An investigation into water and sanitation in the Eastern Cape Province and potential for implementation of biotechnology platforms
- Authors: Gumunyu, Wilbert
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Sewage South Africa Eastern Cape , Sanitation South Africa Eastern Cape , Algae Biotechnology , Biotechnology , Sewage Purification Biological treatment , Algal biofuels
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/362830 , vital:65366
- Description: In contemporary South Africa, a country in transition, destruction rather than reconstruction seems commonplace. Electricity supply is at an all-time low and ‘load shedding’ is an almost daily occurrence. Similarly, more fragility of water delivery and sanitation service is being reported with the likelihood of ‘water shedding’ a soon-to-be reality. In view of the ever-increasing reported mismanagement of South Africa’s water and sanitation infrastructure, which is likely nearing the point of collapse if not already collapsed, this thesis set out to interrogate at a provincial and municipal level the status of water and sanitation in Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM), Eastern Cape Province. One major driver behind this study was to evaluate provincial and municipal water/wastewater infrastructure as a platform to support implementation of locally developed bioprocess technologies. First, publicly available historical data was used to derive a baseline or benchmark from which to determine gains/losses in compliance, water quality and efficiency. The period 2009-2013/4 during which Blue and Green Drop reporting was routine, was used as an appropriate start point. Data thus derived indicated that, at provincial and district municipality (DM) level, potable water supply was by bulk water schemes and, sanitation was typically by waste stabilization pond (WSP) treatment of municipal sewage. The derived benchmark for the period 2009-2013/14 indicated that most plants were not compliant (~75% of the Eastern Cape Province water treatment plants (WTP) operating between average performance to critical state), operated either at- or above design capacity (Eastern Cape Province, 16%; CHDM, 19%). A large number of plants for the province (62.4%) and district (81.25%) had hydraulic design capacity or average daily flows that were unknown (information not provided in available literature or plant reports) and final effluent did not always meet the general standard (70.3% of the CHDM wastewater treatment works (WWTW)). To determine the contemporary state (2020 - 2022) of water and sanitation within CHDM, a scoping exercise of WTP and WWTW in selected local municipalities was carried out. This was done along a west-east transect by appraising WTP and WWTW in the towns of Cradock, Tarkastad, Komani, Tsomo, Cacadu, and Ngcobo. Furthermore, targeted assessment of the Queenstown WTP and the Cradock WWTW was used to derive real-time data on the status of water and sanitation infrastructure. Results showed that water and sanitation services within CHDM had, in the years between 2009-2013/14 to date, deteriorated. Freshwater demand significantly exceeded capability of water supply schemes, where demand was as much as three times greater than reported available supply. For most WWTW, operation was in excess of capacity and between 1.52 and 12 times installed hydraulic loading. The targeted scoping exercise revealed that Queenstown WTP is a moderate risk plant (Cumulative risk rating, CRR = 11 and maximum risk rating, MRR = 47.8%), whereas Cradock WWTW was in working condition but with challenges and some infrastructural dysfunction. Assessment of water/effluent quality revealed that turbidity and TOC were above SANS 241 general limit. Non-compliance in terms of nitrate/nitrite-N, ammonium-N, phosphate-P, TSS, total coliforms, E. Coli, and free chlorine was evident at Cradock WWTW. Unstructured interviews with plant operators corroborated these findings. The overwhelming support for bulk schemes for potable water provision and WSP for sanitation indicated a partially water secure municipal district but derelict in terms of its sanitation services. The later, it was concluded, in particular provides an ideal opportunity for implementation of platform technologies to support bioprocesses for entrepreneurship, employment, economic benefit and to secure a closed circular economy for regional water and sanitation through valorisation of co-product streams. Among the co-product streams considered in this thesis are biomass, biogas, biofertilizers, biofuels and several high value chemical products. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Institute for Environmental Biotechnology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Gumunyu, Wilbert
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Sewage South Africa Eastern Cape , Sanitation South Africa Eastern Cape , Algae Biotechnology , Biotechnology , Sewage Purification Biological treatment , Algal biofuels
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/362830 , vital:65366
- Description: In contemporary South Africa, a country in transition, destruction rather than reconstruction seems commonplace. Electricity supply is at an all-time low and ‘load shedding’ is an almost daily occurrence. Similarly, more fragility of water delivery and sanitation service is being reported with the likelihood of ‘water shedding’ a soon-to-be reality. In view of the ever-increasing reported mismanagement of South Africa’s water and sanitation infrastructure, which is likely nearing the point of collapse if not already collapsed, this thesis set out to interrogate at a provincial and municipal level the status of water and sanitation in Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM), Eastern Cape Province. One major driver behind this study was to evaluate provincial and municipal water/wastewater infrastructure as a platform to support implementation of locally developed bioprocess technologies. First, publicly available historical data was used to derive a baseline or benchmark from which to determine gains/losses in compliance, water quality and efficiency. The period 2009-2013/4 during which Blue and Green Drop reporting was routine, was used as an appropriate start point. Data thus derived indicated that, at provincial and district municipality (DM) level, potable water supply was by bulk water schemes and, sanitation was typically by waste stabilization pond (WSP) treatment of municipal sewage. The derived benchmark for the period 2009-2013/14 indicated that most plants were not compliant (~75% of the Eastern Cape Province water treatment plants (WTP) operating between average performance to critical state), operated either at- or above design capacity (Eastern Cape Province, 16%; CHDM, 19%). A large number of plants for the province (62.4%) and district (81.25%) had hydraulic design capacity or average daily flows that were unknown (information not provided in available literature or plant reports) and final effluent did not always meet the general standard (70.3% of the CHDM wastewater treatment works (WWTW)). To determine the contemporary state (2020 - 2022) of water and sanitation within CHDM, a scoping exercise of WTP and WWTW in selected local municipalities was carried out. This was done along a west-east transect by appraising WTP and WWTW in the towns of Cradock, Tarkastad, Komani, Tsomo, Cacadu, and Ngcobo. Furthermore, targeted assessment of the Queenstown WTP and the Cradock WWTW was used to derive real-time data on the status of water and sanitation infrastructure. Results showed that water and sanitation services within CHDM had, in the years between 2009-2013/14 to date, deteriorated. Freshwater demand significantly exceeded capability of water supply schemes, where demand was as much as three times greater than reported available supply. For most WWTW, operation was in excess of capacity and between 1.52 and 12 times installed hydraulic loading. The targeted scoping exercise revealed that Queenstown WTP is a moderate risk plant (Cumulative risk rating, CRR = 11 and maximum risk rating, MRR = 47.8%), whereas Cradock WWTW was in working condition but with challenges and some infrastructural dysfunction. Assessment of water/effluent quality revealed that turbidity and TOC were above SANS 241 general limit. Non-compliance in terms of nitrate/nitrite-N, ammonium-N, phosphate-P, TSS, total coliforms, E. Coli, and free chlorine was evident at Cradock WWTW. Unstructured interviews with plant operators corroborated these findings. The overwhelming support for bulk schemes for potable water provision and WSP for sanitation indicated a partially water secure municipal district but derelict in terms of its sanitation services. The later, it was concluded, in particular provides an ideal opportunity for implementation of platform technologies to support bioprocesses for entrepreneurship, employment, economic benefit and to secure a closed circular economy for regional water and sanitation through valorisation of co-product streams. Among the co-product streams considered in this thesis are biomass, biogas, biofertilizers, biofuels and several high value chemical products. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Institute for Environmental Biotechnology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Application of computational methods in elucidating the isomerization step in the biosynthesis of coumarins
- Authors: Tshiwawa, Tendamudzimu
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Coumarins , Isomerization , Biosynthesis , Organic compounds -- Synthesis , Cinnamic acid
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67646 , vital:29124
