervasive potassic alteration; with most of the original plagioclase feldspar showing some level of replacement by a potassium enriched feldspar. Although no source for this potassic fluid was found, the devolatilization reaction within the manganese ore appears to have released some potassium into the surrounding rocks. This additional potassium may be responsible for some localized potassic alteration.
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Petrological, mineralogical and geochemical studies of Zhongchang and Yantiangou ultramafic intrusions from the Panxi region, Sichuan Province, S-W China. Metallogenic and Exploration implications
- Authors: Malatji, Tsholofelo S
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Mineralogy -- China , Geochemistry -- China
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5057 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012951
- Description: The Emeishan Large Igneous Province is one of the largest igneous provinces in the world. It is marked by basaltic extrusives that vary in Ti amount, classified as high Ti and low Ti. Several mafic to ultramafic intrusions occur in the province as well as granitic intrusions. The mafic-ultramafic intrusions are associated with mineralization; large layered utlramafic intrusions bearing Fe-Ti-V mineralization, while small dyke like or sill like intrusions contain Cu-Ni-PGE mineralization. The Zhongchang and Yantiangou mafic- ultramafic intrusions are small such intrusions bearing Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization. The deposits show a lot of similarities in source magma, evolution and mineralization. Parental magma for both deposits show alkaline tendencies, and a high Mg # indicative of primitive magma that underwent little crustal contamination. Mantle range Cu/Pd ratios show parental magma fertile in chalcophile elements and both deposits proceed to show depleted mantle normalized values as a result of sulphide saturation and subsequent mineralization. Mineralization in Zhongchang is hosted at the contact between peridotite and pyroxenite, interstitial to olivine and clinopyroxene. Alteration minerals include epidote and chlorite. High Cu/Pd ratios suggest earlier sulphide saturation and removal of a PGE sulphide, and a second sulphide saturation phase resulted in Ni-Cu mineralization. Mineralization in Yantiangou is hosted in biotite effectively following fractionation of olivine and clinopyroxene after which sulphide saturation occurred, precipitating sulphide minerals in biotite. Pyrite and millerite occur as a result of late stage hydrothermal alteration. Cu/Pd ratios are high indicating prior sulphide saturation occurred where PGE partitioned into sulphides. Ni/MgO ratios observed for both deposits indicate a state of sulphide under saturation where PGE partitioned into tellurides and bismurthinides and Ni into olivine. Average tenors for mineralized units are; Zhongchang at 5%Ni, 9% Cu, 4300ppb Pt and 2000ppb Pd, and Yantiangou having relatively lower tenors at 3.2%Ni, 6.5% Cu, 3000ppb Pt and 1300 ppb Pd.
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Platinum share prices and the Marikana tragedy: an event study
- Authors: Sunga, Tapuwa Terence
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Marikana (Rustenburg, South Africa) , Massacres -- South Africa -- Rustenburg , Stocks -- Prices -- South Africa , Stocks -- Prices -- Mathematical models
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1094 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013002
- Description: An event study is an economic tool of analysis that has begun to gain popularity in recent empirical literature. It is a technique that gives a researcher the opportunity to map out the reaction of a firm's stock to an event, usually making use of daily or monthly data. However, up to this point, event study methodology has generally been applied to more traditional phenomena capable of affecting equity value, such as dividend and macroeconomic policy announcements, and there have only been a few exceptions to this. This study looks at what impact the tragic shootings at Lonmin mine in Marikana on August 16th 2012 had on the share prices of platinum mining firms based in South Africa using event study methodology. It makes use of the technique to investigate how the share prices responded to the tragedy over a number of trading days, including the day of the shootings. To be best of our knowledge, no attempt has been made to analyse the impact on share prices using events of this nature. For the investigation, daily returns data was used for each firm. The abnormal returns and cumulative abnormal returns to each were then calculated and compared with their respective expected returns in order to determine whether investors in the shares of that particular firm reacted positively, negatively or not at all. The evidence found suggests that tragedies of this nature are capable of influencing share prices in the same manner as more traditional economic phenomena. Overall, only one firm was found to have been negatively affected by the shootings in a persistent manner, while the shares of the other firms examined reacted in a manner that was positive overall, but varied according to individual firm characteristics such as size. These finding conformed to our a priori expectations. In addition, the results also confirm the benefits of applying event study methodology to a wide variety of phenomena that fall outside the boundaries usually associated with business.
