Beyond War, Violence, and Suffering: Everyday Life in the Honde Valley Borderland Communities during Zimbabwe’s Liberation War and the RENAMO Insurgency, c.1960-2016
- Authors: Nyachega, Nicholas
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7023 , vital:21210
- Description: This thesis examines the history of the Honde Valley area, in Mutasa District, along the Zimbabwe-Mozambique border. It uses two historic developments: the Zimbabwe liberation war and RENAMO insurgency to explore daily life and mundane experiences of the borderland communities, mainly from the late 1970s to 2016. Because earlier historians of these two historic developments have been much interested in studying the aspects of violence and suffering, this study extends the focus of analysis to the mundane experiences. I argue that in borderland areas, there are other wartime aspects of life worth investigating other than violence and suffering. In doing so, the thesis deploys the notions of conviviality and the everyday to understand the daily experiences of the Honde Valley communities during the disruptions caused to everyday life by these wars. Admittedly, twentieth century wars in Zimbabwe and Mozambique transformed the area that had previously remained at the fringes of colonial power from 1890-1950, into a new and bitterly contested ‘sharp end’ of the war. Nonetheless, peoples’ experiences during these wars cannot be understood merely in relation to violence and suffering. Furthermore, I argue that although some families were forcibly moved into liberation war “Protected Villages ”, they innovatively designed new mechanisms and alternative lifestyles in response to the state’s routinised control. The thesis concludes that beyond the confines of war-induced violence and suffering, Honde Valley communities used their borderland location to evade the pressures of war and continued with life.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Nyachega, Nicholas
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7023 , vital:21210
- Description: This thesis examines the history of the Honde Valley area, in Mutasa District, along the Zimbabwe-Mozambique border. It uses two historic developments: the Zimbabwe liberation war and RENAMO insurgency to explore daily life and mundane experiences of the borderland communities, mainly from the late 1970s to 2016. Because earlier historians of these two historic developments have been much interested in studying the aspects of violence and suffering, this study extends the focus of analysis to the mundane experiences. I argue that in borderland areas, there are other wartime aspects of life worth investigating other than violence and suffering. In doing so, the thesis deploys the notions of conviviality and the everyday to understand the daily experiences of the Honde Valley communities during the disruptions caused to everyday life by these wars. Admittedly, twentieth century wars in Zimbabwe and Mozambique transformed the area that had previously remained at the fringes of colonial power from 1890-1950, into a new and bitterly contested ‘sharp end’ of the war. Nonetheless, peoples’ experiences during these wars cannot be understood merely in relation to violence and suffering. Furthermore, I argue that although some families were forcibly moved into liberation war “Protected Villages ”, they innovatively designed new mechanisms and alternative lifestyles in response to the state’s routinised control. The thesis concludes that beyond the confines of war-induced violence and suffering, Honde Valley communities used their borderland location to evade the pressures of war and continued with life.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Dramatic learning : a case study of theatre for development and environmental education
- Authors: Burt, Jane Caroline
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Drama in education -- South Africa Environmental education -- Study and teaching (Elementary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1501 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003383
- Description: The aim of my research was to introduce drama, in the form of theatre for development processes, to local Grahamstown Primary School teachers, and to work closely with one teacher to explore theatre for development in the classroom, as a means of introducing both environmental education and learner-centred, constructivist teaching methodologies. I started my research by interviewing Primary School principals as well as sending out questionnaires to teachers, to survey their understanding and practice of drama and environmental education in the school curriculum and to invite them to participate in the research project. In collaboration with Educational Drama and Theatre students, I developed two workshops to introduce theatre for development processes such as image theatre and role-play to the teachers. Nine teachers attended this workshop which was video-taped. After the workshop I gave two lessons at a local school, in partnership with a teacher. Throughout this process I kept a research journal. All action components of the research were followed up with individual interviews, group discussions and a focus group. Although the study gave rise to multiple themes, I chose to highlight two: Firstly, Curriculum 2005 advocates a move towards more learner-centred,constructivist and process-orientated pedagogies. All of the participants in this study, including myself, had intentions of adopting a new approach tq education and teaching but found that we often reverted back to earlier learnt roles of product-orientated, text-based, authoritarian approaches to education which we originally had rejected. Secondly, I reflect on how we set out viewing environmental education, education, drama and research as a process and yet all the participants, including myself, continually tried to 'put on' the perfect performance in the form of a drama, a learning experience and research. This project was a participatory research project. The textwork of the research reflects a post-structural orientation. It has been written in the form of a drama to represent the many voices of the participants, but also to question the role of research in society and make research more accessible to non-academic readers. I also intend to perform the research process at a later stage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Burt, Jane Caroline
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Drama in education -- South Africa Environmental education -- Study and teaching (Elementary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1501 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003383
- Description: The aim of my research was to introduce drama, in the form of theatre for development processes, to local Grahamstown Primary School teachers, and to work closely with one teacher to explore theatre for development in the classroom, as a means of introducing both environmental education and learner-centred, constructivist teaching methodologies. I started my research by interviewing Primary School principals as well as sending out questionnaires to teachers, to survey their understanding and practice of drama and environmental education in the school curriculum and to invite them to participate in the research project. In collaboration with Educational Drama and Theatre students, I developed two workshops to introduce theatre for development processes such as image theatre and role-play to the teachers. Nine teachers attended this workshop which was video-taped. After the workshop I gave two lessons at a local school, in partnership with a teacher. Throughout this process I kept a research journal. All action components of the research were followed up with individual interviews, group discussions and a focus group. Although the study gave rise to multiple themes, I chose to highlight two: Firstly, Curriculum 2005 advocates a move towards more learner-centred,constructivist and process-orientated pedagogies. All of the participants in this study, including myself, had intentions of adopting a new approach tq education and teaching but found that we often reverted back to earlier learnt roles of product-orientated, text-based, authoritarian approaches to education which we originally had rejected. Secondly, I reflect on how we set out viewing environmental education, education, drama and research as a process and yet all the participants, including myself, continually tried to 'put on' the perfect performance in the form of a drama, a learning experience and research. This project was a participatory research project. The textwork of the research reflects a post-structural orientation. It has been written in the form of a drama to represent the many voices of the participants, but also to question the role of research in society and make research more accessible to non-academic readers. I also intend to perform the research process at a later stage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
Investigating the incorporation of education about, in/through and for the environment in the Geography junior phase curriculum: a case study of three Namibian schools
- Authors: Anyolo, Eveline Omagano
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Namibia -- Case studies Education, Primary -- Curricula -- Namibia Geography teachers -- Namibia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1594 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003476
- Description: This study was carried out to investigate how education about, in/through and for the environment is incorporated in the Namibian Geography Junior Phase curriculum in three schools in Oshana Education Region. Education about, in/through and for the environment are three forms of environmental education identified by Fien (1998). This study is a qualitative, interpretive case study. It reviews the activities, content knowledge, methods, competencies and resources and describes how they were used by teachers in fostering education about, in/through and for the environment in the curriculum. Data was generated through document analysis, observations and semi-structured interviews. The results were interpreted and discussed in relation to the research question which is: How is education about, in/through and for the environment incorporated in the Geography Junior Phase curriculum? Key findings of the study suggested that teachers incorporated education about, in/through and for the environment in their teaching. Teachers used the prescribed syllabus to structure their environmental learning lessons. Most methods, resources and activities used by the teachers promoted education about the environment. The study also found that most types of knowledge about the environment were covered by the teachers. This enabled learners to examine the complexity and interrelatedness of natural systems. The study found that the way the resources were used exclusively supported education about the environment. Linking learning to local context in this study encouraged education in/through the environment and enhanced the learning process through real life experience. The study also found that, although teachers taught their learners for the environment, they did not empower them in taking actions towards environmental problems. Based on the insights offered by this research, the study identified further support required by teachers and made recommendations for effective incorporation of about, in/through andfor the environment in the curriculum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Anyolo, Eveline Omagano
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Namibia -- Case studies Education, Primary -- Curricula -- Namibia Geography teachers -- Namibia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1594 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003476
- Description: This study was carried out to investigate how education about, in/through and for the environment is incorporated in the Namibian Geography Junior Phase curriculum in three schools in Oshana Education Region. Education about, in/through and for the environment are three forms of environmental education identified by Fien (1998). This study is a qualitative, interpretive case study. It reviews the activities, content knowledge, methods, competencies and resources and describes how they were used by teachers in fostering education about, in/through and for the environment in the curriculum. Data was generated through document analysis, observations and semi-structured interviews. The results were interpreted and discussed in relation to the research question which is: How is education about, in/through and for the environment incorporated in the Geography Junior Phase curriculum? Key findings of the study suggested that teachers incorporated education about, in/through and for the environment in their teaching. Teachers used the prescribed syllabus to structure their environmental learning lessons. Most methods, resources and activities used by the teachers promoted education about the environment. The study also found that most types of knowledge about the environment were covered by the teachers. This enabled learners to examine the complexity and interrelatedness of natural systems. The study found that the way the resources were used exclusively supported education about the environment. Linking learning to local context in this study encouraged education in/through the environment and enhanced the learning process through real life experience. The study also found that, although teachers taught their learners for the environment, they did not empower them in taking actions towards environmental problems. Based on the insights offered by this research, the study identified further support required by teachers and made recommendations for effective incorporation of about, in/through andfor the environment in the curriculum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Inter-role conflict and coping strategies of employed mothers : a study of selected private schools in the Mthatha area of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Tegbe, Dzigbordi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Role conflict Working mothers Women -- Employment , Children of working mothers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7830 , vital:30768
