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The mediating effect of financial literacy on the relationship between financial behavior and financial well-being on budget intentions

  • Authors: Msakatya, Sakhumzi Mcgregor
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Financial literacy
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49736 , vital:41786
  • Description: Financial literacy concerns the understanding of those concepts related to finances. Financial literacy is globally recognised as an essential life skill since people must be able to differentiate among a wide range of products, services and providers of financial products to manage their finances successfully. Individuals make daily financial decisions about expenditures and savings. In environments where resources are scarce poor financial decisions have high impact on the quality of life and future access to resources. People are not adequately educated with regards to finance and wealth creation, save too little for retirement, overspend and tend to purchase items that are not prioritised for the household. Due to limited empirical research, it is clear that new research into the effect of financial literacy on the relationship between financial behaviour and financial well-being on budget intentions is required. This study was anchored to two theories, namely the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), intended to explain all behaviors in which people have the ability to exert self-control and the Trans-Theoretical Model of Behaviour Change (TTM) that could be used to change people’s financial behaviour. The problem being explored is that the mismanagement of funding for beneficiaries at higher education institutions. NSFAS has begun to increasingly make cash payouts available to beneficiaries yet there is not enough empirical evidence to suggest that the beneficiaries possess adequate personal finance management skills or they are financially literate to being able to better manage their finances. When the beneficiaries are not adequately skilled regarding personal finance management skills, they could misuse such funds and this could result in these beneficiaries failing to complete their studies. This study contributed to the identified knowledge gap by investigating the mediating effect of financial literacy on the relationship between financial behaviour and financial well-being on budget intentions among South African university students. This study included quantitative research methods and questionnaires were used as the primary means of collecting the data. The sample included 204 participants from the University of Fort Hare. The final sample yielded a total response rate of 81.6%. A cross sectional research design was used for this study. Convenience sampling was used in this study. The researcher made use of student leaders to distribute and collect questionnaires. This study included 14 hypotheses. The dependent variables included Budget Intentions and Financial Literacy. The independent variables included Financial Well-being and Financial Behaviour. Self-control as a financial behaviour predicted university students’ budget intentions. Individuals with better self-control were more likely to forgo indulgences and focus on the long-term goals, thereby sticking to a budget. Optimism significantly predicted budget intentions of university learners. People who tend to engage in deliberate thinking more often are more likely to better manage their personal finances through budgeting. Individuals who have more positive financial attitude were more satisfied with their financial situation implying that they undertake planning and budgeting as far as finance issues are concerned. Financial socialisation from a parental perspective significantly influenced university students’ financial behaviour, namely, financial teaching, monitoring and modelling. People with better self-control are more likely to practise saving in almost every income flowing to them. Financial behaviour, particularly, deliberating thinking significantly predicted financial literacy. Positive financial behaviours such as being financial literate such as a reduction in day-to-day expenses were found to be associated with lower financial anxiety levels. Financial behaviours including positive financial attitude significantly predicted financial literacy. Individuals who had their financial issues monitored by parents for the purpose of earning advice and tips on financial matters were positively behaving pointing to the notion that they were financial literate and knowledgeable. The implication of the study is that management of institutions of higher learning should encourage students to practise self-control behaviour regarding their finances in order to improve budget intentions. It is also recommended that the Universities management should design short courses where students can be trained on or made aware of the importance of self-control as much as good financial behaviour is concerned.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

The modulation of the photophysical and photodynamic therapy activities of a phthalocyanine by detonation nanodiamonds: Comparison with graphene quantum dots and carbon nanodots

  • Authors: Matshitse, Refilwe , Managa, Muthumuni , Nyokong, Tebello
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186690 , vital:44525 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diamond.2019.107617"
  • Description: A positively charged phthalocyanine (2,9,16,23-tetrakis[4-(N-methylpyridyloxy)]-phthalocyanine (ZnTPPcQ)) was non-covalently linked to carbon based nanoparticles: detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs), carbon dots (CDs) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) to form nanosembles of DNDs-ZnTPPcQ, GQDs-ZnTPPcQ and CDs-ZnTPPcQ, respectively. Irrespective of its small size and the least number of Pcs (41.67 μg loading per milligram of DNDs), DNDs-ZnTPPcQ gave the highest singlet oxygen quantum yield (0.62) in dimethyl sulfoxide compared to the rest of the conjugates. This resulted in superior PDT activity against MCF7 breast cancer lines, with the lowest cell viability of 28% compared to ZnTPPcQ-CDs and ZnTPPcQ-GQDs at 30.1 ± 0.02% and 31.4 ± 0.23%, respectively.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