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Political grey : areas of ambiguity and contradiction
- Authors: Koekemoer, Carmen
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Politics in art , Art -- Political aspects -- South Africa , Leadership in art , Portraits, African , Portraits, European , Art and revolutions -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2492 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013136
- Description: This Master of Fine Arts submission, consisting of a thesis titled ‘Political Grey: Areas of Ambiguity and Contradiction’ accompanied by an exhibition titled ‘Positions’, encompasses the concept of leadership while uncovering and expressing its ‘grey areas’ in a contemporary and undefined moment in South Africa. The concept of leadership has been complicated throughout the thesis in terms of how it is conceptualised in a traditional royal African art context as well as how Leader-Figures have been and are portrayed in both Western and African portrait genres. The notion that the new is built upon the old is continued throughout my thesis and is evident in the accompanying body of work. This notion is expressed on a number of levels: by the re-contextualisation of the print medium; the creative processes described as ‘postproduction’ which I use in my work; as well as that which is described as a ‘post-transitional’ moment. The recent political history of the country is considered, with reference made to the anti-apartheid movement and resistance art produced. Printmaking, viewed as an archetypal medium for resistance, is discussed, with reference made to its socio-political role during the 1980s as well as to the extent to which it continues to be used by contemporary artists in a different realm of conflict and change. This is demonstrated by the shift from the medium as a tool for protest to the medium as an instrument of political irony and pointed commentary.
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Political party institutionalization : a case study of Kenya
- Authors: Mutizwa-Mangiza, Shingai Price
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Kenya -- Politics and government , Political parties -- Kenya , Kenya -- History , Kenya -- Colonial influence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2881 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013258
- Description: This thesis explores the nature and extent of political party institutionalization in Kenya. More specifically, it focuses on the four dimensions of party institutionalization, namely organizational systemness, value-infusion, decisional autonomy and reification. The study itself is largely located within the historical-institutionalist school of thought, with particular emphasis on the path dependency strand of this theoretical framework. However, the study also employs a political economy approach. It recognizes that the development trajectory of party politics in Kenya did not evolve in a vacuum but within a particular historical-institutional and political-economic context. The thesis advances the notion that those current low levels of party institutionalization that are evident in almost all parties, and the relatively peripheral role that they have in Kenya's governance can be traced to Kenya's colonial and post-colonial political history, the resource poor environment and the onset of globalization.
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Predation by alien largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides Lacepéde 1802 (Centrarchidae: Perciformes), on indigenous marine fish species in the Kowie System, South Africa
- Authors: Magoro, Mandla Leon
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Largemouth bass -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Largemouth bass -- Food -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Estuarine fishes -- Predators of , Centrarchidae , Fishes -- Effect of human beings on
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5851 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011939 , Largemouth bass -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Largemouth bass -- Food -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Estuarine fishes -- Predators of , Centrarchidae , Fishes -- Effect of human beings on
- Description: Estuaries serve as nursery areas for a large number of estuary-associated fish species. Some of these taxa also use river catchments as nursery areas. During the upstream migration of this latter group, the juveniles are prone to predation by native and alien predatory fish inhabiting the system. The rate of invasion of ecosystems by alien organisms can be directly linked to anthropogenic influences, including both intentional and unintentional introductions by alien organisms into new regions. The largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, is a facultative piscivorous fish that has been successfully introduced worldwide for the main purpose of sport fishing. Where introduced, it has been found to negatively impact native fish and invertebrate species through predation, competitive exclusion and displacement of indigenous fish species. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the predatory impact of largemouth bass on the estuary-associated Cape moony Monodactylus falciformis, Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi and freshwater mullet Myxus capensis in the lower Kowie River of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A combination of approaches was employed during this study. Stomach contents, stable isotopes and fatty acid analyses were employed for the reconstruction of the diet of largemouth bass. Acoustic telemetry was used to elucidate largemouth bass movements, particularly their ability to enter the upper reaches of the Kowie Estuary. Stomach contents and stable isotopes analyses showed that M. salmoides exhibit an ontogenic shift in diet, with small and medium sized individuals consuming the higher proportion of fish prey, while large sized individuals mostly consumed invertebrates such as crabs (Potamonautes sidneyi) and Odonata larvae, while consuming only a small proportion of estuary-associated fish. Fatty acid analysis only showed a direct connection between the fatty acid profiles of largemouth bass and those of M. capensis and M. falciformis. The acoustic telemetry results indicated that some M. salmoides individuals periodically move into the upper reaches of the estuary following river flood events. The results obtained from all these approaches highlight the risk posed by largemouth bass introductions on indigenous fish species, particularly those that enter the areas occupied by these top predators.