- Description: The identity of the enzyme(s) responsible for the biosynthetic transformation of cinnamic acid derivatives to important, naturally occurring coumarins has yet to be established. This study constitutes a high-level theoretical analysis of the possibility that a recently reported molecular mechanism of the synthesis of coumarins from Baylis-Hillman adducts, may provide a viable model for three critical phases in the biosynthetic pathway Particular attention has been given to the first of these phases: i) E→Z isomerisation of the cinnamic acid precursor; ii) Cyclisation (lactonisation) to the hemi-acetal intermediate; and ii) Dehydration to afford the coumarin derivative. In order to accomplish this analysis, an enzyme capable, theoretically, of effecting this E→Z isomerisation required identification, and its potential involvement in the transformation mechanism explored. Combined Molecular Mechanics and high-level Quantum Mechanical/DFT calculations were used to access complementary models of appropriate complexes and relevant processes within the enzyme active sites of a range of eleven Chalcone Isomerase (CHI) enzyme candidates, the structures of which were downloaded from the Protein Data Bank. Detailed B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) calculations have provided pictures of the relative populations of conformations within the ensemble of conformations available at normal temperatures. Conformations of several protonation states of cinnamic acid derivatives have been studied in this way, and the results obtained showed that coupled protonation and deprotonation of (E)-o-coumaric acid provides a viable approach to achieve the E→Z isomerization. In silico docking of the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) optimized (E)-o-coumaric acid derivatives in the active sites of each of the candidate CHI enzymes (CHI) revealed that (E)-o-coumaric acid fits well within the active sites of Medicago Sativa CHI crystallographic structures with 1FM8 showing best potential for not only accommodating (E)-o-coumaric acid , but also providing appropriate protein active site residues to effect the simultaneous protonation and deprotonation of the substrate , two residues being optimally placed to facilitate these critical processes. Further exploration of the chemical properties and qualities of selected CHI enzymes, undertaken using High Throughput Virtual Screening (HTVS), confirmed 1FM8 as a viable choice for further studies of the enzyme-catalysed E→Z isomerization of (E)-o-coumaric acid. A molecular dynamics study, performed to further evaluate the evolution of (E)-o-coumaric acid in the CHI active site over time, showed that the ligand in the 1FM8 active site is not only stable, but also that the desired protein-ligand interactions persist throughout the simulation period to facilitate the E→Z isomerization. An integrated molecular orbital and molecular mechanics (ONIOM) study of the 1FM8-(E)-o-coumaric acid complex, involving the direct protonation and deprotonation of the ligand by protein residues; has provided a plausible mechanism for the E → Z isomerization of (E)-o-coumaric acid within the 1FM8 active site; a transition state complex (with an activation energy of ca. 50 kCal.mol-1) has been located and its connection with both the (E)- and (Z)-o-coumaric acid isomer has been confirmed by Intrinsic Reaction Coordinate (IRC) calculations. More realistic models of the 1FM8-(E)-o-coumaric acid complex, with the inclusion of water solvent molecules, have been obtained at both the QM/MM and adaptive QM/MM levels which simulate the dynamic active site at the QM level. The results indicate that the simultaneous protonation and deprotonation of (E)-o-coumaric acid within the CHI enzyme is a water-mediated process – a conclusion consistent with similar reported processes. Visual inspection of the 1FM8-(Z)-o-coumaric acid complex reveals both the necessary orientation of the phenolic and carboxylic acid moieties of the (Z)-o-coumaric acid and the presence of appropriate, proximal active site residues with the potential to permit catalysis of the subsequent lactonisation and dehydration steps required to generate coumarin.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Tshiwawa, Tendamudzimu
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Coumarins , Isomerization , Biosynthesis , Organic compounds -- Synthesis , Cinnamic acid
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67646 , vital:29124
- Description: The identity of the enzyme(s) responsible for the biosynthetic transformation of cinnamic acid derivatives to important, naturally occurring coumarins has yet to be established. This study constitutes a high-level theoretical analysis of the possibility that a recently reported molecular mechanism of the synthesis of coumarins from Baylis-Hillman adducts, may provide a viable model for three critical phases in the biosynthetic pathway Particular attention has been given to the first of these phases: i) E→Z isomerisation of the cinnamic acid precursor; ii) Cyclisation (lactonisation) to the hemi-acetal intermediate; and ii) Dehydration to afford the coumarin derivative. In order to accomplish this analysis, an enzyme capable, theoretically, of effecting this E→Z isomerisation required identification, and its potential involvement in the transformation mechanism explored. Combined Molecular Mechanics and high-level Quantum Mechanical/DFT calculations were used to access complementary models of appropriate complexes and relevant processes within the enzyme active sites of a range of eleven Chalcone Isomerase (CHI) enzyme candidates, the structures of which were downloaded from the Protein Data Bank. Detailed B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) calculations have provided pictures of the relative populations of conformations within the ensemble of conformations available at normal temperatures. Conformations of several protonation states of cinnamic acid derivatives have been studied in this way, and the results obtained showed that coupled protonation and deprotonation of (E)-o-coumaric acid provides a viable approach to achieve the E→Z isomerization. In silico docking of the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) optimized (E)-o-coumaric acid derivatives in the active sites of each of the candidate CHI enzymes (CHI) revealed that (E)-o-coumaric acid fits well within the active sites of Medicago Sativa CHI crystallographic structures with 1FM8 showing best potential for not only accommodating (E)-o-coumaric acid , but also providing appropriate protein active site residues to effect the simultaneous protonation and deprotonation of the substrate , two residues being optimally placed to facilitate these critical processes. Further exploration of the chemical properties and qualities of selected CHI enzymes, undertaken using High Throughput Virtual Screening (HTVS), confirmed 1FM8 as a viable choice for further studies of the enzyme-catalysed E→Z isomerization of (E)-o-coumaric acid. A molecular dynamics study, performed to further evaluate the evolution of (E)-o-coumaric acid in the CHI active site over time, showed that the ligand in the 1FM8 active site is not only stable, but also that the desired protein-ligand interactions persist throughout the simulation period to facilitate the E→Z isomerization. An integrated molecular orbital and molecular mechanics (ONIOM) study of the 1FM8-(E)-o-coumaric acid complex, involving the direct protonation and deprotonation of the ligand by protein residues; has provided a plausible mechanism for the E → Z isomerization of (E)-o-coumaric acid within the 1FM8 active site; a transition state complex (with an activation energy of ca. 50 kCal.mol-1) has been located and its connection with both the (E)- and (Z)-o-coumaric acid isomer has been confirmed by Intrinsic Reaction Coordinate (IRC) calculations. More realistic models of the 1FM8-(E)-o-coumaric acid complex, with the inclusion of water solvent molecules, have been obtained at both the QM/MM and adaptive QM/MM levels which simulate the dynamic active site at the QM level. The results indicate that the simultaneous protonation and deprotonation of (E)-o-coumaric acid within the CHI enzyme is a water-mediated process – a conclusion consistent with similar reported processes. Visual inspection of the 1FM8-(Z)-o-coumaric acid complex reveals both the necessary orientation of the phenolic and carboxylic acid moieties of the (Z)-o-coumaric acid and the presence of appropriate, proximal active site residues with the potential to permit catalysis of the subsequent lactonisation and dehydration steps required to generate coumarin.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Tetra 4-(propargyloxy)phenoxy phthalocyanines: synthesis, spectroscopic, nonlinear optical and electrocatalytic properties
- Authors: Mwanza, Daniel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Nonlinear optics , Electrocatalysis , Spectrum analysis , Thermogravimetry , Phthalocyanines Spectra
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65144 , vital:28695
- Description: This study presents the synthesis, spectroscopic, photophysical and theoretical characterisation of metal-free (H2TPrOPhOPc), cobalt (CoTPrOPhOPc) and manganese (MnTPrOPhOPc) tetra 4-(4-propargyloxy) phenoxy phthalocyanines. Thermal analysis using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed the excellent thermal stability of synthesized tetra 4-(4- propargyloxy) phenoxy phthalocyanines. The metal complexes, CoTPrOPhOPc and MnTPrOPhOPc, exhibited better thermal stability when compared to H2TPrOPhOPc. The residual percentage weight remaining was approximately 70% for CoTPrOPhOPc and MnTPrOPhOPc and 45% for H2TPrOPhOPc after 600°C, clearly confirming the stability of the metal complexes. The MTPrOPhOPcs (where M = H2, Co and Mn) complexes exhibited excellent nonlinear optical properties with strong reverse saturable absorption (RSA), especially when 560 nm excitation laser was used. Their nonlinear optical properties followed this trend: H2TPrOPhOPc > CoTPrOPhOPc > MnTPrOPhOPc. According to the trend observed, the H2TPrOPhOPc was an excellent nonlinear optical limiter when compared to the CoTPrOPhOPc and MnTPrOPhOPc. All the investigated complexes exhibited optical limiting properties comparable to the phthalocyanine complexes reported in the literature. The MTPrOPhOPc complexes were further studied for their electrocatalytic and electroanalytical properties towards the detection of hydrogen peroxide. For the electrocatalytic studies, the synthesized complexes were immobilized onto gold electrode surfaces pre-functionalized with phenylazide (Au-PAz) monolayer. Copper (I) catalyzed alkynyl-azide cycloaddition reaction was used to covalently immobilize the MTPrOPhOPcs onto the gold electrode surfaces to form Au-PAz-MTPrOPhOPc. The MTPrOPhOPcs modified gold surfaces (Au-PAz-MTPrOPhOPc) exhibited good reproducibility and stability in various electrolyte conditions. Electrochemical and surface characterisation of the functionalised gold electrode surfaces confirmed the presence of the MTPrOPhOPcs and their electroanalysis was excellent towards electrocatalytic reduction of H2O2, with the limit of detection (LoD) and limit of quantification (LoQ) in the ^M range. The electrocatalytic reduction peaks for H2O2 were observed at -0.37 V for Au-PAz-MnTPrOPhOPc and -0.31 V for Au-PAz-CoTPrOPhOPc when Ag|AgCl pseudo-reference electrode was used. The Au-PAz-MnTPrOPhOPc and Au- PAz-CoTPrOPhOPc gold electrode surfaces showed good sensitivity and reproducibility towards the electrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solution. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2017