- Description: Working women are finding it increasingly challenging to establish a balance between work and family life. This often results in work-family conflicts which affect women teachers’ well-being. The current study utilised role theory to investigate the effect of work-family conflicts on work related income, using the Mthatha community as case study. The study explored the impact of inter-role conflict on stress related illness and the coping strategies working women can adopt to create work-family balance. The motivation of the study is based on limited research regarding the impact of work-family on South African working mothers, where feminisation of labour force is compelling women to devote more time to their work roles thus neglecting their traditional roles as mothers. The research design used a cross section survey, and the sampling procedure applied a multi-stage concept of data collection, where both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to delve into the issues of inter-role conflict and coping strategies of employed mother-teachers, to establish causal relationships geared towards explaining the phenomena. The population consisted of working mothers in Mthatha private schools, where data was collected using a work-family conflict questionnaire. The results of the study established a positive relationship between the multi-tasking of mother-teachers and inter-role conflicts, and also confirmed that work roles/tasks have become overwhelming. Consequently, working women families are neglected, while support from extended families is not coming or is insufficient to alleviate the burdens of role conflicts. The conflicts lead to stress-related illnesses and individually, women are not interested in consulting psychologists to manage their stress. The women suffer ailments such as headaches, general pains, sleep dysfunction, high or low blood pressure, heart diseases, and become moody and tearful, expressing low self-esteem. Women teachers in Mthatha were of the view that proper strategies are needed to mitigate their stress. Some of these coping strategies involve a good condition of service at school, refraining from applying medication to solve stress, taking part in exercise and rest, and having a relaxing time with family and friends. The findings of this study can help through suggesting useful strategies that can be utilised by working teachers who are mothers to mitigate their inter-role conflict. It will also lead to more insight into role theories.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Tegbe, Dzigbordi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Role conflict Working mothers Women -- Employment , Children of working mothers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7830 , vital:30768
- Description: Working women are finding it increasingly challenging to establish a balance between work and family life. This often results in work-family conflicts which affect women teachers’ well-being. The current study utilised role theory to investigate the effect of work-family conflicts on work related income, using the Mthatha community as case study. The study explored the impact of inter-role conflict on stress related illness and the coping strategies working women can adopt to create work-family balance. The motivation of the study is based on limited research regarding the impact of work-family on South African working mothers, where feminisation of labour force is compelling women to devote more time to their work roles thus neglecting their traditional roles as mothers. The research design used a cross section survey, and the sampling procedure applied a multi-stage concept of data collection, where both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to delve into the issues of inter-role conflict and coping strategies of employed mother-teachers, to establish causal relationships geared towards explaining the phenomena. The population consisted of working mothers in Mthatha private schools, where data was collected using a work-family conflict questionnaire. The results of the study established a positive relationship between the multi-tasking of mother-teachers and inter-role conflicts, and also confirmed that work roles/tasks have become overwhelming. Consequently, working women families are neglected, while support from extended families is not coming or is insufficient to alleviate the burdens of role conflicts. The conflicts lead to stress-related illnesses and individually, women are not interested in consulting psychologists to manage their stress. The women suffer ailments such as headaches, general pains, sleep dysfunction, high or low blood pressure, heart diseases, and become moody and tearful, expressing low self-esteem. Women teachers in Mthatha were of the view that proper strategies are needed to mitigate their stress. Some of these coping strategies involve a good condition of service at school, refraining from applying medication to solve stress, taking part in exercise and rest, and having a relaxing time with family and friends. The findings of this study can help through suggesting useful strategies that can be utilised by working teachers who are mothers to mitigate their inter-role conflict. It will also lead to more insight into role theories.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
“Beautiful powerful you” : an analysis of the subject positions offered to women readers of Destiny magazine
- Authors: Jangara, Juliana
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Destiny Magazine , Women's periodicals , Women, Black -- South Africa -- Social conditions , Sex role -- South Africa , Femininity -- South Africa , Women -- Identity , Feminism and mass media , Femininity (Philosophy)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3533 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013395
- Description: Women's magazines are popular cultural forms which offer readers representations intended to advise women on how to work towards and achieve idealised femininities. They perform such a function within the wider socio-historical context of gender relations. In a country such as South Africa, where patriarchal gender relations have historically been structured to favour men over women and masculinity over femininity, the representation of femininity in contemporary women's magazines may serve to reinforce or challenge these existent unequal gender relations. Informed by a feminist poststructuralist understanding of the gendered positioning of subjects through discourse, this study is a textual analysis that investigates the subject positions or possible identities offered to readers of Destiny, a South African business and lifestyle women's magazine. Black women, who make up the majority of Destiny's readership, have historically been excluded from the formal economy. In light of such a background, Destiny offers black women readers, through its representations of well-known business women, possible identities to take up within the white male dominated field of business practice. The magazine also offers 'lifestyle content', which suggests to readers possible ways of being in other areas of social life. Through a method of critical discourse analysis, this study critically analyses the subject positions offered to readers of Destiny, in order to determine to what extent the magazine's representations of business women endorse or confront unequal gender relations. The findings of this study are that Destiny offers women complex subject positions which simultaneously challenge and reassert patriarchy. While offering readers positions from which to challenge race based gender discrimination – a legacy of the apartheid past – the texts analysed tend to neglect non-racially motivated gender prejudice. It is concluded that although not comprehensively challenging unequal gender relations, the magazine whittles away some tenets of patriarchy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Jangara, Juliana
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Destiny Magazine , Women's periodicals , Women, Black -- South Africa -- Social conditions , Sex role -- South Africa , Femininity -- South Africa , Women -- Identity , Feminism and mass media , Femininity (Philosophy)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3533 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013395
- Description: Women's magazines are popular cultural forms which offer readers representations intended to advise women on how to work towards and achieve idealised femininities. They perform such a function within the wider socio-historical context of gender relations. In a country such as South Africa, where patriarchal gender relations have historically been structured to favour men over women and masculinity over femininity, the representation of femininity in contemporary women's magazines may serve to reinforce or challenge these existent unequal gender relations. Informed by a feminist poststructuralist understanding of the gendered positioning of subjects through discourse, this study is a textual analysis that investigates the subject positions or possible identities offered to readers of Destiny, a South African business and lifestyle women's magazine. Black women, who make up the majority of Destiny's readership, have historically been excluded from the formal economy. In light of such a background, Destiny offers black women readers, through its representations of well-known business women, possible identities to take up within the white male dominated field of business practice. The magazine also offers 'lifestyle content', which suggests to readers possible ways of being in other areas of social life. Through a method of critical discourse analysis, this study critically analyses the subject positions offered to readers of Destiny, in order to determine to what extent the magazine's representations of business women endorse or confront unequal gender relations. The findings of this study are that Destiny offers women complex subject positions which simultaneously challenge and reassert patriarchy. While offering readers positions from which to challenge race based gender discrimination – a legacy of the apartheid past – the texts analysed tend to neglect non-racially motivated gender prejudice. It is concluded that although not comprehensively challenging unequal gender relations, the magazine whittles away some tenets of patriarchy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Planning in Ciskei secondary schools with special reference to managerial teams
- Authors: Magqaza, Ocean Bungani
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: Curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Ciskei Educational planning -- South Africa -- Ciskei Teaching teams School management and organization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1706 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003589
- Description: Educational leadership and management is a very wide field of study with interdependent components that should form a chain reaction in order to bring about effective management. This study attempts to investigate planning in schools which is one of the educational leadership and management components or functions. Very little research work has been done on educational planning in the Ciskei schools. This is a shortcoming since the number of secondary schools has mushroomed in the late twentieth century. The Ciskei educational managers and parents need to know and take note of the possible situations in the various schools. This is opportune time, particularly that recent events, i.e. students' demands and strikes, are drawing parents closer to the education of their children. The researcher's experience of inspecting school administration since 1990 has reinforced his conviction that the managerial teams in the Ciskei secondary schools have little knowledge of management, and of planning in particular. Although the investigation is into secondary school administration, it is also pertinent to primary school planning. Management, i.e. school year-planning, control of work, staff development, appointment of teachers, policy governing students and teachers are discussed at length . Joint planning, i.e. a participative or consultative approach, and advance planning, are investigated in relation to the school year-programme. The existence of statutory bodies in the various schools is assessed in order to test parents' involvement in the education of their children. School tours are discussed in relation to students' involvement in the school activities. The analysis of the results highlights areas that require attention, and the recommendations given address the controversial issues in planning in the various schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1994
- Authors: Magqaza, Ocean Bungani
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: Curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Ciskei Educational planning -- South Africa -- Ciskei Teaching teams School management and organization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1706 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003589
