The meaning of community: the viability of Public Sphere theory and Social Cohesion on social media groups: a reception study of the ‘Grahamstown’ Facebook Group
- Authors: Ferreira, Ettioné
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Digital media -- Social aspects , Facebook (Firm) , Social participation -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Public sphere -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Group identity -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Grahamstown Facebook Group
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114870 , vital:34043 , Digital media -- Social aspects , Facebook (Firm) , Social participation -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Public sphere -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Group identity -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Grahamstown Facebook Group
- Description: This study explores the meaning of community to Grahamstown’s online social media community, through a case study of the ‘Grahamstown’ Facebook group (GFG). The study explores the possibilities of social media as a public sphere and the way geographically-based social media sites might contribute to social cohesion in a community. The study explores what kinds of discussions take place on the GFG and why they are happening. It investigates whether these discussions can promote understanding and social solidarity, and whether useful deliberations are taking place, in some kind of approximation of a public sphere. Is this Group contributing to the wellbeing of the community, and how? Drawing on public sphere theory and various conceptions of the concept of social cohesion, the dissertation aims to find out how much of an impact the GFG has on Grahamstown/Makhanda inhabitants’ lives and sense of community. The study argues that with the advent of digital media, another ‘structural transformation’ in Habermasian terms, is underway, both empirically and theoretically. Through more than a dozen in-depth interviews combined with content analysis (via participant observation), the study finds that participation in and exposure to the GFG does lead, for many, to a sense of belonging and social cohesion as community members come together to act in relation to the state, local business and other institutions. The viability of ideas of highly localised (in time and space) ‘public sphericules’ as an alternative to broader more overarching concepts of a public sphere, is explored in this study. The study also suggests a typology of users, identifying the frequency, tone of voice and motives for participating on the GFG and attempts a periodisation of the GFG’s changing role in the community over the past decade.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Ferreira, Ettioné
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Digital media -- Social aspects , Facebook (Firm) , Social participation -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Public sphere -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Group identity -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Grahamstown Facebook Group
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114870 , vital:34043 , Digital media -- Social aspects , Facebook (Firm) , Social participation -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Public sphere -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Group identity -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Grahamstown Facebook Group
- Description: This study explores the meaning of community to Grahamstown’s online social media community, through a case study of the ‘Grahamstown’ Facebook group (GFG). The study explores the possibilities of social media as a public sphere and the way geographically-based social media sites might contribute to social cohesion in a community. The study explores what kinds of discussions take place on the GFG and why they are happening. It investigates whether these discussions can promote understanding and social solidarity, and whether useful deliberations are taking place, in some kind of approximation of a public sphere. Is this Group contributing to the wellbeing of the community, and how? Drawing on public sphere theory and various conceptions of the concept of social cohesion, the dissertation aims to find out how much of an impact the GFG has on Grahamstown/Makhanda inhabitants’ lives and sense of community. The study argues that with the advent of digital media, another ‘structural transformation’ in Habermasian terms, is underway, both empirically and theoretically. Through more than a dozen in-depth interviews combined with content analysis (via participant observation), the study finds that participation in and exposure to the GFG does lead, for many, to a sense of belonging and social cohesion as community members come together to act in relation to the state, local business and other institutions. The viability of ideas of highly localised (in time and space) ‘public sphericules’ as an alternative to broader more overarching concepts of a public sphere, is explored in this study. The study also suggests a typology of users, identifying the frequency, tone of voice and motives for participating on the GFG and attempts a periodisation of the GFG’s changing role in the community over the past decade.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The morphological and molecular variation of southern African Nannocharax (Characiformes: Distichodontidae), and its taxonomic implications
- Authors: Smith, Timothy
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Nannocharax -- Africa, Southern , Distichodontidae -- Africa, Southern , Freshwater fishes -- Africa, Southern , Nannocharax -- Genetics -- Africa, Southern , Distichodontidae -- Genetics -- Africa, Southern , Freshwater fishes -- Genetics -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69212 , vital:29446
- Description: Nannocharax is the most species rich genus in the family Distichodontidae, being currently represented by 41 species. The genus is widely distributed across much of sub-Saharan Africa, with a range extending from the Zambezi ichthyofaunal province in the south to the Nilo-Sudan ichthyofaunal province in the north. In southern Africa, the genus is currently represented by four species, Nannocharax dageti Jerep, Vari, & Vreven, 2014, N. machadoi (Poll, 1967), N. macropterus Pellegrin, 1926, and N. multifasciatus Boulenger, 1923. Each of these species exhibit considerable intraspecific pigmentation pattern variation across their respective distribution ranges, suggesting that the current taxonomy possibly underestimates the taxonomic diversity of Nannocharax species in southern Africa. Much pigmentation pattern variation within these southern African species has been observed by both collectors and scientists in the field, prompting an investigation into the extent of this morphological variation as well as what molecular variation may occur as well. The genus displays a high degree of morphological conservatisim, making it difficult to assign external morphological characters as diagnostic. To this end, this study was conducted to determine the extent of diversity of this genus in the region, employing an integrative approach with traditional morphological analysis techniques as well as sequencing the ‘barcoding gene’, cytochrome oxidase I, testing the hypothesis that there is a greater, hidden diversity of this genus in the region than currently recognised. This study aims to identify these potential lineages and accurately map their distributions. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference, using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene region. Massive genetic divergence was detected between populations of taxa previously considered to be singular, widely distributed species. The three approaches of phylogenetic inference used in this study yielded trees of comparable overall topology, with the exception of the maximum parsimony tree which indicated additional lineages within the southern African N. multifasciatus group. These analyses revealed four deeply divergent (1.3 – 12.3%) lineages within southern African N. macropterus, as well as two deeply divergent (0.4-14.6%) populations from the Congo ichthyofaunal region, the lineages here named “N. macropterus Congo 1” and “N. macropterus Congo 2”. Within the southern African region, two deeply divergent (10.3%) lineages of N. macropterus were identified from the Okavango River system, identified as “N. macropterus Okavango 2” lineage restricted to the Cuito-Canavale tributary, and “N. macropterus Okavango 1” distributed throughout the remainder of the Okavango system. “N. macropterus Okavango 2” shares a closer relationship with the unique lineage from the Kwanza ichthyofaunal region, named N. macropterus “Kwanza”, which itself is deeply divergent from the N. macropterus “Okavango 1”, N. macropterus “Zambezi”, N. macropterus “Congo 1” and N. macropterus “Congo 2” lineages (3.1-14.4%). Principal component analyses (PCA) and discriminant function analyses (DFA) produced overlapping clusters for all identified lineages, with the exception of the N. macropterus “Kwanza” lineage, which in all analyses clustered away from the other lineages. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Kruskall-Wallis tests indicated significant differences in means between character traits between lineages, however, overlap in measurements and counts occurred in all instances except between the N. macropterus “Kwanza” and N. macropterus Congo lineages. However the N. macropterus “Kwanza” lineages could be distinguished from the other lineages by generally smaller fin lengths (dorsal fin 19.5%SL vs 20.0-22.1%SL in others; pectoral fin 16.5%SL vs 20.6-21.8%SL in others; pelvic fin 18.3%SL vs 21.3-22.4) and pigmentation pattern differences. The N. macropterus species group displayed extensive pigmentation pattern variation, to the extent that five pattern grades could be used to classify them. These pattern grades, while not specific to river systems, showed patterns similar to that which was seen in the molecular analyses and could be linked to lineages with only minor overlap between them. Three lineages of N. multifasciatus were identified, with two occurring in the southern African region, each corresponding to a river system, being the N. multifasciatus “Zambezi” and N. multifasciatus “Okavango” lineages. This species group displayed shallower divergence between lineages than did the N. macropterus group, at 2.5% genetic distance. Genetic analysis inferred a closer relationship between the N. multifasciatus “Zambezi” and N. multifasciatus “Congo” lineages than with the N. multifasciatus “Okavango” lineage. Morphological PCA and DFA analyses indicated morphological divergence of the N. multifasciatus “Congo” lineage, with generally larger proportional measurements than southern African specimens (body width 12.6%SL vs 9.5-9.7%SL; body depth 26.6%SL vs 21.6-21.9%SL; head width 12.0%SL vs 10.0-10.4%SL). PCA, DFA, and measurements show a near complete overlap between the N. multifasciatus “Okavango” and N. multifasciatus “Zambezi” lineages. Pigmentation pattern variation occurred within this group, but none that could be assigned to a particular lineage. The N. machadoi species group in southern Africa consists of five lineages: N. machadoi “Zambezi 1”, N. machadoi “Zambezi 2”, N. machadoi “Kafue 1”, N. machadoi “Kafue 2”, and N. machadoi “Okavango”. This group displayed shallower genetic divergence between lineages than the other southern African Nannocharax species groups (0.4-1.3%). This shallow genetic divergence is paralleled by near complete morphological overlap, with PCA and DFA producing overlapping clusters, and measurements, meristics, and pigmentation pattern metrics consisting of very similar values for the lineages. These results indicate that what is considered to be “N. macropterus” in southern Africa should not be named as such. The N. macropterus “Zambezi” and the N. macropterus “Okavango 1” lineages, are misidentifications of Nannocharax dageti. Other “N. macropterus” from the southern African region possesses fewer circumpeduncular scales than the true N. macropterus as described by Pellegrin (1926), and require taxonomic re-evaluation, each here being recognised as a unique lineage with species status, here named N. macropterus “Okavango 2” and N. macropterus “Kwanza”. In particular, N. macropterus “Kwanza” displays deep genetic divergence as well as morphological dissimilarity with the other southern African “N. macropterus” groups. Nannocharax fasciolaris and N. monardi are here placed as junior synonyms of N. multifasciatus, owing to vast overlaps in measurements and character counts of these species and N. multifasciatus, which is also known to occur within the same geographical distribution, as well as dubious arguments from the original publications in delineating these species from N. multifasciatus. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence indicating the presence of multiple species originating from the Okavango system, where it is here indicated that only a single lineage of banded, adipose fin-bearing Nannocharax occurs, namely N. multifasciatus “Okavango”.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Smith, Timothy
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Nannocharax -- Africa, Southern , Distichodontidae -- Africa, Southern , Freshwater fishes -- Africa, Southern , Nannocharax -- Genetics -- Africa, Southern , Distichodontidae -- Genetics -- Africa, Southern , Freshwater fishes -- Genetics -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69212 , vital:29446
- Description: Nannocharax is the most species rich genus in the family Distichodontidae, being currently represented by 41 species. The genus is widely distributed across much of sub-Saharan Africa, with a range extending from the Zambezi ichthyofaunal province in the south to the Nilo-Sudan ichthyofaunal province in the north. In southern Africa, the genus is currently represented by four species, Nannocharax dageti Jerep, Vari, & Vreven, 2014, N. machadoi (Poll, 1967), N. macropterus Pellegrin, 1926, and N. multifasciatus Boulenger, 1923. Each of these species exhibit considerable intraspecific pigmentation pattern variation across their respective distribution ranges, suggesting that the current taxonomy possibly underestimates the taxonomic diversity of Nannocharax species in southern Africa. Much pigmentation pattern variation within these southern African species has been observed by both collectors and scientists in the field, prompting an investigation into the extent of this morphological variation as well as what molecular variation may occur as well. The genus displays a high degree of morphological conservatisim, making it difficult to assign external morphological characters as diagnostic. To this end, this study was conducted to determine the extent of diversity of this genus in the region, employing an integrative approach with traditional morphological analysis techniques as well as sequencing the ‘barcoding gene’, cytochrome oxidase I, testing the hypothesis that there is a greater, hidden diversity of this genus in the region than currently recognised. This study aims to identify these potential lineages and accurately map their distributions. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference, using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene region. Massive genetic divergence was detected between populations of taxa previously considered to be singular, widely distributed species. The three approaches of phylogenetic inference used in this study yielded trees of comparable overall topology, with the exception of the maximum parsimony tree which indicated additional lineages within the southern African N. multifasciatus group. These analyses revealed four deeply divergent (1.3 – 12.3%) lineages within southern African N. macropterus, as well as two deeply divergent (0.4-14.6%) populations from the Congo ichthyofaunal region, the lineages here named “N. macropterus Congo 1” and “N. macropterus Congo 2”. Within the southern African region, two deeply divergent (10.3%) lineages of N. macropterus were identified from the Okavango River system, identified as “N. macropterus Okavango 2” lineage restricted to the Cuito-Canavale tributary, and “N. macropterus Okavango 1” distributed throughout the remainder of the Okavango system. “N. macropterus Okavango 2” shares a closer relationship with the unique lineage from the Kwanza ichthyofaunal region, named N. macropterus “Kwanza”, which itself is deeply divergent from the N. macropterus “Okavango 1”, N. macropterus “Zambezi”, N. macropterus “Congo 1” and N. macropterus “Congo 2” lineages (3.1-14.4%). Principal component analyses (PCA) and discriminant function analyses (DFA) produced overlapping clusters for all identified lineages, with the exception of the N. macropterus “Kwanza” lineage, which in all analyses clustered away from the other lineages. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Kruskall-Wallis tests indicated significant differences in means between character traits between lineages, however, overlap in measurements and counts occurred in all instances except between the N. macropterus “Kwanza” and N. macropterus Congo lineages. However the N. macropterus “Kwanza” lineages could be distinguished from the other lineages by generally smaller fin lengths (dorsal fin 19.5%SL vs 20.0-22.1%SL in others; pectoral fin 16.5%SL vs 20.6-21.8%SL in others; pelvic fin 18.3%SL vs 21.3-22.4) and pigmentation pattern differences. The N. macropterus species group displayed extensive pigmentation pattern variation, to the extent that five pattern grades could be used to classify them. These pattern grades, while not specific to river systems, showed patterns similar to that which was seen in the molecular analyses and could be linked to lineages with only minor overlap between them. Three lineages of N. multifasciatus were identified, with two occurring in the southern African region, each corresponding to a river system, being the N. multifasciatus “Zambezi” and N. multifasciatus “Okavango” lineages. This species group displayed shallower divergence between lineages than did the N. macropterus group, at 2.5% genetic distance. Genetic analysis inferred a closer relationship between the N. multifasciatus “Zambezi” and N. multifasciatus “Congo” lineages than with the N. multifasciatus “Okavango” lineage. Morphological PCA and DFA analyses indicated morphological divergence of the N. multifasciatus “Congo” lineage, with generally larger proportional measurements than southern African specimens (body width 12.6%SL vs 9.5-9.7%SL; body depth 26.6%SL vs 21.6-21.9%SL; head width 12.0%SL vs 10.0-10.4%SL). PCA, DFA, and measurements show a near complete overlap between the N. multifasciatus “Okavango” and N. multifasciatus “Zambezi” lineages. Pigmentation pattern variation occurred within this group, but none that could be assigned to a particular lineage. The N. machadoi species group in southern Africa consists of five lineages: N. machadoi “Zambezi 1”, N. machadoi “Zambezi 2”, N. machadoi “Kafue 1”, N. machadoi “Kafue 2”, and N. machadoi “Okavango”. This group displayed shallower genetic divergence between lineages than the other southern African Nannocharax species groups (0.4-1.3%). This shallow genetic divergence is paralleled by near complete morphological overlap, with PCA and DFA producing overlapping clusters, and measurements, meristics, and pigmentation pattern metrics consisting of very similar values for the lineages. These results indicate that what is considered to be “N. macropterus” in southern Africa should not be named as such. The N. macropterus “Zambezi” and the N. macropterus “Okavango 1” lineages, are misidentifications of Nannocharax dageti. Other “N. macropterus” from the southern African region possesses fewer circumpeduncular scales than the true N. macropterus as described by Pellegrin (1926), and require taxonomic re-evaluation, each here being recognised as a unique lineage with species status, here named N. macropterus “Okavango 2” and N. macropterus “Kwanza”. In particular, N. macropterus “Kwanza” displays deep genetic divergence as well as morphological dissimilarity with the other southern African “N. macropterus” groups. Nannocharax fasciolaris and N. monardi are here placed as junior synonyms of N. multifasciatus, owing to vast overlaps in measurements and character counts of these species and N. multifasciatus, which is also known to occur within the same geographical distribution, as well as dubious arguments from the original publications in delineating these species from N. multifasciatus. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence indicating the presence of multiple species originating from the Okavango system, where it is here indicated that only a single lineage of banded, adipose fin-bearing Nannocharax occurs, namely N. multifasciatus “Okavango”.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The morphological complexity of L1 Arabic-speaking children
- Authors: Issa, Iyad
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Cognition in children , Reading , Arabic language -- Orthography and spelling , Arabic language -- Orthography and spelling -- Study and teaching , Arabic language -- Study and teaching , Arabic language -- Phonetics
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92831 , vital:30754
- Description: Spelling poses a challenge to Arabic-speaking learners due to the complexity of the morphological and orthographic system in Arabic. Arabic morphology has been argued to play a critical role in spelling since its morphological operations are built on a system consisting of a root that is interlocking into different patterns of vowels to form different categories of words. In addition, Arabic orthography is considered to be loyal to the morphographic principle (Ravid, 2012), where morphemes correspond to graphic representation regardless of the pronunciation, especially in the non-vowelized texts. This study made a detailed classification of spelling errors in a word dictation task, based on morphological structures, undertaken by 107 Typically-developing learners (TD) and learners with learning disabiities (LD) attending the same schools. All participants ranged in age from 7 years, 3 months to 15 years, 2 months (grades 2 to 8). The spelling task was made up of 400 common words representing all morphological forms in different conjugations and grammatical classes. The results indicated that learners made three types of errors: errors with respect to the root, errors with respect to the word pattern, and errors with respect to both the root and the word pattern. The results also showed that TD and LD learners follow a similar pattern of complexity even though the LD group produced more errors than the TD group. The results revealed that MA and PA exhibited significant positive regression (b= 9.398, 16.106 respectively) with spelling, indicating that learners with higher scores in PA and MA have higher scores in spelling. The results argued for the crucial contribution that morphological awareness makes towards the general spelling abilities among learners and provide additional evidence for the nonlinear growth of morphological knowedge in spelling. In addition, spelling errors suggested that the spelling process goes in a hierarchical way where words can be accessed and processed either according to the root or according to the stem. Intact verbs are processed according to their root and word pattern. Some weak verb forms, whose radicals undergo modifications, are processed according to their stem, while those whose radicals are fully represented in the spoken word, are processed according to their root and word patterns. Therefore, roots or stems are firstly accessed and attached to basic word patterns (the grapheme without diacritics and affixes). Thereafter, prefixes and, then, suffixes are attached to the word pattern and, finally, diacritics are accessed and attached to the word pattern.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Issa, Iyad
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Cognition in children , Reading , Arabic language -- Orthography and spelling , Arabic language -- Orthography and spelling -- Study and teaching , Arabic language -- Study and teaching , Arabic language -- Phonetics
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92831 , vital:30754
- Description: Spelling poses a challenge to Arabic-speaking learners due to the complexity of the morphological and orthographic system in Arabic. Arabic morphology has been argued to play a critical role in spelling since its morphological operations are built on a system consisting of a root that is interlocking into different patterns of vowels to form different categories of words. In addition, Arabic orthography is considered to be loyal to the morphographic principle (Ravid, 2012), where morphemes correspond to graphic representation regardless of the pronunciation, especially in the non-vowelized texts. This study made a detailed classification of spelling errors in a word dictation task, based on morphological structures, undertaken by 107 Typically-developing learners (TD) and learners with learning disabiities (LD) attending the same schools. All participants ranged in age from 7 years, 3 months to 15 years, 2 months (grades 2 to 8). The spelling task was made up of 400 common words representing all morphological forms in different conjugations and grammatical classes. The results indicated that learners made three types of errors: errors with respect to the root, errors with respect to the word pattern, and errors with respect to both the root and the word pattern. The results also showed that TD and LD learners follow a similar pattern of complexity even though the LD group produced more errors than the TD group. The results revealed that MA and PA exhibited significant positive regression (b= 9.398, 16.106 respectively) with spelling, indicating that learners with higher scores in PA and MA have higher scores in spelling. The results argued for the crucial contribution that morphological awareness makes towards the general spelling abilities among learners and provide additional evidence for the nonlinear growth of morphological knowedge in spelling. In addition, spelling errors suggested that the spelling process goes in a hierarchical way where words can be accessed and processed either according to the root or according to the stem. Intact verbs are processed according to their root and word pattern. Some weak verb forms, whose radicals undergo modifications, are processed according to their stem, while those whose radicals are fully represented in the spoken word, are processed according to their root and word patterns. Therefore, roots or stems are firstly accessed and attached to basic word patterns (the grapheme without diacritics and affixes). Thereafter, prefixes and, then, suffixes are attached to the word pattern and, finally, diacritics are accessed and attached to the word pattern.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The morphotactic constraints of verbal extensions in isiXhosa
- Authors: Mkabile, Hlumela
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Xhosa language -- Grammar
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92849 , vital:30749
- Description: Bantu verbal suffixes, also known as extensions, follow a rather rigid pattern when they attach to the verb. Studies (e.g. Hyman 2002, Good 2005, 2007, among others) have shown that the order followed by these extensions is: Causative, Applicative, Reciprocal, Passive (CARP). Although this pattern is widespread across Bantu, some variations in the ordering of these extensions have been observed in some languages (Kathupa 1991, Simango 1995, Sibanda 2004, among others), which suggests that the template is not as rigid as one might think. This study investigated the morphotactic constraints between four verbal extensions in isiXhosa, the Causative, Applicative, Reciprocal and Passive. It focused on the morphotactics of the transitivising extensions (Causative and Applicative) in the first instance, and morphotactics of the detransitivising extensions (Reciprocal and Passive) in the second instance. The study found that although the co-occurrence of causatives and applicatives is a regular feature in Bantu languages, isiXhosa has restrictions on the co-occurrence of these extensions on some verbs. The study also found that although Causative-Applicative is the expected order the language permits Applicative-Causative in certain contexts. With respect to the detransitivising extensions, the study revealed that there are limited contexts in which these extensions co-occur and, crucially, that these extensions are freely ordered in the language.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mkabile, Hlumela
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Xhosa language -- Grammar
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92849 , vital:30749
- Description: Bantu verbal suffixes, also known as extensions, follow a rather rigid pattern when they attach to the verb. Studies (e.g. Hyman 2002, Good 2005, 2007, among others) have shown that the order followed by these extensions is: Causative, Applicative, Reciprocal, Passive (CARP). Although this pattern is widespread across Bantu, some variations in the ordering of these extensions have been observed in some languages (Kathupa 1991, Simango 1995, Sibanda 2004, among others), which suggests that the template is not as rigid as one might think. This study investigated the morphotactic constraints between four verbal extensions in isiXhosa, the Causative, Applicative, Reciprocal and Passive. It focused on the morphotactics of the transitivising extensions (Causative and Applicative) in the first instance, and morphotactics of the detransitivising extensions (Reciprocal and Passive) in the second instance. The study found that although the co-occurrence of causatives and applicatives is a regular feature in Bantu languages, isiXhosa has restrictions on the co-occurrence of these extensions on some verbs. The study also found that although Causative-Applicative is the expected order the language permits Applicative-Causative in certain contexts. With respect to the detransitivising extensions, the study revealed that there are limited contexts in which these extensions co-occur and, crucially, that these extensions are freely ordered in the language.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The origin of bedrock depression wetlands in the southern Cape of South Africa: a changing perspective
- Authors: Ellery, Steven
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Wetlands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Geomorphology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Physical geography -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Erosion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Evolutionary paleoecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67833 , vital:29152
- Description: The predominant theory of the origin of depression wetlands in southern Africa was developed by Goudie and Thomas (1985) and focuses primarily on mechanisms relating to deflation and erosion as the main drivers of wetland formation. This theory is based on wind driven deflation of animal watering areas where heavy grazing and trampling of vegetation promotes removal of sediment over short periods of time by wind, to create local depressions and impoundment of water. However, this theory applies in arid and semi-arid areas where grazing can reduce vegetation sufficiently to lead to deflation but does not fully explain the origins of depression wetlands that have formed in moist climates or on ancient erosion surfaces such as the African Erosion Surface (AES). This study investigates the origin of a depression wetland that has formed on sandstone bedrock through weathering and dissolution on the AES in South Africa. Wetlands like this act as groundwater recharge zones such that water flows away from the centre of the depression, taking with it any dissolved solutes derived from weathering of the bed of the depression. Fluctuations between wet and dry periods create both highly reducing conditions (during wet phases) and highly oxidising conditions (during dry phases) beneath the margins of these depression wetlands. Some of the main constituents of the sandstone in this wetland are iron(III) oxides, which are highly sensitive to redox conditions and have therefore been transported to and trapped in the margins of the depression. The redistribution of iron(III) oxides from the centre towards the margins of the depression has caused a net volume loss in the centre of the depression, causing sagging, and a net volume gain at the margins of the depression associated with swelling. This process occurs over periods upwards of a million years and explains the presence of depression wetlands in moist climates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Ellery, Steven