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mwanza, Daniel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Nonlinear optics , Electrocatalysis , Spectrum analysis , Thermogravimetry , Phthalocyanines Spectra
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65144 , vital:28695
- Description: This study presents the synthesis, spectroscopic, photophysical and theoretical characterisation of metal-free (H2TPrOPhOPc), cobalt (CoTPrOPhOPc) and manganese (MnTPrOPhOPc) tetra 4-(4-propargyloxy) phenoxy phthalocyanines. Thermal analysis using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed the excellent thermal stability of synthesized tetra 4-(4- propargyloxy) phenoxy phthalocyanines. The metal complexes, CoTPrOPhOPc and MnTPrOPhOPc, exhibited better thermal stability when compared to H2TPrOPhOPc. The residual percentage weight remaining was approximately 70% for CoTPrOPhOPc and MnTPrOPhOPc and 45% for H2TPrOPhOPc after 600°C, clearly confirming the stability of the metal complexes. The MTPrOPhOPcs (where M = H2, Co and Mn) complexes exhibited excellent nonlinear optical properties with strong reverse saturable absorption (RSA), especially when 560 nm excitation laser was used. Their nonlinear optical properties followed this trend: H2TPrOPhOPc > CoTPrOPhOPc > MnTPrOPhOPc. According to the trend observed, the H2TPrOPhOPc was an excellent nonlinear optical limiter when compared to the CoTPrOPhOPc and MnTPrOPhOPc. All the investigated complexes exhibited optical limiting properties comparable to the phthalocyanine complexes reported in the literature. The MTPrOPhOPc complexes were further studied for their electrocatalytic and electroanalytical properties towards the detection of hydrogen peroxide. For the electrocatalytic studies, the synthesized complexes were immobilized onto gold electrode surfaces pre-functionalized with phenylazide (Au-PAz) monolayer. Copper (I) catalyzed alkynyl-azide cycloaddition reaction was used to covalently immobilize the MTPrOPhOPcs onto the gold electrode surfaces to form Au-PAz-MTPrOPhOPc. The MTPrOPhOPcs modified gold surfaces (Au-PAz-MTPrOPhOPc) exhibited good reproducibility and stability in various electrolyte conditions. Electrochemical and surface characterisation of the functionalised gold electrode surfaces confirmed the presence of the MTPrOPhOPcs and their electroanalysis was excellent towards electrocatalytic reduction of H2O2, with the limit of detection (LoD) and limit of quantification (LoQ) in the ^M range. The electrocatalytic reduction peaks for H2O2 were observed at -0.37 V for Au-PAz-MnTPrOPhOPc and -0.31 V for Au-PAz-CoTPrOPhOPc when Ag|AgCl pseudo-reference electrode was used. The Au-PAz-MnTPrOPhOPc and Au- PAz-CoTPrOPhOPc gold electrode surfaces showed good sensitivity and reproducibility towards the electrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solution. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2017
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Prioritising biological control agents for release against Sporobolus pyramidalis and Sporobolus natalensis (Poaceae) in Australia
- Authors: Sutton, Guy Frederick
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Grasses -- Diseases and pests , Bruchophagus , Wasps , Alien plants -- Biological control -- Australia , Sporobolus -- Biological control -- Africa , Sporobolus -- Biological control -- Australia , Insects as biological pest control agents -- Australia , Insects as biological pest control agents -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172445 , vital:42201 , 10.21504/10962/172445
- Description: Sporobolus pyramidalis Beauv. and S. natalensis (Steud.) Th. Dur. and Schinz. (giant rat’s tail grass) (Poaceae), invade rangelands and pastures in eastern Australia, costing the livestock industry approximately AUS$ 60 million per annum in grazing losses. Mechanical and chemical control options are costly and largely ineffective. Biological control is viewed as the most promising control option, however this management strategy has largely been avoided for grasses, due to their perceived lack of suitably host-specific and damaging natural enemies. In this thesis, the prospects for using biological control against S. pyramidalis and S. natalensis in Australia was assessed, in light of these potential challenges. Climate matching models were used to identify high-priority geographic regions within the plants’ native distributions to survey for potential biological control agents. High-priority regions to perform surveys were identified by modelling the climatic suitability for S. pyramidalis and S. natalensis in sub-Saharan Africa (i.e. their potential native ranges’), and climatic compatibility with regions where biological control is intended in Australia. High-priority regions for S. pyramidalis included: (1) coastal East Africa, ranging from north-eastern South Africa to Uganda, including south-eastern DRC, (2) some parts of West Africa, including inland regions of the Ivory Coast and western Nigeria, (3) northern Angola and (4) eastern Madagascar, and for S. natalensis included: (1) eastern South Africa, (2) eastern Zimbabwe, (3) Burundi, (4) central Ethiopia and (5) central Madagascar. Prospective control agents collected from these regions have the highest probability of establishing and proliferating in Australia, if released. In surveys of the insect assemblages on S. pyramidalis and S. natalensis in the climatically-matched region of eastern South Africa fifteen insect herbivores associated with the grasses were identified. Insect feeding guild, geographic distributions, and seasonal abundances suggest that three stem-boring phytophagous wasps, Tetramesa sp. 1, Tetramesa sp. 2 and Bruchophagus sp. 1 (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), have potential as control agents. Species accumulation curves indicated that additional surveys in South Africa are unlikely to yield additional potential control agents. Field host-range surveys of 47 non-target grass species in South Africa showed that Tetramesa sp. 1, Tetramesa sp. 2, and Bruchophagus sp. 1, were only recorded from S. pyramidalis and S. natalensis. Integrating field host-range with phylogenetic relationships between plant species indicated that no native Australian Sporobolus species or economic crops and pastures are expected to be attacked by these wasps. All three wasp species are predicted to be suitably host-specific for release in Australia. Three other endophagous herbivores attacked non-target native African Sporobolus species that share a close phylogenetic relationship to native Australian Sporobolus species, and therefore, demonstrate considerable risk of non-target damage. These species should not be considered as potential control agents. Under native-range, open-field conditions, Tetramesa sp. 1 caused an approximately 5-fold greater reduction in plant survival and reproductive output than Tetramesa sp. 2 and Bruchophagus sp. 1. Tetramesa sp. 1 in combination with Tetramesa sp. 2 did not significantly increase the level of damage, while Bruchophagus sp. 1 may decrease the efficiency of Tetramesa sp. 1, if released in combination. Tetramesa 1 is therefore the most promising candidate agent. Prioritising potential agents using predicted efficacy allowed otherwise equally suitable prospective agents to be prioritised in a strategic manner. Prioritising which natural enemies to target as biological control agents is a complex task. Field host range and damage assessments in the native range may provide more realistic data than typical studies performed under artificial conditions in a laboratory or quarantine. Moreover, it could assist practitioners in prioritising the most suitable agent(s) at the earliest stage in the programme as possible. This study demonstrated that grasses are suitable targets for biological control as they can harbour host-specific and damaging natural enemies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Sutton, Guy Frederick
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Grasses -- Diseases and pests , Bruchophagus , Wasps , Alien plants -- Biological control -- Australia , Sporobolus -- Biological control -- Africa , Sporobolus -- Biological control -- Australia , Insects as biological pest control agents -- Australia , Insects as biological pest control agents -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172445 , vital:42201 , 10.21504/10962/172445
