Evaluating the impact of energy policies on sustainable development in South Africa
- Authors: Julius, Ibitoye Oyebanji
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Energy policy -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa Renewable energy sources -- South Africa Sustainable living -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30440 , vital:30944
- Description: The unachieved targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at the end of 2015 by some developing countries including South Africa, lead to the evolution of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ensuring access to sustainable, affordable, and modern energy is one of the 17 SDGs that the countries are expected to achieve before the end of 2030. Green growth is an important strategy for attaining this goal and a pathway to achieving the other goals. Therefore, an empirical study of the impact of energy policies on sustainable development is pertinent. Despite the importance of such research, there exists a gap in the literature relating to green growth and sustainable development from the SDGs point of view. This study fills the existing lacuna by developing an intertemporal holistic model which allows a study of the impact of energy policies on sustainable development in relation to the SDGs. Specifically, this thesis employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) and Toda-Yamamoto approaches to analyse the long-run relationship and direction of causality respectively between green growth policies and sustainable development in South Africa from 1984 to 2016. This research provides insights into the importance of green growth for factors such as deforestation, fuel exports, energy imports and agricultural development, thus adding to the existing literature on the impact of renewable energy on a country’s social, environmental and economic conditions. Results from the analysis of the long-run relationship between green growth and macroeconomic variables, indicate a positive unidirectional relationship between changes in green growth policies and gross capital formation. This finding suggests that adopting green growth policies leads to increased investments. In contrast, green growth was found to have a negative effect on national income (gross domestic product). However, the Granger causality tests do not establish causality between these variables. Although green growth policies stimulate investments, high start-up costs associated with the implementation of these policies may mean that the resultant higher investments are yet to be translated to higher income levels in the South African economy. The findings indicate a boost in the South African balance of payment within the study period iv iv as evidenced by the positive long-run relationship between green growth policies and fuel exports. Additionally, the results indicate that green growth energy policies have assisted in improving the resilience to international oil price shocks as shown in the negative and significant long-run relationship between green growth and energy imports. With regard to environmental variables, results suggest a substitutability effect between green growth policies and the consumption of non-renewable energy. However, no evidence is found on the impact of green growth policies on the levels of deforestation and carbon dioxide(CO2) emissions, as well as natural resource depletion. In relation to the social variables, adoption of green growth policies was found to lead to improved educational quality, with causality running in both directions. This finding supports the feedback hypothesis. Similarly, green growth policies had a positive impact on agricultural development, again with causality established in both directions. The outcome of the long-run relationship between green energy consumption and unemployment shows that the green growth policies is yet to have a significant impact on unemployment reduction in South Africa. Green growth also has an insignificant and indirect relationship with GDP per capita; this result was affirmed by the absence of causality between GDP per capita and green energy consumption. This research not only makes contributions to the literature on the relevance of green growth policies for achieving economic, social and environmental sustainability, it also suggests possible policy implications which highlight the need for adoption and continued implementation of green growth policies in developing countries such as South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Julius, Ibitoye Oyebanji
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Energy policy -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa Renewable energy sources -- South Africa Sustainable living -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30440 , vital:30944
- Description: The unachieved targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at the end of 2015 by some developing countries including South Africa, lead to the evolution of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ensuring access to sustainable, affordable, and modern energy is one of the 17 SDGs that the countries are expected to achieve before the end of 2030. Green growth is an important strategy for attaining this goal and a pathway to achieving the other goals. Therefore, an empirical study of the impact of energy policies on sustainable development is pertinent. Despite the importance of such research, there exists a gap in the literature relating to green growth and sustainable development from the SDGs point of view. This study fills the existing lacuna by developing an intertemporal holistic model which allows a study of the impact of energy policies on sustainable development in relation to the SDGs. Specifically, this thesis employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) and Toda-Yamamoto approaches to analyse the long-run relationship and direction of causality respectively between green growth policies and sustainable development in South Africa from 1984 to 2016. This research provides insights into the importance of green growth for factors such as deforestation, fuel exports, energy imports and agricultural development, thus adding to the existing literature on the impact of renewable energy on a country’s social, environmental and economic conditions. Results from the analysis of the long-run relationship between green growth and macroeconomic variables, indicate a positive unidirectional relationship between changes in green growth policies and gross capital formation. This finding suggests that adopting green growth policies leads to increased investments. In contrast, green growth was found to have a negative effect on national income (gross domestic product). However, the Granger causality tests do not establish causality between these variables. Although green growth policies stimulate investments, high start-up costs associated with the implementation of these policies may mean that the resultant higher investments are yet to be translated to higher income levels in the South African economy. The findings indicate a boost in the South African balance of payment within the study period iv iv as evidenced by the positive long-run relationship between green growth policies and fuel exports. Additionally, the results indicate that green growth energy policies have assisted in improving the resilience to international oil price shocks as shown in the negative and significant long-run relationship between green growth and energy imports. With regard to environmental variables, results suggest a substitutability effect between green growth policies and the consumption of non-renewable energy. However, no evidence is found on the impact of green growth policies on the levels of deforestation and carbon dioxide(CO2) emissions, as well as natural resource depletion. In relation to the social variables, adoption of green growth policies was found to lead to improved educational quality, with causality running in both directions. This finding supports the feedback hypothesis. Similarly, green growth policies had a positive impact on agricultural development, again with causality established in both directions. The outcome of the long-run relationship between green energy consumption and unemployment shows that the green growth policies is yet to have a significant impact on unemployment reduction in South Africa. Green growth also has an insignificant and indirect relationship with GDP per capita; this result was affirmed by the absence of causality between GDP per capita and green energy consumption. This research not only makes contributions to the literature on the relevance of green growth policies for achieving economic, social and environmental sustainability, it also suggests possible policy implications which highlight the need for adoption and continued implementation of green growth policies in developing countries such as South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Evaluation and identification of microbial contaminants in polyherbal medicines used for the treatment of tuberculosis in Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Famewo, Elizabeth Bosede
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Tuberculosis -- Treatment -- South Africa Mycobacterial diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9680 , vital:34818
- Description: Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The emergence of drug-resistant strains of this organism has become a global public health problem. In the continuing search for effective treatment, polyherbal medicines offer a great hope in the development of alternative drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis. The use of herbal formulations for therapeutic purposes has significantly increased in the developed and developing countries because of their curative property, less toxicity and minimal side effects. However, there is little information on their safety and effectiveness in the literature. To address this, polyherbal medicines used for the treatment of tuberculosis in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa were evaluated. Ethno-medicinal survey was conducted through semi-structured questionnaires coupled with informal conversations with the herbal sellers in five communities in the study area. Bacterial and fungal DNA was extracted from the polyherbal medicines purchased. A fragment of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer region of the fungal rRNA operon were amplified with universal primers 27F and 518R, and ITS1 and ITS4 respectively. Following standard procedures, the amplicons were finally run on Illumina’s MiSeq platform. Furthermore, the remedies were screened against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv using Middlebrook 7H9 media and MGIT BACTEC 960 system. Agar dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the remedies against eight bacteria and three fungi isolates. The herbal preparations were assayed for their toxicity using hatchability success and larval mortality of Artemia salina Leach. Finally, their nutritive properties were analysed using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer for mineral analysis while the vitamins were determined using standardized methods A total of nine polyherbal preparations were collected. The herbs used for the preparation of these remedies belong to 20 families. Apiaceae [5(25 percent)] was the most prominent plant family used, followed by Liliaceae [4(20 percent)], Strychnaceae [4(20 percent)], Rutaceae [4(20 percent)] and Hypoxidaceae [3(15 percent)]. The two most frequently used plants were Allium sativum L. (Liliaceae) and Strychnos decussata (Pappe) Gilg. (Strychnaceae). Rhizomes was the most common parts used, followed by the roots and barks. The herbal medicines were prepared mainly by infusion and decoction. The presences of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria were identified in the polyherbal medicines. Generally, the most common bacteria identified from the samples were Bacillus sp., Enterobacter sp., Klebsiella sp., Rahnella sp., Paenibacillus sp., Clostridium sp. and Pantoea sp. The predominant mycoflora obtained belongs to different genera or species of fungi; these include Alternaria, Candida, Ramularia, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus and Malassezia. The susceptibility testing revealed that all the remedies contain anti-tubercular activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv at concentrations below 50 ug/ml. Seven of the polyherbal preparations showed activity at concentrations below 25 ug/ml. The MIC values exhibited inhibitory activity at 1.562 μg/ml. However, isoniazid showed more inhibitory activity against M. tuberculosis at 0.05 μg/ml when compared to the polyherbal remedies. The inhibitory activity of the polyherbal medicines based on the overall MIC revealed that Hogsback first site (HBfs) and Fort Beaufort (FB) remedies were the most active remedies against the bacterial isolates at the concentration of 2.5 mg/mL. Among the nine herbal formulations, only King Williams Town site A (KWTa) remedy showed activity against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus with the MIC valve of 2.5 mg/mL. While King Williams Town site C (KWTc) and Hogsback third site (HBts) had the highest activity at 1.25 mg/mL against Candida albicans, the remaining remedies were active at 2.5 mg/mL. The percentage hatchability of 44.42 percent, 42.96 percent and 39.70 percent were observed in A. salina cysts incubated with herbal preparations from KWTa, HBfs and HBts respectively. The hatching success of the cysts in these remedies was significantly higher than the positive control (nystatin) and the negative control (sea water) at p < 0.05. The mortality of A. salina nauplii incubated in Alice (AL), King Williams Town site B (KWTb) and KWTc remedies were significantly higher than when larvae were incubated in both controls. Based on Meyer’s index, the LD50 of each polyherbal medicine was between 2.9 and 4.0 mg/ml, the LD50 values greater than 1 mg/ml, an indication that they are not toxic. The polyherbal preparations were found to be rich in vitamins and mineral nutrients. Calcium was the highest macronutrient detected while the lowest nutrient was phosphorus. Iron was the highest micronutrient in the majority of the polyherbal preparations while the lowest value was recorded for copper. Vitamin C was absent in the herbal preparations while vitamin A and E were detected. This study provides significant ethno-medicinal information on polyherbal medicines used for the treatment of TB in the study area. The presence of the identified bacteria and fungi in the herbal formulations is a cause for concern. However, the ability of the remedies to possess activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other pathogenic microorganisms associated with tuberculosis infection makes them potential sources of new antimycobacterial agents. Also, they are rich sources of mineral nutrients, and are as well non-toxic, thus, they are safe for consumption. In view of their anti-tubercular properties, this study has provided a better understanding of the reasons why TB-patients make use of these polyherbal formulations. Also, the study supports the folkloric use of polyherbal medicines in the treatment of tuberculosis in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Famewo, Elizabeth Bosede
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Tuberculosis -- Treatment -- South Africa Mycobacterial diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9680 , vital:34818
- Description: Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The emergence of drug-resistant strains of this organism has become a global public health problem. In the continuing search for effective treatment, polyherbal medicines offer a great hope in the development of alternative drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis. The use of herbal formulations for therapeutic purposes has significantly increased in the developed and developing countries because of their curative property, less toxicity and minimal side effects. However, there is little information on their safety and effectiveness in the literature. To address this, polyherbal medicines used for the treatment of tuberculosis in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa were evaluated. Ethno-medicinal survey was conducted through semi-structured questionnaires coupled with informal conversations with the herbal sellers in five communities in the study area. Bacterial and fungal DNA was extracted from the polyherbal medicines purchased. A fragment of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer region of the fungal rRNA operon were amplified with universal primers 27F and 518R, and ITS1 and ITS4 respectively. Following standard procedures, the amplicons were finally run on Illumina’s MiSeq platform. Furthermore, the remedies were screened against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv using Middlebrook 7H9 media and MGIT BACTEC 960 system. Agar dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the remedies against eight bacteria and three fungi isolates. The herbal preparations were assayed for their toxicity using hatchability success and larval mortality of Artemia salina Leach. Finally, their nutritive properties were analysed using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer for mineral analysis while the vitamins were determined using standardized methods A total of nine polyherbal preparations were collected. The herbs used for the preparation of these remedies belong to 20 families. Apiaceae [5(25 percent)] was the most prominent plant family used, followed by Liliaceae [4(20 percent)], Strychnaceae [4(20 percent)], Rutaceae [4(20 percent)] and Hypoxidaceae [3(15 percent)]. The two most frequently used plants were Allium sativum L. (Liliaceae) and Strychnos decussata (Pappe) Gilg. (Strychnaceae). Rhizomes was the most common parts used, followed by the roots and barks. The herbal medicines were prepared mainly by infusion and decoction. The presences of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria were identified in the polyherbal medicines. Generally, the most common bacteria identified from the samples were Bacillus sp., Enterobacter sp., Klebsiella sp., Rahnella sp., Paenibacillus sp., Clostridium sp. and Pantoea sp. The predominant mycoflora obtained belongs to different genera or species of fungi; these include Alternaria, Candida, Ramularia, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus and Malassezia. The susceptibility testing revealed that all the remedies contain anti-tubercular activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv at concentrations below 50 ug/ml. Seven of the polyherbal preparations showed activity at concentrations below 25 ug/ml. The MIC values exhibited inhibitory activity at 1.562 μg/ml. However, isoniazid showed more inhibitory activity against M. tuberculosis at 0.05 μg/ml when compared to the polyherbal remedies. The inhibitory activity of the polyherbal medicines based on the overall MIC revealed that Hogsback first site (HBfs) and Fort Beaufort (FB) remedies were the most active remedies against the bacterial isolates at the concentration of 2.5 mg/mL. Among the nine herbal formulations, only King Williams Town site A (KWTa) remedy showed activity against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus with the MIC valve of 2.5 mg/mL. While King Williams Town site C (KWTc) and Hogsback third site (HBts) had the highest activity at 1.25 mg/mL against Candida albicans, the remaining remedies were active at 2.5 mg/mL. The percentage hatchability of 44.42 percent, 42.96 percent and 39.70 percent were observed in A. salina cysts incubated with herbal preparations from KWTa, HBfs and HBts respectively. The hatching success of the cysts in these remedies was significantly higher than the positive control (nystatin) and the negative control (sea water) at p < 0.05. The mortality of A. salina nauplii incubated in Alice (AL), King Williams Town site B (KWTb) and KWTc remedies were significantly higher than when larvae were incubated in both controls. Based on Meyer’s index, the LD50 of each polyherbal medicine was between 2.9 and 4.0 mg/ml, the LD50 values greater than 1 mg/ml, an indication that they are not toxic. The polyherbal preparations were found to be rich in vitamins and mineral nutrients. Calcium was the highest macronutrient detected while the lowest nutrient was phosphorus. Iron was the highest micronutrient in the majority of the polyherbal preparations while the lowest value was recorded for copper. Vitamin C was absent in the herbal preparations while vitamin A and E were detected. This study provides significant ethno-medicinal information on polyherbal medicines used for the treatment of TB in the study area. The presence of the identified bacteria and fungi in the herbal formulations is a cause for concern. However, the ability of the remedies to possess activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other pathogenic microorganisms associated with tuberculosis infection makes them potential sources of new antimycobacterial agents. Also, they are rich sources of mineral nutrients, and are as well non-toxic, thus, they are safe for consumption. In view of their anti-tubercular properties, this study has provided a better understanding of the reasons why TB-patients make use of these polyherbal formulations. Also, the study supports the folkloric use of polyherbal medicines in the treatment of tuberculosis in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Examination of the capacity of Limpopo water services authorities in providing access to clean drinking water and decent sanitation
- Pilusa,Kgoshi Kgashane Lucas
- Authors: Pilusa,Kgoshi Kgashane Lucas
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Municipal water supply Sanitation, Rural
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , D.Admin
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13932 , vital:39728
- Description: This study analysed the capacity of Limpopo Water Services Authorities in providing access to clean drinking water and decent sanitation. The study raised issues of the state of access to clean drinkable water and decent sanitation through the prism of the municipality and the community. Arguably, the provision of water and sanitation services collapsed, at the level of local government, during the Jacob Zuma administration, because of the escalation of violent service delivery protests due to poor administration and management. It was discovered that all Water Services Authorities owe the Department of Water Affairs exorbitant amounts of money, well into the range of millions of Rands. This prompted the Water Boards to issue threats that they would limit the provision of bulk water. Such austerity measures compromised citizens who regularly pay for the services provided; hence, it sparked violent protests. One of the major drawbacks of the current institutional arrangements arose from the overlapping mandates of the Department of Water Affairs, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Water Services Authorities, Local Municipalities and the Department of Human Settlements. Consequently, the structural design of the intergovernmental system should enforce synergy between all water and sanitation units. The reports produced by all units must be scrutinised, debated and followed through. The study was anchored in a qualitative research design, grounded in the descriptive approach. Interviews were conducted to acquire information from politicians, administrators and community members. It was discovered that there were no skilled personnel in Water Services Authorities and Water Service Providers and, as such, institutional capacity was in disarray. More importantly, during the interviews conducted for this study, it surfaced that financial mismanagement in all municipalities is conspicuously unacceptable, especially unauthorised, irregular and fruitless expenditures. These situations prevailed under the supervision of the well-established oversight institutions that were tasked to enhance the monitoring and evaluation for good governance, such as The Auditor General of South Africa, the Human Rights Commission and the Public Protector. Professionalism and quality performance remain at a low point, with no improvement in service provision. Therefore, radical enforcement of monitoring and evaluation through Auditor General of South Africa, Human Rights Commission and Public Protector, amongst others, is critical to any attempt to disrupt the status v quo. In addition, the appointment of the heads of these oversight institutions must be removed from the Presidency and be made by the Chief Justice. The encounters confronting Water Services Authorities and Water Service Providers are complex and may not be resolved by the government alone, without the participation of the private sector and other actors such as Civil Society Organisations, the business community and public entities. Therefore, an area for further research could be an examination of attempts to introduce effective integrated water and sanitation governance structures, and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, under robust public scrutiny in order to inform immediate and long-term interventions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Pilusa,Kgoshi Kgashane Lucas
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Municipal water supply Sanitation, Rural
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , D.Admin
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13932 , vital:39728
- Description: This study analysed the capacity of Limpopo Water Services Authorities in providing access to clean drinking water and decent sanitation. The study raised issues of the state of access to clean drinkable water and decent sanitation through the prism of the municipality and the community. Arguably, the provision of water and sanitation services collapsed, at the level of local government, during the Jacob Zuma administration, because of the escalation of violent service delivery protests due to poor administration and management. It was discovered that all Water Services Authorities owe the Department of Water Affairs exorbitant amounts of money, well into the range of millions of Rands. This prompted the Water Boards to issue threats that they would limit the provision of bulk water. Such austerity measures compromised citizens who regularly pay for the services provided; hence, it sparked violent protests. One of the major drawbacks of the current institutional arrangements arose from the overlapping mandates of the Department of Water Affairs, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Water Services Authorities, Local Municipalities and the Department of Human Settlements. Consequently, the structural design of the intergovernmental system should enforce synergy between all water and sanitation units. The reports produced by all units must be scrutinised, debated and followed through. The study was anchored in a qualitative research design, grounded in the descriptive approach. Interviews were conducted to acquire information from politicians, administrators and community members. It was discovered that there were no skilled personnel in Water Services Authorities and Water Service Providers and, as such, institutional capacity was in disarray. More importantly, during the interviews conducted for this study, it surfaced that financial mismanagement in all municipalities is conspicuously unacceptable, especially unauthorised, irregular and fruitless expenditures. These situations prevailed under the supervision of the well-established oversight institutions that were tasked to enhance the monitoring and evaluation for good governance, such as The Auditor General of South Africa, the Human Rights Commission and the Public Protector. Professionalism and quality performance remain at a low point, with no improvement in service provision. Therefore, radical enforcement of monitoring and evaluation through Auditor General of South Africa, Human Rights Commission and Public Protector, amongst others, is critical to any attempt to disrupt the status v quo. In addition, the appointment of the heads of these oversight institutions must be removed from the Presidency and be made by the Chief Justice. The encounters confronting Water Services Authorities and Water Service Providers are complex and may not be resolved by the government alone, without the participation of the private sector and other actors such as Civil Society Organisations, the business community and public entities. Therefore, an area for further research could be an examination of attempts to introduce effective integrated water and sanitation governance structures, and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, under robust public scrutiny in order to inform immediate and long-term interventions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Examinee invariant condition of test score equating : the case of school certificate examination in computer studies for examinees across rural and urban areas of selected secondary schools in Malawi
- Authors: Phiri, Gerson Mutala
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Educational tests and measurements -- Malawi Computer studies -- Malawi -- Examinations Malawi School Certificate of Education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8507 , vital:32853
- Description: This study examined the invariant condition of equating test scores of examinees for the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) Computer Studies test across rural and urban areas of Zomba District in Malawi. Equating of test scores to create comparable and interchangeable scores in assessment is increasingly becoming popular to most examining bodies. However, the Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) and many other examining bodies in Africa and Europe do not embrace test score equating in their assessment systems. The consequences of not equating test scores have not been clearly documented. Furthermore, there are no proper equating designs for some agencies to employ because they administer tests annually to different examinee' populations and they disclose all items after each administration. Therefore, the study sought to establish whether the invariant condition of equating test scores of examinees holds for the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) Computer Studies test across rural and urban areas of Zomba District in Malawi. Data were collected through two Computer Studies tests which were administered to a sample of rural and urban examinees. The data were analysed using means, standard deviations, T-tests and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study revealed that score distributions and test difficulties were similar across test forms signifying that test score equating is necessary. The classification of examinees into rural and urban geographical areas across the test forms were different before score equating, but similar after score equating. The equating of scores for the two sub-populations of rural and urban examinees displayed similarities in their Standard Error of Equating (SEE) values but they were not the same. The equated scores for rural examinees displayed more equating errors than the equated scores of urban examinees, indicating a better performance in Computer Studies by urban examinees than the performance of rural examinees. The study further revealed that equating of test scores was necessary because it was almost impossible to construct multiple forms of a test that were completely parallel. Even though test developers use the same test specifications to develop test items and make every effort to develop items in one test form as similar as possible to the items in another test form, the study has shown that there is no guarantee that the difficulty levels of the items would be the same. Among the many recommendations made, one major one is that the Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) should embrace the practice of equating test scores to improve fairness of decisions which are made on examination results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Phiri, Gerson Mutala
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Educational tests and measurements -- Malawi Computer studies -- Malawi -- Examinations Malawi School Certificate of Education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8507 , vital:32853
- Description: This study examined the invariant condition of equating test scores of examinees for the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) Computer Studies test across rural and urban areas of Zomba District in Malawi. Equating of test scores to create comparable and interchangeable scores in assessment is increasingly becoming popular to most examining bodies. However, the Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) and many other examining bodies in Africa and Europe do not embrace test score equating in their assessment systems. The consequences of not equating test scores have not been clearly documented. Furthermore, there are no proper equating designs for some agencies to employ because they administer tests annually to different examinee' populations and they disclose all items after each administration. Therefore, the study sought to establish whether the invariant condition of equating test scores of examinees holds for the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) Computer Studies test across rural and urban areas of Zomba District in Malawi. Data were collected through two Computer Studies tests which were administered to a sample of rural and urban examinees. The data were analysed using means, standard deviations, T-tests and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study revealed that score distributions and test difficulties were similar across test forms signifying that test score equating is necessary. The classification of examinees into rural and urban geographical areas across the test forms were different before score equating, but similar after score equating. The equating of scores for the two sub-populations of rural and urban examinees displayed similarities in their Standard Error of Equating (SEE) values but they were not the same. The equated scores for rural examinees displayed more equating errors than the equated scores of urban examinees, indicating a better performance in Computer Studies by urban examinees than the performance of rural examinees. The study further revealed that equating of test scores was necessary because it was almost impossible to construct multiple forms of a test that were completely parallel. Even though test developers use the same test specifications to develop test items and make every effort to develop items in one test form as similar as possible to the items in another test form, the study has shown that there is no guarantee that the difficulty levels of the items would be the same. Among the many recommendations made, one major one is that the Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) should embrace the practice of equating test scores to improve fairness of decisions which are made on examination results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Examining factors influencing the academic performance of grade 12 learners in English language : a study of four schools in the Oshikoto Region of Namibia
- Authors: Limene, Tobias
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Teachers -- Training of -- Nambia Language and education -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9566 , vital:34792
- Description: This study examined factors that influence the academic performance of Grade 12 learners in English Language (L 2) in the Oshikoto Region. The theoretical framework that underpinned and guided the present study was the Systems Theory of von Bertalanffy (1930), supplemented and complemented by the School Context Model of Bascia (2014). These helped me to understand how the school context shapes core processes of teaching and learning. The study sample consisted of four principals, eight parents, eight teachers and thirty two learners who were purposively sampled from four selected secondary schools. The study was anchored in the pragmatic paradigm and it adopted the mixed methods research approach. Data collection instruments consisted of questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Major findings were that, both Grade 12 English Language (L 2) teachers and learners lack English Language proficiency. This was due to lack of exposure to the English Language. The study also noted lack of learning materials in both school and the home. Major recommendations were that schools (principals) should expose both teachers and learners to English Language by coming up with policies that make it mandatory for teachers and learners to use English while at school. Teachers should also actively involve learners in their learning by using methods such as debates and drama. The study also recommended that the Ministry of Education, schools and parents work together to provide adequate reading materials for learners. For future research, the study recommended an in-depth qualitative study to test the findings of the present study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Limene, Tobias
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Teachers -- Training of -- Nambia Language and education -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9566 , vital:34792
- Description: This study examined factors that influence the academic performance of Grade 12 learners in English Language (L 2) in the Oshikoto Region. The theoretical framework that underpinned and guided the present study was the Systems Theory of von Bertalanffy (1930), supplemented and complemented by the School Context Model of Bascia (2014). These helped me to understand how the school context shapes core processes of teaching and learning. The study sample consisted of four principals, eight parents, eight teachers and thirty two learners who were purposively sampled from four selected secondary schools. The study was anchored in the pragmatic paradigm and it adopted the mixed methods research approach. Data collection instruments consisted of questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Major findings were that, both Grade 12 English Language (L 2) teachers and learners lack English Language proficiency. This was due to lack of exposure to the English Language. The study also noted lack of learning materials in both school and the home. Major recommendations were that schools (principals) should expose both teachers and learners to English Language by coming up with policies that make it mandatory for teachers and learners to use English while at school. Teachers should also actively involve learners in their learning by using methods such as debates and drama. The study also recommended that the Ministry of Education, schools and parents work together to provide adequate reading materials for learners. For future research, the study recommended an in-depth qualitative study to test the findings of the present study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Exploring lecturer preparedness to apply a critical approach to curriculum implementation: a case study
- Authors: Sathorar, Heloise Helena
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Teacher participation in curriculum planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31786 , vital:31828
- Description: This study sought to investigate lecturer preparedness to apply a critical approach to curriculum implementation and to establish their willingness or unwillingness to engage as transformative intellectuals with their students and to apply a problem-posing education in their classrooms. The study investigated lecturers’ critical pedagogy dispositions as well as their orientations towards applying a critical approach to curriculum implementation. A comprehensive literature review was done regarding the concept critical pedagogy, its tenets and principles as well as what it entails to apply a critical approach to curriculum implementation. In particular the literature review highlighted the responsibilities of a transformative intellectual as well as the requirements of applying a problem-posing education. The study was conducted through a constructivist lens and theoretically framed by referring to specific critical pedagogy concepts. The study is located in the interpretive paradigm and a qualitative research approach was followed. In particular, an instrumental case study analysis was used as research method. The sample consisted of 20 permanently employed lecturers from the School for Initial Teacher Education in the Faculty of Education at Nelson Mandela University who volunteered to participate in an online investigation regarding their critical pedagogy dispositions as well as their orientations towards applying a critical approach to curriculum implementation. The findings of the study revealed that lecturers generally have a positive disposition towards critical pedagogy as well as towards the application of a critical approach to curriculum implementation. Despite this positive picture there were pockets of resistance towards critical pedagogy and the application of a critical approach to curriculum implementation. Finally, the study proposes a critical approach model that could be employed to enhance lecturer preparedness to apply a critical approach in their classes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Sathorar, Heloise Helena
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Teacher participation in curriculum planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31786 , vital:31828
- Description: This study sought to investigate lecturer preparedness to apply a critical approach to curriculum implementation and to establish their willingness or unwillingness to engage as transformative intellectuals with their students and to apply a problem-posing education in their classrooms. The study investigated lecturers’ critical pedagogy dispositions as well as their orientations towards applying a critical approach to curriculum implementation. A comprehensive literature review was done regarding the concept critical pedagogy, its tenets and principles as well as what it entails to apply a critical approach to curriculum implementation. In particular the literature review highlighted the responsibilities of a transformative intellectual as well as the requirements of applying a problem-posing education. The study was conducted through a constructivist lens and theoretically framed by referring to specific critical pedagogy concepts. The study is located in the interpretive paradigm and a qualitative research approach was followed. In particular, an instrumental case study analysis was used as research method. The sample consisted of 20 permanently employed lecturers from the School for Initial Teacher Education in the Faculty of Education at Nelson Mandela University who volunteered to participate in an online investigation regarding their critical pedagogy dispositions as well as their orientations towards applying a critical approach to curriculum implementation. The findings of the study revealed that lecturers generally have a positive disposition towards critical pedagogy as well as towards the application of a critical approach to curriculum implementation. Despite this positive picture there were pockets of resistance towards critical pedagogy and the application of a critical approach to curriculum implementation. Finally, the study proposes a critical approach model that could be employed to enhance lecturer preparedness to apply a critical approach in their classes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Factors affecting effective ecological restoration of Portulacaria afra (spekboom)-rich subtropical thicket and aboveground carbon endpoint projections
- Van der Vyver, Marius Lodewyk
- Authors: Van der Vyver, Marius Lodewyk
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Restoration ecology , Plant conservation -- South Africa Portulacaria afra -- South Africa Shrubs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23250 , vital:30468
- Description: Among the requirements to achieve effective ecological restoration on a landscape scale are a scientific underpinning, strong adaptive management and the setting of realistic endpoints. Efficacy and success depend on a complex interplay of factors of both local and regional influence. Biome-wide restoration experiments are rare, but valuable for evaluating efficacy of different protocols according to local context. The Thicket-wide Plot (TWP) experiment was initiated by the Subtropical Thicket Restoration Programme to inform landscape-scale ecological restoration of degraded Portulacaria afra (spekboom)-rich Subtropical Thicket. Thirteen different planting treatments of Portulacaria afra (spekboom) truncheons were planted as replicated rows on 0.25 ha fenced plots across the distribution range of spekboom-rich thicket habitat to better establish effective restoration protocols. I used a rule-based learning ensemble algorithm to evaluate 60 different predictors that potentially impact effective restoration, covering a range of climatic, topographic, edaphic, ecological and management related factors observed at 227 of these TWP plots. Percentage survivorship and aboveground biomass carbon sequestration rate (ABCsr) were taken as proxies for efficacy derived from subsequent monitoring data gathered 2 - 5 years after establishment, and a new allometric model I developed for spekboom. I found herbivory and identification of target habitat the two most important predictors of restoration efficacy, both well within the control of the practitioner. Highest survivorship and ABCsr were associated with larger truncheons planted deeper. The only exception to this pattern was found amongst the two smallest size truncheon categories. The application of external rooting hormone or watering treatment to truncheons were found of no significance to effective restoration, while all the pruned treatments were, in association with lesser planting depth, found to be significantly less effective than untreated truncheons planted deeper. When the restoration protocol is optimal (largest truncheons planted deepest in target habitats and protected from herbivory), my results show higher annual carbon sequestration rates (1.46 - 3.7 t C ha−1 yr−1 in aboveground biomass) than most older restoration sites that have been identified as benchmarks of success. In order to project ABC endpoints, I generated 40 new species-specific allometric models and used them to estimate biomass and carbon of intact and degraded stands on five sites spread out across the region. The highest AGC for stands in both intact and degraded states were estimated at 42.96 t Cha−1 and 12.98 t C ha−1 respectively, and the lowest at 26.32 t C ha−1 and 2.52 t C ha−1. Large canopy dominant (LCD) species contributed the largest AGC portion at three intact stands. The second largest portion was recorded for spekboom. The difference between paired stands on each sample site ranged between 23.8 and 32.8 t C ha−1, which provide a realistic target for biome-wide restoration that, when adopted together with current protocols, may be reached within three decades of inception.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Van der Vyver, Marius Lodewyk
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Restoration ecology , Plant conservation -- South Africa Portulacaria afra -- South Africa Shrubs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23250 , vital:30468
- Description: Among the requirements to achieve effective ecological restoration on a landscape scale are a scientific underpinning, strong adaptive management and the setting of realistic endpoints. Efficacy and success depend on a complex interplay of factors of both local and regional influence. Biome-wide restoration experiments are rare, but valuable for evaluating efficacy of different protocols according to local context. The Thicket-wide Plot (TWP) experiment was initiated by the Subtropical Thicket Restoration Programme to inform landscape-scale ecological restoration of degraded Portulacaria afra (spekboom)-rich Subtropical Thicket. Thirteen different planting treatments of Portulacaria afra (spekboom) truncheons were planted as replicated rows on 0.25 ha fenced plots across the distribution range of spekboom-rich thicket habitat to better establish effective restoration protocols. I used a rule-based learning ensemble algorithm to evaluate 60 different predictors that potentially impact effective restoration, covering a range of climatic, topographic, edaphic, ecological and management related factors observed at 227 of these TWP plots. Percentage survivorship and aboveground biomass carbon sequestration rate (ABCsr) were taken as proxies for efficacy derived from subsequent monitoring data gathered 2 - 5 years after establishment, and a new allometric model I developed for spekboom. I found herbivory and identification of target habitat the two most important predictors of restoration efficacy, both well within the control of the practitioner. Highest survivorship and ABCsr were associated with larger truncheons planted deeper. The only exception to this pattern was found amongst the two smallest size truncheon categories. The application of external rooting hormone or watering treatment to truncheons were found of no significance to effective restoration, while all the pruned treatments were, in association with lesser planting depth, found to be significantly less effective than untreated truncheons planted deeper. When the restoration protocol is optimal (largest truncheons planted deepest in target habitats and protected from herbivory), my results show higher annual carbon sequestration rates (1.46 - 3.7 t C ha−1 yr−1 in aboveground biomass) than most older restoration sites that have been identified as benchmarks of success. In order to project ABC endpoints, I generated 40 new species-specific allometric models and used them to estimate biomass and carbon of intact and degraded stands on five sites spread out across the region. The highest AGC for stands in both intact and degraded states were estimated at 42.96 t Cha−1 and 12.98 t C ha−1 respectively, and the lowest at 26.32 t C ha−1 and 2.52 t C ha−1. Large canopy dominant (LCD) species contributed the largest AGC portion at three intact stands. The second largest portion was recorded for spekboom. The difference between paired stands on each sample site ranged between 23.8 and 32.8 t C ha−1, which provide a realistic target for biome-wide restoration that, when adopted together with current protocols, may be reached within three decades of inception.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Factors that shape learner achievement in socially disadvantaged and rural contexts: a social realist study in two rural senior secondary schools in Omusati region, Namibia
- Authors: Shilongo, Erica
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Academic achievement Namibia Omusati , High school students Namibia Omusati Social conditions , Rural schools Namibia Omusati , Education, Rural Namibia Omusati , Social realism
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62240 , vital:28146
- Description: Learners’ performance and the reasons for either achievement or failure in school has lo ng been a topic of debate. In early research on academic achievement, theorists, educators, biologists and psychologists traditionally focused on the learners from socially disadvantaged family backgrounds who underachieve. Much of the debate internationally centred on whether learner academic achievement / underachievement is a product of hereditary traits or the social context. In particular, arguments for and against whether the reasons for the achievement / underachievement of children from socially disadvantaged families are genetic or the social context in which they find themselves continue unabated. Such explanations do not provide insight into why it is that despite familial (genetic) and social circumstances (social disadvantage), some children succeed and/or are able to act outside expectations of failure. Little research has focused on those in the same or similar contexts who are achieving academic success despite their limiting circumstances and the reasons for their success. This study used a social realist lens to investigate the factors that shape the academic achievement of 12 learners in two rural senior secondary schools in Omusati region, Namibia. All 12 learners are from low socioeconomic family backgrounds. The data was collected through survey, interviews with learners, parents and teachers, field notes and document analysis. The main finding of the study show that contrary to research that portrayed learners’ achievement as determined either by heredity or social contexts, the 12 learners constantly used their agentic possibilities to navigate constraining structural and cultural conditions at regional, familial and school levels to achieve academic success. Their agency was shaped by the socioeconomic conditions in their lives, namely, socioeconomic deprivation; large extended families in rural households, lack of amenities and utilities in their families, participation in household chores, experience of family tragedies and of changes when they were young.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Shilongo, Erica
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Academic achievement Namibia Omusati , High school students Namibia Omusati Social conditions , Rural schools Namibia Omusati , Education, Rural Namibia Omusati , Social realism
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62240 , vital:28146
- Description: Learners’ performance and the reasons for either achievement or failure in school has lo ng been a topic of debate. In early research on academic achievement, theorists, educators, biologists and psychologists traditionally focused on the learners from socially disadvantaged family backgrounds who underachieve. Much of the debate internationally centred on whether learner academic achievement / underachievement is a product of hereditary traits or the social context. In particular, arguments for and against whether the reasons for the achievement / underachievement of children from socially disadvantaged families are genetic or the social context in which they find themselves continue unabated. Such explanations do not provide insight into why it is that despite familial (genetic) and social circumstances (social disadvantage), some children succeed and/or are able to act outside expectations of failure. Little research has focused on those in the same or similar contexts who are achieving academic success despite their limiting circumstances and the reasons for their success. This study used a social realist lens to investigate the factors that shape the academic achievement of 12 learners in two rural senior secondary schools in Omusati region, Namibia. All 12 learners are from low socioeconomic family backgrounds. The data was collected through survey, interviews with learners, parents and teachers, field notes and document analysis. The main finding of the study show that contrary to research that portrayed learners’ achievement as determined either by heredity or social contexts, the 12 learners constantly used their agentic possibilities to navigate constraining structural and cultural conditions at regional, familial and school levels to achieve academic success. Their agency was shaped by the socioeconomic conditions in their lives, namely, socioeconomic deprivation; large extended families in rural households, lack of amenities and utilities in their families, participation in household chores, experience of family tragedies and of changes when they were young.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Farmers' vulnerability to climate change and variability and adaptation strategies : a case study of commercial tobacco farmers in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Nyathi, Confidence G
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Climatic changes Global environmental change
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9111 , vital:34269
- Description: The fast track land reform program (FTRLP) of 2000 in Zimbabwe resulted in a dynamic change of Zimbabwe’s agricultural landscape. It resulted in the conversion of white owned commercial farms into resettlement models A1 and A2. Model A1 was intended to decongest communal areas and was targeted at land-constrained farmers in communal areas. Model A2 on the other hand was a commercial settlement scheme comprising small, medium and large scale commercial settlement, intended to create a cadre of black commercial farmers. This model was in principle, targeted at any Zimbabwean citizen who could prove farming experience and/or resource availability and was based on the concept of full cost recovery from the beneficiary (Musemwa, 2011) This study looked at the demographic that constitutes of commercial tobacco farmers, in Zimbabwe after the FTLRP, how they are affected by climate change and variability and how they adapt to these climate extremes; in particular, their uptake of crop insurance. The study was quantitative and utilised a structured pre-coded questionnaire to interview 158 farmers that are into commercial tobacco farming in Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland East Provinces of Zimbabwe. The focus was on two central themes. The first was an investigation of the commercial tobacco farmers’ vulnerability to climate change and variability in Zimbabwe. The second theme analysed the factors influencing the farmers’ adoption of crop insurance and the challenges faced by both the farmers and insurance companies in its adoption. Three approaches were used to address the above objectives. Firstly to analyze the vulnerability of commercial tobacco farmers to climate change and variability, the integrated vulnerability assessment approach using vulnerability indicators from four tobacco producing provinces in Zimbabwe was used. The vulnerability indicators used included a series of different socio-economic, institutional and biophysical attributes which were further categorized into three classes, based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC 2001) definition of vulnerability, which consists of adaptive capacity, sensitivity and exposure. The LV Index and LVI-IPCC Index (Ms Excel) were then used to determine the farmer’s vulnerability index. Secondly, descriptive statistics were used to determine the manner in which farmers have been adapting to climate change and variability and lastly, the study used the binary logistic regression model to determine factors that influence the adoption of crop insurance by these farmers. The results from the analysis show that the net effect of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity is moderate for the provinces of Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and Manicaland. Through the LVI Index and LVI-IPCC index, the study found indices of 0.566 and 0.100 respectively showing that the commercial farmers in these provinces are moderately vulnerable to the effects of climate change and variability. The factors that contributed the most to this vulnerability were aspects of finance, knowledge and skills, support services, and the state of the environment. In terms of adaptation, the majority of farmers indicated that they were aware of climate change and were aware of increased climate variability and had observed an increase in temperature and rainfall variability. The different ways in which the farmers adapted included, off-farm income, enterprise diversification, irrigation, crop rotation, conservation tillage practices, establishing woodlots and using alternative fuel for curing such as coal. The binary logistic regression model showed that the factors that were significant with a positive effect on the uptake of crop insurance are; subscription to contract farming which was the major determinant, access to crop insurance information, farm tenure and area under tobacco. Factors that had a significant but negative effect, and led to a reduction in the uptake of crop insurance were level of education, perception of crop insurance premiums and enterprise diversification. The farmers were found to be highly diversified either with off-farm income, crop diversification and or enterprise diversification. The study recommended that the farmers should promote sustainable development through their production activities and adaptation strategies adopted to increase their resilience to climate change and variability. Strengthening of social networks and institutional capacities was also recommended to; increase bargaining power, for information dissemination and provision of technical support and extension services to enable the farmers to take on appropriate measues to reduce their vulnerability. In terms of crop insurance uptake, the study recommended improvement in the dialogue between the farmers and insurance companies, and periodic training and education of farmers to improve knowledge and encourage uptake.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Nyathi, Confidence G
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Climatic changes Global environmental change
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9111 , vital:34269
- Description: The fast track land reform program (FTRLP) of 2000 in Zimbabwe resulted in a dynamic change of Zimbabwe’s agricultural landscape. It resulted in the conversion of white owned commercial farms into resettlement models A1 and A2. Model A1 was intended to decongest communal areas and was targeted at land-constrained farmers in communal areas. Model A2 on the other hand was a commercial settlement scheme comprising small, medium and large scale commercial settlement, intended to create a cadre of black commercial farmers. This model was in principle, targeted at any Zimbabwean citizen who could prove farming experience and/or resource availability and was based on the concept of full cost recovery from the beneficiary (Musemwa, 2011) This study looked at the demographic that constitutes of commercial tobacco farmers, in Zimbabwe after the FTLRP, how they are affected by climate change and variability and how they adapt to these climate extremes; in particular, their uptake of crop insurance. The study was quantitative and utilised a structured pre-coded questionnaire to interview 158 farmers that are into commercial tobacco farming in Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland East Provinces of Zimbabwe. The focus was on two central themes. The first was an investigation of the commercial tobacco farmers’ vulnerability to climate change and variability in Zimbabwe. The second theme analysed the factors influencing the farmers’ adoption of crop insurance and the challenges faced by both the farmers and insurance companies in its adoption. Three approaches were used to address the above objectives. Firstly to analyze the vulnerability of commercial tobacco farmers to climate change and variability, the integrated vulnerability assessment approach using vulnerability indicators from four tobacco producing provinces in Zimbabwe was used. The vulnerability indicators used included a series of different socio-economic, institutional and biophysical attributes which were further categorized into three classes, based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC 2001) definition of vulnerability, which consists of adaptive capacity, sensitivity and exposure. The LV Index and LVI-IPCC Index (Ms Excel) were then used to determine the farmer’s vulnerability index. Secondly, descriptive statistics were used to determine the manner in which farmers have been adapting to climate change and variability and lastly, the study used the binary logistic regression model to determine factors that influence the adoption of crop insurance by these farmers. The results from the analysis show that the net effect of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity is moderate for the provinces of Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and Manicaland. Through the LVI Index and LVI-IPCC index, the study found indices of 0.566 and 0.100 respectively showing that the commercial farmers in these provinces are moderately vulnerable to the effects of climate change and variability. The factors that contributed the most to this vulnerability were aspects of finance, knowledge and skills, support services, and the state of the environment. In terms of adaptation, the majority of farmers indicated that they were aware of climate change and were aware of increased climate variability and had observed an increase in temperature and rainfall variability. The different ways in which the farmers adapted included, off-farm income, enterprise diversification, irrigation, crop rotation, conservation tillage practices, establishing woodlots and using alternative fuel for curing such as coal. The binary logistic regression model showed that the factors that were significant with a positive effect on the uptake of crop insurance are; subscription to contract farming which was the major determinant, access to crop insurance information, farm tenure and area under tobacco. Factors that had a significant but negative effect, and led to a reduction in the uptake of crop insurance were level of education, perception of crop insurance premiums and enterprise diversification. The farmers were found to be highly diversified either with off-farm income, crop diversification and or enterprise diversification. The study recommended that the farmers should promote sustainable development through their production activities and adaptation strategies adopted to increase their resilience to climate change and variability. Strengthening of social networks and institutional capacities was also recommended to; increase bargaining power, for information dissemination and provision of technical support and extension services to enable the farmers to take on appropriate measues to reduce their vulnerability. In terms of crop insurance uptake, the study recommended improvement in the dialogue between the farmers and insurance companies, and periodic training and education of farmers to improve knowledge and encourage uptake.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Financial market integration, contagion and volatility transmission: a case of the globally developed markets and developing stock markets in Africa
- Authors: Chima, Anyikwa Izunna
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Money market , Investment analysis Capital market
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23935 , vital:30646
- Description: The widespread impact of the 2007 global financial crisis and the subsequent Eurozone sovereign debt crisis added new impetus to the on-going international discussions about the sustainability of a financial integration model. Moreover, the crisis revealed the complexity of the international transmission of financial shocks and the financial vulnerabilities of different financial markets. More so, it exposed the major weaknesses in our knowledge of how the forces that drive global financial systems operate. This is compounded by a failure to appreciate the scope of interdependencies that exist across markets and their potential to destabilise the global financial system in times of crises. At the heart of this weakness is the inability to accurately understand the various propagation mechanisms and channels through which a crisis from one market is transmitted to other markets. It is against this background that this study is undertaken, in order to empirically investigate the role of financial market integration, contagion and volatility transmission, using weekly data between the period 3 January 2003 to 26 December 2014. The study covers 27 stock markets, comprising 13 African stock markets, 10 developed stock markets and four emerging stock markets. The study employed two empirical frameworks: the first framework focused on the short-run and long-run relationships between African stock markets and major global stock markets using the Johansen co-integration test, Granger causality test, GIRF and GFEVD. The second framework focused on testing evidence of contagion and volatility transmission using the DCC-GJRGARCH model and AS model. The results show that the majority of African stock markets moved together in the long-run with the major global stock markets during the pre-crisis and Eurozone crisis periods. While the long-run relationship between African stock markets and the major global markets disappeared during the period of the global financial crisis, the relationship re-emerged during the Eurozone crisis period. From the analysis of Granger causality test, the results show some differences exist in terms of the relative strength of the causal linkages across markets and periods. However, it was shown that strong causal linkages emerged during the global financial and Eurozone crisis periods relative to the pre-crisis period. Also, the leading role of the major developed markets, compared to the emerging markets, is demonstrated throughout the analysis of causality tests. Moreover, the sensitivity of African markets to shocks from the global markets was clearly highlighted by analysis of the GIRF and GFEVD, especially during both crisis periods. Furthermore, the results from the AS model confirm significant evidence of mean and volatility spill-over effects from the major global markets to African markets especially during the periods of both crises. In addition, the level of volatility was found to be more persistent and asymmetric during both crisis periods compared to the pre-crisis period. The results confirm the existence of contagion effects through the analysis of the conditional correlation during both crisis periods. More importantly, the analysis of conditional correlation emphasised evidence of heightened co-movement between African markets and the major global markets during the periods of crisis. Consequently, the decoupling phenomenon is rejected in favour of synchronisation of business cycles between African stock markets and the major global markets. The findings of this study have several important implications for the policymakers and investors in Africa and the world at large. The findings of this study not only provide some information about the level of financial integration but also the effect of growing financial linkages between African markets and the global markets, which is important for designing appropriate regulatory frameworks. Also, the knowledge about the dynamic interrelationship in terms of contagion and volatility transmission between African markets and the major global markets can be utilised by investors, and thereby help them to make better investment decisions. Consequently, the findings of this study point to a need for policymakers in general and in Africa in particular, to monitor closely changes in financial development in other markets in order to reduce the vulnerability of domestic markets to external shocks. To mitigate the impact of the external shocks, greater co-operation and co-ordination, with proper supervision of different markets‟ fiscal and monetary policies, should be encouraged. Such policies need to be carefully aligned with the objective of external sustainability. This can be achieved through strategic partnerships and mergers, foreign institutional investments, cross market listing of shares, corporatisation of exchanges and the introduction of private ownership. Above all, effective regulation is needed to realise the benefits of financial market integration.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Chima, Anyikwa Izunna
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Money market , Investment analysis Capital market
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23935 , vital:30646
- Description: The widespread impact of the 2007 global financial crisis and the subsequent Eurozone sovereign debt crisis added new impetus to the on-going international discussions about the sustainability of a financial integration model. Moreover, the crisis revealed the complexity of the international transmission of financial shocks and the financial vulnerabilities of different financial markets. More so, it exposed the major weaknesses in our knowledge of how the forces that drive global financial systems operate. This is compounded by a failure to appreciate the scope of interdependencies that exist across markets and their potential to destabilise the global financial system in times of crises. At the heart of this weakness is the inability to accurately understand the various propagation mechanisms and channels through which a crisis from one market is transmitted to other markets. It is against this background that this study is undertaken, in order to empirically investigate the role of financial market integration, contagion and volatility transmission, using weekly data between the period 3 January 2003 to 26 December 2014. The study covers 27 stock markets, comprising 13 African stock markets, 10 developed stock markets and four emerging stock markets. The study employed two empirical frameworks: the first framework focused on the short-run and long-run relationships between African stock markets and major global stock markets using the Johansen co-integration test, Granger causality test, GIRF and GFEVD. The second framework focused on testing evidence of contagion and volatility transmission using the DCC-GJRGARCH model and AS model. The results show that the majority of African stock markets moved together in the long-run with the major global stock markets during the pre-crisis and Eurozone crisis periods. While the long-run relationship between African stock markets and the major global markets disappeared during the period of the global financial crisis, the relationship re-emerged during the Eurozone crisis period. From the analysis of Granger causality test, the results show some differences exist in terms of the relative strength of the causal linkages across markets and periods. However, it was shown that strong causal linkages emerged during the global financial and Eurozone crisis periods relative to the pre-crisis period. Also, the leading role of the major developed markets, compared to the emerging markets, is demonstrated throughout the analysis of causality tests. Moreover, the sensitivity of African markets to shocks from the global markets was clearly highlighted by analysis of the GIRF and GFEVD, especially during both crisis periods. Furthermore, the results from the AS model confirm significant evidence of mean and volatility spill-over effects from the major global markets to African markets especially during the periods of both crises. In addition, the level of volatility was found to be more persistent and asymmetric during both crisis periods compared to the pre-crisis period. The results confirm the existence of contagion effects through the analysis of the conditional correlation during both crisis periods. More importantly, the analysis of conditional correlation emphasised evidence of heightened co-movement between African markets and the major global markets during the periods of crisis. Consequently, the decoupling phenomenon is rejected in favour of synchronisation of business cycles between African stock markets and the major global markets. The findings of this study have several important implications for the policymakers and investors in Africa and the world at large. The findings of this study not only provide some information about the level of financial integration but also the effect of growing financial linkages between African markets and the global markets, which is important for designing appropriate regulatory frameworks. Also, the knowledge about the dynamic interrelationship in terms of contagion and volatility transmission between African markets and the major global markets can be utilised by investors, and thereby help them to make better investment decisions. Consequently, the findings of this study point to a need for policymakers in general and in Africa in particular, to monitor closely changes in financial development in other markets in order to reduce the vulnerability of domestic markets to external shocks. To mitigate the impact of the external shocks, greater co-operation and co-ordination, with proper supervision of different markets‟ fiscal and monetary policies, should be encouraged. Such policies need to be carefully aligned with the objective of external sustainability. This can be achieved through strategic partnerships and mergers, foreign institutional investments, cross market listing of shares, corporatisation of exchanges and the introduction of private ownership. Above all, effective regulation is needed to realise the benefits of financial market integration.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Graphene quantum dots and their metallophthalocyanines nanoconjugates as novel photoluminescent nanosensors
- Authors: Achadu, Ojodomo John
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Quantum dots , Graphene , Phthalocyanines , Nanoconjugates , Novel photoluminescent nanosensors , Metallophthalocyanines
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60719 , vital:27821
- Description: The fabrication and application of graphene quantum dots (GQDs)-based photoluminescent probes for the detection of analytes is presented. GQDs were functionalized with complexes such as metallophthalocyanines (MPcs), metal nanoparticles (Au@Ag NPs), 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl(piperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO), maleimide and thymine for the sensing of target analytes such as ascorbic acid (AA), biothiols (cysteine, homocysteine and glutathione) and mercury ion (Hg²+). The design strategy and approach was based on the quenching of the fluorescence of the GQDs upon functionalization with the above-mentioned complexes, which could be restored in the presence of the target analytes (due to their specific interaction affinity with the complexes). For the detection of AA, GQDs were covalently and/or non-covalently conjugated to TEMPO-bearing complexes to form GQDs-4A-TEMPO and GQDs-TEMPO-MPc systems with nanomolar limits of detection. For the detection of biothiols, Au@Ag NPs and maleimide-bearing complexes (MPc), which have specific affinity to interact with biothiols, were deployed. Hg²+ detection involved the use of GQDs and/or MPcs with thiol and thymine groups, respectively. In addition, a smart sensing platform was designed for the dual detection of biothiols and Hg²+ using supramolecular hybrid of polyethyleneimine functionalized-GQDs and MPc-Au@Ag conjugate. The probe could detect, in a sequential manner, Hg²+ and biothiols with high sensitivity. Results obtained from the LODs of the probes showed that GQDs sensing performances could be enhanced in the presence of MPcs. The probes designed in this work were successfully deployed in the assays of the target analytes in real samples and the recoveries obtained confirmed the analytical applicability of the probes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Achadu, Ojodomo John
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Quantum dots , Graphene , Phthalocyanines , Nanoconjugates , Novel photoluminescent nanosensors , Metallophthalocyanines
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60719 , vital:27821
- Description: The fabrication and application of graphene quantum dots (GQDs)-based photoluminescent probes for the detection of analytes is presented. GQDs were functionalized with complexes such as metallophthalocyanines (MPcs), metal nanoparticles (Au@Ag NPs), 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl(piperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO), maleimide and thymine for the sensing of target analytes such as ascorbic acid (AA), biothiols (cysteine, homocysteine and glutathione) and mercury ion (Hg²+). The design strategy and approach was based on the quenching of the fluorescence of the GQDs upon functionalization with the above-mentioned complexes, which could be restored in the presence of the target analytes (due to their specific interaction affinity with the complexes). For the detection of AA, GQDs were covalently and/or non-covalently conjugated to TEMPO-bearing complexes to form GQDs-4A-TEMPO and GQDs-TEMPO-MPc systems with nanomolar limits of detection. For the detection of biothiols, Au@Ag NPs and maleimide-bearing complexes (MPc), which have specific affinity to interact with biothiols, were deployed. Hg²+ detection involved the use of GQDs and/or MPcs with thiol and thymine groups, respectively. In addition, a smart sensing platform was designed for the dual detection of biothiols and Hg²+ using supramolecular hybrid of polyethyleneimine functionalized-GQDs and MPc-Au@Ag conjugate. The probe could detect, in a sequential manner, Hg²+ and biothiols with high sensitivity. Results obtained from the LODs of the probes showed that GQDs sensing performances could be enhanced in the presence of MPcs. The probes designed in this work were successfully deployed in the assays of the target analytes in real samples and the recoveries obtained confirmed the analytical applicability of the probes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Habitat use of important juvenile fish species in temperate Earnestine nursery areas with notes on feeding ecology and historical shifts to assist with conservation planning, South Africa
- Authors: Nel, Larize
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mariculture -- South Africa , Fishes -- Ecology -- South Africa Fishes -- Food -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32904 , vital:32396
- Description: Estuaries are among the most productive ecosystems worldwide as they provide important refuge and feeding areas for the juveniles of many marine species, many of which have recreational importance. The use of these nursery areas by juvenile fishes in South Africa are in need of further investigation and many critical areas such as shallow water creeks and vegetated habitats remain understudied. By using mixed-methods, estuarine fish assemblages were assessed in five permanently open estuaries in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A total of 81 428 comprising 24 families and 40 species of fishes were sampled by means of a 50 m seine net (12 mm mesh) along the length of these systems that comprised of six equidistant sites during the summer recruitment period (October - December) of 2014 and 2015. A higher catch per unit effort (CPUE) was recorded in 2014 (68 875) compared to the following year where a decline of approximately 82% was observed in the catch (12 553) for all estuaries except the Kromme Estuary. Catches were mainly dominated by the marine estuarine dependent sparid, Rhabdosargus holubi and the solely estuarine clupeid, Gilchristella aestuaria. Species compositions and catch abundance with regards to historical catches showed that the abundance of many marine estuarine dependent juveniles as well as important recreational species have declined within these systems and are mainly attributed to marine overfishing and the exploitation of undersized individuals in estuarine nurseries. Juvenile fishes that occur in these estuaries utilize a range of vegetated habitats ranging from salt marsh creeks, Zostera capensis beds, Spartina maritima and previously unexplored Phragmites australis areas. Sampling was achieved by using passive, double-winged, six-hooped fyke nets, 1 mm mesh size that was secured in placed on the nocturnal flood tide at each inundated vegetated and adjacent unvegetated habitat types. Higher catches were frequently recorded in vegetated areas for solely estuarine and marine estuarine dependent species and supports evidence of plasticity within these habitats. In general, the previously unstudied reed, P. australis showed the highest species richness and abundance of juvenile fishes overall, followed by, Z. capensis and the intertidal salt marsh species, S. maritima. These findings relate to many international trends on the value of vegetated areas as refugia for young fishes in estuaries. Fishes were also showing evidence of feeding and sheltering in these areas. By using conventional stomach contents and stable isotope methods (δ13C and δ15N signatures) on the abundant R. holubi in previously selected vegetation sites, it was clear that this species has a significant reliance on any of these habitats as their diets was largely comprised of a mixture of epiphytic algae and aquatic macrophytes. In addition, the diet of larger individuals (>80 mm) showed a greater component of invertebrates in previously unexplored habitats, which proves their omnivorous diet related to ontogenetic niche use. Knowledge of fine-scale habitat use by fishes is essential for conservation planning as exclusion zones can be optimised to limit anthropogenic influence on nursery use patterns in fishes. The availability of shallow water habitats (<60 cm) was assessed as an additional driver to explain the species diversity and richness of juvenile fishes within the lower reaches. These habitats are known as important nursery habitats providing numerous marine and estuarine spawned fishes with adequate refuge and food supply. This shallow water volume was measured by means of a two-man kayak using both the spring high and low tides in the lower reaches of these systems to assess juvenile assemblages. It was clear from the results that aquatic vegetation significantly adds to the volume of these areas and as a result, much greater fish density and species richness were observed. Generalized additive models showed that marine spawned species were particularly reliant on the availability of this shallow water along with submerged vegetation and additional environmental variables. The presence of structurally submerged vegetation typically characterized within shallow estuarine waters is commonly believed to reduce predation risk resulting in elevated densities of biota. Based on the current stock status and percentage of pristine breeding stock, five fish species classified as collapsed/overexploited was consistently found within these systems with an additional 14 species currently classified as exploited/vulnerable. Based on the current species richness and diversity, available habitat cover and knowledge regarding important recreational species, priority areas that require some form of legal protection in order to meet potential biodiversity targets, could be identified. It is a legal requirement in South Africa that all estuaries require management plans that should be based on good knowledge of priority habitats for fauna and flora. The identification of estuarine protected areas is seen as a mechanism for protecting a representative sample of the biodiversity accompanied by a complete range of environmental gradients and habitat types at a reasonable scale in order to maximize the protection of estuarine species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Nel, Larize
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mariculture -- South Africa , Fishes -- Ecology -- South Africa Fishes -- Food -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32904 , vital:32396
- Description: Estuaries are among the most productive ecosystems worldwide as they provide important refuge and feeding areas for the juveniles of many marine species, many of which have recreational importance. The use of these nursery areas by juvenile fishes in South Africa are in need of further investigation and many critical areas such as shallow water creeks and vegetated habitats remain understudied. By using mixed-methods, estuarine fish assemblages were assessed in five permanently open estuaries in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A total of 81 428 comprising 24 families and 40 species of fishes were sampled by means of a 50 m seine net (12 mm mesh) along the length of these systems that comprised of six equidistant sites during the summer recruitment period (October - December) of 2014 and 2015. A higher catch per unit effort (CPUE) was recorded in 2014 (68 875) compared to the following year where a decline of approximately 82% was observed in the catch (12 553) for all estuaries except the Kromme Estuary. Catches were mainly dominated by the marine estuarine dependent sparid, Rhabdosargus holubi and the solely estuarine clupeid, Gilchristella aestuaria. Species compositions and catch abundance with regards to historical catches showed that the abundance of many marine estuarine dependent juveniles as well as important recreational species have declined within these systems and are mainly attributed to marine overfishing and the exploitation of undersized individuals in estuarine nurseries. Juvenile fishes that occur in these estuaries utilize a range of vegetated habitats ranging from salt marsh creeks, Zostera capensis beds, Spartina maritima and previously unexplored Phragmites australis areas. Sampling was achieved by using passive, double-winged, six-hooped fyke nets, 1 mm mesh size that was secured in placed on the nocturnal flood tide at each inundated vegetated and adjacent unvegetated habitat types. Higher catches were frequently recorded in vegetated areas for solely estuarine and marine estuarine dependent species and supports evidence of plasticity within these habitats. In general, the previously unstudied reed, P. australis showed the highest species richness and abundance of juvenile fishes overall, followed by, Z. capensis and the intertidal salt marsh species, S. maritima. These findings relate to many international trends on the value of vegetated areas as refugia for young fishes in estuaries. Fishes were also showing evidence of feeding and sheltering in these areas. By using conventional stomach contents and stable isotope methods (δ13C and δ15N signatures) on the abundant R. holubi in previously selected vegetation sites, it was clear that this species has a significant reliance on any of these habitats as their diets was largely comprised of a mixture of epiphytic algae and aquatic macrophytes. In addition, the diet of larger individuals (>80 mm) showed a greater component of invertebrates in previously unexplored habitats, which proves their omnivorous diet related to ontogenetic niche use. Knowledge of fine-scale habitat use by fishes is essential for conservation planning as exclusion zones can be optimised to limit anthropogenic influence on nursery use patterns in fishes. The availability of shallow water habitats (<60 cm) was assessed as an additional driver to explain the species diversity and richness of juvenile fishes within the lower reaches. These habitats are known as important nursery habitats providing numerous marine and estuarine spawned fishes with adequate refuge and food supply. This shallow water volume was measured by means of a two-man kayak using both the spring high and low tides in the lower reaches of these systems to assess juvenile assemblages. It was clear from the results that aquatic vegetation significantly adds to the volume of these areas and as a result, much greater fish density and species richness were observed. Generalized additive models showed that marine spawned species were particularly reliant on the availability of this shallow water along with submerged vegetation and additional environmental variables. The presence of structurally submerged vegetation typically characterized within shallow estuarine waters is commonly believed to reduce predation risk resulting in elevated densities of biota. Based on the current stock status and percentage of pristine breeding stock, five fish species classified as collapsed/overexploited was consistently found within these systems with an additional 14 species currently classified as exploited/vulnerable. Based on the current species richness and diversity, available habitat cover and knowledge regarding important recreational species, priority areas that require some form of legal protection in order to meet potential biodiversity targets, could be identified. It is a legal requirement in South Africa that all estuaries require management plans that should be based on good knowledge of priority habitats for fauna and flora. The identification of estuarine protected areas is seen as a mechanism for protecting a representative sample of the biodiversity accompanied by a complete range of environmental gradients and habitat types at a reasonable scale in order to maximize the protection of estuarine species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Implementation of programmes for maintaining care and safety of learners in secondary schools in the Graaff Reinet education district
- Authors: Bilatyi, Nkosana Carlon
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Schools -- Security measures -- Eastern Cape School environment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9379 , vital:34339
- Description: Care and safety of learners refers to the behavioral practices which protect children from danger, risks and injuries. It also includes environment that is free from violence since where there is no fear perceived, there is reverence for the school and its disciplinary measures (Hernandez & Seem, 2004; Marotz, Cross, Rush, 2005; Mathe, 2008; Chukwu, 2008). Schools should have positive environment which allows members of staff, learners and guests to freely interact without threats or fear. Learners and staff should feel psychologically, physically and emotionally safe and secure (Dwyer & Osher, 2000; Tabancali &Bektas, 2009; Butcher& Manning 2005). Consequently, care and safety of learners can also be viewed in a more practical and management oriented way. According to Hull (2010) care and safety of learners in a management oriented way includes, maintenance of school buildings and grounds, care of facilities, furniture and equipment with spacious corridors that allow free flow and emergency movement to prevent illness and death. Classes should accommodate the required educator-learner ratio. The playgrounds are reduced to limited space to ensure that learners are visible and are controllable. Moreover provision of care and safety of learners includes school culture and the appropriate training of educators as well as school staff who should respond to threats and hazards. It also includes addressing the range of crisis the school can face such as death and natural disasters (Phaneuf, 2009). Reeves, Nickerson, Conolly-Wilson, Suson, Lazzaro, Jimerson, and Pesce (2012) contend that the educators on duty should provide learners with safety precautions to guard against the possibility of single learner slipping away and suffering injuries (Dilion, 2007). According to Mogopodi, Banyaladzi & Petros (2015) facilities like laboratories should be suitable for all learners because they help to transform theoretical education into practice making learning effective. Astor, Guerra, Van Acker (2010) suggest that provision of care and safety for learners is among the most essential components for achieving effective teaching and learning. This will only be achieved by putting in place proper care and safety programmes and ensuring that they are effectively implemented (Netshitahame, & Vollenhoven, 2002, Astor et.al.2010).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Bilatyi, Nkosana Carlon
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Schools -- Security measures -- Eastern Cape School environment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9379 , vital:34339
- Description: Care and safety of learners refers to the behavioral practices which protect children from danger, risks and injuries. It also includes environment that is free from violence since where there is no fear perceived, there is reverence for the school and its disciplinary measures (Hernandez & Seem, 2004; Marotz, Cross, Rush, 2005; Mathe, 2008; Chukwu, 2008). Schools should have positive environment which allows members of staff, learners and guests to freely interact without threats or fear. Learners and staff should feel psychologically, physically and emotionally safe and secure (Dwyer & Osher, 2000; Tabancali &Bektas, 2009; Butcher& Manning 2005). Consequently, care and safety of learners can also be viewed in a more practical and management oriented way. According to Hull (2010) care and safety of learners in a management oriented way includes, maintenance of school buildings and grounds, care of facilities, furniture and equipment with spacious corridors that allow free flow and emergency movement to prevent illness and death. Classes should accommodate the required educator-learner ratio. The playgrounds are reduced to limited space to ensure that learners are visible and are controllable. Moreover provision of care and safety of learners includes school culture and the appropriate training of educators as well as school staff who should respond to threats and hazards. It also includes addressing the range of crisis the school can face such as death and natural disasters (Phaneuf, 2009). Reeves, Nickerson, Conolly-Wilson, Suson, Lazzaro, Jimerson, and Pesce (2012) contend that the educators on duty should provide learners with safety precautions to guard against the possibility of single learner slipping away and suffering injuries (Dilion, 2007). According to Mogopodi, Banyaladzi & Petros (2015) facilities like laboratories should be suitable for all learners because they help to transform theoretical education into practice making learning effective. Astor, Guerra, Van Acker (2010) suggest that provision of care and safety for learners is among the most essential components for achieving effective teaching and learning. This will only be achieved by putting in place proper care and safety programmes and ensuring that they are effectively implemented (Netshitahame, & Vollenhoven, 2002, Astor et.al.2010).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Implementation of strategies used to manage conflict between students and staff in secondary schools in Malawi : towards a comprehensive framework
- Authors: Zimpita, Valentino Tipitana
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Conflict management Conflict management -- Study and teaching Violence -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9412 , vital:34348
- Description: The study aimed at examining how strategies used to manage conflict between students and staff in secondary schools in Malawi were implemented. This was after it had been noted that conflicts in secondary schools in Malawi usually ended in violence. The study employed a pragmatic research paradigm. In this paradigm, a researcher employs mixed methods approach which collects both quantitative and qualitative data. Using a concurrent triangulation mixed method design, the two types of data were collected concurrently and analysed simultaneously. Study participants were head teachers, teachers, students, education officials and parents. Most of the teachers were randomly sampled while a few other teachers, the head teachers, the education officials and the parents were purposefully sampled. The study found that there were various causes of conflict in secondary schools in Malawi which included misunderstanding of human rights, poor communication between students and staff, poor school management by head teachers and lack of students‘ involvement in decisions that concerned them. The study further found that conflict was in a way beneficial to schools as it was a learning point for both students and staff. However, such benefits were overshadowed by the many evils that violence brought such as disturbing teaching and learning. The study also found that there were two approaches in the way schools managed conflict; engagement of students and calling for police intervention. It transpired that on the overall, stakeholders were aware of different conflict management skills but they did not know how best to use them. In addition, it transpired that stakeholders were not comfortable with win-win approaches to conflict management. This was against a background that the stakeholders were involved in conflict management in different ways. It also came out clear that support to secondary schools in the management of conflict was at two levels; school level and system level. On the part of monitoring, it transpired that the mechanism which were there were ad hoc and they included inspection visits and the requirement that head teachers should always submit reports which could carry issues related to conflict. The study concluded that poorly managed conflicts which turned into violence were a menace to secondary schools in Malawi. In this regard, there was need to ensure effective conflict management in order to avoid violence. To achieve this, the study has made a number of recommendations. Among them, it has been recommended that schools should from time to time take stork of the likely causes of conflict and address them accordingly. It has also been recommended that schools should put in place mechanisms for ensuring two way communication so that students feel free to air out their concerns. At Ministry level, it has been recommended that the MoEST should take guidance and counselling seriously by among other things training teacher councillors and making the post an established one. It has also been recommended that the MoEST should make sure that head teachers, deputy head teachers, teachers, parents and even education officials are inducted in conflict management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Zimpita, Valentino Tipitana
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Conflict management Conflict management -- Study and teaching Violence -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9412 , vital:34348
- Description: The study aimed at examining how strategies used to manage conflict between students and staff in secondary schools in Malawi were implemented. This was after it had been noted that conflicts in secondary schools in Malawi usually ended in violence. The study employed a pragmatic research paradigm. In this paradigm, a researcher employs mixed methods approach which collects both quantitative and qualitative data. Using a concurrent triangulation mixed method design, the two types of data were collected concurrently and analysed simultaneously. Study participants were head teachers, teachers, students, education officials and parents. Most of the teachers were randomly sampled while a few other teachers, the head teachers, the education officials and the parents were purposefully sampled. The study found that there were various causes of conflict in secondary schools in Malawi which included misunderstanding of human rights, poor communication between students and staff, poor school management by head teachers and lack of students‘ involvement in decisions that concerned them. The study further found that conflict was in a way beneficial to schools as it was a learning point for both students and staff. However, such benefits were overshadowed by the many evils that violence brought such as disturbing teaching and learning. The study also found that there were two approaches in the way schools managed conflict; engagement of students and calling for police intervention. It transpired that on the overall, stakeholders were aware of different conflict management skills but they did not know how best to use them. In addition, it transpired that stakeholders were not comfortable with win-win approaches to conflict management. This was against a background that the stakeholders were involved in conflict management in different ways. It also came out clear that support to secondary schools in the management of conflict was at two levels; school level and system level. On the part of monitoring, it transpired that the mechanism which were there were ad hoc and they included inspection visits and the requirement that head teachers should always submit reports which could carry issues related to conflict. The study concluded that poorly managed conflicts which turned into violence were a menace to secondary schools in Malawi. In this regard, there was need to ensure effective conflict management in order to avoid violence. To achieve this, the study has made a number of recommendations. Among them, it has been recommended that schools should from time to time take stork of the likely causes of conflict and address them accordingly. It has also been recommended that schools should put in place mechanisms for ensuring two way communication so that students feel free to air out their concerns. At Ministry level, it has been recommended that the MoEST should take guidance and counselling seriously by among other things training teacher councillors and making the post an established one. It has also been recommended that the MoEST should make sure that head teachers, deputy head teachers, teachers, parents and even education officials are inducted in conflict management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Implementation of the school nutrition programme in selected high schools in KwaZulu-Natal Province : implications on learners' nutrition education
- Authors: Mafugu, Tafirenyika
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: School children -- Nutrition -- KwaZulu-Natal School children -- Food -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal Child welfare -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9637 , vital:34812
- Description: The study sought to: examine training, monitoring and support provided to NSNP stakeholders; establish what informs the procurement and preparation of the food; determine its nutritional value; identify challenges encountered in the implementation of the school nutritrition programme; and evaluate the implications of the NSNP on learners’ nutritional education in Pinetown district in South Africa. Underpinned by the pragmatic research paradigm, the study followed a mixed methods research approach which utilised a convergent parallel research design. A random sample of 108 learners and purposive samples of 32 different stakeholders participated in the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse quantitative data, while qualitative data were categorised into themes which were presented in tables and text. The two forms of data were merged at the interpretation phase through triangulation of results. The study found that some of the key stakeholders of NSNP were not adequately supported and trained, and that monitoring was only done regularly by the teacher coordinators. District field officers lacked adequate expertise to train stakeholders. Food was prepared following a menu which was not updated in some schools, and food handlers in two schools could not understand quantities on the menu. The suppliers used the menu for procurement of food. The observed mean intakes per child per day for energy, protein, total fat, cholesterol, dietary fibre, vitamin K and sodium were significantly lower than the expected mean nutrient intakes, while the intakes of all other nutrients were not significantly different statistically, from the expected nutrient intakes. The intakes of all nutrients were below the minimum of 30 percent of RDA which was recommended by the Department of Basic Education. Fruits were rarely supplied. Nutritional education was not adequately taught across the curriculum and most respondents were not aware of basic nutritional principles. Training stakeholders and early payment of the suppliers could significantly improve learners’ benefit from the programme. The study’s proposed framework of implementation of the school nutrition programme recommends ways to improve the implementation process, including the incorporation of nutrition education into the Life Orientation curriculum to enhance good food choices that curb prevalent nutrient disorders among South Africans.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mafugu, Tafirenyika
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: School children -- Nutrition -- KwaZulu-Natal School children -- Food -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal Child welfare -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9637 , vital:34812
- Description: The study sought to: examine training, monitoring and support provided to NSNP stakeholders; establish what informs the procurement and preparation of the food; determine its nutritional value; identify challenges encountered in the implementation of the school nutritrition programme; and evaluate the implications of the NSNP on learners’ nutritional education in Pinetown district in South Africa. Underpinned by the pragmatic research paradigm, the study followed a mixed methods research approach which utilised a convergent parallel research design. A random sample of 108 learners and purposive samples of 32 different stakeholders participated in the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse quantitative data, while qualitative data were categorised into themes which were presented in tables and text. The two forms of data were merged at the interpretation phase through triangulation of results. The study found that some of the key stakeholders of NSNP were not adequately supported and trained, and that monitoring was only done regularly by the teacher coordinators. District field officers lacked adequate expertise to train stakeholders. Food was prepared following a menu which was not updated in some schools, and food handlers in two schools could not understand quantities on the menu. The suppliers used the menu for procurement of food. The observed mean intakes per child per day for energy, protein, total fat, cholesterol, dietary fibre, vitamin K and sodium were significantly lower than the expected mean nutrient intakes, while the intakes of all other nutrients were not significantly different statistically, from the expected nutrient intakes. The intakes of all nutrients were below the minimum of 30 percent of RDA which was recommended by the Department of Basic Education. Fruits were rarely supplied. Nutritional education was not adequately taught across the curriculum and most respondents were not aware of basic nutritional principles. Training stakeholders and early payment of the suppliers could significantly improve learners’ benefit from the programme. The study’s proposed framework of implementation of the school nutrition programme recommends ways to improve the implementation process, including the incorporation of nutrition education into the Life Orientation curriculum to enhance good food choices that curb prevalent nutrient disorders among South Africans.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Implementing values education as a vehicle to enhance moral regeneration among youths in secondary schools in Gokwe South District, Zimbabwe: towards a holistic framework
- Authors: Ndondo, Shepherd
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Values -- Study and teaching -- Zimbabwe Moral education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9423 , vital:34350
- Description: This study focused on the implementation of values education strategies in secondary schools in Gokwe South District in Zimbabwe. The study employed the interpretive paradigm and it used the qualitative approach and case study research design. Purposive sampling was used to select 34 participants who were rich informants and these included 1 District Schools Inspector, 3 School heads, 3 School counsellors, 3 Religious Studies teachers, 3 History teachers, 3 Arts and Culture teachers and 18 learners (6 from each school). Data were obtained through face to face interviews, focus groups and document analysis. The study revealed that most learners in these schools embodied ubuntu that shaped their behaviour. ln order to deal with elements of indiscipline, the schools adopted values education strategies which included Positive discipline, Guidance and Counselling, teaching of Religious Studies, Citizenship Education, teaching of Arts and Culture, and Parental Involvement which were implemented in the selected schools in different ways. Imparting values based knowledge to students is a commendable step, however, there were gaps that were noted in the implementation process. Some subjects like Citizenship Education existed on paper but not in practice in some schools, as students claimed ignorance of their existence. Although these subjects were supervised and supported by the District Schools Inspector (DSI) and the School heads, lack of funds and limited resources negatively affected their implementation. With regard to discipline procedures, it was noted that some teachers utilized corporal punishment, despite it being outlawed in the country, as stated in the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture Circular P.35 of 1999. It emerged that there was lack of qualified School counsellors, Arts and Culture teachers and inadequate Parental Involvement in values disciplines. It was also established that lack of financial resources constrained the implementation of values education strategies in that teachers could not go for staff development workshops. Notwithstanding the hindrances encountered, the study found that there were pockets of good practices in implementing values education. The study concluded that selected secondary schools used several strategies in values education which involved counselling misbehaving learners and involving parents when their children have behaviour problems. It was also revealed that members of the school community were playing different roles in the implementation process. The study recommended that there should be active participation of all members in positive disciplinary procedures so that values education strategies become effective.The study also recommended that teachers be trained in teaching values disciplines for effective implementation. Lastly, based on the findings of the study and literature, the researcher proposed an alternative model for implementing values education strategies that will hopefully contribute to the eradication of moral decadence among the youths.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ndondo, Shepherd
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Values -- Study and teaching -- Zimbabwe Moral education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9423 , vital:34350
- Description: This study focused on the implementation of values education strategies in secondary schools in Gokwe South District in Zimbabwe. The study employed the interpretive paradigm and it used the qualitative approach and case study research design. Purposive sampling was used to select 34 participants who were rich informants and these included 1 District Schools Inspector, 3 School heads, 3 School counsellors, 3 Religious Studies teachers, 3 History teachers, 3 Arts and Culture teachers and 18 learners (6 from each school). Data were obtained through face to face interviews, focus groups and document analysis. The study revealed that most learners in these schools embodied ubuntu that shaped their behaviour. ln order to deal with elements of indiscipline, the schools adopted values education strategies which included Positive discipline, Guidance and Counselling, teaching of Religious Studies, Citizenship Education, teaching of Arts and Culture, and Parental Involvement which were implemented in the selected schools in different ways. Imparting values based knowledge to students is a commendable step, however, there were gaps that were noted in the implementation process. Some subjects like Citizenship Education existed on paper but not in practice in some schools, as students claimed ignorance of their existence. Although these subjects were supervised and supported by the District Schools Inspector (DSI) and the School heads, lack of funds and limited resources negatively affected their implementation. With regard to discipline procedures, it was noted that some teachers utilized corporal punishment, despite it being outlawed in the country, as stated in the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture Circular P.35 of 1999. It emerged that there was lack of qualified School counsellors, Arts and Culture teachers and inadequate Parental Involvement in values disciplines. It was also established that lack of financial resources constrained the implementation of values education strategies in that teachers could not go for staff development workshops. Notwithstanding the hindrances encountered, the study found that there were pockets of good practices in implementing values education. The study concluded that selected secondary schools used several strategies in values education which involved counselling misbehaving learners and involving parents when their children have behaviour problems. It was also revealed that members of the school community were playing different roles in the implementation process. The study recommended that there should be active participation of all members in positive disciplinary procedures so that values education strategies become effective.The study also recommended that teachers be trained in teaching values disciplines for effective implementation. Lastly, based on the findings of the study and literature, the researcher proposed an alternative model for implementing values education strategies that will hopefully contribute to the eradication of moral decadence among the youths.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
In vivo toxicological evaluation of peptide conjugated gold nanoparticles for potential application in colorectal cancer diagnosis
- Authors: Adewale, Olusola Bolaji
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Nanostructured materials -- Toxicology , Colon (Anatomy) -- Cancer Rectum -- Cancer
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50133 , vital:42050
- Description: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in South Africa and worldwide. Efforts are being made at finding improved diagnostic tools, as early detection (before metastasis) is a major factor in CRC treatment. Colonoscopy is the most reliable detection method, but is a specialised and expensive procedure, which is invasive, not readily available and not patient-friendly. There is a risk of developing interval cancers, as colonoscopies are performed every 10 years after the age of 40. The development of non-invasive, cost efficient and readily available diagnostic tools to CRC, which can be performed at more regular intervals, using tumour-targeting molecular imaging agents, is of urgent attention. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) possess several physicochemical properties, including ease of synthesis, biocompatibility, and the ability to be conjugated by ligands or biomolecules such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and peptides for improved stability, tissue targeting and selectivity. These factors potentiate the role in biomedical applications, including cancer theranostics. Conjugation of AuNPs with a targeting molecule (e.g. antibody or peptide) is directed against cancer cell receptors. The peptides, p.C, p.L, and p.14, bind to CRC cells in vitro. Conjugation of AuNPs with these peptides should be investigated for CRC diagnosis in vivo, as it is hypothesised to allow examinations at shorter intervals through imaging techniques. This could reduce the risk of interval cancers, but before developing this novel tool, in vivo toxicity evaluations are essential. This study was therefore aimed at investigating the short- and long-term toxicological effects of a single intravenous injection of peptides (p.C, p.L, and p.14) conjugated to AuNPs in a healthy rat model. Citrate-capped AuNPs were synthesised by the citrate-reduction method, and conjugated with each peptide (biotinylated) using a combination of PEG (99% PEG-OH and 1% PEG-biotin) as a stabilising agent and linker, via biotin-streptavidin interaction. Healthy male Wistar rats were intravenously injected with 14 nm citrate-AuNPs, PEG-, p.C-PEG, p.L-PEG, and p.14-PEG-AuNPs (100 μg/kg body weight), and the control rats were injected with phosphate buffered saline. The animals were monitored for behavioural, physiological, biochemical, haematological and histological changes, as well as inflammatory responses. Phase 1 rats were sacrificed 2 weeks post-injection to determine the immediate or acute toxicity of the AuNPs, while phase 2 animals were sacrificed 12 weeks post-injection, to investigate the delayed or persistence toxicity of the AuNPs. Results revealed no significant toxicities with the citrate, PEG-, p.C-PEG and p.14-PEG-AuNPs over 12 weeks post-exposure, as evidenced by biochemical assays such as serum marker enzymes, liver and kidney function markers, and cholestatic indicators; haematological parameters; oxidative stress markers; and histopathological examinations. P.L-PEG-AuNPs, however, caused significant toxicity (p<0.05) to rats, as evidenced by increased relative liver weight, increased malondialdehyde levels, and total white blood cell counts 2 weeks post-exposure when compared to the control group. This was, however, reversed during the 12 weeks post-exposure. Further, there were no evidence of inflammatory responses, using pro-inflammatory markers including phospho interleukin 18 (IL-18) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), as indicated by immunohistochemical staining of the liver, spleen, kidney and colon of rats 2 weeks post-injection of AuNPs. Citrate, PEG-, p.C-PEG, and p.14-PEG-AuNPs did not induce immediate, acute or persistent toxicity, while p.L-PEG-AuNPs induced a transient acute toxicity. It can be concluded that 14 nm spherical citrate-AuNPs at 100 μg/kg body weight is a good candidate for biomedical applications, and as a suitable carrier for diagnostic and/or therapeutic molecules. Combination of 99% PEG-OH and 1% PEG-biotin is an appropriate option for stabilising AuNPs in biological environment, and conjugating secondary diagnostic or therapeutic biomolecules or agents to citrate-capped AuNPs. Peptide-conjugated AuNPs are suitable for the development into a diagnostic tool for CRC in vivo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Adewale, Olusola Bolaji
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Nanostructured materials -- Toxicology , Colon (Anatomy) -- Cancer Rectum -- Cancer
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50133 , vital:42050
- Description: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in South Africa and worldwide. Efforts are being made at finding improved diagnostic tools, as early detection (before metastasis) is a major factor in CRC treatment. Colonoscopy is the most reliable detection method, but is a specialised and expensive procedure, which is invasive, not readily available and not patient-friendly. There is a risk of developing interval cancers, as colonoscopies are performed every 10 years after the age of 40. The development of non-invasive, cost efficient and readily available diagnostic tools to CRC, which can be performed at more regular intervals, using tumour-targeting molecular imaging agents, is of urgent attention. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) possess several physicochemical properties, including ease of synthesis, biocompatibility, and the ability to be conjugated by ligands or biomolecules such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and peptides for improved stability, tissue targeting and selectivity. These factors potentiate the role in biomedical applications, including cancer theranostics. Conjugation of AuNPs with a targeting molecule (e.g. antibody or peptide) is directed against cancer cell receptors. The peptides, p.C, p.L, and p.14, bind to CRC cells in vitro. Conjugation of AuNPs with these peptides should be investigated for CRC diagnosis in vivo, as it is hypothesised to allow examinations at shorter intervals through imaging techniques. This could reduce the risk of interval cancers, but before developing this novel tool, in vivo toxicity evaluations are essential. This study was therefore aimed at investigating the short- and long-term toxicological effects of a single intravenous injection of peptides (p.C, p.L, and p.14) conjugated to AuNPs in a healthy rat model. Citrate-capped AuNPs were synthesised by the citrate-reduction method, and conjugated with each peptide (biotinylated) using a combination of PEG (99% PEG-OH and 1% PEG-biotin) as a stabilising agent and linker, via biotin-streptavidin interaction. Healthy male Wistar rats were intravenously injected with 14 nm citrate-AuNPs, PEG-, p.C-PEG, p.L-PEG, and p.14-PEG-AuNPs (100 μg/kg body weight), and the control rats were injected with phosphate buffered saline. The animals were monitored for behavioural, physiological, biochemical, haematological and histological changes, as well as inflammatory responses. Phase 1 rats were sacrificed 2 weeks post-injection to determine the immediate or acute toxicity of the AuNPs, while phase 2 animals were sacrificed 12 weeks post-injection, to investigate the delayed or persistence toxicity of the AuNPs. Results revealed no significant toxicities with the citrate, PEG-, p.C-PEG and p.14-PEG-AuNPs over 12 weeks post-exposure, as evidenced by biochemical assays such as serum marker enzymes, liver and kidney function markers, and cholestatic indicators; haematological parameters; oxidative stress markers; and histopathological examinations. P.L-PEG-AuNPs, however, caused significant toxicity (p<0.05) to rats, as evidenced by increased relative liver weight, increased malondialdehyde levels, and total white blood cell counts 2 weeks post-exposure when compared to the control group. This was, however, reversed during the 12 weeks post-exposure. Further, there were no evidence of inflammatory responses, using pro-inflammatory markers including phospho interleukin 18 (IL-18) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), as indicated by immunohistochemical staining of the liver, spleen, kidney and colon of rats 2 weeks post-injection of AuNPs. Citrate, PEG-, p.C-PEG, and p.14-PEG-AuNPs did not induce immediate, acute or persistent toxicity, while p.L-PEG-AuNPs induced a transient acute toxicity. It can be concluded that 14 nm spherical citrate-AuNPs at 100 μg/kg body weight is a good candidate for biomedical applications, and as a suitable carrier for diagnostic and/or therapeutic molecules. Combination of 99% PEG-OH and 1% PEG-biotin is an appropriate option for stabilising AuNPs in biological environment, and conjugating secondary diagnostic or therapeutic biomolecules or agents to citrate-capped AuNPs. Peptide-conjugated AuNPs are suitable for the development into a diagnostic tool for CRC in vivo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Incidence of porcine circovirus type 2 and porcine parvoviruses in swine herds of some communities in Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Afolabi, Kayode Olayinka
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Swine -- Diseases Swine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9691 , vital:34820
- Description: Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is one of the swine pathogens of global economic importance. Since its first detection in early 1990s as the main etiologic agent of porcine multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and many other porcine circovirus-associated diseases (PCVAD), the virus has been extensively studied and has been found to be present in virtually all the pig producing countries of the world. As a viral pathogen that brings about clinical diseases aided by co-infecting pathogens, the involvement of many other viral agents including porcine parvoviruses (PPVs) have caught the attention of stakeholders worldwide. However, no surveillance study of the viral pathogens has been carried out in South Africa as there are little or no information on their prevalence in the swine herds of the country. This present study therefore aimed at detection and molecular characterization of PCV2 and PPVs in swine herds of some selected communities in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A total of 375 field samples were collected from seven commercial and communal farms from three District Municipalities of Eastern Cape, South Africa between 2015 and 2016. Structured questionnaires were also administered to each farm at the time of sample collection to obtain some important information relating to health status and farm management practices in the sampled farms. With the aid of conventional PCR method, 339 samples were initially screened for the presence of PCV2; positive amplicons were sequenced and obtained partial genomes of the virus were preliminarily analyzed. In order to obtain the complete genomes of the virus, four overlapping primer pairs were used to amplify the full-genome of PCV2 from the initial positive samples; amplified genomes were sequenced using the Sanger methods, sequenced PCV2 genomes were assembled and characterized. Furthermore, the prevalences of some designated PPVs in the sampled farms were obtained using 110 samples randomly selected from the previously archived samples and screened with 6 different primer pairs specific for the detection of 7 PPVs. All the amplified parvoviruses’ genomes were sequenced; their sequenced partial genomes were subsequently base-culled and analysed. The data obtained revealed that 54/339 (15.93 percent) samples from the swine herds were positive for PCV2; whereas the degree of occurrence of the viral pathogen as observed at farm level ranges from approximately 5.6 to 60 percent. The majority 15/17 (88 percent) of the analyzed partial sequences were found clustering with other PCV2b strains in the phylogenetic analysis. More interestingly, two other sequences obtained were also found clustering within PCV2d genotype in the initial screening and analysis. Furthermore, 15 complete PCV2 genomes were successfully amplified, sequenced and assembled. NJ and ML phylogenetic analysis of the complete ORF2 gene and full genomes unanimously showed 11 of the assembled genomes belonging to genotype PCV2b. Another 3 of the characterized sequences formed clade with other reference mutant PCV2b and PCV2b subtype 1C (PCV2d) strains from different parts of the world. The last sequence however, clustered with other reference strains belonging to PCV2 intermediate clade 2 (PCV2-IM2) recently identified in a global PCV2 strains phylogenetic analysis. Other genetic analyses including multiple sequence alignment and p-distance analysis also confirmed the outcomes of the phylogenetic analyses of the complete capsid gene and fullgenomes of the virus. On the other hand, the findings of the molecular profiling for PPVs showed that all the screened parvoviruses were present in the study area, having prevalence of 29.1 percent (PPV1), 21.8 percent (PPV2), 5.5 percent (PPV3), 43.6 percent (PPV4), 21.8 percent (PBo-likeV) and 44.6 percent for PBoV1 and PBoV2. Double infection of the screened PPVs was observed to be very rampant among the pigs as high as 20/110 (18.2 percent) for PPV2/PPV4 and PPV4/PBoV; followed by 19/110 (17.3 percent) of the samples for PPV1/PPV4 and PPV1/PBoV. Three of the viruses were found simultaneously in 19 of the screened samples representing 17.3 percent, whereas 8 (7.3 percent) samples were positive for four of the viruses. Phylogenetic analyses of PPV1, PPV2 and PBoVs 1 and 2 were conducted with two major clades homologous for each of them. This is the first report of PCV2 in swine herds of the Province and the first detection of PCV2b, PCV2d and PCV2-IM2 strains in South African swine herds. It follows the first reported case of PCV2a in an outbreak of porcine multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in Gauteng Province, South Africa over two decades ago. Also, this is the first major epidemiologic study on PPVs in the country following the initial case study of 1975. These findings confirmed the presence of the allimportant viral pathogens among pigs and also give preliminary insights into the possibility of co-infections of the pathogens in the studied area. This could however result in a serious large scale outbreak of devastating disease(s) associated with the viral pathogens, thereby ultimately resulting in huge economic losses if no appropriate measures are taken to effectively curb their spread across the country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Afolabi, Kayode Olayinka
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Swine -- Diseases Swine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9691 , vital:34820
- Description: Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is one of the swine pathogens of global economic importance. Since its first detection in early 1990s as the main etiologic agent of porcine multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and many other porcine circovirus-associated diseases (PCVAD), the virus has been extensively studied and has been found to be present in virtually all the pig producing countries of the world. As a viral pathogen that brings about clinical diseases aided by co-infecting pathogens, the involvement of many other viral agents including porcine parvoviruses (PPVs) have caught the attention of stakeholders worldwide. However, no surveillance study of the viral pathogens has been carried out in South Africa as there are little or no information on their prevalence in the swine herds of the country. This present study therefore aimed at detection and molecular characterization of PCV2 and PPVs in swine herds of some selected communities in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A total of 375 field samples were collected from seven commercial and communal farms from three District Municipalities of Eastern Cape, South Africa between 2015 and 2016. Structured questionnaires were also administered to each farm at the time of sample collection to obtain some important information relating to health status and farm management practices in the sampled farms. With the aid of conventional PCR method, 339 samples were initially screened for the presence of PCV2; positive amplicons were sequenced and obtained partial genomes of the virus were preliminarily analyzed. In order to obtain the complete genomes of the virus, four overlapping primer pairs were used to amplify the full-genome of PCV2 from the initial positive samples; amplified genomes were sequenced using the Sanger methods, sequenced PCV2 genomes were assembled and characterized. Furthermore, the prevalences of some designated PPVs in the sampled farms were obtained using 110 samples randomly selected from the previously archived samples and screened with 6 different primer pairs specific for the detection of 7 PPVs. All the amplified parvoviruses’ genomes were sequenced; their sequenced partial genomes were subsequently base-culled and analysed. The data obtained revealed that 54/339 (15.93 percent) samples from the swine herds were positive for PCV2; whereas the degree of occurrence of the viral pathogen as observed at farm level ranges from approximately 5.6 to 60 percent. The majority 15/17 (88 percent) of the analyzed partial sequences were found clustering with other PCV2b strains in the phylogenetic analysis. More interestingly, two other sequences obtained were also found clustering within PCV2d genotype in the initial screening and analysis. Furthermore, 15 complete PCV2 genomes were successfully amplified, sequenced and assembled. NJ and ML phylogenetic analysis of the complete ORF2 gene and full genomes unanimously showed 11 of the assembled genomes belonging to genotype PCV2b. Another 3 of the characterized sequences formed clade with other reference mutant PCV2b and PCV2b subtype 1C (PCV2d) strains from different parts of the world. The last sequence however, clustered with other reference strains belonging to PCV2 intermediate clade 2 (PCV2-IM2) recently identified in a global PCV2 strains phylogenetic analysis. Other genetic analyses including multiple sequence alignment and p-distance analysis also confirmed the outcomes of the phylogenetic analyses of the complete capsid gene and fullgenomes of the virus. On the other hand, the findings of the molecular profiling for PPVs showed that all the screened parvoviruses were present in the study area, having prevalence of 29.1 percent (PPV1), 21.8 percent (PPV2), 5.5 percent (PPV3), 43.6 percent (PPV4), 21.8 percent (PBo-likeV) and 44.6 percent for PBoV1 and PBoV2. Double infection of the screened PPVs was observed to be very rampant among the pigs as high as 20/110 (18.2 percent) for PPV2/PPV4 and PPV4/PBoV; followed by 19/110 (17.3 percent) of the samples for PPV1/PPV4 and PPV1/PBoV. Three of the viruses were found simultaneously in 19 of the screened samples representing 17.3 percent, whereas 8 (7.3 percent) samples were positive for four of the viruses. Phylogenetic analyses of PPV1, PPV2 and PBoVs 1 and 2 were conducted with two major clades homologous for each of them. This is the first report of PCV2 in swine herds of the Province and the first detection of PCV2b, PCV2d and PCV2-IM2 strains in South African swine herds. It follows the first reported case of PCV2a in an outbreak of porcine multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in Gauteng Province, South Africa over two decades ago. Also, this is the first major epidemiologic study on PPVs in the country following the initial case study of 1975. These findings confirmed the presence of the allimportant viral pathogens among pigs and also give preliminary insights into the possibility of co-infections of the pathogens in the studied area. This could however result in a serious large scale outbreak of devastating disease(s) associated with the viral pathogens, thereby ultimately resulting in huge economic losses if no appropriate measures are taken to effectively curb their spread across the country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Indigenous knowledge for agricultural development: a framework for potato farming in Bui division, North West Region of Cameroon
- Authors: Ngek, Shillie Peter
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- Cameroon -- Bui , Agricultural industries -- Cameroon , Sustainable agriculture , Sustainable development , Indigenous peoples
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/33703 , vital:32974
- Description: Over the years, people have planned and carried out their activities depending on their indigenous knowledge base. In agriculture, documented importance of indigenous knowledge has been noted in different ways such as in crop health management, soil nutrient management, and food processing and food preservation. Indigenous smallholder farmers across the world have developed techniques that reflect their intimate knowledge of their local environments and ecosystems to improve their agricultural yields and minimise postharvest losses. However, such indigenous knowledge techniques are rarely documented or enhanced to boost agricultural practice and ensure food security. The present study has identified potato farming in Cameroon as a potential contributor to the socio-economic development of farmers, their communities and their country. The potato farming industry largely consists of smallholder farmers, predominantly women, producing primarily of immediate consumption. Historically, these farmers have been sustaining their farms through indigenous knowledge and practices that are not being exploited to the fullest beneficial opportunities for these farmers. It has often been suggested that Western highly mechanised approaches should be implemented to commercialise these farms in order to access these benefits. These approaches of mechanisation require large capital outlays, which these smallholder farmers cannot afford, hence the approach taken by the present study to capitalise on the indigenous knowledge and practices of these farmers. The present study argued that working with the existing indigenous knowledge and practices of these farmers, a level of commercialisation, with the resulting job creation and economic benefits, could be achieved. This study has succeeded in identifying the causes of postharvest potato losses on the smallholding farms, the obstacles in reducing these losses and the techniques to reduce these losses. The study provides important recommendations to improve smallholder potato farming in Cameroon. By implementing the findings of this study, the Cameroon government, prospective potato farmers, entrepreneurs, traditional authorities and NGOs could make a significant contribution to the improvement of socio-economic conditions and the reduction of poverty levels in these farming communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ngek, Shillie Peter
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- Cameroon -- Bui , Agricultural industries -- Cameroon , Sustainable agriculture , Sustainable development , Indigenous peoples
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/33703 , vital:32974
- Description: Over the years, people have planned and carried out their activities depending on their indigenous knowledge base. In agriculture, documented importance of indigenous knowledge has been noted in different ways such as in crop health management, soil nutrient management, and food processing and food preservation. Indigenous smallholder farmers across the world have developed techniques that reflect their intimate knowledge of their local environments and ecosystems to improve their agricultural yields and minimise postharvest losses. However, such indigenous knowledge techniques are rarely documented or enhanced to boost agricultural practice and ensure food security. The present study has identified potato farming in Cameroon as a potential contributor to the socio-economic development of farmers, their communities and their country. The potato farming industry largely consists of smallholder farmers, predominantly women, producing primarily of immediate consumption. Historically, these farmers have been sustaining their farms through indigenous knowledge and practices that are not being exploited to the fullest beneficial opportunities for these farmers. It has often been suggested that Western highly mechanised approaches should be implemented to commercialise these farms in order to access these benefits. These approaches of mechanisation require large capital outlays, which these smallholder farmers cannot afford, hence the approach taken by the present study to capitalise on the indigenous knowledge and practices of these farmers. The present study argued that working with the existing indigenous knowledge and practices of these farmers, a level of commercialisation, with the resulting job creation and economic benefits, could be achieved. This study has succeeded in identifying the causes of postharvest potato losses on the smallholding farms, the obstacles in reducing these losses and the techniques to reduce these losses. The study provides important recommendations to improve smallholder potato farming in Cameroon. By implementing the findings of this study, the Cameroon government, prospective potato farmers, entrepreneurs, traditional authorities and NGOs could make a significant contribution to the improvement of socio-economic conditions and the reduction of poverty levels in these farming communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Influence of trans-border trading activities on senior secondary school students' academic performance in economics in Ogun State, Nigeria
- Authors: Titus, Adesegun Benedict
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Smuggling -- Education (Secondary) Borderlands -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9659 , vital:34814
- Description: The study investigated the influence of transborder trading activities on senior secondary school students’ academic performance in economics in Ogun state, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design involving 320 students that comprised males and females were selected through stratified random sampling technique. Two self-developed instruments were used: student questionnaire on transborder trading activities (SQTTA) with a Cronbach alpha index of 0.7845; and the economics achievement test (EAT) with a co-efficient index of r= 0.814. The results of the data collected were collated, coded, analyzed and interpreted through the use of descriptive research statistics of frequency, mean, percentages, and standard deviation while Step-wise regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses raised in the study, and the inferential statistics t-test was used to test the significant differences between the independent and dependent variables. The results revealed that there is a positive significant influence of smuggling on students’ academic performance in economics concepts (t=4.123; df =307, p<0.05) and a negative significant influence of school location on students’ academic performance in economics concepts (t=0.952; df=307, p>0.05). The study revealed that the most prevalent transborder trading activities like smuggling of used tyres, small firearms and fairly used clothes had negative influence on students’ academic performance. Based on these findings, discussions were focused on the involvement of students in trans-border trading activities and the location of schools, amongst others, which has no significant influence on students’ academic performance. However, it was recommended that schools should not be located near border areas in future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Titus, Adesegun Benedict
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Smuggling -- Education (Secondary) Borderlands -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9659 , vital:34814
- Description: The study investigated the influence of transborder trading activities on senior secondary school students’ academic performance in economics in Ogun state, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design involving 320 students that comprised males and females were selected through stratified random sampling technique. Two self-developed instruments were used: student questionnaire on transborder trading activities (SQTTA) with a Cronbach alpha index of 0.7845; and the economics achievement test (EAT) with a co-efficient index of r= 0.814. The results of the data collected were collated, coded, analyzed and interpreted through the use of descriptive research statistics of frequency, mean, percentages, and standard deviation while Step-wise regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses raised in the study, and the inferential statistics t-test was used to test the significant differences between the independent and dependent variables. The results revealed that there is a positive significant influence of smuggling on students’ academic performance in economics concepts (t=4.123; df =307, p<0.05) and a negative significant influence of school location on students’ academic performance in economics concepts (t=0.952; df=307, p>0.05). The study revealed that the most prevalent transborder trading activities like smuggling of used tyres, small firearms and fairly used clothes had negative influence on students’ academic performance. Based on these findings, discussions were focused on the involvement of students in trans-border trading activities and the location of schools, amongst others, which has no significant influence on students’ academic performance. However, it was recommended that schools should not be located near border areas in future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018