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Prioritising native fish populations for conservation using genetics in the Groot Marico catchment, North West Province, South Africa
- Authors: Van der Walt, Kerry-Ann
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Native fishes Fishery management -- South Africa -- North West Fish populations Fishes -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69102 , vital:29390
- Description: The Groot Marico catchment in the North West Province is a National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Area (NFEPA) because it represents unique landscape features with unique biodiversity that are considered to be of special ecological significance. Three native freshwater species Amphilius uranoscopus, Chiloglanis pretoriae and Barbus motebensis, have high local conservation importance and B. motebensis is endemic to the catchment and is IUCN-listed as vulnerable. The main objective of this study is to contribute towards the effective conservation of these three species in the Groot Marico River system by assessing their genetic structure to determine whether tributary populations of the three species comprise of one genetic population or whether they are divided into genetically distinct subpopulations, in order to prioritise areas for conservation. The central null hypothesis was that there is no genetic differentiation between tributary populations (i.e., panmixia) of B. motebensis, A. uranoscopus and C. pretoriae in the Groot Marico catchment, North West Province. In total, 80 individuals per species were collected, targeting at least 10 individuals per population from a total of eight populations (seven tributaries and the Groot Marico main stem) and across the study area. Samples were collected by electrofishing and specimens were euthanized using an overdose of clove oil. A sample of muscle tissue was removed for genetic evaluation and the remainder of the specimens served as voucher specimens. For the genetic evaluation, mitochondrial (ND2, cyt b) and nuclear (S7) genes were used. Genetic techniques used were DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), purification and sequencing. From the 240 individuals collected, 123 sequences for B. motebensis, 111 sequences for A. uranoscopus and 103 sequences for C. pretoriae were analysed across all three genes. Statistical analysis included looking at cleaned sequences in order to obtain models using MODELTEST (version 3.06). Population structuring and phylogeographic analysis was performed in Arlequin (version 2000), TCS (version 1.2.1) and PAUP*. Results indicated that for B. motebensis the null hypothesis could be rejected as there were two distinct lineages (the Draai and Eastern lineages) that demonstrated significant divergence in both the ND2 and S7 genes, suggesting historical isolation. The low divergence in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (0% < D < 0.8%) suggests that this isolation is not very old and is probably not comparable to species level differentiation. The null hypothesis was also rejected for A. uranoscopus as there were also significant levels of differentiation between tributary populations resulting in the identification of two lineages (the Ribbok and Western lineages). However, for C. pretoriae, the null hypothesis could not be rejected as there was no genetic differentiation between tributary populations i.e., one panmictic population. Therefore, due to each species showing different genetic structuring within the tributary populations, more than one priority area for conservation needs to be implemented. These priority areas of conservation where therefore evaluated based on the current conservation status of the species (B. motebensis being vulnerable on the IUCN Red List), the number of Evolutionary Significant Units for each species and the overall genetic diversity of all three species in the Groot Marico catchment. In total, four tributary populations were conservation priorities areas, these were the Draai, Vanstraatens, Ribbok and Kaaloog tributaries. The Draai, Vanstraatens and Kaaloog tributaries were selected as priority areas for B. motebensis (B. motebensis is considered to be the most vulnerable of all three species). The Draai tributary was selected due to the B. motebensis population within the tributary showing isolation from the rest of the tributary populations. In order to conserve B. motebensis from the Southern lineage, the Vanstraatens and Kaaloog tributaries were selected. Reasons for selecting these two specific tributaries within the Southern lineage were that the Vanstraatens tributary had unique alleles (three Evolutionary Significant Units) for B. motebensis and the Kaaloog tributary had high genetic diversity (HD = 0.889, ND2 gene) when compared to the other tributary populations. The Ribbok and Vanstraatens tributaries were selected as priority areas for the conservation of A. uranoscopus. The Ribbok tributary was selected as it showed isolation from the rest of the tributary populations, as seen with the Draai tributary (B. motebensis) and the Vanstraatens tributary was selected to represent the Western lineage as it had the highest diversity for both genes (ND2 and S7). The Ribbok tributary has the highest prioritisation when compared to the Vanstraatens tributary. Chiloglanis pretoriae occurs within the Draai, Vanstraatens, Ribbok and Kaaloog tributaries, therefore by prioritising these tributaries for conservation, C. pretoriae will in turn be conserved.