- Description: Educational leadership and management is a very wide field of study with interdependent components that should form a chain reaction in order to bring about effective management. This study attempts to investigate planning in schools which is one of the educational leadership and management components or functions. Very little research work has been done on educational planning in the Ciskei schools. This is a shortcoming since the number of secondary schools has mushroomed in the late twentieth century. The Ciskei educational managers and parents need to know and take note of the possible situations in the various schools. This is opportune time, particularly that recent events, i.e. students' demands and strikes, are drawing parents closer to the education of their children. The researcher's experience of inspecting school administration since 1990 has reinforced his conviction that the managerial teams in the Ciskei secondary schools have little knowledge of management, and of planning in particular. Although the investigation is into secondary school administration, it is also pertinent to primary school planning. Management, i.e. school year-planning, control of work, staff development, appointment of teachers, policy governing students and teachers are discussed at length . Joint planning, i.e. a participative or consultative approach, and advance planning, are investigated in relation to the school year-programme. The existence of statutory bodies in the various schools is assessed in order to test parents' involvement in the education of their children. School tours are discussed in relation to students' involvement in the school activities. The analysis of the results highlights areas that require attention, and the recommendations given address the controversial issues in planning in the various schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1994
Help or hindrance? a critical analysis of the agreement on sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and its effects on developing countries
- Authors: Waterworth, Tayla
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7090 , vital:21216
- Description: WHILE it is accepted that the category of "developing country" is a broad one, it can nevertheless be acknowledged that the countries which fall within this categorisation share several common features. Such common features include their lack of financial resources and scientific capacity, and their reliance on trade in primary agricultural goods. The Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures was originally created to regulate trade in primary agricultural goods, and so its provisions are of great significance to developing countries. In its Preamble the Agreement acknowledges both the unique circumstances of developing countries and its desire to assist them in entering into and expanding within the international trading markets. As part of this endeavour, several provisions were included in the Agreement which purport to protect and provide for the interests of developing countries. In its inception, its Preamble, and the very nature of its content, the Agreement shows a desire to assist developing countries wherever possible. Unfortunately, a close analysis of the provisions of the Agreement shows that this desire has not been fulfilled. Many of the provisions of the Agreement are heavily skewed toward the interests of importing Members, often at the expense of developing Members - particularly those that export primary agricultural goods. Even the provisions of the Agreement which purport to provide protection and special and differential treatment specifically for developing countries frequently fall short, either as a result of ambiguous phrasing or poor textual interpretation by the dispute settlement bodies of the World Trade Organization. As a result, there exists a potential within the Agreement to have a significant detrimental impact on the international trading opportunities of exporting developing countries. In this thesis I analyse the provisions of the Agreement to determine where, why and how they are likely to have, or are having, a detrimental impact on developing countries (particularly exporting developing countries). After identifying these problems I examine and discuss several potential solutions and how they may be implemented to minimise - or even remove - the negative impact on developing countries and their international trading markets.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Waterworth, Tayla
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7090 , vital:21216
- Description: WHILE it is accepted that the category of "developing country" is a broad one, it can nevertheless be acknowledged that the countries which fall within this categorisation share several common features. Such common features include their lack of financial resources and scientific capacity, and their reliance on trade in primary agricultural goods. The Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures was originally created to regulate trade in primary agricultural goods, and so its provisions are of great significance to developing countries. In its Preamble the Agreement acknowledges both the unique circumstances of developing countries and its desire to assist them in entering into and expanding within the international trading markets. As part of this endeavour, several provisions were included in the Agreement which purport to protect and provide for the interests of developing countries. In its inception, its Preamble, and the very nature of its content, the Agreement shows a desire to assist developing countries wherever possible. Unfortunately, a close analysis of the provisions of the Agreement shows that this desire has not been fulfilled. Many of the provisions of the Agreement are heavily skewed toward the interests of importing Members, often at the expense of developing Members - particularly those that export primary agricultural goods. Even the provisions of the Agreement which purport to provide protection and special and differential treatment specifically for developing countries frequently fall short, either as a result of ambiguous phrasing or poor textual interpretation by the dispute settlement bodies of the World Trade Organization. As a result, there exists a potential within the Agreement to have a significant detrimental impact on the international trading opportunities of exporting developing countries. In this thesis I analyse the provisions of the Agreement to determine where, why and how they are likely to have, or are having, a detrimental impact on developing countries (particularly exporting developing countries). After identifying these problems I examine and discuss several potential solutions and how they may be implemented to minimise - or even remove - the negative impact on developing countries and their international trading markets.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Factors affecting effective ecological restoration of Portulacaria afra (spekboom)-rich subtropical thicket and aboveground carbon endpoint projections
- Van der Vyver, Marius Lodewyk
- Authors: Van der Vyver, Marius Lodewyk
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Restoration ecology , Plant conservation -- South Africa Portulacaria afra -- South Africa Shrubs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23250 , vital:30468
- Description: Among the requirements to achieve effective ecological restoration on a landscape scale are a scientific underpinning, strong adaptive management and the setting of realistic endpoints. Efficacy and success depend on a complex interplay of factors of both local and regional influence. Biome-wide restoration experiments are rare, but valuable for evaluating efficacy of different protocols according to local context. The Thicket-wide Plot (TWP) experiment was initiated by the Subtropical Thicket Restoration Programme to inform landscape-scale ecological restoration of degraded Portulacaria afra (spekboom)-rich Subtropical Thicket. Thirteen different planting treatments of Portulacaria afra (spekboom) truncheons were planted as replicated rows on 0.25 ha fenced plots across the distribution range of spekboom-rich thicket habitat to better establish effective restoration protocols. I used a rule-based learning ensemble algorithm to evaluate 60 different predictors that potentially impact effective restoration, covering a range of climatic, topographic, edaphic, ecological and management related factors observed at 227 of these TWP plots. Percentage survivorship and aboveground biomass carbon sequestration rate (ABCsr) were taken as proxies for efficacy derived from subsequent monitoring data gathered 2 - 5 years after establishment, and a new allometric model I developed for spekboom. I found herbivory and identification of target habitat the two most important predictors of restoration efficacy, both well within the control of the practitioner. Highest survivorship and ABCsr were associated with larger truncheons planted deeper. The only exception to this pattern was found amongst the two smallest size truncheon categories. The application of external rooting hormone or watering treatment to truncheons were found of no significance to effective restoration, while all the pruned treatments were, in association with lesser planting depth, found to be significantly less effective than untreated truncheons planted deeper. When the restoration protocol is optimal (largest truncheons planted deepest in target habitats and protected from herbivory), my results show higher annual carbon sequestration rates (1.46 - 3.7 t C ha−1 yr−1 in aboveground biomass) than most older restoration sites that have been identified as benchmarks of success. In order to project ABC endpoints, I generated 40 new species-specific allometric models and used them to estimate biomass and carbon of intact and degraded stands on five sites spread out across the region. The highest AGC for stands in both intact and degraded states were estimated at 42.96 t Cha−1 and 12.98 t C ha−1 respectively, and the lowest at 26.32 t C ha−1 and 2.52 t C ha−1. Large canopy dominant (LCD) species contributed the largest AGC portion at three intact stands. The second largest portion was recorded for spekboom. The difference between paired stands on each sample site ranged between 23.8 and 32.8 t C ha−1, which provide a realistic target for biome-wide restoration that, when adopted together with current protocols, may be reached within three decades of inception.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Van der Vyver, Marius Lodewyk
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Restoration ecology , Plant conservation -- South Africa Portulacaria afra -- South Africa Shrubs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23250 , vital:30468
- Description: Among the requirements to achieve effective ecological restoration on a landscape scale are a scientific underpinning, strong adaptive management and the setting of realistic endpoints. Efficacy and success depend on a complex interplay of factors of both local and regional influence. Biome-wide restoration experiments are rare, but valuable for evaluating efficacy of different protocols according to local context. The Thicket-wide Plot (TWP) experiment was initiated by the Subtropical Thicket Restoration Programme to inform landscape-scale ecological restoration of degraded Portulacaria afra (spekboom)-rich Subtropical Thicket. Thirteen different planting treatments of Portulacaria afra (spekboom) truncheons were planted as replicated rows on 0.25 ha fenced plots across the distribution range of spekboom-rich thicket habitat to better establish effective restoration protocols. I used a rule-based learning ensemble algorithm to evaluate 60 different predictors that potentially impact effective restoration, covering a range of climatic, topographic, edaphic, ecological and management related factors observed at 227 of these TWP plots. Percentage survivorship and aboveground biomass carbon sequestration rate (ABCsr) were taken as proxies for efficacy derived from subsequent monitoring data gathered 2 - 5 years after establishment, and a new allometric model I developed for spekboom. I found herbivory and identification of target habitat the two most important predictors of restoration efficacy, both well within the control of the practitioner. Highest survivorship and ABCsr were associated with larger truncheons planted deeper. The only exception to this pattern was found amongst the two smallest size truncheon categories. The application of external rooting hormone or watering treatment to truncheons were found of no significance to effective restoration, while all the pruned treatments were, in association with lesser planting depth, found to be significantly less effective than untreated truncheons planted deeper. When the restoration protocol is optimal (largest truncheons planted deepest in target habitats and protected from herbivory), my results show higher annual carbon sequestration rates (1.46 - 3.7 t C ha−1 yr−1 in aboveground biomass) than most older restoration sites that have been identified as benchmarks of success. In order to project ABC endpoints, I generated 40 new species-specific allometric models and used them to estimate biomass and carbon of intact and degraded stands on five sites spread out across the region. The highest AGC for stands in both intact and degraded states were estimated at 42.96 t Cha−1 and 12.98 t C ha−1 respectively, and the lowest at 26.32 t C ha−1 and 2.52 t C ha−1. Large canopy dominant (LCD) species contributed the largest AGC portion at three intact stands. The second largest portion was recorded for spekboom. The difference between paired stands on each sample site ranged between 23.8 and 32.8 t C ha−1, which provide a realistic target for biome-wide restoration that, when adopted together with current protocols, may be reached within three decades of inception.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Aggrey Klaaste : the relentless community-builder
- Authors: Mbonambi, Phakama
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Klaaste, Aggrey , Sowetan (Johannesburg, South Africa) , Newspaper editors -- South Africa -- Biography , Nation-building -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5999 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020882
