Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) and rural poverty reduction in the Eastern Cape Province South Africa: a case of Amathole Rural District
- Authors: Mamutse, Zivai Tapfumanei
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic policy , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Social conditions , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11440 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007231 , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic policy , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Social conditions , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Description: The government of South Africa has seen many financial reforms in the finance industry since the attainment of freedom in 1994. Many microfinance institutions (MFIs) have emerged in the name of poverty reduction, however the impact of MFIs on poverty reduction in rural areas has not been significantly high. Poverty has been reduced but still the inequality gap has even widened (HSRC, 2004). The study is concerned with analysing the impact of MFIs in poverty reduction among the rural poor. Empirical evidence from many developing nations around the world has shown that microfinance is a tool that is relevant in reducing poverty within rural areas. This study investigates the impact of microfinance institutions on household income levels, education and business skills. The study followed a qualitative approach in terms of the research methodology and a survey research design. Data was collected using questionnaires, scheduled interviews, focus group discussions and key informants. Two sample techniques were used for the selection of the MFIs and the household respondents, that is purposive sampling and cluster sampling. In total, 150 households, 15 MFIs and five key informants were interviewed. Descriptive analysis methods were employed and the study showed that only 10 percent of the total households have been able to access microfinance. The number of people who gained business skills was also low (10 percent). The MFIs who provide financial services excluding the other services like business training programmes were 80 percent of the total number of MFIs interviewed. This data showed that only a few (20 percent) MFIs are willing to go an extra mile rendering business skills to their clients. Overally the major finding of the study was that although, MFIs are reaching out to the rural communities, their levels of outreach is still very low within the rural areas. However this does not mean that the impact of MFIs funding is not felt among the rural poor. The levels of income and educational benefits have been increased and felt by the 10 percent of the rural poor clients. This study advocates for an entrepreneurship development pathway to poverty reduction. Microfinance should be used as a source of finance to initiate entrepreneurial activities among the poor in order to generate income. In this study, the use of microfinance finance for consumption by the poor is discouraged because it depletes the funds that can be channeled for selfhelp projects within the rural communities. The study findings motivated the recommendations that encourage an inclusive financial system that is capable of reaching out to the rural poor.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mamutse, Zivai Tapfumanei
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic policy , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Social conditions , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11440 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007231 , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic policy , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Social conditions , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Description: The government of South Africa has seen many financial reforms in the finance industry since the attainment of freedom in 1994. Many microfinance institutions (MFIs) have emerged in the name of poverty reduction, however the impact of MFIs on poverty reduction in rural areas has not been significantly high. Poverty has been reduced but still the inequality gap has even widened (HSRC, 2004). The study is concerned with analysing the impact of MFIs in poverty reduction among the rural poor. Empirical evidence from many developing nations around the world has shown that microfinance is a tool that is relevant in reducing poverty within rural areas. This study investigates the impact of microfinance institutions on household income levels, education and business skills. The study followed a qualitative approach in terms of the research methodology and a survey research design. Data was collected using questionnaires, scheduled interviews, focus group discussions and key informants. Two sample techniques were used for the selection of the MFIs and the household respondents, that is purposive sampling and cluster sampling. In total, 150 households, 15 MFIs and five key informants were interviewed. Descriptive analysis methods were employed and the study showed that only 10 percent of the total households have been able to access microfinance. The number of people who gained business skills was also low (10 percent). The MFIs who provide financial services excluding the other services like business training programmes were 80 percent of the total number of MFIs interviewed. This data showed that only a few (20 percent) MFIs are willing to go an extra mile rendering business skills to their clients. Overally the major finding of the study was that although, MFIs are reaching out to the rural communities, their levels of outreach is still very low within the rural areas. However this does not mean that the impact of MFIs funding is not felt among the rural poor. The levels of income and educational benefits have been increased and felt by the 10 percent of the rural poor clients. This study advocates for an entrepreneurship development pathway to poverty reduction. Microfinance should be used as a source of finance to initiate entrepreneurial activities among the poor in order to generate income. In this study, the use of microfinance finance for consumption by the poor is discouraged because it depletes the funds that can be channeled for selfhelp projects within the rural communities. The study findings motivated the recommendations that encourage an inclusive financial system that is capable of reaching out to the rural poor.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Microstructural and analytical characterization of plasma dissociated zircon
- Authors: Minnaar, Ettiénne Gerald
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Zircon , Zirconium
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10547 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015972
- Description: This dissertation focuses on the microstructural and analytical characterization of plasma dissociated zircon (PDZ) which was produced by the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA). The techniques used in the analysis of the material include scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy and wavelength dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS and WDS), infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The differences in morphology of the zirconia (ZrO2) crystals observed in the PDZ are related to the thermal history of the material. Large zirconia crystals grow in a spherulitic manner and have the monoclinic crystal structure. Some smaller crystals formed via a rapid cooling process appear to retain the tetragonal or cubic crystal structures rather than relaxing to the monoclinic structure, and this may be because such nanocrystals are stabilised by small surface area or constraints from surrounding materials. Impurity distribution analysis of the PDZ showed that majority of the impurities present in zircon segregates to the silica phase during the dissociation process. The infrared and Raman spectroscopy analysis of the PDZ material indicated that the zirconia is present in the monoclinic and tetragonal polymorphs. X-ray diffraction revealed the presence of monoclinic, tetragonal and cubic zirconia phases. Rietveld refinement of the XRD patterns revealed zirconia to be predominantly found in the monoclinic polymorph followed by the tetragonal and cubic polymorphs. A Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer equipped with an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) cell proved to be a viable method for determining the percentage dissociated zircon in PDZ.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Minnaar, Ettiénne Gerald
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Zircon , Zirconium
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10547 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015972
- Description: This dissertation focuses on the microstructural and analytical characterization of plasma dissociated zircon (PDZ) which was produced by the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA). The techniques used in the analysis of the material include scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy and wavelength dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS and WDS), infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The differences in morphology of the zirconia (ZrO2) crystals observed in the PDZ are related to the thermal history of the material. Large zirconia crystals grow in a spherulitic manner and have the monoclinic crystal structure. Some smaller crystals formed via a rapid cooling process appear to retain the tetragonal or cubic crystal structures rather than relaxing to the monoclinic structure, and this may be because such nanocrystals are stabilised by small surface area or constraints from surrounding materials. Impurity distribution analysis of the PDZ showed that majority of the impurities present in zircon segregates to the silica phase during the dissociation process. The infrared and Raman spectroscopy analysis of the PDZ material indicated that the zirconia is present in the monoclinic and tetragonal polymorphs. X-ray diffraction revealed the presence of monoclinic, tetragonal and cubic zirconia phases. Rietveld refinement of the XRD patterns revealed zirconia to be predominantly found in the monoclinic polymorph followed by the tetragonal and cubic polymorphs. A Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer equipped with an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) cell proved to be a viable method for determining the percentage dissociated zircon in PDZ.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Minimum sentence legislation in South Africa
- Authors: Nzimande, Eric Sibusiso
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: South Africa -- Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1997 , Sentences (Criminal procedure) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10179 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012041 , South Africa -- Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1997 , Sentences (Criminal procedure) -- South Africa
- Description: Legislation regulating minimum sentences in South Africa was re-introduced by sections 51 to 53 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997 which came into operation on 1 May 1998. These provisions were regarded as a temporary measure to be effective for two years, where after they were extended from time to time. After they had been extended for several times, section 51 was rendered permanent on 31 December 2007 by the Criminal Law (Sentencing) Amendment Act 38 of 2007. At the same time sections 52 and 53 were repealed by the same Act. Minimum sentence legislation was the result of a call by the community for heavier penalties and for the offenders to serve more realistic terms of imprisonment. There was also a general dissatisfaction about the perceived leniency of sentences imposed by the courts for serious crimes. During 1996 and in the wake of these concerns the Minister of Justice requested the South African Law Reform Commission to investigate all aspects of sentencing in South Africa. A Project Committee chaired by a judge of the High Court was appointed and it operated from the late 1996 to March 1998. Minimum sentences for certain serious crimes were one of the options to be investigated by the Project Committee. Consequent to this the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997 was promulgated with effect from 1 May 1998. The legislature intended this Act to defer criminal activity, to avoid disparities in sentencing and to deal harshly with perpetrators of serious offences. The subsequent amendments to the Act included the granting of jurisdiction to the Regional court to pass life imprisonment, an automatic right of appeal against life imprisonment in respect of a juvenile accused and identification of circumstances that do not constitute substantial and compelling circumstances. Judicial discretion and departure from prescribed minimum sentences had initially presented a problem regarding its interpretation in a variety of cases in our courts. Eventually our courts came up with a clear interpretation of the meaning of the phrase substantial and compelling circumstances. This research project will analyze the provisions of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997 with regard to minimum sentences for certain serious offences. In the process case law and other literature will be discussed regarding the interpretation of minimum sentence provisions in the Act. Recommendations for legislation which will cover the aspect of sentencing on a wider scale are made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Nzimande, Eric Sibusiso