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Wetlands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Geomorphology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Physical geography -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Erosion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Evolutionary paleoecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67833 , vital:29152
- Description: The predominant theory of the origin of depression wetlands in southern Africa was developed by Goudie and Thomas (1985) and focuses primarily on mechanisms relating to deflation and erosion as the main drivers of wetland formation. This theory is based on wind driven deflation of animal watering areas where heavy grazing and trampling of vegetation promotes removal of sediment over short periods of time by wind, to create local depressions and impoundment of water. However, this theory applies in arid and semi-arid areas where grazing can reduce vegetation sufficiently to lead to deflation but does not fully explain the origins of depression wetlands that have formed in moist climates or on ancient erosion surfaces such as the African Erosion Surface (AES). This study investigates the origin of a depression wetland that has formed on sandstone bedrock through weathering and dissolution on the AES in South Africa. Wetlands like this act as groundwater recharge zones such that water flows away from the centre of the depression, taking with it any dissolved solutes derived from weathering of the bed of the depression. Fluctuations between wet and dry periods create both highly reducing conditions (during wet phases) and highly oxidising conditions (during dry phases) beneath the margins of these depression wetlands. Some of the main constituents of the sandstone in this wetland are iron(III) oxides, which are highly sensitive to redox conditions and have therefore been transported to and trapped in the margins of the depression. The redistribution of iron(III) oxides from the centre towards the margins of the depression has caused a net volume loss in the centre of the depression, causing sagging, and a net volume gain at the margins of the depression associated with swelling. This process occurs over periods upwards of a million years and explains the presence of depression wetlands in moist climates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The performance and preference of a specialist herbivore, Catorhintha schaffneri (Coreidae), on its polytypic host plant, Pereskia aculeata (Cactaceae)
- Authors: Egbon, Ikponmwosa Nathaniel
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Insects and biological pest control agents -- South Africa , Pereskia -- Biological control -- South Africa , Cactus -- Biological control -- South Africa , Coreida-- South Africa , Invasive plants -- Biological control -- South Africa , Catorhintha schaffneri
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68250 , vital:29223
- Description: Plant species moved beyond their natural ranges may be liberated into enemy-free spaces, where they increase resource allocation to fitness, rather than defence against natural enemies, and become invasive as suggested by the Evolution of Increased Competitive Ability (EICA) Hypothesis. Several cacti are notable invaders and are targeted for biological control. The leafy cactus, Pereskia aculeata Miller, introduced into South Africa from South America, has become a target for biological control after becoming invasive. The absence of natural enemies of P. aculeata in the introduced range may be the reason for its invasiveness. This thesis seeks to investigate the role of the evolution of increased competitive ability (enemy release) as the probable driver of P. aculeata’s success, and ascertain how the plant’s intraspecific variation influences the impact, fitness of, and preference by its biological control agent, Catorhintha schaffneri Brailovsky and Garcia (Coreidae), in South Africa. Enemy release and evolution of traits in P. aculeata were examined by quantifying plant growth parameters of fifteen genotypes of P. aculeata from both the native and invaded distribution of the plant. Ten genotypes of P. aculeata were used in testing the effect of agent herbivory (impact and damage) under similar conditions. These studies indicated that most invaded-range genotypes were more vigorous than the native genotypes. Rapid growth may account for the quick access of invasive genotypes of P. aculeata to tree canopies. Catorhintha schaffneri damage varied between genotypes but differences in the damage and impact from the agent could not be explained by whether the plant originated in the introduced or native distribution. In sum, while the growth of the invasive genotypes largely conforms to the EICA hypothesis, the impact of C. schaffneri did not support the hypothesis. The influence of host variation in P. aculeata on the fitness of C. schaffneri within the context of local adaptation to plant genotypes from different localities was tested using agent survival, stage-specific and total developmental time, and the extent of damage to ten host genotypes. Maw’s Host Suitability Index (HIS) and Dobie’s Susceptibility Index (DSI) showed the preference by and performance of C. schaffneri on the different genotypes of the plant. Catorhintha schaffneri survived to the adult stage on 70% of genotypes tested. Evidence consistent with the assumption that C. schaffneri would be fitter on the native genotypes than the invasive genotypes due to local adaptation was not found. In addition, there was no evidence in support of fitter agents on the invasive genotypes than on the native genotypes as proposed by EICA hypothesis. Catorhintha schaffneri developed equally well on the invasive genotypes of P. aculeata as on the native genotypes. To establish whether host variation would affect diet selection by C. schaffneri, both nymphs and adults were examined in paired-choice and multiple-choice trials. The nymphs and adults chose their hosts regardless of host genotype differences. The agent may be good at selecting good succulent shoots from bad shoots, but is incapable of distinguishing a good host genotype from a poorer one. This thesis shows, therefore, that P. aculeata and its array of genotypes in South Africa could be effectively controlled by C. schaffneri, as it has the potential to suitably utilise and impact the different genotypes of the weed in South Africa with neither any demonstrable preference nor local adaptation for the native genotypes. Consequently, the use of C. schaffneri, as a biological control agent in the weed biological control programme of P. aculeata remains promising, as the agent is insensitive to the intraspecific variation of the invasive host plants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Egbon, Ikponmwosa Nathaniel
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Insects and biological pest control agents -- South Africa , Pereskia -- Biological control -- South Africa , Cactus -- Biological control -- South Africa , Coreida-- South Africa , Invasive plants -- Biological control -- South Africa , Catorhintha schaffneri
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68250 , vital:29223
- Description: Plant species moved beyond their natural ranges may be liberated into enemy-free spaces, where they increase resource allocation to fitness, rather than defence against natural enemies, and become invasive as suggested by the Evolution of Increased Competitive Ability (EICA) Hypothesis. Several cacti are notable invaders and are targeted for biological control. The leafy cactus, Pereskia aculeata Miller, introduced into South Africa from South America, has become a target for biological control after becoming invasive. The absence of natural enemies of P. aculeata in the introduced range may be the reason for its invasiveness. This thesis seeks to investigate the role of the evolution of increased competitive ability (enemy release) as the probable driver of P. aculeata’s success, and ascertain how the plant’s intraspecific variation influences the impact, fitness of, and preference by its biological control agent, Catorhintha schaffneri Brailovsky and Garcia (Coreidae), in South Africa. Enemy release and evolution of traits in P. aculeata were examined by quantifying plant growth parameters of fifteen genotypes of P. aculeata from both the native and invaded distribution of the plant. Ten genotypes of P. aculeata were used in testing the effect of agent herbivory (impact and damage) under similar conditions. These studies indicated that most invaded-range genotypes were more vigorous than the native genotypes. Rapid growth may account for the quick access of invasive genotypes of P. aculeata to tree canopies. Catorhintha schaffneri damage varied between genotypes but differences in the damage and impact from the agent could not be explained by whether the plant originated in the introduced or native distribution. In sum, while the growth of the invasive genotypes largely conforms to the EICA hypothesis, the impact of C. schaffneri did not support the hypothesis. The influence of host variation in P. aculeata on the fitness of C. schaffneri within the context of local adaptation to plant genotypes from different localities was tested using agent survival, stage-specific and total developmental time, and the extent of damage to ten host genotypes. Maw’s Host Suitability Index (HIS) and Dobie’s Susceptibility Index (DSI) showed the preference by and performance of C. schaffneri on the different genotypes of the plant. Catorhintha schaffneri survived to the adult stage on 70% of genotypes tested. Evidence consistent with the assumption that C. schaffneri would be fitter on the native genotypes than the invasive genotypes due to local adaptation was not found. In addition, there was no evidence in support of fitter agents on the invasive genotypes than on the native genotypes as proposed by EICA hypothesis. Catorhintha schaffneri developed equally well on the invasive genotypes of P. aculeata as on the native genotypes. To establish whether host variation would affect diet selection by C. schaffneri, both nymphs and adults were examined in paired-choice and multiple-choice trials. The nymphs and adults chose their hosts regardless of host genotype differences. The agent may be good at selecting good succulent shoots from bad shoots, but is incapable of distinguishing a good host genotype from a poorer one. This thesis shows, therefore, that P. aculeata and its array of genotypes in South Africa could be effectively controlled by C. schaffneri, as it has the potential to suitably utilise and impact the different genotypes of the weed in South Africa with neither any demonstrable preference nor local adaptation for the native genotypes. Consequently, the use of C. schaffneri, as a biological control agent in the weed biological control programme of P. aculeata remains promising, as the agent is insensitive to the intraspecific variation of the invasive host plants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The predictors of student performance in a blended learning environment at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Tanzania: a case study conducted at the University of Dar-es-Salaam
- Authors: Kabudi, Tumaini John
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Prediction of scholastic success -- Tanzania -- Case studies , Motivation in education -- Tanzania -- Case studies , Academic achievement -- Tanzania -- Case studies , Blended learning -- Tanzania -- Case studies , Chuo Kikuu cha Dar es Salaam -- Students
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68358 , vital:29242
- Description: Blended Learning is an important technological platform which has the potential to enhance the efficiency and efficacy of educational provision, especially in Tanzania universities. Despite a high level of investment into Blended learning, students face various challenges that have impeded them performing well in Blended learning courses. The purpose of this research is to examine and explore how student’s performance in a Blended learning environment is influenced by motivation and learning strategies; using the University of Dar es Salaam as a case study. This is a pragmatic research that utilises a mixed research design. The research design includes both qualitative design (in-depth single case study) and quantitative design (survey). The target population for this study is students participating in Blended learning modules. Primary data will be collected by means of Motivational Strategies for Learning Questionnaire and observation. It was found that motivation and learning strategies are significant predictors of student performance in a Blended learning environment. In terms of the motivation categories, Intrinsic Goal Orientation and Self-efficacy have statistically significant effect on student performance. With learning strategies sub factors, it was found out that Rehearsal, Effort Regulation and Peer Learning have significance effect on student performance. Moreover, age and gender significantly influence performance. The findings obtained are significant in building a better understanding of the influence that the mentioned predictors have on predicting the performance of students in Blended learning courses in Tanzania.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Kabudi, Tumaini John
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Prediction of scholastic success -- Tanzania -- Case studies , Motivation in education -- Tanzania -- Case studies , Academic achievement -- Tanzania -- Case studies , Blended learning -- Tanzania -- Case studies , Chuo Kikuu cha Dar es Salaam -- Students
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68358 , vital:29242
- Description: Blended Learning is an important technological platform which has the potential to enhance the efficiency and efficacy of educational provision, especially in Tanzania universities. Despite a high level of investment into Blended learning, students face various challenges that have impeded them performing well in Blended learning courses. The purpose of this research is to examine and explore how student’s performance in a Blended learning environment is influenced by motivation and learning strategies; using the University of Dar es Salaam as a case study. This is a pragmatic research that utilises a mixed research design. The research design includes both qualitative design (in-depth single case study) and quantitative design (survey). The target population for this study is students participating in Blended learning modules. Primary data will be collected by means of Motivational Strategies for Learning Questionnaire and observation. It was found that motivation and learning strategies are significant predictors of student performance in a Blended learning environment. In terms of the motivation categories, Intrinsic Goal Orientation and Self-efficacy have statistically significant effect on student performance. With learning strategies sub factors, it was found out that Rehearsal, Effort Regulation and Peer Learning have significance effect on student performance. Moreover, age and gender significantly influence performance. The findings obtained are significant in building a better understanding of the influence that the mentioned predictors have on predicting the performance of students in Blended learning courses in Tanzania.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The preparation of BODIPY and porphyrin dyes and their cyclodextrin inclusion complexes and Pluronic® F-127 encapsulation micelles for use in PDT and PACT
