Disentangling the role of prokaryotes in regulating export flux via suspended and sinking organic matter in the southern ocean
- Authors: Dithugoe, Choaro David
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Microbial ecology , Bioinformatics , Biochemistry , Oceanography , Metagenomics , Carbon cycle (Biogeochemistry) , Prokaryotes
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365745 , vital:65782 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/365745
- Description: The role of phytoplankton in regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide in the marine environment has been the subject of extensive research. We lack, however, comparative insights regarding the functional contributions of bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses (the microbiota) to organic matter export especially in understudied polar marine environments such as the Southern Ocean. This knowledge deficit is in part due to the high levels of microbial diversity which obscures efforts to study the relationship between diversity and ecosystem functions including their roles in the sequestration of carbon and nitrogen. Elucidating their precise contributions to organic matter export may be central to potential ecosystems feedbacks to global climate change. We examined several factors which may influence organic matter export to depth including net primary production, phytoplankton biomass, temperature, and prokaryotic functional capacity in the Southern Ocean. A Marine Snow Catcher was used to collect suspended and sinking material 10 metres below mixed layer depth at Southern Ocean Time Series (SOTS) in autumn (March-April) and in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean in winter (July-August) and spring (October-November) 2019. The suspended and sinking material was used to determine the particulate organic carbon and nitrogen concentrations which were then used to calculate fluxes and export ratio ((e-ratio) - particulate organic carbon flux divided by net primary production). Additionally, genomic DNA was extracted from the suspended and sinking material and sequenced to obtain Shotgun metagenomic data which was employed to reconstruct metagenome assembled genome (MAGs) and their functional capacity using bioinformatic tools such as DRAM. Data from the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean, demonstrate that net primary production and temperature were inversely related to the e-ratio which is consistent with previous findings from the northern region of the Southern Ocean. Genomic functional capacity from SOTS suggested that r-strategist (organisms adapted to live in unstable environments) bacteria (e.g., Gammaproteobacteria) were prominent in the suspended pool. By contrast, the sinking particle-pool appeared to be dominated by K- strategists (organisms adapted to stable environment). The opposite was true for the archaea. This finding (i.e., bacteria) differs from a previous study in the northern region of the Southern Ocean, showing that microbes with K-strategists were more abundant in the suspended fraction. K-strategists typically degrade sinking organic matter into suspended organic matter or dissolved organic matter reducing the organic carbon export efficiency. Furthermore, Data from the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean revealed that seasonal temperature changes might dictate the rate of regional prokaryotic degradation across the zones. Resulting in rapid degradation at the northerly warmer regions and slow degradation further south. The data further provide evidence of chemolithoautotrophic mechanisms, with prokaryotes harbouring key pathways, required to transform dissolved inorganic carbon into complex organic forms, including recalcitrant dissolved organic carbon. Collectively, the SOTS and Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean data suggest that shifts in prokaryotic community structure and functional capacity may regulate (either degradation or synthesis of organic matter) carbon export to depth. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Dithugoe, Choaro David
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Microbial ecology , Bioinformatics , Biochemistry , Oceanography , Metagenomics , Carbon cycle (Biogeochemistry) , Prokaryotes
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365745 , vital:65782 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/365745
- Description: The role of phytoplankton in regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide in the marine environment has been the subject of extensive research. We lack, however, comparative insights regarding the functional contributions of bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses (the microbiota) to organic matter export especially in understudied polar marine environments such as the Southern Ocean. This knowledge deficit is in part due to the high levels of microbial diversity which obscures efforts to study the relationship between diversity and ecosystem functions including their roles in the sequestration of carbon and nitrogen. Elucidating their precise contributions to organic matter export may be central to potential ecosystems feedbacks to global climate change. We examined several factors which may influence organic matter export to depth including net primary production, phytoplankton biomass, temperature, and prokaryotic functional capacity in the Southern Ocean. A Marine Snow Catcher was used to collect suspended and sinking material 10 metres below mixed layer depth at Southern Ocean Time Series (SOTS) in autumn (March-April) and in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean in winter (July-August) and spring (October-November) 2019. The suspended and sinking material was used to determine the particulate organic carbon and nitrogen concentrations which were then used to calculate fluxes and export ratio ((e-ratio) - particulate organic carbon flux divided by net primary production). Additionally, genomic DNA was extracted from the suspended and sinking material and sequenced to obtain Shotgun metagenomic data which was employed to reconstruct metagenome assembled genome (MAGs) and their functional capacity using bioinformatic tools such as DRAM. Data from the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean, demonstrate that net primary production and temperature were inversely related to the e-ratio which is consistent with previous findings from the northern region of the Southern Ocean. Genomic functional capacity from SOTS suggested that r-strategist (organisms adapted to live in unstable environments) bacteria (e.g., Gammaproteobacteria) were prominent in the suspended pool. By contrast, the sinking particle-pool appeared to be dominated by K- strategists (organisms adapted to stable environment). The opposite was true for the archaea. This finding (i.e., bacteria) differs from a previous study in the northern region of the Southern Ocean, showing that microbes with K-strategists were more abundant in the suspended fraction. K-strategists typically degrade sinking organic matter into suspended organic matter or dissolved organic matter reducing the organic carbon export efficiency. Furthermore, Data from the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean revealed that seasonal temperature changes might dictate the rate of regional prokaryotic degradation across the zones. Resulting in rapid degradation at the northerly warmer regions and slow degradation further south. The data further provide evidence of chemolithoautotrophic mechanisms, with prokaryotes harbouring key pathways, required to transform dissolved inorganic carbon into complex organic forms, including recalcitrant dissolved organic carbon. Collectively, the SOTS and Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean data suggest that shifts in prokaryotic community structure and functional capacity may regulate (either degradation or synthesis of organic matter) carbon export to depth. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Exploring the entrepreneurial intention of students in one Higher Education Institution (HEI)
- Authors: Kenye-Duma, Ayanda Rachel
- Date: 2022-04-06
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship South Africa , Intention , Entrepreneurship Study and teaching (Higher) South Africa , Students Attitudes , Social entrepreneurship , Social capital (Sociology) , Unemployment South Africa , Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE)
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/284514 , vital:56070
- Description: This study was interpretive and qualitatively explored students' entrepreneurial intentions at Rhodes University. It was conducted to understand entrepreneurship among students. Understanding students' entrepreneurship is critical as entrepreneurship is touted as a reasonable response to alleviate the high unemployment in South Africa. The study explored how students became entrepreneurs (or how their entrepreneurship intentions were formed) and the factors that enhanced (enablers and barriers) and inhibited them. The significance of living with and after COVID-19, youth and graduate unemployment alleviation places entrepreneurship development by institutions of higher learning, governments and private sector in the centre of economic recovery. The establishment of the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) in 2016, highlights the commitment of the South African government, for Higher Education Institutions (HEI) to engage more in entrepreneurship and do more research to understand how students become entrepreneurs and unravel the challenges. Understanding students' entrepreneurship intentions can facilitate a supportive environment for students entrepreneurship. With “very little research about student entrepreneurship at this university” being the guiding research problem, the aim was to gain insight into the entrepreneurship intention of university students by exploring factors that influence students to become entrepreneurs. The study employed Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour to explore the entrepreneurial intentions of university students in terms of the underlying attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. The students who participated in the study fell into three categories of entrepreneurial intention: (i) Intending to start a business, (ii) starting a business, and (ii) those who were already operating a business. All the participants, irrespective of their stage of entrepreneurial intention, demonstrated a positive attitude and self-efficacy. All participants showed self-efficacy by identifying barriers and taking positive steps to overcome them. The main barriers were access to funding, capital, training, business opportunities with the university and lack of interaction with established entrepreneurs. The results demonstrated the close interplay of attitudes, social norms and perceived behavioural control in students’ entrepreneurial intentions. Social recognition of entrepreneurship, social capital, education and role models contributed to positive attitudes, and social norms influenced students’ entrepreneurial intentions. A supportive environment was found to be critical for nurturing entrepreneurship intentions. The study recommends a supportive climate cultivated by Rhodes University to promote entrepreneurship. The supportive environment must include the elevation of entrepreneurship in prominent offices of the university, strengthening entrepreneurship societies and interactions with established entrepreneurs, and engagement with the private sector to contribute and promote entrepreneurship among students. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-06
- Authors: Kenye-Duma, Ayanda Rachel
- Date: 2022-04-06
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship South Africa , Intention , Entrepreneurship Study and teaching (Higher) South Africa , Students Attitudes , Social entrepreneurship , Social capital (Sociology) , Unemployment South Africa , Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE)
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/284514 , vital:56070
- Description: This study was interpretive and qualitatively explored students' entrepreneurial intentions at Rhodes University. It was conducted to understand entrepreneurship among students. Understanding students' entrepreneurship is critical as entrepreneurship is touted as a reasonable response to alleviate the high unemployment in South Africa. The study explored how students became entrepreneurs (or how their entrepreneurship intentions were formed) and the factors that enhanced (enablers and barriers) and inhibited them. The significance of living with and after COVID-19, youth and graduate unemployment alleviation places entrepreneurship development by institutions of higher learning, governments and private sector in the centre of economic recovery. The establishment of the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) in 2016, highlights the commitment of the South African government, for Higher Education Institutions (HEI) to engage more in entrepreneurship and do more research to understand how students become entrepreneurs and unravel the challenges. Understanding students' entrepreneurship intentions can facilitate a supportive environment for students entrepreneurship. With “very little research about student entrepreneurship at this university” being the guiding research problem, the aim was to gain insight into the entrepreneurship intention of university students by exploring factors that influence students to become entrepreneurs. The study employed Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour to explore the entrepreneurial intentions of university students in terms of the underlying attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. The students who participated in the study fell into three categories of entrepreneurial intention: (i) Intending to start a business, (ii) starting a business, and (ii) those who were already operating a business. All the participants, irrespective of their stage of entrepreneurial intention, demonstrated a positive attitude and self-efficacy. All participants showed self-efficacy by identifying barriers and taking positive steps to overcome them. The main barriers were access to funding, capital, training, business opportunities with the university and lack of interaction with established entrepreneurs. The results demonstrated the close interplay of attitudes, social norms and perceived behavioural control in students’ entrepreneurial intentions. Social recognition of entrepreneurship, social capital, education and role models contributed to positive attitudes, and social norms influenced students’ entrepreneurial intentions. A supportive environment was found to be critical for nurturing entrepreneurship intentions. The study recommends a supportive climate cultivated by Rhodes University to promote entrepreneurship. The supportive environment must include the elevation of entrepreneurship in prominent offices of the university, strengthening entrepreneurship societies and interactions with established entrepreneurs, and engagement with the private sector to contribute and promote entrepreneurship among students. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-06
A laboratory simulation investigating the impact of sunglass tint on the catching performance of cricket fielders
- Authors: Nellemann, Stacy Amanda
- Date: 2022-04-06
- Subjects: Sunglasses , Cricket Physiological aspects , Cricket players , Glare , Vision , Contrast sensitivity (Vision) , Fielders (Cricket)
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/291281 , vital:56839