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: South Africa -- Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1997 , Sentences (Criminal procedure) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10179 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012041 , South Africa -- Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1997 , Sentences (Criminal procedure) -- South Africa
- Description: Legislation regulating minimum sentences in South Africa was re-introduced by sections 51 to 53 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997 which came into operation on 1 May 1998. These provisions were regarded as a temporary measure to be effective for two years, where after they were extended from time to time. After they had been extended for several times, section 51 was rendered permanent on 31 December 2007 by the Criminal Law (Sentencing) Amendment Act 38 of 2007. At the same time sections 52 and 53 were repealed by the same Act. Minimum sentence legislation was the result of a call by the community for heavier penalties and for the offenders to serve more realistic terms of imprisonment. There was also a general dissatisfaction about the perceived leniency of sentences imposed by the courts for serious crimes. During 1996 and in the wake of these concerns the Minister of Justice requested the South African Law Reform Commission to investigate all aspects of sentencing in South Africa. A Project Committee chaired by a judge of the High Court was appointed and it operated from the late 1996 to March 1998. Minimum sentences for certain serious crimes were one of the options to be investigated by the Project Committee. Consequent to this the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997 was promulgated with effect from 1 May 1998. The legislature intended this Act to defer criminal activity, to avoid disparities in sentencing and to deal harshly with perpetrators of serious offences. The subsequent amendments to the Act included the granting of jurisdiction to the Regional court to pass life imprisonment, an automatic right of appeal against life imprisonment in respect of a juvenile accused and identification of circumstances that do not constitute substantial and compelling circumstances. Judicial discretion and departure from prescribed minimum sentences had initially presented a problem regarding its interpretation in a variety of cases in our courts. Eventually our courts came up with a clear interpretation of the meaning of the phrase substantial and compelling circumstances. This research project will analyze the provisions of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997 with regard to minimum sentences for certain serious offences. In the process case law and other literature will be discussed regarding the interpretation of minimum sentence provisions in the Act. Recommendations for legislation which will cover the aspect of sentencing on a wider scale are made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Misconceptions in electrostatics among learners at university entry point: a South African case study
- Muthiraparampil, Susamma Thomas
- Authors: Muthiraparampil, Susamma Thomas
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Electrostatics -- Learners -- Education (Tertiary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:18450 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1007755
- Description: The study explored misconceptions in electrostatics and their origins amongst learners at entry point in a South African University. Available literature showed misconceptions in electrostatics amongst High School learners and confirmed textbooks as one of the sources of misconceptions. It was therefore important to look for misconceptions in electrostatics amongst first year Bachelor of Science (B.Sc 1) learners in physics courses and their origins at the start of the academic year. The study also explored educators' misconceptions in the topic to check whether they could also be a source of learners' misconceptions. The results were intended to give guidance on how to eliminate learners' misconceptions at school rather than carrying them to higher education institutions. The study used the ex-post facto research design and was a case-study. The ex-post facto research design enabled the researcher to investigate whether one or more pre-existing conditions have possibly caused the existing problem of misconceptions. The sample consisted of 198 learners from B.Sc 1 physics course and 28 educators from 15 High Schools in one education district in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The data were collected through questionnaires, analysis of textbooks, and interviews. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17 was used for quantitative analysis whereas categorization and coding were used for qualitative analysis. The study revealed that learners had misconceptions in electrostatics. The origins of misconceptions were traced to educators, textbooks, intuition, daily language and lack of hands-on activities. It emerged from the study that educators also had misconceptions and the cause of their misconceptions were textbooks, websites and gaps in content knowledge. The recommendations from the study were the following: identify preliminary knowledge of learners during introduction of the lesson; introduce the iii constructivist approach to teaching in the teacher training curriculum so that learners at school can be taught using the same approach; frequent upgrading of educators through inservice workshops to reduce educators' misconceptions which, in turn, will help to reduce the misconceptions among learners; introduction of conceptual change textbooks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Muthiraparampil, Susamma Thomas
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Electrostatics -- Learners -- Education (Tertiary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:18450 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1007755
- Description: The study explored misconceptions in electrostatics and their origins amongst learners at entry point in a South African University. Available literature showed misconceptions in electrostatics amongst High School learners and confirmed textbooks as one of the sources of misconceptions. It was therefore important to look for misconceptions in electrostatics amongst first year Bachelor of Science (B.Sc 1) learners in physics courses and their origins at the start of the academic year. The study also explored educators' misconceptions in the topic to check whether they could also be a source of learners' misconceptions. The results were intended to give guidance on how to eliminate learners' misconceptions at school rather than carrying them to higher education institutions. The study used the ex-post facto research design and was a case-study. The ex-post facto research design enabled the researcher to investigate whether one or more pre-existing conditions have possibly caused the existing problem of misconceptions. The sample consisted of 198 learners from B.Sc 1 physics course and 28 educators from 15 High Schools in one education district in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The data were collected through questionnaires, analysis of textbooks, and interviews. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17 was used for quantitative analysis whereas categorization and coding were used for qualitative analysis. The study revealed that learners had misconceptions in electrostatics. The origins of misconceptions were traced to educators, textbooks, intuition, daily language and lack of hands-on activities. It emerged from the study that educators also had misconceptions and the cause of their misconceptions were textbooks, websites and gaps in content knowledge. The recommendations from the study were the following: identify preliminary knowledge of learners during introduction of the lesson; introduce the iii constructivist approach to teaching in the teacher training curriculum so that learners at school can be taught using the same approach; frequent upgrading of educators through inservice workshops to reduce educators' misconceptions which, in turn, will help to reduce the misconceptions among learners; introduction of conceptual change textbooks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Mitochondrial DNA paradox: sex-specific genetic structure in a marine mussel despite maternal inheritance and passive dispersal
- Teske, Peter R, Papadopoulos, Isabelle, Barker, Nigel P, McQuaid, Christopher D
- Authors: Teske, Peter R , Papadopoulos, Isabelle , Barker, Nigel P , McQuaid, Christopher D
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6836 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1010959
- Description: Background: When genetic structure is identified using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), but no structure is identified using biparentally-inherited nuclear DNA, the discordance is often attributed to differences in dispersal potential between the sexes. Results: We sampled the intertidal rocky shore mussel Perna perna in a South African bay and along the nearby open coast, and sequenced maternally-inherited mtDNA (there is no evidence for paternally-inherited mtDNA in this species) and a biparentally-inherited marker. By treating males and females as different populations, we identified significant genetic structure on the basis of mtDNA data in the females only. Conclusions: This is the first study to report sex-specific differences in genetic structure based on matrilineally-inherited mtDNA in a passively dispersing species that lacks social structure or sexual dimorphism. The observed pattern most likely stems from females being more vulnerable to selection in habitats from which they did not originate, which also manifests itself in a male-biased sex ratio. Our results have three important implications for the interpretation of population genetic data. First, even when mtDNA is inherited exclusively in the female line, it also contains information about males. For that reason, using it to identify sex-specific differences in genetic structure by contrasting it with biparentally-inherited markers is problematic. Second, the fact that sex-specific differences were found in a passively dispersing species in which sex-biased dispersal is unlikely highlights the fact that significant genetic structure is not necessarily a function of low dispersal potential or physical barriers. Third, even though mtDNA is typically used to study historical demographic processes, it also contains information about contemporary processes. Higher survival rates of males in non-native habitats can erase the genetic structure present in their mothers within a single generation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Teske, Peter R , Papadopoulos, Isabelle , Barker, Nigel P , McQuaid, Christopher D
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6836 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1010959
- Description: Background: When genetic structure is identified using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), but no structure is identified using biparentally-inherited nuclear DNA, the discordance is often attributed to differences in dispersal potential between the sexes. Results: We sampled the intertidal rocky shore mussel Perna perna in a South African bay and along the nearby open coast, and sequenced maternally-inherited mtDNA (there is no evidence for paternally-inherited mtDNA in this species) and a biparentally-inherited marker. By treating males and females as different populations, we identified significant genetic structure on the basis of mtDNA data in the females only. Conclusions: This is the first study to report sex-specific differences in genetic structure based on matrilineally-inherited mtDNA in a passively dispersing species that lacks social structure or sexual dimorphism. The observed pattern most likely stems from females being more vulnerable to selection in habitats from which they did not originate, which also manifests itself in a male-biased sex ratio. Our results have three important implications for the interpretation of population genetic data. First, even when mtDNA is inherited exclusively in the female line, it also contains information about males. For that reason, using it to identify sex-specific differences in genetic structure by contrasting it with biparentally-inherited markers is problematic. Second, the fact that sex-specific differences were found in a passively dispersing species in which sex-biased dispersal is unlikely highlights the fact that significant genetic structure is not necessarily a function of low dispersal potential or physical barriers. Third, even though mtDNA is typically used to study historical demographic processes, it also contains information about contemporary processes. Higher survival rates of males in non-native habitats can erase the genetic structure present in their mothers within a single generation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Mobile: the challenge of a unique new space for journalism: have you got your mojo?