- Authors: Molupe, Nthabeleng
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Dyes and dyeing -- Chemistry , Drug delivery systems , Fluorescence spectroscopy , Cancer -- Photochemotherapy , Photosensitizing compounds -- Therapeutic use , Cyclodextrins -- Biotechnology , Nanoparticles
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/117574 , vital:34528
- Description: Several novel BODIPY dyes ((4,4′-difluoro-1,7-tetramethyl-3,5-(3-dithiophene)-2,6-diiodo-8-(4-dimethylamino)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (1c), 4,4′-difluoro-1,7-tetramethyl-3,5-(3 dithiophene)-2,6-diiodo-8-(4-methylthio)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (3c) and 4,4′-difluoro-1,7-tetramethyl-3,5-(4-dibenzyloxybenzene)-2,6-diiodo-8-(4-methylbenzoate)-4 bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (4c)) and porphyrins (tetraacenaphthylporphyrin (7a) and Sn(IV) tetraacenaphthylporphyrin (7b)) were synthesized and characterized. Previously reported BODIPY dyes (4,4′-difluoro-1,7-tetramethyl-3,5-(2-dihydroxy)-2,6-diiodo-8-(4-bromo)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (5) and 4,4′-difluoro-1,7-tetramethyl-3,5-(2-dithiophene)-2,6-diiodo-8-(phenyl)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (6)) were also used. Pluronic® F-127 and cyclodextrins were used as solubilizing drug delivery agents for the synthesized BODIPY dyes. The encapsulation of BODIPY dyes with Pluronic® F-127 micelles improved the water solubility of the BODIPY 5. Further modification of Pluronic® F-127 by coating with folate-functionalized chitosan for targeted delivery of BODIPY 1c and 6 was explored. The BODIPY dyes and their encapsulation complexes exhibited significant inhibition of human MCF-7 breast cancer cell growth. When cyclodextrins were used as nanocarriers, the inclusion complexes of BODIPY 4c with mβCD were found to enhance the water-solubility of the dye. Greater photoinactivation of Staphylococcus aureus was observed for the inclusion complexes when compared to the effect of solutions of non-complexed BODIPY 4c. The cyclodextrin inclusion complexes of porphyrin 7b with mβCD were also found to enhance the water-solubility of 7b. When the photodynamic effect was evaluated, solutions of the porphyrin alone and their inclusion complexes were found to have significant photodynamic effects against human MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Molupe, Nthabeleng
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Dyes and dyeing -- Chemistry , Drug delivery systems , Fluorescence spectroscopy , Cancer -- Photochemotherapy , Photosensitizing compounds -- Therapeutic use , Cyclodextrins -- Biotechnology , Nanoparticles
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/117574 , vital:34528
- Description: Several novel BODIPY dyes ((4,4′-difluoro-1,7-tetramethyl-3,5-(3-dithiophene)-2,6-diiodo-8-(4-dimethylamino)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (1c), 4,4′-difluoro-1,7-tetramethyl-3,5-(3 dithiophene)-2,6-diiodo-8-(4-methylthio)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (3c) and 4,4′-difluoro-1,7-tetramethyl-3,5-(4-dibenzyloxybenzene)-2,6-diiodo-8-(4-methylbenzoate)-4 bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (4c)) and porphyrins (tetraacenaphthylporphyrin (7a) and Sn(IV) tetraacenaphthylporphyrin (7b)) were synthesized and characterized. Previously reported BODIPY dyes (4,4′-difluoro-1,7-tetramethyl-3,5-(2-dihydroxy)-2,6-diiodo-8-(4-bromo)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (5) and 4,4′-difluoro-1,7-tetramethyl-3,5-(2-dithiophene)-2,6-diiodo-8-(phenyl)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (6)) were also used. Pluronic® F-127 and cyclodextrins were used as solubilizing drug delivery agents for the synthesized BODIPY dyes. The encapsulation of BODIPY dyes with Pluronic® F-127 micelles improved the water solubility of the BODIPY 5. Further modification of Pluronic® F-127 by coating with folate-functionalized chitosan for targeted delivery of BODIPY 1c and 6 was explored. The BODIPY dyes and their encapsulation complexes exhibited significant inhibition of human MCF-7 breast cancer cell growth. When cyclodextrins were used as nanocarriers, the inclusion complexes of BODIPY 4c with mβCD were found to enhance the water-solubility of the dye. Greater photoinactivation of Staphylococcus aureus was observed for the inclusion complexes when compared to the effect of solutions of non-complexed BODIPY 4c. The cyclodextrin inclusion complexes of porphyrin 7b with mβCD were also found to enhance the water-solubility of 7b. When the photodynamic effect was evaluated, solutions of the porphyrin alone and their inclusion complexes were found to have significant photodynamic effects against human MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The relationship between stock market development and economic growth in Africa
- Authors: Mkhize, Siyanda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Stock exchanges -- Africa , Africa -- Economic conditions -- 21st century , Economic development -- Africa -- 21st century , Capital market -- Africa , Finance -- Africa -- 21st century , Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/115149 , vital:34082
- Description: Over the years there has been a substantial increase in the number of African stock markets. This has generated much interest from local and foreign investors, as these stock markets have had high returns. These conditions have created an interesting scenario for investigating the relationship between stock market development and economic growth. However, this opportunity has largely been neglected as the research on African stock market development is limited in developing economies relative to research conducted in developed countries. Furthermore, the research that has been conducted on the relationship between stock market development and economic growth in Africa, has generated inconclusive and conflicting results, in addition to this, the institutional quality of African countries is disregarded in most studies when the stock market development and economic growth nexus is analysed. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between stock market development and economic growth, incorporating institution variables to account for the institutional quality of African countries to provide clarity in this context. To achieve this, two sets of research hypotheses were created the first set aims to determine whether stock development has an influence on economic growth. The second set is to determine if there is any causal relationship between stock market development and economic growth. The study utilizes System Generalized Method of Moments models to examine the effect of stock market development on economic growth, in 18 African countries for the period 2003- 2016. The results indicate that market capitalization has a positive influence on economic growth whilst, contrastingly liquidity in the form of value traded has a negative effect on economic growth. The study further analyses the causal relationship between stock market development and economic growth, by employing the recently developed PVAR-Granger causality test. However, before this is done several Pedroni cointegration tests were first conducted to establish whether a long-term relationship exists between stock market development and economic growth, which revealed that no strong evidence of cointegration exists necessitating the use of a PVAR-Granger causality test. The PVAR-Granger causality test reveals that stock market development granger causes economic growth, irrespective of the stock market development measure used and there is no feedback effect from economic growth. The unilateral causality established in this study flowing from stock market development to economic growth supports the supply-leading hypothesis. The overall results of this study demonstrate that there is ambiguity on the impact of stock market development on economic growth, as the measures of stock market development have contrasting impacts on economic growth. The size component of stock market development in the form of market capitalization has positive influence whilst, liquidity in form of total value traded has a negative effect. However, the causal relationship is clearly shown to be unilaterally flowing from stock market development to economic growth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mkhize, Siyanda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Stock exchanges -- Africa , Africa -- Economic conditions -- 21st century , Economic development -- Africa -- 21st century , Capital market -- Africa , Finance -- Africa -- 21st century , Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/115149 , vital:34082
- Description: Over the years there has been a substantial increase in the number of African stock markets. This has generated much interest from local and foreign investors, as these stock markets have had high returns. These conditions have created an interesting scenario for investigating the relationship between stock market development and economic growth. However, this opportunity has largely been neglected as the research on African stock market development is limited in developing economies relative to research conducted in developed countries. Furthermore, the research that has been conducted on the relationship between stock market development and economic growth in Africa, has generated inconclusive and conflicting results, in addition to this, the institutional quality of African countries is disregarded in most studies when the stock market development and economic growth nexus is analysed. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between stock market development and economic growth, incorporating institution variables to account for the institutional quality of African countries to provide clarity in this context. To achieve this, two sets of research hypotheses were created the first set aims to determine whether stock development has an influence on economic growth. The second set is to determine if there is any causal relationship between stock market development and economic growth. The study utilizes System Generalized Method of Moments models to examine the effect of stock market development on economic growth, in 18 African countries for the period 2003- 2016. The results indicate that market capitalization has a positive influence on economic growth whilst, contrastingly liquidity in the form of value traded has a negative effect on economic growth. The study further analyses the causal relationship between stock market development and economic growth, by employing the recently developed PVAR-Granger causality test. However, before this is done several Pedroni cointegration tests were first conducted to establish whether a long-term relationship exists between stock market development and economic growth, which revealed that no strong evidence of cointegration exists necessitating the use of a PVAR-Granger causality test. The PVAR-Granger causality test reveals that stock market development granger causes economic growth, irrespective of the stock market development measure used and there is no feedback effect from economic growth. The unilateral causality established in this study flowing from stock market development to economic growth supports the supply-leading hypothesis. The overall results of this study demonstrate that there is ambiguity on the impact of stock market development on economic growth, as the measures of stock market development have contrasting impacts on economic growth. The size component of stock market development in the form of market capitalization has positive influence whilst, liquidity in form of total value traded has a negative effect. However, the causal relationship is clearly shown to be unilaterally flowing from stock market development to economic growth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The relative roles of ecosystem services and disservices in rural livelihoods in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Herd-Hoare, Shannon
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Ecosystem services -- Health aspects -- South Africa , South Africa -- Rural conditions , Biodiversity -- South Africa -- Health aspects , Rural development -- South Africa -- Health aspects
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/94080 , vital:30998
- Description: Since the publication of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment report there has been a marked increase in research into various aspects of ecosystem services (ES). While ES are essential to human wellbeing, the literature has overlooked that some ecosystem goods and services also undermine human wellbeing. These are known as Ecosystem Disservices (EDS). This study aims to counter this imbalance in research, specifically in the context of rural livelihoods which are frequently dependent on local ES but often ill-equipped to manage EDS. The objectives of this study, conducted in three rural villages along a gradient of habitat diversity, were to identify a range of ES and EDS, determine their perceived contributions to or effects on the wellbeing of respondents, and identify modifications in livelihood strategies in response to EDS. The research made use of household surveys in conjunction with participatory learning and action techniques, such as focus group discussions in which ranking and trendline exercises, timelines, and participatory mapping were conducted. Findings indicated that although numerous participants were involved in the harvest of multiple ES, such as Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), livestock outputs, crops and marine wildlife, they simultaneously experienced losses from EDS, such as ticks, unpalatable grass species, monkeys, and Lantana camara invasion which undermined livelihoods to varying degrees. The role of ES and EDS in livelihoods was expressed in economic terms, representing a common framework with which to illustrate the magnitude of their contribution or loss. For example, the average value of livestock goods and services, amongst those who owned and used outputs, was highest in the least biodiverse village at R9 753 per annum, while the corresponding value of potential livestock goods and services lost due to EDS, despite active implementation of prevention measures, totalled R22 426. Further, the average value of cultivated plots in the most biodiverse village could have totalled approximately R20 958, but because of EDS, represented less than 20% of this value. Further, the findings highlighted that the most biodiverse village also had the highest number of EDS, supporting Dunn (2010) who hypothesised that the number of EDS increases with the number of ES. Based on these findings, I propose that a comprehensive framework which systematically contextualises both the positive and negative contributions of ES is needed to grasp the full picture of how local people conceive and engage with nature to facilitate an understanding of the resulting practices and processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Herd-Hoare, Shannon
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Ecosystem services -- Health aspects -- South Africa , South Africa -- Rural conditions , Biodiversity -- South Africa -- Health aspects , Rural development -- South Africa -- Health aspects
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/94080 , vital:30998