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Prolegomena to ubuntu and any other future South African philosophy
- Authors: Prinsloo, Aidan Vivian
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Ubuntu (Philosophy) , Political science -- Philosophy , Philosophy, African , Social values -- South Africa , Social values -- South Africa -- Philosophy , Place (Philosophy)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2747 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013092
- Description: In this thesis I consider ubuntu as a metonym for the particularly African features of South African philosophy. Given that Mbembe critiques African philosophy in general as having failed because it has been subsumed under two unreflective political movements in African thought, I consider whether or not the concept of ubuntu escapes his critique. After developing criteria for measuring the success of any philosophical concept, I conclude that ubuntu is unsuccessful. I then identify the political constraints placed on ubuntu that lead to its failure. These constraints arise from having to validate Africa as a place of intellectual worth. Considering the role of place in these constraints, I argue that a far more productive approach to ubuntu (and South African philosophy in general) is to explicitly incorporate this place into our philosophical project. I use the conceptual framework developed by Bruce Janz to provide a systematic account of place that can be used in formulating South African philosophy. I add to Janz, arguing that philosophy is a response to a particular feature of place: the mystery. By incorporating place into ubuntu, I am able to start developing a philosophical concept which can fulfil the political constraints placed on ubuntu without sacrificing its philosophical integrity. I suggest that ubuntu remains an interesting concept primarily because it promises to respond to the fragmentation of the South African place. I conclude by arguing that ubuntu should be used as the basis for a civic religion which responds to the fragmentation of the South African place. This civic religion will give rise to a significantly distinct philosophical tradition which should not succumb to Mbembe’s critique.
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Psychiatric in-patients’ experiences of an art group : with a focus on the self
- Authors: Holtzhausen, Minnon
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Art therapy -- Case studies , Group psychotherapy -- Case studies , Cognitive therapy -- Case studies , Self-actualization (Psychology) , Self-perception , Mental illness -- Treatment , Psychotherapy patients -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3232 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013146
- Description: Aims: It is argued that one’s sense of self is threatened and eroded by mental illness. According to the narrative perspective, one’s personal life narrative is displaced and maintained by a story of illness. However, dialogical self theorists argue that mental illness limits the number of ‘I’ positions available within an individual, resulting in the positions/voices becoming rigid and being dominated by a singular, monological position. The aims of this qualitative study are to attempt to understand and examine psychiatric inpatients’ personal lived experiences of an art group. The goal of the study is to focus on the impact of the art-making process on these patients with regards to the construction of their sense of self. Design: A qualitative research design was used in the study. Method: Four psychiatric in-patient art group members – three male and one female, between the ages of 27 and 40 – were interviewed. A semi-structured interview schedule consisting of sixteen questions focusing on the interviewees’ experiences of the art group was used. The interviews were analysed using an interpretive phenomenological analysis. Results: Three superordinate themes emerged: What the Participants Gained From the Art Group, Sense of Community and Leaving a Mark, and The Experience of Self in the Art group. All three Superordinate themes fall within the participants’ experience of the art group. Conclusion: All four of the participants expressed positive feelings and enjoyment towards the art group. Participation in the art group provided the participants with a sense of pride, achievement and hope within their lives. As a result of participation on the art group, one of the four participants was able to construct a thin alternative experience and sense of self.
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Purification and characterization of TbHsp70.c, a novel Hsp70 from Trypanosoma brucei
- Authors: Burger, Adélle
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: African trypanosomiasis -- Research Heat shock proteins -- Research Trypanosoma brucei -- Research Mycobacterial diseases -- Research -- Africa Parasitic diseases -- Africa -- Prevention Parasites -- Physiology Developing countries -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4105 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011618
- Description: One of Africa’s neglected tropical diseases, African Trypanosomiasis, is not only fatal but also has a crippling impact on economic development. Heat shock proteins play a wide range of roles in the cell and they are required to assist the parasite as it moves from a cold blooded insect vector to a warm blooded mammalian host. The expression of heat shock proteins increases during these heat shock conditions, and this is considered to play a role in differentiation of these vector-borne parasites. Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is an important molecular chaperone that is involved in protein homeostasis, Hsp40 acts as a co-chaperone and stimulates its intrinsically weak ATPase activity. In silico analysis of the T. brucei genome has revealed the existence of 12 Hsp70 proteins and 65 Hsp40 proteins to date. A novel Hsp70, TbHsp70.c, was recently identified in T. brucei. Different from the prototypical Hsp70, TbHsp70.c contains an acidic substrate binding domain and lacks the C-terminal EEVD motif. By implication the substrate range and mechanism by which the substrates are recognized may be novel. The ability of a Type I Hsp40, Tbj2, to function as a co-chaperone of TbHsp70.c was investigated. The main objective of this study was to biochemically characterize TbHsp70.c and its partnership with Tbj2 to further enhance our knowledge of parasite biology. TbHsp70.c and Tbj2 were heterologously expressed and purified and both proteins displayed chaperone activities in their ability to suppress aggregation of thermolabile MDH. TbHsp70.c also suppressed aggregation of rhodanese. ATPase assays revealed that the ATPase activity of TbHsp70.c was stimulated by Tbj2. The targeted inhibition of the function of heat shock proteins is emerging as a tool to combat disease. The small molecule modulators quercetin and methylene blue are known to inhibit the ATPase activity of Hsp70. However, methylene blue did not significantly inhibit the ATPase activity of TbHsp70.c; while quercetin, did inhibit the ATPase activity. In vivo heat stress experiments indicated an up-regulation of the expression levels of TbHsp70.c. RNA interference studies showed partial knockdown of TbHsp70.c with no detrimental effect on the parasite. Fluorescence microscopy studies of TbHsp70.c showed a probable cytoplasmic subcellular localization. In this study both TbHsp70.c and Tbj2 demonstrated chaperone activity and Tbj2 possibly functions as a co-chaperone of TbHsp70.c.