- Authors: Malila, Vanessa
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/159517 , vital:40304 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC135832
- Description: The speed with which technology is improving in the mobile communications market is widening the scope for opportunity to engage with audiences, provide information and capture their attention for that little while longer. Current technology such as 3G wireless technologies, which allow for high-speed data transmission, and access to multimedia content, as well as smart phones and tablet computers have already illustrated the potential for users to access information that is tailored to mobile devices and available anywhere.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Malila, Vanessa
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/159517 , vital:40304 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC135832
- Description: The speed with which technology is improving in the mobile communications market is widening the scope for opportunity to engage with audiences, provide information and capture their attention for that little while longer. Current technology such as 3G wireless technologies, which allow for high-speed data transmission, and access to multimedia content, as well as smart phones and tablet computers have already illustrated the potential for users to access information that is tailored to mobile devices and available anywhere.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Modeling economic behaviour in South Africa's informal urban retail trade sector: the case of Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Qabhobho, Thobekile
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Retail trade -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9008 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012855
- Description: Even though South Africa‟s historical inequalities are addressed, serious economic disparities are still evident. The informal economy is not flourishing as it should be, especially when compared to other fledgling democracies on the continent and this poses a policy question since most of the participants of this sector are from the previously disadvantaged section of the population. One policy dilemma that comes to the fore is about how to ensure that there is increased productivity in the sector so that the sector‟s contribution to the national economy can be enhanced. While the actual share of the economy contributed by the informal economy is difficult to ascertain there is evidence that this constitutes less than one fifth of South Africa‟s GDP. Within the informal economy trading appears to be the dominant economic activity. Despite the importance of the informal trade the sector has not attracted the needed attention in the literature either locally or internationally. The area that has received much attention by researchers has been the informal financial sector. Drawing on a standard revenue model for the informal trade sector this study examines the factors that explain differences in the performance of the retail trade businesses; given that these can be identified an effort should then be made to explore the policy measures that can improve the performance of these firms. The study is based on a sample of 300 informal retail traders in the Port Elizabeth environ. The regression analysis presented in this study suggests that residential area, capital, labour, inventory and age of a business are important determinants of an informal retail trade firm‟s revenue. Very few informal retailers indicated that they had businesses training. The survey results show that having a supplier close to the business assists in reducing transport costs, hence the increase in profit margins. Shelters and storages were found to be very useful in the operation of informal businesses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Qabhobho, Thobekile
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Retail trade -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9008 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012855
- Description: Even though South Africa‟s historical inequalities are addressed, serious economic disparities are still evident. The informal economy is not flourishing as it should be, especially when compared to other fledgling democracies on the continent and this poses a policy question since most of the participants of this sector are from the previously disadvantaged section of the population. One policy dilemma that comes to the fore is about how to ensure that there is increased productivity in the sector so that the sector‟s contribution to the national economy can be enhanced. While the actual share of the economy contributed by the informal economy is difficult to ascertain there is evidence that this constitutes less than one fifth of South Africa‟s GDP. Within the informal economy trading appears to be the dominant economic activity. Despite the importance of the informal trade the sector has not attracted the needed attention in the literature either locally or internationally. The area that has received much attention by researchers has been the informal financial sector. Drawing on a standard revenue model for the informal trade sector this study examines the factors that explain differences in the performance of the retail trade businesses; given that these can be identified an effort should then be made to explore the policy measures that can improve the performance of these firms. The study is based on a sample of 300 informal retail traders in the Port Elizabeth environ. The regression analysis presented in this study suggests that residential area, capital, labour, inventory and age of a business are important determinants of an informal retail trade firm‟s revenue. Very few informal retailers indicated that they had businesses training. The survey results show that having a supplier close to the business assists in reducing transport costs, hence the increase in profit margins. Shelters and storages were found to be very useful in the operation of informal businesses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Modelling and mapping the suitability of land for crop production using a combination of GIS and remote sensing in the Eastern Cape: a case study of Mbashe and Mquma local municipalities-South Africa
- Authors: Vuso, Solly
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geographic Information System)
- Identifier: vital:11534 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019872
- Description: In order to achieve sustainable agriculture, decision makers require appropriate and fully detailed spatial information on land resources. Crop-land suitability analysis is a prerequisite to achieve optimum utilization of the available land resources for sustainable agriculture rural production (T.R. Nisar Ahamed et al., 2000). It is indeed of paramount importance to identify suitable land for cropping while causing minimum impact to the environment. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 1976), recommended an approach of land suitability evaluation for crops in terms of suitable land based on climatic and terrain data and soil properties. In this study, an attempt was made to identify suitable areas for massive crop production using remote sensing and GIS methodologies and the knowledge from extension officers. The primary method aims at generating land cover data using SPOT 5 satellite imagery and modeling with the existing land capability. The research purpose was to map the map the number hectares suitable areas for crop production number hectares suitable areas for crop production number hectares suitable areas for crop production number hectares suitable areas for crop production. Spatial modeling techniques were utilized to model land suitability model in an effective and efficiently way. The spatial modeling extension from ESRI product was used to model the crop suitability areas. The model run on ArcGIS platform and due to the fact that modeling only uses raster formats, all the data sets were projected and converted to raster format. The weighted overlay model was used to create land suitability map. The model results revealed that 4046251.79 hectares were suitable for cropping in the study area. The final outputs of suitable areas were calculated and each ward was given a value of suitable area as well as unsuitable area. The validation of the final maps compliments the 500 000 hectares that were mapped by Dept of Agriculture EC using 8% slope as the best potential areas. The method provides a cheap, effective and efficient way to map suitable areas over a large area and it also uses remote sensing data. It is hoped that decision makers will make use of the information produced in this paper as the whole world is in crisis of food security.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Vuso, Solly
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geographic Information System)
- Identifier: vital:11534 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019872
- Description: In order to achieve sustainable agriculture, decision makers require appropriate and fully detailed spatial information on land resources. Crop-land suitability analysis is a prerequisite to achieve optimum utilization of the available land resources for sustainable agriculture rural production (T.R. Nisar Ahamed et al., 2000). It is indeed of paramount importance to identify suitable land for cropping while causing minimum impact to the environment. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 1976), recommended an approach of land suitability evaluation for crops in terms of suitable land based on climatic and terrain data and soil properties. In this study, an attempt was made to identify suitable areas for massive crop production using remote sensing and GIS methodologies and the knowledge from extension officers. The primary method aims at generating land cover data using SPOT 5 satellite imagery and modeling with the existing land capability. The research purpose was to map the map the number hectares suitable areas for crop production number hectares suitable areas for crop production number hectares suitable areas for crop production number hectares suitable areas for crop production. Spatial modeling techniques were utilized to model land suitability model in an effective and efficiently way. The spatial modeling extension from ESRI product was used to model the crop suitability areas. The model run on ArcGIS platform and due to the fact that modeling only uses raster formats, all the data sets were projected and converted to raster format. The weighted overlay model was used to create land suitability map. The model results revealed that 4046251.79 hectares were suitable for cropping in the study area. The final outputs of suitable areas were calculated and each ward was given a value of suitable area as well as unsuitable area. The validation of the final maps compliments the 500 000 hectares that were mapped by Dept of Agriculture EC using 8% slope as the best potential areas. The method provides a cheap, effective and efficient way to map suitable areas over a large area and it also uses remote sensing data. It is hoped that decision makers will make use of the information produced in this paper as the whole world is in crisis of food security.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Moderat's Rusty nails and Loie Fuller's Serpentine dance : analysis cloth, the body and movement as symbolic interpretation of meaning in film
- Authors: Coates, Maran
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Fashion in motion pictures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8498 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015733
- Description: The main objective of the study is to explore how cloth, the body and movement are able to communicate possible symbolic meaning in Loïe Fuller’s Serpentine Dance film and Moderat’s Rusty Nails music video. The study further attempts to establish the characteristics of fashion film to include cloth, the body and movement and provide a methodology that locates fashion film as a sign system using a visual semiotic analysis framework. The films were then compared and contrasted to determine similarities and differences in their use of cloth, the body and movement. The findings from the film analysis suggest that cloth, the body and movement communicate symbolic meaning in the films based on their associated meanings that are generated both inside and outside the film context. By focussing on cloth, the body and movement as primary communicators (rather than secondary or supporting communicators) in film, new meanings can be interpreted from their interrelationship. The results inform new ways for fashion designers and fashion filmmakers to engage with cloth, the body and movement in fashion film.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Coates, Maran
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Fashion in motion pictures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8498 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015733