- Description: Sporobolus pyramidalis Beauv. and S. natalensis (Steud.) Th. Dur. and Schinz. (giant rat’s tail grass) (Poaceae), invade rangelands and pastures in eastern Australia, costing the livestock industry approximately AUS$ 60 million per annum in grazing losses. Mechanical and chemical control options are costly and largely ineffective. Biological control is viewed as the most promising control option, however this management strategy has largely been avoided for grasses, due to their perceived lack of suitably host-specific and damaging natural enemies. In this thesis, the prospects for using biological control against S. pyramidalis and S. natalensis in Australia was assessed, in light of these potential challenges. Climate matching models were used to identify high-priority geographic regions within the plants’ native distributions to survey for potential biological control agents. High-priority regions to perform surveys were identified by modelling the climatic suitability for S. pyramidalis and S. natalensis in sub-Saharan Africa (i.e. their potential native ranges’), and climatic compatibility with regions where biological control is intended in Australia. High-priority regions for S. pyramidalis included: (1) coastal East Africa, ranging from north-eastern South Africa to Uganda, including south-eastern DRC, (2) some parts of West Africa, including inland regions of the Ivory Coast and western Nigeria, (3) northern Angola and (4) eastern Madagascar, and for S. natalensis included: (1) eastern South Africa, (2) eastern Zimbabwe, (3) Burundi, (4) central Ethiopia and (5) central Madagascar. Prospective control agents collected from these regions have the highest probability of establishing and proliferating in Australia, if released. In surveys of the insect assemblages on S. pyramidalis and S. natalensis in the climatically-matched region of eastern South Africa fifteen insect herbivores associated with the grasses were identified. Insect feeding guild, geographic distributions, and seasonal abundances suggest that three stem-boring phytophagous wasps, Tetramesa sp. 1, Tetramesa sp. 2 and Bruchophagus sp. 1 (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), have potential as control agents. Species accumulation curves indicated that additional surveys in South Africa are unlikely to yield additional potential control agents. Field host-range surveys of 47 non-target grass species in South Africa showed that Tetramesa sp. 1, Tetramesa sp. 2, and Bruchophagus sp. 1, were only recorded from S. pyramidalis and S. natalensis. Integrating field host-range with phylogenetic relationships between plant species indicated that no native Australian Sporobolus species or economic crops and pastures are expected to be attacked by these wasps. All three wasp species are predicted to be suitably host-specific for release in Australia. Three other endophagous herbivores attacked non-target native African Sporobolus species that share a close phylogenetic relationship to native Australian Sporobolus species, and therefore, demonstrate considerable risk of non-target damage. These species should not be considered as potential control agents. Under native-range, open-field conditions, Tetramesa sp. 1 caused an approximately 5-fold greater reduction in plant survival and reproductive output than Tetramesa sp. 2 and Bruchophagus sp. 1. Tetramesa sp. 1 in combination with Tetramesa sp. 2 did not significantly increase the level of damage, while Bruchophagus sp. 1 may decrease the efficiency of Tetramesa sp. 1, if released in combination. Tetramesa 1 is therefore the most promising candidate agent. Prioritising potential agents using predicted efficacy allowed otherwise equally suitable prospective agents to be prioritised in a strategic manner. Prioritising which natural enemies to target as biological control agents is a complex task. Field host range and damage assessments in the native range may provide more realistic data than typical studies performed under artificial conditions in a laboratory or quarantine. Moreover, it could assist practitioners in prioritising the most suitable agent(s) at the earliest stage in the programme as possible. This study demonstrated that grasses are suitable targets for biological control as they can harbour host-specific and damaging natural enemies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Suicide and the South African business cycle: a time series approach, 2006-2015
- Authors: Pitot, Amaury
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Suicide -- South Africa , Business cycles -- South Africa , Autoregression (Statistics) , Divorce -- South Africa , AutoRegressive Distributed Lagged model (ARDL)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62286 , vital:28150
- Description: Suicide is a major public health issue and imposes substantial economic cost on society every year. For example, the World Health Organisation has estimated that there are over one million completed suicides every year, of which about 75% occur in middle and low income countries. In South Africa, suicide is one of the leading causes of non-natural death, but remains under-researched from an economic point of view due to limited data availability. Using monthly data for the period 2006-2015, this study explores whether there is a relationship between suicide and the South African business cycle. This is further broken down to examine how, if at all, this relationship with the business cycle differs across age-, gender-, and racial groups. The primary source of data for suicide and demographic groups were obtained from Statistics South Africa’s Mortality and Causes of Death Data from Death Notification released since 2006. The coincident indicator was used as a proxy for the business cycle as it represents the business cycle in real time. Using an autoregressive distributed lagged model (ARDL), a long run relationship was established with suicide being a function of the coincident indicator, divorce and fertility rate. The findings of this paper show that the overall suicide rate moves with the South African business cycle (i.e. pro-cyclical relationship) in the long run. This relationship holds for males, the black population group and the 15-29 and 30-44 age categories. In addition, the divorce rate had a positive and significant relationship with the overall suicide rate, as well as suicide among the black population group and for the 30-44 age category, whereas fertility rates had no significant relationship with suicide.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Pitot, Amaury
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Suicide -- South Africa , Business cycles -- South Africa , Autoregression (Statistics) , Divorce -- South Africa , AutoRegressive Distributed Lagged model (ARDL)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62286 , vital:28150
- Description: Suicide is a major public health issue and imposes substantial economic cost on society every year. For example, the World Health Organisation has estimated that there are over one million completed suicides every year, of which about 75% occur in middle and low income countries. In South Africa, suicide is one of the leading causes of non-natural death, but remains under-researched from an economic point of view due to limited data availability. Using monthly data for the period 2006-2015, this study explores whether there is a relationship between suicide and the South African business cycle. This is further broken down to examine how, if at all, this relationship with the business cycle differs across age-, gender-, and racial groups. The primary source of data for suicide and demographic groups were obtained from Statistics South Africa’s Mortality and Causes of Death Data from Death Notification released since 2006. The coincident indicator was used as a proxy for the business cycle as it represents the business cycle in real time. Using an autoregressive distributed lagged model (ARDL), a long run relationship was established with suicide being a function of the coincident indicator, divorce and fertility rate. The findings of this paper show that the overall suicide rate moves with the South African business cycle (i.e. pro-cyclical relationship) in the long run. This relationship holds for males, the black population group and the 15-29 and 30-44 age categories. In addition, the divorce rate had a positive and significant relationship with the overall suicide rate, as well as suicide among the black population group and for the 30-44 age category, whereas fertility rates had no significant relationship with suicide.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
A comparative analysis of social media brand image of insurance companies in South Africa: a longitudinal study
- Authors: Gudu, Daniel
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Social media -- South Africa , Internet marketing -- South Africa , Chernoff faces , Ínsurance companies -- South Africa -- Marketing , Insurance companies -- South Africa -- Case studies , Multivariate analysis -- Graphic methods
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144277 , vital:38327
- Description: Social media is changing the way business is conducted. Almost five billion videos are watched on YouTube every single day. Social media has an extensive worldwide presence. Out of the total global population of over 7,5 billion people, over 4 billion are internet users. Of these, over 3 billion are active on social media. Social media is very influential in today's decision-making processes. Businesses must integrate social media into their strategies. The purpose of this research was to investigate the use of a novel method, Chernoff Faces, to assess and compare the social media brand images of six insurance companies in South Africa based on social conversation measurement. The intention of research was towards observing existing situations at hand and pointing out the game changers that can provide the industry with a new leap. Social media are multidimensional and understanding them requires tracking different measures simultaneously. Integrating social media into a communication strategy leads to a problem in finding the best way to portray and communicate multivariate data. It is essential to find the best way to represent and transmit the data so that marketing executives can quickly and easily monitor changes in brand images. Previous studies have successfully proved the possibility of using this method to gauge a "snapshot in time." This study took the concept further by closely monitoring the results for a set of brands over a period to account for the dynamic nature of social media. Accordingly, the study was a longitudinal study of 30 days. Data on the insurance companies was collected from Social Mention, a social media search and analysis platform that aggregates user-generated content into a single stream of information. A tool in the statistical software Stata, Chernoff's faces, was used to analyse the results by generating facial expressions to the metrics associated with the social mentions of each of the insurance companies. The resulting facial expressions were then analysed to recognise the more favourable and stable brands and those that need appropriate risk management. Managing Social Media is challenging as managers must always keep it as positive as possible. Brand managers, therefore, need a better tool to gauge the mood in social media conversations due to the fast-changing nature of social media and the importance of social media to business especially insurance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Gudu, Daniel