- Description: Background: Sunglasses are popularly worn by outdoor athletes such as cricketers. They are primarily worn to preserve ocular health due to the length of time exposed to the sun’s glare on the field. More recently, sunglasses are now worn for their purported performance-enhancing benefits supposedly allowing athletes to “see clearly, react faster and perform with confidence”. Fielders typically wear sunglasses, but it is rare to see the bowler or the batter wearing sunglasses although they are exposed to the same conditions. If sunglasses provide visual clarity for better reaction time, it is assumed this would also be beneficial for both batsmen and bowlers alike. It is interesting that although fielding plays a key role in the winning of a match, it has received very little research in comparison to the areas of batting and bowling. Research concerning sunglasses in the past has been concerned with its effect on ocular parameters such as colour vision and contrast sensitivity, with minimal research on their effect on performance, specifically on how different colour tints may affect performance such as catching in fielding. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the catching performance of fielders when wearing three different colour tints of sunglasses. Methods: Thirty male cricketers currently playing for Rhodes University or country districts sides in Makhanda, South Africa, who were non-habitual sunglass wearers were recruited for this study. An optician administered a pre-screening test to ensure participants did not have any visual defects that would affect the results, determining who was eligible to continue with the research project. Twenty-five participants qualified with a further four withdrawing during the experimentation phase due to personal reasons. Eligible participants were required to complete four testing sessions on separate days thereafter in which they wore a different colour tint at each session (clear, blue, G30 and red). These tints were randomised among participants. Participants were required to catch 18 balls projected from a bowling machine in each session. The number of balls caught as well as the quality of catch was recorded. At the end of the fourth session, participants were presented with a questionnaire investigating their subjective experience of the protocol and preference for any particular colour of lens. Results: Statistically significant results were found between the different colour lenses for the ocular parameters of contrast sensitivity and stereopsis tested by the optician. The red lens was found to be the best for contrast sensitivity with the blue lens performing the worst on this test. With regard to stereopsis, the G30 lens was the worst, with the red lens performing the best. The performance measures resulted in no significant difference between the different colour lenses both concerning the total number of catches taken as well as the quality of catch taken. The same result was found irrespective of the colour of lens used in each session. Data gathered from the questionnaire regarding visual comfort and target visibility resulted in the red lens being rated statistically worse than the other three conditions. In terms of personal preference, the G30 lens was rated statistically as the best coloured lens. Conclusion: It can be concluded that objectively there is no difference in performance between the three coloured lenses. Although from an ocular perspective, the red lens was expected to perform the best in terms of catching performance, there was no difference. Subjectively there was a strong preference among the players for the G30 lens with players strongly disliking the red lens. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-06
- Authors: Nellemann, Stacy Amanda
- Date: 2022-04-06
- Subjects: Sunglasses , Cricket Physiological aspects , Cricket players , Glare , Vision , Contrast sensitivity (Vision) , Fielders (Cricket)
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/291281 , vital:56839
- Description: Background: Sunglasses are popularly worn by outdoor athletes such as cricketers. They are primarily worn to preserve ocular health due to the length of time exposed to the sun’s glare on the field. More recently, sunglasses are now worn for their purported performance-enhancing benefits supposedly allowing athletes to “see clearly, react faster and perform with confidence”. Fielders typically wear sunglasses, but it is rare to see the bowler or the batter wearing sunglasses although they are exposed to the same conditions. If sunglasses provide visual clarity for better reaction time, it is assumed this would also be beneficial for both batsmen and bowlers alike. It is interesting that although fielding plays a key role in the winning of a match, it has received very little research in comparison to the areas of batting and bowling. Research concerning sunglasses in the past has been concerned with its effect on ocular parameters such as colour vision and contrast sensitivity, with minimal research on their effect on performance, specifically on how different colour tints may affect performance such as catching in fielding. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the catching performance of fielders when wearing three different colour tints of sunglasses. Methods: Thirty male cricketers currently playing for Rhodes University or country districts sides in Makhanda, South Africa, who were non-habitual sunglass wearers were recruited for this study. An optician administered a pre-screening test to ensure participants did not have any visual defects that would affect the results, determining who was eligible to continue with the research project. Twenty-five participants qualified with a further four withdrawing during the experimentation phase due to personal reasons. Eligible participants were required to complete four testing sessions on separate days thereafter in which they wore a different colour tint at each session (clear, blue, G30 and red). These tints were randomised among participants. Participants were required to catch 18 balls projected from a bowling machine in each session. The number of balls caught as well as the quality of catch was recorded. At the end of the fourth session, participants were presented with a questionnaire investigating their subjective experience of the protocol and preference for any particular colour of lens. Results: Statistically significant results were found between the different colour lenses for the ocular parameters of contrast sensitivity and stereopsis tested by the optician. The red lens was found to be the best for contrast sensitivity with the blue lens performing the worst on this test. With regard to stereopsis, the G30 lens was the worst, with the red lens performing the best. The performance measures resulted in no significant difference between the different colour lenses both concerning the total number of catches taken as well as the quality of catch taken. The same result was found irrespective of the colour of lens used in each session. Data gathered from the questionnaire regarding visual comfort and target visibility resulted in the red lens being rated statistically worse than the other three conditions. In terms of personal preference, the G30 lens was rated statistically as the best coloured lens. Conclusion: It can be concluded that objectively there is no difference in performance between the three coloured lenses. Although from an ocular perspective, the red lens was expected to perform the best in terms of catching performance, there was no difference. Subjectively there was a strong preference among the players for the G30 lens with players strongly disliking the red lens. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-06
Negotiating marginalisation: A socio-economic history of the Kalanga of Mangwe, Zimbabwe, 1940-2015
- Authors: Nyathi, Innocent
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Marginalisation , Kalanga (African people) Race identity Zimbabwe , Ethnicity Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe Economic conditions , Zimbabwe Social conditions , Kalanga language (Botswana and Zimbabwe)
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/408705 , vital:70518 , DOI 10.21504/10962/408705
- Description: The thesis explores the relationship between ethnicity, marginalisation, and survival mechanisms amongst the Kalanga people of Mangwe (southwestern Zimbabwe) from the 1940s up until the turn of the 21st century. The study showed how the Kalanga of Mangwe have used ethnicity as a concept to not only claim access to resources but also develop alternative survival strategies that help them seek to navigate their experiences of marginalisation by both the state and the hegemonic position of the Ndebele who dominate the region politically and linguistically. Using evidence from activities such as cross border migration and the mopane economy, I showed how the Kalanga express their displeasure at being dominated through engagement, as was shown in their attempt to fight for their language, for example in the 1940s through regionalised Kalanga organisations as the Kalanga Language and Cultural Development Society (KLCDS), to disengagement such as migration and illegal informal cross border trade. Using ‘conviviality’ and ‘the everyday’, as well as borrowing from the Race Relations Theory (RRT) of Robert Ezra Park as theoretical underpinnings, I demonstrated how amongst the Kalanga of Mangwe ethnic identity can lead to competition for resources, which in turn leads to marginalisation and discrimination which influences their social, political and economic choices that may in turn reinforce ethnic identity in a cycle like scenario. Everyday economic and social activities amongst the Kalanga of Mangwe that appear mundane and ordinary to an uninterested observer, help shape the everyday discourse of the Kalanga as they navigate marginalisation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, History, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Nyathi, Innocent
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Marginalisation , Kalanga (African people) Race identity Zimbabwe , Ethnicity Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe Economic conditions , Zimbabwe Social conditions , Kalanga language (Botswana and Zimbabwe)
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/408705 , vital:70518 , DOI 10.21504/10962/408705
- Description: The thesis explores the relationship between ethnicity, marginalisation, and survival mechanisms amongst the Kalanga people of Mangwe (southwestern Zimbabwe) from the 1940s up until the turn of the 21st century. The study showed how the Kalanga of Mangwe have used ethnicity as a concept to not only claim access to resources but also develop alternative survival strategies that help them seek to navigate their experiences of marginalisation by both the state and the hegemonic position of the Ndebele who dominate the region politically and linguistically. Using evidence from activities such as cross border migration and the mopane economy, I showed how the Kalanga express their displeasure at being dominated through engagement, as was shown in their attempt to fight for their language, for example in the 1940s through regionalised Kalanga organisations as the Kalanga Language and Cultural Development Society (KLCDS), to disengagement such as migration and illegal informal cross border trade. Using ‘conviviality’ and ‘the everyday’, as well as borrowing from the Race Relations Theory (RRT) of Robert Ezra Park as theoretical underpinnings, I demonstrated how amongst the Kalanga of Mangwe ethnic identity can lead to competition for resources, which in turn leads to marginalisation and discrimination which influences their social, political and economic choices that may in turn reinforce ethnic identity in a cycle like scenario. Everyday economic and social activities amongst the Kalanga of Mangwe that appear mundane and ordinary to an uninterested observer, help shape the everyday discourse of the Kalanga as they navigate marginalisation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, History, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
An African language in the public sphere – the use of isiZulu on Yilungelo Lakho online platforms
- Authors: Bramdeo, Aasra
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Zulu language , News Web sites South Africa , South African Broadcasting Corporation , Facebook (Firm) , Social media and journalism South Africa , Public sphere South Africa , Mass media and language South Africa , Yilungelo Lakho
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/405919 , vital:70219
- Description: The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is mandated as the public broadcaster to provide news content in all South Africa’s official languages. While this has been a challenge on traditional broadcast platforms, online resources, such as social media pages, present an opportunity for the SABC to support the creation and sharing of content in African languages. With relatively little national news and current affairs content available online in indigenous languages, this study investigates the way that SABC News online offerings in the isiZulu language have the potential to contribute to public debates in terms of Habermas’ concept of a public sphere and its adaptation to the online domain, taking into consideration scholarly critiques of its suitability in the African context. The SABC News Current Affairs programme Yilungelo Lakho serves as a case study to examine the potential for the SABC to share African-language news content online. The programme is broadcast primarily in the Nguni languages, and the online audience on Facebook often choose to respond in isiZulu or other African languages. Semi-structured indepth interviews were conducted with three members of the production team and three contributors to the Facebook page. A textual analysis of Facebook posts across 13 episodes, with a total of 497 comments from 306 online contributors highlights the manner in which online interaction promotes or hampers the inclusion of isiZulu speakers in SABC News and Current Affairs discussions, rational deliberation on the SABC Current Affairs programme, and fragmentation and overlap across different online platforms. While multilingual interactions on the Yilungelo Lakho Facebook page make for complex curation, the findings suggest the need for African language content to support public discussions and point to an opportunity for the public broadcaster to fulfil its mandate. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Journalism and Media Studies, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Bramdeo, Aasra
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Zulu language , News Web sites South Africa , South African Broadcasting Corporation , Facebook (Firm) , Social media and journalism South Africa , Public sphere South Africa , Mass media and language South Africa , Yilungelo Lakho
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/405919 , vital:70219
- Description: The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is mandated as the public broadcaster to provide news content in all South Africa’s official languages. While this has been a challenge on traditional broadcast platforms, online resources, such as social media pages, present an opportunity for the SABC to support the creation and sharing of content in African languages. With relatively little national news and current affairs content available online in indigenous languages, this study investigates the way that SABC News online offerings in the isiZulu language have the potential to contribute to public debates in terms of Habermas’ concept of a public sphere and its adaptation to the online domain, taking into consideration scholarly critiques of its suitability in the African context. The SABC News Current Affairs programme Yilungelo Lakho serves as a case study to examine the potential for the SABC to share African-language news content online. The programme is broadcast primarily in the Nguni languages, and the online audience on Facebook often choose to respond in isiZulu or other African languages. Semi-structured indepth interviews were conducted with three members of the production team and three contributors to the Facebook page. A textual analysis of Facebook posts across 13 episodes, with a total of 497 comments from 306 online contributors highlights the manner in which online interaction promotes or hampers the inclusion of isiZulu speakers in SABC News and Current Affairs discussions, rational deliberation on the SABC Current Affairs programme, and fragmentation and overlap across different online platforms. While multilingual interactions on the Yilungelo Lakho Facebook page make for complex curation, the findings suggest the need for African language content to support public discussions and point to an opportunity for the public broadcaster to fulfil its mandate. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Journalism and Media Studies, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Constraints on Cr-PGE Mineralisation Models: Geochemical and petrological studies in the Middle Group 1 and 3 Chromitites, Western Limb, Bushveld Complex, South Africa
- Authors: Arunachellan, Yogendran
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Chromite South Africa Bushveld Complex , Mineralogy South Africa Bushveld Complex , Geochemical surveys South Africa Bushveld Complex
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/362730 , vital:65357