The national health insurance bill: a measure to realise the right to access health care services

  • Authors: Moyo, Priscilla Tariro
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Medical laws and legislation -- South Africa , Health insurance -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49016 , vital:41593
  • Description: The right to access health care services is enshrined in section 27 of the Constitution. It is a right afforded to everyone. The state is required to adopt legislative and other measures for the progressive realisation of this right. To that effect, the state has passed various pieces of legislation aimed at realising the right to access health care services. The key legislative measures regulating the health system are the National Health Act, the Medical Schemes Act and the Medicines Act. Despite the various legislative measures in place, not everyone has access to health care services and there is a need for reform in the health system. To remedy the problem of inaccessibility, the government introduced the NHI Bill in 2018 which was amended in 2019. The NHI Bill purports to amend the way in which health services are financed. The purpose of this research is to determine the constitutionality of selected aspects of the NHI Bill. Section 27(2) of the Constitution requires that any measure adopted by the state in realising the right to access health care services must be reasonable. This research, therefore, assesses whether the NHI Bill is a reasonable measure that meets the requirements of section 27(2). The NHI Bill will be assessed in light of the reasonableness review used to assess state compliance with the obligation in terms of section 27. In assessing the reasonableness of the NHI Bill, reference is made to the domestic obligations of the state to realise the right to access health care services, the context in which the NHI Bill was published, the provisions of international law, and the impact the NHI Bill will have on other rights specifically the right to equality. The findings of this research are that the NHI Bill is likely to be found unconstitutional insofar as it unfairly discriminates against asylum seekers and undocumented migrants and lacks clarity with respect to important issues such as the role of medical schemes. Based on this analysis, recommendations are made to ensure that the NHI Bill is constitutionally sound.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

The Northern Cross fast radio burst project–I: overview and pilot observations at 408 MHz

  • Authors: Locatelli, Nicola T , Bernardi, Gianni , Bianchi, Germano , Chiello, Riccardo C , Magro, Alessio , Naldi, Giovanni , Pilia, Maura , Pupillo, Giuseppe , Ridolfi, Alessandro , Setti, Giancarlo , Vazza, Franco
  • Date: 2020
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148791 , vital:38774 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1093/mnras/staa813
  • Description: Fast radio bursts (FRBs) remain one of the most enigmatic astrophysical sources. Observations have significantly progressed over the last few years, due to the capabilities of new radio telescopes and the refurbishment of existing ones. Here, we describe the upgrade of the Northern Cross radio telescope, operating in the 400–416 MHz frequency band, with the ultimate goal of turning the array into a dedicated instrument to survey the sky for FRBs.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

The novobiocin-induced turnover of fibronectin via low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 alters matrix morphology with physiological consequences on cell growth and migration