- Description: This thesis looks at the life and times of Aggrey Klaaste, the larger-than-life late editor of Sowetan who shot to fame by championing a novel idea of nation building. His initiative started in 1988 as flames of violence engulfed South Africa and it seemed as if an apocalypse was on the cards. Sickened by what the frustrated black community was doing to itself, for example the use of the dreadful practice of necklacing against the so-called collaborators, he called for moral regeneration. He wanted his compatriots to look into the future and take their destiny in their own hands. Through nation building he tirelessly launched into crusading journalism that sought to heal the scars of the black community after decades of apartheid. It was grassroots community building. He rewarded ordinary men and women who made a difference in their communities. He actively sought peace to end the violence of the 1980s and 1990s. He spoke his mind without wearing any ideological blinkers, even as some thought his initiative would disturb the march to freedom. He was the ultimate newspaperman. This thesis argues that by calling for reconciliation and rebuilding of battered black communities even before freedom came, Klaaste was ahead of his time and even predated Nelson Mandela. Klaaste preferred to do what was right and not be shackled to any ideology. In doing so, he angered many people who felt his thinking was derailing the struggle for freedom. But Klaaste stressed that nation building was ideologically neutral and was meant for everyone. By contradicting prevailing political orthodoxy, he very likely risked his own life. But, like a true leader, he stuck to his convictions. Klaaste was exemplary in calling for reconciliation and building when others called for breaking. Ten years after he died, as the country still grapples with issues he raised in his popular weekly column On The Line, it is worth appraising his thinking and actions. The thesis also looks at the environment that influenced his thinking. His life is interwoven with South African history. That he began his adult life shakily, spending his days in a drunken stupor at Johannesburg shebeens to being awarded the Order for Meritorious Service for his outstanding community work, makes him an interesting subject to look at. It’s a story of a man who vanquished his demons and, through his compassionate community engagement, became an asset to the country. It’s a story of redemption. As his private life attests, he was man with flaws – like anyone else. But Aggrey Klaaste strived to do what was right for his community at all times. He was a restless community builder.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mbonambi, Phakama
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Klaaste, Aggrey , Sowetan (Johannesburg, South Africa) , Newspaper editors -- South Africa -- Biography , Nation-building -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5999 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020882
- Description: This thesis looks at the life and times of Aggrey Klaaste, the larger-than-life late editor of Sowetan who shot to fame by championing a novel idea of nation building. His initiative started in 1988 as flames of violence engulfed South Africa and it seemed as if an apocalypse was on the cards. Sickened by what the frustrated black community was doing to itself, for example the use of the dreadful practice of necklacing against the so-called collaborators, he called for moral regeneration. He wanted his compatriots to look into the future and take their destiny in their own hands. Through nation building he tirelessly launched into crusading journalism that sought to heal the scars of the black community after decades of apartheid. It was grassroots community building. He rewarded ordinary men and women who made a difference in their communities. He actively sought peace to end the violence of the 1980s and 1990s. He spoke his mind without wearing any ideological blinkers, even as some thought his initiative would disturb the march to freedom. He was the ultimate newspaperman. This thesis argues that by calling for reconciliation and rebuilding of battered black communities even before freedom came, Klaaste was ahead of his time and even predated Nelson Mandela. Klaaste preferred to do what was right and not be shackled to any ideology. In doing so, he angered many people who felt his thinking was derailing the struggle for freedom. But Klaaste stressed that nation building was ideologically neutral and was meant for everyone. By contradicting prevailing political orthodoxy, he very likely risked his own life. But, like a true leader, he stuck to his convictions. Klaaste was exemplary in calling for reconciliation and building when others called for breaking. Ten years after he died, as the country still grapples with issues he raised in his popular weekly column On The Line, it is worth appraising his thinking and actions. The thesis also looks at the environment that influenced his thinking. His life is interwoven with South African history. That he began his adult life shakily, spending his days in a drunken stupor at Johannesburg shebeens to being awarded the Order for Meritorious Service for his outstanding community work, makes him an interesting subject to look at. It’s a story of a man who vanquished his demons and, through his compassionate community engagement, became an asset to the country. It’s a story of redemption. As his private life attests, he was man with flaws – like anyone else. But Aggrey Klaaste strived to do what was right for his community at all times. He was a restless community builder.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Aspects of the ecology and biology of the isopod, Exosphaeroma hylocoetes, (Barnard, 1940) in three temporarily open/closed southern African estuaries
- Authors: Henninger, Tony Oskar
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Estuaries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Isopoda -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Estuarine biology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Ruppia maritima
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5640 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005322
- Description: Temporarily open/closed estuaries (TOCE’s) are the numerically dominant type of estuary accounting for ≈ 70 % of all estuaries along the South African coastline. Despite their numerical dominance, aspects of the biology of organisms within these systems, particularly macrocrustacea remain poorly understood. This study firstly assessed the abundance and biomass of the most common isopod, Exosphaeroma hylocoetes, in three Eastern Cape TOCE’s, (the West Kleinemonde, East Kleinemonde and Kasouga Estuaries), and their response to mouth breaching events. This study was followed by aspects of the biology of the isopod including their utilisation of submerged macrophytes as a refuge from predation and/or possible food source, as well as the growth rates of the isopods in the laboratory under different environmental conditions. Mean isopod abundances and biomasses ranged between 0 and 4 791 ind. m⁻² and 0 and 9.65 mg dwt. m⁻² in the West Kleinemonde Estuary and between 0 and 108 ind. m⁻² and 0 and 0.318 mg dwt. m⁻² in the nearby East Kleinemonde Estuary. In the Kasouga Estuary, the values ranged between 0 and 3 650 ind. m⁻² and 0 and 5.105 mg dwt. m⁻². Temporal and spatial changes in the abundance and biomass of E. hylocoetes within the three systems was primarily linked to mouth phase, with populations declining when the mouth was open and to a lesser extent, seasonality. In all three estuaries maximum isopod abundances and biomasses were recorded in their middle and upper reaches, which could be ascribed to the presence of submerged macrophytes particularly Ruppia maritima, in two of the estuaries. Males (5.71 ± 0.41 mm) were significantly larger than females (3.99 ± 0.26 mm), but the sex ratios were skewed in favour of females, (a common feature in many isopod populations). Females were found carrying brood throughout the study, releasing offspring directly into the water column, to allow recruitment to the populations. The larger the female, the larger the brood carried (up to a maximum of 72 embryo/mancas). Results of laboratory experiments indicate that the close association of Exosphaeroma hylocoetes with submerged macrophytes is a result of the plant stands providing a refuge against predation by selected ichthyofauna. However stable carbon isotope and fatty acid analyses indicate that E. hylocoetes made use of ephiphytic algae and detritus on the stems of R. maritima, rather than the submerged macrophyte itself. There were no significant differences in the growth rates of male and female isopods at combinations of temperature (15 and 25 °C) and salinity (15 and 35 ‰). Laboratory growth studies revealed that males lived longer than females (25.77 ± 3.40 weeks vs 21.52 ± 3.00 weeks), and therefore achieved larger overall size. Females, however, reached sexual maturity (at 2.5 mm) at a faster rate (two to four weeks) than males (5.5 mm after 6.5 to 11 weeks), dependent on temperature. Exosphaeroma hylocoetes with its association with submerged macrophytes, early maturity, its growth rates and longevity, female-biased sex ratios and year-round breeding, all contribute to its success in temporary open/closed estuaries.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Henninger, Tony Oskar
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Estuaries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Isopoda -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Estuarine biology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Ruppia maritima
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5640 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005322
- Description: Temporarily open/closed estuaries (TOCE’s) are the numerically dominant type of estuary accounting for ≈ 70 % of all estuaries along the South African coastline. Despite their numerical dominance, aspects of the biology of organisms within these systems, particularly macrocrustacea remain poorly understood. This study firstly assessed the abundance and biomass of the most common isopod, Exosphaeroma hylocoetes, in three Eastern Cape TOCE’s, (the West Kleinemonde, East Kleinemonde and Kasouga Estuaries), and their response to mouth breaching events. This study was followed by aspects of the biology of the isopod including their utilisation of submerged macrophytes as a refuge from predation and/or possible food source, as well as the growth rates of the isopods in the laboratory under different environmental conditions. Mean isopod abundances and biomasses ranged between 0 and 4 791 ind. m⁻² and 0 and 9.65 mg dwt. m⁻² in the West Kleinemonde Estuary and between 0 and 108 ind. m⁻² and 0 and 0.318 mg dwt. m⁻² in the nearby East Kleinemonde Estuary. In the Kasouga Estuary, the values ranged between 0 and 3 650 ind. m⁻² and 0 and 5.105 mg dwt. m⁻². Temporal and spatial changes in the abundance and biomass of E. hylocoetes within the three systems was primarily linked to mouth phase, with populations declining when the mouth was open and to a lesser extent, seasonality. In all three estuaries maximum isopod abundances and biomasses were recorded in their middle and upper reaches, which could be ascribed to the presence of submerged macrophytes particularly Ruppia maritima, in two of the estuaries. Males (5.71 ± 0.41 mm) were significantly larger than females (3.99 ± 0.26 mm), but the sex ratios were skewed in favour of females, (a common feature in many isopod populations). Females were found carrying brood throughout the study, releasing offspring directly into the water column, to allow recruitment to the populations. The larger the female, the larger the brood carried (up to a maximum of 72 embryo/mancas). Results of laboratory experiments indicate that the close association of Exosphaeroma hylocoetes with submerged macrophytes is a result of the plant stands providing a refuge against predation by selected ichthyofauna. However stable carbon isotope and fatty acid analyses indicate that E. hylocoetes made use of ephiphytic algae and detritus on the stems of R. maritima, rather than the submerged macrophyte itself. There were no significant differences in the growth rates of male and female isopods at combinations of temperature (15 and 25 °C) and salinity (15 and 35 ‰). Laboratory growth studies revealed that males lived longer than females (25.77 ± 3.40 weeks vs 21.52 ± 3.00 weeks), and therefore achieved larger overall size. Females, however, reached sexual maturity (at 2.5 mm) at a faster rate (two to four weeks) than males (5.5 mm after 6.5 to 11 weeks), dependent on temperature. Exosphaeroma hylocoetes with its association with submerged macrophytes, early maturity, its growth rates and longevity, female-biased sex ratios and year-round breeding, all contribute to its success in temporary open/closed estuaries.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Developing a systematic model for the capturing and use of African oral poetry: the Bongani Sitole experience
- Authors: Mostert, Andre
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Sitole, Bongani, 1937- Communication and culture Oral tradition in literature Oral tradition -- Africa Ethnoscience -- Africa Folk poetry, African
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3579 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002154
