Afro-communitarianism, social architecture, and the moral education of children as strategies for social integration in South Africa
- Authors: Ofana , Diana E
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Social integration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M.A
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17674 , vital:41135
- Description: South African society has long been bedeviled by racial segregation and oppression. Apartheid policies structured South Africa in a segregated and hierarchical manner to prevent inter-group contact and relations. Despite twenty-five years of a democratic dispensation and the many positive institutional and policy changes it has provided, South Africans are still struggling to build an integrated society of equals. This thesis uses Afro-communitarianism as a framework to analyse this challenge of continued racial segregation in post-Apartheid South Africa, and to provide tools to encourage integration. Afro-communitarianism holds that the essence of the human person is incomplete without the recognition of one’s nature as one amongst others. Afro-communitarianism emphasizes deep communal relationships between individuals and their community, it conceptualizes a person as only truly a person in relation to others. Drawing from this core idea, this thesis develops a conception of personhood as complementary. Complementary personhood argues that no human person is self-sufficient, and as such a mutual complementarity between and amongst them serves to positively enhance the quality of one’s social, moral, political, and existential realities. An Afro-communitarian understanding of integration is built upon this mutual complementarity, and as such focuses on the need for interaction, relationship, and communal space. The thesis develops this Afro-communitarian concept of social integration and uses it as a framework to identify the core relational problem underlying racial tensions in contemporary South Africa. I argue that my Afro-communitarian account of complementary personhood provides us with two mutually reinforcing strategies to respond to this core relational problem. First, I present 4 an account of Afro-communitarian social architecture which prioritizes communal engagement through the creation of communal spaces that promote humane relationships. Second, I argue for an Afro-communitarian understanding of moral education that is centred on instilling communal values and a complementary understanding of personhood. Together, these two strategies provide resources toward developing a new and innovative path toward an integrated South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Ofana , Diana E
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Social integration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M.A
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17674 , vital:41135
- Description: South African society has long been bedeviled by racial segregation and oppression. Apartheid policies structured South Africa in a segregated and hierarchical manner to prevent inter-group contact and relations. Despite twenty-five years of a democratic dispensation and the many positive institutional and policy changes it has provided, South Africans are still struggling to build an integrated society of equals. This thesis uses Afro-communitarianism as a framework to analyse this challenge of continued racial segregation in post-Apartheid South Africa, and to provide tools to encourage integration. Afro-communitarianism holds that the essence of the human person is incomplete without the recognition of one’s nature as one amongst others. Afro-communitarianism emphasizes deep communal relationships between individuals and their community, it conceptualizes a person as only truly a person in relation to others. Drawing from this core idea, this thesis develops a conception of personhood as complementary. Complementary personhood argues that no human person is self-sufficient, and as such a mutual complementarity between and amongst them serves to positively enhance the quality of one’s social, moral, political, and existential realities. An Afro-communitarian understanding of integration is built upon this mutual complementarity, and as such focuses on the need for interaction, relationship, and communal space. The thesis develops this Afro-communitarian concept of social integration and uses it as a framework to identify the core relational problem underlying racial tensions in contemporary South Africa. I argue that my Afro-communitarian account of complementary personhood provides us with two mutually reinforcing strategies to respond to this core relational problem. First, I present 4 an account of Afro-communitarian social architecture which prioritizes communal engagement through the creation of communal spaces that promote humane relationships. Second, I argue for an Afro-communitarian understanding of moral education that is centred on instilling communal values and a complementary understanding of personhood. Together, these two strategies provide resources toward developing a new and innovative path toward an integrated South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Emancipatory spaces in the post-colony : South Africa and the case for AbM and UPM
- Authors: Tselapedi, Thapelo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Postcolonialism -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Apartheid -- South Africa Civil society -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Social movements -- South Africa -- Grahamstown South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 1991- South Africa -- Economic policy South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2839 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004451
- Description: This thesis is about the relationship between local government, grassroots organisations and the organisation of power resulting from the interaction of the two. Exploring this relationship this thesis investigates whether the actions of grassroots movements can bring local government in line with their developmental role as accorded to them by the Constitution. The assumption embedded in this question is that the current balance of power at the local level exists outside of the service of the historically disadvantaged. Following on from that, the thesis explores, through different modes of analysis, theoretical and historical, the policy and constitutional framework for local government, and then it unravels the context set by the political economy of South Africa. The aim is to make a significant attempt at understanding the possible implications of the interventions grassroots movements make in the public space. The thesis does this also by looking at the strengths and weaknesses of the strategies of the UDF to makes an assessment of the possible endurance of post-apartheid grassroots movements. Since civil society ‘suffers’ from nationalist politics, with its own corporatist institutions, the thesis searches deep within or arguably 'outside of civil society', subjecting AbM and UPM to academic critique, to see how movements embedded among the poor and carrying the political instrument of anger and marginalisation, can dislodge the power of capital. More importantly, the thesis situates the post-apartheid moment within postcolonial politics; navigating through the legacy of Colonialism of a Special Type (CSP), the thesis explores the limits and opportunities at the disposal of grassroots movements. From a different perspective, the thesis is an examination of the organisation and movement of power and the spaces within which power and ideas are contested. Drawing on the political and economic engagements, dubbed the Dar Es Salaam debates, in the 1970’s and 1980’s spurred on by Issa Shivji, the late Prof Dani Wadada Nabudere and Mahmood Mandani, the conclusions of this thesis develops these engagements, essentially making a case for the continued centrality of the post-apartheid state. However, the thesis also asserts the indubitable role that both grassroots movements and civil society need to play, not necessarily in the democratisation of the state, though that goes without saying, but in taking the post-colonial state on its own terms. Consequently, the thesis puts forward the idea that issue-based mobilisation does exactly this, and in the manner that acknowledges the state’s centrality and makes paramount the self-organisation (popular assemblies) of ordinary people in public affairs. The thesis categorically concludes that the centrality of the post-apartheid state and its progressive outlook (constitutional values) is contingent on organs of popular assemblies which need to take the state on its (progressive) terms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Tselapedi, Thapelo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Postcolonialism -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Apartheid -- South Africa Civil society -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Social movements -- South Africa -- Grahamstown South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 1991- South Africa -- Economic policy South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2839 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004451
- Description: This thesis is about the relationship between local government, grassroots organisations and the organisation of power resulting from the interaction of the two. Exploring this relationship this thesis investigates whether the actions of grassroots movements can bring local government in line with their developmental role as accorded to them by the Constitution. The assumption embedded in this question is that the current balance of power at the local level exists outside of the service of the historically disadvantaged. Following on from that, the thesis explores, through different modes of analysis, theoretical and historical, the policy and constitutional framework for local government, and then it unravels the context set by the political economy of South Africa. The aim is to make a significant attempt at understanding the possible implications of the interventions grassroots movements make in the public space. The thesis does this also by looking at the strengths and weaknesses of the strategies of the UDF to makes an assessment of the possible endurance of post-apartheid grassroots movements. Since civil society ‘suffers’ from nationalist politics, with its own corporatist institutions, the thesis searches deep within or arguably 'outside of civil society', subjecting AbM and UPM to academic critique, to see how movements embedded among the poor and carrying the political instrument of anger and marginalisation, can dislodge the power of capital. More importantly, the thesis situates the post-apartheid moment within postcolonial politics; navigating through the legacy of Colonialism of a Special Type (CSP), the thesis explores the limits and opportunities at the disposal of grassroots movements. From a different perspective, the thesis is an examination of the organisation and movement of power and the spaces within which power and ideas are contested. Drawing on the political and economic engagements, dubbed the Dar Es Salaam debates, in the 1970’s and 1980’s spurred on by Issa Shivji, the late Prof Dani Wadada Nabudere and Mahmood Mandani, the conclusions of this thesis develops these engagements, essentially making a case for the continued centrality of the post-apartheid state. However, the thesis also asserts the indubitable role that both grassroots movements and civil society need to play, not necessarily in the democratisation of the state, though that goes without saying, but in taking the post-colonial state on its own terms. Consequently, the thesis puts forward the idea that issue-based mobilisation does exactly this, and in the manner that acknowledges the state’s centrality and makes paramount the self-organisation (popular assemblies) of ordinary people in public affairs. The thesis categorically concludes that the centrality of the post-apartheid state and its progressive outlook (constitutional values) is contingent on organs of popular assemblies which need to take the state on its (progressive) terms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
September 11 : catalyst for structural-genealogical narrative of a new world (Dis)order
- Authors: Buijs, Lorena Maria Elisa
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001 , United States -- Politics and government -- 2001- , Terrorism -- Government policy -- United States , United States -- Foreign relations -- Middle East , Middle East -- Foreign relations -- United States , Islam and world politics , Terrorism -- Religious aspects -- Islam , Jihad
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2852 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006463 , September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001 , United States -- Politics and government -- 2001- , Terrorism -- Government policy -- United States , United States -- Foreign relations -- Middle East , Middle East -- Foreign relations -- United States , Islam and world politics , Terrorism -- Religious aspects -- Islam , Jihad