- Description: The Bushveld Complex in South Africa has been of interest in various research groups for decades, along with diverse theories regarding its origin, formation, and emplacement. These theories include magma mixing, contamination, and changes in the chamber's ephemeral parameters. Of interest for our current study is the formation of the middle group chromitite layers in the Western Limb. In this research, we aimed to determine the emplacement mechanism of the MG group chromitites by scrutinising the MG 1 and MG 3 layers. In core KD 151, the focus was placed on the MG 3 and MG 1 chromitite layers and their associated silicate rocks; on these regions of the core, time was spent for detailed observations. The differences and similarities of these layers were explored as the study advanced. The objectives were to determine the in-situ or proximal crystallisation of the chromitite by evaluating mineral textures and compositions. This required that we determine the characteristics of the immediate HW (hanging wall) and FW (footwall) to these chromitites, with insights into the relationship that anorthositic zones may offer and examine the PGE profiles of the chromitites in contrasting lithological settings. The sampled borehole was in the Western Limb of the Bushveld Complex; the immediate HW, chromitite layers and FW were divided into sections (2.5 x 5 cm) along selected horizons for a microscale study. The preliminary results of a study on the sub-economic Middle Group (MG) layers within the Critical Zone (CZ), contrasting the MG 1 (Lower CZ) and MG 3 (Upper CZ) chromitite layers of the Rustenburg Layered Suite of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa were analysed. The MG 3 and 1 suites of silicate rocks show disequilibrium textures between the pyroxenes and plagioclase, forming discontinuous olivine rims. These reaction rims are interpreted as products of magmatic aqueous fluid-facilitated reactions with minerals in a sub-solidus state. Deformation of the plagioclase was also noted in MG 1; this fracturing indicates either the transportation of these minerals or compaction by an overlying crystal mush. The MG 3 package of plagioclase, pyroxene and chromite compositions range from An67-78, En71-86 and Cr# of 68-84, respectively. The MG 1 package of plagioclase, pyroxene and chromite compositions are An64-91, En79-88 and Cr# of 70-80, respectively. The Cu/Pd ratio decreases from the base of the FW as it approaches the base of the chromitite, then remains low within the chromitite layer and finally increases upwards in the HW. These trends are observed in both the MG 3 and 1 package, therefore not influenced by the sulphide control. There is a decrease in both IPGE and PPGE upwards as the HW progresses into the chromitite. The FW levels of Ir and Ru increase upwards immediately adjacent to the FW contact, while Pd and Rh concentrations decrease. The whole-rock Mg# indicates a decrease in the MG 3 with a uniform increase in the HW and an erratic upward increase observed in the FW. The chondrite normalised PGE plots show a bell-shaped curve which is evident for the En content of the pyroxenes and the content of plagioclase with the highest values in the chromitite layer itself. The Cr# of the chromite decreases upwards with the highest values along the FW. The Cu/Pd ratio for MG 1 indicates chromitite control rather than sulphide control of the PGE. The whole-rock Mg# decreases in MG 1 with higher uniform values observed in the HW and FW. The geochemical and petrological data from the MG group study revealed that in situ fractional crystallisation seems unlikely as the sole mechanism for their formation in the CZ. A model is suggested in which the migration and transport of a magmatic slurry type suspension with accompanying hydrous fluids would likely have resulted in the emplacement of these chromitite packages along with the PGE mineralisation of the chromitites. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Geology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Arunachellan, Yogendran
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Chromite South Africa Bushveld Complex , Mineralogy South Africa Bushveld Complex , Geochemical surveys South Africa Bushveld Complex
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/362730 , vital:65357
- Description: The Bushveld Complex in South Africa has been of interest in various research groups for decades, along with diverse theories regarding its origin, formation, and emplacement. These theories include magma mixing, contamination, and changes in the chamber's ephemeral parameters. Of interest for our current study is the formation of the middle group chromitite layers in the Western Limb. In this research, we aimed to determine the emplacement mechanism of the MG group chromitites by scrutinising the MG 1 and MG 3 layers. In core KD 151, the focus was placed on the MG 3 and MG 1 chromitite layers and their associated silicate rocks; on these regions of the core, time was spent for detailed observations. The differences and similarities of these layers were explored as the study advanced. The objectives were to determine the in-situ or proximal crystallisation of the chromitite by evaluating mineral textures and compositions. This required that we determine the characteristics of the immediate HW (hanging wall) and FW (footwall) to these chromitites, with insights into the relationship that anorthositic zones may offer and examine the PGE profiles of the chromitites in contrasting lithological settings. The sampled borehole was in the Western Limb of the Bushveld Complex; the immediate HW, chromitite layers and FW were divided into sections (2.5 x 5 cm) along selected horizons for a microscale study. The preliminary results of a study on the sub-economic Middle Group (MG) layers within the Critical Zone (CZ), contrasting the MG 1 (Lower CZ) and MG 3 (Upper CZ) chromitite layers of the Rustenburg Layered Suite of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa were analysed. The MG 3 and 1 suites of silicate rocks show disequilibrium textures between the pyroxenes and plagioclase, forming discontinuous olivine rims. These reaction rims are interpreted as products of magmatic aqueous fluid-facilitated reactions with minerals in a sub-solidus state. Deformation of the plagioclase was also noted in MG 1; this fracturing indicates either the transportation of these minerals or compaction by an overlying crystal mush. The MG 3 package of plagioclase, pyroxene and chromite compositions range from An67-78, En71-86 and Cr# of 68-84, respectively. The MG 1 package of plagioclase, pyroxene and chromite compositions are An64-91, En79-88 and Cr# of 70-80, respectively. The Cu/Pd ratio decreases from the base of the FW as it approaches the base of the chromitite, then remains low within the chromitite layer and finally increases upwards in the HW. These trends are observed in both the MG 3 and 1 package, therefore not influenced by the sulphide control. There is a decrease in both IPGE and PPGE upwards as the HW progresses into the chromitite. The FW levels of Ir and Ru increase upwards immediately adjacent to the FW contact, while Pd and Rh concentrations decrease. The whole-rock Mg# indicates a decrease in the MG 3 with a uniform increase in the HW and an erratic upward increase observed in the FW. The chondrite normalised PGE plots show a bell-shaped curve which is evident for the En content of the pyroxenes and the content of plagioclase with the highest values in the chromitite layer itself. The Cr# of the chromite decreases upwards with the highest values along the FW. The Cu/Pd ratio for MG 1 indicates chromitite control rather than sulphide control of the PGE. The whole-rock Mg# decreases in MG 1 with higher uniform values observed in the HW and FW. The geochemical and petrological data from the MG group study revealed that in situ fractional crystallisation seems unlikely as the sole mechanism for their formation in the CZ. A model is suggested in which the migration and transport of a magmatic slurry type suspension with accompanying hydrous fluids would likely have resulted in the emplacement of these chromitite packages along with the PGE mineralisation of the chromitites. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Geology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Gender bias in the field of economics: an analysis of South African academia
- Authors: Hitchcock, Siobhan
- Date: 2020-10-30
- Subjects: Sexism South Africa , Sexism in higher education South Africa , Economics Study and teaching (Higher) South Africa , Economics teachers South Africa , Women in higher education South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/366275 , vital:65850
- Description: In recent years there has been a growing focus internationally on the low participation of females in Economics, both in academia and business. While female enrolment in higher education, including other maths-based subjects, has grown substantially, this has not been the case for Economics. Economics, particularly as one progresses through postgraduate studies to doctoral degrees now stands out as an outlier. A number of reasons have been advanced for this, including the nature of the subject, the type of people it attracts and the lack of female role models. Male and female enrolments in South African HEIs have grown between 2007 and 2017, but females have grown at a faster rate, thus increasing the female share of total enrolments to 59%. Female students are more successful and so make up an even greater proportion of South African graduates. Female enrolments and graduates are also higher than in the US. As in the US there is a significant drop off in female representation when progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate studies in South Africa. When looking at Economics in South Africa in comparison to the broad CESM categories, female enrolment in Economics Bachelor degrees is significantly lower than in Business and Humanities, but on a par with STEM subjects. At the Doctoral level, there are sharp drop offs in female enrolments for all categories. Business and Economics are the laggards at the Doctoral level, below STEM and Humanities. Furthermore, females make up a minority of academic staff in South African HEIs, with males dominating in especially the higher academic ranks. As one moves up the academic ladder, the female share decreases. This research analyses gender compositions of staff and students at South African HEIs. National data are obtained from government publications and data relating to four specific South African universities was obtained directly from the universities. Questionnaires were sent to a sample of academic staff and students who are in the field of economics to identify whether there is a role model effect for economics students and whether female academics experience the same forms of biases, discrimination, or treatment as that identified in international studies. It was concluded that while there are drop offs in the overall female representation of students at the Masters and Doctoral levels in South Africa, this share is gradually increasing. Additionally, Economics seems to perform better than what is depicted in the US, and in comparison to some STEM subjects in South Africa. Furthermore, the environment within the field of academic economics for both female students and staff seems to be more positive than what the international literature depicts for the US. But there are nonetheless different levels of satisfaction between male and female academic economists. While the student surveys revealed that female Economics students do not attach great importance to female role models, there is some evidence of correlation between the percentage of female professors and the percentage of female PhD students across a range of STEM subjects in South Africa. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-10-30
- Authors: Hitchcock, Siobhan
- Date: 2020-10-30
- Subjects: Sexism South Africa , Sexism in higher education South Africa , Economics Study and teaching (Higher) South Africa , Economics teachers South Africa , Women in higher education South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/366275 , vital:65850
- Description: In recent years there has been a growing focus internationally on the low participation of females in Economics, both in academia and business. While female enrolment in higher education, including other maths-based subjects, has grown substantially, this has not been the case for Economics. Economics, particularly as one progresses through postgraduate studies to doctoral degrees now stands out as an outlier. A number of reasons have been advanced for this, including the nature of the subject, the type of people it attracts and the lack of female role models. Male and female enrolments in South African HEIs have grown between 2007 and 2017, but females have grown at a faster rate, thus increasing the female share of total enrolments to 59%. Female students are more successful and so make up an even greater proportion of South African graduates. Female enrolments and graduates are also higher than in the US. As in the US there is a significant drop off in female representation when progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate studies in South Africa. When looking at Economics in South Africa in comparison to the broad CESM categories, female enrolment in Economics Bachelor degrees is significantly lower than in Business and Humanities, but on a par with STEM subjects. At the Doctoral level, there are sharp drop offs in female enrolments for all categories. Business and Economics are the laggards at the Doctoral level, below STEM and Humanities. Furthermore, females make up a minority of academic staff in South African HEIs, with males dominating in especially the higher academic ranks. As one moves up the academic ladder, the female share decreases. This research analyses gender compositions of staff and students at South African HEIs. National data are obtained from government publications and data relating to four specific South African universities was obtained directly from the universities. Questionnaires were sent to a sample of academic staff and students who are in the field of economics to identify whether there is a role model effect for economics students and whether female academics experience the same forms of biases, discrimination, or treatment as that identified in international studies. It was concluded that while there are drop offs in the overall female representation of students at the Masters and Doctoral levels in South Africa, this share is gradually increasing. Additionally, Economics seems to perform better than what is depicted in the US, and in comparison to some STEM subjects in South Africa. Furthermore, the environment within the field of academic economics for both female students and staff seems to be more positive than what the international literature depicts for the US. But there are nonetheless different levels of satisfaction between male and female academic economists. While the student surveys revealed that female Economics students do not attach great importance to female role models, there is some evidence of correlation between the percentage of female professors and the percentage of female PhD students across a range of STEM subjects in South Africa. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-10-30
Puma (Puma concolor) diet and habitat use in south-west New Mexico
- Authors: Bernard, Kelly Monica Tandi
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Puma Food New Mexico , Puma Habitat New Mexico , Puma Nutrition New Mexico , Puma Conservation New Mexico , Carnivorous animals New Mexico , Red deer , Elk , Mule deer , Ungulates
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/362752 , vital:65359
- Description: The puma (Puma concolor) is a wide-ranging large felid species occupying an extensive geographic range throughout North and South America, and site-specific research on their diet is important for local management. Like other large felids, puma diet may differ between sexes due to size dimorphism, and between seasons due to changes in prey vulnerability and availability. This study assessed the influence of sex and season on puma diet in south-west New Mexico in terms of prey species and prey size categories. Pumas specialised on mule deer and elk throughout the year, and killed a range of other species of different sizes. The diet of the smaller female puma was nested within the diet of males, supporting the size-nested strategy. The effect of puma sex on prey species and size categories was independent of season, and vice versa, and the probability of a female making a medium-sized kill such as mule deer was higher than for males, while the probability of an extra-large kill such as elk was substantially greater for males. The probability of pumas killing either mule deer or elk in each season was similar, and greater than other species categories. Additionally, individual puma strongly influenced all prey species and size categories killed. The results from this study concur with previous findings on the importance of mule deer and elk in puma diet, and suggest that puma predation may also impact a number of other species, particularly smaller herbivores like collared peccary, and mesocarnivores such as skunks. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Bernard, Kelly Monica Tandi
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Puma Food New Mexico , Puma Habitat New Mexico , Puma Nutrition New Mexico , Puma Conservation New Mexico , Carnivorous animals New Mexico , Red deer , Elk , Mule deer , Ungulates
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/362752 , vital:65359