- Description: Oral traditions and oral literature have long contributed to human communication. The advent of arguably the most important technology, the written word, altered human ability to create and develop. However, this development for all its potential and scope created one of the most insidious dichotomies. As the written word developed so too the oral word became devalued and pushed to the fringes of societal development. One of the unfortunate outcomes has been a focus on the nomenclatures associated with orality and oral tradition, which although of importance, has skewed where the focus could and should have been located, namely, how to support and maintain the oral word and its innate value to human society in the face of what has become rampant technological developments. It is now ironic that technology is creating a fecund environment for a rebirth of orality. The study aims to mobilize technauriture as a paradigm in order to further embed orality and oral traditions to coherently embrace this changing technological environment. The central tenet of the study is that in order to enhance the status of orality the innate value embodied in indigenous knowledge systems must be recognized. Using the work of Bongani Sitole, an oral poet, as a backdrop the study will demonstrate a basic model that can act as a foundation for the effective integration of orality into contemporary structures. This is based on work that I published in the Journal of African Contemporary Studies (2009). Given the obvious multi-disciplinary nature of the material the work covers a wide cross section of the debate, from questions of epistemology and knowledge in general in terms of oral traditions, through the consciousness and technical landscapes, via the experience with Sitole’s material to issues of copyright and ownership. This work has also been submitted for publication together with my supervisor as a co-author. The study intends to consolidate the technauriture debate and lay a solid foundation to support further study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Mostert, Andre
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Sitole, Bongani, 1937- Communication and culture Oral tradition in literature Oral tradition -- Africa Ethnoscience -- Africa Folk poetry, African
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3579 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002154
- Description: Oral traditions and oral literature have long contributed to human communication. The advent of arguably the most important technology, the written word, altered human ability to create and develop. However, this development for all its potential and scope created one of the most insidious dichotomies. As the written word developed so too the oral word became devalued and pushed to the fringes of societal development. One of the unfortunate outcomes has been a focus on the nomenclatures associated with orality and oral tradition, which although of importance, has skewed where the focus could and should have been located, namely, how to support and maintain the oral word and its innate value to human society in the face of what has become rampant technological developments. It is now ironic that technology is creating a fecund environment for a rebirth of orality. The study aims to mobilize technauriture as a paradigm in order to further embed orality and oral traditions to coherently embrace this changing technological environment. The central tenet of the study is that in order to enhance the status of orality the innate value embodied in indigenous knowledge systems must be recognized. Using the work of Bongani Sitole, an oral poet, as a backdrop the study will demonstrate a basic model that can act as a foundation for the effective integration of orality into contemporary structures. This is based on work that I published in the Journal of African Contemporary Studies (2009). Given the obvious multi-disciplinary nature of the material the work covers a wide cross section of the debate, from questions of epistemology and knowledge in general in terms of oral traditions, through the consciousness and technical landscapes, via the experience with Sitole’s material to issues of copyright and ownership. This work has also been submitted for publication together with my supervisor as a co-author. The study intends to consolidate the technauriture debate and lay a solid foundation to support further study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
On the use of metabolic rate measurements to assess the stress response in juvenile spotted grunter, Pomadasys commersonnii (Haemulidae, Pisces)
- Authors: Radull, John
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Fishes -- Metabolism Fishes -- Physiology Pomadasys -- Physiology Grunts (Fishes) -- Physiology Stress (Psychology) Stress (Physiology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5350 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007564
- Description: Quantitication of stress requires the use of a stress indicator that is easy to measure, and which can be readily interpreted in terms of the potential long-term effects to an organism. This study evaluates the suitability of metabolic rate as an indicator of the stress response in fish. By comparing the metabolic with the cortisol stress response, the most commonly used indicator of stress in fish, it was possible to assess the suitability of metabolic rate as a stress indicator. Changes in metabolic rate were used to predict the long-term effects of transport-related stressors. This study also detennined the baseline metabolic rates of the tish. The standard and the active metabolic rates of juvenile P. cummersonnii were 0.16 ± 0.02 (mean ± S.D, n = 6) mg O₂g⁻¹h⁻¹, and 0.56 ± 0.04 mg O₂g⁻¹h⁻¹, respectively, whereas the routine metabolic rate for the fish was 0.25 ± 0.03 mg O₂g⁻¹h¹. The relationship between metabolic rate and body weight was described by the equation ϺO₂ = 0.64 W⁻°·³⁸. 24-h oxygen consumption measurements showed that juvenile P. commersonnii exhibited diel rhythmicity in oxygen consumption rate, the higher rates occurring at night and the lower rates during the daytime. The higher nocturnal metabolic activity may have been due to increased activity induced by an endogenous rhythm related to feeding. Diel rhythmicity has direct implications for the measurement of baseline metabolic rates since it could result in overestimation or underestimation of these rates. 24-h continuous oxygen consumption measurements enabled the detection of the rhythmicity in oxygen consumption rate, and thereby ensured a greater degree of accuracy in the estimation of these parameters. The metabolic stress response in juvenile P. commersonnii was best described by the equation, y = -0.0013 x² + 0.0364 x ÷ 0.3052, where x = time after application of stressor, and y = oxygen consumption rate. Using the derivative of this equation, the metabolic stress response was estimated to peak approximately 14 min after application of a simulated capture and handling stressor. Oxygen consumption increased by about 300 % as a result of the stress. Approximately 15 min after application of a similar stressor, plasma cortisol levels in stressed fish was 200 % higher than baseline levels. However, cortisol levels in fish sampled 30 min after the disturbance was similar to the baseline cortisol levels, indicating that full recovery had occurred. Although the patterns in the metabolic and cortisol stress responses were similar, metabolic rate could be measured continuously, thereby ensuring accurate interpretation of the data. Furthermore, increases in metabolic rate during the stress response are a culmination of physiological events from the primary to the tertiary levels of biological organization and are, therefore, easier to interpret in terms of long-term effects on the fish. Different transportation procedures elicited variable degrees of stress in juvenile P. commersonnii. The cost of metabolism attributed to the effects of capture and handling was twice as much as that attributed to acute temperature elevation. Acute temperature decrease resulted in a signiticant reduction in the oxygen consumption rate (ANOVA, P < 0.05). Oxygen consumption by the fish was not affected by fish density (ANOVA: F = 2.002, P = 0.5), or by oxygen depletion at dissolved oxygen concentrations above the critical level. Below this level, however, oxygen consumption decreased linearly with further decrease in dissolved oxygen concentration. These results showed that the highest energetic cost to juvenile P. commersonnii was incurred as a result of capture and handling. The results also showed that by subjecting fish to different stressors, it was possible to categorize them according to their relative metabolic costs to the fish. At 25º C, the effective concentration of 2-phenoxyethanol to fully anaesthetize (Stage IV, McFarland 1960) juvenile P. commersonnii was 0.4 ml l⁻¹ and the most appropriate concentration for deep sedation (Stage II, McFarland 1960) of the fish for at least 24 h was 0.2 ml l⁻¹. A maximum of 3 minutes was required by the fish to recover from the effects of the anaesthetic. There was no correlation between fish weight and the rate of induction of anaesthesia (r² = 0.001, p = 0.3). At the peak of the metabolic stress response, oxygen consumption was twice as high in the un-anaesthetized fish compared to the fish anaesthetized after the application of the simulated capture and handling stressor, suggesting that anaesthetization with 2-phenoxyethanol may have reduced the effect of the disturbance on the fish. Similar oxygen consumption rates for the fish anaesthetized prior to capture and the non-stressed fish suggested that the increases in metabolic rate could be linked to the struggling associated with attempts by fish to escape from the perceived stressor. Anaesthetization of juvenile P. commersonnii with 0.3 ml l⁻¹ 2-phenoxyethanol resulted in a more than 200 % increase in plasma cortisol concentration. The elevated levels of plasma cortisol in the anaesthetized fish suggested a manifestation of 2-phenoxyethanol as a stressor. At the time of capture, cortisol levels in fish that were anaesthetized prior to capture were the same as those measured in the disturbed fish at the peak of the stress response (ANOVA, p = 0.95), suggesting that the anaesthetized fish were already experiencing considerable stress at the time they were captured. Undisturbed juvenile P. commersonnii that were anaesthetized for 1 h also had cortisol levels that were five times higher than those measured in undisturbed-unanaesthetized fish, indicating that the duration of exposure to the anaesthetic had a significant effect on plasma cortisol levels. The results presented in this study demonstrate the usefulness of metabolic rate as an indicator of acute stress in fish. This was achieved by comparing the metabolic and the cortisol stress responses. The ease and accuracy with which oxygen consumption of fish could be measured made it possible to measure the stress response more accurately than by plasma cortisol concentration. It was also possible to monitor metabolic rate continuously over a long duration using polarographic oxygen sensors, thus enabling a better evaluation of the stress response. These results, thus, suggest that metabolic rate measurements could be a more practical way to quantify the effects of acute stressors on juvenile fishes. By detailing the profile of the metabolic stress response in P. commersonnii, this study makes a contribution towards understanding the physiological effects of stress in fishes. The study also contributes towards the quantification of baseline metabolic rates of this species under captivity. This study also contributes towards understanding the effects of 2-phenoxyethanol on the stress physiology of fish. By anaesthetizing fish under different conditions of stress, it was possible to evaluate the effect of 2-phenoxyethanol on the metabolic stress response. The ability of 2-phenoxyethanol to reduce physical activity of the fish, and thereby reduce the impact of acute stress on the metabolic stress response, makes it a good agent for the mitigation of stress during the capture and handling of fish. However, the increase in plasma cortisol concentration during prolonged anaesthetization using this drug suggests that the anaesthetic might be a stressor to fish and may, therefore, not be suitable for long-term sedation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: Radull, John
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Fishes -- Metabolism Fishes -- Physiology Pomadasys -- Physiology Grunts (Fishes) -- Physiology Stress (Psychology) Stress (Physiology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5350 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007564