- Description: The attacks of September 11, 2001, have changed America forever. In a horrific manner the vulnerability of the highly developed states was demonstrated and exposed in world politics. The event is ushering a new political era where far reaching shifts in international relations are under way. In the post Cold-War international world it appears that the ideological conflict between capitalism and socialism has been replaced by a new world order. One that has retained the binary conflict structure of the Cold War, except that this binary is now presented by political Islam and consumerist's capitalism (Martin, 2000:155). Indeed, in the previous bipolar world order, the acute distinction between capitalism and communism served to attenuate the discord in and between religions. This complex blurring of distinctions has been systematically heightened since the end of the Cold War, as it has allowed Western governments to maintain controlling interests outside of their dominions (Gupta, 2002:6) . This struggle has since been conceived in a variety of different, but related ways: A 'Clash of Civilizations' (Huntington 1996), or as an inescapable dialectic typical of the process of globalization itself (Barber, 1996:245). In the case of Huntington's (1996:19-20) genealogical narrative, he refers to global politics and the way in which the future will be reconfigured according to cultural identities. The division along these cultural lines, will furthermore "shape" the patterns of cohesion, disintegration, and conflict in the Post-Cold War world" (Huntington, 1996:20). Huntington's thesis is rather overriding in explaining the clash between the supposedly 'West' vs. 'Rest', whose interaction is historically determined. Yet, the genealogical narrative is not sufficient in taking into account the dynamics of globalization. Benjamin Barber's structural narrative, on the other hand, goes to great lengths to illustrate the paradoxical relationship between Jihad and McWorld, and how both forces tend to survive in a world that they inevitably create. By' acknowledging the relevance of both binaries (East/West), it is hoped to transcend them by presenting a structural-genealogical grand narrative, which will essentially allow one to understand Jihad as being a structural moment of the genealogical narrative. Given this general strategy, it will become perceptible that Jihad is one form of anti-globalization as the structural narratives become part of the genealogical and the genealogical part of the structural. In essence, then, this thesis is attempting to come to grips with the phenomenon of September 11, from a political-philosophical perspective. More specifically, this study will firstly be looking at two different, but related narratives that have emerged post-September 11, to make sense of the event. Given the structural-genealogical approach, the central concern in this study is consequently to look at two separate but related interests. The one pertains to history and the other to historiography.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Buijs, Lorena Maria Elisa
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001 , United States -- Politics and government -- 2001- , Terrorism -- Government policy -- United States , United States -- Foreign relations -- Middle East , Middle East -- Foreign relations -- United States , Islam and world politics , Terrorism -- Religious aspects -- Islam , Jihad
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2852 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006463 , September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001 , United States -- Politics and government -- 2001- , Terrorism -- Government policy -- United States , United States -- Foreign relations -- Middle East , Middle East -- Foreign relations -- United States , Islam and world politics , Terrorism -- Religious aspects -- Islam , Jihad
- Description: The attacks of September 11, 2001, have changed America forever. In a horrific manner the vulnerability of the highly developed states was demonstrated and exposed in world politics. The event is ushering a new political era where far reaching shifts in international relations are under way. In the post Cold-War international world it appears that the ideological conflict between capitalism and socialism has been replaced by a new world order. One that has retained the binary conflict structure of the Cold War, except that this binary is now presented by political Islam and consumerist's capitalism (Martin, 2000:155). Indeed, in the previous bipolar world order, the acute distinction between capitalism and communism served to attenuate the discord in and between religions. This complex blurring of distinctions has been systematically heightened since the end of the Cold War, as it has allowed Western governments to maintain controlling interests outside of their dominions (Gupta, 2002:6) . This struggle has since been conceived in a variety of different, but related ways: A 'Clash of Civilizations' (Huntington 1996), or as an inescapable dialectic typical of the process of globalization itself (Barber, 1996:245). In the case of Huntington's (1996:19-20) genealogical narrative, he refers to global politics and the way in which the future will be reconfigured according to cultural identities. The division along these cultural lines, will furthermore "shape" the patterns of cohesion, disintegration, and conflict in the Post-Cold War world" (Huntington, 1996:20). Huntington's thesis is rather overriding in explaining the clash between the supposedly 'West' vs. 'Rest', whose interaction is historically determined. Yet, the genealogical narrative is not sufficient in taking into account the dynamics of globalization. Benjamin Barber's structural narrative, on the other hand, goes to great lengths to illustrate the paradoxical relationship between Jihad and McWorld, and how both forces tend to survive in a world that they inevitably create. By' acknowledging the relevance of both binaries (East/West), it is hoped to transcend them by presenting a structural-genealogical grand narrative, which will essentially allow one to understand Jihad as being a structural moment of the genealogical narrative. Given this general strategy, it will become perceptible that Jihad is one form of anti-globalization as the structural narratives become part of the genealogical and the genealogical part of the structural. In essence, then, this thesis is attempting to come to grips with the phenomenon of September 11, from a political-philosophical perspective. More specifically, this study will firstly be looking at two different, but related narratives that have emerged post-September 11, to make sense of the event. Given the structural-genealogical approach, the central concern in this study is consequently to look at two separate but related interests. The one pertains to history and the other to historiography.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Britain after the Romans : an interdisciplinary approach to the possibilities of an Adventus Saxonum
- Lloyd-Jones, Glyn Francis Michael
- Authors: Lloyd-Jones, Glyn Francis Michael
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Great Britain -- History -- Anglo-Saxon period, 449-1066 , Civilization, Anglo-Saxon , English philology -- Old English, ca. 450-1100 , English literature -- Old English, ca. 450-1100 , Anglo-Saxon race , Genetic genealogy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3657 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019806
- Description: In the fifth century, after the departure of the Romans, according to tradition, which is based on the ancient written sources, Britain was invaded by the Angles and Saxons. This view has been questioned in the last century. The size of the ‘invasion’, and indeed its very existence, have come into doubt. However, this doubting school of thought does not seem to take into account all of the evidence. An interdisciplinary, nuanced approach has been taken in this thesis. Firstly, the question of Germanic raiding has been examined, with reference to the Saxon Shore defences. It is argued that these defences, in their geographical context, point to the likelihood of raiding. Then the written sources have been re-examined, as well as physical artefacts. In addition to geography, literature and archaeology (the disciplines which are most commonly used when the coming of the Angles and Saxons is investigated), linguistic and genetic data have been examined. The fields of linguistics and genetics, which have not often both been taken into consideration with previous approaches, add a number of valuable insights. This nuanced approach yields a picture of events that rules out the ‘traditional view’ in some ways, such as the idea that the Saxons exterminated the Britons altogether, but corroborates it in other ways. There was an invasion of a kind (of Angles – not Saxons), who came in comparatively small numbers, but found in Britain a society already mixed and comprising Celtic and Germanic-speaking peoples: a society implied by Caesar and Tacitus and corroborated by linguistic and genetic data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Britain after the Romans : an interdisciplinary approach to the possibilities of an Adventus Saxonum
- Authors: Lloyd-Jones, Glyn Francis Michael
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Great Britain -- History -- Anglo-Saxon period, 449-1066 , Civilization, Anglo-Saxon , English philology -- Old English, ca. 450-1100 , English literature -- Old English, ca. 450-1100 , Anglo-Saxon race , Genetic genealogy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3657 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019806
- Description: In the fifth century, after the departure of the Romans, according to tradition, which is based on the ancient written sources, Britain was invaded by the Angles and Saxons. This view has been questioned in the last century. The size of the ‘invasion’, and indeed its very existence, have come into doubt. However, this doubting school of thought does not seem to take into account all of the evidence. An interdisciplinary, nuanced approach has been taken in this thesis. Firstly, the question of Germanic raiding has been examined, with reference to the Saxon Shore defences. It is argued that these defences, in their geographical context, point to the likelihood of raiding. Then the written sources have been re-examined, as well as physical artefacts. In addition to geography, literature and archaeology (the disciplines which are most commonly used when the coming of the Angles and Saxons is investigated), linguistic and genetic data have been examined. The fields of linguistics and genetics, which have not often both been taken into consideration with previous approaches, add a number of valuable insights. This nuanced approach yields a picture of events that rules out the ‘traditional view’ in some ways, such as the idea that the Saxons exterminated the Britons altogether, but corroborates it in other ways. There was an invasion of a kind (of Angles – not Saxons), who came in comparatively small numbers, but found in Britain a society already mixed and comprising Celtic and Germanic-speaking peoples: a society implied by Caesar and Tacitus and corroborated by linguistic and genetic data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
A taxonomic study of Senecio speciosus, Senecio macrocephalus and possible hybrid populations using morphological data, toxicty tests and chromatography
- Authors: Lewis, Gillian Elizabeth
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: Senecio , Senecio -- Analysis , Shrimps , Artemia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4209 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003778
- Description: The variation between populations of Senecio speciosus Willd., Senecio macrocephalus DC. and intermediate plants was investigated in a comparative study of morphological characters, toxicity of plant extracts to brine shrimps (Artemia salina) and chromatography of plant extracts. Specimens were collected at 18 localities in the Eastern Cape Province. All these specimens were examined morphologically and chemical extracts were tested for toxicity and by comparative chromatography. The collection of Senecio speciosus and Senecio macrocephalus specimens in the Selmar Schonland Herbarium (GRA) was also examined morphologically. Six geographical areas were represented in the combined collections. Analysis of morphological data separated typical Senecio speciosus and Senecio macrocephalus at either end of hybrid index histograms and principal components analysis diagrams. The intermediate populations displayed morphological characters of both Senecio speciosus and Senecio macrocephalus. Some specimens were intermediate between these two species, falling within the range of variation of these species while others fell outside this range. The Brine Shrimp Assay was used to test for toxicity and to investigate the possibility of using toxicity data as a genetic marker in taxonomic studies. As Senecio speciosus extracts were less than 1% toxic and Senecio macrocephalus extracts were at least 95% toxic to the brine shrimps it is suggested that in this case toxicity can be used as a genetic marker. Toxicity can even be described as a good taxonomic character as discontinuity is very sudden and complete. The intermediate plants in the Grahamstown area were at least 92% toxic to the brine shrimps linking them to Senecio macrocephalus. Thin layer and paper chromatography were used as comparative techniques to study the chemical profiles of the specimens. Alkaloids, terpenoids and flavonoids were studied. Thin layer chromatography to separate the alkaloid components of the plant extracts showed Senecio speciosus and Senecio macrocephalus to have distinct chemical profiles suggesting that they are separate species. The intermediate plants- were found to contain chemical compounds matching either or both Senecio speciosus and Senecio macrocephalus suggesting that they may have arisen by hybridisation. In a preliminary investigation Senecio speciosus extracts showed a complete lack of terpenoid compounds whereas extracts from Senecio macrocephalus and the intermediate specimens tested gave a terpenoid colour reaction in the basal spot only. This links the intermediate populations with Senecio macrocephalus. Paper chromatography to separate the flavonoid constituents of the plant extracts also showed typical Senecio speciosus and Senecio macrocephalus to be distinct. The intermediate populations contained flavonoid compounds from one or both of these species. The populations in the Grahamstown area show morphological features close to and in some cases indistinguishable from Senecio speciosus. Chemically these specimens show some similarities with Senecio macrocephalus. In the East London area specimens show a similar mixture of characters but appear morphologically to be closer to Senecio macrocephalus. However, in the Amatole Mountains, despite both species being present in the same locality it appears that no hybridisation has occurred. It is therefore suggested that at some of the localities where the geographical ranges of Senecio speciosus and Senecio macrocephalus overlap in the Eastern Cape Province hybridisation between these two species occurs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1995
- Authors: Lewis, Gillian Elizabeth
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: Senecio , Senecio -- Analysis , Shrimps , Artemia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4209 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003778