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Social media -- South Africa , Internet marketing -- South Africa , Chernoff faces , Ínsurance companies -- South Africa -- Marketing , Insurance companies -- South Africa -- Case studies , Multivariate analysis -- Graphic methods
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144277 , vital:38327
- Description: Social media is changing the way business is conducted. Almost five billion videos are watched on YouTube every single day. Social media has an extensive worldwide presence. Out of the total global population of over 7,5 billion people, over 4 billion are internet users. Of these, over 3 billion are active on social media. Social media is very influential in today's decision-making processes. Businesses must integrate social media into their strategies. The purpose of this research was to investigate the use of a novel method, Chernoff Faces, to assess and compare the social media brand images of six insurance companies in South Africa based on social conversation measurement. The intention of research was towards observing existing situations at hand and pointing out the game changers that can provide the industry with a new leap. Social media are multidimensional and understanding them requires tracking different measures simultaneously. Integrating social media into a communication strategy leads to a problem in finding the best way to portray and communicate multivariate data. It is essential to find the best way to represent and transmit the data so that marketing executives can quickly and easily monitor changes in brand images. Previous studies have successfully proved the possibility of using this method to gauge a "snapshot in time." This study took the concept further by closely monitoring the results for a set of brands over a period to account for the dynamic nature of social media. Accordingly, the study was a longitudinal study of 30 days. Data on the insurance companies was collected from Social Mention, a social media search and analysis platform that aggregates user-generated content into a single stream of information. A tool in the statistical software Stata, Chernoff's faces, was used to analyse the results by generating facial expressions to the metrics associated with the social mentions of each of the insurance companies. The resulting facial expressions were then analysed to recognise the more favourable and stable brands and those that need appropriate risk management. Managing Social Media is challenging as managers must always keep it as positive as possible. Brand managers, therefore, need a better tool to gauge the mood in social media conversations due to the fast-changing nature of social media and the importance of social media to business especially insurance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An investigation into stakeholder inclusivity and the board’s ability to create competitive advantage at South Africa’s “big five” retail banks
- Authors: Wolhuter, Darren Wilfred
- Date: 2022-04-06
- Subjects: Stakeholder management South Africa , Strategic planning South Africa , Banks and banking South Africa , Corporate governance South Africa , Competition , Resource-based theory
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/284548 , vital:56073
- Description: Stakeholder theory has long put forth the concept that managerial attention must be given to all stakeholders towards the realisation of value creation opportunities. Through the process of stakeholder engagement, and through the adoption of stakeholder inclusivity principles, an organisation can position itself to reap the benefits of understanding the legitimate needs and interests of all its stakeholders by seeking to satisfy all its stakeholders in turn. This study analysed the integrated reports of five retail banks, whose main base of operations were in South Africa, to assess the board’s ability to create value for its stakeholders through adopting a stakeholder inclusive approach to corporate governance as advocated for by the King Code on Corporate Governance in South Africa – King IV™. This assessment was done through an examination of a selection of outcomes relevant to the banking industry and related to each of the six capitals that form part of the value creation process as indicated for in the Integrated Reporting Framework (IIRC, 2013): 1) Financial Capital, 2) Manufactured Capital; 3) Intellectual Capital; 4) Human Capital; 5) Social and Relationship Capital, and; 6) Natural Capital. The results obtained, over a three-year period – 2018 to 2020, revealed that while the directors had a firm understanding of who their material stakeholders were, they struggled to create value that catered to all their stakeholders collectively. In addition, the directors were also unable to create sustainable value over the assessment period. As a result of this, most banks, with the exception of one, were unable to realise the value creation opportunities that could have led to a potential source of competitive advantage. The study concludes that while no observable sustainable competitive advantage was evident over the period of assessment, the concept of stakeholder inclusivity is an important corporate governance principle that drives value creation and, as such, warrants more attention from the director’s point of view. This research is intended to contribute to the growing knowledge on the importance of stakeholder inclusivity in corporate governance execution. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-06
- Authors: Wolhuter, Darren Wilfred
- Date: 2022-04-06
- Subjects: Stakeholder management South Africa , Strategic planning South Africa , Banks and banking South Africa , Corporate governance South Africa , Competition , Resource-based theory
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/284548 , vital:56073
- Description: Stakeholder theory has long put forth the concept that managerial attention must be given to all stakeholders towards the realisation of value creation opportunities. Through the process of stakeholder engagement, and through the adoption of stakeholder inclusivity principles, an organisation can position itself to reap the benefits of understanding the legitimate needs and interests of all its stakeholders by seeking to satisfy all its stakeholders in turn. This study analysed the integrated reports of five retail banks, whose main base of operations were in South Africa, to assess the board’s ability to create value for its stakeholders through adopting a stakeholder inclusive approach to corporate governance as advocated for by the King Code on Corporate Governance in South Africa – King IV™. This assessment was done through an examination of a selection of outcomes relevant to the banking industry and related to each of the six capitals that form part of the value creation process as indicated for in the Integrated Reporting Framework (IIRC, 2013): 1) Financial Capital, 2) Manufactured Capital; 3) Intellectual Capital; 4) Human Capital; 5) Social and Relationship Capital, and; 6) Natural Capital. The results obtained, over a three-year period – 2018 to 2020, revealed that while the directors had a firm understanding of who their material stakeholders were, they struggled to create value that catered to all their stakeholders collectively. In addition, the directors were also unable to create sustainable value over the assessment period. As a result of this, most banks, with the exception of one, were unable to realise the value creation opportunities that could have led to a potential source of competitive advantage. The study concludes that while no observable sustainable competitive advantage was evident over the period of assessment, the concept of stakeholder inclusivity is an important corporate governance principle that drives value creation and, as such, warrants more attention from the director’s point of view. This research is intended to contribute to the growing knowledge on the importance of stakeholder inclusivity in corporate governance execution. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-06
Disco
- Authors: Trantraal, Nathan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century , South African poetry (English) -- 21st century , Afrikaans fiction -- 21st century , Afrikaans poetry -- 21st century
- Language: Afrikaans , English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145217 , vital:38419
- Description: Creative writing portfolio.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Trantraal, Nathan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century , South African poetry (English) -- 21st century , Afrikaans fiction -- 21st century , Afrikaans poetry -- 21st century
- Language: Afrikaans , English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145217 , vital:38419
- Description: Creative writing portfolio.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Composition portfolio
- Boesack, Lenrick Jonathan Angus
- Authors: Boesack, Lenrick Jonathan Angus
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Piano music , Prepared piano music , Saxophone music
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/56233 , vital:26786
- Description: This short composition portfolio comprises 40% of the requirements for the Master of Music Degree in performance and composition at Rhodes University. In addition to the music presented here, I played two public exam recitals of 70 minutes each. While I played piano as a child, my main instrument during my BMUS studies at the University of Cape Town (2004-2007) was the saxophone. In 2010 I was diagnosed with Polymyositis(an auto-immune desease) which particularly affected my breathing and therefore my ability to play the saxophone. For this reason I opted to play my recitals on the piano. The first recital focused on interpretations of Swing Era, Bebop and post-Bebop standards such as: Someday my prince will come, What is this thing called love, In your own sweet way, Eternal Triangle, Recordame, Peace, Dolphin Dance, Caravan and Some other blues. The second recital comprised of seven original compositions that were presented in trio, quartet and quintet settings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Boesack, Lenrick Jonathan Angus