- Description: The puma (Puma concolor) is a wide-ranging large felid species occupying an extensive geographic range throughout North and South America, and site-specific research on their diet is important for local management. Like other large felids, puma diet may differ between sexes due to size dimorphism, and between seasons due to changes in prey vulnerability and availability. This study assessed the influence of sex and season on puma diet in south-west New Mexico in terms of prey species and prey size categories. Pumas specialised on mule deer and elk throughout the year, and killed a range of other species of different sizes. The diet of the smaller female puma was nested within the diet of males, supporting the size-nested strategy. The effect of puma sex on prey species and size categories was independent of season, and vice versa, and the probability of a female making a medium-sized kill such as mule deer was higher than for males, while the probability of an extra-large kill such as elk was substantially greater for males. The probability of pumas killing either mule deer or elk in each season was similar, and greater than other species categories. Additionally, individual puma strongly influenced all prey species and size categories killed. The results from this study concur with previous findings on the importance of mule deer and elk in puma diet, and suggest that puma predation may also impact a number of other species, particularly smaller herbivores like collared peccary, and mesocarnivores such as skunks. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Evaluation of the effectiveness of small aperture network telescopes as IBR data sources
- Authors: Chindipha, Stones Dalitso
- Date: 2023-03-31
- Subjects: Computer networks Monitoring , Computer networks Security measures , Computer bootstrapping , Time-series analysis , Regression analysis , Mathematical models
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/366264 , vital:65849 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/366264
- Description: The use of network telescopes to collect unsolicited network traffic by monitoring unallocated address space has been in existence for over two decades. Past research has shown that there is a lot of activity happening in this unallocated space that needs monitoring as it carries threat intelligence data that has proven to be very useful in the security field. Prior to the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT), commercialisation of IP addresses and widespread of mobile devices, there was a large pool of IPv4 addresses and thus reserving IPv4 addresses to be used for monitoring unsolicited activities going in the unallocated space was not a problem. Now, preservation of such IPv4 addresses just for monitoring is increasingly difficult as there is not enough free addresses in the IPv4 address space to be used for just monitoring. This is the case because such monitoring is seen as a ’non-productive’ use of the IP addresses. This research addresses the problem brought forth by this IPv4 address space exhaustion in relation to Internet Background Radiation (IBR) monitoring. In order to address the research questions, this research developed four mathematical models: Absolute Mean Accuracy Percentage Score (AMAPS), Symmetric Absolute Mean Accuracy Percentage Score (SAMAPS), Standardised Mean Absolute Error (SMAE), and Standardised Mean Absolute Scaled Error (SMASE). These models are used to evaluate the research objectives and quantify the variations that exist between different samples. The sample sizes represent different lens sizes of the telescopes. The study has brought to light a time series plot that shows the expected proportion of unique source IP addresses collected over time. The study also imputed data using the smaller /24 IPv4 net-block subnets to regenerate the missing data points using bootstrapping to create confidence intervals (CI). The findings from the simulated data supports the findings computed from the models. The CI offers a boost to decision making. Through a series of experiments with monthly and quarterly datasets, the study proposed a 95% - 99% confidence level to be used. It was known that large network telescopes collect more threat intelligence data than small-sized network telescopes, however, no study, to the best of our knowledge, has ever quantified such a knowledge gap. With the findings from the study, small-sized network telescope users can now use their network telescopes with full knowledge of gap that exists in the data collected between different network telescopes. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Computer Science, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-03-31
- Authors: Chindipha, Stones Dalitso
- Date: 2023-03-31
- Subjects: Computer networks Monitoring , Computer networks Security measures , Computer bootstrapping , Time-series analysis , Regression analysis , Mathematical models
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/366264 , vital:65849 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/366264
- Description: The use of network telescopes to collect unsolicited network traffic by monitoring unallocated address space has been in existence for over two decades. Past research has shown that there is a lot of activity happening in this unallocated space that needs monitoring as it carries threat intelligence data that has proven to be very useful in the security field. Prior to the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT), commercialisation of IP addresses and widespread of mobile devices, there was a large pool of IPv4 addresses and thus reserving IPv4 addresses to be used for monitoring unsolicited activities going in the unallocated space was not a problem. Now, preservation of such IPv4 addresses just for monitoring is increasingly difficult as there is not enough free addresses in the IPv4 address space to be used for just monitoring. This is the case because such monitoring is seen as a ’non-productive’ use of the IP addresses. This research addresses the problem brought forth by this IPv4 address space exhaustion in relation to Internet Background Radiation (IBR) monitoring. In order to address the research questions, this research developed four mathematical models: Absolute Mean Accuracy Percentage Score (AMAPS), Symmetric Absolute Mean Accuracy Percentage Score (SAMAPS), Standardised Mean Absolute Error (SMAE), and Standardised Mean Absolute Scaled Error (SMASE). These models are used to evaluate the research objectives and quantify the variations that exist between different samples. The sample sizes represent different lens sizes of the telescopes. The study has brought to light a time series plot that shows the expected proportion of unique source IP addresses collected over time. The study also imputed data using the smaller /24 IPv4 net-block subnets to regenerate the missing data points using bootstrapping to create confidence intervals (CI). The findings from the simulated data supports the findings computed from the models. The CI offers a boost to decision making. Through a series of experiments with monthly and quarterly datasets, the study proposed a 95% - 99% confidence level to be used. It was known that large network telescopes collect more threat intelligence data than small-sized network telescopes, however, no study, to the best of our knowledge, has ever quantified such a knowledge gap. With the findings from the study, small-sized network telescope users can now use their network telescopes with full knowledge of gap that exists in the data collected between different network telescopes. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Computer Science, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-03-31
Characterisation of the ultramafic and carbonatite components of the Schiel Alkaline Complex in the Limpopo Province of South Africa
- Authors: Mahomed, Uzayr
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Ultrabasic rocks South Africa Limpopo , Carbonatites South Africa Limpopo , Geology South Africa Limpopo , Mica South Africa Limpopo , Biotite South Africa Limpopo , Magmatism , Schiel Alkaline Complex , Phoscorite , Glimmerite
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294768 , vital:57253
- Description: Owing to the poor documentation of the phoscorite-carbonatite association present in the Schiel Complex and the associated economic potential of other known phoscorite-bearing complexes, the Schiel Complex is widely thought to have similar economic potential. This complex is often compared to the lucrative Phalaborwa Complex, as it is thought to have crystallised from a common parental melt, with a similar age of emplacement. This study aims to provide clarity on the physical and chemical characterisation of the various rock types present in the Schiel Complex, with this study being the first petrological investigation based on fresh in-situ samples gathered from 3 borehole cores which were drilled by FOSKOR in the 1960s. The sampled sections of the ultramafics from the Schiel Complex are comprised of end-member rock compositions of either magmatic phoscorites or pyroxenites or metasomatic glimmerites, where gradational contacts between these various end-members produce rock varieties that contain characteristics of one or more end-member types. Carbonatite rocks are present as medium-grained, coarse-grained and banded calcio-carbonatite varieties where the carbonatite rocks are proposed as being the metasomatic medium for glimmerite production. Contrary to previous research, the structure of the ultramafic and carbonatite bodies are present as vein and veinlet structures which seem to originate from a single pipe-like body, from which these rock types intruded into the surrounding syenitic country-rock. Metasomatic alteration of the ultramafic sections of the Schiel Complex also show that the carbonatite rocks must have intruded after some ultramafic magmatism. The presence of the same minerals, with similar chemistries, in both the ultramafic and carbonatite rocks as well as similar REE chondrite-normalised plots show that the various rock types may have originated from a common parental magma, where the accumulation and crystallisation of minerals is the most likely factor in producing the various Schiel Complex rock varieties, causing silicate minerals to be present in the carbonate fraction of the magma, and carbonate minerals in the silicate fraction of the magma. Apatite is the expected rare earth element (REE) mineralising mineral in phoscorites, but is shown to be depleted in REE content in the Schiel Complex due to metasomatic fluid infiltration causing the scavenging and dissipation of REEs. These rocks have also crystallised containing no significant copper-bearing mineralisation, contrary to that which is seen in the Phalaborwa Complex. A comparison of mica minerals between the Schiel Complex rocks and the Phalaborwa Complex rocks show that the two complexes have undergone unique emplacement processes and should not be considered as sister complexes. Efforts to date the glimmerite and carbonatite rocks based on zircon grain U/Pb geochronology proved unsuccessful in constraining the current ages of emplacement provided by previous researchers, but rock relationships show that the current accepted sequence of events cannot be correct, providing scope for further research. This study provides an update on the chemical and physical characteristics, based on the only available sample suite of the ultramafic and carbonatite components, of the Schiel Complex, increasing the depth of documentation of these rare rock types and aiding in refuting some conclusions on the genesis, emplacement and evolution of the Schiel Complex proposed by previous research. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Geology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
- Authors: Mahomed, Uzayr
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Ultrabasic rocks South Africa Limpopo , Carbonatites South Africa Limpopo , Geology South Africa Limpopo , Mica South Africa Limpopo , Biotite South Africa Limpopo , Magmatism , Schiel Alkaline Complex , Phoscorite , Glimmerite
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294768 , vital:57253
- Description: Owing to the poor documentation of the phoscorite-carbonatite association present in the Schiel Complex and the associated economic potential of other known phoscorite-bearing complexes, the Schiel Complex is widely thought to have similar economic potential. This complex is often compared to the lucrative Phalaborwa Complex, as it is thought to have crystallised from a common parental melt, with a similar age of emplacement. This study aims to provide clarity on the physical and chemical characterisation of the various rock types present in the Schiel Complex, with this study being the first petrological investigation based on fresh in-situ samples gathered from 3 borehole cores which were drilled by FOSKOR in the 1960s. The sampled sections of the ultramafics from the Schiel Complex are comprised of end-member rock compositions of either magmatic phoscorites or pyroxenites or metasomatic glimmerites, where gradational contacts between these various end-members produce rock varieties that contain characteristics of one or more end-member types. Carbonatite rocks are present as medium-grained, coarse-grained and banded calcio-carbonatite varieties where the carbonatite rocks are proposed as being the metasomatic medium for glimmerite production. Contrary to previous research, the structure of the ultramafic and carbonatite bodies are present as vein and veinlet structures which seem to originate from a single pipe-like body, from which these rock types intruded into the surrounding syenitic country-rock. Metasomatic alteration of the ultramafic sections of the Schiel Complex also show that the carbonatite rocks must have intruded after some ultramafic magmatism. The presence of the same minerals, with similar chemistries, in both the ultramafic and carbonatite rocks as well as similar REE chondrite-normalised plots show that the various rock types may have originated from a common parental magma, where the accumulation and crystallisation of minerals is the most likely factor in producing the various Schiel Complex rock varieties, causing silicate minerals to be present in the carbonate fraction of the magma, and carbonate minerals in the silicate fraction of the magma. Apatite is the expected rare earth element (REE) mineralising mineral in phoscorites, but is shown to be depleted in REE content in the Schiel Complex due to metasomatic fluid infiltration causing the scavenging and dissipation of REEs. These rocks have also crystallised containing no significant copper-bearing mineralisation, contrary to that which is seen in the Phalaborwa Complex. A comparison of mica minerals between the Schiel Complex rocks and the Phalaborwa Complex rocks show that the two complexes have undergone unique emplacement processes and should not be considered as sister complexes. Efforts to date the glimmerite and carbonatite rocks based on zircon grain U/Pb geochronology proved unsuccessful in constraining the current ages of emplacement provided by previous researchers, but rock relationships show that the current accepted sequence of events cannot be correct, providing scope for further research. This study provides an update on the chemical and physical characteristics, based on the only available sample suite of the ultramafic and carbonatite components, of the Schiel Complex, increasing the depth of documentation of these rare rock types and aiding in refuting some conclusions on the genesis, emplacement and evolution of the Schiel Complex proposed by previous research. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Geology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
“Around Hip Hop” : rethinking and reconstructing urban youth identities in South Africa - a case study of Fingo Village, Makhanda
- Authors: Futshane, Luniko
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Hip-hop South Africa Makhanda , Urban youth South Africa Makhanda , Youth development South Africa Makhanda , Social change , Multiculturalism , Black Consciousness Movement of South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406760 , vital:70305
- Description: The main objective of this thesis is to investigate how conscious hip hop culture is used to reconstruct and influence urban youth identities in South Africa, in the case of Fingo Village, Makhanda. In addition, it aims to understand how the South African conscious hip hop scene, appropriated from the West, can be used to shape the identities of the urban youth, instead of the materialistic commercial/mainstream gangsta rap that is currently dominating popular culture and media today. Kellner’s (1995: 10) multicultural critical approach is appropriate for this thesis, as it “provides a critical multiculturalist politics and media pedagogy that aims to make people sensitive to the relations of power and domination which are encoded in cultural texts, such as those of television and film, or new technologies and media such as Internet, and social networking”. Moreover, in the words of Cvetkovich and Kellner (cited in Dolby, 2010:11), this dissertation “investigates the increasing influence of global popular culture and its possibility to equip the urban youth with new sources of identification”, as well as opportunities for social change. In Makhanda, rappers, community activists, B-Boy crews, graffiti artists, spoken-word poets, photographers, and journalists all assembled in Fingo Village for the social event Around Hip Hop, at the multipurpose Fingo square, between 2011 and 2019. Today, Around Hip Hop is an arts based organization that produces hip hop mixtapes, short documentaries, and educational events aimed at creating a cross-cultural exchange and increasing awareness of South African politics. Around Hip Hop has hosted various events, dialogues, and performances where hip hop is used as a cultural expression, which continuously creates spaces for the urban youth to rethink and reconstruct their identities; not only as artists, but as audience members as well. Events, such as The Return of the Cypher, Intyatyamo Elityeni, and Business beyond Fingo Festival all form part of Around Hip Hop. The Return of the Cypher is an open music event, where rappers, usually gathered in a circular formation with one or more artists performing in the middle, showcase their skills. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight local hip hop artists in Makhanda, in order to investigate how conscious hip hop is used to rethink and reconstruct urban youth identities. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Futshane, Luniko