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Raising student teachers’awareness around issues of professional conduct : an action research project
- Authors: Chishimba, Felix Nkalamo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Teachers -- Training of , Teachers -- Professional ethics , Teachers -- Professional relationships
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2012 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016338
- Description: The teaching profession, like many other professions, has rules and regulations that guide the conduct of its members. Teachers and those who aspire to take up teaching are expected to conduct themselves and discharge their duties in an impeccably professional manner. However, there is concern especially among education authorities regarding unprofessional conduct of some of those employed in schools and colleges. This action research study is a response to this concern. Its goal was to explore issues of professional conduct as part of the induction process of new members entering the teaching profession, and to thereby develop a better understanding of how best to raise student teachers’ awareness around professional conduct issues. The study used a qualitative research framework located in the interpretive paradigm. Three theoretical frameworks informed the design and subsequent analysis of the findings, namely, Burn’s transformational leadership, Mezirow’s transformative learning and Kolb’s theory of experiential learning. Two cycles of workshops around issues of professional conduct were conducted over a period of four weeks with a sample of 40 pre-service student teachers: final year students enrolled in the college’s three year Diploma in Education programme, all members of a science education class. Data collection strategies used were semi-structured interviews, observation and the use of reflective journals, among others. Analysis of the data involved identification of emerging themes and patterns. Initial findings indicate that prior to the commencement of the cycles of action research, participants appeared to have a limited understanding around issues of professional conduct, but that this changed as they participated in the workshops. The data of the study suggest that further steps need to be taken to establish optimal ways of incorporating professional conduct issues into the college’s teaching curriculum.
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Reading clubs as a literacy intervention tool to develop English vocabulary amongst Grade 3 English second language learners at a school in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Tshuma, Sibhekinkosi Anna
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Literacy programs -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Group reading -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Children -- Books and reading -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Books and reading -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Second language acquisition Action research Social interaction -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1965 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011755
- Description: This study is part of a larger research programme that seeks to contribute towards an understanding of South Africa's complex literacy landscape and formulate strategies that may address these particularly in the Foundation Phase. It is a case study of one public primary school in Grahamstown where isiXhosa is used as a medium of instruction until Grade 3, after which the medium of instruction changes to English. This transition is not helped by the little reading that happens in the language at the FP. The learners under study are Grade 3 isiXhosa first language speakers, learning English as a First Additional Language (FAL) with limited exposure to the language. Through a qualitative participatory action research process, the study investigated the extent to which a reading club in general and a responsive reading programme in particular, might develop learners' English vocabulary at this particular school. The value of reading clubs as a vehicle for second language learning as well as the importance of considering learner needs in the development of the reading programme are key contributions this study makes. The study draws on social constructivism as a theoretical framework based on the principle that learning is a social acitvity. Vygotsky (1978) states that language learning (LL) takes place through interactions in meaningful events, rather that through isolated language activities. The process is seen as holistic, that is, each mode of language supoorts and enhances overall language development. Furthermore, LL develops in relation to the context in which it is used, that is, it develops according to the situation, the topic under discussion and the relationship betwwen participants. Language also develops through active engagement of the learners. The role of the teacher or a more competent other is then seen as that of a facilitator in a learning context in which learners are viewed as equally capable of contributing to their learning through learning from and with each other (Holt and Willard-Holt, 2000). Vygotsky's theory of social interaction has been influential in highlighting the important role of social and cultural contexts in extending children's learning. The preliminary results of this study point toward the importance of the learning environment, particularly an informal environment in second language development. The results also highlight the need for learners (a) to be provided with opportunities to engage with meaningful and authentic texts, (b) to be allowed to make their own book choices, (c) to participate in large group, small group and individual activities to enable them to engage with a variety of texts, and (d) to confront vocabulary in a variety of ways through multiple texts and genres.