- Description: Since the publication of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment report there has been a marked increase in research into various aspects of ecosystem services (ES). While ES are essential to human wellbeing, the literature has overlooked that some ecosystem goods and services also undermine human wellbeing. These are known as Ecosystem Disservices (EDS). This study aims to counter this imbalance in research, specifically in the context of rural livelihoods which are frequently dependent on local ES but often ill-equipped to manage EDS. The objectives of this study, conducted in three rural villages along a gradient of habitat diversity, were to identify a range of ES and EDS, determine their perceived contributions to or effects on the wellbeing of respondents, and identify modifications in livelihood strategies in response to EDS. The research made use of household surveys in conjunction with participatory learning and action techniques, such as focus group discussions in which ranking and trendline exercises, timelines, and participatory mapping were conducted. Findings indicated that although numerous participants were involved in the harvest of multiple ES, such as Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), livestock outputs, crops and marine wildlife, they simultaneously experienced losses from EDS, such as ticks, unpalatable grass species, monkeys, and Lantana camara invasion which undermined livelihoods to varying degrees. The role of ES and EDS in livelihoods was expressed in economic terms, representing a common framework with which to illustrate the magnitude of their contribution or loss. For example, the average value of livestock goods and services, amongst those who owned and used outputs, was highest in the least biodiverse village at R9 753 per annum, while the corresponding value of potential livestock goods and services lost due to EDS, despite active implementation of prevention measures, totalled R22 426. Further, the average value of cultivated plots in the most biodiverse village could have totalled approximately R20 958, but because of EDS, represented less than 20% of this value. Further, the findings highlighted that the most biodiverse village also had the highest number of EDS, supporting Dunn (2010) who hypothesised that the number of EDS increases with the number of ES. Based on these findings, I propose that a comprehensive framework which systematically contextualises both the positive and negative contributions of ES is needed to grasp the full picture of how local people conceive and engage with nature to facilitate an understanding of the resulting practices and processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The remote sensing of fires and their effects on soil properties in the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park
- Authors: Moore, Natasha Jade
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Remote sensing -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Soil ecology -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Grassland fires -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Grassland fires -- Remote sensing -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Soils -- Effect of fires on -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , uKhalamba Drakensberg Park (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/94400 , vital:31042
- Description: Fires are a common and natural occurrence globally and specifically on the African continent. The Drakensberg Mountains are home to southern Africa’s high-altitude fire-climax grasslands, where fire is the dominant management tool. Fire is used to maintain the grasslands in the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park (UDP) World Heritage Site, located on the eastern escarpment of the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg. This study aimed to investigate the spatial and temporal frequency of fires using remote sensing, and to investigate the effect of fire frequency on soil properties in the UDP. Remote sensing offers a set of supportive tools for the management of this sensitive vegetation and specifically to assess the frequency and spatial extent of fires. Field assessments can then be used to assess the impact of fires. Remotely sensed data were used to determine fire frequency and the spatial extent of fires in the UDP. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) active fire detection point data were processed to investigate the temporal resolution of fires. Landsat 5 and 8 imagery were utilised for conducting Normalised Burn Ratios (NBR) to determine the spatial extent of the burn scars of fires. The results from the remotely sensed data were used to select study sites for accessing the effects of fire frequency on soil properties. The remote sensing results showed the main fire season in the UDP was from May to October, and annual burn scars from the available Landsat data for 1998 to 2017 ranged from 22.5% to 57.67% of the UDP. Remote sensing was shown to be an effective tool for monitoring fires in the UDP, with a combination of satellite data producing the best results. Soil properties were highly varied across the UDP. Environmental factors were shown to have a more significant influence on soil properties than fire frequency. This study highlighted the complex nature and diversity of fires and soils across the UDP.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Moore, Natasha Jade
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Remote sensing -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Soil ecology -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Grassland fires -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Grassland fires -- Remote sensing -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Soils -- Effect of fires on -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , uKhalamba Drakensberg Park (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/94400 , vital:31042
- Description: Fires are a common and natural occurrence globally and specifically on the African continent. The Drakensberg Mountains are home to southern Africa’s high-altitude fire-climax grasslands, where fire is the dominant management tool. Fire is used to maintain the grasslands in the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park (UDP) World Heritage Site, located on the eastern escarpment of the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg. This study aimed to investigate the spatial and temporal frequency of fires using remote sensing, and to investigate the effect of fire frequency on soil properties in the UDP. Remote sensing offers a set of supportive tools for the management of this sensitive vegetation and specifically to assess the frequency and spatial extent of fires. Field assessments can then be used to assess the impact of fires. Remotely sensed data were used to determine fire frequency and the spatial extent of fires in the UDP. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) active fire detection point data were processed to investigate the temporal resolution of fires. Landsat 5 and 8 imagery were utilised for conducting Normalised Burn Ratios (NBR) to determine the spatial extent of the burn scars of fires. The results from the remotely sensed data were used to select study sites for accessing the effects of fire frequency on soil properties. The remote sensing results showed the main fire season in the UDP was from May to October, and annual burn scars from the available Landsat data for 1998 to 2017 ranged from 22.5% to 57.67% of the UDP. Remote sensing was shown to be an effective tool for monitoring fires in the UDP, with a combination of satellite data producing the best results. Soil properties were highly varied across the UDP. Environmental factors were shown to have a more significant influence on soil properties than fire frequency. This study highlighted the complex nature and diversity of fires and soils across the UDP.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The role of agricultural support programmes on the livelihoods of smallholder maize farmers in Lesotho: asset utilisation, productivity and perceptions
- Authors: Mohlahatsa, Taole
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Agriculture and state -- Lesotho , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- Lesotho , Farms, Small -- Government policy -- Lesotho , Farms, Small -- Lesotho , Agricultural assistance -- Lesotho , Rural development -- Lesotho
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71580 , vital:29914
- Description: The agricultural sector is widely considered an important contributor to economic development in least developed countries. It plays an important role in Lesotho and has been the backbone of rural activities and the prime employer of Basotho citizens. Smallholder farming is recognised by the government of Lesotho as a vehicle for addressing food security and poverty reduction. Maize is the principal staple crop produced by about 90 percent of farmers in Lesotho and it constitutes about 80 percent of the Basotho diet. Maize production is highly affected by climate change and is characterised by fluctuating yields because of erratic rainfall. In addition to unfavorable climate change, smallholder farmers in Lesotho experience challenges such as lack of farming inputs, limited access to markets and limited financial capital. These constraints confine them to a life of subsistence farming with low production and increased incidences of poverty. The government of Lesotho has intervened in the smallholder agricultural sector to stimulate production and productivity by introducing some agricultural programmes such as (i) the National Fertiliser and Input subsidy, (ii) the Smallholder Agricultural Development Programme, (iii) the National Block Farming, and (iv) the Integrated Watershed Management Programme. However, despite such government interventions, production in the smallholder agricultural sector continues to face recurring constraints. Studies on the National Block Farming Programme have showed that the programme has had limited impact on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Furthermore, farmers believe the Integrated Watershed Management Programme has a biased selection criteria as selection of areas is influenced by politicians who favour areas where they have a large political following and marginilise other areas. These concerns have also led to low participation rates in such programmes as wealthier, large scale farmers capture most of the benefits of government programmes. Disproportionate benefits of agricultural programmes to smallholder farmers imply that they continue to face the same constraints in production and have to find alternative ways of maintaining production and selling excess produce to sustain their livelihoods. The main goal of this research is therefore to study the livelihoods of smallholder maize farmers in Lesotho and how agricultural support programmes influence their production of maize. The study adopted a pragmatic mixed methods approach with a qualitative dominant sequential design. Accordingly, both quantitative and qualitative data was used to address the research goal. Quantitative data collected from the Lesotho Bureau of Statistics and the World Bank was used for trend analysis on maize productivity, temperature and rainfall over the period 1980-2016. Qualitative primary data was collected by conducting focus group discussions with smallholder maize farmers and key stakeholder interviews using the sustainable livelihood framework as a conceptual guide. The study comprised of a total of 85 research participants consisting of 75 smallholder maize farmers and 10 key stakeholders. Farmers were selected from 10 key maize producing areas in Leribe and Mafeteng districts in Leribe. Results revealed fluctuating maize productivity and productivity growth rates where such fluctuations are caused by government intervention and natural calamities in the form of erratic rains and dry spells. Droughts and late arrival of subsidised inputs are the chief constraints to maize production. In relation to livelihood assets, human and social assets are the more available assets relative to other assets (financial, natural and physical) of the sustainable livelihood framework. Furthermore, the National Fertiliser and Input subsidy Programme and the Smallholder Agricultural Development Programme are the most beneficial programmes to farmers livelihoods as they increase the accessibility of limited livelihood assets and therefore allowing farmers to achieve their livelihood goals. In contrast, the National Block Farming and the Integrated Watershed Management Programme are the least beneficial programmes to farmers’ livelihoods and are biased in their geographical targeting criteria. The study recommends that the government revises all selected support programmes in this study in areas warranting improvements so as to fairly and efficiently allocate resources that meet the needs of farmers. The study also recommends that farmers put more effort in adopting new technologies and strategies to improve production of maize in areas where government intervention has failed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mohlahatsa, Taole
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Agriculture and state -- Lesotho , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- Lesotho , Farms, Small -- Government policy -- Lesotho , Farms, Small -- Lesotho , Agricultural assistance -- Lesotho , Rural development -- Lesotho
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71580 , vital:29914
- Description: The agricultural sector is widely considered an important contributor to economic development in least developed countries. It plays an important role in Lesotho and has been the backbone of rural activities and the prime employer of Basotho citizens. Smallholder farming is recognised by the government of Lesotho as a vehicle for addressing food security and poverty reduction. Maize is the principal staple crop produced by about 90 percent of farmers in Lesotho and it constitutes about 80 percent of the Basotho diet. Maize production is highly affected by climate change and is characterised by fluctuating yields because of erratic rainfall. In addition to unfavorable climate change, smallholder farmers in Lesotho experience challenges such as lack of farming inputs, limited access to markets and limited financial capital. These constraints confine them to a life of subsistence farming with low production and increased incidences of poverty. The government of Lesotho has intervened in the smallholder agricultural sector to stimulate production and productivity by introducing some agricultural programmes such as (i) the National Fertiliser and Input subsidy, (ii) the Smallholder Agricultural Development Programme, (iii) the National Block Farming, and (iv) the Integrated Watershed Management Programme. However, despite such government interventions, production in the smallholder agricultural sector continues to face recurring constraints. Studies on the National Block Farming Programme have showed that the programme has had limited impact on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Furthermore, farmers believe the Integrated Watershed Management Programme has a biased selection criteria as selection of areas is influenced by politicians who favour areas where they have a large political following and marginilise other areas. These concerns have also led to low participation rates in such programmes as wealthier, large scale farmers capture most of the benefits of government programmes. Disproportionate benefits of agricultural programmes to smallholder farmers imply that they continue to face the same constraints in production and have to find alternative ways of maintaining production and selling excess produce to sustain their livelihoods. The main goal of this research is therefore to study the livelihoods of smallholder maize farmers in Lesotho and how agricultural support programmes influence their production of maize. The study adopted a pragmatic mixed methods approach with a qualitative dominant sequential design. Accordingly, both quantitative and qualitative data was used to address the research goal. Quantitative data collected from the Lesotho Bureau of Statistics and the World Bank was used for trend analysis on maize productivity, temperature and rainfall over the period 1980-2016. Qualitative primary data was collected by conducting focus group discussions with smallholder maize farmers and key stakeholder interviews using the sustainable livelihood framework as a conceptual guide. The study comprised of a total of 85 research participants consisting of 75 smallholder maize farmers and 10 key stakeholders. Farmers were selected from 10 key maize producing areas in Leribe and Mafeteng districts in Leribe. Results revealed fluctuating maize productivity and productivity growth rates where such fluctuations are caused by government intervention and natural calamities in the form of erratic rains and dry spells. Droughts and late arrival of subsidised inputs are the chief constraints to maize production. In relation to livelihood assets, human and social assets are the more available assets relative to other assets (financial, natural and physical) of the sustainable livelihood framework. Furthermore, the National Fertiliser and Input subsidy Programme and the Smallholder Agricultural Development Programme are the most beneficial programmes to farmers livelihoods as they increase the accessibility of limited livelihood assets and therefore allowing farmers to achieve their livelihood goals. In contrast, the National Block Farming and the Integrated Watershed Management Programme are the least beneficial programmes to farmers’ livelihoods and are biased in their geographical targeting criteria. The study recommends that the government revises all selected support programmes in this study in areas warranting improvements so as to fairly and efficiently allocate resources that meet the needs of farmers. The study also recommends that farmers put more effort in adopting new technologies and strategies to improve production of maize in areas where government intervention has failed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The role of Information and Communication Technology in developing entrepreneurial skills in marginalised communities: the case of Grahamstown
