The listening train: A collaborative, connective aesthetics approach to transgressive social learning
- Authors: McGarry, Dylan K
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/371023 , vital:66404 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/137658"
- Description: This paper explores a personal iterative retrospective of a series of expansive social-learning processes that were collaboratively developed through practice-based enquiry across 17 South African towns/contexts. This reflexive narrative explores the development of a ‘Climate Train’, a mobile social-learning platform, that was conceived and created through a collaborative social movement of ‘cultural practitioners’ ranging from visual artists, poets, film-makers, theatre-makers, guerrilla-gardeners, musicians, facilitators, to educational researchers, among others, who created new ‘connective aesthetic’ social spaces for dialogue and exchange. Drawing from a variety of artistic genres, including but not limited to theatre and social sculpture (an expanded concept of public/participatory art), I reflect on the formative, foundational qualities of these approaches and share insights into social-learning praxis that emerged on the tracks. Of primary focus is the use of aesthetic praxis as a means that transforms how we engage with our inner capacities as well as how we develop our relational sensibilities. Key findings include the vital role of connective aesthetics in establishing imaginal thinking, moral intuition, empathy, participative parity, and emergence, and how these are important for transformation and establishing new capacities for ecological/global citizenship and collaborative intelligence.
- Full Text:
The natural history and conservation of Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphins (Sousa plumbea) in South African waters
- Authors: Plön, Stephanie , Cockcroft, Victor G , Froneman, P William
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68207 , vital:29219 , https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.amb.2015.08.005
- Description: Publisher version , Although most knowledge on the biology of Sousa plumbea has primarily come from South African waters, a number of research gaps remain on the natural history and status of the species in the region. Research on two populations in South African waters for which some historical data exist may aid in highlighting long-term changes in the biology and natural history of this little known coastal delphinid. Recent studies on the age, growth and reproduction of animals incidentally caught in shark nets in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, yielded a lower maximum age estimate of 24 (previously 46) growth-layer-groups (GLGs), sexual maturity of 7.5 and 8 GLGs in males and females (previously 12–13 and 10 GLGs, respectively), an ovulation rate of 0.2 and a 5-year calving interval (previously 0.3 and 3-year calving interval) than previously reported. These differences may be due to a difference in the interpretation of GLGs between observers or a predominance of young males being caught in the shark nets. Stomach content analysis revealed a change in the relative proportions of the main prey items over the past 25 years, but no difference in species richness or diversity was found between the sexes. No change in trophic level was recorded between 1972 and 2009. Field studies in Algoa Bay, Eastern Cape, conducted 16 years apart indicated a decline in the mean group size (from 7 to 3 animals), a decline in the maximum group size (from 24 to 13 animals), an increase in solitary individuals (15.4–36%), and a change in behaviour from predominantly foraging (64–18%) to mainly travelling (24–49%). The observed changes are suggestive of a change in food availability, resulting in a range shift or a potential decline in numbers. These studies indicate the importance of long-term studies to monitor population changes and their possible causes. A number of threats, such as shark nets, pollution (noise and chemical), and coastal development and disturbance, to the humpback dolphin populations in South Africa have been identified. Urgent action is required to ensure continued existence of the species in South African waters.
- Full Text: false
The nocturnal larvae of a specialist folivore perform better on C hromolaena odorata leaves from a shaded environment
- Authors: Osariyekemwen O. Uyi , Costas Zachariades , Hill, Martin P , Conlong, Desmond
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424855 , vital:72189 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/eea.12321"
- Description: Increasing evidence suggests that individuals of the same plant species occurring in different micro-habitats often show a degree of phenotypic and phytochemical variation. Consequently, insect herbivores associated with such plant species must deal with environment-mediated changes or variability in the traits of their host plants. In this study, we examined the effects of habitat condition (shadedvs. full-sun habitats) on plant traits and leaf characteristics of the invasive alien plant, Chromolaenaodorata (L.) King and Robinson (Asteraceae). In addition, the performance was evaluated in two generations of a specialist folivore, Pareuchaetes insulata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae), on leaves obtained from both shaded and full-sun habitats. The study was done in an area where the insect was introduced as a biological control agent. Leaves growing in shade were less tough, had higher water and nitrogen content, and lower total non-structural carbohydrate, compared with leaves growing in full sun. Plants growing in shade had longer leaves and were taller, but above-ground biomass was significantly reduced compared with plants growing in full sun. In both generations (parents and offspring), P. insulata developed faster and had larger pupal mass, increased growth rate, and higher fecundity when reared on shaded foliage compared with full-sun foliage. Although immature survival and adult longevity did not differ between habitats, Maw’s host suitability index indicated that shaded leaves were more suitable for the growth and reproduction of P. insulata. We suggest that the benefits obtained by P.insulata feeding on shaded foliage are associated with reduced toughness and enhanced nitrogen and water content of leaves. These results demonstrate that light-mediated changes in plant traits and leaf characteristics can affect insect folivore performance.