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Redefining success : social justice and the ends of business
- Authors: Zorn, Gwendolyn Philippa
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Success Social justice Success in business Social responsibility of business Business ethics Corporate profits
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2745 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012061
- Description: Success in business is for the most part defined in financial terms and, because of this, business operations are almost entirely, if not entirely, directed to this end. The principle behind this rationale has been informed by the thought that the best contribution businesses can make to social justice is to focus on the bottom line. By appealing to enlightened self-interest and the high premium people place on freedom, neoliberal economists like Milton Friedman and Friedrich Hayek argue that maximising profits is necessarily socially responsible. And, moreover, that not to pursue this end is socially irresponsible. Social responsibility is the ultimate justification that thinkers such as Friedman and Hayek appeal to when claiming that the business of business is to maximise profit. Yet this position is internally inconsistent. The position is ultimately justified by what is socially just but this means that in fact social justice, and not profit-making, ought to be the end of business. I shall argue that taking this commitment seriously involves rejecting the idea that the aim of business is to maximise profits. This is not to say that businesses should not make profits, rather it implies that this feature is not what ultimately makes them successful. The central contribution of this project is to resolve the contradictions embedded in the traditional approach to business by arguing that the primary aim of business is the promotion of social justice. To this end success in business needs to be redefined so that it reflects the achievement of its ultimate ends and not simply its instrumental means (profit) to the realisation of these aims. We ought then to revise our fundamental assumptions about the structures and policies that are necessary for business to achieve its real end of social justice.
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Refugium : an exploration through landscapes of liminality
- Authors: Kaplan, Luke
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:20985 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5890
- Description: Loosely following a narrative form and structure, this thesis begins, in chapter one, by considering people who occupy a peripheral position in - or on the fringe of - society. In so doing, it analyses the dichotomy created between centre and periphery, the line between qualities or features that are set up as different or opposed. The chapter begins by contextualising my own engagement with the themes and narratives dealt with. It then looks at the representation and significance of historical and cultural characters such as the tramp and the wanderer, the medieval wildman and the outcast, the madman and the prophet, and relates this to some extent to my own narrative. The dichotomy between culture and nature is thus examined here. The paper then moves on, in chapter two, to examine concerns around landscape, and considers how we engage or separate ourselves from it. The theme of walking is examined closely from an experiential, phenomenological standpoint, especially as an activity which allows greater connection to, and engagement with, the landscape. The relationship between landscape, place, and identity is also explored, looking at how identity is interwoven with connection to place, and, broadly, what this might mean for displaced people. These discussions and ideas are then brought to bear again on my personal narrative. In chapter three I explore again the separation between dichotomous concepts as looked at in chapter one; I examine the separations between, and within, people, as well as between people and their environment. Here, however, the line of separation is explored not as an impermeable barrier, but as a liminal space of potential and possibility. With this in mind I look at sacred or liminal places within the landscape, as well as the idea of the sublime. I also consider the camera from this perspective, and finally present my own exhibition and body of work, reviewing it in the light of the narratives and themes explored through the thesis.
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Refusal and rupture as a postdramatic revolt : an analysis of selected South African contemporary devised performances with particular focus on works by First Physical Theatre Company and the Rhodes University Drama Department
- Authors: Haxton, Robert Peter
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Lehmann, Hans-Thies -- Postdramatisches Theater -- English , Rhodes University -- Department of Drama , First Physical Theatre Company , Experimental theater -- South Africa , Experimental theater -- History and criticism , Performance art -- South Africa , Performance art -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2163 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015671
- Description: This mini-thesis investigates the concepts of refusal and rupture as a postdramatic revolt and how these terms can be applied and read within the context of analysing contemporary devised performance in South Africa. The argument focuses on the efficacy of Hans-Thies Lehmann’s postdramatic terminology and the potential of its use in an appreciation of contemporary performance analysis. I investigate the potential in South African contemporary devised performance practice to challenge prevailing modes of traditional dramatic expectation in order to restore the experience of discovery and questioning in the spectator. This research is approached through a qualitative process which entails a reading and application of selected critical texts to the analysis with an application of Lehmann’s terminology. This reading/application is engaged in a dialogue with the interpretative and experiential aspects of selected South African devised performances with particular focus on four cross-disciplinary works selected for analysis. Chapter One functions as an introduction to the concept of postdramatic theatre and the application of the terms refusal and rupture as deconstructive keywords in the process of a devised performance. Chapter Two is an analysis of several South African contemporary performances with particular focus on Body of Evidence (2009) by Siwela Sonke Dance Company, Wreckage (2011) a collaboration by Ubom! Eastern Cape Drama Company and First Physical Theatre Company, Discharge (2012) by First Physical Theatre Company, and Drifting (2013) by The Rhodes University Drama Department. This mini-thesis concludes with the idea that with an understanding of refusal and rupture in a postdramatic revolt, contemporary devised performance achieves an awakening in its spectators by deconstructing the expectation of understanding and the need for resolve; the assumption and need for traditional dramatic structures and rules are challenged. Instead, it awakes an experience of discovery and questioning.