- Authors: Mabika, Vinia Ruvimbo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Occupational training -- South Africa , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa , Vocational education -- South Africa , Information technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Businesspeople, Black -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Businesspeople -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa -- Makhanda
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/94169 , vital:31012
- Description: A call to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 was made by the United Nations in 2015 after the expiry of the Millennium Development Goals. This has led to the need for youth entrepreneurship studies in marginalised communities that are burdened by poverty. The marginalised communities in South Africa, where most poor unemployed people live face numerous challenges. These range from a shortage of skilled people, inequality, poverty, poor infrastructure and lack of formal and informal skills development for communities. Employing information and communication technologies (ICTs) has the potential to improve socio-economic activities, aid comprehensive human development and empower communities. To ensure human development, provision of ICTs to communities should be accompanied by approaches and guidelines that can be used to empower them through entrepreneurship. This requires investigating how ICTs can lead to the empowerment of unemployed citizens within a community. Specifically, the types of tailored ICT skills that are needed to access such empowerment opportunities and are typically taught at skills development programmes (SDPs). An interpretivist, qualitative case study approach was employed during the investigation of four skills development programmes in Grahamstown (Eastern Cape). The participants included programme directors, managers, trainees who had become entrepreneurs after attending training and those who had not started a business yet. Semi-structured interviews were employed for data collection and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data; while making use of absorptive capacity theory (ACT) as a theoretical framework. The researcher sought to answer the following main question: How should ICT-based skills development programmes be applied to enhance entrepreneurial skills within marginalised communities? To answer this, the research contributes by proposing a guideline that can be implemented to address the skills shortage in Grahamstown. The first stage requires a community needs assessment, looking at the community members prior and related knowledge. Secondly, the SDPs should create a culture of learning by transforming participants’ mindsets through core programmes. Thirdly, the core programmes should be linked with ICT skills training. After training is completed, the SDPs and external world bodies should assist with follow up support courses. During all these stages monitoring and evaluation should be implemented, and all key stakeholders should be involved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mabika, Vinia Ruvimbo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Occupational training -- South Africa , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa , Vocational education -- South Africa , Information technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Businesspeople, Black -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Businesspeople -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa -- Makhanda
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/94169 , vital:31012
- Description: A call to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 was made by the United Nations in 2015 after the expiry of the Millennium Development Goals. This has led to the need for youth entrepreneurship studies in marginalised communities that are burdened by poverty. The marginalised communities in South Africa, where most poor unemployed people live face numerous challenges. These range from a shortage of skilled people, inequality, poverty, poor infrastructure and lack of formal and informal skills development for communities. Employing information and communication technologies (ICTs) has the potential to improve socio-economic activities, aid comprehensive human development and empower communities. To ensure human development, provision of ICTs to communities should be accompanied by approaches and guidelines that can be used to empower them through entrepreneurship. This requires investigating how ICTs can lead to the empowerment of unemployed citizens within a community. Specifically, the types of tailored ICT skills that are needed to access such empowerment opportunities and are typically taught at skills development programmes (SDPs). An interpretivist, qualitative case study approach was employed during the investigation of four skills development programmes in Grahamstown (Eastern Cape). The participants included programme directors, managers, trainees who had become entrepreneurs after attending training and those who had not started a business yet. Semi-structured interviews were employed for data collection and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data; while making use of absorptive capacity theory (ACT) as a theoretical framework. The researcher sought to answer the following main question: How should ICT-based skills development programmes be applied to enhance entrepreneurial skills within marginalised communities? To answer this, the research contributes by proposing a guideline that can be implemented to address the skills shortage in Grahamstown. The first stage requires a community needs assessment, looking at the community members prior and related knowledge. Secondly, the SDPs should create a culture of learning by transforming participants’ mindsets through core programmes. Thirdly, the core programmes should be linked with ICT skills training. After training is completed, the SDPs and external world bodies should assist with follow up support courses. During all these stages monitoring and evaluation should be implemented, and all key stakeholders should be involved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The role of leadership in shaping school culture in a secondary school
- Authors: Kofi, Linda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Educational leadership , Educational leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , Corporate culture
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92247 , vital:30698
- Description: SDG 4 calls for an “inclusive, quality and equitable education and lifelong opportunities for all”. The purpose of the study is to investigate how leadership has shaped the school culture, which culminates to higher academic performance in a secondary school. This case study is done in a previously disadvantaged secondary school within the Buffalo City Metro Education District, in the Eastern Cape. Despite the socio-economic challenges faced by the school, the NSC examination pass rate results for the school are constantly above the Provincial NSC pass rate results. Consequently, the aim of the study is to determine the unique characteristics of the school culture that have contributed to high academic performance, and how the school leadership has cultivated this culture. The study reviews school culture using Schein’s organizational culture model. Moreover, it reviews school principalship, leadership and how leadership shapes school culture. Lastly, the study reviews literature on instructional, transformational and distributed leadership theories, as they resonate well with South African school environment. The study utilizes a qualitative research method in its investigation, gathering data through document analysis and interviews. After the data was collected, the pattern matching method was utilized to analyse the findings. The key characteristics of school culture that contributed to the school performing well academically, are the values of disciplined hard work and academic excellence. Furthermore, findings proved that characteristics of instructional leadership such as the provision of professional development and the management of curriculum and instruction have the shape the school culture. Transformational leadership characteristics such as individualized consideration, inspirational motivation and intellectual stimulation, have also shaped the school culture; as have characteristics of distributed leadership such as sharing authority and accountability. The study discusses the findings and then concludes by recognizing the research limitations such as the time constraints and purposeful exclusion of certain school members, for example learners. In its conclusion the study presents it contributions to the body of knowledge and provides recommendations for practitioners and future studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Kofi, Linda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Educational leadership , Educational leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , Corporate culture
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92247 , vital:30698
- Description: SDG 4 calls for an “inclusive, quality and equitable education and lifelong opportunities for all”. The purpose of the study is to investigate how leadership has shaped the school culture, which culminates to higher academic performance in a secondary school. This case study is done in a previously disadvantaged secondary school within the Buffalo City Metro Education District, in the Eastern Cape. Despite the socio-economic challenges faced by the school, the NSC examination pass rate results for the school are constantly above the Provincial NSC pass rate results. Consequently, the aim of the study is to determine the unique characteristics of the school culture that have contributed to high academic performance, and how the school leadership has cultivated this culture. The study reviews school culture using Schein’s organizational culture model. Moreover, it reviews school principalship, leadership and how leadership shapes school culture. Lastly, the study reviews literature on instructional, transformational and distributed leadership theories, as they resonate well with South African school environment. The study utilizes a qualitative research method in its investigation, gathering data through document analysis and interviews. After the data was collected, the pattern matching method was utilized to analyse the findings. The key characteristics of school culture that contributed to the school performing well academically, are the values of disciplined hard work and academic excellence. Furthermore, findings proved that characteristics of instructional leadership such as the provision of professional development and the management of curriculum and instruction have the shape the school culture. Transformational leadership characteristics such as individualized consideration, inspirational motivation and intellectual stimulation, have also shaped the school culture; as have characteristics of distributed leadership such as sharing authority and accountability. The study discusses the findings and then concludes by recognizing the research limitations such as the time constraints and purposeful exclusion of certain school members, for example learners. In its conclusion the study presents it contributions to the body of knowledge and provides recommendations for practitioners and future studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The role of psychologists in the #FeesMustFall movement in South Africa: a thematic analysis
- Authors: Kramer, Briony
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Higher education and state -- South Africa , Psychologists -- South Africa , Student movements -- South Africa , College students -- Psychology -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Student movements -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/76287 , vital:30544
- Description: Since 2015, students across South Africa have protested for free tertiary education. This protest movement is known as #FeesMustFall. It was deemed important to understand what psychologists could do in this movement, as these protests have highlighted the existing inequality and lack of transformation in South African universities. Further, these protests have shown to cause psychological sequelae, and, at present, there is very little information regarding the role of psychologists in these types of protests. In response, this current qualitative study explores what four psychologists believe their role could be within the protests, specifically within Grahamstown, Eastern Cape. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and a Thematic Analysis methodology and Critical Psychology approach were used to analyse the findings. The results of the study revealed that these psychologists understood they could have varying roles within the protests. These varying roles linked to the broader concept of transformative versus ameliorative interventions. Ameliorative practices are usually more short-term in their effect to initiate change and are mainly aimed at the individual level, while transformative approaches are long-term and are mainly aimed at the societal level. Under the ameliorative approach, the psychologists’ roles included that they provide individual therapy to students who were affected by the protests. The transformative approach, on the other hand, included that the psychologists use their role to act as advocates, negotiators or advisors, and therefore take an active role in assisting the University with the protests. The findings also showed that some participants were ambivalent and uncertain about their role. This ambivalence led to these participants questioning the protests themselves. Results also showed limiting factors within the Psychology profession, which prevented psychologists from taking a more active stance in the protests. The limiting factors referred to phenomena which prevent psychologists from being able to take a role, not only in protests, but in society as a whole. These factors included the idea of the psychologist being a bystander and/or being limited by the professional scope of practice. The implications of these findings highlight the possible key roles that psychologists can play in protest situations. However, it shows that perceived limiting factors sometimes prevent these roles from being fully realised. The findings also then point to a broader issue within the Psychology discipline, specifically relating to its relevance in the South African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Kramer, Briony