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Hip-hop South Africa Makhanda , Urban youth South Africa Makhanda , Youth development South Africa Makhanda , Social change , Multiculturalism , Black Consciousness Movement of South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406760 , vital:70305
- Description: The main objective of this thesis is to investigate how conscious hip hop culture is used to reconstruct and influence urban youth identities in South Africa, in the case of Fingo Village, Makhanda. In addition, it aims to understand how the South African conscious hip hop scene, appropriated from the West, can be used to shape the identities of the urban youth, instead of the materialistic commercial/mainstream gangsta rap that is currently dominating popular culture and media today. Kellner’s (1995: 10) multicultural critical approach is appropriate for this thesis, as it “provides a critical multiculturalist politics and media pedagogy that aims to make people sensitive to the relations of power and domination which are encoded in cultural texts, such as those of television and film, or new technologies and media such as Internet, and social networking”. Moreover, in the words of Cvetkovich and Kellner (cited in Dolby, 2010:11), this dissertation “investigates the increasing influence of global popular culture and its possibility to equip the urban youth with new sources of identification”, as well as opportunities for social change. In Makhanda, rappers, community activists, B-Boy crews, graffiti artists, spoken-word poets, photographers, and journalists all assembled in Fingo Village for the social event Around Hip Hop, at the multipurpose Fingo square, between 2011 and 2019. Today, Around Hip Hop is an arts based organization that produces hip hop mixtapes, short documentaries, and educational events aimed at creating a cross-cultural exchange and increasing awareness of South African politics. Around Hip Hop has hosted various events, dialogues, and performances where hip hop is used as a cultural expression, which continuously creates spaces for the urban youth to rethink and reconstruct their identities; not only as artists, but as audience members as well. Events, such as The Return of the Cypher, Intyatyamo Elityeni, and Business beyond Fingo Festival all form part of Around Hip Hop. The Return of the Cypher is an open music event, where rappers, usually gathered in a circular formation with one or more artists performing in the middle, showcase their skills. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight local hip hop artists in Makhanda, in order to investigate how conscious hip hop is used to rethink and reconstruct urban youth identities. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Umzi ka Mama Family property transfer practices and the historical significance of title deeds to African female heads of household in Fingo Village: a participatory theatre approach
- Authors: Hellemann, Phemelo Cordelia
- Date: 2022-04-07
- Subjects: Public history South Africa Eastern Cape , Oral history South Africa Eastern Cape , Women Housing South Africa Eastern Cape , Feminism Africa , Apartheid Law and legislation South Africa , Participatory theater South Africa Eastern Cape , Playback theater , Theater and society South Africa Eastern Cape , History Citizen participation , South Africa. Group Areas Act, 1950
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294537 , vital:57230 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/294537
- Description: Many everyday stories and experiences of African women remain underrepresented and undocumented. For example, the omission of Fingo Village women’s names from official deeds records silenced their voices. African women faced gender and racial discrimination that denied them fundamental human rights and limited their participation in urban life. Title deed records constitute one type of public record where African women’s names were omitted for centuries by the colonial and apartheid governments. Under apartheid, African women occupied the social status of minors; hence, the government denied them urban land rights. This African feminist study enlists narratives of a sample of seven African female heads of households residing in Fingo Village who are also property owners. Fingo Village is an atypical environment where African people had a rare legal advantage of owning title deeds dating back to 1855. This study employed an interdisciplinary approach by mixing oral history methodology and applied theatre methods to record, interpret and present Fingo Village women’s narratives of family property inheritance and the significance of title deed documentation in the suburb. The multiple technique approach created opportunities for authentic dialogue between the researcher and the participants beyond the inherent limitations of public history oral interviews. The traditional oral history interview and the participatory theatre methods helped uncover unconventional practices in family property relations. Though customary transfers of family homes to custodians were prevalent, title deed registration of family property was also acknowledged as a vital practice that empowered women legally. The researcher used participatory theatre techniques inspired by playback, image and forum theatre to enhance the researcher and participants’ relationship. These methods encouraged the researcher and respondents’ shared authority as they embarked on an extended participatory research project. In this regard, through dialogical and performance-based activities, the participants and the researcher became co-creators of untold Fingo Village stories. Moreover, the theatre techniques became interpretation and analysis tools that ensured that the participants’ untold stories were well represented. The first phase of the research involved engaging with the literature about the title deeds history of Fingo Village and conducting oral history interviews that served as data. In the second phase, the interviews were analysed and packaged in a documentary format. The third phase was a playback theatre inspired session in a 10-minute performance based on themes from the participants’ filmed interviews. Additionally, the performance was a catalyst for forum theatre activities that allowed the participants to interact with the performer and suggest solutions to the dilemma posed by the performer regarding family property use. The participants were decision-makers and family property relations experts within this imagined context. In the fourth phase, the image theatre adaptation and memory work activities were essential tools. The tools aided the visuals and information from an existing Fingo Village exhibition as additional resources that prompted dialogue and discussions. The exhibition encouraged participants to share their personal experiences and memories of the Group Areas Act (GAA) era. The findings showed that the GAA era saw many families revert to communal tenure practices as a strategy to evade forced sales; as such, this gave rise to undocumented family property transfers. Additionally, the findings revealed that though customary practices are often patriarchal, there are circumstances favouring women as the preferred family property custodian. These are embedded in the social status of women who are traditional healers, firstborn daughters, and those from families with just daughters. This study contributes to the growing literature that advocates for positive representation of African women’s stories by using active research methodologies that strengthen partnerships and shared authority between the researcher and the public. This methodology could inspire other researchers to explore theatre techniques to create more profound and meaningful engagements with their participants. The links to the video materials accompanying this thesis are provided on the contents page. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, History, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-07
- Authors: Hellemann, Phemelo Cordelia
- Date: 2022-04-07
- Subjects: Public history South Africa Eastern Cape , Oral history South Africa Eastern Cape , Women Housing South Africa Eastern Cape , Feminism Africa , Apartheid Law and legislation South Africa , Participatory theater South Africa Eastern Cape , Playback theater , Theater and society South Africa Eastern Cape , History Citizen participation , South Africa. Group Areas Act, 1950
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294537 , vital:57230 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/294537
- Description: Many everyday stories and experiences of African women remain underrepresented and undocumented. For example, the omission of Fingo Village women’s names from official deeds records silenced their voices. African women faced gender and racial discrimination that denied them fundamental human rights and limited their participation in urban life. Title deed records constitute one type of public record where African women’s names were omitted for centuries by the colonial and apartheid governments. Under apartheid, African women occupied the social status of minors; hence, the government denied them urban land rights. This African feminist study enlists narratives of a sample of seven African female heads of households residing in Fingo Village who are also property owners. Fingo Village is an atypical environment where African people had a rare legal advantage of owning title deeds dating back to 1855. This study employed an interdisciplinary approach by mixing oral history methodology and applied theatre methods to record, interpret and present Fingo Village women’s narratives of family property inheritance and the significance of title deed documentation in the suburb. The multiple technique approach created opportunities for authentic dialogue between the researcher and the participants beyond the inherent limitations of public history oral interviews. The traditional oral history interview and the participatory theatre methods helped uncover unconventional practices in family property relations. Though customary transfers of family homes to custodians were prevalent, title deed registration of family property was also acknowledged as a vital practice that empowered women legally. The researcher used participatory theatre techniques inspired by playback, image and forum theatre to enhance the researcher and participants’ relationship. These methods encouraged the researcher and respondents’ shared authority as they embarked on an extended participatory research project. In this regard, through dialogical and performance-based activities, the participants and the researcher became co-creators of untold Fingo Village stories. Moreover, the theatre techniques became interpretation and analysis tools that ensured that the participants’ untold stories were well represented. The first phase of the research involved engaging with the literature about the title deeds history of Fingo Village and conducting oral history interviews that served as data. In the second phase, the interviews were analysed and packaged in a documentary format. The third phase was a playback theatre inspired session in a 10-minute performance based on themes from the participants’ filmed interviews. Additionally, the performance was a catalyst for forum theatre activities that allowed the participants to interact with the performer and suggest solutions to the dilemma posed by the performer regarding family property use. The participants were decision-makers and family property relations experts within this imagined context. In the fourth phase, the image theatre adaptation and memory work activities were essential tools. The tools aided the visuals and information from an existing Fingo Village exhibition as additional resources that prompted dialogue and discussions. The exhibition encouraged participants to share their personal experiences and memories of the Group Areas Act (GAA) era. The findings showed that the GAA era saw many families revert to communal tenure practices as a strategy to evade forced sales; as such, this gave rise to undocumented family property transfers. Additionally, the findings revealed that though customary practices are often patriarchal, there are circumstances favouring women as the preferred family property custodian. These are embedded in the social status of women who are traditional healers, firstborn daughters, and those from families with just daughters. This study contributes to the growing literature that advocates for positive representation of African women’s stories by using active research methodologies that strengthen partnerships and shared authority between the researcher and the public. This methodology could inspire other researchers to explore theatre techniques to create more profound and meaningful engagements with their participants. The links to the video materials accompanying this thesis are provided on the contents page. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, History, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-07
The invisible teacher: The teacher envisaged in the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) English First Additional Language (EFAL) Further Education and Training (FET) Phase
- Authors: Dowejko, Diane Agnieszka
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Educational sociology South Africa , Systemic functional linguistics , Curriculum-based assessment South Africa , Linguistic analysis (Linguistics) , Educational evaluation South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406714 , vital:70301
- Description: Educational policy documents, which are intended to enlighten teachers about what they should teach and how they should assess learners, contain both language and knowledge. How this knowledge is construed through language may reveal the kind of teacher envisaged by the document, and the assumptions made regarding the dispositions of these educators. There is a plethora of research on the relationship between the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement for English First Additional Language in the Further Education and Training Phase (CAPS-EFAL) and its impact on the learner in the classroom, but little evidence of research related to how curriculum documents envisage the teacher, and linguistic research pertaining to CAPS-EFAL. This research aims to use linguistic analysis to discover how the teacher is envisaged in this document, while speaking to the broader subject of the relationship between teacher and curriculum policy. This study adopts a framework which inspects this language using Systemic Functional Linguistics to analyse language in relation to its functions in social contexts, and the instructional knowledge built in CAPS-EFAL through applying elements of Legitimation Code Theory, analysing processes of knowledge production and recontextualisation. An investigation of the language revealed assumptions that the envisaged teacher is one who is already highly trained in aspects of language teaching and classroom methodology and pedagogy. While the analysis also revealed a high level of guidance for the teacher, there was a strong focus on the knowledge within the curriculum, and several assumptions made regarding the teacher’s prior knowledge before encountering or utilising the document. The analysis also revealed that CAPS-EFAL acknowledges that the teacher requires a sound knowledge of technical terminology related to language teaching, as well as general classroom pedagogies and routines. In addition, the document assumes that the disposition of the teacher is one who can make decisions without the need for absolute confirmation or authority from curriculum documentation. Overall, the analysis revealed an élite code in terms of Specialization; CAPS-EFAL is therefore based on the legitimacy of both specialised knowledge and the disposition of the teacher. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Dowejko, Diane Agnieszka