- Full Text:
The nonlinear absorption in new lanthanide double decker pyridine-based phthalocyanines in solution and thin films
- Authors: Sekhosana, Kutloana E , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189307 , vital:44836 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2015.05.022"
- Description: The optical behavior of bis-{2(3), 9(10), 16(17), 23(24)-(tetrapyridin-4-yloxy phthalocyaninato)} lanthanum (III) (2) and its ytterbium (3) counterpart in dimethyl sulfoxide are presented and compared to bis-{1(4), 8(11), 15(18), 22(25)-(tetrapyridin-4-yloxy phthalocyaninato)} ytterbium (III) (4). We report on the third-order susceptibility, second-order hyperpolarizability and the limiting threshold values. The nonlinear optical limiting threshold values of complexes 2, 3 and 4 showed improvement in the solid state (thin films), with complex 4 giving the best value at 0.033 J cm−2.
- Full Text:
The nursery role of a sheltered surf-zone in warm-temperate southern Africa
- Authors: Rishworth, Gavin M , Strydom, Nadine A , Potts, Warren M
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/443651 , vital:74141 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC177697
- Description: Marine fish nurseries such as surf-zones have usually been classified as nurseries based solely on the density of pre-adult fish, yet the full suite of developmental stages are seldom assessed because of difficulties associated with sampling these habitats. The larval and early juvenile fish assemblage was studied in a sheltered surf-zone (King's Beach, South Africa), where high densities of older juveniles are known to occur. Fishes were collected fortnightly over six months using two modified seine nets. Although the surf composition included typical species for this habitat type, Gobiidae, Gobiesocidae and Haemulidae dominated the larval assemblage, which suggested that the nearby rocky structure and estuaries have an influence on the assemblage. Three species, Liza richardsonii (Mugilidae), Pomadasys olivaceus (Haemulidae) and Diplodus capensis (Sparidae), showed evidence of growth and recruitment into the surf-zone from the late larval stage. The high density of larval and juvenile fishes, the presence of more than one early life history stage and the observed growth of fishes suggests that King's Beach provides a suitable nursery habitat for several fishes.
- Full Text:
The oxygen isotope composition of Karoo and Etendeka picrites: High δ18O mantle or crustal contamination?