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Higher education and state -- South Africa , Psychologists -- South Africa , Student movements -- South Africa , College students -- Psychology -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Student movements -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/76287 , vital:30544
- Description: Since 2015, students across South Africa have protested for free tertiary education. This protest movement is known as #FeesMustFall. It was deemed important to understand what psychologists could do in this movement, as these protests have highlighted the existing inequality and lack of transformation in South African universities. Further, these protests have shown to cause psychological sequelae, and, at present, there is very little information regarding the role of psychologists in these types of protests. In response, this current qualitative study explores what four psychologists believe their role could be within the protests, specifically within Grahamstown, Eastern Cape. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and a Thematic Analysis methodology and Critical Psychology approach were used to analyse the findings. The results of the study revealed that these psychologists understood they could have varying roles within the protests. These varying roles linked to the broader concept of transformative versus ameliorative interventions. Ameliorative practices are usually more short-term in their effect to initiate change and are mainly aimed at the individual level, while transformative approaches are long-term and are mainly aimed at the societal level. Under the ameliorative approach, the psychologists’ roles included that they provide individual therapy to students who were affected by the protests. The transformative approach, on the other hand, included that the psychologists use their role to act as advocates, negotiators or advisors, and therefore take an active role in assisting the University with the protests. The findings also showed that some participants were ambivalent and uncertain about their role. This ambivalence led to these participants questioning the protests themselves. Results also showed limiting factors within the Psychology profession, which prevented psychologists from taking a more active stance in the protests. The limiting factors referred to phenomena which prevent psychologists from being able to take a role, not only in protests, but in society as a whole. These factors included the idea of the psychologist being a bystander and/or being limited by the professional scope of practice. The implications of these findings highlight the possible key roles that psychologists can play in protest situations. However, it shows that perceived limiting factors sometimes prevent these roles from being fully realised. The findings also then point to a broader issue within the Psychology discipline, specifically relating to its relevance in the South African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The suspended sediment yield and provenance of the Inxu River Catchment, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Nyamela, Namso
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Suspended sediments -- South Africa -- Inxu River , Sedimentation and deposition -- South Africa -- Inxu River , Watershed management -- South Africa -- Inxu River , Erosion -- South Africa -- Inxu River , Soil erosion -- South Africa -- Inxu River
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/72150 , vital:30010
- Description: The excessive deposition and accumulation of suspended sediment leads to the degradation of water resources such as dams and rivers. For the purpose of preserving and protecting these resources, suspended sediment needs to be managed, and its management should be catchment-wide and catchment-specific. This is certainly the case for the eroded Inxu River Catchment, which has been identified as a major contributor of sediment to the planned Lalini Dam on the Tsitsa River (a tributary of the Mzimvubu River). Knowledge of suspended sediment flux and catchment sources will aid the design of relevant strategies to manage suspended sediment production. Suspended sediment flux was determined from sediment samples that were collected using citizen-based monitoring techniques at calendar- and event-based sampling frequency, along with discharges estimated using stage-discharge relationships. Sediment source areas were identified by determining the suspended sediment contribution from major sub-catchments and observing similarities in the characteristics of the sub-catchments that produced the most sediment. The Inxu River Catchment produced 5.5 t/ha/yr between 01 May 2016 and 30 April 2017. When compared to modelled sediment yield (7 t/ha/yr) from Le Roux et al. (2015), modelled output was not far off from the measured results and both measured and modelled results identified similar sediment source areas. Q-SSC relationships observed at the Inxu River Outlet indicated that sediment was eroded from local areas and sub-catchment sediment contribution confirmed that most of the sediment was from the lower Inxu River Catchment. Within this area, the Ncolosi and Qwakele River Sub-catchments were major sediment source areas and were subject to widespread gully erosion. Gully erosion was prominent on gentle slopes, foot slopes and valley-bottoms that have concave slope curvature and lie on the Tarkastad Formation. This Formation is associated with some of the most dispersive soils in the area. Moreover, the catchment is vulnerable to erosion due to cultivation and subsequent land abandonment, continuous grazing and dense rural populations. Other studies in the Mzimvubu catchment identified similar catchment characteristics that contribute to excessive erosion. This study has successfully measured sediment yield and identified areas that should be targeted and prioritised for rehabilitation within the Inxu River Catchment. The findings could be applied to a wider catchment scale. The study has successfully demonstrated the use of citizen-based monitoring and desktop techniques and has also identified some pitfalls of this approach.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Nyamela, Namso
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Suspended sediments -- South Africa -- Inxu River , Sedimentation and deposition -- South Africa -- Inxu River , Watershed management -- South Africa -- Inxu River , Erosion -- South Africa -- Inxu River , Soil erosion -- South Africa -- Inxu River
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/72150 , vital:30010
- Description: The excessive deposition and accumulation of suspended sediment leads to the degradation of water resources such as dams and rivers. For the purpose of preserving and protecting these resources, suspended sediment needs to be managed, and its management should be catchment-wide and catchment-specific. This is certainly the case for the eroded Inxu River Catchment, which has been identified as a major contributor of sediment to the planned Lalini Dam on the Tsitsa River (a tributary of the Mzimvubu River). Knowledge of suspended sediment flux and catchment sources will aid the design of relevant strategies to manage suspended sediment production. Suspended sediment flux was determined from sediment samples that were collected using citizen-based monitoring techniques at calendar- and event-based sampling frequency, along with discharges estimated using stage-discharge relationships. Sediment source areas were identified by determining the suspended sediment contribution from major sub-catchments and observing similarities in the characteristics of the sub-catchments that produced the most sediment. The Inxu River Catchment produced 5.5 t/ha/yr between 01 May 2016 and 30 April 2017. When compared to modelled sediment yield (7 t/ha/yr) from Le Roux et al. (2015), modelled output was not far off from the measured results and both measured and modelled results identified similar sediment source areas. Q-SSC relationships observed at the Inxu River Outlet indicated that sediment was eroded from local areas and sub-catchment sediment contribution confirmed that most of the sediment was from the lower Inxu River Catchment. Within this area, the Ncolosi and Qwakele River Sub-catchments were major sediment source areas and were subject to widespread gully erosion. Gully erosion was prominent on gentle slopes, foot slopes and valley-bottoms that have concave slope curvature and lie on the Tarkastad Formation. This Formation is associated with some of the most dispersive soils in the area. Moreover, the catchment is vulnerable to erosion due to cultivation and subsequent land abandonment, continuous grazing and dense rural populations. Other studies in the Mzimvubu catchment identified similar catchment characteristics that contribute to excessive erosion. This study has successfully measured sediment yield and identified areas that should be targeted and prioritised for rehabilitation within the Inxu River Catchment. The findings could be applied to a wider catchment scale. The study has successfully demonstrated the use of citizen-based monitoring and desktop techniques and has also identified some pitfalls of this approach.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The taxation of the “sharing economy” in South Africa
- Authors: Gumbo, Wadzanai Charisma
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Corporations -- Taxation Taxation -- South Africa Value-added tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Double taxation -- South Africa Tax evasion -- South Africa Income tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Tax administration and procedure -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64045 , vital:28525
- Description: The research examined whether the services provided by the “sharing economy” platforms are adequately dealt with by the current South African tax systems. In addressing this main goal, the research analysed how the South African tax systems deal with the income and expenses of Uber, Airbnb and their respective service providers. The research also investigated how South Africa could classify “sharing economy” workers and how this would affect the deductibility of the worker’s expenses. A brief analysis was made of the taxation of the “sharing economy” businesses in Australia and the United States of America. These countries have implemented measures to effectively deal with regulating the “sharing economy” businesses. An interpretative research approach was used to provide clarity on the matter. Documentary data used for the research consists of tax legislation, case law, textbooks, commentaries, journal articles and theses. The research concluded that the current taxation systems have loopholes that are allowing participants in the “sharing economy” to avoid paying tax in South Africa. The thesis recommends that the legislature could adopt certain measures applied in Australia and the United States of America to more effectively regulate “sharing economy” in South African and remedy the leakages the current tax systems suffer, causing SARS to lose potential revenue.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Gumbo, Wadzanai Charisma
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Corporations -- Taxation Taxation -- South Africa Value-added tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Double taxation -- South Africa Tax evasion -- South Africa Income tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Tax administration and procedure -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64045 , vital:28525
- Description: The research examined whether the services provided by the “sharing economy” platforms are adequately dealt with by the current South African tax systems. In addressing this main goal, the research analysed how the South African tax systems deal with the income and expenses of Uber, Airbnb and their respective service providers. The research also investigated how South Africa could classify “sharing economy” workers and how this would affect the deductibility of the worker’s expenses. A brief analysis was made of the taxation of the “sharing economy” businesses in Australia and the United States of America. These countries have implemented measures to effectively deal with regulating the “sharing economy” businesses. An interpretative research approach was used to provide clarity on the matter. Documentary data used for the research consists of tax legislation, case law, textbooks, commentaries, journal articles and theses. The research concluded that the current taxation systems have loopholes that are allowing participants in the “sharing economy” to avoid paying tax in South Africa. The thesis recommends that the legislature could adopt certain measures applied in Australia and the United States of America to more effectively regulate “sharing economy” in South African and remedy the leakages the current tax systems suffer, causing SARS to lose potential revenue.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The time course changes in selected fatigue indicators in moderately trained participants
- Authors: Maduna, Bongani Cyprian
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Athletes -- Health and hygiene , Fatigue , Athletes -- Physiology
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/76354 , vital:30553
- Description: Background: During daily physical activities, individuals will encounter some level of fatigue. This is especially true for athletes who exert their bodies to achieve superior performance and attempt to delay the onset of fatigue as far as possible. However, fatigue is a progressive process that is part of physical exercise. It is therefore, important to understand the various factors associated with fatigue. Objective: The purpose of this research project was to observe the changes in perceptual, physiological responses, and workload while participants performed a fatiguing cycling exercise task. In order to observe the aforementioned changes, one of the three variables, either perceptual, physiological responses or workload was kept constant, while the other two were observed as dependent variables. There were three test conditions, which permitted each variable to be kept constant in at least one of the three test conditions. Methods: Thirty-six apparently healthy university students were recruited for the study. The exercise was of 35 minute duration for each condition, with the data collection for HR (physiological response), RPE (perceptual response), and power output (workload) occurring at two minute intervals from the eighth minute until the thirtieth minute. The participants were required to perform a peak-power-output test in order set the relative performance ranges for each participant in order to elicit an observable fatigue response from all the participants. The three conditions included constant HR response, constant workload, and constant RPE response where each participant performed all of the above conditions on separate days.Results: The perceptual (RPE) response increased significantly (p<0.05) over time in all three test conditions, even under the constant RPE condition where it was expected to remain unchanged throughout the test duration. The HR response only demonstrated a significant (p<0.05) increase over time under the constant workload condition. Lastly, workload remained constant in all three testing conditions. Conclusion: Participants may be able to exercise for longer periods during sub-maximal exercise if they disregard the RPE warning response. In the current study, the RPE response illustrated that participants were being exerted more over time; however, the participants still had physiological and workload capacity to continue exercising. This research project has confirmed the fact that fatigue is a multifaceted phenomenon. Furthermore, it has been illustrated that RPE response alone as an indicator of fatigue onset may be misleading as participants did not breach the HR and workload steady state during the current research. Therefore, it may be more appropriate to assess fatigue onset through the assessment of more than one fatigue variable in order to ensure increased accuracy of the participants’ fatigue state assessment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Maduna, Bongani Cyprian