- Description: The variation between populations of Senecio speciosus Willd., Senecio macrocephalus DC. and intermediate plants was investigated in a comparative study of morphological characters, toxicity of plant extracts to brine shrimps (Artemia salina) and chromatography of plant extracts. Specimens were collected at 18 localities in the Eastern Cape Province. All these specimens were examined morphologically and chemical extracts were tested for toxicity and by comparative chromatography. The collection of Senecio speciosus and Senecio macrocephalus specimens in the Selmar Schonland Herbarium (GRA) was also examined morphologically. Six geographical areas were represented in the combined collections. Analysis of morphological data separated typical Senecio speciosus and Senecio macrocephalus at either end of hybrid index histograms and principal components analysis diagrams. The intermediate populations displayed morphological characters of both Senecio speciosus and Senecio macrocephalus. Some specimens were intermediate between these two species, falling within the range of variation of these species while others fell outside this range. The Brine Shrimp Assay was used to test for toxicity and to investigate the possibility of using toxicity data as a genetic marker in taxonomic studies. As Senecio speciosus extracts were less than 1% toxic and Senecio macrocephalus extracts were at least 95% toxic to the brine shrimps it is suggested that in this case toxicity can be used as a genetic marker. Toxicity can even be described as a good taxonomic character as discontinuity is very sudden and complete. The intermediate plants in the Grahamstown area were at least 92% toxic to the brine shrimps linking them to Senecio macrocephalus. Thin layer and paper chromatography were used as comparative techniques to study the chemical profiles of the specimens. Alkaloids, terpenoids and flavonoids were studied. Thin layer chromatography to separate the alkaloid components of the plant extracts showed Senecio speciosus and Senecio macrocephalus to have distinct chemical profiles suggesting that they are separate species. The intermediate plants- were found to contain chemical compounds matching either or both Senecio speciosus and Senecio macrocephalus suggesting that they may have arisen by hybridisation. In a preliminary investigation Senecio speciosus extracts showed a complete lack of terpenoid compounds whereas extracts from Senecio macrocephalus and the intermediate specimens tested gave a terpenoid colour reaction in the basal spot only. This links the intermediate populations with Senecio macrocephalus. Paper chromatography to separate the flavonoid constituents of the plant extracts also showed typical Senecio speciosus and Senecio macrocephalus to be distinct. The intermediate populations contained flavonoid compounds from one or both of these species. The populations in the Grahamstown area show morphological features close to and in some cases indistinguishable from Senecio speciosus. Chemically these specimens show some similarities with Senecio macrocephalus. In the East London area specimens show a similar mixture of characters but appear morphologically to be closer to Senecio macrocephalus. However, in the Amatole Mountains, despite both species being present in the same locality it appears that no hybridisation has occurred. It is therefore suggested that at some of the localities where the geographical ranges of Senecio speciosus and Senecio macrocephalus overlap in the Eastern Cape Province hybridisation between these two species occurs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1995
Recontextualising issues in the 'NISTCOL" environmental education curriculum module for Primary Diploma by Distance Learning in Zambia
- Authors: Moose, John
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Zambia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1722 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003605
- Description: This study investigated the recontextualising of the NISTCOL environmental education curriculum module for the Primary Teachers’ Diploma by Distance Learning (PTDDL) in Zambia. It focused on three case sites, the NISTCOL EE curriculum module for PTDDL and the University of Zambia, the National In-Service Teacher’s College (NISTCOL) and four basic schools: chalimbana, Bimbe, Chongwe and Silver Rest. The study looked at teacher professional development in environmental education in Zambia. The aims and goals were to investigate the NISTCOL EE curriculum and identifying issues that were associated with lecturers in the recontextualising process and further examine what issues were associated with curriculum recontextualisation in Zambian schools. For the conceptual constructs, the research drew on Bernstein’s (1990) framework of pedagogic discourse, it traced how the pedagogic discourse was de-located from the field of production and re-located into the pedagogic practice of each stated case above. It further examined the continuities, discontinuities and changes in the official environmental discourse as it was recontextualised. The study particularly focused on Bernstein’s conceptual constructs of selective appropriation and ideological transformation. In each case the Bernstein framework is used to analyze the process to identify recontextualising issues influencing pedagogical practice in the Zambian schools and college. The study revealed that each case under focus was unique but through examining the environmental discourse and pedagogical discourse in each case recontextalising issues were identified. Each case was influenced by different factors, such as lack of policy synergy, lack of EE vision at national level in Zambia, experience and knowledge, ideologies and emphasis, and depth of engagement. These factors provided me with a deeper insight into the curriculum recontextualising processes in Zambian schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Moose, John
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Zambia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1722 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003605
- Description: This study investigated the recontextualising of the NISTCOL environmental education curriculum module for the Primary Teachers’ Diploma by Distance Learning (PTDDL) in Zambia. It focused on three case sites, the NISTCOL EE curriculum module for PTDDL and the University of Zambia, the National In-Service Teacher’s College (NISTCOL) and four basic schools: chalimbana, Bimbe, Chongwe and Silver Rest. The study looked at teacher professional development in environmental education in Zambia. The aims and goals were to investigate the NISTCOL EE curriculum and identifying issues that were associated with lecturers in the recontextualising process and further examine what issues were associated with curriculum recontextualisation in Zambian schools. For the conceptual constructs, the research drew on Bernstein’s (1990) framework of pedagogic discourse, it traced how the pedagogic discourse was de-located from the field of production and re-located into the pedagogic practice of each stated case above. It further examined the continuities, discontinuities and changes in the official environmental discourse as it was recontextualised. The study particularly focused on Bernstein’s conceptual constructs of selective appropriation and ideological transformation. In each case the Bernstein framework is used to analyze the process to identify recontextualising issues influencing pedagogical practice in the Zambian schools and college. The study revealed that each case under focus was unique but through examining the environmental discourse and pedagogical discourse in each case recontextalising issues were identified. Each case was influenced by different factors, such as lack of policy synergy, lack of EE vision at national level in Zambia, experience and knowledge, ideologies and emphasis, and depth of engagement. These factors provided me with a deeper insight into the curriculum recontextualising processes in Zambian schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A Model for Crime Management in Smart Cities
- Authors: Westraadt, Lindsay
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Smart cities , Computer networks -- security measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PHD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45635 , vital:38922
- Description: The main research problem addressed in this study is that South African cities are not effectively integrating and utilising available, and rapidly emerging smart city data sources for planning and management. To this end, it was proposed that a predictive model, that assimilates data from traditionally isolated management silos, could be developed for prediction and simulation at the system-of-systems level. As proof of concept, the study focused on only one aspect of smart cities, namely crime management. Subsequently, the main objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a predictive model for crime management in smart cities that effectively integrated data from traditionally isolated management silos. The Design Science Research process was followed to develop and evaluate a prototype model. The practical contributions of this study was the development of a prototype model for integrated decision-making in smart cities, and the associated guidelines for the implementation of the developed modelling approach within the South African IDP context. Theoretically, this work contributed towards the development of a modelling paradigm for effective integrated decision-making in smart cities. This work also contributed towards developing strategic-level predictive policing tools aimed at proactively meeting community needs, and contributed to the body of knowledge regarding complex systems modelling.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Westraadt, Lindsay
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Smart cities , Computer networks -- security measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PHD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45635 , vital:38922
- Description: The main research problem addressed in this study is that South African cities are not effectively integrating and utilising available, and rapidly emerging smart city data sources for planning and management. To this end, it was proposed that a predictive model, that assimilates data from traditionally isolated management silos, could be developed for prediction and simulation at the system-of-systems level. As proof of concept, the study focused on only one aspect of smart cities, namely crime management. Subsequently, the main objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a predictive model for crime management in smart cities that effectively integrated data from traditionally isolated management silos. The Design Science Research process was followed to develop and evaluate a prototype model. The practical contributions of this study was the development of a prototype model for integrated decision-making in smart cities, and the associated guidelines for the implementation of the developed modelling approach within the South African IDP context. Theoretically, this work contributed towards the development of a modelling paradigm for effective integrated decision-making in smart cities. This work also contributed towards developing strategic-level predictive policing tools aimed at proactively meeting community needs, and contributed to the body of knowledge regarding complex systems modelling.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Primêre leerlinge se geskiedenispotentiaal: 'n empiriese ondersoek na senior primêre leerlinge en onderwysers se vermoë om indringende vrae oor 'n historiese gebeurtenis met begrip en insig te beantwoord
- Authors: Hattingh, Johannes Hendrik
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: History -- Study and teaching (Elementary)
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1362 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001428
- Description: The main aim of this research was to determine the potential of senior primary pupils and serving teachers to understand a text that is concerned with a historical event. A test was written by 136 white standard 3, 4 and 5 pupils from a Cape Province primary school, as well as 32 serving teachers from various other Cape Province primary schools. The test consisted of a text and questions based upon it. The testees had 60 minutes at their disposal to study the text and give written answers to the questions. The historical event explained in the text dealt with the Peasant Uprising that occurred in England in 1381. Eight open-ended questions were asked. The questions were graded according to difficulty and based on the model of Merrit to test the following levels of thought: knowledge, application, inference and evaluation. In the dissertation attention is paid to the following aspects: 1. Background for the research. 2. The most important theoretical aspects that play a role in the process of historical understanding. 3. A statistlcal analysis of the results obtained from the pupils and teachers, with attention to those factors that may have influenced the results e.g. verbal IQ, age, interest, etc. 4. The quality of the teachers' and pupils' answers as well as examples from their work to illustrate certain aspects. 5. The most important conclusions that can be drawn from the research. Based on their answers to the graded questions the pupils were grouped into different levels to ascertain whether a significant pattern would emerge for each standard. It became clear, however, that irrespective of age or verbal IQ the pupils could not consistently be grouped into a specific level or category. The most important conclusions of the research are the following: 1. The ability of senior primary pupils to cope with intellectually stimulating material are underestimated. 2. A variety of factors influenced the results of the pupils, but not one of the factors studied in this research was found to be of significant importance. 3. The average primary teacher do have the potential ability to cope with more difficult historical material than the present factual approach would suggest.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989
- Authors: Hattingh, Johannes Hendrik
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: History -- Study and teaching (Elementary)
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1362 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001428