- Authors: Harris, Chris , Le Roux, Petrus , Cochrane, Ryan , Martin, Laure , Duncan, Andrew R , Marsh, Julian S , Le Roex, A P
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60774 , vital:27829 , https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00410-015-1164-1
- Description: Olivine and orthopyroxene phenocrysts from picrite and picrate basalt lavas and dykes (Mg# 64-80) from the Tuli and Mwanezi (Nuanetsi) regions of the ~180 Ma Karoo Large Igneous province (LIP) have δ18O values that range from 6.0 to 6.7 ‰ (Fig. 1), suggesting that they crystallized from magmas having δ18O values about 1 to 1.5 ‰ higher than expected in an entirely mantle-derived magma. Olivines from picrite and picrite basalt dykes from the 135 Ma Etendeka LIP of Namibia and Karoo-age picrite dykes from Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica do not have such elevated δ18O values. The Etendeka picrites show good correlations between δ18O value and Sr-, Nd- and Pb-isotope ratios that are consistent with previously proposed models of crustal contamination (e.g. Thompson et al., 2007). Explanations for the high δ18O values in Tuli/Mwenezi picrites are limited to (i) alteration, (ii) crustal contamination, and (iii) derivation from mantle with an abnormally high δ18O. The lack of variation in olivine and orthopyroxene δ18O values, together with the lack of correlation between mineral and whole-rock δ18O values are not consistent with alteration being the cause of high δ18O values. The high δ18O values in selected olivine cores have been confirmed by SIMS, and aggressive cleaning of crystals with HF makes no difference to the δ18O value obtained. Average εNd and εSr values of -8 and +16, and high concentrations of incompatible elements such as K are typical of picrites from the Mwanezi (Nuanetsi) region, which have been explained by a variety of models that range from crustal contamination to derivation from the ‘enriched’ mantle lithosphere. The primitive character of the magmas combined with the lack of correlation between δ18O values and radiogenic isotope composition and MgO content or Mg# are inconsistent with crustal contamination, and lend weight to arguments in favour of an 18O-enriched mantle source having high incompatible trace element concentration and enriched radiogenic isotope composition. Although elevated initial Sr isotope ratios, εNd values of -8, and δ18O values about 1 ‰ higher than expected for mantle-derived magma are also a feature of the Bushveld mafic and ultramafic magmas, it is unlikely that a long-lived 18O-enriched mantle source would have survived for nearly 2 Ga. Incorporation of crustal material into the mantle by subduction or delamination of the lower crust are the most likely mechanisms for enriching the mantle in 18O.
- Full Text:
The palladacycle, AJ-5, exhibits anti-tumour and anti-cancer stem cell activity in breast cancer cells:
- Authors: Aliwaini, Saeb , Peres, Jade , Kröger, Wendy L , Blanckenberg, Angelique , de la Mare, Jo-Anne , Edkins, Adrienne L , Mapolie, Selwyn , Prince, Sharon
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164874 , vital:41180 , DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2014.11.027
- Description: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy amongst women worldwide but despite enormous efforts to address this problem, there is still limited success with most of the current therapeutic strategies. The current study describes the anti-cancer activity of a binuclear palladacycle complex (AJ-5) in oestrogen receptor positive (MCF7) and oestrogen receptor negative (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cells as well as human breast cancer stem cells. AJ-5 is shown to induce DNA double strand breaks leading to intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis and autophagy cell death pathways which are mediated by the p38 MAP kinase. This study provides evidence that AJ-5 is potentially an effective compound in the treatment of breast cancer.
- Full Text:
The Personal Wellbeing Index in the South African isiXhosa translation: a qualitative focus group study
- Authors: Moller, Valerie , Roberts, Benjamin J , Zani, Dalindyebo
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67125 , vital:29034 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-014-0820-6
- Description: publisher version , International scholars who rely on the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) to compare cross-cultural quality of life have often been confronted with the problems of nuances getting ‘lost in translation’. This qualitative study explored the meaning of the isiXhosa version of the PWI in focus group discussions with native speakers. Participants in the study discussed how they understood and rated their lives on each item in the index. The discourse conveyed the different shades of meaning associated with the PWI items of life satisfaction and eight domains of life. The study found that PWI items related to material well-being, living standards, achievements in life and future (financial) security were best understood. The PWI items referring to personal relationships and community connectedness were seen as nearly identical in meaning. Both translation and cultural factors may be responsible for the conflation of these two items. Noteworthy is that the PWI item on religion and spirituality was seen to embrace both Christian and traditional African beliefs and practice, without prejudice. A new item on daily activities was piloted with good results. The focus group study also showcased the manner in which discussants worked with the rating scale and drew on social comparisons when evaluating global and domain satisfactions. It is concluded that cognitive testing of PWI items in different translations will serve not only to appraise the validity of PWI ratings across cultures, but importantly also opens a window on what makes for a life of quality in a particular social setting.