  • Authors: Boёl, Natasha Marie-Eraine
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Uncatalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114778 , vital:34034 , 10.21504/10962/114778
  • Description: Fibronectin (FN), an extracellular matrix protein, is secreted as a soluble dimer which is assembled into an insoluble extracellular matrix. The dynamics of FN matrix assembly and degradation play a large role in cell migration and invasion thereby contributing to the metastatic potential of cancer cells. Previous studies have shown the direct binding of Heat Shock Protein 90 kDa (Hsp90) and FN in vitro, and that inhibition of Hsp90 with novobiocin (NOV) caused internalisation of the FN matrix. Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) is a ubiquitous receptor known to bind both Hsp90 and FN. Using an LRP1 expressing Hs578T breast cancer cell line and an isogenic mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) model system of differential LRP1 expression we demonstrate that LRP1 is involved in turnover of FN in response to C-terminal Hsp90 inhibition. The first objective of this study was to identify the mechanism of NOV-induced LRP1-mediated FN turnover. Our data show that NOV-mediated FN turnover via LRP1 did not require the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which play an important role in processing and degradation of the extracellular matrix and FN. In addition, the levels of the main FN receptor responsible for its extracellular assembly, β1-integrin, did not change in response to NOV. LRP1 is known to undergo regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP) which generates smaller fragments that may translocate to the nucleus and modulate gene transcription. Using inhibitors of LRP1 cleavage and nuclear fractionation we determined that LRP1 processing was not required for the NOV-induced FN response suggesting that a mechanism unrelated to LRP1 RIP is involved. A possible mechanism may be in altered Hsp90-LRP1 cell signalling as we observed disruption of the FN-Hsp90-LRP1 complex at the cell surface in NOV treated cells. How this affects downstream eHsp90-LRP1 signalling is still to be determined but may be related to a significant increase in phospho-AKT and loss of phospho-ERK upon NOV-treatment; two key signalling proteins involved in FN matrix regulation and which are downstream of LRP1 signalling. The second objective of this study was to determine the physiological consequences associated with FN turnover in response to NOV treatment. Using migration assays we demonstrated that levels of insoluble matrix-associated FN and FN concentration are not solely responsible for migratory capacity of cells on decellularized extracellular matrices, but rather that structural composition and integrity of the matrix plays a bigger role. Using confocal and scanning electron microscopy, we identified NOV treated matrices to be flatter, less mature and contain thicker, rope-like FN fibrils to which cells adhered better but were generally less proliferative. Comparatively, cells adhered less to the more mature and 3-dimensional untreated matrices but exhibited increased spreading and cell growth, which may in part be due to the thinner fibrils and web-like matrix. In summary, this study substantiates the role of LRP1 in NOV-mediated FN turnover, and provides new insights into the possible mechanisms of the Hsp90-LRP1 mediated loss of FN matrix. This is the first study to demonstrate some of the functional consequences related to FN turnover by NOV at the ECM level. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2020
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  • Date Issued: 2020

The past meets the present: exploring the biogeography of extant plecoptera of South Africa with reference to ancient middle permian fossil forms from the Onder Karoo locality near Sutherland

  • Authors: Kirkaldy, Benjamin Puleng
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Stoneflies, Fossil -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Palaeopteron -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Stoneflies -- Evolution , Insects, Fossil -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Paleoentomology , Paleoentomology -- South Africa -- Northern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165755 , vital:41278
  • Description: The Onder Karoo fossil locality near Sutherland, Northern Cape, recently yielded an unprecedented diversity of middle Permian insects, which were preserved in deposits of an aquatic lake margin system, in the Lowermost Abrahamskraal Formation. A large number of Plecoptera (stonefly) specimens were found, and this study represents an in-depth analysis of these species in the context of plecopteran evolution. A significant contribution to current knowledge of the Plecoptera from the middle Permian to the present has been made, utilizing a combination of fossil and phylogenetic evidence to better understand the origins, evolution, diversity and biogeography of the stoneflies. Three new plecopteran species have been described from the Onder Karoo locality, which is recognized here as the first Lagerstätte of its kind in Gondwana. Possible ecological links and relationships with the plecopterans described here have been suggested, using extant Plecoptera as analogues. An in-depth, fossilcalibrated, dated phylogeny of the Plecoptera was completed, using representatives from all three dominant lineages, the Antarctoperlaria, Systellognatha and the Euholognatha. This provides strong support for the monophyly of the Notonemouridae and the Antarctoperlaria, however the monophyly of Systellognatha and Euholognatha was not supported. The Notonemouridae were found to represent an earlier divergence than previously believed, forming a sister group to the remaining Plecoptera. Through a combination of fossil and molecular evidence, strong support was found for the current distribution of the Plecoptera worldwide being attributable to vicariance caused by the rifting of Pangea, and subsequently Gondwana and Laurasia, and long range dispersal. The focussed effort to include Southern Hemisphere stoneflies throughout this study has been a valuable step in reducing the Northern Hemisphere bias which currently dominates plecopteran research and has assisted in opening the way for future research into this important group on a global scale.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

The perceived effects of rainfall variability on food security in Senqu local municipality, South Africa

The perceptions and experiences of tenants living in a social housing initiative in Port Elizabeth