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Educational sociology South Africa , Systemic functional linguistics , Curriculum-based assessment South Africa , Linguistic analysis (Linguistics) , Educational evaluation South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406714 , vital:70301
- Description: Educational policy documents, which are intended to enlighten teachers about what they should teach and how they should assess learners, contain both language and knowledge. How this knowledge is construed through language may reveal the kind of teacher envisaged by the document, and the assumptions made regarding the dispositions of these educators. There is a plethora of research on the relationship between the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement for English First Additional Language in the Further Education and Training Phase (CAPS-EFAL) and its impact on the learner in the classroom, but little evidence of research related to how curriculum documents envisage the teacher, and linguistic research pertaining to CAPS-EFAL. This research aims to use linguistic analysis to discover how the teacher is envisaged in this document, while speaking to the broader subject of the relationship between teacher and curriculum policy. This study adopts a framework which inspects this language using Systemic Functional Linguistics to analyse language in relation to its functions in social contexts, and the instructional knowledge built in CAPS-EFAL through applying elements of Legitimation Code Theory, analysing processes of knowledge production and recontextualisation. An investigation of the language revealed assumptions that the envisaged teacher is one who is already highly trained in aspects of language teaching and classroom methodology and pedagogy. While the analysis also revealed a high level of guidance for the teacher, there was a strong focus on the knowledge within the curriculum, and several assumptions made regarding the teacher’s prior knowledge before encountering or utilising the document. The analysis also revealed that CAPS-EFAL acknowledges that the teacher requires a sound knowledge of technical terminology related to language teaching, as well as general classroom pedagogies and routines. In addition, the document assumes that the disposition of the teacher is one who can make decisions without the need for absolute confirmation or authority from curriculum documentation. Overall, the analysis revealed an élite code in terms of Specialization; CAPS-EFAL is therefore based on the legitimacy of both specialised knowledge and the disposition of the teacher. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Characterising the sleep wake behaviour of late adolescents living in rural and township areas surrounding Alice in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
- Authors: Dlepu, Phelokazi
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Teenagers Sleep South Africa Alice , Rural teenagers South Africa Alice , Sleep-wake cycle
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/362808 , vital:65364
- Description: Introduction: School going adolescents have been identified as a group that is at risk of obtaining insufficient sleep due to shortened and irregular sleep, all of which can affect the overall wellbeing of adolescents. While there has been extenstive research on adolescent sleep around the world, research in South Africa has been limited. Of the research performed in this context, most has been conducted in city or urban contexts, but there has been comparatively less research on sleep in adolescents from rural and township areas. Therefore, this study focused on characterising and comparing the sleep-wake behaviour of late adolescents from selected rural and township areas in Alice in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Methods: An adapted version School Sleep Habits Survey (SSHS) was included in the study and assessed demographic, academic, sleep-wake behaviour, lifestyle, and behavioural information of adolescents from rural and township schools in and around Alice. The survey was distributed physically to all the learners from four co-educational rural and township schools. The responses to the survey were analysed with descriptive and non-parametric inferential statistics, as all data were not normally distributed. Results: A total of 123 learners completed the survey. All the participants were in Grade 12, aged 16 to 26 years (median =18, IQR= 18-19) from rural (n=28) and township (n=95) schools. Seventy-four female and 49 male learners participated in the study. Within the sample, there were also a group of participants who were not adolescents (n=22) whose age ranged between 20 and 26. Reported sleep during both the week and weekend (7hours) was lower than both the recommended duration for adolescents and their own self-reported sleep need of a median of 8 hours and 14 minutes. Bedtimes were significantly earlier on weekdays than weekends. The need to do homework and feeling sleepy were cited as the main reasons for going to sleep during the week and the weekends. Wake times on weekdays and weekends did not differ, with most learners citing being woken up by an alarm clock as the main reason for waking during both weekdays and weekends. Most learners (n=47; 38%) reported walking to get to school, while 41 (33%) relied on public transport to get to school. There were no significant effects of gender or of being rural and township scholars in relation to their sleep variables. Comparisons between non-adolescents and adolescents revealed that non-adolescents reported sleeping longer (7 hours and 30 minutes) compared to adolescents (7 hours) than adolescents did on weekends. As a group, the learners in this sample were morningness-orientated in terms of chronotype, presented with low day time sleepiness, some evidence of sleep-wake behaviour problems and of depressive mood symptoms. Nearly half (n=53; 43%) the group reported napping occasionally on school days. In terms of caffeine consumption, just over half (n=64; 52%) of the learners reported never consuming caffeinated substances such as soda, coffee, or tea. Conclusions: The reported sleep duration of learners in this study was consistent on both the week and weekend but was shorter than the recommended 8-10 hours for late adolescents. While learners in this sample reported early bedtimes, sleep was likely curtailed by the early rise times due to the contextual constraints where scholars had to commute, by either walking or taking public transport, to make the early school start times. There was a high prevalence of sleep disturbances in this sample however, the effects of this (increased daytime sleepiness) were lower which can be attributed to low reported prevalence of caffeine consumption combined with the high prevalence of reported day time napping on school days and weekends. While only a snapshot, the results of this study support previous research that has highlighted the challenges that many adolescents across the globe experience when it comes to obtaining enough sleep. The results of this study highlighted the need for more research to understand the sleep-wake behaviours of learners and their lifestyles more objectively. Given the early starts for many participants in this study, interventions such as delaying school start times may help to improve the amount of sleep that learners get during the week. However, extensive consultations would be needed to ensure that systemic changes that aim to improve sleep of adolescents are applicable for the context of rural and townships areas in South Africa. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Dlepu, Phelokazi
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Teenagers Sleep South Africa Alice , Rural teenagers South Africa Alice , Sleep-wake cycle
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/362808 , vital:65364
- Description: Introduction: School going adolescents have been identified as a group that is at risk of obtaining insufficient sleep due to shortened and irregular sleep, all of which can affect the overall wellbeing of adolescents. While there has been extenstive research on adolescent sleep around the world, research in South Africa has been limited. Of the research performed in this context, most has been conducted in city or urban contexts, but there has been comparatively less research on sleep in adolescents from rural and township areas. Therefore, this study focused on characterising and comparing the sleep-wake behaviour of late adolescents from selected rural and township areas in Alice in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Methods: An adapted version School Sleep Habits Survey (SSHS) was included in the study and assessed demographic, academic, sleep-wake behaviour, lifestyle, and behavioural information of adolescents from rural and township schools in and around Alice. The survey was distributed physically to all the learners from four co-educational rural and township schools. The responses to the survey were analysed with descriptive and non-parametric inferential statistics, as all data were not normally distributed. Results: A total of 123 learners completed the survey. All the participants were in Grade 12, aged 16 to 26 years (median =18, IQR= 18-19) from rural (n=28) and township (n=95) schools. Seventy-four female and 49 male learners participated in the study. Within the sample, there were also a group of participants who were not adolescents (n=22) whose age ranged between 20 and 26. Reported sleep during both the week and weekend (7hours) was lower than both the recommended duration for adolescents and their own self-reported sleep need of a median of 8 hours and 14 minutes. Bedtimes were significantly earlier on weekdays than weekends. The need to do homework and feeling sleepy were cited as the main reasons for going to sleep during the week and the weekends. Wake times on weekdays and weekends did not differ, with most learners citing being woken up by an alarm clock as the main reason for waking during both weekdays and weekends. Most learners (n=47; 38%) reported walking to get to school, while 41 (33%) relied on public transport to get to school. There were no significant effects of gender or of being rural and township scholars in relation to their sleep variables. Comparisons between non-adolescents and adolescents revealed that non-adolescents reported sleeping longer (7 hours and 30 minutes) compared to adolescents (7 hours) than adolescents did on weekends. As a group, the learners in this sample were morningness-orientated in terms of chronotype, presented with low day time sleepiness, some evidence of sleep-wake behaviour problems and of depressive mood symptoms. Nearly half (n=53; 43%) the group reported napping occasionally on school days. In terms of caffeine consumption, just over half (n=64; 52%) of the learners reported never consuming caffeinated substances such as soda, coffee, or tea. Conclusions: The reported sleep duration of learners in this study was consistent on both the week and weekend but was shorter than the recommended 8-10 hours for late adolescents. While learners in this sample reported early bedtimes, sleep was likely curtailed by the early rise times due to the contextual constraints where scholars had to commute, by either walking or taking public transport, to make the early school start times. There was a high prevalence of sleep disturbances in this sample however, the effects of this (increased daytime sleepiness) were lower which can be attributed to low reported prevalence of caffeine consumption combined with the high prevalence of reported day time napping on school days and weekends. While only a snapshot, the results of this study support previous research that has highlighted the challenges that many adolescents across the globe experience when it comes to obtaining enough sleep. The results of this study highlighted the need for more research to understand the sleep-wake behaviours of learners and their lifestyles more objectively. Given the early starts for many participants in this study, interventions such as delaying school start times may help to improve the amount of sleep that learners get during the week. However, extensive consultations would be needed to ensure that systemic changes that aim to improve sleep of adolescents are applicable for the context of rural and townships areas in South Africa. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Land degradation and livelihood strategies in rural Zimbabwe: the case of two A1 farms in Shurugwi District
- Authors: Nciizah, Tendai
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Land degradation Zimbabwe , Sustainable livelihood , Shurugwi District , Conservation of natural resources Zimbabwe , Land reform Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365989 , vital:65808 , https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/365989
- Description: Land degradation is a global phenomenon which is having serious negative consequences for rural livelihoods, which depend quite fundamentally on land and its resources. At the same time, one of the key conditions contributing to land degradation relates to rural livelihood practices, insofar as these practices fail to protect the land. Hence, there sometimes exists a mutually-reinforcing process of decline, in relation to both land vitality and livelihoods vitality over time. This thesis seeks to investigate and understand this complex land-livelihoods process through a case study of two fast track farms in the Shurugwi District of contemporary Zimbabwe. In the year 2000, the Zimbabwean government introduced the fast track land reform programme which fundamentally reconfigured the rural landscape. In particular, it led to the formation of A1 farms (containing small-scale farming units called A1 plots), onto which people were resettled for purposes of enhancing their livelihoods. The case study focuses on two A1 farms in the district, namely, Selukwe Peak and Adare farms. Through a longitudinal study of land and livelihoods on these A1 farms, this study seeks to identify the multi-faceted character of land degradation on the farms, the multi-layered conditions (or causes) facilitating land degradation (specifically, the farm-based livelihood practices) and the effects of this land degradation on these very livelihood practices. This includes a focus on farmers’ understandings of land degradation and how these understandings may or may not condition livelihood practices on the two farms. Of particular importance is the presence of not only agricultural practices, but also high levels of illegal and legal mining on the farms and in the surrounding areas. In pursuing this study, the thesis draws upon the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach alongside Margaret Archer’s morphogenetic sociological perspective. Combined, they provide an intricate understanding of the relevance of both structure and agency to the analysis. A qualitative methodology was used, and this involved a questionnaire survey, in- depth interviews, life histories, focus group discussions and transect walks. The study concludes that the livelihood strategies undertaken by the villagers of Selukwe Peak and Adare farms are key causes of land degradation, as are the land-degrading activities of illegal and legal miners. The A1 villagers are aware that their activities are causing land degradation but they continue these activities because they are pushed by circumstances beyond their control. Hence, both proximate and underlying causes are of some significance in understanding land degradation and livelihoods on the two farms, and their interrelationships. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Nciizah, Tendai
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Land degradation Zimbabwe , Sustainable livelihood , Shurugwi District , Conservation of natural resources Zimbabwe , Land reform Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365989 , vital:65808 , https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/365989