- Full Text: false
The photophysical properties of multi-functional quantum dots-magnetic nanoparticles—indium octacarboxyphthalocyanine nanocomposite
- Authors: Tshangana, Charmaine , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189876 , vital:44942 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-014-1497-6"
- Description: This work presents the development of a multifunctional hybrid nanoparticle made of L-glutathione capped quantum dots (GSH-CdSe@ZnS), amino functionalized Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles and indium octacarboxy phthalocyanine (ClInPc(COOH)8). In this work we investigate the photophysical properties of the individual components and the hybrid nanoparticle, in addition we study the energy transfer (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)) in the complex. FRET efficiencies of ~48 % were obtained for energy transfer between the QDs (when alone or linked to MNPs). Both triplet yields and lifetimes of ClInPc(COOH)8 increase in the nanocomposite, with a decrease in fluorescence lifetime. The hybrid nanoparticle showed improved photophysical properties and as a result can be used in photodynamic therapy.
- Full Text:
The politics of erasure: thinking critically about anonymity and confidentiality
- Authors: Marx, Jacqueline , Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143827 , vital:38286 , https://ischp.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/ischp_2015_abstract_booklet.pdf
- Description: Anonymity and confidentiality are prominent features in research ethics codes. In this paper we critically examine the ethical imperative to change or eradicate research participant’s names and the distinctive, individually identifying characteristics of their lives. Drawing on examples from a research ethics application for a project involving women who had extricated themselves from relationships in which they had experienced intimate partner violence, and an ethnographic case study of cross-dressing and drag, consideration is given to the multiple ways in which anonymity and confidentiality can be put to work, both promoting and undermining what it means to do ethical research. We argue that the requirement for anonymity and confidentiality cannot be assessed without taking into account historicity and the socio-political contexts in which a study and its participants are located. The paper concludes with some consideration of the implications of a situated ethics approach for institutional review board protocols.
- Full Text:
The politics of interweaving performance cultures
- Authors: Krueger, Anton
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/225719 , vital:49252 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10137548.2015.1014170"
- Description: According to the former president of the International Federation of Theatre Research (IFTR), Brian Singleton, the study of ‘[i]nterculturalism as a practice and a theory gained currency with Richard Schechner’s anthropologically-inspired new discipline of performance studies’ (p. 79). Schechner’s new discipline led to the formation of the annual Performance Studies International (PSI) conferences, and earlier this year I attended the twentieth instalment in Shanghai, which was held under the rubric of ‘Tradition and the Avant-Garde’. One of the things which struck me was the extent to which the (relatively) newly economically empowered Chinese theatre makers were creating grand productions based on Western theatre traditions. For example, many of the presentations for delegates were based on Western texts (such as Hamlet, Miss Julie and even a play by Woody Allen). And yet these productions were performed in Mandarin, using purist Chinese forms, such as Beijing Opera. During the discussions there seemed to be an awkward defensiveness from some of the Chinese hosts who insisted they were not ‘copying’ Western theatre, but that they were using it to express a pure Chinese aesthetic. There were also other performances at the conference, such as a series of parables called Confucius Disciples, which told didactic tales with content very foreign to a Western audience. A visiting troupe from Bulgaria presented their own version of some of these parables, using a strongly East European aesthetic to convey a Chinese message. In this way, experiments with cultural forms and content were clearly foregrounded by the conference presentations.
- Full Text:
The politics of philosophy in Africa
- Authors: Jones, Ward E , Metz, Thaddeus
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/275733 , vital:55074 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/02580136.2015.1104797"
- Description: The background to the present discussion is the prevalence of political and personal criticisms in philosophical discussions about Africa. As philosophers in South Africa—both white and black—continue to philosophise seriously about Africa, responses to their work sometimes take the form of political and personal criticisms of, if not attacks on, the philosopher exploring and defending considerations about the African continent. One of us (TM) has been the target of such critiques in light of his work. Our aim in this conversation is not to diminish or deflect such critiques. On the contrary, our aim is to understand them, to make them as strong as possible, and to bring them into the cooler realm of philosophical discussion.