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Piano music , Prepared piano music , Saxophone music
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/56233 , vital:26786
- Description: This short composition portfolio comprises 40% of the requirements for the Master of Music Degree in performance and composition at Rhodes University. In addition to the music presented here, I played two public exam recitals of 70 minutes each. While I played piano as a child, my main instrument during my BMUS studies at the University of Cape Town (2004-2007) was the saxophone. In 2010 I was diagnosed with Polymyositis(an auto-immune desease) which particularly affected my breathing and therefore my ability to play the saxophone. For this reason I opted to play my recitals on the piano. The first recital focused on interpretations of Swing Era, Bebop and post-Bebop standards such as: Someday my prince will come, What is this thing called love, In your own sweet way, Eternal Triangle, Recordame, Peace, Dolphin Dance, Caravan and Some other blues. The second recital comprised of seven original compositions that were presented in trio, quartet and quintet settings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The impact of policies on development-induced resettlement processes and outcomes: a Lesotho-India comparative study
- Tsietsi, Teboho Priscilla Mosuoe
- Authors: Tsietsi, Teboho Priscilla Mosuoe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Forced migration -- Lesotho , Forced migration -- India , Dams -- Social aspects -- Lesotho , Dams -- Social aspects -- India , Irrigation projects -- Economic aspects -- Lesotho , Irrigation projects -- Economic aspects -- India , Land settlement -- Government policy -- Lesotho , Land settlement -- Government policy -- India
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/72307 , vital:30032
- Description: The practice of Development-Induced Displacement and Resettlement (DIDR), historically, has often led to negative consequences for those affected by development projects, including but not limited to, the construction of large dams. Although DIDR arises from the need to provide goods and services that characterise development, it often leaves those who are forced to give up their assets, resources, and long standing social networks in dire socio-economic conditions as a result of resettlement. In many such cases, the provision for losses suffered by those primarily affected is often insufficient, leading to further losses experienced as a result of the complete life change experienced by those affected by resettlement. Research has shown that the insufficiency of such provisions for losses is attributable to not only the value of the provision itself, but also the manner in which resettlement processes are implemented. While early on, researchers believed that the development of policies would have a significant, positive impact on the practice of resettlement and its outcomes, evidence would later show that the development of policies alone is not a panacea for all challenges associated with forced resettlement. Further research revealed that resettlement is characterised by inherent and active complexities which are often at play, and may impede effective implementation. Hence, while the development of policies is essential, both the development and implementation of policies must be undertaken in a manner that seeks to actively address the inherent complexities of resettlement. This thesis aims to explore the implementation of resettlement policies in two case studies, where in one case, resettlement was informed by national policy, and in the other, by policies developed by a parastatal tasked with the responsibility of executing resettlement. The study makes a comparative analysis between the two cases, and explores the factors at play in the implementation of resettlement policies – whether such factors serve to facilitate or impede effective implementation – as well as the nature of the outcomes on the ground. As an overarching goal, the research aims to provide a basis upon which a framework for the development of a national level policy of resettlement may be developed. In this regard, the thesis undertakes a comparison of the Indian resettlement case with the Lesotho case. The former, in addition to having developed a resettlement policy at the national level, has a long history of experience in forced resettlement and displacement, from which invaluable lessons have been learned. The latter, on the other hand, has no resettlement policy at the national level, although the country has also experienced forced resettlement dating back to nearly three decades ago. Although India and Lesotho have distinct social, cultural, economic and demographic characteristics, research has shown that the complexities of forced resettlement, and their outcomes on affected people, are largely applicable across the different contexts. Hence, certain dimensions and lessons can be transferable from the Indian case to the Lesotho case, and vice versa. However, for the purpose of this thesis, the focus is on providing a basis for national policy development in Lesotho, in light of Indian policies and practice. The empirical basis of the thesis is an ethnographic study undertaken in relation to the Chandil Dam resettlement case in Jharkhand, India and the Mohale Dam resettlement case in Maseru, Lesotho. The thesis engaged both qualitative and quantitative research methods, as well as four, complementary theoretical tools that analyse the effects of forced resettlement on affected people. The thesis reveals that the negative consequences of forced resettlement resulting from its inherent complexities continue to manifest with concerning effects on the lives of those affected. It shows that the implementation of policies is a complex process that requires collaborative effort from a wide range of stakeholders in a given context. National policies of resettlement are, thus, instrumental in this regard, as they can create an enabling environment for the facilitation of collaborative efforts towards sustainable livelihood re-establishment for those who involuntarily suffer losses to resettlement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Tsietsi, Teboho Priscilla Mosuoe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Forced migration -- Lesotho , Forced migration -- India , Dams -- Social aspects -- Lesotho , Dams -- Social aspects -- India , Irrigation projects -- Economic aspects -- Lesotho , Irrigation projects -- Economic aspects -- India , Land settlement -- Government policy -- Lesotho , Land settlement -- Government policy -- India
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/72307 , vital:30032
- Description: The practice of Development-Induced Displacement and Resettlement (DIDR), historically, has often led to negative consequences for those affected by development projects, including but not limited to, the construction of large dams. Although DIDR arises from the need to provide goods and services that characterise development, it often leaves those who are forced to give up their assets, resources, and long standing social networks in dire socio-economic conditions as a result of resettlement. In many such cases, the provision for losses suffered by those primarily affected is often insufficient, leading to further losses experienced as a result of the complete life change experienced by those affected by resettlement. Research has shown that the insufficiency of such provisions for losses is attributable to not only the value of the provision itself, but also the manner in which resettlement processes are implemented. While early on, researchers believed that the development of policies would have a significant, positive impact on the practice of resettlement and its outcomes, evidence would later show that the development of policies alone is not a panacea for all challenges associated with forced resettlement. Further research revealed that resettlement is characterised by inherent and active complexities which are often at play, and may impede effective implementation. Hence, while the development of policies is essential, both the development and implementation of policies must be undertaken in a manner that seeks to actively address the inherent complexities of resettlement. This thesis aims to explore the implementation of resettlement policies in two case studies, where in one case, resettlement was informed by national policy, and in the other, by policies developed by a parastatal tasked with the responsibility of executing resettlement. The study makes a comparative analysis between the two cases, and explores the factors at play in the implementation of resettlement policies – whether such factors serve to facilitate or impede effective implementation – as well as the nature of the outcomes on the ground. As an overarching goal, the research aims to provide a basis upon which a framework for the development of a national level policy of resettlement may be developed. In this regard, the thesis undertakes a comparison of the Indian resettlement case with the Lesotho case. The former, in addition to having developed a resettlement policy at the national level, has a long history of experience in forced resettlement and displacement, from which invaluable lessons have been learned. The latter, on the other hand, has no resettlement policy at the national level, although the country has also experienced forced resettlement dating back to nearly three decades ago. Although India and Lesotho have distinct social, cultural, economic and demographic characteristics, research has shown that the complexities of forced resettlement, and their outcomes on affected people, are largely applicable across the different contexts. Hence, certain dimensions and lessons can be transferable from the Indian case to the Lesotho case, and vice versa. However, for the purpose of this thesis, the focus is on providing a basis for national policy development in Lesotho, in light of Indian policies and practice. The empirical basis of the thesis is an ethnographic study undertaken in relation to the Chandil Dam resettlement case in Jharkhand, India and the Mohale Dam resettlement case in Maseru, Lesotho. The thesis engaged both qualitative and quantitative research methods, as well as four, complementary theoretical tools that analyse the effects of forced resettlement on affected people. The thesis reveals that the negative consequences of forced resettlement resulting from its inherent complexities continue to manifest with concerning effects on the lives of those affected. It shows that the implementation of policies is a complex process that requires collaborative effort from a wide range of stakeholders in a given context. National policies of resettlement are, thus, instrumental in this regard, as they can create an enabling environment for the facilitation of collaborative efforts towards sustainable livelihood re-establishment for those who involuntarily suffer losses to resettlement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