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Regional connectivity, differentiation and biogeography of three species of the genus Lutjanus in the western Indian Ocean
- Authors: Morallana, Jonas Moqebelo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Lutjanus -- Indian Ocean , Biogeography -- Indian Ocean , Phylogeography -- Indian Ocean , Lutjanus -- Geographical distribution , Lutjanus -- Variation , Mitochondrial DNA , Animal genetics , Variation (Biology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5369 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013293
- Description: Snappers of the genus Lutjanus are small to large predatory fishes occurring in inshore circumtropical and subtropical waters throughout the world. These fishes support fisheries across their distribution range. Within the Western Indian Ocean (WIO), previous studies on Lutjanus kasmira revealed limited spatial genetic differentiation, whereas Lutjanus fulviflamma showed high genetic connectivity. The phylogenetic relationships among WIO snappers are unknown. Previous studies in the Indo-Pacific (IP) did not include any WIO representatives. This study examined (1) the phylogeographic patterns in Lutjanus bohar, L. fulviflamma and L. lutjanus to understand the origins and factors influencing the distribution of diversity in the region, (2) how the physical environment, biological, and ecological factors influence genetic diversity, (3) the placement of WIO snappers in context to those from the IP, as well as the placement of taxa not included previously, (4) extent of differentiation among conspecifics from the two regions, and (5) the relationship of the Caesionidae to the Lutjanidae. Samples were sourced from across the WIO and from peripheral localities, where possible. DNA sequence data were generated from two mitochondrial gene regions (cyt-b and NADH-2) and a nuclear gene region (S7 intron 1). Data were analysed under a phylogeographic framework to examine genetic structure, diversity and differentiation among identified regions for each of the three species. Other sequence data were generated from two mitochondrial gene regions (COII and 16S rDNA) to examine the phylogenetic placement of WIO snappers in context of the IP snappers and the relationship of the Caesionidae to the Lutjanidae. Lutjanus bohar and L. fulviflamma displayed high genetic diversity, but lower diversities were observed for L. lutjanus. Genetic differentiation was observed between Mozambique and Maldives in L. bohar. Lutjanus fulviflamma was differentiated in South Africa, Mozambique, Mauritius and Thailand, while differentiation was observed between Kenya and Tanzania in Lutjanus lutjanus. Overall, low genetic differentiation and high connectivity were observed for each of the three species. This differentiation may result from intrinsic features of the species and extrinsic features of the environment, whereas the connectivity is mainly influenced by the pelagic larval duration. These patterns of differentiation are in accordance with a proposed vicariant biogeographic hypothesis for the origins of regional faunas of the IP. Phylogenies were similar to those published, with additional taxa not altering the previous groupings found. Conspecifics from the two regions clustered together, with varying degrees of differentiation among the WIO and IP, depending on the species. Members of the Caesionidae were nested within Lutjanidae, suggesting that morphological characters separating the two families are taxonomically insignificant. This affirms previous notions that the Caesionidae should be a subfamily within the Lutjanidae. This is the first multi-gene study, examining differentiation in multiple species of snapper over a wide geographic area in the WIO, and the results of this study could have potential implications for fisheries management and conservation.
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Rehab is for quitters
- Authors: Maharaj, Keshav
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) Short stories, South African (English) -- 21st century South African fiction (English) -- 21st century English language -- Writing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5972 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011901
- Description: My collection has the common theme of addiction: addictive personalities strung across the pages. Not only the usual addictions such as the daily-ritualized beer or joint, but also the pain of addiction to anti-social habits, pathologies, forbidden love, etc. I try to capture the behavior and life that surrounds addictions too: relationships, rehab, criminal behavior, all sorts of abuse, etc. Some of the stories are heavy-handed, slapping the reader in the face, some are subtler. Some are told with lightness and humor, some with gravity.