- Description: Quantitication of stress requires the use of a stress indicator that is easy to measure, and which can be readily interpreted in terms of the potential long-term effects to an organism. This study evaluates the suitability of metabolic rate as an indicator of the stress response in fish. By comparing the metabolic with the cortisol stress response, the most commonly used indicator of stress in fish, it was possible to assess the suitability of metabolic rate as a stress indicator. Changes in metabolic rate were used to predict the long-term effects of transport-related stressors. This study also detennined the baseline metabolic rates of the tish. The standard and the active metabolic rates of juvenile P. cummersonnii were 0.16 ± 0.02 (mean ± S.D, n = 6) mg O₂g⁻¹h⁻¹, and 0.56 ± 0.04 mg O₂g⁻¹h⁻¹, respectively, whereas the routine metabolic rate for the fish was 0.25 ± 0.03 mg O₂g⁻¹h¹. The relationship between metabolic rate and body weight was described by the equation ϺO₂ = 0.64 W⁻°·³⁸. 24-h oxygen consumption measurements showed that juvenile P. commersonnii exhibited diel rhythmicity in oxygen consumption rate, the higher rates occurring at night and the lower rates during the daytime. The higher nocturnal metabolic activity may have been due to increased activity induced by an endogenous rhythm related to feeding. Diel rhythmicity has direct implications for the measurement of baseline metabolic rates since it could result in overestimation or underestimation of these rates. 24-h continuous oxygen consumption measurements enabled the detection of the rhythmicity in oxygen consumption rate, and thereby ensured a greater degree of accuracy in the estimation of these parameters. The metabolic stress response in juvenile P. commersonnii was best described by the equation, y = -0.0013 x² + 0.0364 x ÷ 0.3052, where x = time after application of stressor, and y = oxygen consumption rate. Using the derivative of this equation, the metabolic stress response was estimated to peak approximately 14 min after application of a simulated capture and handling stressor. Oxygen consumption increased by about 300 % as a result of the stress. Approximately 15 min after application of a similar stressor, plasma cortisol levels in stressed fish was 200 % higher than baseline levels. However, cortisol levels in fish sampled 30 min after the disturbance was similar to the baseline cortisol levels, indicating that full recovery had occurred. Although the patterns in the metabolic and cortisol stress responses were similar, metabolic rate could be measured continuously, thereby ensuring accurate interpretation of the data. Furthermore, increases in metabolic rate during the stress response are a culmination of physiological events from the primary to the tertiary levels of biological organization and are, therefore, easier to interpret in terms of long-term effects on the fish. Different transportation procedures elicited variable degrees of stress in juvenile P. commersonnii. The cost of metabolism attributed to the effects of capture and handling was twice as much as that attributed to acute temperature elevation. Acute temperature decrease resulted in a signiticant reduction in the oxygen consumption rate (ANOVA, P < 0.05). Oxygen consumption by the fish was not affected by fish density (ANOVA: F = 2.002, P = 0.5), or by oxygen depletion at dissolved oxygen concentrations above the critical level. Below this level, however, oxygen consumption decreased linearly with further decrease in dissolved oxygen concentration. These results showed that the highest energetic cost to juvenile P. commersonnii was incurred as a result of capture and handling. The results also showed that by subjecting fish to different stressors, it was possible to categorize them according to their relative metabolic costs to the fish. At 25º C, the effective concentration of 2-phenoxyethanol to fully anaesthetize (Stage IV, McFarland 1960) juvenile P. commersonnii was 0.4 ml l⁻¹ and the most appropriate concentration for deep sedation (Stage II, McFarland 1960) of the fish for at least 24 h was 0.2 ml l⁻¹. A maximum of 3 minutes was required by the fish to recover from the effects of the anaesthetic. There was no correlation between fish weight and the rate of induction of anaesthesia (r² = 0.001, p = 0.3). At the peak of the metabolic stress response, oxygen consumption was twice as high in the un-anaesthetized fish compared to the fish anaesthetized after the application of the simulated capture and handling stressor, suggesting that anaesthetization with 2-phenoxyethanol may have reduced the effect of the disturbance on the fish. Similar oxygen consumption rates for the fish anaesthetized prior to capture and the non-stressed fish suggested that the increases in metabolic rate could be linked to the struggling associated with attempts by fish to escape from the perceived stressor. Anaesthetization of juvenile P. commersonnii with 0.3 ml l⁻¹ 2-phenoxyethanol resulted in a more than 200 % increase in plasma cortisol concentration. The elevated levels of plasma cortisol in the anaesthetized fish suggested a manifestation of 2-phenoxyethanol as a stressor. At the time of capture, cortisol levels in fish that were anaesthetized prior to capture were the same as those measured in the disturbed fish at the peak of the stress response (ANOVA, p = 0.95), suggesting that the anaesthetized fish were already experiencing considerable stress at the time they were captured. Undisturbed juvenile P. commersonnii that were anaesthetized for 1 h also had cortisol levels that were five times higher than those measured in undisturbed-unanaesthetized fish, indicating that the duration of exposure to the anaesthetic had a significant effect on plasma cortisol levels. The results presented in this study demonstrate the usefulness of metabolic rate as an indicator of acute stress in fish. This was achieved by comparing the metabolic and the cortisol stress responses. The ease and accuracy with which oxygen consumption of fish could be measured made it possible to measure the stress response more accurately than by plasma cortisol concentration. It was also possible to monitor metabolic rate continuously over a long duration using polarographic oxygen sensors, thus enabling a better evaluation of the stress response. These results, thus, suggest that metabolic rate measurements could be a more practical way to quantify the effects of acute stressors on juvenile fishes. By detailing the profile of the metabolic stress response in P. commersonnii, this study makes a contribution towards understanding the physiological effects of stress in fishes. The study also contributes towards the quantification of baseline metabolic rates of this species under captivity. This study also contributes towards understanding the effects of 2-phenoxyethanol on the stress physiology of fish. By anaesthetizing fish under different conditions of stress, it was possible to evaluate the effect of 2-phenoxyethanol on the metabolic stress response. The ability of 2-phenoxyethanol to reduce physical activity of the fish, and thereby reduce the impact of acute stress on the metabolic stress response, makes it a good agent for the mitigation of stress during the capture and handling of fish. However, the increase in plasma cortisol concentration during prolonged anaesthetization using this drug suggests that the anaesthetic might be a stressor to fish and may, therefore, not be suitable for long-term sedation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
The electrochemical hydroxylation of aromatic substrates
- Authors: Rautenbach, Daniel
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Aromatic compounds , Hydroxylation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:10959 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/94 , Aromatic compounds , Hydroxylation
- Description: The electrochemical hydroxylation of aromatic substrates was investigated in some detail, with the view to develop a method, which could produce dihydroxybenzenes in acceptable yields. Of particular interest was the selectivity and yield of the 1,4-dihydroxybenzenes. Two distinctly different methods were investigated in order to achieve this goal, acyloxylation and direct electrochemical hydroxylation. Acyloxylation is the process where radical cations generated at the anode undergoes nucleophilic attack by acetate anions. The resulting aromatic acetates so produced can then be hydrolysed to the phenolic compounds. Two nucleophile systems were considered in the investigation, acetates (acetoxylation) and trifluoro-acetates (trifluoro-acetoxylation). These investigations were conducted under a variety of conditions using phenol and phenyl acetate as starting materials. From the results it was, however, concluded that the acetoxylation of these aromatic compounds occurs in unacceptable product and current yields. Trifluoro-acetoxylation on the other hand showed promise, but due to the nature and cost of the reagents it was deemed to be an impractical process. Direct electrochemical hydroxylation: in which the radical cations produced at the anode undergoes nucleophilic attack by water producing the corresponding dihydroxybenzenes. These dihydroxybenzenes are then further oxidised to the benzoquinones, which then undergo reduction at the cathode in order to produce the corresponding dihydroxybenzene. In this process phenol, 2-tert-butylphenol and 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol were investigated as substrates. The results indicated that the yield towards the 1,4-dihdroxybenzenes increased as the degree of substitution on the ring increased.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Rautenbach, Daniel
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Aromatic compounds , Hydroxylation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:10959 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/94 , Aromatic compounds , Hydroxylation
- Description: The electrochemical hydroxylation of aromatic substrates was investigated in some detail, with the view to develop a method, which could produce dihydroxybenzenes in acceptable yields. Of particular interest was the selectivity and yield of the 1,4-dihydroxybenzenes. Two distinctly different methods were investigated in order to achieve this goal, acyloxylation and direct electrochemical hydroxylation. Acyloxylation is the process where radical cations generated at the anode undergoes nucleophilic attack by acetate anions. The resulting aromatic acetates so produced can then be hydrolysed to the phenolic compounds. Two nucleophile systems were considered in the investigation, acetates (acetoxylation) and trifluoro-acetates (trifluoro-acetoxylation). These investigations were conducted under a variety of conditions using phenol and phenyl acetate as starting materials. From the results it was, however, concluded that the acetoxylation of these aromatic compounds occurs in unacceptable product and current yields. Trifluoro-acetoxylation on the other hand showed promise, but due to the nature and cost of the reagents it was deemed to be an impractical process. Direct electrochemical hydroxylation: in which the radical cations produced at the anode undergoes nucleophilic attack by water producing the corresponding dihydroxybenzenes. These dihydroxybenzenes are then further oxidised to the benzoquinones, which then undergo reduction at the cathode in order to produce the corresponding dihydroxybenzene. In this process phenol, 2-tert-butylphenol and 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol were investigated as substrates. The results indicated that the yield towards the 1,4-dihdroxybenzenes increased as the degree of substitution on the ring increased.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Misconceptions in electrostatics among learners at university entry point: a South African case study
- Muthiraparampil, Susamma Thomas
- Authors: Muthiraparampil, Susamma Thomas
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Electrostatics -- Learners -- Education (Tertiary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:18450 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1007755
- Description: The study explored misconceptions in electrostatics and their origins amongst learners at entry point in a South African University. Available literature showed misconceptions in electrostatics amongst High School learners and confirmed textbooks as one of the sources of misconceptions. It was therefore important to look for misconceptions in electrostatics amongst first year Bachelor of Science (B.Sc 1) learners in physics courses and their origins at the start of the academic year. The study also explored educators' misconceptions in the topic to check whether they could also be a source of learners' misconceptions. The results were intended to give guidance on how to eliminate learners' misconceptions at school rather than carrying them to higher education institutions. The study used the ex-post facto research design and was a case-study. The ex-post facto research design enabled the researcher to investigate whether one or more pre-existing conditions have possibly caused the existing problem of misconceptions. The sample consisted of 198 learners from B.Sc 1 physics course and 28 educators from 15 High Schools in one education district in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The data were collected through questionnaires, analysis of textbooks, and interviews. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17 was used for quantitative analysis whereas categorization and coding were used for qualitative analysis. The study revealed that learners had misconceptions in electrostatics. The origins of misconceptions were traced to educators, textbooks, intuition, daily language and lack of hands-on activities. It emerged from the study that educators also had misconceptions and the cause of their misconceptions were textbooks, websites and gaps in content knowledge. The recommendations from the study were the following: identify preliminary knowledge of learners during introduction of the lesson; introduce the iii constructivist approach to teaching in the teacher training curriculum so that learners at school can be taught using the same approach; frequent upgrading of educators through inservice workshops to reduce educators' misconceptions which, in turn, will help to reduce the misconceptions among learners; introduction of conceptual change textbooks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Muthiraparampil, Susamma Thomas
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Electrostatics -- Learners -- Education (Tertiary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:18450 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1007755
- Description: The study explored misconceptions in electrostatics and their origins amongst learners at entry point in a South African University. Available literature showed misconceptions in electrostatics amongst High School learners and confirmed textbooks as one of the sources of misconceptions. It was therefore important to look for misconceptions in electrostatics amongst first year Bachelor of Science (B.Sc 1) learners in physics courses and their origins at the start of the academic year. The study also explored educators' misconceptions in the topic to check whether they could also be a source of learners' misconceptions. The results were intended to give guidance on how to eliminate learners' misconceptions at school rather than carrying them to higher education institutions. The study used the ex-post facto research design and was a case-study. The ex-post facto research design enabled the researcher to investigate whether one or more pre-existing conditions have possibly caused the existing problem of misconceptions. The sample consisted of 198 learners from B.Sc 1 physics course and 28 educators from 15 High Schools in one education district in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The data were collected through questionnaires, analysis of textbooks, and interviews. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17 was used for quantitative analysis whereas categorization and coding were used for qualitative analysis. The study revealed that learners had misconceptions in electrostatics. The origins of misconceptions were traced to educators, textbooks, intuition, daily language and lack of hands-on activities. It emerged from the study that educators also had misconceptions and the cause of their misconceptions were textbooks, websites and gaps in content knowledge. The recommendations from the study were the following: identify preliminary knowledge of learners during introduction of the lesson; introduce the iii constructivist approach to teaching in the teacher training curriculum so that learners at school can be taught using the same approach; frequent upgrading of educators through inservice workshops to reduce educators' misconceptions which, in turn, will help to reduce the misconceptions among learners; introduction of conceptual change textbooks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A critical analysis of South African underground comics
- Authors: Breytenbach, Jesse-Ann
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: Underground comic books, strips, etc. -- South Africa -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2396 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002192
- Description: In a critical analysis of several independantly produced South African comics of the 1980s and early 1990s, close analysis of the comics leads to an assessment of the artists'intentions and purposes. Discussion of the artists' sources focuses on definitions of different types of comics. What is defined as a comic is usually what has been produced under that definition, and these comics are positioned somewhere between the popular and fine art contexts. As the artists are amateurs, the mechanical structure of comics is exposed through their skill in manipulating, and their initial ignorance of, many comic conventions. By comparison to one another, and to the standard format of commercial comics, some explanation of how a comic works can be reached. The element of closure, bridging the gaps between frames, is unique to comics, and is the most important consideration. Comic artists work with the intangible, creating from static elements an illusion of motion. If the artist deals primarily with what is on the page rather than what is not, the comic remains static. Questions of quality are reliant on the skill with which closure is implemented. The art students who produced these comics are of a generation for whom popular culture is the dominant culture, and they create for an audience of peers. Their cultural milieu is more visual than verbal, and often more media oriented than that of their teachers. They must integrate a fine art training and understanding into the preset rules of a commercial medium. Confronted with the problem of a separation of languages, they evolve a new dialect. Through comparative and critical analyses I will show how this dialect differs from the language of conventional comics, attempting in particular to explain how the mechanics of the cornie medium can limit or expand its communicative potential.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
- Authors: Breytenbach, Jesse-Ann
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: Underground comic books, strips, etc. -- South Africa -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2396 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002192
- Description: In a critical analysis of several independantly produced South African comics of the 1980s and early 1990s, close analysis of the comics leads to an assessment of the artists'intentions and purposes. Discussion of the artists' sources focuses on definitions of different types of comics. What is defined as a comic is usually what has been produced under that definition, and these comics are positioned somewhere between the popular and fine art contexts. As the artists are amateurs, the mechanical structure of comics is exposed through their skill in manipulating, and their initial ignorance of, many comic conventions. By comparison to one another, and to the standard format of commercial comics, some explanation of how a comic works can be reached. The element of closure, bridging the gaps between frames, is unique to comics, and is the most important consideration. Comic artists work with the intangible, creating from static elements an illusion of motion. If the artist deals primarily with what is on the page rather than what is not, the comic remains static. Questions of quality are reliant on the skill with which closure is implemented. The art students who produced these comics are of a generation for whom popular culture is the dominant culture, and they create for an audience of peers. Their cultural milieu is more visual than verbal, and often more media oriented than that of their teachers. They must integrate a fine art training and understanding into the preset rules of a commercial medium. Confronted with the problem of a separation of languages, they evolve a new dialect. Through comparative and critical analyses I will show how this dialect differs from the language of conventional comics, attempting in particular to explain how the mechanics of the cornie medium can limit or expand its communicative potential.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
An exploration of the role of uniforms in contributing to the embedding and transmitting of organizational culture
- Authors: Gibson-Tessendorf, Cornel
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Organizational behavior Corporate culture Clothing and dress -- Social aspects Employees -- Uniform Uniforms
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:1170 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002786
- Description: Many companies today are using some form of uniforms for employees. This research is an exploration of the role of uniforms in contributing to the embedding and transmitting of organizational culture. Culture is the experiences and common learning of the organization that results in shared values and beliefs. According to Schein (1985: 14) culture has three levels, namely: artifacts, values, and basic underlying assumptions. The first level of the culture consists of the physical constructs of the organization, and therefore includes the uniforms, which is the focus of this study. Schein (1985: 223) further proposes that culture can be embedded and transmitted through various mechanisms. The research was conducted in the constructivist paradigm, at a tertiary institution of higher learning in Eastern Cape, South Africa. To ensure triangulation, three sources of data were used, namely: documentation; observation; and both individual and focus group interviews. The researcher argues that uniforms played a role in the embedding of the sample organization’s three levels of culture, which were expressed in terms of Hofstede’s (1991: 07) culture dimensions. Firstly, the use of the different uniforms by different groups, as well as the ranking indicated by the uniforms, played a role in embedding the high power distance culture. Secondly, the symbolism of security portrayed by the uniform played a role in embedding the high uncertainty avoidance culture. Thirdly, it was found that the uniform created unity amongst groups, resulting in greater expression of collectivism. Fourthly, the use of sensible and practical uniforms plays a role in embedding the feminine culture where competitiveness is avoided and relationships are nurtured. Lastly, the uniform plays a possible role in transforming the culture from short-term to a long-term orientation that focuses on the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Gibson-Tessendorf, Cornel
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Organizational behavior Corporate culture Clothing and dress -- Social aspects Employees -- Uniform Uniforms
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:1170 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002786
- Description: Many companies today are using some form of uniforms for employees. This research is an exploration of the role of uniforms in contributing to the embedding and transmitting of organizational culture. Culture is the experiences and common learning of the organization that results in shared values and beliefs. According to Schein (1985: 14) culture has three levels, namely: artifacts, values, and basic underlying assumptions. The first level of the culture consists of the physical constructs of the organization, and therefore includes the uniforms, which is the focus of this study. Schein (1985: 223) further proposes that culture can be embedded and transmitted through various mechanisms. The research was conducted in the constructivist paradigm, at a tertiary institution of higher learning in Eastern Cape, South Africa. To ensure triangulation, three sources of data were used, namely: documentation; observation; and both individual and focus group interviews. The researcher argues that uniforms played a role in the embedding of the sample organization’s three levels of culture, which were expressed in terms of Hofstede’s (1991: 07) culture dimensions. Firstly, the use of the different uniforms by different groups, as well as the ranking indicated by the uniforms, played a role in embedding the high power distance culture. Secondly, the symbolism of security portrayed by the uniform played a role in embedding the high uncertainty avoidance culture. Thirdly, it was found that the uniform created unity amongst groups, resulting in greater expression of collectivism. Fourthly, the use of sensible and practical uniforms plays a role in embedding the feminine culture where competitiveness is avoided and relationships are nurtured. Lastly, the uniform plays a possible role in transforming the culture from short-term to a long-term orientation that focuses on the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Love Interrupted (Short story anthology)
- Authors: Malatji, Reneilwe
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:21016 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6004
- Description: This collection of stories focuses on struggles between black South African men and women. Several of the stories explore how the rise of the affluent and powerful black woman is redefining relationships. Other stories in the collection describe women who do not know how to free themselves from their subservient role, or do not want to. Issues of interracial relations between blacks and whites in contemporary South Africa also feature in most of the stories.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Malatji, Reneilwe
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:21016 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6004
- Description: This collection of stories focuses on struggles between black South African men and women. Several of the stories explore how the rise of the affluent and powerful black woman is redefining relationships. Other stories in the collection describe women who do not know how to free themselves from their subservient role, or do not want to. Issues of interracial relations between blacks and whites in contemporary South Africa also feature in most of the stories.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Synthesis and characterization of binary and ternary palladium alloys for use as alternative counter electrode catalysts in dye sensitized solar cells
- Authors: Zingwe, Nyengerai Hillary
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electrocatalysis Chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Chemistry)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18513 , vital:42580
- Description: The dye sensitized solar cell counter electrode facilitates the regeneration of the dye molecules thereby ensuring the provision of higher sunlight to electricity conversion efficiency. The standard platinum electrode suffers from low efficiency due to corrosion by the redox mediator as well as being extremely expensive due to high demand. As an alternative this research study illustrates the efforts undertaken to replace the standard platinum counter electrode with palladium alloy counter electrodes. Application of palladium alloys ensures sustenance of high catalytic activity by palladium which is as effective as platinum. Although palladium is equally as expensive as platinum, its application in the form of alloys minimizes the amount required to produce an effective counter electrode to 0.001-0.004 moles thereby ensuring the provision of high efficiency at a lower cost. Furthermore, charge transfer from the other alloyed elements to the palladium atom increases active sites leading to higher catalytic activity than platinum. Additionally, changes in crystal structure due to alloying enhances resistance to corrosion thus enabling the longevity of the alloy counter electrode in the electrolyte ___________________________________________________________________________ Electrochemical analysis was conducted to determine the catalytic functionality of the developed alloys in cobalt, ferrocene and iodine redox mediators. The binary (PdNi-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and PdCo-rGO) and ternary (PdNiCo-rGO) palladium alloys were fabricated via a hydrothermal method. In order to determine the composition which could provide the maximum activity, optimization was conducted through variation of the molar ratios of the precursor solutions. The properties of the synthesized palladium alloys were determined using various techniques including x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The developed alloys were observed to comprise of palladium, nickel, cobalt, and carbon atoms. The particles were spherical in nature for all the unsupported alloys with the carbon supported alloys exhibiting spherical particle wholly surrounded by graphene sheets. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis showed that the carbon supported alloys PdNi-rGO, PdCo-rGO and PdNiCo-rGO produced the highest catalytic activities due to the synergy between their respective alloys and the incorporated reduced graphene oxide. The high catalytic effectiveness of these alloys yielded power conversion efficiency in the order PdNiCo-rGO (9.01) > PdNi-rGO (8.4.%) > PdCo-rGO (6.56%) > Pt (5.7%) which were better than the platinum efficiency in the cobalt redox mediator. The higher efficiency in the cobalt redox mediator relative to the iodine electrolyte illustrates that they are viable alternatives to the, corrosive and volatile iodine. Obtained results show that, the high recombination rates between the photogenerated electrons and the oxidized dye molecule which have been reported to reduce power conversion efficiency in one electron redox mediators did not affect the performance of the cell. However, these higher recombination rates affected the ferrocene electrolyte leading to extremely poor efficiency metrics. The obtained results indicated that reduced graphene oxide supported PdNi-rGO, PdNiCo-rGO as well as the unsupported PdNi3 alloys could successfully be implemented as substitutes to the platinum counter electrode in dye sensitized solar cells. The application of the palladium alloys is vital for improving stability and power conversion efficiency, as well as reducing cost.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Zingwe, Nyengerai Hillary
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electrocatalysis Chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Chemistry)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18513 , vital:42580
- Description: The dye sensitized solar cell counter electrode facilitates the regeneration of the dye molecules thereby ensuring the provision of higher sunlight to electricity conversion efficiency. The standard platinum electrode suffers from low efficiency due to corrosion by the redox mediator as well as being extremely expensive due to high demand. As an alternative this research study illustrates the efforts undertaken to replace the standard platinum counter electrode with palladium alloy counter electrodes. Application of palladium alloys ensures sustenance of high catalytic activity by palladium which is as effective as platinum. Although palladium is equally as expensive as platinum, its application in the form of alloys minimizes the amount required to produce an effective counter electrode to 0.001-0.004 moles thereby ensuring the provision of high efficiency at a lower cost. Furthermore, charge transfer from the other alloyed elements to the palladium atom increases active sites leading to higher catalytic activity than platinum. Additionally, changes in crystal structure due to alloying enhances resistance to corrosion thus enabling the longevity of the alloy counter electrode in the electrolyte ___________________________________________________________________________ Electrochemical analysis was conducted to determine the catalytic functionality of the developed alloys in cobalt, ferrocene and iodine redox mediators. The binary (PdNi-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and PdCo-rGO) and ternary (PdNiCo-rGO) palladium alloys were fabricated via a hydrothermal method. In order to determine the composition which could provide the maximum activity, optimization was conducted through variation of the molar ratios of the precursor solutions. The properties of the synthesized palladium alloys were determined using various techniques including x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The developed alloys were observed to comprise of palladium, nickel, cobalt, and carbon atoms. The particles were spherical in nature for all the unsupported alloys with the carbon supported alloys exhibiting spherical particle wholly surrounded by graphene sheets. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis showed that the carbon supported alloys PdNi-rGO, PdCo-rGO and PdNiCo-rGO produced the highest catalytic activities due to the synergy between their respective alloys and the incorporated reduced graphene oxide. The high catalytic effectiveness of these alloys yielded power conversion efficiency in the order PdNiCo-rGO (9.01) > PdNi-rGO (8.4.%) > PdCo-rGO (6.56%) > Pt (5.7%) which were better than the platinum efficiency in the cobalt redox mediator. The higher efficiency in the cobalt redox mediator relative to the iodine electrolyte illustrates that they are viable alternatives to the, corrosive and volatile iodine. Obtained results show that, the high recombination rates between the photogenerated electrons and the oxidized dye molecule which have been reported to reduce power conversion efficiency in one electron redox mediators did not affect the performance of the cell. However, these higher recombination rates affected the ferrocene electrolyte leading to extremely poor efficiency metrics. The obtained results indicated that reduced graphene oxide supported PdNi-rGO, PdNiCo-rGO as well as the unsupported PdNi3 alloys could successfully be implemented as substitutes to the platinum counter electrode in dye sensitized solar cells. The application of the palladium alloys is vital for improving stability and power conversion efficiency, as well as reducing cost.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
“Bold Distinguished You”: a critical discourse analysis of the representation of masculinity in Destiny Man, 2012 - 2013
- Authors: Hutcheson, Lauren
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/56032 , vital:26767
- Description: Radical social and economic changes have transformed the employment opportunities available to black men in South Africa, and consumer magazines like Destiny Man have been quick to respond. Historical shifts in the configuration of an ideal black masculinity have been proposed over time in magazine representations of black men. Critiques of the representations of black men in consumer magazines pre- and post- independence interrogate the politics of the ways in which black masculinity has been, and is, configured around classed identities. In this study, I present the findings of a critical discourse analysis (CDA) on the construction and representation of masculinity within a contemporary South African’s men’s lifestyle magazine, Destiny Man. This study presents an analysis of the subject positions that this magazine constructs for its male readers. Destiny Man proposes particular kinds of discursive subjects in its sets of representations, both in word and image. The images and copy validate a neo-liberal elite masculinity achieved through self-surveillance and a variety of technologies of self, with the ultimate focus on material success. I argue that these representations have implications for the development of masculinities in a context marked by extreme inequality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Hutcheson, Lauren
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/56032 , vital:26767
- Description: Radical social and economic changes have transformed the employment opportunities available to black men in South Africa, and consumer magazines like Destiny Man have been quick to respond. Historical shifts in the configuration of an ideal black masculinity have been proposed over time in magazine representations of black men. Critiques of the representations of black men in consumer magazines pre- and post- independence interrogate the politics of the ways in which black masculinity has been, and is, configured around classed identities. In this study, I present the findings of a critical discourse analysis (CDA) on the construction and representation of masculinity within a contemporary South African’s men’s lifestyle magazine, Destiny Man. This study presents an analysis of the subject positions that this magazine constructs for its male readers. Destiny Man proposes particular kinds of discursive subjects in its sets of representations, both in word and image. The images and copy validate a neo-liberal elite masculinity achieved through self-surveillance and a variety of technologies of self, with the ultimate focus on material success. I argue that these representations have implications for the development of masculinities in a context marked by extreme inequality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
A study of Ted Hughes's Birthday letters
- Authors: Highman, Kathryn Barbara
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Hughes, Ted, 1930-1998 Criticism and interpretation Hughes, Ted, 1930-1998 Birthday Letters
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2193 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002235
- Description: This thesis focusses on the literary self-reflexivity of Birthday Letters, Ted Hughes's collection of poems addressed to his long-dead first wife, poet Sylvia Plath. By close attention to the language of select poems and a discussion of cross-referencing images and allusions across the volume, and intertextually, I argue that the collection is more self-consciously ordered and designed than the mainly biographical criticism the work has met with suggests. The thesis focusses on the poets' art rather than the biographical context of Birthday Letters, though it does not draw a neat distinction between their lives and their poetry - rather it demonstrates how Birthday Letters itself treats the relationship of art to life thematically. The introduction outlines the context of the volume's genesis and publication and the notions of poetry, myth and drama out of which Hughes works, and introduces the central metaphor of metamorphosis as figured in Ariel's song "Full Fathom Five" from The Tempest, as well as the importance of that play to Plath. Each of the chapters that follow focusses on a cluster of inter-related imagery through a discussion of four or five key poems. Chapter One examines Hughes's portrayal of himself as imprisoned by Plath's poetic portraits, and relates this to the recurring motifs of the snapshot and the Medusa myth. The poems discussed emphasize Hughes's consciousness of the metamorphic and "magical" relationship of art to life. The second chapter discusses Hughes's use of the myth of the labyrinth and the Minotaur, tracing it back to Plath's writings and reading, and pointing out its self-reflexivity: the labyrinth figures Hughes's own loss as well as the labyrinthine nature of writing. The third chapter considers the themes of possession and loss, and how they attach themselves to images of houses and jewels. Possession and loss tum, self-reflexively, upon issues of inheritance and remembrance, notably Hughes's inheritance of Plath's poetic legacy, and his remembrance of her and her poetry through his own poetry. The conclusion pursues connections between the observations made in the separate chapters, outlining the larger context out of which the poems emerge, and returning to the trope of metamorphosis as figured in "Full Fathom Five"
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Highman, Kathryn Barbara
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Hughes, Ted, 1930-1998 Criticism and interpretation Hughes, Ted, 1930-1998 Birthday Letters
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2193 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002235
- Description: This thesis focusses on the literary self-reflexivity of Birthday Letters, Ted Hughes's collection of poems addressed to his long-dead first wife, poet Sylvia Plath. By close attention to the language of select poems and a discussion of cross-referencing images and allusions across the volume, and intertextually, I argue that the collection is more self-consciously ordered and designed than the mainly biographical criticism the work has met with suggests. The thesis focusses on the poets' art rather than the biographical context of Birthday Letters, though it does not draw a neat distinction between their lives and their poetry - rather it demonstrates how Birthday Letters itself treats the relationship of art to life thematically. The introduction outlines the context of the volume's genesis and publication and the notions of poetry, myth and drama out of which Hughes works, and introduces the central metaphor of metamorphosis as figured in Ariel's song "Full Fathom Five" from The Tempest, as well as the importance of that play to Plath. Each of the chapters that follow focusses on a cluster of inter-related imagery through a discussion of four or five key poems. Chapter One examines Hughes's portrayal of himself as imprisoned by Plath's poetic portraits, and relates this to the recurring motifs of the snapshot and the Medusa myth. The poems discussed emphasize Hughes's consciousness of the metamorphic and "magical" relationship of art to life. The second chapter discusses Hughes's use of the myth of the labyrinth and the Minotaur, tracing it back to Plath's writings and reading, and pointing out its self-reflexivity: the labyrinth figures Hughes's own loss as well as the labyrinthine nature of writing. The third chapter considers the themes of possession and loss, and how they attach themselves to images of houses and jewels. Possession and loss tum, self-reflexively, upon issues of inheritance and remembrance, notably Hughes's inheritance of Plath's poetic legacy, and his remembrance of her and her poetry through his own poetry. The conclusion pursues connections between the observations made in the separate chapters, outlining the larger context out of which the poems emerge, and returning to the trope of metamorphosis as figured in "Full Fathom Five"
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004