- Description: The main objective of the study is to explore how cloth, the body and movement are able to communicate possible symbolic meaning in Loïe Fuller’s Serpentine Dance film and Moderat’s Rusty Nails music video. The study further attempts to establish the characteristics of fashion film to include cloth, the body and movement and provide a methodology that locates fashion film as a sign system using a visual semiotic analysis framework. The films were then compared and contrasted to determine similarities and differences in their use of cloth, the body and movement. The findings from the film analysis suggest that cloth, the body and movement communicate symbolic meaning in the films based on their associated meanings that are generated both inside and outside the film context. By focussing on cloth, the body and movement as primary communicators (rather than secondary or supporting communicators) in film, new meanings can be interpreted from their interrelationship. The results inform new ways for fashion designers and fashion filmmakers to engage with cloth, the body and movement in fashion film.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Molecular catalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction by iron porphyrin catalysts tethered into Nafion layers
- He, Qinggang, Mugadza, Tawanda, Kang, Xiongwu, Zhu, Xiaobing, Chen, Shaowei, Kerr, John, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: He, Qinggang , Mugadza, Tawanda , Kang, Xiongwu , Zhu, Xiaobing , Chen, Shaowei , Kerr, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/243168 , vital:51123 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2012.05.043"
- Description: This study was motivated by the need for improved understanding of the kinetics and transport phenomena in a homogeneous catalyst system for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Direct interaction between the sulfonic groups of Nafion and an Fe(III) meso-tetra(N-methyl-4-pyridyl) porphine chloride (Fe(III)TMPyP) compound was observed using FTIR and in situ UV–Vis spectroelectrochemical characterizations. A positive shift of the half wave potential value (E1/2) for ORR on the iron porphyrin catalyst (Fe(III)TMPyP) was observed upon addition of a specific quantity of Nafion ionomer on a glassy carbon working electrode, indicating not only a faster charge transfer rate but also the role of protonation in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) process. A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) was made as a sandwich of a Pt-coated anode, a Nafion® 212 membrane, and a Fe(III)TMPyP + Nafion ionomer-coated cathode. This three-dimensional catalysis system has been demonstrated to be working in a H2/O2 proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell test.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: He, Qinggang , Mugadza, Tawanda , Kang, Xiongwu , Zhu, Xiaobing , Chen, Shaowei , Kerr, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/243168 , vital:51123 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2012.05.043"
- Description: This study was motivated by the need for improved understanding of the kinetics and transport phenomena in a homogeneous catalyst system for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Direct interaction between the sulfonic groups of Nafion and an Fe(III) meso-tetra(N-methyl-4-pyridyl) porphine chloride (Fe(III)TMPyP) compound was observed using FTIR and in situ UV–Vis spectroelectrochemical characterizations. A positive shift of the half wave potential value (E1/2) for ORR on the iron porphyrin catalyst (Fe(III)TMPyP) was observed upon addition of a specific quantity of Nafion ionomer on a glassy carbon working electrode, indicating not only a faster charge transfer rate but also the role of protonation in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) process. A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) was made as a sandwich of a Pt-coated anode, a Nafion® 212 membrane, and a Fe(III)TMPyP + Nafion ionomer-coated cathode. This three-dimensional catalysis system has been demonstrated to be working in a H2/O2 proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell test.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Molecular chaperone expression and function in breast cancer and breast cancer stem cells
- Authors: Sterrenberg, Jason Neville
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Breast -- Cancer , Stem cells , Cancer cells
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4141 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016238
- Description: The Cancer Stem Cell (CSC) theory suggests that cancers arise from and are maintained by a subpopulation of cancer cells with stem cell properties. Molecular chaperones are key components of cellular regulation. The overexpression of chaperones has become synonymous with cancer cells with chaperones being recognized as bona fide anti-cancer drug targets. Although chaperone activity has been characterized in cancer cells, very little is known about the cellular functions of chaperones in cancer stem cells. We set out to compare the expression of selected molecular chaperones in non-stem cancer cell and cancer stem cell enriched populations isolated from breast cancer lines, in order to identify chaperones differentially expressed between the two populations for further biological characterization. In order to isolate breast cancer stem cells from the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, three cancer stem cell isolation and identification techniques were utilized based on (1) cell surface marker expression (CD44+/CD24- and CD44+/CD24-/EpCAM+ phenotypes), (2) aldehyde dehydrogenase enzyme activity (ALDHHi) and (3) ability to grow in anchorage-independent conditions. The MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines displayed CD44+/CD24- cell populations with the MCF-7 cell line additionally displaying a large CD44+/CD24-/EpCAM+ population. Although both cell lines showed similar ALDHHi populations, they differed substantially with respect to anchorage-independent growth. MCF-7 cells were able to form anchorage-independent colonies while the MDA-MB-231 cell line was not. Anchorage-independent MCF-7 cells showed enrichment in CD44+/CD24- and CD44+/CD24-/EpCAM+ cells compared to adherent MCF-7 cells, and were selected for gene expression studies. Gene expression studies identified 22 genes as being down-regulated at the mRNA level in the anchorage-independent MCF-7 cells, while only 2 genes (BAG1 and DNAJC12) were up-regulated. The down-regulation of selected chaperones in anchorage independent MCF-7 cells was confirmed at the protein level for selected chaperones, including DNAJB6, a type II DNAJ protein shown to be involved in the regulation of Wnt signaling. In order to characterize the effect of DNAJB6 expression on BCSCs we developed a pCMV mammalian expression plasmid for both DNAJB6 isoforms (DNAJB6L and DNAJB6S). We successfully constructed mutants of the conserved histidine-proline-aspartic acid (HPD) motif of the J domain of DNAJB6S and DNAJB6L. These constructs will allow the analysis of the role of DNAJB6 in cancer stem cell function. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to focus on the comparative expression of molecular chaperones in normal and cancer stem cell enriched breast cancer populations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Sterrenberg, Jason Neville
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Breast -- Cancer , Stem cells , Cancer cells
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4141 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016238
- Description: The Cancer Stem Cell (CSC) theory suggests that cancers arise from and are maintained by a subpopulation of cancer cells with stem cell properties. Molecular chaperones are key components of cellular regulation. The overexpression of chaperones has become synonymous with cancer cells with chaperones being recognized as bona fide anti-cancer drug targets. Although chaperone activity has been characterized in cancer cells, very little is known about the cellular functions of chaperones in cancer stem cells. We set out to compare the expression of selected molecular chaperones in non-stem cancer cell and cancer stem cell enriched populations isolated from breast cancer lines, in order to identify chaperones differentially expressed between the two populations for further biological characterization. In order to isolate breast cancer stem cells from the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, three cancer stem cell isolation and identification techniques were utilized based on (1) cell surface marker expression (CD44+/CD24- and CD44+/CD24-/EpCAM+ phenotypes), (2) aldehyde dehydrogenase enzyme activity (ALDHHi) and (3) ability to grow in anchorage-independent conditions. The MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines displayed CD44+/CD24- cell populations with the MCF-7 cell line additionally displaying a large CD44+/CD24-/EpCAM+ population. Although both cell lines showed similar ALDHHi populations, they differed substantially with respect to anchorage-independent growth. MCF-7 cells were able to form anchorage-independent colonies while the MDA-MB-231 cell line was not. Anchorage-independent MCF-7 cells showed enrichment in CD44+/CD24- and CD44+/CD24-/EpCAM+ cells compared to adherent MCF-7 cells, and were selected for gene expression studies. Gene expression studies identified 22 genes as being down-regulated at the mRNA level in the anchorage-independent MCF-7 cells, while only 2 genes (BAG1 and DNAJC12) were up-regulated. The down-regulation of selected chaperones in anchorage independent MCF-7 cells was confirmed at the protein level for selected chaperones, including DNAJB6, a type II DNAJ protein shown to be involved in the regulation of Wnt signaling. In order to characterize the effect of DNAJB6 expression on BCSCs we developed a pCMV mammalian expression plasmid for both DNAJB6 isoforms (DNAJB6L and DNAJB6S). We successfully constructed mutants of the conserved histidine-proline-aspartic acid (HPD) motif of the J domain of DNAJB6S and DNAJB6L. These constructs will allow the analysis of the role of DNAJB6 in cancer stem cell function. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to focus on the comparative expression of molecular chaperones in normal and cancer stem cell enriched breast cancer populations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Molecular detection and drug susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in raw milk from a major dairy farm in the Nkonkobe region, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Silaigwana, Blessing https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3324-1607
- Authors: Silaigwana, Blessing https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3324-1607
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Drug resistance in microorganisms , Tuberculosis -- Pathogenesis
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24239 , vital:62543
- Description: Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) organisms are the causative agents of tuberculosis in humans as well as animals. The study aimed to use molecular techniques for detection and drug susceptibility testing of MTBC in raw milk from cattle at a dairy farm in the Nkonkobe region of South Africa. Two hundred samples (100mL each) were collected and processed using the modified Petroff’s method. DNA was isolated using the Zymo Research bacterial DNA kit and amplified using the Seeplex® MTB Nested ACE assay. Drug susceptibility testing was performed using the Genotype® MTBDRplus assay. MTBC DNA was detected in 11 (6percent) of the samples tested. Resistance to both rifampicin and isoniazid was detected in 90.9percent of the positive samples. The most frequent rpoB mutations detected were H526Y (90percent), H526D (80percent), S531L (60percent) and D516V (20percent). No mutation was detected in the katG gene. All isoniazid resistant samples harboured mutations in the inhA gene. The most frequent (100percent) mutation conferring low level isoniazid resistance was the T8A substitution. The inhA mutations C15T, A16G and T8C were equally represented with 60percent frequency. A high prevalence of multi-drug resistance was noted in the Nkonkobe region. Therefore, the results of this study have clinico-veterinary and epidemiological significance and calls for further studies and necessary actions to delineate the situation. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Silaigwana, Blessing https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3324-1607
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Drug resistance in microorganisms , Tuberculosis -- Pathogenesis
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24239 , vital:62543
- Description: Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) organisms are the causative agents of tuberculosis in humans as well as animals. The study aimed to use molecular techniques for detection and drug susceptibility testing of MTBC in raw milk from cattle at a dairy farm in the Nkonkobe region of South Africa. Two hundred samples (100mL each) were collected and processed using the modified Petroff’s method. DNA was isolated using the Zymo Research bacterial DNA kit and amplified using the Seeplex® MTB Nested ACE assay. Drug susceptibility testing was performed using the Genotype® MTBDRplus assay. MTBC DNA was detected in 11 (6percent) of the samples tested. Resistance to both rifampicin and isoniazid was detected in 90.9percent of the positive samples. The most frequent rpoB mutations detected were H526Y (90percent), H526D (80percent), S531L (60percent) and D516V (20percent). No mutation was detected in the katG gene. All isoniazid resistant samples harboured mutations in the inhA gene. The most frequent (100percent) mutation conferring low level isoniazid resistance was the T8A substitution. The inhA mutations C15T, A16G and T8C were equally represented with 60percent frequency. A high prevalence of multi-drug resistance was noted in the Nkonkobe region. Therefore, the results of this study have clinico-veterinary and epidemiological significance and calls for further studies and necessary actions to delineate the situation. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Molecular phylogenetics of Oestroidea (Diptera: Calyptratae) with emphasis on Calliphoridae: insights into the inter-familial relationships and additional evidence for paraphyly among blowflies