- Description: The main aim of this research was to determine the potential of senior primary pupils and serving teachers to understand a text that is concerned with a historical event. A test was written by 136 white standard 3, 4 and 5 pupils from a Cape Province primary school, as well as 32 serving teachers from various other Cape Province primary schools. The test consisted of a text and questions based upon it. The testees had 60 minutes at their disposal to study the text and give written answers to the questions. The historical event explained in the text dealt with the Peasant Uprising that occurred in England in 1381. Eight open-ended questions were asked. The questions were graded according to difficulty and based on the model of Merrit to test the following levels of thought: knowledge, application, inference and evaluation. In the dissertation attention is paid to the following aspects: 1. Background for the research. 2. The most important theoretical aspects that play a role in the process of historical understanding. 3. A statistlcal analysis of the results obtained from the pupils and teachers, with attention to those factors that may have influenced the results e.g. verbal IQ, age, interest, etc. 4. The quality of the teachers' and pupils' answers as well as examples from their work to illustrate certain aspects. 5. The most important conclusions that can be drawn from the research. Based on their answers to the graded questions the pupils were grouped into different levels to ascertain whether a significant pattern would emerge for each standard. It became clear, however, that irrespective of age or verbal IQ the pupils could not consistently be grouped into a specific level or category. The most important conclusions of the research are the following: 1. The ability of senior primary pupils to cope with intellectually stimulating material are underestimated. 2. A variety of factors influenced the results of the pupils, but not one of the factors studied in this research was found to be of significant importance. 3. The average primary teacher do have the potential ability to cope with more difficult historical material than the present factual approach would suggest.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989
Falcipains as malarial drug targets
- Authors: Kanzi, Aquillah Mumo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Malaria Malaria -- Chemotherapy Plasmodium falciparum Antimalarials -- Development Cysteine proteinases Cysteine proteinases -- Inhibitors Papain Drug development Bioinformatics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3897 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003842
- Description: Malaria is an infectious disease caused by parasites of the Plasmodium genus with mortality rates of more than a million annually, hence a major global public health concern. Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) accounts for over 90% of malaria incidence. Increased resistance to antimalarial drugs by the Plasmodium parasite, coupled with the lack of an effective malaria vaccine necessitates the urgent need for new research avenues to develop novel and more potent antimalarial drugs. This study focused on falcipains, a group of P. falciparum cysteine proteases that belong to the clan CA and papain family C1, that have emerged as potential drug targets due to their involvement in a range of crucial functions in the P. falciparum life cycle. Recently, falcipain-2 has been validated as a drug target but little is known of its Plasmodium orthologs. Currently, there are several falcipain inhibitors that have been identified, most of which are peptide based but none has proceeded to drug development due to associated poor pharmacological profiles and susceptibility to degradation by host cysteine proteases. Non-peptides inhibitors have been shown to be more stable in vivo but limited information exists. In vivo studies on falcipain-2 and falcipain-3 inhibitors have also been complicated by varying outcomes, thus a good understanding of the structural variations of falcipain Plasmodium orthologs at the active site could go a long way to ease in vivo results interpretation and effective inhibitor design. In this study, we use bioinformatics approaches to perform comparative sequence and structural analysis and molecular docking to characterize protein-inhibitor interactions of falcipain homologs at the active site. Known FP-2 and FP-3 small molecule nonpeptide inhibitors were used to identify residue variations and their effect on inhibitor binding. This was done with the aim of screening a collection of selected non-peptide compounds of South African natural origin to identify possible new inhibitor leads. Natural compounds with high binding affinities across all Plasmodium orthologs were identified. These compounds were then used to search the ZINC database for similar compounds which could have better binding affinities across all selected falcipain homologs. Compounds with high binding affinities across all Plasmodium orthologs were found.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Kanzi, Aquillah Mumo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Malaria Malaria -- Chemotherapy Plasmodium falciparum Antimalarials -- Development Cysteine proteinases Cysteine proteinases -- Inhibitors Papain Drug development Bioinformatics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3897 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003842
- Description: Malaria is an infectious disease caused by parasites of the Plasmodium genus with mortality rates of more than a million annually, hence a major global public health concern. Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) accounts for over 90% of malaria incidence. Increased resistance to antimalarial drugs by the Plasmodium parasite, coupled with the lack of an effective malaria vaccine necessitates the urgent need for new research avenues to develop novel and more potent antimalarial drugs. This study focused on falcipains, a group of P. falciparum cysteine proteases that belong to the clan CA and papain family C1, that have emerged as potential drug targets due to their involvement in a range of crucial functions in the P. falciparum life cycle. Recently, falcipain-2 has been validated as a drug target but little is known of its Plasmodium orthologs. Currently, there are several falcipain inhibitors that have been identified, most of which are peptide based but none has proceeded to drug development due to associated poor pharmacological profiles and susceptibility to degradation by host cysteine proteases. Non-peptides inhibitors have been shown to be more stable in vivo but limited information exists. In vivo studies on falcipain-2 and falcipain-3 inhibitors have also been complicated by varying outcomes, thus a good understanding of the structural variations of falcipain Plasmodium orthologs at the active site could go a long way to ease in vivo results interpretation and effective inhibitor design. In this study, we use bioinformatics approaches to perform comparative sequence and structural analysis and molecular docking to characterize protein-inhibitor interactions of falcipain homologs at the active site. Known FP-2 and FP-3 small molecule nonpeptide inhibitors were used to identify residue variations and their effect on inhibitor binding. This was done with the aim of screening a collection of selected non-peptide compounds of South African natural origin to identify possible new inhibitor leads. Natural compounds with high binding affinities across all Plasmodium orthologs were identified. These compounds were then used to search the ZINC database for similar compounds which could have better binding affinities across all selected falcipain homologs. Compounds with high binding affinities across all Plasmodium orthologs were found.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Opaqueness to the light of understanding: an investigation into some of the difficulties experienced by a sample of Transkeian matriculants with the components of the concept of chemical equilibrium
- Authors: Mammen, Kuttickattu John
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Chemical equilibrium Physical sciences -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Transkei Black people -- Education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1680 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003563
- Description: The purpose of the study was to collect and collate information pertaining to common misconceptions of components of the concept of chemical equilibrium amongst a sample of Transkeian matriculants. 'Equilibrium' is a fundamental concept in physics and chemistry and 'chemical equilibrium' is an important chemistry topic in both the higher grade and standard grade South African matriculation physical science syllabuses. In recent years, South African teachers have identified chemical equilibrium as the most difficult section of the matric physical science syllabus for both teachers and pupils. It has been shown that teachers themselves lack understanding of the basic concepts underlying chemical equilibrium. Constructivist learning theories arise out of research in cognitive psychology. These theories conceive of cognitive development as the assimilation and accommodation of new ideas into extant, dynamic cognitive structures. An inference from the theories is that a study of the preconceptions and/or misconceptions held by pupils before they are exposed to instruction would enable teachers to avoid generating or reinforcing misconceptions. Hence teachers could also take deliberate steps to eradicate those already existing. The sample consisted of 112 Transkeian matriculants from four government senior secondary schools in the Southern Transkei. All were taking physical science. The test consisted of a 40 item multiple choice battery. Each question had three distracters and the options were randomized to avoid patterns and hence guessing. Questions dealing with closely associated concepts were grouped in the paper but no indication of this was given in the paper. The questions are analyzed singly. A brief introduction and outline of the theory on which the group of questions was based is given in each case. The analysis makes use of the frequency of choice of all options, discrimination indices, although they were generally low and item difficulties. The intent in each analysis is to identify the possible misconception(s) underlying wrong answers. Finally conclusions based on the discussion are drawn and recommendations for teaching and further research made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1992
- Authors: Mammen, Kuttickattu John
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Chemical equilibrium Physical sciences -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Transkei Black people -- Education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1680 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003563
- Description: The purpose of the study was to collect and collate information pertaining to common misconceptions of components of the concept of chemical equilibrium amongst a sample of Transkeian matriculants. 'Equilibrium' is a fundamental concept in physics and chemistry and 'chemical equilibrium' is an important chemistry topic in both the higher grade and standard grade South African matriculation physical science syllabuses. In recent years, South African teachers have identified chemical equilibrium as the most difficult section of the matric physical science syllabus for both teachers and pupils. It has been shown that teachers themselves lack understanding of the basic concepts underlying chemical equilibrium. Constructivist learning theories arise out of research in cognitive psychology. These theories conceive of cognitive development as the assimilation and accommodation of new ideas into extant, dynamic cognitive structures. An inference from the theories is that a study of the preconceptions and/or misconceptions held by pupils before they are exposed to instruction would enable teachers to avoid generating or reinforcing misconceptions. Hence teachers could also take deliberate steps to eradicate those already existing. The sample consisted of 112 Transkeian matriculants from four government senior secondary schools in the Southern Transkei. All were taking physical science. The test consisted of a 40 item multiple choice battery. Each question had three distracters and the options were randomized to avoid patterns and hence guessing. Questions dealing with closely associated concepts were grouped in the paper but no indication of this was given in the paper. The questions are analyzed singly. A brief introduction and outline of the theory on which the group of questions was based is given in each case. The analysis makes use of the frequency of choice of all options, discrimination indices, although they were generally low and item difficulties. The intent in each analysis is to identify the possible misconception(s) underlying wrong answers. Finally conclusions based on the discussion are drawn and recommendations for teaching and further research made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1992
Assessment of some bacteria species isolated from woodlands of Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality for high activity laccase production
- Authors: Gogotya, Asemahle
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Laccase
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19098 , vital:39879