- Full Text:
The prevalence of planning and management frameworks for trees and green spaces in urban areas of South Africa
- Authors: Chishaleshale, M , Shackleton, Charlie M , Gambiza, James , Gumbo, Davison
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180884 , vital:43659 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2015.09.012"
- Description: Optimisation of the benefits from urban forestry and greening to urban dwellers and the environment rests on proactive and appropriate management planning, implementation and resourcing. Yet, lessons from the developed world show marked variability in development and adoption of urban tree and green space (UTGS) strategic plans and systematic monitoring and maintenance. Although financial and human resources for UTGS may be constrained in developing world contexts, there is no knowledge of the extent to which local authorities engage in appropriate and timely planning, management and monitoring. Here we examine the UTGS resourcing, planning, maintenance and integration across 28 local municipalities in the two poorest provinces in South Africa. It was revealed that most local municipalities were not managing their UTGS in a planned or systematic manner due to constraining factors such as insufficient funds, insufficient personnel, lack of equipment and lack of political support. Only 7% of the surveyed municipalities had an urban tree management plan and an estimate of the urban tree stock; 32% had tree policies; 21% had tree planting schedules; 11% had tree maintenance schedules. Over 65% claimed to engage other stakeholders in tree planting, but much was passive receipt of trees for planting rather than citizen engagement around species, places and values. Generally, the prevalence of most planning and maintenance elements increased with increasing size of the municipality and the presence of personnel specifically for UTGS management. It is likely that the prevalence of planning and maintenance functions will increase with greater political support from municipal councillors which may also decrease funding challenges.
- Full Text:
The representation of sex workers in South African media: danger, morals and human rights
- Authors: Hunt, Sally , Hubbard, Beatrice
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/139101 , vital:37705 , DOI: 10.5842/46-0-618
- Description: The ideological construct of gender typically positions women below men, and “others” certain types of women even more, especially those distinguished from idealised femininity by aspects of their sexuality. This paper explores the representation of sex work and sex workers in the South African media in 2009 and 2010, a time during which there was an increase in news coverage of sex work during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Analysis of the two data sets revealed that sex work is still often perceived as immoral and dangerous, and that sex workers – overwhelmingly represented as women – are criminalised for their actions while client agency is largely obscured, which is in line with previous studies of South African newspapers. However, a strong liberal representation of sex workers was also found in one data set, which advocates the decriminalisation of sex work in the context of human rights. The use of the term “sex work” and its derivatives, rather than “prostitution”, was found to index this progressive stance.
- Full Text:
The subspecies of Antarctic Terns (Sterna vittata) wintering on the South African coast: evidence from morphology, genetics and stable isotopes
- Authors: Connan, Maëlle , Teske, Peter R , Tree, Anthony J , Whittington, Philip A , McQuaid, Christopher D
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/444854 , vital:74303 , https://doi.org/10.1071/MU14089
- Description: Five to seven subspecies of Antarctic Tern (Sterna vittata) are recognised, with at least three (S. v. vittata, S. v. tristanensis and S. v. sanctipauli) wintering in South Africa. Morphological characters used to define these subspecies are not perfectly reliable, but fidelity to nesting site suggests they could be genetically distinct. We used morphological data and DNA to investigate the validity of subspecies. We further used stable isotope analysis of feather samples collected from the non-breeding grounds in South Africa to attempt to ascertain the population of origin. Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequence data identified two major genetic clades: one mostly comprised individuals partially or completely matching the morphological description of S. v. tristanensis, the other included individuals from S. v. vittata and S. v. sanctipauli. Stable isotope values indicated that juveniles originated from at least three populations. Irrespective of their morphological and genetic characteristics, most immatures moulted in Antarctic waters, and adults moulted in various habitats. Their colony of origin could not therefore be inferred from stable isotope values from feathers. Results indicate that morphological groupings may reflect a north-south cline across the Indian Ocean. Adequate conservation strategies require rigorous reassessment of the currently accepted subspecies, including DNA analyses of samples from the breeding grounds, particularly on Amsterdam and St Paul Islands.
- Full Text:
The system of the mbira
- Authors: Tracey, Andrew
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59720 , vital:27642 , http://dx.doi.org/10.21504/amj.v10i1.1229
- Description: The existence of a harmonically-based system of the mbira in Africa should be of great interest in itself, in comparison with modern African musical preferences, and for Afro-American music studies, where the blues sequence is another highly generative harmonic system. It demonstrates a unique method of getting harmonically “from here to there”, and offers an almost endless potential for Shona composers. In fact, the special tinge, the appeal, of modern Shona popular, church and school music comes in large part from the principles of the system which fortunately persist even when composers are working in Western harmony.This is a re-edited and updated version of the paper presented at the 7th Symposium on Ethnomusicology (Venda University) in 1988, published by ILAM in “Papers presented at the 7th and 8th Symposiums in Ethnomusicology” (1989). It is reproduced here because of the worldwide interest which has developed in mbira and its system in recent decades.