- Marinho, M A T, Junqueira, A C M, Paulo, D F, Esposito, M C T, Villet, Martin H, Azeredo-Espin, A D
- Authors: Marinho, M A T , Junqueira, A C M , Paulo, D F , Esposito, M C T , Villet, Martin H , Azeredo-Espin, A D
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/442691 , vital:74023 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2012.08.007
- Description: The superfamily Oestroidea, comprising ∼15,000 species, is a large and ecologically diverse clade within the order Diptera. Among its six commonly recognized families, Calliphoridae seems to be crucial for understanding evolutionary relationships in the group, as it is recognized as a controversial paraphyletic grouping. To further investigate this matter, the ITS2, 28S, COI and 16S regions were used to infer phylogenetic relationships in Oestroidea with maximum-parsimony (MP), maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods. For the BI analyses, a deep evaluation of different data partitioning strategies was conducted, including consideration of structural conformation (ITS2 and 16S) and codon position (COI) information.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Marinho, M A T , Junqueira, A C M , Paulo, D F , Esposito, M C T , Villet, Martin H , Azeredo-Espin, A D
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/442691 , vital:74023 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2012.08.007
- Description: The superfamily Oestroidea, comprising ∼15,000 species, is a large and ecologically diverse clade within the order Diptera. Among its six commonly recognized families, Calliphoridae seems to be crucial for understanding evolutionary relationships in the group, as it is recognized as a controversial paraphyletic grouping. To further investigate this matter, the ITS2, 28S, COI and 16S regions were used to infer phylogenetic relationships in Oestroidea with maximum-parsimony (MP), maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods. For the BI analyses, a deep evaluation of different data partitioning strategies was conducted, including consideration of structural conformation (ITS2 and 16S) and codon position (COI) information.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Morphological variation and species diversity of South African Estuarine macrophytes
- Veldkornet, Dimitri Allastair
- Authors: Veldkornet, Dimitri Allastair
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Estuarine ecology -- South Africa , Aquatic plants -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10635 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013001
- Description: Studies on morphological variation are important as it can depict the relationship with environmental factors clearly and convey an understanding of the manner, mechanism and factors influencing plant adaptation and evolution. Although many studies have been conducted on South African salt marsh plant physiology and phytosociology there are at present very few morphological studies on estuarine plants. The aim of this study was to compare the morphological variation of estuarine macrophytes in three different estuary types in the warm temperate biogeographic zone of South Africa and to compare characters used in the taxonomic descriptions of species with those measured in the field. Permanently open estuaries investigated were Ngqusi (WC), Kowie (KW) and Swartkops (SW) estuaries. The Knysna Estuary (KN) was the estuarine bay investigated and the temporarily open/ closed estuaries (TOCEs) were the East Kleinemonde (EK) and Great Brak (GB) estuaries. Macrophytes were morphologically different across different estuary types. This suggests that there were different factors operating between these estuary types that would directly influence the morphology of species. The variation of plant height with different estuary types can be attributed to the fact that smaller salt marshes also have smaller habitat ranges compared to larger ones. The variation in morphological characteristics such as plant height can also be attributed to biogeographical range. Most morphological characteristics measured in the field fall within previously published ranges, and so these characters are useful in delimiting species. There were significant relationships between phenotypic variables and multivariate environmental variables. The most important of these variables were soil electrical conductivity, soil organic content and soil water content. Specifically, plant height increased with water content and decreased with salinity, flower stalk length had strong significant positive correlations with moisture content, organic content and pH while there were strong significant correlations with redox potential and electrical conductivity. Salt marshes are considered ideal for studying variation of species due to the explicit environmental gradients and plants occurring in salt marshes are halophytes that exhibit a range of morphological traits that allows for growth and reproduction under the stressful and extreme conditions. Considering recent climate change predictions and the consequent effects on South African estuaries this study provides significant information with regard to the response of species to a changing environment. The study was also aimed at updating the existing botanical database for South African estuaries in terms of species occurrence in South African estuaries, taxonomic name changes of existing species, new species, common names and habitats. Species diversity indices were also calculated for different estuaries, estuary types and biogeographic zones and diagnostic descriptions of the dominant salt marsh species were developed. The objective of this was that these data should provide baseline information for determining habitat richness and plant species diversity of South African estuaries which in turn should be used in determining priority estuaries for conservation and management. The identification key, developed using the DELTA software, would also aid researchers, managers and laymen in identifying salt marsh species. Results showed that the total number of macrophyte species, including intraspecific taxa and macroalgae, was 242 in 53 estuaries that were updated . There was an increase in the number of taxa recorded in the database primarily due to 1) research focus and full taxonomic surveys on larger estuaries and the big research projects has led to the identification of more species, 2) the addition of species that are not characteristically known as estuarine species, 3) the addition of 50 macroalgal taxa and 4) minor changes due to taxonomic revisions of species and the addition of newly described species. The Shannon diversity index showed that greater species diversity was found in the Berg (Groot) Estuary (4.220) and the Uilkraals Estuary (4.025). The cool temperate bioregion was the most diverse in the number of taxa (58) with the highest Shannon index (4.736). Permanently open estuaries were the most diverse in the number of unique taxa (56) with the highest Shannon index (4.867). Estuarine managers need to be aware of the species diversity in different estuarine types as well as the associated impacts on them. Conservation planning must therefore include species. Diagnostic features of INTKEY indicated that all 57 taxa were distinguishable from each other. Contrary to expectations plant height and not floral morphology was the best diagnostic characteristic. Ecological information such as the estuarine habitat, where different life forms occur, was important in delimiting species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Veldkornet, Dimitri Allastair
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Estuarine ecology -- South Africa , Aquatic plants -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10635 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013001
- Description: Studies on morphological variation are important as it can depict the relationship with environmental factors clearly and convey an understanding of the manner, mechanism and factors influencing plant adaptation and evolution. Although many studies have been conducted on South African salt marsh plant physiology and phytosociology there are at present very few morphological studies on estuarine plants. The aim of this study was to compare the morphological variation of estuarine macrophytes in three different estuary types in the warm temperate biogeographic zone of South Africa and to compare characters used in the taxonomic descriptions of species with those measured in the field. Permanently open estuaries investigated were Ngqusi (WC), Kowie (KW) and Swartkops (SW) estuaries. The Knysna Estuary (KN) was the estuarine bay investigated and the temporarily open/ closed estuaries (TOCEs) were the East Kleinemonde (EK) and Great Brak (GB) estuaries. Macrophytes were morphologically different across different estuary types. This suggests that there were different factors operating between these estuary types that would directly influence the morphology of species. The variation of plant height with different estuary types can be attributed to the fact that smaller salt marshes also have smaller habitat ranges compared to larger ones. The variation in morphological characteristics such as plant height can also be attributed to biogeographical range. Most morphological characteristics measured in the field fall within previously published ranges, and so these characters are useful in delimiting species. There were significant relationships between phenotypic variables and multivariate environmental variables. The most important of these variables were soil electrical conductivity, soil organic content and soil water content. Specifically, plant height increased with water content and decreased with salinity, flower stalk length had strong significant positive correlations with moisture content, organic content and pH while there were strong significant correlations with redox potential and electrical conductivity. Salt marshes are considered ideal for studying variation of species due to the explicit environmental gradients and plants occurring in salt marshes are halophytes that exhibit a range of morphological traits that allows for growth and reproduction under the stressful and extreme conditions. Considering recent climate change predictions and the consequent effects on South African estuaries this study provides significant information with regard to the response of species to a changing environment. The study was also aimed at updating the existing botanical database for South African estuaries in terms of species occurrence in South African estuaries, taxonomic name changes of existing species, new species, common names and habitats. Species diversity indices were also calculated for different estuaries, estuary types and biogeographic zones and diagnostic descriptions of the dominant salt marsh species were developed. The objective of this was that these data should provide baseline information for determining habitat richness and plant species diversity of South African estuaries which in turn should be used in determining priority estuaries for conservation and management. The identification key, developed using the DELTA software, would also aid researchers, managers and laymen in identifying salt marsh species. Results showed that the total number of macrophyte species, including intraspecific taxa and macroalgae, was 242 in 53 estuaries that were updated . There was an increase in the number of taxa recorded in the database primarily due to 1) research focus and full taxonomic surveys on larger estuaries and the big research projects has led to the identification of more species, 2) the addition of species that are not characteristically known as estuarine species, 3) the addition of 50 macroalgal taxa and 4) minor changes due to taxonomic revisions of species and the addition of newly described species. The Shannon diversity index showed that greater species diversity was found in the Berg (Groot) Estuary (4.220) and the Uilkraals Estuary (4.025). The cool temperate bioregion was the most diverse in the number of taxa (58) with the highest Shannon index (4.736). Permanently open estuaries were the most diverse in the number of unique taxa (56) with the highest Shannon index (4.867). Estuarine managers need to be aware of the species diversity in different estuarine types as well as the associated impacts on them. Conservation planning must therefore include species. Diagnostic features of INTKEY indicated that all 57 taxa were distinguishable from each other. Contrary to expectations plant height and not floral morphology was the best diagnostic characteristic. Ecological information such as the estuarine habitat, where different life forms occur, was important in delimiting species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Mortgage bonds and the right of access to adequate housing in South Africa: Gundwana v Stoke Development and Others 2011 (3) SA 608 (CC)
- Authors: Juma, Laurence