An evaluation of the impact of the Rhodes University Master of Education in Mathematics Education Programme in Namibia from the perspectives of its graduates
- Authors: David, Johannes
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Master of education degree Namibia , Rhodes University. Department of Education , Mathematics Study and teaching , Critical thinking , Master of education degree Evaluation , Career development Namibia , Educational change Namibia , College students Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/191942 , vital:45181
- Description: Rhodes University (RU) has been offering a MEdME (Masters in Education, Mathematics Education) degree in Namibia for over 12 years without evaluating its success and impact. This study aimed to evaluate the MEdME programme’s impact on the graduates and on mathematics education in Namibia from the perspectives of its graduates. The study also evaluated the factors that enabled or limited the impact of the programme from the perspective of RU staff members. A three-phased research study was implemented to achieve this. Phase I was a MEdME theses audit to analyze what each graduate researched which then guided the sampling process. Phase II was a distribution of a questionnaire to willing MEdME graduates to elicit their views about the programme's impact. In Phase III, selected graduates were interviewed to follow up on the questionnaire. The RU academic staff members were also interviewed about the programme's design and rationale, as well as their perspectives on its impact on graduates' professional lives. The study found that graduates believed that the programme made them more critical reflexive practitioners (CRPs) who: are now self-introspective, can reflect in context and are competent researchers. This is a sign of the programme attaining its objectives of developing and growing CRPs and graduates, who have advanced in their fields, including their ability to do research. The programme also created opportunities for graduates to study further and/or publish papers. The programme further opened up opportunities for graduates’ promotion into positions of influence in the Ministry of Education where they can positively impact on mathematics education transformation in Namibia (METN). The graduates consequently noticed improvements in some areas but they also noticed room for improvement in other areas of mathematics education in Namibia. This study therefore suggests that more mathematics teachers study further, improve their research capacity and contribute more to METN. The study also suggests a national campaign to increase mathematics teachers' content knowledge. Furthermore, the programme should reintroduce coursework to address students’ subject content knowledge. RU is also advised to explore offering a Professional MEd in Namibia for students who want to focus more on improving their mathematics content knowledge. It is also proposed that Namibia establish a research bank where researchers can upload their theses for wider dissemination. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
- Authors: David, Johannes
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Master of education degree Namibia , Rhodes University. Department of Education , Mathematics Study and teaching , Critical thinking , Master of education degree Evaluation , Career development Namibia , Educational change Namibia , College students Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/191942 , vital:45181
- Description: Rhodes University (RU) has been offering a MEdME (Masters in Education, Mathematics Education) degree in Namibia for over 12 years without evaluating its success and impact. This study aimed to evaluate the MEdME programme’s impact on the graduates and on mathematics education in Namibia from the perspectives of its graduates. The study also evaluated the factors that enabled or limited the impact of the programme from the perspective of RU staff members. A three-phased research study was implemented to achieve this. Phase I was a MEdME theses audit to analyze what each graduate researched which then guided the sampling process. Phase II was a distribution of a questionnaire to willing MEdME graduates to elicit their views about the programme's impact. In Phase III, selected graduates were interviewed to follow up on the questionnaire. The RU academic staff members were also interviewed about the programme's design and rationale, as well as their perspectives on its impact on graduates' professional lives. The study found that graduates believed that the programme made them more critical reflexive practitioners (CRPs) who: are now self-introspective, can reflect in context and are competent researchers. This is a sign of the programme attaining its objectives of developing and growing CRPs and graduates, who have advanced in their fields, including their ability to do research. The programme also created opportunities for graduates to study further and/or publish papers. The programme further opened up opportunities for graduates’ promotion into positions of influence in the Ministry of Education where they can positively impact on mathematics education transformation in Namibia (METN). The graduates consequently noticed improvements in some areas but they also noticed room for improvement in other areas of mathematics education in Namibia. This study therefore suggests that more mathematics teachers study further, improve their research capacity and contribute more to METN. The study also suggests a national campaign to increase mathematics teachers' content knowledge. Furthermore, the programme should reintroduce coursework to address students’ subject content knowledge. RU is also advised to explore offering a Professional MEd in Namibia for students who want to focus more on improving their mathematics content knowledge. It is also proposed that Namibia establish a research bank where researchers can upload their theses for wider dissemination. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
Hearing silenced voices: a learning-centred approach to sustainable land rehabilitation and natural resource management
- Authors: Wolff, Margaret Gascoyne
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Watershed management -- South Africa -- Citizen participation , Water-supply -- Management -- Citizen participation , Environmental education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/94958 , vital:31101
- Description: South Africa is a semi-arid country with dysfunctional water management. The National Water Act encourages integrated water resource management and public participation in contributing to strategies for managing water within delineated areas. Various challenges hamper progress of integrated water resource management and meaningful participation by residents in catchments across the country. One of the challenges is the lack of knowledge about their role in water resource management. By viewing catchments as complex social-ecological systems, this case study investigates how to establish a learning-centred approach to catchment management forum (CMF) formation. The study addressed three sub-questions: What activity systems need to be prioritised for community participation in CMF formation? What existing learning can be identified within the activity systems? What are the sources for expansive social learning in and between the activity systems? The study draws on social learning theory, and on cultural historical activity theory as it offers a methodological approach to identifying a learning-centred approach to learning in a catchment context. Drawing on this theoretical framework, for research question 1, I identified five activity systems that are present in the study area, are partly representative of the people who live in the area, and are linked to land and water governance either through their positions as government employees within the sector, or the NLEIP in ways that influence communities’ lives and livelihoods. To address question 2, I ran learning-centred workshops and interviewed people who lived in the study area. Careful, respectful listening and participants’ use of home language created the safe space in which residents revealed that they know which water resources are important to protect and where breakdowns in communication happen. For question 3, I analysed the data from the workshops and interviews using a cultural historical activity theory framework to identify discursive manifestations of contradictions within and between activity systems which illuminate the potential for expansive social learning. This study recommends developing an understanding of the complex social-ecological context and prioritising co-learning and community participation in a learning-centred approach to catchment management forum formation. For this, there is need to develop in-depth insight into activity systems associated with water governance in local contexts. In this study I identified five of these activity systems, but the study points to a further range of activity systems that need to be considered for a learning-centred approach to be fully established. The study also found that communities are learning via engaging in the rehabilitation work, through engagements in workshops and within the municipal structures. Additionally, the study identified a number of contradictions that can provide sources of learning for taking an expansive learning approach further in CMF formation. Such an approach may provide the space to build bridges of trust between diverse knowledge systems, and has the potential to encourage sustainable co-operation in natural resource management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Wolff, Margaret Gascoyne