- Description: The function of enzymes in keeping the earth clean is enormous; being executed in the biodegradation of different natural pollutants and biocatalysis of different responses by substituting the ecologically risky and harmful concoction impetuses offering a situation inviting option, laccases is an example of an enzyme described as it doesn’t produce harmful byproducts. Laccases are employed in several industrial processes that play a key responsibility in transformation of life and making the environment a better place. Bacteria have been described as best producers of laccases with a potential in the industrial scale processes. Laccase was produced from different bacterial isolates identified and named as Bacillus sp. strain GFN1 isolated from soil sample, Bacillus sp. strain GLN and Streptomyces sp. strain LAO both isolated from decaying wood samples in Raymond Mhlaba local municipality with accession numbers MK290988 to MK290990 respectively, as identified by partial sequencing, these were the best producers some of which were positive for Napthol and guaiacol; even upon quantitative screening they were better laccase producers. For quantitative laccase screening, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6- sulphonic acid) was utilised as the substrate for laccase assays. These laccase producing bacteria were subjected to optimization of growth conditions using submerged fermentation which increased the activity of the produced laccase in great amounts. In optimizing basal medium growth conditions where laccase was harvested after every 72 hours where optimal activity was 16 obtained, studying several factors such as pH which turned out to be pH 5 for all isolates, effect of supplemented carbon and nitrogen sources with the be best being lactose and urea respectively with their effective concentrations using lignin as the main carbon and nitrogen source. Copper sulfate was used as the main inducer and the species preferred guaiacol and ferullic acid and the Fe2+ asthe best supplemented metal ion. The time course was done investigating parameters such as cell growth which was determined by observing the optical density, laccase activity, protein concentration and pH and the presented results suggested that when there was an increase in cell growth, enzyme activity decreased pH had no much effect on the enzyme production as it was almost stable all the time with protein concentration exhibiting no direct effect on enzyme activity also. Characterization of the crude enzyme was done to check the stability of the enzyme produced in various parameters. The enzymes produced by the different strains were thermophilic as they were able to withstand elevated temperatures between 90 and 100 C, with pH stability within an extensive variety of alkaline pH, typical of most bacterial laccases. Various metal ions affected the stability of the enzyme with CuSO4 increasing the stability of two of the bacterial enzyme and appeared to slightly decrease the stability of one enzyme. The studied inhibitors only decreased the stability on the enzyme and couldn’t completely inhibit the enzyme, and the enzymes showed specificity towards varying substrates. The studied bacterial laccases exhibit tremendous characteristics which are of great significance in the industries and will add to the novelty of bacterial laccases and their stability amongst the most studied fungal laccases.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Gogotya, Asemahle
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Laccase
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19098 , vital:39879
- Description: The function of enzymes in keeping the earth clean is enormous; being executed in the biodegradation of different natural pollutants and biocatalysis of different responses by substituting the ecologically risky and harmful concoction impetuses offering a situation inviting option, laccases is an example of an enzyme described as it doesn’t produce harmful byproducts. Laccases are employed in several industrial processes that play a key responsibility in transformation of life and making the environment a better place. Bacteria have been described as best producers of laccases with a potential in the industrial scale processes. Laccase was produced from different bacterial isolates identified and named as Bacillus sp. strain GFN1 isolated from soil sample, Bacillus sp. strain GLN and Streptomyces sp. strain LAO both isolated from decaying wood samples in Raymond Mhlaba local municipality with accession numbers MK290988 to MK290990 respectively, as identified by partial sequencing, these were the best producers some of which were positive for Napthol and guaiacol; even upon quantitative screening they were better laccase producers. For quantitative laccase screening, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6- sulphonic acid) was utilised as the substrate for laccase assays. These laccase producing bacteria were subjected to optimization of growth conditions using submerged fermentation which increased the activity of the produced laccase in great amounts. In optimizing basal medium growth conditions where laccase was harvested after every 72 hours where optimal activity was 16 obtained, studying several factors such as pH which turned out to be pH 5 for all isolates, effect of supplemented carbon and nitrogen sources with the be best being lactose and urea respectively with their effective concentrations using lignin as the main carbon and nitrogen source. Copper sulfate was used as the main inducer and the species preferred guaiacol and ferullic acid and the Fe2+ asthe best supplemented metal ion. The time course was done investigating parameters such as cell growth which was determined by observing the optical density, laccase activity, protein concentration and pH and the presented results suggested that when there was an increase in cell growth, enzyme activity decreased pH had no much effect on the enzyme production as it was almost stable all the time with protein concentration exhibiting no direct effect on enzyme activity also. Characterization of the crude enzyme was done to check the stability of the enzyme produced in various parameters. The enzymes produced by the different strains were thermophilic as they were able to withstand elevated temperatures between 90 and 100 C, with pH stability within an extensive variety of alkaline pH, typical of most bacterial laccases. Various metal ions affected the stability of the enzyme with CuSO4 increasing the stability of two of the bacterial enzyme and appeared to slightly decrease the stability of one enzyme. The studied inhibitors only decreased the stability on the enzyme and couldn’t completely inhibit the enzyme, and the enzymes showed specificity towards varying substrates. The studied bacterial laccases exhibit tremendous characteristics which are of great significance in the industries and will add to the novelty of bacterial laccases and their stability amongst the most studied fungal laccases.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The developmental state, social policy and social compacts: a comparative policy analysis of the South African case
- Authors: Gwaindepi, Abel
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Economic development -- Political aspects -- South Africa , Income distribution -- South Africa , Democracy -- South Africa , Industrial policy -- Developing countries , South Africa -- Economic conditions , South Africa -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1101 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013278
- Description: The history of economic thought is ‘flooded’ with neo-classical accounts despite the fact that neoclassical economics did not occupy history alone. This has caused the discourses on ‘lost alternatives’ to be relegated as the deterministic ‘straight line’ neo-classical historical discourses are elevated. Globally hegemonic neo-classical discourse aided this phenomenon as it served to subordinate any counterhegemonic local discursive processes towards alternatives. This study is premised on the theme of non-neoclassical ‘lost alternatives’ using the post-apartheid South Africa as a case study. Emerging from the apartheid regime, the impetus towards non-neoclassical redistributive policies was strong in South Africa but this did not gain traction as the ANC’s ‘growth through redistribution’ was replaced by globally hegemonic discourse which favoured ‘redistribution through growth’. This thesis postulates the idea of two waves of ‘internal’ discursive formations; capturing the transition to democracy up to 1996 as the first wave and the period from 2005 to about 2009 as the second wave. The developmental state paradigm (DSP) emerged as the central heterodox paradigm with ideas such as industrial policy, welfare, and social dialogue/compacts being main elements. The DSP was expressly chosen in the early 1990s, the first period of strong internal discursive formation, but faded as neo-classical policies, epitomised through GEAR, dominated the policy space. The DSP discourse gained vitality in the second wave of internal discursive formation (2005-2009) and it was associated with the subsequent Zuma’s administration. The study illustrates that the DSP has failed to be fully developed into a practical framework but remained only at rhetorical level with the phrase ‘developmental state’ inserted into government policy documents and documents of ANC as a ruling party. The thesis further illustrates that the DSP fared well ideologically because of its inclination to the ideology of ‘developmentalism’ tended to trump any socialist inclined policies such as a generous welfare regime. The thesis rebuts the notion of the DSP in South Africa which has only been amorphously developed with the phrase ‘developmental state’ becoming a mere buzzword. The thesis argues that the DSP in the 21st century is much more complex and the growing ‘tertiarisation’ of the economy makes the Social Democratic Paradigm SDP’s capability centric approach much more relevant for South Africa. The study goes further to argue that a (SDP) is much more suitable alternative for addressing South African colonial/apartheid legacies and consolidation of democracy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Gwaindepi, Abel
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Economic development -- Political aspects -- South Africa , Income distribution -- South Africa , Democracy -- South Africa , Industrial policy -- Developing countries , South Africa -- Economic conditions , South Africa -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1101 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013278
- Description: The history of economic thought is ‘flooded’ with neo-classical accounts despite the fact that neoclassical economics did not occupy history alone. This has caused the discourses on ‘lost alternatives’ to be relegated as the deterministic ‘straight line’ neo-classical historical discourses are elevated. Globally hegemonic neo-classical discourse aided this phenomenon as it served to subordinate any counterhegemonic local discursive processes towards alternatives. This study is premised on the theme of non-neoclassical ‘lost alternatives’ using the post-apartheid South Africa as a case study. Emerging from the apartheid regime, the impetus towards non-neoclassical redistributive policies was strong in South Africa but this did not gain traction as the ANC’s ‘growth through redistribution’ was replaced by globally hegemonic discourse which favoured ‘redistribution through growth’. This thesis postulates the idea of two waves of ‘internal’ discursive formations; capturing the transition to democracy up to 1996 as the first wave and the period from 2005 to about 2009 as the second wave. The developmental state paradigm (DSP) emerged as the central heterodox paradigm with ideas such as industrial policy, welfare, and social dialogue/compacts being main elements. The DSP was expressly chosen in the early 1990s, the first period of strong internal discursive formation, but faded as neo-classical policies, epitomised through GEAR, dominated the policy space. The DSP discourse gained vitality in the second wave of internal discursive formation (2005-2009) and it was associated with the subsequent Zuma’s administration. The study illustrates that the DSP has failed to be fully developed into a practical framework but remained only at rhetorical level with the phrase ‘developmental state’ inserted into government policy documents and documents of ANC as a ruling party. The thesis further illustrates that the DSP fared well ideologically because of its inclination to the ideology of ‘developmentalism’ tended to trump any socialist inclined policies such as a generous welfare regime. The thesis rebuts the notion of the DSP in South Africa which has only been amorphously developed with the phrase ‘developmental state’ becoming a mere buzzword. The thesis argues that the DSP in the 21st century is much more complex and the growing ‘tertiarisation’ of the economy makes the Social Democratic Paradigm SDP’s capability centric approach much more relevant for South Africa. The study goes further to argue that a (SDP) is much more suitable alternative for addressing South African colonial/apartheid legacies and consolidation of democracy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Differential expression and regulation of sucrose transporters in rice (Orzya sativa L, cv Nipponbare) during environmental stress conditions
- Authors: Ibraheem, Omodele
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Crops -- Effect of stress on , Plant molecular genetics , Gene expression , Sucrose , Rice
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Biochemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11249 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/330 , Crops -- Effect of stress on , Plant molecular genetics , Gene expression , Sucrose , Rice