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/127479 , vital:36015 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC129329
- Description: This article offers a critique of Gundwana v Stoke Development and Others 2011 (3) SA 608 (CC), a case in which the Constitutional Court of South Africa found it to be unconstitutional for the registrar of a high court to declare immovable properties specially executable when ordering a default judgement, to the extent that such an order "permitted the sale and execution of a home of a person". The Court interpreted the property clause in section 25, access to right to housing in section 26 of the Constitution, as mandating "further judicial oversight" in all cases where execution is levied against residential property. The article raises some of the shortcomings of this interpretive scheme and suggests that constitutional values, when used to curtail or enlarge obligations of parties to a mortgage bond, must take into account the general rights and duties which the parties assumed at the signing of the agreement; the circumstances of each of the parties at the time of execution and ascertained through a careful evaluation based on a clearly articulated set of principles, and the nature of constitutional rights themselves. The article argues that, whereas there may be circumstances in which a debtor may need protection, rather than impose a blanket abrogation of procedures allowing for expedient disposal of uncontested claims, the court should instead have considered the establishment of further procedural safeguards.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Juma, Laurence
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/127479 , vital:36015 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC129329
- Description: This article offers a critique of Gundwana v Stoke Development and Others 2011 (3) SA 608 (CC), a case in which the Constitutional Court of South Africa found it to be unconstitutional for the registrar of a high court to declare immovable properties specially executable when ordering a default judgement, to the extent that such an order "permitted the sale and execution of a home of a person". The Court interpreted the property clause in section 25, access to right to housing in section 26 of the Constitution, as mandating "further judicial oversight" in all cases where execution is levied against residential property. The article raises some of the shortcomings of this interpretive scheme and suggests that constitutional values, when used to curtail or enlarge obligations of parties to a mortgage bond, must take into account the general rights and duties which the parties assumed at the signing of the agreement; the circumstances of each of the parties at the time of execution and ascertained through a careful evaluation based on a clearly articulated set of principles, and the nature of constitutional rights themselves. The article argues that, whereas there may be circumstances in which a debtor may need protection, rather than impose a blanket abrogation of procedures allowing for expedient disposal of uncontested claims, the court should instead have considered the establishment of further procedural safeguards.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2012
Motherhood experiences of teenagers : a Xhosa perspective
- Authors: Mlotana, Pumla Princess
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Motherhood , Midwifery
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10058 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019998
- Description: In South Africa and worldwide high rates of teenage pregnancy and motherhood remains a concern. According to Mkhwanazi (2010:349) most of teenage pregnancy occurs among poor black and coloured communities. The majority of these pregnancies are unwanted and unplanned resulting teenage mother experiencing problems with motherhood. The relationship in family peers and communities are adversely affected. Teenage motherhood seen as to be socially economically and physically delirious for the teenage mother and her baby. Teenage motherhood became a burden not only on the teenage mother but also to the family and the State. Cultural issues aggravated the situation in which the teenage mother finds herself in which is the lack of support from the communities in which they live. This results to the teenage mother having a feeling being alienated. The researcher as a midwife working in labour ward observed that the teenagers of younger ages are frequently admitted in labour wards in one of the hospitals in Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality. The researcher became interested to conduct a study on mother hood experiences of teenage mothers: A Xhosa Pespective. The first objective of the study was to explore and describe the motherhood experiences of Xhosa teenagers. The second objective was to make recommendations to assist the midwives to help teenage mothers cope with motherhood. These recommendations could be used by health professionals to address the research findings. A qualitative, explorative descriptive and contextual research design was used to reach the objectives of the study. The research population consisted of Xhosa speaking teenage mothers who were residing at Kwazakhele Township and whose age was between 12 -16 years. Teenage mothers who gave birth to live babies during the last 6-12 months. Ethical considerations were maintained throughout the research study .Semi- structured interviews were conducted before data saturation was reached. The data collected during the interviews were transcribed and analyzed using Tech’s model of data analysis. The aspect of trustworthiness according to Guba’s model was implemented in the research study and included credibility, applicability, consistency and neutrality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mlotana, Pumla Princess
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Motherhood , Midwifery
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10058 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019998
- Description: In South Africa and worldwide high rates of teenage pregnancy and motherhood remains a concern. According to Mkhwanazi (2010:349) most of teenage pregnancy occurs among poor black and coloured communities. The majority of these pregnancies are unwanted and unplanned resulting teenage mother experiencing problems with motherhood. The relationship in family peers and communities are adversely affected. Teenage motherhood seen as to be socially economically and physically delirious for the teenage mother and her baby. Teenage motherhood became a burden not only on the teenage mother but also to the family and the State. Cultural issues aggravated the situation in which the teenage mother finds herself in which is the lack of support from the communities in which they live. This results to the teenage mother having a feeling being alienated. The researcher as a midwife working in labour ward observed that the teenagers of younger ages are frequently admitted in labour wards in one of the hospitals in Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality. The researcher became interested to conduct a study on mother hood experiences of teenage mothers: A Xhosa Pespective. The first objective of the study was to explore and describe the motherhood experiences of Xhosa teenagers. The second objective was to make recommendations to assist the midwives to help teenage mothers cope with motherhood. These recommendations could be used by health professionals to address the research findings. A qualitative, explorative descriptive and contextual research design was used to reach the objectives of the study. The research population consisted of Xhosa speaking teenage mothers who were residing at Kwazakhele Township and whose age was between 12 -16 years. Teenage mothers who gave birth to live babies during the last 6-12 months. Ethical considerations were maintained throughout the research study .Semi- structured interviews were conducted before data saturation was reached. The data collected during the interviews were transcribed and analyzed using Tech’s model of data analysis. The aspect of trustworthiness according to Guba’s model was implemented in the research study and included credibility, applicability, consistency and neutrality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Motivation levels of tuberculosis healthcare staff at a district hospital in Kenya
- Authors: Busolo, Mellanda Isia
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Health services administration , Employee motivation , Tuberculosis -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10135 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008292 , Health services administration , Employee motivation , Tuberculosis -- Prevention
- Description: Background: The success of tuberculosis (TB) treatment largely depends on healthcare team factors within a healthcare system, as healthcare workers play a vital role in fostering patient adherence to TB treatment. Strengthening motivation amongst Kenya’s TB healthcare workers should thus be reinforced in order to improve on clinical outcomes of TB treatment in Kenya. Objectives: To determine motivational needs of TB healthcare staff at a district hospital in Kenya and to provide recommendations on how to enhance their motivation. Design: TB healthcare workers including nurses, doctors, pharmacists and community healthcare workers were purposively sampled from a district hospital in Kenya. Their motivational levels were measured using a questionnaire adapted from Bennet and colleagues (2000). Key Findings: A high level of job satisfaction was present in more than 50 percent of the employees, although the ‘extrinsic job satisfaction’ sub-scale stood out as scoring relatively poorly in comparison to the other ‘job satisfaction’ sub-scales. Cognitive motivation yielded mixed results with 44 percent of respondents rating themselves as being satisfied, and 56 percent between neutral and very dissatisfied. The overall organisational commitment was positive, with the majority (60 percent) of respondents rating themselves as being committed to their organisation. The majority (96 percent) of workers rated their performance at work as very high. Conclusion: Improvement in staff motivation can be attributed to how well a hospital's management organises and runs its hospital. It was recommended that hospitals should provide an environment where motivational strategies are continuously implemented and where change is positively rewarded. This may, in turn, have a positive impact on TB treatment outcomes. The study may be of interest to key decision makers in Kenya’s healthcare system as well as TB programme managers, hospital managers and health managers in general. Further investigations are needed in order to determine whether Kenya’s public healthcare system has a staff retention strategy that is up to date with the motivational needs of Kenya’s health workforce.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Busolo, Mellanda Isia
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Health services administration , Employee motivation , Tuberculosis -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10135 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008292 , Health services administration , Employee motivation , Tuberculosis -- Prevention
- Description: Background: The success of tuberculosis (TB) treatment largely depends on healthcare team factors within a healthcare system, as healthcare workers play a vital role in fostering patient adherence to TB treatment. Strengthening motivation amongst Kenya’s TB healthcare workers should thus be reinforced in order to improve on clinical outcomes of TB treatment in Kenya. Objectives: To determine motivational needs of TB healthcare staff at a district hospital in Kenya and to provide recommendations on how to enhance their motivation. Design: TB healthcare workers including nurses, doctors, pharmacists and community healthcare workers were purposively sampled from a district hospital in Kenya. Their motivational levels were measured using a questionnaire adapted from Bennet and colleagues (2000). Key Findings: A high level of job satisfaction was present in more than 50 percent of the employees, although the ‘extrinsic job satisfaction’ sub-scale stood out as scoring relatively poorly in comparison to the other ‘job satisfaction’ sub-scales. Cognitive motivation yielded mixed results with 44 percent of respondents rating themselves as being satisfied, and 56 percent between neutral and very dissatisfied. The overall organisational commitment was positive, with the majority (60 percent) of respondents rating themselves as being committed to their organisation. The majority (96 percent) of workers rated their performance at work as very high. Conclusion: Improvement in staff motivation can be attributed to how well a hospital's management organises and runs its hospital. It was recommended that hospitals should provide an environment where motivational strategies are continuously implemented and where change is positively rewarded. This may, in turn, have a positive impact on TB treatment outcomes. The study may be of interest to key decision makers in Kenya’s healthcare system as well as TB programme managers, hospital managers and health managers in general. Further investigations are needed in order to determine whether Kenya’s public healthcare system has a staff retention strategy that is up to date with the motivational needs of Kenya’s health workforce.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Movement patterns, stock delineation and conservation of an overexploited fishery species, Lithognathus Lithognathus (Pisces: Sparidae)