- Description: Land degradation is a global phenomenon which is having serious negative consequences for rural livelihoods, which depend quite fundamentally on land and its resources. At the same time, one of the key conditions contributing to land degradation relates to rural livelihood practices, insofar as these practices fail to protect the land. Hence, there sometimes exists a mutually-reinforcing process of decline, in relation to both land vitality and livelihoods vitality over time. This thesis seeks to investigate and understand this complex land-livelihoods process through a case study of two fast track farms in the Shurugwi District of contemporary Zimbabwe. In the year 2000, the Zimbabwean government introduced the fast track land reform programme which fundamentally reconfigured the rural landscape. In particular, it led to the formation of A1 farms (containing small-scale farming units called A1 plots), onto which people were resettled for purposes of enhancing their livelihoods. The case study focuses on two A1 farms in the district, namely, Selukwe Peak and Adare farms. Through a longitudinal study of land and livelihoods on these A1 farms, this study seeks to identify the multi-faceted character of land degradation on the farms, the multi-layered conditions (or causes) facilitating land degradation (specifically, the farm-based livelihood practices) and the effects of this land degradation on these very livelihood practices. This includes a focus on farmers’ understandings of land degradation and how these understandings may or may not condition livelihood practices on the two farms. Of particular importance is the presence of not only agricultural practices, but also high levels of illegal and legal mining on the farms and in the surrounding areas. In pursuing this study, the thesis draws upon the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach alongside Margaret Archer’s morphogenetic sociological perspective. Combined, they provide an intricate understanding of the relevance of both structure and agency to the analysis. A qualitative methodology was used, and this involved a questionnaire survey, in- depth interviews, life histories, focus group discussions and transect walks. The study concludes that the livelihood strategies undertaken by the villagers of Selukwe Peak and Adare farms are key causes of land degradation, as are the land-degrading activities of illegal and legal miners. The A1 villagers are aware that their activities are causing land degradation but they continue these activities because they are pushed by circumstances beyond their control. Hence, both proximate and underlying causes are of some significance in understanding land degradation and livelihoods on the two farms, and their interrelationships. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Investigating the roles of HOP isoforms in KSHV biology
- Matandirotya, Lorraine Tariro
- Authors: Matandirotya, Lorraine Tariro
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365257 , vital:65721
- Description: Thesis embargoed. Possible release date set for early 2025. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Matandirotya, Lorraine Tariro
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365257 , vital:65721
- Description: Thesis embargoed. Possible release date set for early 2025. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Cape Fold Ecoregion fish community ecology and responses to stressors
- Authors: Broom, Casey Jay
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Cyprinidae South Africa Western Cape , Freshwater fishes South Africa Western Cape , Cyprinidae Habitat South Africa Western Cape , Food chains (Ecology) , Restoration ecology South Africa Western Cape , Riparian restoration South Africa Western Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365644 , vital:65772 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/365644
- Description: Freshwater fishes are in global decline and fish as a group are the most imperilled of all vertebrates. Freshwater systems are among the most threatened globally, largely owing to their comparatively high species and habitat diversity while occupying a minute fraction of the Earth’s surface. In South Africa, invasion by non-native fishes has had a devastating effect on freshwater systems across the country. Numerous other stressors and anthropogenic impacts continue to impact these systems, including habitat degradation, water abstraction and global change effects. In general, South African freshwater systems are under-studied and there is a lack of baseline biological and ecological studies on many freshwater fish species. The Cape Fold Ecoregion (CFE) of South Africa is a particularly vulnerable region, with many range-restricted species and highly fragmented native fish ranges following high invasion rates. Within the CFE, the Olifants-Doring River System (ODRS) is of primary concern owing to the high endemism and imperilled status of its freshwater fish species. The Rondegat River in the ODRS is of notable conservation value, as it hosts populations of important endemic CFE species. This river is unique, being the site of the first alien fish eradication programme of its kind in South Africa. Thus the Rondegat River, and in particular its imperilled cyprinid assemblage, is used here as a case study of the responses and community dynamics of recovering freshwater fish species. The members of this cyprinid assemblage are Sedercypris calidus, Pseudobarbus phlegethon and Labeobarbus seeberi. Sedercypris calidus and L. seeberi are listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as “Near-Threatened”, while P. phlegethon is listed as “Endangered”. Understanding the dynamics and responses to understudied vulnerable fish communities in the wake of restoration efforts was the overarching goal of this thesis. The first chapter served as a review of current knowledge of the CFE, the Rondegat River, the myriad stressors that have impacted on or are projected to affect this region, and the freshwater fish species on which those stressors act. My first investigations served as an extension of the existing Rondegat River monitoring programme, making use of remote underwater video (RUV) data to assess relative abundance and habitat associations of the focal species (Chapter 2). A relatively limited spatial range of P. phlegethon was established, which was suggested to be a result of relatively highly specialised habitat requirements and sensitivity to disturbance. Sedercypris calidus was confirmed as a relatively more abundant and ubiquitous species across the length of the Rondegat River, sharing much of the lower and middle reaches with L. seeberi. I sought to use experimental trials of functional response, as a proxy for feeding performance, across representative temperatures and relevant prey types, in the spatially overlapping S. calidus and L. seeberi (Chapter 3). Labeobarbus seeberi generally outcompeted S. calidus across temperature treatments and prey types. The ecomorphology and diet of all three species were used to construct trophic profiles, which suggested that there was a high degree of feeding capacity overlap between L. seeberi and S. calidus, while P. phlegethon diverged from the other two species (Chapter 4). Gut content suggested that all three species overlapped broadly in diet. This indicated that the realised trophic niche of these species is similar, despite some morphological specialisation. I then used RUV data to investigate in-situ feeding behaviours, with the aim to disentangle the nuances of community dynamics and mechanisms of coexistence in the cyprinid assemblage (Chapter 5). I found that, despite the higher feeding performance of L. seeberi (Chapter 3) and its overlaps in diet and feeding capacity with S. calidus (Chapter 4), S. calidus is able to mitigate competitive pressures through foraging mode switching and exploitation of allochthonous food inputs. Evidence for further habitat and prey selectivity in Pseudobarbus phlegethon was gathered based on dependence on complex habitats and pool refugia for the majority of its feeding, supporting this species as a headwater specialist; alongside signals of its spatial and habitat use patterns (Chapter 2). While S. calidus and L. seeberi were found to be less habitat-specific than P. phlegethon, caution was noted in the potential for ongoing stressors, such as habitat destruction, loss of river connectivity and global change effects, to impact on the reproductive success of these two species. Stressors affecting the habitats and sensitive invertebrate taxa upon which all three species depend continue to threaten the Rondegat system, highlighting the need to maintain ecosystem integrity through conservation interventions. There remains significant scope to maintain restoration efforts in the Rondegat River and other river systems of the CFE, through direct conservation actions, enhanced community awareness, indigenous riparian vegetation restoration and involvement of local stakeholders in various conservation-centred activities. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Broom, Casey Jay
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Cyprinidae South Africa Western Cape , Freshwater fishes South Africa Western Cape , Cyprinidae Habitat South Africa Western Cape , Food chains (Ecology) , Restoration ecology South Africa Western Cape , Riparian restoration South Africa Western Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365644 , vital:65772 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/365644
- Description: Freshwater fishes are in global decline and fish as a group are the most imperilled of all vertebrates. Freshwater systems are among the most threatened globally, largely owing to their comparatively high species and habitat diversity while occupying a minute fraction of the Earth’s surface. In South Africa, invasion by non-native fishes has had a devastating effect on freshwater systems across the country. Numerous other stressors and anthropogenic impacts continue to impact these systems, including habitat degradation, water abstraction and global change effects. In general, South African freshwater systems are under-studied and there is a lack of baseline biological and ecological studies on many freshwater fish species. The Cape Fold Ecoregion (CFE) of South Africa is a particularly vulnerable region, with many range-restricted species and highly fragmented native fish ranges following high invasion rates. Within the CFE, the Olifants-Doring River System (ODRS) is of primary concern owing to the high endemism and imperilled status of its freshwater fish species. The Rondegat River in the ODRS is of notable conservation value, as it hosts populations of important endemic CFE species. This river is unique, being the site of the first alien fish eradication programme of its kind in South Africa. Thus the Rondegat River, and in particular its imperilled cyprinid assemblage, is used here as a case study of the responses and community dynamics of recovering freshwater fish species. The members of this cyprinid assemblage are Sedercypris calidus, Pseudobarbus phlegethon and Labeobarbus seeberi. Sedercypris calidus and L. seeberi are listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as “Near-Threatened”, while P. phlegethon is listed as “Endangered”. Understanding the dynamics and responses to understudied vulnerable fish communities in the wake of restoration efforts was the overarching goal of this thesis. The first chapter served as a review of current knowledge of the CFE, the Rondegat River, the myriad stressors that have impacted on or are projected to affect this region, and the freshwater fish species on which those stressors act. My first investigations served as an extension of the existing Rondegat River monitoring programme, making use of remote underwater video (RUV) data to assess relative abundance and habitat associations of the focal species (Chapter 2). A relatively limited spatial range of P. phlegethon was established, which was suggested to be a result of relatively highly specialised habitat requirements and sensitivity to disturbance. Sedercypris calidus was confirmed as a relatively more abundant and ubiquitous species across the length of the Rondegat River, sharing much of the lower and middle reaches with L. seeberi. I sought to use experimental trials of functional response, as a proxy for feeding performance, across representative temperatures and relevant prey types, in the spatially overlapping S. calidus and L. seeberi (Chapter 3). Labeobarbus seeberi generally outcompeted S. calidus across temperature treatments and prey types. The ecomorphology and diet of all three species were used to construct trophic profiles, which suggested that there was a high degree of feeding capacity overlap between L. seeberi and S. calidus, while P. phlegethon diverged from the other two species (Chapter 4). Gut content suggested that all three species overlapped broadly in diet. This indicated that the realised trophic niche of these species is similar, despite some morphological specialisation. I then used RUV data to investigate in-situ feeding behaviours, with the aim to disentangle the nuances of community dynamics and mechanisms of coexistence in the cyprinid assemblage (Chapter 5). I found that, despite the higher feeding performance of L. seeberi (Chapter 3) and its overlaps in diet and feeding capacity with S. calidus (Chapter 4), S. calidus is able to mitigate competitive pressures through foraging mode switching and exploitation of allochthonous food inputs. Evidence for further habitat and prey selectivity in Pseudobarbus phlegethon was gathered based on dependence on complex habitats and pool refugia for the majority of its feeding, supporting this species as a headwater specialist; alongside signals of its spatial and habitat use patterns (Chapter 2). While S. calidus and L. seeberi were found to be less habitat-specific than P. phlegethon, caution was noted in the potential for ongoing stressors, such as habitat destruction, loss of river connectivity and global change effects, to impact on the reproductive success of these two species. Stressors affecting the habitats and sensitive invertebrate taxa upon which all three species depend continue to threaten the Rondegat system, highlighting the need to maintain ecosystem integrity through conservation interventions. There remains significant scope to maintain restoration efforts in the Rondegat River and other river systems of the CFE, through direct conservation actions, enhanced community awareness, indigenous riparian vegetation restoration and involvement of local stakeholders in various conservation-centred activities. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Teaching in times of crisis: understanding the uneven effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns on teaching practices in Zimbabwe – a case study of Marondera
- Authors: Nhliziyo, Sarah Mazvita
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- Zimbabwe , Lockdown , Social distancing (Public health) and education Zimbabwe , Educational equalization Zimbabwe , COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- Economic aspects , Teaching Social aspects Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/408682 , vital:70516
- Description: The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of economies in times of a global crisis while simultaneously increasing inequalities between and within countries. The pandemic responses have varied between countries with some being extremely proactive and others being quite reluctant to respond. Though it is largely a health crisis, its impact has far reaching effects that have been felt in many sectors of society including education. Billions of scholars at varying levels were forced out of school abruptly globally and unfortunately some have not been able to return to schools. The differential impact of COVID-19 in education is evident not only at a global level, but national level as well. The primary focus of this research is the impact of COVID-19 on the teaching practices applied in Zimbabwean schools. Zimbabwe, a developing nation in the southern region of Africa, has a long history of a thriving education sector recognised internationally. However, in the wake of the pandemic, the research attempts to understand the experiences of teachers in private and government schools in the hope of showing the dilapidation and unevenness of the sector, across the private-public divide. COVID-19 comes at a time when the country’s economy and healthcare system continue to exhibit signs of struggle and collapse. The research made use of qualitative research methods and in-depth interviews with teachers from public and schools around the town of Marondera. The research concluded that there are wide gaps in the quality of education delivered to students in private and government schools, and that the COVID-19 lockdowns in Zimbabwe not only demonstrate these gaps but also exacerbated them. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Nhliziyo, Sarah Mazvita
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- Zimbabwe , Lockdown , Social distancing (Public health) and education Zimbabwe , Educational equalization Zimbabwe , COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- Economic aspects , Teaching Social aspects Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/408682 , vital:70516
- Description: The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of economies in times of a global crisis while simultaneously increasing inequalities between and within countries. The pandemic responses have varied between countries with some being extremely proactive and others being quite reluctant to respond. Though it is largely a health crisis, its impact has far reaching effects that have been felt in many sectors of society including education. Billions of scholars at varying levels were forced out of school abruptly globally and unfortunately some have not been able to return to schools. The differential impact of COVID-19 in education is evident not only at a global level, but national level as well. The primary focus of this research is the impact of COVID-19 on the teaching practices applied in Zimbabwean schools. Zimbabwe, a developing nation in the southern region of Africa, has a long history of a thriving education sector recognised internationally. However, in the wake of the pandemic, the research attempts to understand the experiences of teachers in private and government schools in the hope of showing the dilapidation and unevenness of the sector, across the private-public divide. COVID-19 comes at a time when the country’s economy and healthcare system continue to exhibit signs of struggle and collapse. The research made use of qualitative research methods and in-depth interviews with teachers from public and schools around the town of Marondera. The research concluded that there are wide gaps in the quality of education delivered to students in private and government schools, and that the COVID-19 lockdowns in Zimbabwe not only demonstrate these gaps but also exacerbated them. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