- Description: Plant productivity is greatly affected by environmental stresses such as drought, salinity and insect herbivory. Plants respond and adapt to these stresses by exhibiting physiological as well as biochemical changes at the cellular and molecular levels in order to survive. Expression of a variety of genes which encode numerous membrane transporters have been demonstrated to be induced by these stresses in a variety of plants. The nutritional status of plants is controlled by these transporters, which are regulated by the transcription of the corresponding genes. In spite of these adverse stress effects on agricultural yield, only a few studies have focused on gene transcriptional and translational regulation of membrane transporters during environmental stress situations. Rice, like other plants, contains a number of sucrose transporters encoded by a family of genes. However, detailed knowledge of their roles, localization and regulation during environmental stress conditions is lacking. Bioinformatic tools were used to identify putative cis-acting regulatory elements that may be involved in the regulation of rice and Arabidopsis thaliana sucrose transporters. The possible cis-acting regulatory elements were predicted by scanning genomic sequences 1.5 kbp upstream of the sucrose transporter genes translational start sites, using Plant CARE, PLACE and Genomatix Matinspector professional data bases. Several cis-acting regulatory elements that are associated with plant development, plant hormonal regulation and stress response were identified, and were present in varying frequencies within the 1.5 kbp of 5′ regulatory region. The putative cis-acting regulatory elements that possibly are involved in the expression and regulation of sucrose transporter gene families in rice and Arabidopsis thaliana during cellular development or environmental stress conditions were identified as: A-box, RY, CAT, Pyrimidine-box, Sucrose-box, ABRE, ARF, ERE, GARE, Me-JA, ARE, DRE, GA-motif, GATA, GT-1, MYC, MYB, W-box, and I-box. Expression analysis was used to elucidate the role of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv Nipponbare) sucrose transporter (OsSUT) genes during drought and salinity treatments of three week old rice plants ( at four leaf stage) over a 10 days. Among the five rice OsSUT genes identified, only OsSUT2 was observed to be progressively up-regulated during drought and salinity treatments, while OsSUT1, OsSUT4 and OsSUT5 were expressed at low levels, and OsSUT3 showed no detectable transcript expression. Sucrose transport will be essential to meet the cellular energy demands and also for osmoprotectant activities during drought and salinity stresses. It therefore indicates that OsSUT2 which facilitates transport of sucrose from photosynthetic cells will be III essential for rice plants to cope with drought and salinity stresses, and cultivars with a higher OsSUT2 expression should be able to tolerate these environmental stresses better. The role of OsSUT in assimilate transport during rusty plum aphids (Hysteroneura setariae; Thomas) infestation on the leaves of three week old rice (Orzya sativa L. cv Nipponbare) cultivar plants, over a time-course of 1 to 10 days of treatments, was also examined by combination of gene expression and β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene analysis. Real Time PCR analysis of the five OsSUT genes revealed that the expression of OsSUT1 was progressively up-regulated during the course of aphid infestation. OsSUT2 and OsSUT4 expression were comparatively low in both the control and treated plants. OsSUT5 showed no clear difference in transcript expression in both control and treated plants, while no detectable transcript expression of OsSUT3 could be found. The up-regulation of OsSUT1 gene was verified at protein level by western blot analysis in both the control and treated plants. OsSUT1 protein expression was found to increase with time during aphid infestation. A similar trend was noticeable in the control plants, however at a lower expression level. These demonstrate that the cellular expression of OsSUT1is regulated by both developmental and environmental factors. OsSUT1-promoter:::GUS reporter gene expression was observed within the vascular parenchyma and/or companion cells associated with phloem sieve elements of the large and small bundles in the phloem tissues of the flag leaf blade regions where feeding aphids were confined, which progressively increased with time of infestation. It is suggested that OsSUT1 may primarily play an essential role in phloem transport of assimilate to wounded tissues from adjacent health tissues or may be involved in the retrieval of assimilate back into the phloem to minimize loss caused by the infestation. Some OsSUT1-promoter:::GUS expression was also found in the metaxylem at 10 days after infestation, which could signify a recovery system in which sucrose lost into the xylem as a result of aphids feeding are retrieved back into the phloem through the vascular parenchyma. This was supported by the exposure of cut ends of matured OsSUT1-promoter:::GUS rice plant leaf to 2% sucrose solution. OsSUT1-promoter:::GUS expression was observed within the protoxylem, xylem and phloem parenchyma tissues. This indicates that sucrose translocating within the xylem tissues are retrieved into the phloem via the OsSUT1 localized within the parenchyma tissues. In conclusion, the differential expression and regulation of rice (Orzya sativa L. cv Nipponbare) sucrose transporters as reported here suggest that OsSUT2 and OsSUT1 were constitutively expressed compared to other rice sucrose transporters during drought and salinity, and rusty plum aphids (Hysteroneura setariae; Thomas) infestation stresses respectively. Thus, the expression and regulation of the sucrose transporters could be related to the physiological and nutritional requirements of the cells during plant developmental or environmental stress state that allows their differential expression.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Ibraheem, Omodele
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Crops -- Effect of stress on , Plant molecular genetics , Gene expression , Sucrose , Rice
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Biochemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11249 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/330 , Crops -- Effect of stress on , Plant molecular genetics , Gene expression , Sucrose , Rice
- Description: Plant productivity is greatly affected by environmental stresses such as drought, salinity and insect herbivory. Plants respond and adapt to these stresses by exhibiting physiological as well as biochemical changes at the cellular and molecular levels in order to survive. Expression of a variety of genes which encode numerous membrane transporters have been demonstrated to be induced by these stresses in a variety of plants. The nutritional status of plants is controlled by these transporters, which are regulated by the transcription of the corresponding genes. In spite of these adverse stress effects on agricultural yield, only a few studies have focused on gene transcriptional and translational regulation of membrane transporters during environmental stress situations. Rice, like other plants, contains a number of sucrose transporters encoded by a family of genes. However, detailed knowledge of their roles, localization and regulation during environmental stress conditions is lacking. Bioinformatic tools were used to identify putative cis-acting regulatory elements that may be involved in the regulation of rice and Arabidopsis thaliana sucrose transporters. The possible cis-acting regulatory elements were predicted by scanning genomic sequences 1.5 kbp upstream of the sucrose transporter genes translational start sites, using Plant CARE, PLACE and Genomatix Matinspector professional data bases. Several cis-acting regulatory elements that are associated with plant development, plant hormonal regulation and stress response were identified, and were present in varying frequencies within the 1.5 kbp of 5′ regulatory region. The putative cis-acting regulatory elements that possibly are involved in the expression and regulation of sucrose transporter gene families in rice and Arabidopsis thaliana during cellular development or environmental stress conditions were identified as: A-box, RY, CAT, Pyrimidine-box, Sucrose-box, ABRE, ARF, ERE, GARE, Me-JA, ARE, DRE, GA-motif, GATA, GT-1, MYC, MYB, W-box, and I-box. Expression analysis was used to elucidate the role of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv Nipponbare) sucrose transporter (OsSUT) genes during drought and salinity treatments of three week old rice plants ( at four leaf stage) over a 10 days. Among the five rice OsSUT genes identified, only OsSUT2 was observed to be progressively up-regulated during drought and salinity treatments, while OsSUT1, OsSUT4 and OsSUT5 were expressed at low levels, and OsSUT3 showed no detectable transcript expression. Sucrose transport will be essential to meet the cellular energy demands and also for osmoprotectant activities during drought and salinity stresses. It therefore indicates that OsSUT2 which facilitates transport of sucrose from photosynthetic cells will be III essential for rice plants to cope with drought and salinity stresses, and cultivars with a higher OsSUT2 expression should be able to tolerate these environmental stresses better. The role of OsSUT in assimilate transport during rusty plum aphids (Hysteroneura setariae; Thomas) infestation on the leaves of three week old rice (Orzya sativa L. cv Nipponbare) cultivar plants, over a time-course of 1 to 10 days of treatments, was also examined by combination of gene expression and β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene analysis. Real Time PCR analysis of the five OsSUT genes revealed that the expression of OsSUT1 was progressively up-regulated during the course of aphid infestation. OsSUT2 and OsSUT4 expression were comparatively low in both the control and treated plants. OsSUT5 showed no clear difference in transcript expression in both control and treated plants, while no detectable transcript expression of OsSUT3 could be found. The up-regulation of OsSUT1 gene was verified at protein level by western blot analysis in both the control and treated plants. OsSUT1 protein expression was found to increase with time during aphid infestation. A similar trend was noticeable in the control plants, however at a lower expression level. These demonstrate that the cellular expression of OsSUT1is regulated by both developmental and environmental factors. OsSUT1-promoter:::GUS reporter gene expression was observed within the vascular parenchyma and/or companion cells associated with phloem sieve elements of the large and small bundles in the phloem tissues of the flag leaf blade regions where feeding aphids were confined, which progressively increased with time of infestation. It is suggested that OsSUT1 may primarily play an essential role in phloem transport of assimilate to wounded tissues from adjacent health tissues or may be involved in the retrieval of assimilate back into the phloem to minimize loss caused by the infestation. Some OsSUT1-promoter:::GUS expression was also found in the metaxylem at 10 days after infestation, which could signify a recovery system in which sucrose lost into the xylem as a result of aphids feeding are retrieved back into the phloem through the vascular parenchyma. This was supported by the exposure of cut ends of matured OsSUT1-promoter:::GUS rice plant leaf to 2% sucrose solution. OsSUT1-promoter:::GUS expression was observed within the protoxylem, xylem and phloem parenchyma tissues. This indicates that sucrose translocating within the xylem tissues are retrieved into the phloem via the OsSUT1 localized within the parenchyma tissues. In conclusion, the differential expression and regulation of rice (Orzya sativa L. cv Nipponbare) sucrose transporters as reported here suggest that OsSUT2 and OsSUT1 were constitutively expressed compared to other rice sucrose transporters during drought and salinity, and rusty plum aphids (Hysteroneura setariae; Thomas) infestation stresses respectively. Thus, the expression and regulation of the sucrose transporters could be related to the physiological and nutritional requirements of the cells during plant developmental or environmental stress state that allows their differential expression.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Assessment of the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform's maize cropping programme in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mqamelo, Luvolwethu
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Cropping systems Crops and climate Crop yields
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9165 , vital:34288
- Description: The Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform maize cropping programme is one of the flagship projects that has been entrusted by the provincial government to tackle the social ills faced by the rural communities of the Eastern Cape Province. The programme is in line with a number of policies that strive to unlock the agricultural potential in inducing the much talked about radical economic transformation. This study was aimed at establishing if the outlay of the implementation processes and the outcomes of the maize cropping programme in Eastern Cape are sufficient to achieve the stated objectives. The study adopted a triangulation method to get comprehensive understanding of the programme and for accuracy and verification of the data collected. A pre-tested semistructured questionnaire was used to collect the demographics and socio-economic status of the respondents; technical skills and capabilities; implementation processes of the programme and the perceptions of the participants and key strategic role players in the maize cropping programme. A total of 120 respondents from DRDAR’s 2016/2017 financial year supported list and 9 key informants were sampled for the study. Furthermore, a gross margin analysis was used to establish the viability and the sustainability of the programme with and without DRDAR’s subsidies. For purposes of determining if there was any relation between the maize enterprise income and 13 independent variables, a multiple regression model was employed. The results of the study show that the programme is dominated by old and uneducated individuals with an average age of 60 years. The implementation processes are proving to be fairly progressed however, at a very limited scale. This includes provision of production inputs and mechanization services on time, formation of self-serving legal entities and unlocking the private sector investment. The gross margins generated from the programme have been observed to be non-viable and unsustainable. As a result, only 31% of the respondents were able to attain a gross margin equal or greater than the allocable costs of producing maize both under irrigation and dry land. The results of the regression model indicated that, only 5 of the 13 independent variables (household gender, marital status, years of participation, area planted and yield) were found to have a significant effect to the maize enterprise income. Overall, the DRDAR’s maize cropping programme has failed to meet its intended objectives. In addition, more than 70 percent of the programme participants produced for subsistence purposes and showed no desire to fully commercialise their operations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mqamelo, Luvolwethu
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Cropping systems Crops and climate Crop yields
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9165 , vital:34288