- Authors: Bennett, Rhett Hamilton
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Reef fishes -- Behavior , Endangered species -- South Africa , Fish stock assessment -- South Africa , Fishery management -- South Africa , Fish communities -- South Africa , Sparidae , Lithognathus , Lithognathus -- Growth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5374 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015709
- Description: White steenbras Lithognathus lithognathus (Pisces: Sparidae) has been a major target species of numerous fisheries in South Africa, since the late 19th century. Historically, it contributed substantially to annual catches in commercial net fisheries, and became dominant in recreational shore catches in the latter half of the 20th century. However, overexploitation in both sectors resulted in severe declines in abundance. The ultimate collapse of the stock by the end of the last century, and the failure of traditional management measures to protect the species indicate that a new management approach for this species is necessary. The species was identified as a priority for research, management and conservation in a National Linefish Status Report. Despite knowledge on aspects of its biology and life history, little is known about juvenile habitat use patterns, home range dynamics and movement behaviour in estuaries. Similarly, the movement and migration of larger juveniles and adults in the marine environment are poorly understood. Furthermore, there is a complete lack of information on its genetic stock structure. Such information is essential for effective management of a fishery species. This thesis aimed to address the gaps in the understanding of white steenbras movement patterns and genetic stock structure, and provide an assessment of its current conservation status. The study adopted a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating a range of methods and drawing on available information, including published literature, unpublished reports and data from long-term monitoring programmes. Acoustic telemetry, conducted in a range of estuaries, showed high site fidelity, restricted area use, small home ranges relative to the size of the estuary, and a high level of residency within estuaries at the early juvenile life stage. Behaviour within estuaries was dominated by station-keeping, superimposed by a strong diel behaviour, presumably based on feeding and/or predator avoidance, with individuals entering the shallow littoral zone at night to feed, and seeking refuge in the deeper channel areas during the daytime. Conventional dart tagging and recapture data from four ongoing, long-term coastal fish tagging projects, spread throughout the distribution of this species, indicated high levels of residency in the surf zone at the late juvenile and sub-adult life stages. Consequently, juvenile and sub-adult white steenbras are vulnerable to localised depletion, although they can be effectively protected by suitably positioned estuarine protected areas (EPAs) and marine protected areas (MPAs), respectively. It has been hypothesized that adult white steenbras undertake large-scale coastal migrations between summer aggregation areas and winter spawning grounds. The scale of observed coastal movements was correlated with fish size (and age), with larger fish undertaking considerably longer-distance coastal movements than smaller individuals, supporting this hypothesis. Given the migratory behaviour of adults, and indications that limited spawning habitat exists, MPAs designed to protect white steenbras during the adult life stage should encompass all known spawning aggregation sites. The fishery is plagued by problems such as low compliance and low enforcement capacity, and alternative management measures, such as seasonal closure, need to be evaluated. Despite considerable conventional dart tagging effort around the coastline (5 782 fish tagged) with 292 recaptures there remains a lack of empirical evidence of fish migrating long distances (> 600 km) between aggregation and spawning areas. This uncertainty in the level of connectivity among coastal regions was addressed using mitochondrial DNA sequencing and genotyping of microsatellite repeat loci in the nuclear genome, which showed no evidence of major geographic barriers to gene flow in this species. Samples collected throughout the white steenbras core distribution showed high genetic diversity, low genetic differentiation and no evidence of isolation by distance or localised spawning. Although historically dominant in several fisheries, analysis of long-term commercial and recreational catch data for white steenbras indicated considerable declines and ultimately stock collapse. Improved catch-per-unit-effort in two large MPAs subsequent to closure confirmed that MPAs can be effective for the protection of white steenbras. However, the current MPA network encompasses a low proportion of sandy shoreline, for which white steenbras exhibits an affinity. Many MPAs do not prohibit recreational shore angling, which currently accounts for the greatest proportion of the total annual catch. Furthermore, EPAs within the juvenile distribution protect a negligible proportion of the total available surface area of estuaries – habitat on which white steenbras is wholly dependent. Despite some evidence of recent increases in abundance in estuaries and the surf zone in certain areas, white steenbras meets the criteria for “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and for “Protected species” status on the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act of South Africa. The species requires improved management, with consideration for its life-history style, estuarine dependency, surf zone residency, predictable spawning migrations and its poor conservation status. The multidisciplinary approach provides valuable information towards an improved scientific basis for the management of white steenbras and a framework for research that can be adopted for other overexploited, estuarine-associated coastal fishery species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Bennett, Rhett Hamilton
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Reef fishes -- Behavior , Endangered species -- South Africa , Fish stock assessment -- South Africa , Fishery management -- South Africa , Fish communities -- South Africa , Sparidae , Lithognathus , Lithognathus -- Growth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5374 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015709
- Description: White steenbras Lithognathus lithognathus (Pisces: Sparidae) has been a major target species of numerous fisheries in South Africa, since the late 19th century. Historically, it contributed substantially to annual catches in commercial net fisheries, and became dominant in recreational shore catches in the latter half of the 20th century. However, overexploitation in both sectors resulted in severe declines in abundance. The ultimate collapse of the stock by the end of the last century, and the failure of traditional management measures to protect the species indicate that a new management approach for this species is necessary. The species was identified as a priority for research, management and conservation in a National Linefish Status Report. Despite knowledge on aspects of its biology and life history, little is known about juvenile habitat use patterns, home range dynamics and movement behaviour in estuaries. Similarly, the movement and migration of larger juveniles and adults in the marine environment are poorly understood. Furthermore, there is a complete lack of information on its genetic stock structure. Such information is essential for effective management of a fishery species. This thesis aimed to address the gaps in the understanding of white steenbras movement patterns and genetic stock structure, and provide an assessment of its current conservation status. The study adopted a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating a range of methods and drawing on available information, including published literature, unpublished reports and data from long-term monitoring programmes. Acoustic telemetry, conducted in a range of estuaries, showed high site fidelity, restricted area use, small home ranges relative to the size of the estuary, and a high level of residency within estuaries at the early juvenile life stage. Behaviour within estuaries was dominated by station-keeping, superimposed by a strong diel behaviour, presumably based on feeding and/or predator avoidance, with individuals entering the shallow littoral zone at night to feed, and seeking refuge in the deeper channel areas during the daytime. Conventional dart tagging and recapture data from four ongoing, long-term coastal fish tagging projects, spread throughout the distribution of this species, indicated high levels of residency in the surf zone at the late juvenile and sub-adult life stages. Consequently, juvenile and sub-adult white steenbras are vulnerable to localised depletion, although they can be effectively protected by suitably positioned estuarine protected areas (EPAs) and marine protected areas (MPAs), respectively. It has been hypothesized that adult white steenbras undertake large-scale coastal migrations between summer aggregation areas and winter spawning grounds. The scale of observed coastal movements was correlated with fish size (and age), with larger fish undertaking considerably longer-distance coastal movements than smaller individuals, supporting this hypothesis. Given the migratory behaviour of adults, and indications that limited spawning habitat exists, MPAs designed to protect white steenbras during the adult life stage should encompass all known spawning aggregation sites. The fishery is plagued by problems such as low compliance and low enforcement capacity, and alternative management measures, such as seasonal closure, need to be evaluated. Despite considerable conventional dart tagging effort around the coastline (5 782 fish tagged) with 292 recaptures there remains a lack of empirical evidence of fish migrating long distances (> 600 km) between aggregation and spawning areas. This uncertainty in the level of connectivity among coastal regions was addressed using mitochondrial DNA sequencing and genotyping of microsatellite repeat loci in the nuclear genome, which showed no evidence of major geographic barriers to gene flow in this species. Samples collected throughout the white steenbras core distribution showed high genetic diversity, low genetic differentiation and no evidence of isolation by distance or localised spawning. Although historically dominant in several fisheries, analysis of long-term commercial and recreational catch data for white steenbras indicated considerable declines and ultimately stock collapse. Improved catch-per-unit-effort in two large MPAs subsequent to closure confirmed that MPAs can be effective for the protection of white steenbras. However, the current MPA network encompasses a low proportion of sandy shoreline, for which white steenbras exhibits an affinity. Many MPAs do not prohibit recreational shore angling, which currently accounts for the greatest proportion of the total annual catch. Furthermore, EPAs within the juvenile distribution protect a negligible proportion of the total available surface area of estuaries – habitat on which white steenbras is wholly dependent. Despite some evidence of recent increases in abundance in estuaries and the surf zone in certain areas, white steenbras meets the criteria for “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and for “Protected species” status on the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act of South Africa. The species requires improved management, with consideration for its life-history style, estuarine dependency, surf zone residency, predictable spawning migrations and its poor conservation status. The multidisciplinary approach provides valuable information towards an improved scientific basis for the management of white steenbras and a framework for research that can be adopted for other overexploited, estuarine-associated coastal fishery species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Movements of sub-adult sicklefin lemon sharks Negaprion acutidens in a remote Indian Ocean atoll
- Authors: Filmalter, John David
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Silky shark , Silky shark -- Habitat , Sharks -- Amirante Islands (Seychelles)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5383 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018229