  • Authors: Konstabel, Desiree
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Social settlements
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46410 , vital:39579
  • Description: Social housing aims to redress the housing crisis that South Africa is currently facing given the backlog that was left in the provision of free basic housing. Research conducted on the low to the middle-income group from which South African social housing tenants originate, suggests that this income bracket experiences social, physical and mental health challenges. They are three times more likely to suffer from depression than their counterparts in developed countries. Little to no literature has been published focusing on tenants who represent low to middle-income groups living in social housing in South Africa. Furthermore, the researcher did not come across literature highlighting the perceptions and experiences of tenants, who represent these low to middle-income groups, and who live in social housing in South Africa. In the context of South African social housing, there is a gap in the literature about the perceptions and experiences of tenants living in a social housing initiative.Guided by the Social Constructionism and Sense of Community theoretical frameworks, the goal of this qualitative research study waste gain a better understanding about the perceptions and experiences of tenants living in a social housing initiative in South Africa. An exploratory and descriptive research design was employed, focusing on the tenants of one social housing initiative. A non-probability purposive sampling procedure was followed. Convenience sampling was applied and followed up by volunteer sampling techniques. The sample size consisted of 9 social housing tenants. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted by an independent interviewer and used to collect data and analyse themes. Trustworthiness and ethical considerations were adhered to on all levels.This research contributes to a greater understanding of the perceptions and experiences of tenants living in a social housing initiative. The study revealed that most tenants experienced an increased sense of safety in the social housing initiative as compared to the surrounding community. The study further revealed that lower-income tenants have concerns about the long-term affordability of rentals in social housing. Among others, the study recommends that social workers advocate for inclusive social and economic policies to promote greater inclusion of vulnerable groups from low-income backgrounds.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

The perceptions of Government Social Protection Programmes in mitigating the challenges faced by street children in Harare Metropolitan Province in Zimbabwe

  • Authors: Gunhidzirai, Constance
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Poverty Alleviation Street children
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Work)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17998 , vital:42002
  • Description: This study was aimed at examining the perceptions of Government Social Protection Programmes in mitigating the challenges faced by street children in Harare Metropolitan Province in Zimbabwe. The study was based on the pragmatism paradigm that triangulated both quantitative and qualitative research methods of collecting data. A questionnaire survey was administered to 202 street children while 32 heads of households were involved in focus group discussions and four Social Workers took part in semi-structured interviews. Drawing from the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA), Psychoanalysis Theory and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (EST) that guided the study, the findings revealed that street children experienced economic, social, physical and psychological challenges that hindered their attainment of full growth and development. Findings further revealed that street children adopted various coping strategies to mitigate the challenges they encountered in the streets to ensure sustainability. Furthermore, not all Government Social Protection Programmes were effective in addressing the plights of street children. This was due to inadequate funds, corruption and discriminatory criteria for selection of beneficiaries. These impediments hindered the provision of comprehensive social welfare services to street children, which led street children to adopt various coping strategies to mitigate the challenges they encountered in their efforts to ensure sustainability. The study concludes that Government Social Protection Programmes (GSPPs) such as Basic Education Assistance Module, Child Adoption, Institutional Care, National Action Plan for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Free vii Treatment Order and Harmonized Cash Transfer are not entirely addressing the challenges facing street children in Harare Metropolitan Province. This is because of the criteria used to select street children, which systematically excludes them from benefitting, resulting in extended impoverishment and vulnerability. The study further recommends that the government of Zimbabwe provide productive safety nets and sponsor self-help projects to empower vulnerable households, and source out additional resources such as human resource and finance for Social Protection Programmes from Non-Government Organisations, private companies
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  • Date Issued: 2020

The photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy of Stapphylococcus aureus using an asymmetrical zinc phthalocyanine conjugated to silver and iron oxide based nanoparticles

  • Authors: Mapukata, Sivuyisiwe , Nwahara, Nnamdi , Nyokong, Tebello
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186078 , vital:44461 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2020.112813"
  • Description: The synthesis and characterisation of asymmetrical zinc(II) 2(3)-mono-isophthalic acid-9(10),16(17),23 (24)-tri (tert-butylphenoxy) phthalocyanine (complex 4) are reported. The phthalocyanine is conjugated to cysteamine capped silver nanoparticles (Cys-Ag NPs), amine functionalised iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (NH2-Fe3O4 NPs) and a core-shell composite of the two (Cys-Fe3O4@Ag) via amide bonds. The photo-physico-chemical properties of complex 4 and its respective nanoconjugates (4-Ag, 4-Fe3O4 NPs and 4-Fe3O4@Ag NPs) are also reported. The nanoconjugates showed improved triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields compared to complex 4. The antibacterial activity of complex 4 and its nanoconjugates were also evaluated on S. aureus wherein their activity was found to be mainly visible light driven with the best catalyst being 4-Fe3O4@Ag. The work therefore demonstrates the feasibility of phthalocyanine-nanoparticle based compounds as potential agents in real life antibacterial treatment
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  • Date Issued: 2020

The photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic therapy activity of In and Zn phthalocyanines when incorporated into individual or mixed Pluronic® micelles

  • Authors: Motloung, Banele M , Babu, Balaji , Prinsloo, Earl , Nyokong, Tebello
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186124 , vital:44465 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2020.114683"
  • Description: The synthesis, photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic activity (PDT) of tetra-pyridyloxy (1,2) and benzothiazole (3, 4) substituted indium (III) (1,3) and zinc (2, 4) phthalocyanines (Pcs) and their incorporation into Pluronic® F127 and Pluronic L121/F127 mixed micelles (the latter for 3 and 4 only) are presented in this study. The InPcs exhibited higher singlet oxygen (ΦΔ) at 0.76 and 0.68 compared to the ZnPc’s at 0.47 and 0.44 in dimethyl sulfoxide. The ΦΔ values in the presence of Pluronic® F127 and in water, were 0.39 and 0.42 for InPcs and 0.23 and 0.37 for ZnPc. The ΦΔ values in the presence of Pluronic F127/L121 mixed micelles for complex 3 and 4 were 0.51 and 0.29 in water. The Kp was determined using the water and octanol system. InPcs had larger Kp values suggesting that they are more likely to be taken up by the cancer cells hence they showed better PDT activity
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  • Date Issued: 2020

The political ecological economics of coal mining and water resources: a participatory economic valuation approach in Carolina, Mpumalanga

The political promise of choreography in performance and/as research: First Physical Theatre Company’s manifesto and repertory, 1993-2015

  • Authors: Finestone-Praeg, Juanita
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Choreography -- Political aspects , Dance -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Dance -- Political aspects , Performance art -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Performance art -- History and criticism , Performance art -- Research , Performance art -- Study and teaching , Performance art -- Philosophy , Experimental theater -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Experimental theater -- History and criticism , Political art -- South Africa -- Makhanda , First Physical Theatre Company , First Physical Theatre Company -- History and criticism
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/149373 , vital:38844
  • Description: This study redefines the political in dance by drawing on the scholarly concept of the “choreopolitical” (André Lepecki) and extending it into analysing related concepts such as the “postdramatic” (Hans-Thies Lehmann), performance and/as research, among others from Performance Studies scholarship as well as from First Physical Theatre Company’s pioneering legacy of production, pedagogy and research in making Phyical Theatre performance. Following from the notion that performance is both a site and a method of study/knowing, the research invites a rethinking of the relationship between art (performance), epistemology and the political, in the sense that performance becomes a way, not of simply re-presenting the political but, as its own way of knowing, actively questioning the very categories on which the political is premised. The argument for Physical Theatre as having nascent potential to invoke what I call “the power of the small” is analysed as a choreopolitical method and community of practice that has a generative capacity to produce the “intimate revolts” (Julia Kristeva) or body of questions that can perform the imaginative curiosities/forms required to create provocative, subversive, ethical, reflexive and charged performance. My argument is supported by critical commentary, insight, choreological analysis and reflection on the dramaturgical strategies and choreopolitics of selected commissioned choreographers and dance forms that extended FPTC’s manifesto and production between 1993 and 2015. My project has the following three goals: (i) to contextualise, conceptualise and identify key issues in the identity, pedagogy and performance ethos of Physical Theatre as a performance philosophy and form; (ii) to engage critically with the praxis of Physical Theatre within the contextual, cultural, historical and political relationships between Physical Theatre and other performance practices in South Africa; and (iii) to document, analyse and interpret selected claims, works and performance processes from the archive of FPTC’s repertory and training manifesto from 1993 to 2015. The research evaluates the political significance and consequence of FPTC’s heritage and legacy problematising constraints, possibilities, tensions, failures and proposing the hope of imaginative entanglements with practising freedoms.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