- Description: The Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform maize cropping programme is one of the flagship projects that has been entrusted by the provincial government to tackle the social ills faced by the rural communities of the Eastern Cape Province. The programme is in line with a number of policies that strive to unlock the agricultural potential in inducing the much talked about radical economic transformation. This study was aimed at establishing if the outlay of the implementation processes and the outcomes of the maize cropping programme in Eastern Cape are sufficient to achieve the stated objectives. The study adopted a triangulation method to get comprehensive understanding of the programme and for accuracy and verification of the data collected. A pre-tested semistructured questionnaire was used to collect the demographics and socio-economic status of the respondents; technical skills and capabilities; implementation processes of the programme and the perceptions of the participants and key strategic role players in the maize cropping programme. A total of 120 respondents from DRDAR’s 2016/2017 financial year supported list and 9 key informants were sampled for the study. Furthermore, a gross margin analysis was used to establish the viability and the sustainability of the programme with and without DRDAR’s subsidies. For purposes of determining if there was any relation between the maize enterprise income and 13 independent variables, a multiple regression model was employed. The results of the study show that the programme is dominated by old and uneducated individuals with an average age of 60 years. The implementation processes are proving to be fairly progressed however, at a very limited scale. This includes provision of production inputs and mechanization services on time, formation of self-serving legal entities and unlocking the private sector investment. The gross margins generated from the programme have been observed to be non-viable and unsustainable. As a result, only 31% of the respondents were able to attain a gross margin equal or greater than the allocable costs of producing maize both under irrigation and dry land. The results of the regression model indicated that, only 5 of the 13 independent variables (household gender, marital status, years of participation, area planted and yield) were found to have a significant effect to the maize enterprise income. Overall, the DRDAR’s maize cropping programme has failed to meet its intended objectives. In addition, more than 70 percent of the programme participants produced for subsistence purposes and showed no desire to fully commercialise their operations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An investigation into what influences action competence-oriented teaching and learning processes in a school environmental club
- Authors: James, Alison
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Environmental education -- South Africa -- East London Environmental education -- Activity programs -- South Africa -- East London Environmental literacy -- South Africa -- East London Environmental literacy -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- East London Active learning -- South Africa -- East London Competency-based education -- South Africa -- East London Teacher-student relationships -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1619 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003501
- Description: This interpretive case study sought to determine what influenced action competence-oriented teaching and learning processes in a high school environmental club. The goals were to describe a year of activities, within the TALON environmental club at Hudson Park High School in East London, South Africa and to identify how pedagogical, contextual and relational factors influenced action competence processes amongst club members. I explored how action competence theory and praxis have helped in other school education settings with the aim of establishing better environmental practices. The IVAC model of pedagogy (Jensen & Schnack, 1997) was used as a framework to operationalise action competence processes within the TALON Club. This entailed carefully examining investigative, visioning, action and change processes unfolding through the four themes of the club: plants, animal welfare, waste issues and our community outreach programme at Bongulethu High School. Using questionnaires, interviews, observation and a journal as the main methods of data collection I was able to make five analytical statements that related to the influence of pedagogy, the influence of context and the influence of relational dynamics within the TALON Club. The pedagogical processes were affected by the TALON members wanting to avoid any activities that were ‘too much like school’. However this served to compromise the action and visioning phases within the club, resulting in superficial and poorly-informed action-taking. The influence of context served to both enable and constrain action competence processes. The club and school structures therefore shaped the form that fledgling actions took as the TALON members participated in the meetings and outings and fulfilling the traditional expectations of the school community. Relational dynamics and a desire for fun took precedence over the action competence processes. Although the Club members were motivated by a sense of moral responsibility they were unable to articulate this concept into the club activities. In addition there were the power gradients between the educators and members to consider as determinants of the extent of participatory, democratic interactions. This complex interplay of factors influenced the action competence processes in the club. Recommendations were made on how best to work with the concepts of participation and democracy towards improving the reflexivity and knowledge base of both the educators and learners. In this way action competence processes will be better supported within the club in future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: James, Alison
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Environmental education -- South Africa -- East London Environmental education -- Activity programs -- South Africa -- East London Environmental literacy -- South Africa -- East London Environmental literacy -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- East London Active learning -- South Africa -- East London Competency-based education -- South Africa -- East London Teacher-student relationships -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1619 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003501
- Description: This interpretive case study sought to determine what influenced action competence-oriented teaching and learning processes in a high school environmental club. The goals were to describe a year of activities, within the TALON environmental club at Hudson Park High School in East London, South Africa and to identify how pedagogical, contextual and relational factors influenced action competence processes amongst club members. I explored how action competence theory and praxis have helped in other school education settings with the aim of establishing better environmental practices. The IVAC model of pedagogy (Jensen & Schnack, 1997) was used as a framework to operationalise action competence processes within the TALON Club. This entailed carefully examining investigative, visioning, action and change processes unfolding through the four themes of the club: plants, animal welfare, waste issues and our community outreach programme at Bongulethu High School. Using questionnaires, interviews, observation and a journal as the main methods of data collection I was able to make five analytical statements that related to the influence of pedagogy, the influence of context and the influence of relational dynamics within the TALON Club. The pedagogical processes were affected by the TALON members wanting to avoid any activities that were ‘too much like school’. However this served to compromise the action and visioning phases within the club, resulting in superficial and poorly-informed action-taking. The influence of context served to both enable and constrain action competence processes. The club and school structures therefore shaped the form that fledgling actions took as the TALON members participated in the meetings and outings and fulfilling the traditional expectations of the school community. Relational dynamics and a desire for fun took precedence over the action competence processes. Although the Club members were motivated by a sense of moral responsibility they were unable to articulate this concept into the club activities. In addition there were the power gradients between the educators and members to consider as determinants of the extent of participatory, democratic interactions. This complex interplay of factors influenced the action competence processes in the club. Recommendations were made on how best to work with the concepts of participation and democracy towards improving the reflexivity and knowledge base of both the educators and learners. In this way action competence processes will be better supported within the club in future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Critical Success Factors to Motivate Citizens to Participate in a Public Safety Smart City Project
- Authors: Tuswa, Mbali
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Information technology -- Security measures City planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18974 , vital:43004
- Description: Currently more people reside in urban areas than previously. The population shift from rural to urban results in increased problems with Public Safety. Public Safety initiatives were introduced to address such issues and help reduce the increasing number of urban problems. It is the citizen's responsibility to report the Public Safety issues they observe or experience for authorities to respond quickly in emergency situations, thus maintaining a safer living environment for all citizens. A Public Safety Smart City Project was introduced in the city of East London, South Africa to help improve Public Safety in the city. However, for this to be successful citizens need to contribute by reporting Public Safety issues and suspicious activities. This study is therefore focused on motivational factors to improve citizen participation in a Public Safety Smart City Project. The Design Science Methodology and a mixed method approach guided this research study. Keller’s (2010) Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction (ARCS) Theory of Motivation provided the theoretical base for this study. A questionnaire was used to gather data on the motivational factors for participation in a Public Safety Smart City Project. Five Critical Success Factors were developed to motivate citizens to participate in a Public Safety Smart City Project. These Critical Success Factors are: Ensure user satisfaction by providing a toll-free number, Citizens should be able to participate due to their concerns of safety for others, Citizens should be given the opportunity to make a difference in their community, Public Safety initiatives must provide adequate response to citizens and Citizens should be given incentives after participating. The Critical Success Factors were refined and verified through two rounds of expert review. Five factors were identified in the findings as factors that contribute towards motivating citizens participate. These factors include User Satisfaction, Making a difference, Response from Public Safety initiatives, Concern of safety for others and Incentives. The factors were included on the Critical Success Factors
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Tuswa, Mbali
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Information technology -- Security measures City planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18974 , vital:43004
- Description: Currently more people reside in urban areas than previously. The population shift from rural to urban results in increased problems with Public Safety. Public Safety initiatives were introduced to address such issues and help reduce the increasing number of urban problems. It is the citizen's responsibility to report the Public Safety issues they observe or experience for authorities to respond quickly in emergency situations, thus maintaining a safer living environment for all citizens. A Public Safety Smart City Project was introduced in the city of East London, South Africa to help improve Public Safety in the city. However, for this to be successful citizens need to contribute by reporting Public Safety issues and suspicious activities. This study is therefore focused on motivational factors to improve citizen participation in a Public Safety Smart City Project. The Design Science Methodology and a mixed method approach guided this research study. Keller’s (2010) Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction (ARCS) Theory of Motivation provided the theoretical base for this study. A questionnaire was used to gather data on the motivational factors for participation in a Public Safety Smart City Project. Five Critical Success Factors were developed to motivate citizens to participate in a Public Safety Smart City Project. These Critical Success Factors are: Ensure user satisfaction by providing a toll-free number, Citizens should be able to participate due to their concerns of safety for others, Citizens should be given the opportunity to make a difference in their community, Public Safety initiatives must provide adequate response to citizens and Citizens should be given incentives after participating. The Critical Success Factors were refined and verified through two rounds of expert review. Five factors were identified in the findings as factors that contribute towards motivating citizens participate. These factors include User Satisfaction, Making a difference, Response from Public Safety initiatives, Concern of safety for others and Incentives. The factors were included on the Critical Success Factors
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Empirical modelling of the solar wind influence on Pc3 pulsation activity
- Authors: Lotz, Stefanus Ignatius
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Solar wind -- Research Solar activity -- Research Stellar oscillations -- Research , Magnetospheric radio wave propagation , Interplanetary magnetic fields
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5464 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005249