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Athletes -- Health and hygiene , Fatigue , Athletes -- Physiology
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/76354 , vital:30553
- Description: Background: During daily physical activities, individuals will encounter some level of fatigue. This is especially true for athletes who exert their bodies to achieve superior performance and attempt to delay the onset of fatigue as far as possible. However, fatigue is a progressive process that is part of physical exercise. It is therefore, important to understand the various factors associated with fatigue. Objective: The purpose of this research project was to observe the changes in perceptual, physiological responses, and workload while participants performed a fatiguing cycling exercise task. In order to observe the aforementioned changes, one of the three variables, either perceptual, physiological responses or workload was kept constant, while the other two were observed as dependent variables. There were three test conditions, which permitted each variable to be kept constant in at least one of the three test conditions. Methods: Thirty-six apparently healthy university students were recruited for the study. The exercise was of 35 minute duration for each condition, with the data collection for HR (physiological response), RPE (perceptual response), and power output (workload) occurring at two minute intervals from the eighth minute until the thirtieth minute. The participants were required to perform a peak-power-output test in order set the relative performance ranges for each participant in order to elicit an observable fatigue response from all the participants. The three conditions included constant HR response, constant workload, and constant RPE response where each participant performed all of the above conditions on separate days.Results: The perceptual (RPE) response increased significantly (p<0.05) over time in all three test conditions, even under the constant RPE condition where it was expected to remain unchanged throughout the test duration. The HR response only demonstrated a significant (p<0.05) increase over time under the constant workload condition. Lastly, workload remained constant in all three testing conditions. Conclusion: Participants may be able to exercise for longer periods during sub-maximal exercise if they disregard the RPE warning response. In the current study, the RPE response illustrated that participants were being exerted more over time; however, the participants still had physiological and workload capacity to continue exercising. This research project has confirmed the fact that fatigue is a multifaceted phenomenon. Furthermore, it has been illustrated that RPE response alone as an indicator of fatigue onset may be misleading as participants did not breach the HR and workload steady state during the current research. Therefore, it may be more appropriate to assess fatigue onset through the assessment of more than one fatigue variable in order to ensure increased accuracy of the participants’ fatigue state assessment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The trophic and spatial ecology of a sympatric dasyatid community at a remote Atoll, Seychelles
- Authors: Elston, Chantel
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Dasyatidae -- Seychelles -- Ecology , Rays (Fishes) -- Seychelles -- Ecology , Ecology -- Seychelles , Dasyatidae -- Seychelles -- Conservation , Pastinachus sephen , Urogymnus granulatus , Urogymnus asperrimus
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/95756 , vital:31196 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/95756
- Description: Batoid populations are declining globally but the paucity of information makes management or conservation efforts difficult. Additionally, batoids are mesopredators and are hypothesised to play important ecological roles, but a comprehensive understanding of these roles is also limited. Therefore, information on batoid habitat use, foraging ecology, and resource partitioning is needed. St. Joseph Atoll is a relatively pristine ecosystem that hosts a sympatric dasyatid community (Pastinachus sephen, Urogymnus granulatus, and U. asperrimus). Passive acoustic telemetry identified high levels of long-term site affinity by both juvenile and adult dasyatids to St. Joseph Atoll. Dispersal from the atoll by larger juveniles was also evident. Juveniles displayed restricted horizontal movements in the atoll, but the extent of these movements differed seasonally. Stomach content and stable isotope analyses identified inter-specific prey partitioning (P. sephen juveniles were mollusc specialists and U. granulatus juveniles were crustacean specialists) and intra-specific prey partitioning. Juveniles were reliant upon a seagrass-based food web, whereas adults were reliant on phytoplankton-based food web. Adults fed at higher trophic levels compared to juveniles (mean of 4.6 and 3.4 respectively). Juvenile dasyatids preferentially selected the shallow reef at habitat of the atoll, where there was no evidence for inter-specific habitat partitioning (individuals co-occurred randomly with con-and hetero-specifics). Conversely, resident adults were more reliant on the deeper lagoon. Juveniles selected the reef at habitat likely because it provided refuge from predation and foraging opportunities. However, juveniles were also detected in the lagoon habitat and this appeared to be necessitated by physical factors as they were detected more frequently in the lagoon at low tides and when temperatures on the reef fats became too warm or too cold. All results together suggest that St. Joseph Atoll is a nursery area for these dasyatids. Juveniles may be limited by resources as prey was partitioned between species. However, top-down control by larger sharks was likely a significant influence on habitat selection, as was the physical effects of tide and temperature. Finally, St. Joseph Atoll is suitable for the designation of a Marine Protected Area, which would likely confer high conservation benefits to this dasyatid community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Elston, Chantel
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Dasyatidae -- Seychelles -- Ecology , Rays (Fishes) -- Seychelles -- Ecology , Ecology -- Seychelles , Dasyatidae -- Seychelles -- Conservation , Pastinachus sephen , Urogymnus granulatus , Urogymnus asperrimus
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/95756 , vital:31196 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/95756
- Description: Batoid populations are declining globally but the paucity of information makes management or conservation efforts difficult. Additionally, batoids are mesopredators and are hypothesised to play important ecological roles, but a comprehensive understanding of these roles is also limited. Therefore, information on batoid habitat use, foraging ecology, and resource partitioning is needed. St. Joseph Atoll is a relatively pristine ecosystem that hosts a sympatric dasyatid community (Pastinachus sephen, Urogymnus granulatus, and U. asperrimus). Passive acoustic telemetry identified high levels of long-term site affinity by both juvenile and adult dasyatids to St. Joseph Atoll. Dispersal from the atoll by larger juveniles was also evident. Juveniles displayed restricted horizontal movements in the atoll, but the extent of these movements differed seasonally. Stomach content and stable isotope analyses identified inter-specific prey partitioning (P. sephen juveniles were mollusc specialists and U. granulatus juveniles were crustacean specialists) and intra-specific prey partitioning. Juveniles were reliant upon a seagrass-based food web, whereas adults were reliant on phytoplankton-based food web. Adults fed at higher trophic levels compared to juveniles (mean of 4.6 and 3.4 respectively). Juvenile dasyatids preferentially selected the shallow reef at habitat of the atoll, where there was no evidence for inter-specific habitat partitioning (individuals co-occurred randomly with con-and hetero-specifics). Conversely, resident adults were more reliant on the deeper lagoon. Juveniles selected the reef at habitat likely because it provided refuge from predation and foraging opportunities. However, juveniles were also detected in the lagoon habitat and this appeared to be necessitated by physical factors as they were detected more frequently in the lagoon at low tides and when temperatures on the reef fats became too warm or too cold. All results together suggest that St. Joseph Atoll is a nursery area for these dasyatids. Juveniles may be limited by resources as prey was partitioned between species. However, top-down control by larger sharks was likely a significant influence on habitat selection, as was the physical effects of tide and temperature. Finally, St. Joseph Atoll is suitable for the designation of a Marine Protected Area, which would likely confer high conservation benefits to this dasyatid community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The tropical environment and malaria in southwestern Nigeria, 1861 – 1960
- Authors: Adetiba, Adedamola Seun
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Diseases and history -- Africa , Diseases and history -- Nigeria , Medical anthropology -- Africa , Medical anthropology -- Nigeria , Malaria -- Social aspects -- Nigeria , Malaria -- Nigeria -- History , Nigeria -- History , Imperialism -- Health aspects , Medicine -- Colonies -- Great Britain -- History
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/76564 , vital:30605
- Description: This thesis is a social history of malaria in southwestern Nigeria. It contributes to the burgeoning literature in the historiography of medicine, specifically the medicine and empire debate. Key to the issues raised in this thesis is the extent to which the limitations in colonial medical policies, most especially malaria control programmes, inspired critical and ingenious responses from African nationalists, doctors, patients, research volunteers, and indigenous medical practitioners. Challenged by a wide range of diseases and a paucity of health facilities and disease control schemes, African rural dwellers became medical pluralists in the ways they imagined and appropriated ideas of Western medicine alongside their indigenous medical practices. Beginning with a detailed historical exploration of the issues that informed the introduction of curative and preventive medicine in southwestern Nigeria, this thesis reveals the focus of colonial medicine. It exposes the one-sided nature of medical services in colonial spaces like southwestern Nigeria and the ways it shaped multifaceted responses from Africans, who were specifically side-lined till the 1950s when the rural medical service scheme was introduced. The focus of colonial medicine is drawn from relatively rich but often subjective historical evidence, such as a plethora of official reports of the department of medical and sanitary services, official correspondences within the colonial government in Lagos and Nigeria, and between the colonial government and the colonial office in the United Kingdom. Details of African responses to medical policies were garnered from newspaper publications and correspondences between the African public and the colonial government in Lagos. They reveal very interesting details of the ways Africans imagined, reimagined, and appropriated malaria control ideas and schemes. The central argument in this thesis is that attempts to control malaria in southwestern Nigeria till the 1950s, were shaped by a single concern to ameliorate the implications of the disease on the colonial state. It argues that this one-sided nature of malaria control programme informed the basis for medical pluralism in most rural spaces where African communities became patrons and sponsors of Western medicine and at the same time custodians of their indigenous medical practices. The series of justifications for the sustenance of these services were reinforced on the basis of the failure of the colonial state to guarantee the health needs of their colonial subjects. The aim of the thesis is to reinforce arguments that portray colonial medicine as a “tool of empire” but goes a bit further to explain the extent to which Africans related to this reality. It states quite categorically that Africans were not docile and silent, but that they acted decisively in ways that suited their varied interests and courses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Adetiba, Adedamola Seun
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Diseases and history -- Africa , Diseases and history -- Nigeria , Medical anthropology -- Africa , Medical anthropology -- Nigeria , Malaria -- Social aspects -- Nigeria , Malaria -- Nigeria -- History , Nigeria -- History , Imperialism -- Health aspects , Medicine -- Colonies -- Great Britain -- History
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/76564 , vital:30605
- Description: This thesis is a social history of malaria in southwestern Nigeria. It contributes to the burgeoning literature in the historiography of medicine, specifically the medicine and empire debate. Key to the issues raised in this thesis is the extent to which the limitations in colonial medical policies, most especially malaria control programmes, inspired critical and ingenious responses from African nationalists, doctors, patients, research volunteers, and indigenous medical practitioners. Challenged by a wide range of diseases and a paucity of health facilities and disease control schemes, African rural dwellers became medical pluralists in the ways they imagined and appropriated ideas of Western medicine alongside their indigenous medical practices. Beginning with a detailed historical exploration of the issues that informed the introduction of curative and preventive medicine in southwestern Nigeria, this thesis reveals the focus of colonial medicine. It exposes the one-sided nature of medical services in colonial spaces like southwestern Nigeria and the ways it shaped multifaceted responses from Africans, who were specifically side-lined till the 1950s when the rural medical service scheme was introduced. The focus of colonial medicine is drawn from relatively rich but often subjective historical evidence, such as a plethora of official reports of the department of medical and sanitary services, official correspondences within the colonial government in Lagos and Nigeria, and between the colonial government and the colonial office in the United Kingdom. Details of African responses to medical policies were garnered from newspaper publications and correspondences between the African public and the colonial government in Lagos. They reveal very interesting details of the ways Africans imagined, reimagined, and appropriated malaria control ideas and schemes. The central argument in this thesis is that attempts to control malaria in southwestern Nigeria till the 1950s, were shaped by a single concern to ameliorate the implications of the disease on the colonial state. It argues that this one-sided nature of malaria control programme informed the basis for medical pluralism in most rural spaces where African communities became patrons and sponsors of Western medicine and at the same time custodians of their indigenous medical practices. The series of justifications for the sustenance of these services were reinforced on the basis of the failure of the colonial state to guarantee the health needs of their colonial subjects. The aim of the thesis is to reinforce arguments that portray colonial medicine as a “tool of empire” but goes a bit further to explain the extent to which Africans related to this reality. It states quite categorically that Africans were not docile and silent, but that they acted decisively in ways that suited their varied interests and courses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019