The political thought of Thomas Sankara and its contemporary relevance

  • Authors: Kabwato, Levison M
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Sankara, Thomas , Sankara, Thomas -- Influence , Burkina Faso -- Politics and government -- 1960-1987 , Cabral, Amílcar, 1924-1973 , Fanon, Frantz, 1925-1961 , Nkrumah, Kwame, 1909-1972
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/146556 , vital:38536
  • Description: On 4 August 1983, a thirty-three year-old army captain seized power in Burkina Faso and embarked on what can be described a revolutionary journey. Over the next four years, until his assassination in 1987 the government, led by Captain Thomas Sankara, attempted to redeem Burkina Faso from the clutches of neo-colonialism. Through popular mobilisation and organisation, infrastructure (schools, hospitals, bridges) was built, millions of children were vaccinated and diseases such as river blindness were eliminated. Women, long-subjugated by patriarchal systems took up space and led their own initiatives in freedom, including holding senior roles in the public service. On the international stage, practical solidarity was extended to countries either fighting or threatened by neo-colonialism despite the fact that Burkina Faso was poor and was itself threatened by France and her lackeys. What Sankara inherited in August 1983, twenty-three years after Burkina Faso’s independence, was a fragile neo-colonial state which was not allowed by dominant imperialist interests to set an example of what true independence means. So, in just four years, it was all over. Sankara was assassinated by his comrades and the revolutionary project he had led came to a halt. The tragedy of Sankara was the tragedy of all those attempts at revolution which occur before mass movements have had the opportunity to develop and organise themselves independently of the state. Despite this, it is apparent today that Sankara has been influential on current political movements and parties in Africa, from Burkina Faso to South Africa. One of these political movements is the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in South Africa. This half-thesis is an investigation of Sankara’s political thought. It also examines the extent to which his answers to questions of nationalism and pan-Africanism both matched and differed from his predecessors. To accomplish the latter, a brief but critical analysis of the writings of Amílcar Cabral, Frantz Fanon, Kwame Nkrumah is made.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

The potential for biological control on cryptic plant invasions

  • Authors: Canavan, Kim N , Canavan, Susan , Harms, Nathan E , Lambertini, Carla , Paterson, Iain D , Thum, Ryan
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423562 , vital:72072 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2020.104243"
  • Description: Cryptic invasions can be defined as ‘the occurrence of an invasive species or genotype that was not previously recognised as alien in origin or not distinguished from other aliens’. Such invasions can result in negative impacts on the recipient ecosystems and disturb the evolutionary history of native plant populations. Many cryptic invasions have become so problematic that there is a need to implement control measures. This paper explores the potential for biological control to be implemented as a means of managing cryptic invasions. Firstly, the paper defines the different forms of cryptic invasion, differentiating between interspecific and intraspecific invasions; this hierarchy influences how to detect, study and ultimately implement biological control when cryptic invasions occur. Secondly, unique challenges associated with biological control programmes for cryptic invasions are addressed, including: the need for intraspecific level host specificity in agents, the occurrence of hybridisation between native species/lineages and the target weed, the role of enemy release in cryptic invasions in the presence of closely related native plant species/lineages, and a review of potential stakeholder conflicts of interest and legislation. Biological control of cryptic invasions has been shown to be possible, however the process will be more difficult and complex than controlling traditional targets and will likely take up more time and resources. If these challenges are overcome, then biological control programmes against cryptic invasions should be able to proceed and maintain the same standards as traditional biological control programmes.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

The potential of Geography fieldwork projects to develop action competence in response to social-ecological concerns: a case study of two Grade 10 Geography classes in Northern Namibia

  • Authors: Mwiila, Modestus
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Geography -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/126563 , vital:35901
  • Description: The study explored the potential of Geography fieldwork projects to develop learners’ action competence in response to social-ecological problems in two schools in the Omusati and Oshana Education Regions. The study investigates ways in which learners’ activities create an opportunity for them to act for the environment. That is, to investigate ways in which learners can be shaped into environmentally literate citizens who act for the environment. A total of 43 grade 10 learners and two grade 10 Geography teachers participated in this qualitative, interpretive case study. Data was generated through document analysis, focus group interview with learners, semi-structured interviews with educators, and participant observations. Such data were analysed into three phases, first inductively and then abductively using Jensen’s (2004) Investigations, Visions, Actions and Change (IVAC) model to produce analytic statements that form the basis of the research findings. The study found that Geography fieldwork projects foster understandings of environmental problems in a local area. Through fieldwork projects, schools initiate indirect environmental actions, however, some environmental problems are too large or complex to be resolved by the actions initiated by learners. Based on these findings, the study identifies Geography fieldwork as an opportunity to create a community of practice in effort to address socioecological concerns. The study further recommends that learners should be allowed to engage with both social investigative actions and technical, scientific investigative actions when doing project work.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