- Description: Geomagnetic pulsations are ultra-low frequency (ULF) oscillations of the geomagnetic field that have been observed in the magnetosphere and on the Earth since the 1800’s. In the 1960’s in situ observations of the solar wind suggested that the source of pulsation activity must lie beyond the magnetosphere. In this work the influence of several solar wind plasma and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) parameters on Pc3 pulsations are studied. Pc3 pulsations are a class of geomagnetic pulsations with frequency ranging between 22 and 100 mHz. A large dataset of solar wind and pulsation measurements is employed to develop two empirical models capable of predicting the Pc3 index (an indication of Pc3 intensity) at one hour and five minute time resolution, respectively. The models are based on artificial neural networks, due to their ability to model highly non-linear interactions between dependent and independent variables. A robust, iterative process is followed to find and rank the set of solar wind input parameters that optimally predict Pc3 activity. According to the parameter selection process the input parameters to the low resolution model (1 hour data) are, in order of importance, solar wind speed, a pair of time-based parameters, dynamic solar wind pressure, and the IMF orientation with respect to the Sun-Earth line (i.e. the cone angle). Input parameters to the high resolution model (5 minute data) are solar wind speed, cone angle, solar wind density and a pair of time-based parameters. Both models accurately predict Pc3 intensity from unseen solar wind data. It is observed that Pc3 activity ceases when the density in the solar wind is very low, even while other conditions are favourable for the generation and propagation of ULF waves. The influence that solar wind density has on Pc3 activity is studied by analysing six years of solar wind and Pc3 measurements at one minute resolution. It is suggested that the pause in Pc3 activity occurs due to two reasons: Firstly, the ULF waves that are generated in the region upstream of the bow shock does not grow efficiently if the solar wind density is very low; and secondly, waves that are generated cannot be convected into the magnetosphere because of the low Mach number of the solar wind plasma due to the decreased density.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Lotz, Stefanus Ignatius
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Solar wind -- Research Solar activity -- Research Stellar oscillations -- Research , Magnetospheric radio wave propagation , Interplanetary magnetic fields
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5464 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005249
- Description: Geomagnetic pulsations are ultra-low frequency (ULF) oscillations of the geomagnetic field that have been observed in the magnetosphere and on the Earth since the 1800’s. In the 1960’s in situ observations of the solar wind suggested that the source of pulsation activity must lie beyond the magnetosphere. In this work the influence of several solar wind plasma and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) parameters on Pc3 pulsations are studied. Pc3 pulsations are a class of geomagnetic pulsations with frequency ranging between 22 and 100 mHz. A large dataset of solar wind and pulsation measurements is employed to develop two empirical models capable of predicting the Pc3 index (an indication of Pc3 intensity) at one hour and five minute time resolution, respectively. The models are based on artificial neural networks, due to their ability to model highly non-linear interactions between dependent and independent variables. A robust, iterative process is followed to find and rank the set of solar wind input parameters that optimally predict Pc3 activity. According to the parameter selection process the input parameters to the low resolution model (1 hour data) are, in order of importance, solar wind speed, a pair of time-based parameters, dynamic solar wind pressure, and the IMF orientation with respect to the Sun-Earth line (i.e. the cone angle). Input parameters to the high resolution model (5 minute data) are solar wind speed, cone angle, solar wind density and a pair of time-based parameters. Both models accurately predict Pc3 intensity from unseen solar wind data. It is observed that Pc3 activity ceases when the density in the solar wind is very low, even while other conditions are favourable for the generation and propagation of ULF waves. The influence that solar wind density has on Pc3 activity is studied by analysing six years of solar wind and Pc3 measurements at one minute resolution. It is suggested that the pause in Pc3 activity occurs due to two reasons: Firstly, the ULF waves that are generated in the region upstream of the bow shock does not grow efficiently if the solar wind density is very low; and secondly, waves that are generated cannot be convected into the magnetosphere because of the low Mach number of the solar wind plasma due to the decreased density.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The recording, retrieval and analysis of some electrophysiological measures relevant to psychology
- Authors: Barnes, Robert M
- Date: 1981
- Subjects: Psychology -- Computer programs Electroencephalography -- Research Electrophysiology -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:2914 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002079
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1981
- Authors: Barnes, Robert M
- Date: 1981
- Subjects: Psychology -- Computer programs Electroencephalography -- Research Electrophysiology -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:2914 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002079
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1981
The effects of a lion (Panthera Leo) re-introduction on a resident cheetah (Acinonyx Jubatus) population In Mountain Zebra National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Van de Vyver, Daniel
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7420 , vital:21259
- Description: The global decline of large (> 10 kg) carnivores has resulted in a variety of conservation measures being put into practice to prevent extinctions. The establishment of predator-proof fences around protected areas has been a successful tool for reducing human-predator conflict. Furthermore, the re-introduction of large carnivores into small (< 1 000 km²), enclosed reserves has aided in the conservation of many species. Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and lions (Panthera leo) have benefitted from such re-introductions. The re-introduction of cheetahs before lions into the Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa provided a unique opportunity to study the effects of lions on an already established cheetah population. Spatial data were downloaded remotely from GPS collared individuals (n=4) and cheetah kill data were collected using the GPS cluster method before (2012-2013) and after (2013-2014) the lion (n=3) re-introduction. The same methods were used for lion kill data collection once they had been re-introduced. In general, cheetah home range size did not change after the lion re-introduction. Cheetahs selected areas with a combination of open and closed vegetation covers, while lions selected either open or closed areas of vegetation covers. In addition, as vegetation cover became thicker, the presence of cheetahs decreased. The cheetahs preyed upon seven species before and 11 species after the lion re-introduction. Medium sized prey comprised the bulk of the cheetah diet with kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) and springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) being the preferred species both before and after the lion re-introduction. The lion diets consisted of medium to large sized prey, with the male lions selecting eland (Tragelaphus oryx) and buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and the lioness selecting red hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus). The cheetahs had no significant dietary overlap with the lions and there was only one record of kleptoparasitism. The results of my study indicate that cheetahs are able to co-exist with lions when lions are at low densities in an enclosed reserve. The cheetahs did not experience landscape-level displacement because they made fine-scale adjustments to avoid lions within their environment. This adaptability may have important management implications for future re-introductions of cheetahs into enclosed game reserves.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Van de Vyver, Daniel
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7420 , vital:21259
- Description: The global decline of large (> 10 kg) carnivores has resulted in a variety of conservation measures being put into practice to prevent extinctions. The establishment of predator-proof fences around protected areas has been a successful tool for reducing human-predator conflict. Furthermore, the re-introduction of large carnivores into small (< 1 000 km²), enclosed reserves has aided in the conservation of many species. Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and lions (Panthera leo) have benefitted from such re-introductions. The re-introduction of cheetahs before lions into the Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa provided a unique opportunity to study the effects of lions on an already established cheetah population. Spatial data were downloaded remotely from GPS collared individuals (n=4) and cheetah kill data were collected using the GPS cluster method before (2012-2013) and after (2013-2014) the lion (n=3) re-introduction. The same methods were used for lion kill data collection once they had been re-introduced. In general, cheetah home range size did not change after the lion re-introduction. Cheetahs selected areas with a combination of open and closed vegetation covers, while lions selected either open or closed areas of vegetation covers. In addition, as vegetation cover became thicker, the presence of cheetahs decreased. The cheetahs preyed upon seven species before and 11 species after the lion re-introduction. Medium sized prey comprised the bulk of the cheetah diet with kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) and springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) being the preferred species both before and after the lion re-introduction. The lion diets consisted of medium to large sized prey, with the male lions selecting eland (Tragelaphus oryx) and buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and the lioness selecting red hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus). The cheetahs had no significant dietary overlap with the lions and there was only one record of kleptoparasitism. The results of my study indicate that cheetahs are able to co-exist with lions when lions are at low densities in an enclosed reserve. The cheetahs did not experience landscape-level displacement because they made fine-scale adjustments to avoid lions within their environment. This adaptability may have important management implications for future re-introductions of cheetahs into enclosed game reserves.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The influence of 1950s fashion photographers, Richard Avedon and Irving Penn, on photographers Matthew Rolston and Steven Meisel
- Authors: Cordier, Astrid
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Fashion photpgraphy , Photographers -- United States
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8496 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008112 , Fashion photpgraphy , Photographers -- United States
- Description: Photography has been used to record and document periods in time, which Wells (2001:19) acknowledges by stating that, “…photographs are records and documents which pin down the changing world of appearance”. Richard Avedon and Irving Penn made a significant contribution to fashion photography during the 1950s but this has seldom been explored in a scholarly way. By defining the characteristics of Avedon and Penn’s work, a possible understanding of their influence on contemporary fashion photographers, Matthew Rolston and Steven Meisel may be determined and so expand on the understanding of the contribution of Avedon and Penn to contemporary fashion photography. Avedon, Penn, Rolston and Meisel’s fashion photographs will be visually analysed to show the similarities and the relevance of 1950s fashion photography to contemporary fashion photography. Paul Martin Lester’s (2003) method of visual analysis will be used as the basis for this analysis. The reason for choosing Lester’s methods of visual analysis is that it can be applied to all fields of visual art and design. Contemporary fashion photography draws on many different stylistic devices and periods in history for its re-invention, so it is important to understand what constitutes the defining characteristics of a stylistic period in history to be able to revisit it in contemporary photography.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Cordier, Astrid
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Fashion photpgraphy , Photographers -- United States
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8496 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008112 , Fashion photpgraphy , Photographers -- United States
- Description: Photography has been used to record and document periods in time, which Wells (2001:19) acknowledges by stating that, “…photographs are records and documents which pin down the changing world of appearance”. Richard Avedon and Irving Penn made a significant contribution to fashion photography during the 1950s but this has seldom been explored in a scholarly way. By defining the characteristics of Avedon and Penn’s work, a possible understanding of their influence on contemporary fashion photographers, Matthew Rolston and Steven Meisel may be determined and so expand on the understanding of the contribution of Avedon and Penn to contemporary fashion photography. Avedon, Penn, Rolston and Meisel’s fashion photographs will be visually analysed to show the similarities and the relevance of 1950s fashion photography to contemporary fashion photography. Paul Martin Lester’s (2003) method of visual analysis will be used as the basis for this analysis. The reason for choosing Lester’s methods of visual analysis is that it can be applied to all fields of visual art and design. Contemporary fashion photography draws on many different stylistic devices and periods in history for its re-invention, so it is important to understand what constitutes the defining characteristics of a stylistic period in history to be able to revisit it in contemporary photography.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011