- Description: The sicklefin lemon shark Negaprion acutidens is a large-bodied (> 3m) coastal shark species, widely distributed in tropical and sub-tropical Indo-Pacific waters. Despite its large size and wide distribution, very little is known about its movement behaviour throughout ontogeny. The primary aim of this thesis was to gain an understanding of the movements of sub-adult N. acutidens, in and around the St. Joseph Atoll, Republic of Seychelles, to facilitate the effective conservation of this vulnerable species. A total of 22 sharks (139 – 202 cm TL) were equipped with coded acoustic transmitters and passively monitored using moored acoustic receivers for a period of 20 month from March 2009 to October 2010. The use of passive acoustic telemetry arrays to study behavioural ecology has increased in popularity in recent years and been successfully applied to study a host of teleost and elasmobranch species in a diversity of habitats, ranging from sheltered estuaries to the offshore pelagic environment. However, the practicalities of designing an effective network of receivers to optimally monitor animal movements can be challenging. In this study the receiver array was optimised through a series of incremental steps to achieve an efficient design that allowed for the specific objectives to be addressed. The specific objectives of this study were to i) gain an understanding of the long term space use patterns and site fidelity of sub-adult N. acutidens within degree of use of the St. Joseph Atoll lagoon and surrounding habitats, and ii) investigate their short term behavioural patterns in response to natural rhythmic cycles. The important role the atoll plays in the sub-adult stage of this species was demonstrated by the very low numbers of detections outside the atoll compared to the very large numbers of detections inside the atoll. Over the course of a year the tagged sharks showed a high degree of site fidelity to the atoll, with 79 – 100% of the individuals detected during each month and 50% being detected on a near daily basis. This result provides testimony of the nursery role of the atoll and importance of these habitats in the early life history for this species. Individual area use was generally found to be restricted to the eastern part of the atoll incorporating a portion of the central deep lagoon and a nearby adjacent area of the sand flats. The movements of sub-adult N. acutidens on and off of the shallow flats surrounding the central lagoon (likely for foraging) were found to be strongly influenced by the tidal height and the diel cycle. Tagged sharks were found to utilise the flats more regularly when the tidal height was greater than 90 cm and particularly more so during the night and early morning than during daylight times. The combined results of this study expose the vulnerability of this species to rapid local depletion. Similarly, the effectiveness of spatial management measures, such as no-take marine protected areas is highlighted as an efficient tool for the future conservation of this species. In the St. Joseph Atoll in particular, the use of a multi-levelled protection approach, where the eastern portion on the atoll is completely restricted while the remaining area is utilized for non-consumptive tourism activities, could be highly effective. Future research should investigate changes in area use throughout the ontogeny of this species as well improve the understanding of the breeding site fidelity and population size of reproductive females using the St. Joseph Atoll.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Filmalter, John David
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Silky shark , Silky shark -- Habitat , Sharks -- Amirante Islands (Seychelles)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5383 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018229
- Description: The sicklefin lemon shark Negaprion acutidens is a large-bodied (> 3m) coastal shark species, widely distributed in tropical and sub-tropical Indo-Pacific waters. Despite its large size and wide distribution, very little is known about its movement behaviour throughout ontogeny. The primary aim of this thesis was to gain an understanding of the movements of sub-adult N. acutidens, in and around the St. Joseph Atoll, Republic of Seychelles, to facilitate the effective conservation of this vulnerable species. A total of 22 sharks (139 – 202 cm TL) were equipped with coded acoustic transmitters and passively monitored using moored acoustic receivers for a period of 20 month from March 2009 to October 2010. The use of passive acoustic telemetry arrays to study behavioural ecology has increased in popularity in recent years and been successfully applied to study a host of teleost and elasmobranch species in a diversity of habitats, ranging from sheltered estuaries to the offshore pelagic environment. However, the practicalities of designing an effective network of receivers to optimally monitor animal movements can be challenging. In this study the receiver array was optimised through a series of incremental steps to achieve an efficient design that allowed for the specific objectives to be addressed. The specific objectives of this study were to i) gain an understanding of the long term space use patterns and site fidelity of sub-adult N. acutidens within degree of use of the St. Joseph Atoll lagoon and surrounding habitats, and ii) investigate their short term behavioural patterns in response to natural rhythmic cycles. The important role the atoll plays in the sub-adult stage of this species was demonstrated by the very low numbers of detections outside the atoll compared to the very large numbers of detections inside the atoll. Over the course of a year the tagged sharks showed a high degree of site fidelity to the atoll, with 79 – 100% of the individuals detected during each month and 50% being detected on a near daily basis. This result provides testimony of the nursery role of the atoll and importance of these habitats in the early life history for this species. Individual area use was generally found to be restricted to the eastern part of the atoll incorporating a portion of the central deep lagoon and a nearby adjacent area of the sand flats. The movements of sub-adult N. acutidens on and off of the shallow flats surrounding the central lagoon (likely for foraging) were found to be strongly influenced by the tidal height and the diel cycle. Tagged sharks were found to utilise the flats more regularly when the tidal height was greater than 90 cm and particularly more so during the night and early morning than during daylight times. The combined results of this study expose the vulnerability of this species to rapid local depletion. Similarly, the effectiveness of spatial management measures, such as no-take marine protected areas is highlighted as an efficient tool for the future conservation of this species. In the St. Joseph Atoll in particular, the use of a multi-levelled protection approach, where the eastern portion on the atoll is completely restricted while the remaining area is utilized for non-consumptive tourism activities, could be highly effective. Future research should investigate changes in area use throughout the ontogeny of this species as well improve the understanding of the breeding site fidelity and population size of reproductive females using the St. Joseph Atoll.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Moving through the city : Cape Town's legacy of slavery and the performance of creolised carnival
- Authors: Nsele, Zamansele
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Carnival -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) -- Economic conditions , Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) -- Social conditions , Cape Town -- Economic conditions , Cape Town -- Social conditions , Slavery -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Stereotypes (Social psychology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2489 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012977
- Description: After South Africa entered into democracy in 1994, a mediation period of change was set in motion. It was an invitation for South Africans to imagine and envision themselves anew (Gqola 2010). Slave memory; a neglected past, that was previously silenced came to the fore and is currently in the process of being renegotiated in post-apartheid South Africa. In the light of this, I believe that the study of the Cape Minstrel Carnival which has its social roots in slavery lends itself for an insightful interpretation within an art historical framework. While institutionally the memory of slavery was officially marginalized: comparatively, on the streets of Cape Town, the community preserved it in elusive ways embodied in the procession of Carnival through the city. This thesis explores the imagery of creolisation, through an analysis of the Cape Minstrel Carnival. Zimitri Erasmus (Erasmus 200:14) defines creolisation as cultural production that happens under the specific conditions of slavery. Before I decode some of the motifs embedded in the imagery of creolisation, in chapter one I provide an in depth analysis; of the contextual conditions of which the practice of carnival originated. My analysis is informed extensively by post-colonial theories on race, identity, and creolisation. The route of the procession of carnival reveals an alternative and clandestine history of the city of Cape Town which I believe deserves focus. In chapter two I discuss its site specificity in relation to key urban sites, such as the District Six Museum, the Slave Lodge Museum and the Bo-Kaap Museum. This thesis explores the use of performance as a corporeal tool to demarcate the city. In the process of this analysis, a repertoire of movement becomes salient in the construction of creolised identities. In chapter three I discuss the motif of the “coon” as the most salient image of creolisation in the parade; I trace its iconographic roots to the performance of blackface minstrelsy that originated from the slave plantations of the United States of America. By unpacking the racist iconography bound up in the initial construction of the “coon”, it becomes clear that its derogative meaning was subverted when it was appropriated as a symbol of celebration into the New Year’s parades. As a result of its complicated history, some residents deride the parade as perpetuating racial stereotypes, by portraying “coloured” people as buffoons. Class snobbery has played a big part in the criticism. Therefore the procession of “the coons” or euphemistically the minstrels represents a cultural cringe for some and a festive celebration for others and both these sentiments coexist simultaneously. The Cape Town Minstrel Carnival can be interpreted on multiple shifting levels because it takes on an ambivalent and ambiguous position as far as meaning is concerned.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Nsele, Zamansele
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Carnival -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) -- Economic conditions , Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) -- Social conditions , Cape Town -- Economic conditions , Cape Town -- Social conditions , Slavery -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Stereotypes (Social psychology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2489 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012977
- Description: After South Africa entered into democracy in 1994, a mediation period of change was set in motion. It was an invitation for South Africans to imagine and envision themselves anew (Gqola 2010). Slave memory; a neglected past, that was previously silenced came to the fore and is currently in the process of being renegotiated in post-apartheid South Africa. In the light of this, I believe that the study of the Cape Minstrel Carnival which has its social roots in slavery lends itself for an insightful interpretation within an art historical framework. While institutionally the memory of slavery was officially marginalized: comparatively, on the streets of Cape Town, the community preserved it in elusive ways embodied in the procession of Carnival through the city. This thesis explores the imagery of creolisation, through an analysis of the Cape Minstrel Carnival. Zimitri Erasmus (Erasmus 200:14) defines creolisation as cultural production that happens under the specific conditions of slavery. Before I decode some of the motifs embedded in the imagery of creolisation, in chapter one I provide an in depth analysis; of the contextual conditions of which the practice of carnival originated. My analysis is informed extensively by post-colonial theories on race, identity, and creolisation. The route of the procession of carnival reveals an alternative and clandestine history of the city of Cape Town which I believe deserves focus. In chapter two I discuss its site specificity in relation to key urban sites, such as the District Six Museum, the Slave Lodge Museum and the Bo-Kaap Museum. This thesis explores the use of performance as a corporeal tool to demarcate the city. In the process of this analysis, a repertoire of movement becomes salient in the construction of creolised identities. In chapter three I discuss the motif of the “coon” as the most salient image of creolisation in the parade; I trace its iconographic roots to the performance of blackface minstrelsy that originated from the slave plantations of the United States of America. By unpacking the racist iconography bound up in the initial construction of the “coon”, it becomes clear that its derogative meaning was subverted when it was appropriated as a symbol of celebration into the New Year’s parades. As a result of its complicated history, some residents deride the parade as perpetuating racial stereotypes, by portraying “coloured” people as buffoons. Class snobbery has played a big part in the criticism. Therefore the procession of “the coons” or euphemistically the minstrels represents a cultural cringe for some and a festive celebration for others and both these sentiments coexist simultaneously. The Cape Town Minstrel Carnival can be interpreted on multiple shifting levels because it takes on an ambivalent and ambiguous position as far as meaning is concerned.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012