The potential of Raman spectroscopy in distinguishing between wool and mohair fibres

  • Authors: Notayi, Mzwamadoda
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Textile fabrics , Textile fibers -- Mechanical properties Wool -- Dissertations Mohair -- Dissertations
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49248 , vital:41614
  • Description: The possible application of the FT Raman, Raman micro-spectroscopy and ATR-FTIR micro-spectroscopy, have been investigated for distinguishing between wool and mohair. Highly identical Raman and FTIR spectra were obtained from the two fibre types, indicating that indeed they share similar basic molecular structural chemistry. The analysis of the amide I through curve fitting of wool and mohair FT Raman spectra showed that the protein and polypeptide secondary structure exists mainly in the α-helical structural conformation with smaller proportions of β-pleated sheet and β-Turns. These proportions, however, could not be used to distinguish between wool and mohair, due to the significant overlap observed between the two fibres. This study also determined the disulphide contents for possibly distinguishing between wool and mohair fibres, with the average and standard deviation values of 0.20±0.04 and 0.17±0.03 for wool and mohair, respectively, being found. Despite the mean values being found to differ statistically significant (p<0.05), a considerable overlap was observed, posing a doubt in the possible application of the method for distinguishing between the two fibres and blend composition analysis of the two fibres. The application of ratiometric analysis, based on the relative peak heights of certain FT Raman bands, showed that a combination of ratios A (I2932/I1450) and D (I508/I1450) could hold great potential in distinguishing between wool and mohair fibre samples. The individual values of ratios A and D varied a great deal from one mohair sample to the other and even more from one wool sample to another, with the individual values for ratio A ranging from 2.71-3.68 and 2.35-3.08 for wool and mohair, respectively, while ratio D ranged from 0.18-0.32 and 0.17-0.22 for wool and mohair, respectively. An important observation from this study is that if, for an unknown sample, if individual values of ratios A and D exceed 3.1 and 0.22, respectively, are found then the sample is most likely to be either a pure wool or blend of wool and mohair, whereas if all the values fall below the two threshold values, then the unknown sample can be declared a pure mohair sample. A Raman spectral database or library of approximately 100 high quality Raman average spectra of wool and mohair fibres has been established for the Bruker 80V FTIR/Raman spectrophotometer at the Nelson Mandela University (NMU). Although this has not been fully validated due to the unforeseen frequent breakdown encountered with the FT Raman system, at this stage, it has been realized that verification of unknown materials is highly possible. A great need for the development of a classification model based on multivariate or chemometrics has been realized. An ATR-FTIR LUMOS micro-spectroscopic system was also investigated for the possible application in distinguishing between wool and mohair single fibres. The amide I/II band ratios were determined for both wool and mohair fibres to distinguish between the two fibre types. The mean and standard deviation values of 1.20±0.02 and 1.21±0.01 for mohair and wool, respectively, were found and were shown not to differ statistically significant (p˃0.05). The secondary structure analysis showed that the content of the α-helical secondary structure might be different between the two fibre types, with a great overlap of individual values, however, being observed between the two fibre types (wool and mohair), raising concerns in the possible application of the α-helical content for distinguishing the two fibres.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2020

The precarious ‘good mother’ position: a psychosocial reading of maternal subjectivity of working mothers in scarcely-resourced South African communities

  • Authors: Kinahan-Sweeney, Siobhan
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Motherhood -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa , Working mothers -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Working mothers -- South Africa -- Psychology
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142464 , vital:38082
  • Description: This psychosocial study investigates the maternal subjectivities of mothers returning to work after maternity leave, who are living in scarcely-resourced Cape Town communities in South Africa. Engaging with interview texts and listening to mothers’ talk, I explore how and why maternal subjectivity is constructed discursively and defensively in our talk. This thesis claims that these particular mothers predominately employ instrumental mothering discourse. The traditional subject position of the intensive mother – which is typically assumed to be the ‘good mother’ – is not a position available to these mothers due to their social circumstances and working role. Subsequently, material provision, the baby’s thriving and surviving body, finding substitute carers and maternal preoccupation are constructed as qualities of ‘good mothering’ in their talk. This ‘good mother’ position, however, is a precarious position that both these mothers and I invest in to defend against feelings towards their babies and themselves as well as to deny (maternal) ambivalence in a problematic social system. In a combined analysis drawing on discursive theory and psychoanalysis, more specifically contemporary attachment theory and intersubjectivity theory, I illustrate how both these mothers and I – as emotional, social and political subjects – co-construct maternal subjectivity. Based on the findings, recommendations for parent-infant interventions are discussed. Arguing that a purely psychoanalytic reading of investment perpetuates notions of individual blame and pathology, I advocate for a psychosocial reading that does not neglect failing social systems but rather pursues an open and reflective, yet critical, mindfulness when listening to talk.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

The predictive ability of the yield spread in timing the stock exchange: a South African case

  • Authors: Cook, Jenna
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Stocks -- Mathematical models , Probits , Johannesburg Stock Exchange
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147025 , vital:38586
  • Description: The use of the yield curve in forecasting economic recessions is well established in the literature. A new avenue of use for the yield curve has emerged in the form of using it to forecast bull and bear stock markets. This has the potential to change how investors manage portfolios. A dynamic market-timing strategy would allow investors to shift out of or in to stock markets based on the probability of bear stock market in the future. The relationship between the yield curve and the stock market is tested using an adapted probit model. This has proven positive with encouraging results for the US, India and Spain. This is tested for South Africa using the adapted probit model and the SA yield spread. Bear stock markets are identified on the JSE and forms part of the probit modelling process. Bear markets are identified using a six- and four-month criteria. As South Africa is a small, open and developing economy, the probit is also modelled using the US yield spread. The three probit models do not appear to track bear markets well. This is substantiated through the Henriksson-Merton parametric model test which tests for market timing ability. The results for the SA yield spread using both bear market criteria do not show market timing ability, however, the SA and US yield spread model does show potential market timing ability.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

The preparedness of the insurance industry for industry 4.0 in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) towards 2030

  • Authors: Haribans, Sarika
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Insurance companies -- South Africa Industrial revolution -- Insurance -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48147 , vital:40511
  • Description: The exponential growth of technology over the past few years has given rise to the term Industry 4.0. The term Industry 4.0 has since gained increasing relevance and importance. Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF) emphasised that the world is on the verge of a technological revolution that will profoundly alter the way we live, work and relate to one another; and that the scale, scope and complexity of the transformation will be unlike anything humankind has experienced before (Schwab, 2016). Industry 4.0 is said to be unlike the previous three industrial revolutions, it is a distinct one of speed, extent and systems impact, characterised by a major disruption to all sectors of business, governments and individuals globally. Industry’s such as insurance, is considered conservative and slow to change, as such the industry has never been quick to adapt to technological advancements. One thing however, that is certain about Industry 4.0 and predicted by many, is its significant impact on jobs in the world as robotics; automation and artificial intelligence become more abundant. This phenomenon has a direct impact on South Africa, which is currently strained by challenges such as infrastructure constraints, political instability, high levels of unemployment, rising costs, and shortages of skills, the loss of further jobs should raise an alarm of concern for government and the private sector alike. The outcomes of the extensive analysis of future studies practice and theory in this research study gives credibility to the argument that the manner in which planning is taking place for the future of the Industry 4.0 in the South African insurance industry context, requires significant adjustments. Business is encouraged to make collaborative decisions and fashion strategies that are founded on and informed by futures studies as this involves the development of fresh insight, fundamental to the planning process. This research attempted to gain insight into the possible future of the South African insurance industry through the creation of four scenarios towards 2030. These are outlined as follows: Insurance innovators and expansionists, which is the ‘best case’ scenario, to which the country aspires; The divide, the ‘worst case’ scenario, in which everything takes a negative turn; The uninsurable, the outlier future based on a surprise future centred on a disruptive emerging area; and Sitting this one out, in which no change takes place, making it ‘business as usual’. The research further undertook to discover the preferred future for the insurance industry in the South African context, as a basis for the Future Vision of the insurance industry of South Africa towards 2030. Inayatullah’s (2008) six pillars of futures studies was employed as an instrument to to guide the mapping of the present and future, further deepening and broadening the future through the development of scenarios, and, finally, transforming the future by narrowing it down to the preferred. In order to achieve the preferred, Future Vision of the insurance industry of South Africa towards 2030 is up to the insurance industry of South Africa, in collaboration with public and private sectors to determine the path to be followed in the decisions surrounding the embrace, acceptance and implementation of Industry 4.0 for the greater good of all, as the country moves towards progression, financial inclusion and sustainable development.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2020
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