An investigation of language choice on Twitter: the case of isiXhosa-speaking users and the o jewa ke eng? Trend
- Authors: Nkunzi, Zindzi
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Twitter , Social media South Africa , Social media and society South Africa , Xhosa language Usage , Mass media and language South Africa , Language choice , Language shift , Language attitude
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406331 , vital:70259
- Description: The study critically examines and discusses language choice on twitter, a social media platform that has a vast number of people from different language groups. This diverse platform allows people to tweet, communicate, and share information online. There are tweets that trend and attract more engagement across different language groups. O jewa ke eng? which translates to ‘what’s bothering you?’ is one of those tweets, and it is communicated in Sesotho. (More discussion about the tweet in the introduction section that follows). According to Eisenstein, O’ Connor, Smith & Xing (2010) & Eisenstein (2016), “the popularity and ubiquity of social media allows access to a wide variety of spontaneous language enabling researchers to study language variation across space and time at large scale”, (Preotiuc-Pietro & Ungar, 2018: 1534). The introduction to the internet and socially mediated platforms such as Twitter and others has changed how information is produced and consumed. Social media allow people to communicate and engage in languages they are comfortable and familiar with. The study discusses language choice at three levels: language choice between isiXhosa verses English; isiXhosa verses other African languages and isiXhosa verses other varieties. The study is pursued with the overarching aim to investigate the possibility of African languages such as isiXhosa being used as dominant languages on social media. Thus, the study explores language use by isiXhosa speaking users on twitter that engaged with the tweet. Moreover, the study investigated why they choose to use one language over the other or multiple languages. To give a broader perspective on the study, language choice, language shift and language attitude are discussed and critically evaluated. Theoretically, the concept of code-switching and code-mixing is used when looking at bilingualism and multilingualism. It is imperative to look at multilingualism because the prevalent use of English is no longer a barrier to communication, social media platforms have created a space where African language users are able to engage in their native languages. Moreover, the study explores the use of standard and non-standard isiXhosa languages. There are varieties of languages such as tsotsitaal, slang and others, and these language varieties are not recognised as standard, used in educational settings and so on. In doing so, language attitude is used as the concept to investigate what propels isiXhosa users to or not to use these language varieties in the online communities. The study is explored with the aim to investigate whether social media either grows and preserves African languages online or these platforms are detrimental to these languages, as the language utilised on them is casual and vague, in terms of both spoken and written speech. , Olu phando luvavanya kwaye luxoxa nzulu ngokhetho lolwimi kuTwitter, ikhasi lonxibelelwano elinenani elikhulu labantu abavela kumaqela eelwimi ezahlukeneyo. Eli khasi labantu abohlukeneyo libavumela ukuba babhale, banxibelelane, kwaye babelane ngolwazi kwi-intanethi. Kukho ii-tweets (imibhalwana emifutshane) ezihamba phambili kwaye zitsala uthethathethwano phakathi kumaqela eelwimi ezahlukeneyo. O jewa ke eng? ethetha ukuthi, ‘ukhathazwa yintoni?’ yenye yezo tweets (yalo mibhalwana mifutshane), kwaye idluliselwe ngesiSuthu. (Ingxoxo engakumbi malunga ne-tweet (nombhalwana omfutshane) ifumaneka kwicandelo lentshayelelo elilandelayo). Ngokutsho kukaEisenstein, O’ Connor, Smith & Xing (2010) kunye noEisenstein (2016), “ukuduma kunye nobuninzi beendaba zoluntu kubangela ezo ndaba ukuba zinwenwele kwiindidi ezininzi zeelwimi nezivumela abaphandi ukuba bafunde ngokwahlukana kolwimi kwindawo kunye nexesha…”, (Preotiuc-Pietro & Ungar, 2008: 1534). Ulwaziso kwi-intanethi kunye namakhasi onxibelelwano oluntu afana ne-Twitter kunye namanye, luyitshintshile indlela ulwazi oluveliswa ngayo kunye nendlela olusetyenziswa ngayo. Amakhasi onxibelelwano oluntu avumela abantu ukuba banxibelelane kwaye bazibandakanye ngeelwimi abakhululekileyo ukuzisebenzisa nabaqhelene nazo Olu phando luxoxa ngokukhethwa kolwimi kumanqanaba amathathu: ukukhethwa kolwimi phakathi kwesiXhosa kunye nesiNgesi, isiXhosa kunye nezinye iilwimi ziseNtu, kwakunye nesiXhosa kunye nezinye iindidi zolwimi. Olu phando luqhutywa ngeyona njongo iphambili yokuphanda ukuba ngaba iilwimi zesiNtu ezifana nesiXhosa zingasetyenziswa njengeelwimi eziphambili kamakhasi onxibelelwano na. Kungoko, uphando luphonononga ukusetyenziswa kolwimi ngabo bantetho isisiXhosa kuTwitter abanxibelelana ne-tweet (nombhalo omfutshane). Olu phando, lukwaphanda ukuba kutheni bekhetha ukusebenzisa ulwimi oluthile kunolunye okanye iilwimi ezininzi. Ukunika umbono ngokuthe gabalala ngolu phando, ukukhethwa kolwimi, utshintsho lolwimi, kunye nesimo sengqondo solwimi ziyaxoxwa kwaye zihlolwa ngokunzulu. Ngokwethiyori, ingqikelelo yokutshintshatshintsha iilwimi kunye nokuxuba iilwimi (ukusebenzisa iilwimi ezahlukeneyo kumgca okanye umbhalo omnye) ziyasetyenziswa xa kujongwa ukusetyenziswa kweelwimi ezimbini kunye neelwimi ezininzi. Kunyanzelekile ukuba kujongwe ukusetyenziswa kweelwimi ezininzi kuba ukuxhaphaka kokusetyenziswa kwesiNgesi akusengomqobo kunxibelelwano, amakhasi onxibelelwano (amaqonga osasazo) oluntu avule indawo apho abasebenzisi beelwimi zesiNtu bakwaziyo ukuthetha ngeelwimi zabo zomthonyama. Ngaphezu koko, olu phando luphonononga ukusetyenziswa kweelwimi zesiXhosa ezisemgangathweni nezingekho mgangathweni. Kukho iintlobo ngeentlobo zeelwimi ezifana neTsotsitaal, ulwimi lwe-slang nezinye, kwaye ezi ntlobo zeelwimi aziqatshelwa njengeelwimi ezisemgangathweni, ezisetyenziswa kumajelo emfundo njalo njalo. Ngokwenza oko, isimo sengqondo solwimi sisetyenziswa njengengcamango yokuphanda ukuba yintoni eyenza abasebenzisi besiXhosa basebenzise okanye bangasebenzisi ezi ntlobo zeelwimi kwi-intanethi. Olu phononongo luphononongwa ngeenjongo zokuphanda apho amaqonga onxibelelwano akhula kwaye agcine khona iilwimi zesiNtu kwi-intanethi okanye lamaqonga onxibelelwano abubungozi kwezilwimi, njengoko ulwimi olusetyenziswa kula maqonga luqhelekile kwaye alucacanga, ngokwentetho ethethwayo nebhaliweyo. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Languages and Literatures, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Nkunzi, Zindzi
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Twitter , Social media South Africa , Social media and society South Africa , Xhosa language Usage , Mass media and language South Africa , Language choice , Language shift , Language attitude
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406331 , vital:70259
- Description: The study critically examines and discusses language choice on twitter, a social media platform that has a vast number of people from different language groups. This diverse platform allows people to tweet, communicate, and share information online. There are tweets that trend and attract more engagement across different language groups. O jewa ke eng? which translates to ‘what’s bothering you?’ is one of those tweets, and it is communicated in Sesotho. (More discussion about the tweet in the introduction section that follows). According to Eisenstein, O’ Connor, Smith & Xing (2010) & Eisenstein (2016), “the popularity and ubiquity of social media allows access to a wide variety of spontaneous language enabling researchers to study language variation across space and time at large scale”, (Preotiuc-Pietro & Ungar, 2018: 1534). The introduction to the internet and socially mediated platforms such as Twitter and others has changed how information is produced and consumed. Social media allow people to communicate and engage in languages they are comfortable and familiar with. The study discusses language choice at three levels: language choice between isiXhosa verses English; isiXhosa verses other African languages and isiXhosa verses other varieties. The study is pursued with the overarching aim to investigate the possibility of African languages such as isiXhosa being used as dominant languages on social media. Thus, the study explores language use by isiXhosa speaking users on twitter that engaged with the tweet. Moreover, the study investigated why they choose to use one language over the other or multiple languages. To give a broader perspective on the study, language choice, language shift and language attitude are discussed and critically evaluated. Theoretically, the concept of code-switching and code-mixing is used when looking at bilingualism and multilingualism. It is imperative to look at multilingualism because the prevalent use of English is no longer a barrier to communication, social media platforms have created a space where African language users are able to engage in their native languages. Moreover, the study explores the use of standard and non-standard isiXhosa languages. There are varieties of languages such as tsotsitaal, slang and others, and these language varieties are not recognised as standard, used in educational settings and so on. In doing so, language attitude is used as the concept to investigate what propels isiXhosa users to or not to use these language varieties in the online communities. The study is explored with the aim to investigate whether social media either grows and preserves African languages online or these platforms are detrimental to these languages, as the language utilised on them is casual and vague, in terms of both spoken and written speech. , Olu phando luvavanya kwaye luxoxa nzulu ngokhetho lolwimi kuTwitter, ikhasi lonxibelelwano elinenani elikhulu labantu abavela kumaqela eelwimi ezahlukeneyo. Eli khasi labantu abohlukeneyo libavumela ukuba babhale, banxibelelane, kwaye babelane ngolwazi kwi-intanethi. Kukho ii-tweets (imibhalwana emifutshane) ezihamba phambili kwaye zitsala uthethathethwano phakathi kumaqela eelwimi ezahlukeneyo. O jewa ke eng? ethetha ukuthi, ‘ukhathazwa yintoni?’ yenye yezo tweets (yalo mibhalwana mifutshane), kwaye idluliselwe ngesiSuthu. (Ingxoxo engakumbi malunga ne-tweet (nombhalwana omfutshane) ifumaneka kwicandelo lentshayelelo elilandelayo). Ngokutsho kukaEisenstein, O’ Connor, Smith & Xing (2010) kunye noEisenstein (2016), “ukuduma kunye nobuninzi beendaba zoluntu kubangela ezo ndaba ukuba zinwenwele kwiindidi ezininzi zeelwimi nezivumela abaphandi ukuba bafunde ngokwahlukana kolwimi kwindawo kunye nexesha…”, (Preotiuc-Pietro & Ungar, 2008: 1534). Ulwaziso kwi-intanethi kunye namakhasi onxibelelwano oluntu afana ne-Twitter kunye namanye, luyitshintshile indlela ulwazi oluveliswa ngayo kunye nendlela olusetyenziswa ngayo. Amakhasi onxibelelwano oluntu avumela abantu ukuba banxibelelane kwaye bazibandakanye ngeelwimi abakhululekileyo ukuzisebenzisa nabaqhelene nazo Olu phando luxoxa ngokukhethwa kolwimi kumanqanaba amathathu: ukukhethwa kolwimi phakathi kwesiXhosa kunye nesiNgesi, isiXhosa kunye nezinye iilwimi ziseNtu, kwakunye nesiXhosa kunye nezinye iindidi zolwimi. Olu phando luqhutywa ngeyona njongo iphambili yokuphanda ukuba ngaba iilwimi zesiNtu ezifana nesiXhosa zingasetyenziswa njengeelwimi eziphambili kamakhasi onxibelelwano na. Kungoko, uphando luphonononga ukusetyenziswa kolwimi ngabo bantetho isisiXhosa kuTwitter abanxibelelana ne-tweet (nombhalo omfutshane). Olu phando, lukwaphanda ukuba kutheni bekhetha ukusebenzisa ulwimi oluthile kunolunye okanye iilwimi ezininzi. Ukunika umbono ngokuthe gabalala ngolu phando, ukukhethwa kolwimi, utshintsho lolwimi, kunye nesimo sengqondo solwimi ziyaxoxwa kwaye zihlolwa ngokunzulu. Ngokwethiyori, ingqikelelo yokutshintshatshintsha iilwimi kunye nokuxuba iilwimi (ukusebenzisa iilwimi ezahlukeneyo kumgca okanye umbhalo omnye) ziyasetyenziswa xa kujongwa ukusetyenziswa kweelwimi ezimbini kunye neelwimi ezininzi. Kunyanzelekile ukuba kujongwe ukusetyenziswa kweelwimi ezininzi kuba ukuxhaphaka kokusetyenziswa kwesiNgesi akusengomqobo kunxibelelwano, amakhasi onxibelelwano (amaqonga osasazo) oluntu avule indawo apho abasebenzisi beelwimi zesiNtu bakwaziyo ukuthetha ngeelwimi zabo zomthonyama. Ngaphezu koko, olu phando luphonononga ukusetyenziswa kweelwimi zesiXhosa ezisemgangathweni nezingekho mgangathweni. Kukho iintlobo ngeentlobo zeelwimi ezifana neTsotsitaal, ulwimi lwe-slang nezinye, kwaye ezi ntlobo zeelwimi aziqatshelwa njengeelwimi ezisemgangathweni, ezisetyenziswa kumajelo emfundo njalo njalo. Ngokwenza oko, isimo sengqondo solwimi sisetyenziswa njengengcamango yokuphanda ukuba yintoni eyenza abasebenzisi besiXhosa basebenzise okanye bangasebenzisi ezi ntlobo zeelwimi kwi-intanethi. Olu phononongo luphononongwa ngeenjongo zokuphanda apho amaqonga onxibelelwano akhula kwaye agcine khona iilwimi zesiNtu kwi-intanethi okanye lamaqonga onxibelelwano abubungozi kwezilwimi, njengoko ulwimi olusetyenziswa kula maqonga luqhelekile kwaye alucacanga, ngokwentetho ethethwayo nebhaliweyo. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Languages and Literatures, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Negotiating shame: An exploration of the body experience among young South African women who have attended or are attending University
- Authors: Spyker, Jessica Grace
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Shame , Body image in women , Body image Social aspects , College students Social conditions , College students Attitudes , Feminist aesthetics , Self-perception in women
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294880 , vital:57265
- Description: Guided by phenomenological and feminist phenomenological perspectives, this research aimed to explore the ways in which young South African women, who were attending or had recently graduated from university, navigated body shame. It interrogated the socially situated ‘lived body’ and the way it was impacted by restrictive appearance ideals. Fifteen in-depth interviews were conducted, mostly through the video conferencing website Zoom. It became evident that women experienced their bodies in complex ways. There was evidence of conformity to as well as resistance against the “regime of shame”. Conformity and resistance often happened simultaneously. Both of these kinds of experiences were viewed as valid and explored in their own right. External messages around women’s bodies and how they should look had greatly influenced participants experiences of their own bodies. This included messages from discourses such as postfeminism and the body positivity movement, which informed the ways in which they navigated shame. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
- Authors: Spyker, Jessica Grace
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Shame , Body image in women , Body image Social aspects , College students Social conditions , College students Attitudes , Feminist aesthetics , Self-perception in women
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294880 , vital:57265
- Description: Guided by phenomenological and feminist phenomenological perspectives, this research aimed to explore the ways in which young South African women, who were attending or had recently graduated from university, navigated body shame. It interrogated the socially situated ‘lived body’ and the way it was impacted by restrictive appearance ideals. Fifteen in-depth interviews were conducted, mostly through the video conferencing website Zoom. It became evident that women experienced their bodies in complex ways. There was evidence of conformity to as well as resistance against the “regime of shame”. Conformity and resistance often happened simultaneously. Both of these kinds of experiences were viewed as valid and explored in their own right. External messages around women’s bodies and how they should look had greatly influenced participants experiences of their own bodies. This included messages from discourses such as postfeminism and the body positivity movement, which informed the ways in which they navigated shame. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29