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Relative contribution of wild foods to individual and household food security in the context of increasing vulnerability due to HIV/AIDS and climate variability
- Authors: Abu-Basutu, Keitometsi Ngulube
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Wild foods -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa , Food supply -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Chronically ill -- South Africa -- Economic conditions , Chronically ill -- South Africa -- Social conditions , Food -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Food -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4774 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1010864 , Wild foods -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa , Food supply -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Chronically ill -- South Africa -- Economic conditions , Chronically ill -- South Africa -- Social conditions , Food -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Food -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Description: Wild foods are an integral component of the household food basket, yet their quantified contribution to food security relative to other sources in the context of HIV/AIDS, climate change and variability remains underexplored. This study was carried out in Willowvale and Lesseyton which are rural communities in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Willowvale is a relatively remote, medium-rainfall coastal community, while Lesseyton is a peri-urban low rainfall inland community. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect data from 78 HIV/AIDS afflicted households with 329 individuals and 87 non-afflicted households with 365 individuals in the two study sites. Households were visited quarterly over 12 months to assess food acquisition methods, dietary intake and quality, and levels of food security, and to determine strategies employed by households to cope with droughts. The wild foods investigated were wild meat, wild birds, wild fish, wild mushrooms, wild leafy vegetables and wild fruits. Diets were moderately well-balanced and limited in variety, with cereal items contributing 52 % to total calorie intake. Mid-upper arm circumference measurements showed that all respondents were adequately nourished. The bulk of the food consumed by households was purchased, with supplementation from own production, wild vegetables and wild fruits. In Willowvale, wild vegetables comprised 46 % of overall vegetable consumption for afflicted households and 32 % for non-afflicted households, while own fruit production comprised 100 % of fruit consumption. In Lesseyton, wild vegetables comprised only 6 % and 4 % of vegetable consumption for afflicted and non-afflicted households, while wild fruit comprised 63 % and 41 % for afflicted and non-afflicted households. More than 80 % of respondents from both afflicted and non-afflicted households had sufficient daily kilocalories, although the majority of afflicted households felt they were food insecure and sometimes collected wild foods as one of their multiple coping strategies. Hunting and gathering of wild foods was associated with site, household affliction status, gender, age and season. More than 80 % of respondents ate wild vegetables and said they were more drought tolerant than conventional vegetables, making them the most consumed wild food and approximately 16 % of respondents ate wild birds, making them the least consumed wild food. Approximately 14 % of respondents from afflicted households in Willowvale sold wild fish, whilst 34 % of respondents from afflicted households and 7 % from non-afflicted households sold wild fruits in Lesseyton. Strategies adopted by households to cope with droughts were different between the two study sites, and households in Willowvale used a wider range of strategies. Given the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS coupled with the drawbacks of climate change and variability on food security, wild foods represent a free and easy way for vulnerable households to obtain food.
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Resisting responsibilisation : a narrative-discursive analysis of young peoples' talk about high school sexualities and school sexuality education
- Authors: Graham, Nicola Susan Jearey
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Responsibility in adolescence , Language and sex -- South Africa , Teenagers -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa , Sex instruction -- South Africa , Sexual health -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Sexual ethics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3230 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013078
- Description: The most widespread intervention in South Africa into the sexualities of young people is school based sexuality education. However there is a dearth of research in this area, and studies that have been conducted highlight major weaknesses with implementation. Research from Western countries indicates that the messages conveyed in sexuality education are resisted if they conflict with the desired sexual subjectivities of young people. This indicates a need for further research into desired youth sexualities, and school based sexuality education. While South African studies of young people‘s talk about sexualities have been conducted, there is a paucity of literature in this area from a discursive perspective. This study is situated within a feminist post-structuralist paradigm, utilising a performative-performance analytical approach which synthesises Butlerian theory with a narrative-discursive methodology. This approach enables an analysis of both the macro-discursive power webs within which sexualities are situated, and the micro-discursive activity through which sexual subject positions are constructed. I used this approach to analyse the talk of groups of students from a Further Education and Training College about the sexualities of High School learners and their own past sexuality education. Findings showed that that the most dominant discursive resources which were utilised to construct sexualities were societal sexual norms discourses. These foundational discourses constructed gendered sexualities of compulsory hyper-heterosex for men, and compulsory compliant girlfriendhood for women. Such gendered sexualities reinforced patriarchal and abusive gendered and sexual practices. Ways in which participants troubled the dominant gendered sexualities through the performance of alternative sexual positions were analysed, as these 'troubling' performances indicate mutable aspects of the normative gendered field. Participants drew on a discourse of disconnect when talking about their school sexuality education, and their parents‘ (lack of) communication with them about sex. This suggests that adultist attempts to construct a 'responsible' sexual subject position for young people are resisted when such a position is constructed in a non-relational manner. Collusion between the constructed gendered sexualities and the discourse of disconnect results in the un-performability of a 'responsible' sexual subject position. These findings were used to provide suggestions for enhancing school based sexuality interventions.
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