- Full Text:
The time of hospitality in Samuel Beckett's Murphy, Michael Ondaatje's The English Patient and Damon Galgut's The Good Doctor:
- Authors: Marais, Mike
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144106 , vital:38312 , DOI: 10.1080/00138398.2015.1083193
- Description: In this article, I focus on the temporal dimension of the differential process through which community constitutes itself. If community is premised on the sameness that is enabled by that which it excludes, and sees as a threat, then it must seek always to conserve itself and to render the future – which is hazardous in its uncertainty – calculable, predictable and determinable. In its search for stability and permanence, community must dominate time in such a way that it is overcome, that it withdraws from itself. Arguably, though, we would view time less teleologically and programmatically, if we could relate differently to the difference on which community depends. A form of hospitality that is predicated on an acceptance of otherness – not only that of a community's outsiders, but also the ‘common strangeness’ of its insiders – would alter the ways in which being-in-common is conceived, and would also change our experience of belonging.
- Full Text:
The timing of moult in males and females of the monomorphic Pale-winged Starling Onychognathus nabouroup
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Bonnevie, Bo T , Hausberger, Martine , Henry, Laurence
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/443805 , vital:74155 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC177689
- Description: Pale-winged Starlings Onychognathus nabouroup inhabit the arid western interior of southern Africa and moult-breeding overlap may occur. We collected field data in two successive years on the moult of individual birds, whose sex was confirmed by genetic techniques. Small samples revealed a non-significant tendency for the moult of females in the early stages of wing moult to be more advanced than that of males in both years, but also clear evidence that the starting date of moult differed in the two years. In this species the moult schedule may thus be variable at both the individual and the population levels.
- Full Text:
The trade in and household use of Phoenix reclinata palm frond hand brushes on the Wild Coast, South Africa: Effects on soil nutrients
- Authors: Mjoli, Nwabisa , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180800 , vital:43647 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-015-9316-9"
- Description: The Trade in and Household Use of Phoenix reclinata Palm Frond Hand Brushes on the Wild Coast, South Africa. This paper reports on an investigation of the harvesting, trade, and use of hand brushes made from fronds of the wild palm, Phoenix reclinata. We considered both the abundance of the resource as well as the demand. Within the harvesting areas, there were approximately 141 palm plants per hectare, of which almost two-thirds showed no signs of frond harvesting. During harvesting, most fronds (82%) were left on the plant, 16% were removed to make brushes, and 2% were cut and discarded. Although the number of harvesters had increased during the last decade, most felt that the number of palm plants had remained stable or even increased over the same period. There was strong consensus that cut fronds were replaced within two months, after which a particular stem could be harvested again. Harvesting and trade were practiced largely by middle-aged to elderly women, who had limited formal education, skills, and employment prospects. Most had entered the trade because of cash income poverty. The main markets for selling the palm brushes were in nearby urban areas. The income earned from the trade was modest, but still rated highly by the traders, for most of whom it was the second most-important source of cash income. For many users, the palm brushes was found to be the only type of brush suitable for cleaning mud and cow-dung flooring and, most importantly for many, their use forms part of a long household use history and culture.
- Full Text:
The women of Willowvale-crafting livelihoods from the wild date palm
- Authors: Mjoli, Nwabisa , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182322 , vital:43820 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC185235"
- Description: The Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape is renowned for its cultural landscapes, stunning scenery and remarkable biodiversity. It is also one of the least developed regions of South Africa, which underpins the small productive base and limited economic opportunities for the hundreds of rural communities scattered along the hilltops. It is not surprising therefore, that many inhabitants make extensive use of natural resources, such as firewood, reed mats, medicinal plants and wild vegetables, in their daily lives, as well as for sources of income when the opportunity arises.
- Full Text: