Strategy formulation and implementation in non-profit organisations in the Nelson Mandela Municipality
- Authors: Butler, Lauren
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Strategic planning -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Nonprofit organizations -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8866 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020253
- Description: Literature indicates that the sustainability of Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) is important as they provide pivotal services to the community. In this study, the researcher investigates common problems associated with strategy formulation and implementation in NPOs in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. The researcher reports on the importance of strategy within all organisations and outlines a strategy process that can be used as a guide to measure strategic planning in NPOs. In pursuit of conducting qualitative research, a self-constructed questionnaire was used to perform telephonic interviews with managers of NPOs. The study yielded a low response rate, but based on the analysis of the data collected, findings indicate that the main problem is not with strategy formulation or implementation, but with the understanding of the concept of strategic planning. During the interview process, it became evident that there is a common misconception that the annual operations planning constitutes a strategic plan. A major limitation to this study was the absence of a benchmark against which to measure success. Unlike a for-profit organisation where success is measured by profit margins, NPOs have different priorities and therefore successful strategic planning differs from one organisation to another. A recommendation for managers at NPOs is that they start thinking strategically about their organisation, its planning, and methods for doing so (which is discussed in Chapter Five).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Butler, Lauren
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Strategic planning -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Nonprofit organizations -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8866 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020253
- Description: Literature indicates that the sustainability of Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) is important as they provide pivotal services to the community. In this study, the researcher investigates common problems associated with strategy formulation and implementation in NPOs in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. The researcher reports on the importance of strategy within all organisations and outlines a strategy process that can be used as a guide to measure strategic planning in NPOs. In pursuit of conducting qualitative research, a self-constructed questionnaire was used to perform telephonic interviews with managers of NPOs. The study yielded a low response rate, but based on the analysis of the data collected, findings indicate that the main problem is not with strategy formulation or implementation, but with the understanding of the concept of strategic planning. During the interview process, it became evident that there is a common misconception that the annual operations planning constitutes a strategic plan. A major limitation to this study was the absence of a benchmark against which to measure success. Unlike a for-profit organisation where success is measured by profit margins, NPOs have different priorities and therefore successful strategic planning differs from one organisation to another. A recommendation for managers at NPOs is that they start thinking strategically about their organisation, its planning, and methods for doing so (which is discussed in Chapter Five).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The effectiveness of arbitration practice relative to South African construction
- Authors: Bvumbwe, Chikumbutso
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Arbitration, Industrial -- South Africa Dispute resolution (Law) -- South Africa , Construction industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47981 , vital:40460
- Description: The study investigated the arbitration practice relative to the South African construction industry. Most of the construction contracts include an arbitration clause in the contract document as an instrument to be used for resolving disputes. The aim is to resolve disputes between the parties with minimum costs and within a reasonable period. Some parties opt to involve legal counsel in the process which has a potential of affecting time and cost. The literature review focuses on arbitration, in the construction industry, with a particular focus on how effective the methods are in terms of cost, time and the relationship between the disputing parties, the impact of using legal counsel during the arbitration process versus not involving legal counsel, the arbitration clause not specifying when to declare a dispute, and the perception of construction professionals on arbitration. The study was based on closed-ended questionnaires distributed among senior construction professionals including, architects, quantity surveyors, construction managers, project managers and practising attorneys. 61 respondents completed the questionnaire. The respondents were asked to comment on the effectiveness of alternative dispute resolution, cost, time, causes of disputes, and impacts of disputes. The cost of arbitration seems to escalate as a result of legal counsel being involved during the arbitration procedures. The time factor also seems to be prolonged. A notable finding indicates that the arbitration clause in the contract document should specify when to declare the dispute. The survey was conducted and limited to the Gauteng Province in South Africa. Findings are of value to clients, contractors and consultants and provides a basis for addressing arbitration effectively in the construction industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Bvumbwe, Chikumbutso
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Arbitration, Industrial -- South Africa Dispute resolution (Law) -- South Africa , Construction industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47981 , vital:40460
- Description: The study investigated the arbitration practice relative to the South African construction industry. Most of the construction contracts include an arbitration clause in the contract document as an instrument to be used for resolving disputes. The aim is to resolve disputes between the parties with minimum costs and within a reasonable period. Some parties opt to involve legal counsel in the process which has a potential of affecting time and cost. The literature review focuses on arbitration, in the construction industry, with a particular focus on how effective the methods are in terms of cost, time and the relationship between the disputing parties, the impact of using legal counsel during the arbitration process versus not involving legal counsel, the arbitration clause not specifying when to declare a dispute, and the perception of construction professionals on arbitration. The study was based on closed-ended questionnaires distributed among senior construction professionals including, architects, quantity surveyors, construction managers, project managers and practising attorneys. 61 respondents completed the questionnaire. The respondents were asked to comment on the effectiveness of alternative dispute resolution, cost, time, causes of disputes, and impacts of disputes. The cost of arbitration seems to escalate as a result of legal counsel being involved during the arbitration procedures. The time factor also seems to be prolonged. A notable finding indicates that the arbitration clause in the contract document should specify when to declare the dispute. The survey was conducted and limited to the Gauteng Province in South Africa. Findings are of value to clients, contractors and consultants and provides a basis for addressing arbitration effectively in the construction industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Just saying “No” is not enough: a Foucauldian Discourse Analysis of anti-rape poster campaigns
- Böhmke, Werner, Bennie, Rachel, Minnie, Chantel, Moore, Sarah-Ann, Pilusa, Mikaylah, Pollock, James
- Authors: Böhmke, Werner , Bennie, Rachel , Minnie, Chantel , Moore, Sarah-Ann , Pilusa, Mikaylah , Pollock, James
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143727 , vital:38277 , https://ischp.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/ischp_2015_abstract_booklet.pdf
- Description: Sexual violence is a serious social concern, especially in South Africa. Explanations for high levels of sexual violence often point to normative cultural expectations regarding gendered behaviour. Consequently, attempts to address sexual violence frequently take the form of public health initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of the problem, encouraging reporting and, much more recently, addressing the social attitudes believed to be held by perpetrators of this violence. A common format for such initiatives is anti-rape poster campaigns. This paper argues, through applying Foucauldian discourse analysis to a series of posters, that very often the messages conveyed by these initiatives are addressed at the prohibition of behaviours associated with sexual violence. The analysis shows that this strategy may not be sufficient, and instead argues that alternative strategies - aimed at inviting audiences to take up an ethical position - may be more effective at producing change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Böhmke, Werner , Bennie, Rachel , Minnie, Chantel , Moore, Sarah-Ann , Pilusa, Mikaylah , Pollock, James
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143727 , vital:38277 , https://ischp.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/ischp_2015_abstract_booklet.pdf
- Description: Sexual violence is a serious social concern, especially in South Africa. Explanations for high levels of sexual violence often point to normative cultural expectations regarding gendered behaviour. Consequently, attempts to address sexual violence frequently take the form of public health initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of the problem, encouraging reporting and, much more recently, addressing the social attitudes believed to be held by perpetrators of this violence. A common format for such initiatives is anti-rape poster campaigns. This paper argues, through applying Foucauldian discourse analysis to a series of posters, that very often the messages conveyed by these initiatives are addressed at the prohibition of behaviours associated with sexual violence. The analysis shows that this strategy may not be sufficient, and instead argues that alternative strategies - aimed at inviting audiences to take up an ethical position - may be more effective at producing change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Deconstructing developmental psychology twenty years on : reflections, implications and empirical work
- Callaghan, Jane, Andenæs, Agnes, Macleod, Catriona I
- Authors: Callaghan, Jane , Andenæs, Agnes , Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6315 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020934 , http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0959353515583702
- Description: Editorial
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Callaghan, Jane , Andenæs, Agnes , Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6315 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020934 , http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0959353515583702
- Description: Editorial
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The Ecca type section (Permian, South Africa) : an outcrop analogue study of conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs
- Authors: Campbell, Stuart Alexander
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Hydrocarbon reservoirs -- Ecca Group , Geology, Stratigraphic -- Permian , Paleogeography -- Ecca Group , Shale gas -- Ecca Group , Shale gas reservoirs -- Ecca Group , Ecca Group , Ripon Formation (South Africa) , Collingham Formation (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5083 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018199
- Description: The Karoo Basin of South Africa holds an estimated 906 billion to 11 trillion cubic meters of unconventional shale gas within the shales of the Whitehill and Collingham formations of the Ecca Group. Evaluation of this potential resource has been limited due to the lack of exploration and a scarcity of existing drill core data. In order to circumnavigate this problem this study was undertaken to evaluate the potential target horizons exposed in outcrops along the southern portion of the Karoo Basin, north of Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province. Detailed field logging was done on the exposed Whitehill and Collingham formations as well as a possible conventional sandstone (turbidite) reservoir, the Ripon Formation, along road cuttings of the Ecca Pass. Palaeocurrent data, jointing directions and fossil material were also documented. Samples were analysed for mineralogy, porosity, permeability, and total organic carbon content (TOC). The extensively weathered black shales of the Whitehill Formation contain a maximum TOC value of 0.9% and the Collingham Formation shales contain a maximum TOC value of 0.6%. The organic lithic arkose sandstones of the Ripon Formation are classified as ‘tight rock’ with an average porosity of 1% and an average permeability of 0.05 mD. The Whitehill Formation in the southern portion of the Karoo Basin has experienced organic matter loss due to low grade metamorphism as well as burial to extreme depths, thus reducing shale gas potential. The Ripon Formation is an unsuitable conventional reservoir along the southern basin boundary due to extensive cementation and filling of pore spaces.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Campbell, Stuart Alexander
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Hydrocarbon reservoirs -- Ecca Group , Geology, Stratigraphic -- Permian , Paleogeography -- Ecca Group , Shale gas -- Ecca Group , Shale gas reservoirs -- Ecca Group , Ecca Group , Ripon Formation (South Africa) , Collingham Formation (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5083 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018199
- Description: The Karoo Basin of South Africa holds an estimated 906 billion to 11 trillion cubic meters of unconventional shale gas within the shales of the Whitehill and Collingham formations of the Ecca Group. Evaluation of this potential resource has been limited due to the lack of exploration and a scarcity of existing drill core data. In order to circumnavigate this problem this study was undertaken to evaluate the potential target horizons exposed in outcrops along the southern portion of the Karoo Basin, north of Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province. Detailed field logging was done on the exposed Whitehill and Collingham formations as well as a possible conventional sandstone (turbidite) reservoir, the Ripon Formation, along road cuttings of the Ecca Pass. Palaeocurrent data, jointing directions and fossil material were also documented. Samples were analysed for mineralogy, porosity, permeability, and total organic carbon content (TOC). The extensively weathered black shales of the Whitehill Formation contain a maximum TOC value of 0.9% and the Collingham Formation shales contain a maximum TOC value of 0.6%. The organic lithic arkose sandstones of the Ripon Formation are classified as ‘tight rock’ with an average porosity of 1% and an average permeability of 0.05 mD. The Whitehill Formation in the southern portion of the Karoo Basin has experienced organic matter loss due to low grade metamorphism as well as burial to extreme depths, thus reducing shale gas potential. The Ripon Formation is an unsuitable conventional reservoir along the southern basin boundary due to extensive cementation and filling of pore spaces.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Design of a low-cost autonomous guided cart for material handling
- Authors: Cawood, Gareth James
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Automobiles -- Design and construction , Automobiles -- Automatic control , Vehicles -- Automatic control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering
- Identifier: vital:9655
- Description: This dissertation covers the design and manufacture of an autonomous guided cart (AGC) for use in the material handling industry. General Motors South Africa (GMSA) requires a low-cost AGC for use in their Struandale plant. A budget of R35 000 per unit was proposed. The researcher, in collaboration with staff at GM, compiled a list of engineering requirements for the AGC. After research into the unique problems of the project, an examination of a previous design attempt by staff of GM Thailand, the researcher developed a new design, the subject of this report. Different solutions for each design problem were investigated before the design was finalised. A three-wheeled vehicle was designed making use of two motors in a differential-drive setup to control motion. Navigation is via a line-following mechanism, using an induction sensor-array in conjunction with a pre-laid metallic strip. To aid the design, the system was modelled to understand the different control elements at play. The researcher developed software for several aspects of the design: for the PLC controlling the system and motors; for a microcontroller that communicates with the PLC and a wireless module; for a computer server that communicates with a second wireless device, receiving information from the PLC; and a web interface to view this information. These form the SCADA integration of the project. The final product meets the GMSA specifications. It is a robot capable of towing a trolley of mass not exceeding 350 kg. While the robot is able to navigate a pre-laid route, it cannot reliably stop at marked locations. It is possible to monitor the system via a web-interface. The robot is capable of operating for an entire 8-hour shift before the batteries need to be recharged. The total cost of the prototype was R26 340.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Cawood, Gareth James
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Automobiles -- Design and construction , Automobiles -- Automatic control , Vehicles -- Automatic control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering
- Identifier: vital:9655
- Description: This dissertation covers the design and manufacture of an autonomous guided cart (AGC) for use in the material handling industry. General Motors South Africa (GMSA) requires a low-cost AGC for use in their Struandale plant. A budget of R35 000 per unit was proposed. The researcher, in collaboration with staff at GM, compiled a list of engineering requirements for the AGC. After research into the unique problems of the project, an examination of a previous design attempt by staff of GM Thailand, the researcher developed a new design, the subject of this report. Different solutions for each design problem were investigated before the design was finalised. A three-wheeled vehicle was designed making use of two motors in a differential-drive setup to control motion. Navigation is via a line-following mechanism, using an induction sensor-array in conjunction with a pre-laid metallic strip. To aid the design, the system was modelled to understand the different control elements at play. The researcher developed software for several aspects of the design: for the PLC controlling the system and motors; for a microcontroller that communicates with the PLC and a wireless module; for a computer server that communicates with a second wireless device, receiving information from the PLC; and a web interface to view this information. These form the SCADA integration of the project. The final product meets the GMSA specifications. It is a robot capable of towing a trolley of mass not exceeding 350 kg. While the robot is able to navigate a pre-laid route, it cannot reliably stop at marked locations. It is possible to monitor the system via a web-interface. The robot is capable of operating for an entire 8-hour shift before the batteries need to be recharged. The total cost of the prototype was R26 340.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Towards a Mobile Bioethanol Unit for point of source conversion of sugar sources to bioethanol: design and feasibility study for South Africa
- Authors: Cech, Alexandra Louise
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59141 , vital:27439
- Description: Restricted access-thesis embargoed for 5 years
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Cech, Alexandra Louise
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59141 , vital:27439
- Description: Restricted access-thesis embargoed for 5 years
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Deep genetic divergence between geographically isolated populations of the goldie barb (Barbus pallidus) in South Africa: potential taxonomic and conservation implications
- Chakona, Albert, Malherbe, Willem S, Gouws, Gavin, Swartz, Ernst R
- Authors: Chakona, Albert , Malherbe, Willem S , Gouws, Gavin , Swartz, Ernst R
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/443284 , vital:74105 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC177698
- Description: Barbus pallidus as it is presently defined has a disjunct distribution that is divided between northern and southern populations in South Africa. Sequence data from the cytochrome b gene region showed two distinct lineages that correspond to these geographically distant areas. Divergence between these two lineages was relatively high (5.5-6.5%) and comparable to typical interspecific divergences found between closely related southern African cyprinid fishes. Based on this deep genetic divergence, we conclude that the northern lineage may represent a previously unrecognised species or may belong to a different, but known species or species complex not associated with 'true' B. pallidus. These findings add to a growing body of evidence that freshwater fish diversity in southern Africa requires major revision.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Chakona, Albert , Malherbe, Willem S , Gouws, Gavin , Swartz, Ernst R
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/443284 , vital:74105 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC177698
- Description: Barbus pallidus as it is presently defined has a disjunct distribution that is divided between northern and southern populations in South Africa. Sequence data from the cytochrome b gene region showed two distinct lineages that correspond to these geographically distant areas. Divergence between these two lineages was relatively high (5.5-6.5%) and comparable to typical interspecific divergences found between closely related southern African cyprinid fishes. Based on this deep genetic divergence, we conclude that the northern lineage may represent a previously unrecognised species or may belong to a different, but known species or species complex not associated with 'true' B. pallidus. These findings add to a growing body of evidence that freshwater fish diversity in southern Africa requires major revision.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Production of Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV) in a heteralogous host, Thaumatotibia Leucotreta (Meyrick) (False codling moth)
- Authors: Chambers, Craig Brian
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Cryptophlebia leucotreta -- South Africa , Codling moth -- South Africa , Apples -- Diseases and pests -- South Africa , Codling moth -- Biological control -- South Africa , Insect pests -- Biological control -- South Africa , Biological pest control agents -- South Africa , Baculoviruses -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5935 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017906
- Description: Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus) (Family: Tortricidae), the codling moth, is considered one of the most significant pests of apples and pears worldwide, causing up to 80% crop loss in orchards if no control measures are applied. Cydia pomonella is oligophagous feeding on a number of alternate hosts including quince, walnuts, apricots, peaches, plums and nectarines. Historically the control of this pest has been achieved with the use of various chemical control strategies which have maintained pest levels below the economic threshold at a relatively low cost to the grower. However, there are serious concerns surrounding the use of chemical insecticides including the development of resistance in insect populations, the banning of various insecticides, regulations for lowering of the maximum residue level and employee and consumer safety. For this reason, alternate measures of control are slowly being adopted by growers such as mating disruption, cultural methods and the use of baculovirus biopesticides as part of integrated pest management programmes. The reluctance of growers to accept baculovirus or other biological control products in the past has been due to questionable product quality and inconsistencies in their field performance. Moreover, the development and application of biological control products is more costly than the use of chemical alternatives. Baculoviruses are arthropod specific viruses that are highly virulent to a number of lepidopteran species. Due to the virulence and host specificity of baculoviruses, Cydia pomonella granulovirus has been extensively and successfully used as part of integrated pest management systems for the control of C. pomonella in Europe and around the world, including South Africa. Commercial formulations have been typically based on the Mexican strain of CpGV. However due to long-term multiple applications of CpGV and the reliance on CpGV in organic farming practices in Europe, resistance to the CpGV-M strain has developed in a number of field populations of C. pomonella. This study aimed to identify and characterize novel isolates of CpGV in South Africa and compare their virulence with the commercial standard CpGV-M. Secondly, since C. pomonella is difficult to culture on a large scale, an alternate method of CpGV production was investigated in order to determine if CpGV could be produced more efficiently and at a reduced cost without negatively impacting the quality of the product. Several isolates of CpGV were recovered either from field collected larvae or from a laboratory-reared C. pomonella colony. Characterisation of DNA profiles using a variety of restriction enzymes revealed that only a single isolate, CpGV-SA, was genetically different from the Mexican strain of the virus used in the commercially available CpGV based products in South Africa. In dose-response bioassays using CpGV-SA, LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values for neonate C. pomonella larvae were 3.18 x 10³ OBs/ml and 7.33 x 10⁴ respectively. A comparison of these values with those of CpGV-M indicated no significant difference in the virulence of the two isolates under laboratory conditions. This is a first report of a genetically distinct CpGV isolate in South Africa. The biological activity and novelty of CpGV-SA makes this isolate a potentially important tool for CpGV resistance management in South Africa. In order to justify production of CpGV in an alternative host, studies on the comparative biological performance of C. pomonella and T. leucotreta based on oviposition, time to hatch, larval developmental times and rearing efficiency as well as production costs were performed. Thaumatotibia leucotreta was found to be more fecund and to have significantly shorter egg and larval developmental times. In addition, larval production per unit of artificial diet was significantly higher than for C. pomonella. This resulted in T. leucotreta being more cost effective to produce with implications for reduced insectary space, sanitation practices as well as the labour component of production. Virus yield data generated by inoculation both C. pomonella and T. leucotreta with nine concentrations of CpGV resulted in comparable virus yields, justifying the continuation of the research into production of CpGV in T. leucotreta. It was important to determine the LC and LT values required for mass production of CpGV in late instar T. leucotreta larvae. Dose- and time-response bioassays with CpGV-M were conducted on artificial diet to determine these values. Fourth instar LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values were 5.96 x 10³ OBs/ml and 1.64 x 10⁵ OBs/ml respectively. LT50 and LT90 values were 81.10 hours and 88.58 hours respectively. Fifth instar LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values were 6.88 x 10⁴ OBs/ml and 9.78 x 10⁶ OBs/ml respectively. LT₅₀ and LT₉₀ values were 111.56 hours and 137.57 hours respectively. Virus produced in fourth instar T. leucotreta larvae was bioassayed against C. pomonella neonate larvae and compared to CpGV-M to establish if production in the heterologous host negatively affected the virulence of the isolate. No significant difference in virulence was observed between virus produced in T. leucotreta and that produced in C. pomonella. The data generated in the bioassays was used in CpGV mass production trials to evaluate production. All production methods tested produced acceptable virus yields. To examine the quality of the virus product, genomic DNA was extracted from larval cadavers and subjected to REN analysis with HindIII. The resulting DNA profiles indicated that the virus product was contaminated with the homologous virus, CrleGV. Based on the above results, the use of T. leucotreta as an alternate host for the in vivo production of CpGV on a commercial basis is not at this stage viable and requires further investigation before this production methodology can be reliable used to produce CpGV. However, this study has shown that CpGV can be produced in a homologous host, T. leucotreta and significant strides have been made towards developing a set of quality control standards that are essential for further development of successful production methodology. Finally a novel isolate of CpGV has been identified with comparable virulence to the CpGV-M. This is an important finding as it has broad reaching implications for resistance management of CpGV products in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Chambers, Craig Brian
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Cryptophlebia leucotreta -- South Africa , Codling moth -- South Africa , Apples -- Diseases and pests -- South Africa , Codling moth -- Biological control -- South Africa , Insect pests -- Biological control -- South Africa , Biological pest control agents -- South Africa , Baculoviruses -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5935 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017906
- Description: Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus) (Family: Tortricidae), the codling moth, is considered one of the most significant pests of apples and pears worldwide, causing up to 80% crop loss in orchards if no control measures are applied. Cydia pomonella is oligophagous feeding on a number of alternate hosts including quince, walnuts, apricots, peaches, plums and nectarines. Historically the control of this pest has been achieved with the use of various chemical control strategies which have maintained pest levels below the economic threshold at a relatively low cost to the grower. However, there are serious concerns surrounding the use of chemical insecticides including the development of resistance in insect populations, the banning of various insecticides, regulations for lowering of the maximum residue level and employee and consumer safety. For this reason, alternate measures of control are slowly being adopted by growers such as mating disruption, cultural methods and the use of baculovirus biopesticides as part of integrated pest management programmes. The reluctance of growers to accept baculovirus or other biological control products in the past has been due to questionable product quality and inconsistencies in their field performance. Moreover, the development and application of biological control products is more costly than the use of chemical alternatives. Baculoviruses are arthropod specific viruses that are highly virulent to a number of lepidopteran species. Due to the virulence and host specificity of baculoviruses, Cydia pomonella granulovirus has been extensively and successfully used as part of integrated pest management systems for the control of C. pomonella in Europe and around the world, including South Africa. Commercial formulations have been typically based on the Mexican strain of CpGV. However due to long-term multiple applications of CpGV and the reliance on CpGV in organic farming practices in Europe, resistance to the CpGV-M strain has developed in a number of field populations of C. pomonella. This study aimed to identify and characterize novel isolates of CpGV in South Africa and compare their virulence with the commercial standard CpGV-M. Secondly, since C. pomonella is difficult to culture on a large scale, an alternate method of CpGV production was investigated in order to determine if CpGV could be produced more efficiently and at a reduced cost without negatively impacting the quality of the product. Several isolates of CpGV were recovered either from field collected larvae or from a laboratory-reared C. pomonella colony. Characterisation of DNA profiles using a variety of restriction enzymes revealed that only a single isolate, CpGV-SA, was genetically different from the Mexican strain of the virus used in the commercially available CpGV based products in South Africa. In dose-response bioassays using CpGV-SA, LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values for neonate C. pomonella larvae were 3.18 x 10³ OBs/ml and 7.33 x 10⁴ respectively. A comparison of these values with those of CpGV-M indicated no significant difference in the virulence of the two isolates under laboratory conditions. This is a first report of a genetically distinct CpGV isolate in South Africa. The biological activity and novelty of CpGV-SA makes this isolate a potentially important tool for CpGV resistance management in South Africa. In order to justify production of CpGV in an alternative host, studies on the comparative biological performance of C. pomonella and T. leucotreta based on oviposition, time to hatch, larval developmental times and rearing efficiency as well as production costs were performed. Thaumatotibia leucotreta was found to be more fecund and to have significantly shorter egg and larval developmental times. In addition, larval production per unit of artificial diet was significantly higher than for C. pomonella. This resulted in T. leucotreta being more cost effective to produce with implications for reduced insectary space, sanitation practices as well as the labour component of production. Virus yield data generated by inoculation both C. pomonella and T. leucotreta with nine concentrations of CpGV resulted in comparable virus yields, justifying the continuation of the research into production of CpGV in T. leucotreta. It was important to determine the LC and LT values required for mass production of CpGV in late instar T. leucotreta larvae. Dose- and time-response bioassays with CpGV-M were conducted on artificial diet to determine these values. Fourth instar LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values were 5.96 x 10³ OBs/ml and 1.64 x 10⁵ OBs/ml respectively. LT50 and LT90 values were 81.10 hours and 88.58 hours respectively. Fifth instar LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values were 6.88 x 10⁴ OBs/ml and 9.78 x 10⁶ OBs/ml respectively. LT₅₀ and LT₉₀ values were 111.56 hours and 137.57 hours respectively. Virus produced in fourth instar T. leucotreta larvae was bioassayed against C. pomonella neonate larvae and compared to CpGV-M to establish if production in the heterologous host negatively affected the virulence of the isolate. No significant difference in virulence was observed between virus produced in T. leucotreta and that produced in C. pomonella. The data generated in the bioassays was used in CpGV mass production trials to evaluate production. All production methods tested produced acceptable virus yields. To examine the quality of the virus product, genomic DNA was extracted from larval cadavers and subjected to REN analysis with HindIII. The resulting DNA profiles indicated that the virus product was contaminated with the homologous virus, CrleGV. Based on the above results, the use of T. leucotreta as an alternate host for the in vivo production of CpGV on a commercial basis is not at this stage viable and requires further investigation before this production methodology can be reliable used to produce CpGV. However, this study has shown that CpGV can be produced in a homologous host, T. leucotreta and significant strides have been made towards developing a set of quality control standards that are essential for further development of successful production methodology. Finally a novel isolate of CpGV has been identified with comparable virulence to the CpGV-M. This is an important finding as it has broad reaching implications for resistance management of CpGV products in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Conceptions of academics concerning the nature and purpose of teaching portfolios in higher education
- Authors: Champion, Eunice Nomava
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Portfolios in education , Lecture method in teaching , College teaching , College teachers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9591 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021175
- Description: The purpose of this study was to explore the conceptions of academics at the NMMU concerning the nature and purpose of teaching portfolios in higher education. The study was guided by the following research question: What are the conceptions of academics concerning the nature and purpose of teaching portfolios in higher education? A case study, involving academics at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), was used to answer the research question. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods research design was employed to collect data from an electronic questionnaire consisting of Likert-scale type of responses and open-ended questions, followed by two focus group interviews with academics that had prior experience in the development of a teaching portfolio. Forty-five academics responded to the questionnaire sent to all the academics at the NMMU, providing a broad perspective on the conceptions of NMMU academics regarding the nature and purpose of teaching portfolios. The two focus group interviews were conducted with six and eight academics respectively who was purposively chosen for their prior experience with the development of teaching portfolios. The aim of the focus group interviews were to elaborate on the data generated by the questionnaire. The quantitative data gathered by the questionnaire was statistically analysed, generating descriptive statistics of the Likert type response statements. The transcripts of the focus group interviews were thematically analysed. The conceptual framework that initially guided the formulation of the sub-research questions was amended to include the themes that emerged from the thematic analysis of the data, namely: the portfolio development process, the uses of and purposes for developing teaching portfolios, the attitudes of academics towards teaching portfolios, and the benefits gained from the development of teaching portfolios. The findings of the study revealed that of the participants find work overload and additional responsibilities as major constraints and collaboration among peers as the most helpful factor in the development of a teaching portfolio. The findings further revealed that the majority of the participants identified items to be included in a teaching portfolio that would enable them to use the portfolio in the development of their teaching. A mixture of attitudes towards teaching portfolios was identified. Some academics (in particular those who have prior experience in the development of portfolios) displayed a positive attitude towards teaching portfolios, while participants reported a negative attitude towards teaching portfolios by most of their colleagues (mostly those who have not developed a portfolio yet). The negative attitudes do seem to overpower the positive attitudes towards teaching portfolios. The challenge to the NMMU would therefore be to get academics to make use of the initiatives provided by the NMMU to assist them with the teaching portfolio development process. Four recommendations that may serve as guidelines to assist in the successful implementation of teaching portfolios at the NMMU were made, based on the findings of the study. Although the results of this study cannot be generalized to other higher education institutions, they do provide insights in the conception of the academics regarding the nature and purpose of teaching portfolios at the NMMU that can be of benefit to other higher education institutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Champion, Eunice Nomava
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Portfolios in education , Lecture method in teaching , College teaching , College teachers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9591 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021175
- Description: The purpose of this study was to explore the conceptions of academics at the NMMU concerning the nature and purpose of teaching portfolios in higher education. The study was guided by the following research question: What are the conceptions of academics concerning the nature and purpose of teaching portfolios in higher education? A case study, involving academics at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), was used to answer the research question. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods research design was employed to collect data from an electronic questionnaire consisting of Likert-scale type of responses and open-ended questions, followed by two focus group interviews with academics that had prior experience in the development of a teaching portfolio. Forty-five academics responded to the questionnaire sent to all the academics at the NMMU, providing a broad perspective on the conceptions of NMMU academics regarding the nature and purpose of teaching portfolios. The two focus group interviews were conducted with six and eight academics respectively who was purposively chosen for their prior experience with the development of teaching portfolios. The aim of the focus group interviews were to elaborate on the data generated by the questionnaire. The quantitative data gathered by the questionnaire was statistically analysed, generating descriptive statistics of the Likert type response statements. The transcripts of the focus group interviews were thematically analysed. The conceptual framework that initially guided the formulation of the sub-research questions was amended to include the themes that emerged from the thematic analysis of the data, namely: the portfolio development process, the uses of and purposes for developing teaching portfolios, the attitudes of academics towards teaching portfolios, and the benefits gained from the development of teaching portfolios. The findings of the study revealed that of the participants find work overload and additional responsibilities as major constraints and collaboration among peers as the most helpful factor in the development of a teaching portfolio. The findings further revealed that the majority of the participants identified items to be included in a teaching portfolio that would enable them to use the portfolio in the development of their teaching. A mixture of attitudes towards teaching portfolios was identified. Some academics (in particular those who have prior experience in the development of portfolios) displayed a positive attitude towards teaching portfolios, while participants reported a negative attitude towards teaching portfolios by most of their colleagues (mostly those who have not developed a portfolio yet). The negative attitudes do seem to overpower the positive attitudes towards teaching portfolios. The challenge to the NMMU would therefore be to get academics to make use of the initiatives provided by the NMMU to assist them with the teaching portfolio development process. Four recommendations that may serve as guidelines to assist in the successful implementation of teaching portfolios at the NMMU were made, based on the findings of the study. Although the results of this study cannot be generalized to other higher education institutions, they do provide insights in the conception of the academics regarding the nature and purpose of teaching portfolios at the NMMU that can be of benefit to other higher education institutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An investigation into how two Grade 11 Physical Science teachers mediate learning of the topic chemical equilibrium : a case study
- Authors: Chani, Fungisisai M
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Chemical equilibrium -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2023 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017334
- Description: The Namibian Physical Science Higher Level Syllabus requires students to study the topic on chemical equilibrium. This section has proven to be one of the most difficult for Namibian learners as reflected by their poor responses to questions in the Grade 12 NSSC ‘H’ examinations. Triggered by these discoveries, I decided to conduct a research on how teachers mediate learning of the topic on chemical equilibrium in a Namibian context. Conducted at a private school in Windhoek, the study involved two experienced Grade 11 Physical Science teachers renowned for good results. I adopted a qualitative case study underpinned by an interpretive paradigm. Sense making of concepts on chemical equilibrium was my unit of analysis. To generate data, I used document analysis, semi-structured interviews, lesson observations, which were videotaped as well as stimulated recall interviews. Vygotsky’s mediation of learning and social constructivism blended with Shulman’s pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) were the theoretical frameworks adopted in the study. During the analysis process, there was grouping of data into categories. These included teacher-learner interactions as emphasized by Vygotsky’s mediation of learning and learners’ challenges according to PCK. I used an inductive approach to identify emerging themes from my data. The themes were colour coded and the developed into analytical statements. Data triangulation, member checking, and peer review ensured data validity and trustworthiness. Stimulated recall interviews conducted while watching the videos with the two teachers, complemented these approaches. My findings were that teachers extensively used various meditational tools such as prior knowledge, language, analogies and an equilibrium game to mediate learning. The teachers experienced numerous challenges during mediation of learning, including language difficulties and learners’ failure to comprehend complex chemical equilibrium concepts. Notwithstanding, the teachers in this study managed to some extent to overcome the challenges by exhibiting facets of advanced PCK.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Chani, Fungisisai M
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Chemical equilibrium -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2023 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017334
- Description: The Namibian Physical Science Higher Level Syllabus requires students to study the topic on chemical equilibrium. This section has proven to be one of the most difficult for Namibian learners as reflected by their poor responses to questions in the Grade 12 NSSC ‘H’ examinations. Triggered by these discoveries, I decided to conduct a research on how teachers mediate learning of the topic on chemical equilibrium in a Namibian context. Conducted at a private school in Windhoek, the study involved two experienced Grade 11 Physical Science teachers renowned for good results. I adopted a qualitative case study underpinned by an interpretive paradigm. Sense making of concepts on chemical equilibrium was my unit of analysis. To generate data, I used document analysis, semi-structured interviews, lesson observations, which were videotaped as well as stimulated recall interviews. Vygotsky’s mediation of learning and social constructivism blended with Shulman’s pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) were the theoretical frameworks adopted in the study. During the analysis process, there was grouping of data into categories. These included teacher-learner interactions as emphasized by Vygotsky’s mediation of learning and learners’ challenges according to PCK. I used an inductive approach to identify emerging themes from my data. The themes were colour coded and the developed into analytical statements. Data triangulation, member checking, and peer review ensured data validity and trustworthiness. Stimulated recall interviews conducted while watching the videos with the two teachers, complemented these approaches. My findings were that teachers extensively used various meditational tools such as prior knowledge, language, analogies and an equilibrium game to mediate learning. The teachers experienced numerous challenges during mediation of learning, including language difficulties and learners’ failure to comprehend complex chemical equilibrium concepts. Notwithstanding, the teachers in this study managed to some extent to overcome the challenges by exhibiting facets of advanced PCK.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Training of officials in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Charles, Kidwell
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Municipal officials and employees -- Training of , Local government -- South Africa -- East London , Customer relations -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7659 , vital:22480
- Description: The impetus that informs the drive for developmental state that promotes growth and development centres on the local capacity of the local sphere of the government to effectively discharge its responsibilities. The essence of this study is to evaluate the training of officials in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and assess the extent to which service delivery has impacted on the lives of the community within this area.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Charles, Kidwell
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Municipal officials and employees -- Training of , Local government -- South Africa -- East London , Customer relations -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7659 , vital:22480
- Description: The impetus that informs the drive for developmental state that promotes growth and development centres on the local capacity of the local sphere of the government to effectively discharge its responsibilities. The essence of this study is to evaluate the training of officials in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and assess the extent to which service delivery has impacted on the lives of the community within this area.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2015
Hydrothermal co-liquefaction of microalgae biomass and coal
- Authors: Charlie, David
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Microalgae -- Biotechnology Biomass chemicals , Biomass energy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50087 , vital:42035
- Description: In this research, the objective was to investigate under the chosen liquefaction conditions whether co-liquefaction of coal and microalgae biomass as agglomerates does possess a distinct advantage over the individual liquefaction of microalgae and coal. This was initially done by preparing dry micro algal biomass, followed by the preparation of coal fines and finally coal-algae as agglomerates. The agglomerates were prepared by continuously adsorbing wet concentrated microalgae slurry/solution onto the dry coal fines in order to prepare different ratios of coal-algae agglomerate(s). Ultimate analysis of the starting material (coal fines and the microalgae) as well the agglomerates then followed. According to research, wet microalgae biomass has the potential of acting as a hydrogen donor. By preparing the agglomerates, the rationale was to promote hydrogen supply from the micro algal biomass that has high hydrogen content to the coal with lower hydrogen content. The resulting product was then expected to have fairly higher hydrogen content. However, this was not observed or evident from the elemental analysis results. The results (elemental composition) showed no difference between the agglomerates and the coal. Based on the observed ultimate analysis results, liquefaction experiments were conducted to determine whether hydrogen transfer and the expected synergistic effect between micro algal biomass and coal would occur. The crude oil product was recovered and simulated distillation technique was used for the characterization of the crude oil product. The results we in agreement that higher yields can be achieved during co-liquefaction as compared to the individual liquefaction. A possible synergistic effect that was investigated in this research existed. Liquefaction results provided evidence of higher yields recovery from the agglomerates compared to those of coal fines and microalgae biomass. Although there was higher recovery on the agglomerates, there appears to be a downward trend (decrease) in product recovery with higher loadings of micro algal biomass on to the coal. This means that higher loading of micro algal biomass tend to suppress liquefaction of coal, thus resulting in lower product recovery. While lower loadings tend to effectively facilitate the liquefaction of coal, thus proving that the proposed synergistic effect between the two does exist. Overall product recovery (yields) of the agglomerates is higher compared to the individual recovery of coal fines and microalgae biomass. This was followed by mass balancing to determine the overall conversion. Higher conversions were achieved on the agglomerates compared to coal. This could mean that microalgae have the potential to facilitate the liquefaction of coal and improve its conversion. The observed trend results in improved conversion as well as higher oil yields (simulated distillation results). Overall, the mass balancing provided insightful information regarding the coal-microalgae interaction based on the conversion, and this further corresponds or supports the simulated distillation results. This research paper provides evidence of the synergistic effect that exists between micro algal biomass and coal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Charlie, David
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Microalgae -- Biotechnology Biomass chemicals , Biomass energy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50087 , vital:42035
- Description: In this research, the objective was to investigate under the chosen liquefaction conditions whether co-liquefaction of coal and microalgae biomass as agglomerates does possess a distinct advantage over the individual liquefaction of microalgae and coal. This was initially done by preparing dry micro algal biomass, followed by the preparation of coal fines and finally coal-algae as agglomerates. The agglomerates were prepared by continuously adsorbing wet concentrated microalgae slurry/solution onto the dry coal fines in order to prepare different ratios of coal-algae agglomerate(s). Ultimate analysis of the starting material (coal fines and the microalgae) as well the agglomerates then followed. According to research, wet microalgae biomass has the potential of acting as a hydrogen donor. By preparing the agglomerates, the rationale was to promote hydrogen supply from the micro algal biomass that has high hydrogen content to the coal with lower hydrogen content. The resulting product was then expected to have fairly higher hydrogen content. However, this was not observed or evident from the elemental analysis results. The results (elemental composition) showed no difference between the agglomerates and the coal. Based on the observed ultimate analysis results, liquefaction experiments were conducted to determine whether hydrogen transfer and the expected synergistic effect between micro algal biomass and coal would occur. The crude oil product was recovered and simulated distillation technique was used for the characterization of the crude oil product. The results we in agreement that higher yields can be achieved during co-liquefaction as compared to the individual liquefaction. A possible synergistic effect that was investigated in this research existed. Liquefaction results provided evidence of higher yields recovery from the agglomerates compared to those of coal fines and microalgae biomass. Although there was higher recovery on the agglomerates, there appears to be a downward trend (decrease) in product recovery with higher loadings of micro algal biomass on to the coal. This means that higher loading of micro algal biomass tend to suppress liquefaction of coal, thus resulting in lower product recovery. While lower loadings tend to effectively facilitate the liquefaction of coal, thus proving that the proposed synergistic effect between the two does exist. Overall product recovery (yields) of the agglomerates is higher compared to the individual recovery of coal fines and microalgae biomass. This was followed by mass balancing to determine the overall conversion. Higher conversions were achieved on the agglomerates compared to coal. This could mean that microalgae have the potential to facilitate the liquefaction of coal and improve its conversion. The observed trend results in improved conversion as well as higher oil yields (simulated distillation results). Overall, the mass balancing provided insightful information regarding the coal-microalgae interaction based on the conversion, and this further corresponds or supports the simulated distillation results. This research paper provides evidence of the synergistic effect that exists between micro algal biomass and coal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Detriments associated with substance abuse among out - of - school youth in Ntselamanzi, village, Alice Town
- Authors: Chatikobo, Nyasha
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Substance abuse--South Africa--Eastern Cape , Drug abuse--South Africa--Eastern Cape , Youth--Substance use--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19442 , vital:43087
- Description: The main aim of the study was to investigate the detriments associated with substance abuse among the out- of- school youth of Ntselamanzi Village in Alice. This study intended to achieve the following objectives. (i) to establish the causes of increased indulgence in substance abuse in Ntselamanzi village, Eastern Cape. (ii) to identify the various kinds of drugs abused by the society of Ntselamanzi (iii) to identify the consequences of substance abuse to the lives of the out-of-school youth. (iv) to suggest the strategies that can be used to reduce substance abuse in order to enhance the youth‟s socio-economic growth and societal bliss. Using the quantitative method ninety-eight questionnaires were administered to the out-of-school youth in Ntselamanzi village and eighty questionnaires were returned fully answered. The major findings of the study outlined that dominating factors of substance abuse in Ntselamanzi village were family drug use, increased drug accessibility, lack of recreation and peer influence. As a result drug abuse among the out of school youth has indicated that the youth end up dropping out of school, unemployed, facing health complications and committing anti-social activities in the village which causing family conflicts and rifts in the community. These all affected the out-of-school youths‟ well-being, academic future and their quality of life was lowered due to all related issues with drug abuse. It can be concluded that drug use among rural outof-school youth is detrimental to the out-of-school youths, their families destroyed and their community crippled from the anti-social activities that take place. The future of the youths‟ education is hampered; the quality of persons in the community and families is lowered. Having unproductive out-of-school youth as a result of drug abuse is not good for the development of the village and all the persons therein. , Thesis (M Soc Sc) (Social Work) -- University of Fort Hare, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Chatikobo, Nyasha
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Substance abuse--South Africa--Eastern Cape , Drug abuse--South Africa--Eastern Cape , Youth--Substance use--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19442 , vital:43087
- Description: The main aim of the study was to investigate the detriments associated with substance abuse among the out- of- school youth of Ntselamanzi Village in Alice. This study intended to achieve the following objectives. (i) to establish the causes of increased indulgence in substance abuse in Ntselamanzi village, Eastern Cape. (ii) to identify the various kinds of drugs abused by the society of Ntselamanzi (iii) to identify the consequences of substance abuse to the lives of the out-of-school youth. (iv) to suggest the strategies that can be used to reduce substance abuse in order to enhance the youth‟s socio-economic growth and societal bliss. Using the quantitative method ninety-eight questionnaires were administered to the out-of-school youth in Ntselamanzi village and eighty questionnaires were returned fully answered. The major findings of the study outlined that dominating factors of substance abuse in Ntselamanzi village were family drug use, increased drug accessibility, lack of recreation and peer influence. As a result drug abuse among the out of school youth has indicated that the youth end up dropping out of school, unemployed, facing health complications and committing anti-social activities in the village which causing family conflicts and rifts in the community. These all affected the out-of-school youths‟ well-being, academic future and their quality of life was lowered due to all related issues with drug abuse. It can be concluded that drug use among rural outof-school youth is detrimental to the out-of-school youths, their families destroyed and their community crippled from the anti-social activities that take place. The future of the youths‟ education is hampered; the quality of persons in the community and families is lowered. Having unproductive out-of-school youth as a result of drug abuse is not good for the development of the village and all the persons therein. , Thesis (M Soc Sc) (Social Work) -- University of Fort Hare, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Are people responsive to a more sustainable, decentralized, and user-driven management of urban metabolism?:
- Chelleri, Lorenzo, Kua, Harn W, Rodriguez Sanchez, Juan P, Nahiduzzaman, Kh M, Thondhlana, Gladman
- Authors: Chelleri, Lorenzo , Kua, Harn W , Rodriguez Sanchez, Juan P , Nahiduzzaman, Kh M , Thondhlana, Gladman
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144299 , vital:38329 , https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8253-0264
- Description: Smart, green, and resilient city paradigms have been mainly promoted through top-down and technocratic approaches. However, based on the notion to return to “the right to the city”, emerging community-driven initiatives are providing self-managed infrastructures contributing to urban sustainability transitions. This paper explores the relevance of the behavioral aspects of people-centered approaches in dealing with two different facets of urban metabolism: physical infrastructure (involvement with the management of decentralized infrastructures) and consumption patterns (involvement in proactive reduction of resources used). In the first case we assessed community perceptions about the roles, benefits, and willingness to proactively engage in the management of decentralized green infrastructures in Bogotá City, Colombia. For the second facet, we measured the effectiveness of change agents in re-shaping energy consumption decisions within urban social networks in South Africa and Saudi Arabia. This paper’s results show that pre-determined and standardized strategies do not guarantee positive, nor homogeneous, results in terms of meeting sustainability targets, or promoting community involvement. Hence, a better integration of people-centered and top-down approaches is needed through context-dependent policies, for enhancing both users’ appreciation of and commitment to urban metabolism participative management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Chelleri, Lorenzo , Kua, Harn W , Rodriguez Sanchez, Juan P , Nahiduzzaman, Kh M , Thondhlana, Gladman
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144299 , vital:38329 , https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8253-0264
- Description: Smart, green, and resilient city paradigms have been mainly promoted through top-down and technocratic approaches. However, based on the notion to return to “the right to the city”, emerging community-driven initiatives are providing self-managed infrastructures contributing to urban sustainability transitions. This paper explores the relevance of the behavioral aspects of people-centered approaches in dealing with two different facets of urban metabolism: physical infrastructure (involvement with the management of decentralized infrastructures) and consumption patterns (involvement in proactive reduction of resources used). In the first case we assessed community perceptions about the roles, benefits, and willingness to proactively engage in the management of decentralized green infrastructures in Bogotá City, Colombia. For the second facet, we measured the effectiveness of change agents in re-shaping energy consumption decisions within urban social networks in South Africa and Saudi Arabia. This paper’s results show that pre-determined and standardized strategies do not guarantee positive, nor homogeneous, results in terms of meeting sustainability targets, or promoting community involvement. Hence, a better integration of people-centered and top-down approaches is needed through context-dependent policies, for enhancing both users’ appreciation of and commitment to urban metabolism participative management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Corrole–BODIPY conjugates: enhancing the fluorescence and phosphorescence of the corrole complex via efficient through bond energy transfer
- Chen, Wei, Zhang, Jianfeng, Mack, John, Kubheka, Gugu Patience, Nyokong, Tebello, Shen, Zhen, Wei Chen
- Authors: Chen, Wei , Zhang, Jianfeng , Mack, John , Kubheka, Gugu Patience , Nyokong, Tebello , Shen, Zhen , Wei Chen
- Date: 2015-06-08
- Subjects: RSC Advances (2015), 5, 50962-50967, doi:10.1039/C5RA07250F
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7268 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020277
- Description: New corrole–BODIPY conjugates have been synthesized in high yield under mild conditions. Upon excitation at the absorption maximum of the BODIPY antenna chromophore, the fluorescence intensity of the free base corrole–BODIPY conjugate increases by ca. 300%, and significant phosphorescence intensity is observed for the iridium(III) complex of the conjugate, while almost no phosphorescence is observed for the parent iridium(III) corrole, due to through-bond energy transfer from the BODIPY antenna-chromophore to the corrole core. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c5ra07250f , Arbortext Advanced Print Publisher 9.1.510/W Unicode , Acrobat Distiller 8.1.0 (Windows); modified using iText� 5.3.3 �2000-2012 1T3XT BVBA (AGPL-version)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chen, Wei , Zhang, Jianfeng , Mack, John , Kubheka, Gugu Patience , Nyokong, Tebello , Shen, Zhen , Wei Chen
- Date: 2015-06-08
- Subjects: RSC Advances (2015), 5, 50962-50967, doi:10.1039/C5RA07250F
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7268 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020277
- Description: New corrole–BODIPY conjugates have been synthesized in high yield under mild conditions. Upon excitation at the absorption maximum of the BODIPY antenna chromophore, the fluorescence intensity of the free base corrole–BODIPY conjugate increases by ca. 300%, and significant phosphorescence intensity is observed for the iridium(III) complex of the conjugate, while almost no phosphorescence is observed for the parent iridium(III) corrole, due to through-bond energy transfer from the BODIPY antenna-chromophore to the corrole core. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c5ra07250f , Arbortext Advanced Print Publisher 9.1.510/W Unicode , Acrobat Distiller 8.1.0 (Windows); modified using iText� 5.3.3 �2000-2012 1T3XT BVBA (AGPL-version)
- Full Text:
Sedimentological and geochemical investigations on borehole cores of the Lower Ecca Group black shales, for their gas potential : Karoo basin, South Africa
- Authors: Chere, Naledi
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sediments (Geology) -- South Africa , Gas reservoirs -- South Africa , Natural gas reserves -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10679 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021201
- Description: In the recent years, the shale gas discourse has become central to discussions about future energy supply in South Africa. In particular, the Permian black shales of the Lower Ecca Group formations in the Karoo Basin are considered potential source rocks for shale gas. The research presented in this thesis advances the understanding of the shale gas potential of mainly the Prince Albert, Whitehill and Tierberg/Collingham Formations. These shale sequences were sampled from eight deep boreholes spread across the main Karoo Basin and geochemically analysed at the GFZ - Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, Germany. Three key questions guided the study, these are: (i) what is the lithology of the sequence; (ii) where in the basin do the shale sequences attain maximum thickness at optimum depth i.e. beneath 1000-1500m; and (iii) and their shale characteristics. To evaluate these, borehole core logging, petrology and organic geochemistry were used extensively. Petrology involved the use of thin section, scanned electron and transmission electron microscopy for mineralogy as well as the identification of sedimentary features, organic matter and nano-scale porosity. These were coupled with standard organic geochemistry techniques such as Rock Eval. analysis, open pyrolysis gas chromatography and thermovaporisation to quantify the free gas, total organic carbon (TOC), present-day gas generative potential and kerogen type. The results show that the Whitehill Formation, away from the CFB and not intruded by dolerite, has the most potential for shale gas. Microscopic studies of this pyritic black shale reveal the occurrence of porous amorphous matter, indicating thermal maturity within the gas generation zone (i.e. > 1.1 percent Ro, 120ºC). The TOC content is consistently high within the Whitehill (exceeding industry requirement of 2 percent), attaining maximum of 7.3 percent. The highest yields of free and desorbed gas, especially methane, were emitted within this formation (S1 and nC1 peaks); mostly within its dolomitic units. In addition, dissolution porosity within dolomite units of the Whitehill Formation was identified as the predominant type of porosity. Thus, it is deduced that the dolomitic units of Whitehill Formation potentially contain the greatest volumes of free gas. HI values attain maximum of 25 mg HC/g TOC, whereas the OI values 26 mg CO2/g TOC. Such low HI and OI values are typically attributed to the dominance of Type IV kerogen, and consistent with overmaturity. Open pyrolysis (GC) show the main the chemical compound of the organic matter to be m-p-xylene, consistent with a mix of Type III, Type I/II and Type IV kerogen. Lithologically, the Whitehill Formation is composed of ~ 35 quartz, 13 percent feldspar, 26 percent illite and ~ 23 percent dolomite with variable amounts of pyrite. The dominance of quartz is directly proportional to the brittleness of the rock. Thus it can be deduced that the Whitehill Formation is relatively brittle and therefore fraccable. Burial trends indicate increasing depth (from ground level) to the top of the Whitehill Formation towards the south and south-eastern portion of the basin. It is in the southern region where thicknesses of this black shale exceeding 50m occur at depths more than 1500m; 1000m beneath fresh water aquifers. It therefore concluded that Whitehill Formation in the southern portion of Karoo Basin, but away from the thermo-tectonic overprint of the Cape Orogeny, is the most probable shale gas reservoir in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Chere, Naledi
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sediments (Geology) -- South Africa , Gas reservoirs -- South Africa , Natural gas reserves -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10679 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021201
- Description: In the recent years, the shale gas discourse has become central to discussions about future energy supply in South Africa. In particular, the Permian black shales of the Lower Ecca Group formations in the Karoo Basin are considered potential source rocks for shale gas. The research presented in this thesis advances the understanding of the shale gas potential of mainly the Prince Albert, Whitehill and Tierberg/Collingham Formations. These shale sequences were sampled from eight deep boreholes spread across the main Karoo Basin and geochemically analysed at the GFZ - Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, Germany. Three key questions guided the study, these are: (i) what is the lithology of the sequence; (ii) where in the basin do the shale sequences attain maximum thickness at optimum depth i.e. beneath 1000-1500m; and (iii) and their shale characteristics. To evaluate these, borehole core logging, petrology and organic geochemistry were used extensively. Petrology involved the use of thin section, scanned electron and transmission electron microscopy for mineralogy as well as the identification of sedimentary features, organic matter and nano-scale porosity. These were coupled with standard organic geochemistry techniques such as Rock Eval. analysis, open pyrolysis gas chromatography and thermovaporisation to quantify the free gas, total organic carbon (TOC), present-day gas generative potential and kerogen type. The results show that the Whitehill Formation, away from the CFB and not intruded by dolerite, has the most potential for shale gas. Microscopic studies of this pyritic black shale reveal the occurrence of porous amorphous matter, indicating thermal maturity within the gas generation zone (i.e. > 1.1 percent Ro, 120ºC). The TOC content is consistently high within the Whitehill (exceeding industry requirement of 2 percent), attaining maximum of 7.3 percent. The highest yields of free and desorbed gas, especially methane, were emitted within this formation (S1 and nC1 peaks); mostly within its dolomitic units. In addition, dissolution porosity within dolomite units of the Whitehill Formation was identified as the predominant type of porosity. Thus, it is deduced that the dolomitic units of Whitehill Formation potentially contain the greatest volumes of free gas. HI values attain maximum of 25 mg HC/g TOC, whereas the OI values 26 mg CO2/g TOC. Such low HI and OI values are typically attributed to the dominance of Type IV kerogen, and consistent with overmaturity. Open pyrolysis (GC) show the main the chemical compound of the organic matter to be m-p-xylene, consistent with a mix of Type III, Type I/II and Type IV kerogen. Lithologically, the Whitehill Formation is composed of ~ 35 quartz, 13 percent feldspar, 26 percent illite and ~ 23 percent dolomite with variable amounts of pyrite. The dominance of quartz is directly proportional to the brittleness of the rock. Thus it can be deduced that the Whitehill Formation is relatively brittle and therefore fraccable. Burial trends indicate increasing depth (from ground level) to the top of the Whitehill Formation towards the south and south-eastern portion of the basin. It is in the southern region where thicknesses of this black shale exceeding 50m occur at depths more than 1500m; 1000m beneath fresh water aquifers. It therefore concluded that Whitehill Formation in the southern portion of Karoo Basin, but away from the thermo-tectonic overprint of the Cape Orogeny, is the most probable shale gas reservoir in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Structure and agency in the age of climate change
- Authors: Cherry, Janet
- Subjects: South Africa -- Economic conditions , South Africa -- Social conditions , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21033 , vital:29429
- Description: What I will present here is based on my grappling over the past three decades with one of the central problems of social science – the relationship between social structure and human agency. This is not a new problem for social scientists; from Karl Marx, who understood that human beings make history, but not in circumstances of their choosing; to the French structuralists who conceived the term ‘relative autonomy’ and ‘overdetermination’; to Anthony Giddens’ ‘structuration theory’ and other contemporary sociologists. What is new are the changing physical circumstances of the world in which we live, which mean that human society can no longer afford to analyse ourselves and our social, political and economic systems independently of the natural world.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Cherry, Janet
- Subjects: South Africa -- Economic conditions , South Africa -- Social conditions , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21033 , vital:29429
- Description: What I will present here is based on my grappling over the past three decades with one of the central problems of social science – the relationship between social structure and human agency. This is not a new problem for social scientists; from Karl Marx, who understood that human beings make history, but not in circumstances of their choosing; to the French structuralists who conceived the term ‘relative autonomy’ and ‘overdetermination’; to Anthony Giddens’ ‘structuration theory’ and other contemporary sociologists. What is new are the changing physical circumstances of the world in which we live, which mean that human society can no longer afford to analyse ourselves and our social, political and economic systems independently of the natural world.
- Full Text:
Engaging within zones of proximal development on Facebook : the case of using Facebook to support learning and mentoring on a NQF Level 5 environmental education, training and development practices learnership
- Authors: Chetty, Preven
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Social media -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Internet in education , Online social networks , Organizational learning , Employees -- Training of , Group work in education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2024 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017335
- Description: This study focuses on two roll-outs of a, year-long National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 5, environmental education learnership in South Africa and attempts at enhancing collaborative learning at workplaces using a familiar social networking site called Facebook. This study uses the Facebook group sites created for the workplace course component of the course as one of the means of data collection. Additional interviews and focus groups with learners and administrators on both Environmental Education Training and Development Practices (EETDP) courses also informed the study. The study is located within the context of the rise of the information age, its effects on socio-ecological landscape at large and ways of using social networking sites in order to facilitate scaffolding and meaning making within zones of proximal development for environmental education learnerships. It also looks at the model of apprenticeship and workplace based learning as it is broadly located at the nexus of the SAQA-led academic inquiry into workplace based learning and professional development. It was found that the use of Facebook on the EETDP learnership allowed for collaborative learning to take place between peer to peer interactions as well as between tutors and learners. It was also noted that scaffolding processes requires both technical assistance and strong instructional input from course tutors. One of the most important findings in terms of collaborative learning and engaging within the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) was that learners were able to communicate more effectively and freely with both fellow learners and tutors on course after participating on the Facebook group sites. The study offers recommendations on how a social networking platform like Facebook can be utilised effectively for environmental education. The study recommends that scaffolding of workplace based tasks and concepts needs to be better integrated with the course and in both online and offline interactions between learners. It also illustrates how social networking sites can become powerful tools for creating meaning making when combined with course work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Chetty, Preven
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Social media -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Internet in education , Online social networks , Organizational learning , Employees -- Training of , Group work in education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2024 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017335
- Description: This study focuses on two roll-outs of a, year-long National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 5, environmental education learnership in South Africa and attempts at enhancing collaborative learning at workplaces using a familiar social networking site called Facebook. This study uses the Facebook group sites created for the workplace course component of the course as one of the means of data collection. Additional interviews and focus groups with learners and administrators on both Environmental Education Training and Development Practices (EETDP) courses also informed the study. The study is located within the context of the rise of the information age, its effects on socio-ecological landscape at large and ways of using social networking sites in order to facilitate scaffolding and meaning making within zones of proximal development for environmental education learnerships. It also looks at the model of apprenticeship and workplace based learning as it is broadly located at the nexus of the SAQA-led academic inquiry into workplace based learning and professional development. It was found that the use of Facebook on the EETDP learnership allowed for collaborative learning to take place between peer to peer interactions as well as between tutors and learners. It was also noted that scaffolding processes requires both technical assistance and strong instructional input from course tutors. One of the most important findings in terms of collaborative learning and engaging within the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) was that learners were able to communicate more effectively and freely with both fellow learners and tutors on course after participating on the Facebook group sites. The study offers recommendations on how a social networking platform like Facebook can be utilised effectively for environmental education. The study recommends that scaffolding of workplace based tasks and concepts needs to be better integrated with the course and in both online and offline interactions between learners. It also illustrates how social networking sites can become powerful tools for creating meaning making when combined with course work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An empirical study on staff turnover and retention within Eskom : Eastern Cape Operating Unit
- Authors: Chibba, Rajesh Chagan
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee retention -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Career development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:847 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017514
- Description: This research paper is broken up into three sections, namely an evaluation report, a literature review and a description of the research methodology. The evaluation report section is an assessment of the factors that could contribute to staff leaving the organisation and why staff would choose to remain with the organisation. The Distribution Division of Eskom is divided into nine separate Operating Units (OU's), in line with the nine Provinces. According to an Eskom Human Resource Manager (Mjali, 2013), as at March 2012 there were 2231 employees in the Easter Cape Operating Unit, while the staff turnover for the same period was 4.53%. Of the 101 staff that had resigned for the period 01 April 2011 to 31 March 2012, there were 27 transfers, 26 resignations and 30 retirements. The balance of 18 staff that left was due to dismissals and deaths. While the statistics suggest a healthy level of staff turnover at present, given the current pressures that Eskom employees are under, it is important to investigate their future intentions and to see what Eskom can do to continue to retain their services. The literature relating to staff turnover and retention was examined to determine the meaning of the terms retention and turnover and to review the relevant turnover topics that were emerging from the exit interview data. The research conducted was quantitative in nature, and a questionnaire was distributed to all managerial staff within the Eastern Cape Operating Unit of Eskom. The questionnaire was sent electronically to the participants via email with the link to the questionnaire. Participants were requested to respond on questions relating to factors on turnover and retention, and the responses were used to assess employee's intention to either remain with the organisation or to leave. The feedback received was analysed with the use of data analysis in Microsoft Excel (2010). The results of the research showed that there were two distinct themes related to employees' intention to remain with the organisation, namely job satisfaction and career development. On the other end of the scale, themes which would cause staff to want to leave the organisation were the performance management system of the organisation, not being listened to (i.e. to the ideas and views of staff) and leadership (i.e. the way the organisation was being led). Recommendations are made to management. The study also recommends future research that can be done to get greater insight into factors relating to staff turnover and retention. A detailed review of the literature is included in Section two of the report. Only essential components of the literature are included in Section one of report. Section three of the report provided a detailed description of the research design and the research procedure that was followed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Chibba, Rajesh Chagan
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee retention -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Career development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:847 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017514
- Description: This research paper is broken up into three sections, namely an evaluation report, a literature review and a description of the research methodology. The evaluation report section is an assessment of the factors that could contribute to staff leaving the organisation and why staff would choose to remain with the organisation. The Distribution Division of Eskom is divided into nine separate Operating Units (OU's), in line with the nine Provinces. According to an Eskom Human Resource Manager (Mjali, 2013), as at March 2012 there were 2231 employees in the Easter Cape Operating Unit, while the staff turnover for the same period was 4.53%. Of the 101 staff that had resigned for the period 01 April 2011 to 31 March 2012, there were 27 transfers, 26 resignations and 30 retirements. The balance of 18 staff that left was due to dismissals and deaths. While the statistics suggest a healthy level of staff turnover at present, given the current pressures that Eskom employees are under, it is important to investigate their future intentions and to see what Eskom can do to continue to retain their services. The literature relating to staff turnover and retention was examined to determine the meaning of the terms retention and turnover and to review the relevant turnover topics that were emerging from the exit interview data. The research conducted was quantitative in nature, and a questionnaire was distributed to all managerial staff within the Eastern Cape Operating Unit of Eskom. The questionnaire was sent electronically to the participants via email with the link to the questionnaire. Participants were requested to respond on questions relating to factors on turnover and retention, and the responses were used to assess employee's intention to either remain with the organisation or to leave. The feedback received was analysed with the use of data analysis in Microsoft Excel (2010). The results of the research showed that there were two distinct themes related to employees' intention to remain with the organisation, namely job satisfaction and career development. On the other end of the scale, themes which would cause staff to want to leave the organisation were the performance management system of the organisation, not being listened to (i.e. to the ideas and views of staff) and leadership (i.e. the way the organisation was being led). Recommendations are made to management. The study also recommends future research that can be done to get greater insight into factors relating to staff turnover and retention. A detailed review of the literature is included in Section two of the report. Only essential components of the literature are included in Section one of report. Section three of the report provided a detailed description of the research design and the research procedure that was followed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015