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Watershed management -- South Africa -- Citizen participation , Water-supply -- Management -- Citizen participation , Environmental education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/94958 , vital:31101
- Description: South Africa is a semi-arid country with dysfunctional water management. The National Water Act encourages integrated water resource management and public participation in contributing to strategies for managing water within delineated areas. Various challenges hamper progress of integrated water resource management and meaningful participation by residents in catchments across the country. One of the challenges is the lack of knowledge about their role in water resource management. By viewing catchments as complex social-ecological systems, this case study investigates how to establish a learning-centred approach to catchment management forum (CMF) formation. The study addressed three sub-questions: What activity systems need to be prioritised for community participation in CMF formation? What existing learning can be identified within the activity systems? What are the sources for expansive social learning in and between the activity systems? The study draws on social learning theory, and on cultural historical activity theory as it offers a methodological approach to identifying a learning-centred approach to learning in a catchment context. Drawing on this theoretical framework, for research question 1, I identified five activity systems that are present in the study area, are partly representative of the people who live in the area, and are linked to land and water governance either through their positions as government employees within the sector, or the NLEIP in ways that influence communities’ lives and livelihoods. To address question 2, I ran learning-centred workshops and interviewed people who lived in the study area. Careful, respectful listening and participants’ use of home language created the safe space in which residents revealed that they know which water resources are important to protect and where breakdowns in communication happen. For question 3, I analysed the data from the workshops and interviews using a cultural historical activity theory framework to identify discursive manifestations of contradictions within and between activity systems which illuminate the potential for expansive social learning. This study recommends developing an understanding of the complex social-ecological context and prioritising co-learning and community participation in a learning-centred approach to catchment management forum formation. For this, there is need to develop in-depth insight into activity systems associated with water governance in local contexts. In this study I identified five of these activity systems, but the study points to a further range of activity systems that need to be considered for a learning-centred approach to be fully established. The study also found that communities are learning via engaging in the rehabilitation work, through engagements in workshops and within the municipal structures. Additionally, the study identified a number of contradictions that can provide sources of learning for taking an expansive learning approach further in CMF formation. Such an approach may provide the space to build bridges of trust between diverse knowledge systems, and has the potential to encourage sustainable co-operation in natural resource management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
In silico identification of natural inhibitory compounds against the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Enzyme Pyrazinamidase using high-throughput virtual screening techniques
- Authors: Kenyon, Thomas
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Pyrazinamide , Molecular dynamics , High throughput screening (Drug development) , Mutagenesis , South African Natural Compounds database (SANCDB)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192074 , vital:45193
- Description: Tuberculosis (TB) is most commonly a pulmonary infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. With the exception of the COVID-19 pandemic, TB was the most common cause of death due to an infectious disease for a number of years up until 2020. In 2019, 10 million people fell ill with TB worldwide and 1.4 million people died (WHO, 2020a). Additionally, multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a public health crisis and a health security threat. A global total of 206 030 people with multidrug- or rifampicin-resistant TB (MDR/RR-TB) were reported in 2019, a 10% increase from 186 883 in 2018. South Africa is ranked among the 48 high TB burden countries, with an estimated 360 000 people falling ill in 2019, resulting in 58 000 deaths, the majority of which being among people living with HIV. Unlike HIV, however, TB is a curable disease when managed correctly with long durations of antitubercular chemotherapy. Pyrazinamide (PZA) is an important first-line tuberculosis drug unique for its activity against latent TB. PZA is a prodrug, being converted into its active form, pyrazinoic acid (POA) by the Mtb gene pncA, coding for the pyrazinamidase enzyme (PZase). TB resistance to first-line drugs such as PZA is commonly associated with mutations in the pncA/PZase enzyme. This study aimed to identify potential novel inhibitors that bind to the active site of PZase. By making use of molecular docking studies and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, high throughput virtual screening was performed on 623 compounds from the South African Natural Compounds database (SANCDB; https://sancdb.rubi.ru.ac.za). Ligands that selectively bound to the PZase active site were identified using docking studies, followed by MD simulations to assess ligand-PZase complex stability, Finally, hit compounds identified from the first round of MD simulations were screened again against PZase structures with high confidence point mutations known to infer PZA resistance in order to identify any novel compounds which had inhibitory potential against both WT and mutant forms of the PZase enzyme. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
- Authors: Kenyon, Thomas
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Pyrazinamide , Molecular dynamics , High throughput screening (Drug development) , Mutagenesis , South African Natural Compounds database (SANCDB)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192074 , vital:45193
- Description: Tuberculosis (TB) is most commonly a pulmonary infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. With the exception of the COVID-19 pandemic, TB was the most common cause of death due to an infectious disease for a number of years up until 2020. In 2019, 10 million people fell ill with TB worldwide and 1.4 million people died (WHO, 2020a). Additionally, multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a public health crisis and a health security threat. A global total of 206 030 people with multidrug- or rifampicin-resistant TB (MDR/RR-TB) were reported in 2019, a 10% increase from 186 883 in 2018. South Africa is ranked among the 48 high TB burden countries, with an estimated 360 000 people falling ill in 2019, resulting in 58 000 deaths, the majority of which being among people living with HIV. Unlike HIV, however, TB is a curable disease when managed correctly with long durations of antitubercular chemotherapy. Pyrazinamide (PZA) is an important first-line tuberculosis drug unique for its activity against latent TB. PZA is a prodrug, being converted into its active form, pyrazinoic acid (POA) by the Mtb gene pncA, coding for the pyrazinamidase enzyme (PZase). TB resistance to first-line drugs such as PZA is commonly associated with mutations in the pncA/PZase enzyme. This study aimed to identify potential novel inhibitors that bind to the active site of PZase. By making use of molecular docking studies and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, high throughput virtual screening was performed on 623 compounds from the South African Natural Compounds database (SANCDB; https://sancdb.rubi.ru.ac.za). Ligands that selectively bound to the PZase active site were identified using docking studies, followed by MD simulations to assess ligand-PZase complex stability, Finally, hit compounds identified from the first round of MD simulations were screened again against PZase structures with high confidence point mutations known to infer PZA resistance in order to identify any novel compounds which had inhibitory potential against both WT and mutant forms of the PZase enzyme. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
A proposed management framework for water stewardship for small business in South Africa
- Authors: Huxtable, Collette
- Date: 2022-12-12
- Subjects: Water-supply Management , Small business South Africa , Water-supply Economic aspects , Triple bottom line , Sustainable development reporting , Competitive advantage
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419090 , vital:71615
- Description: Climate change, severe weather events, population growth and, urbanisation are just a few of the leading causes contributing to the global water crisis. This global water crisis is negatively impacting the environment, and society, which includes business (large and small). Businesses are facing many water risks and challenges in their daily operations, such as water scarcity, water stress and water pollution, which are resulting in them being negatively impacted financially. For all business to overcome these risks and challenges which are negatively impacting their operations and to assist in protecting the scarce water resources left on the planet, the implementation of water stewardship practices will play a very important role. The literature has fallen short in addressing water stewardship frameworks and practices for small business. Through a sustainability lens underpinned by Natural Resource Based View Theory, this research study sets out to develop a water stewardship framework for implementation by small business to provide them with a competitive advantage. By reviewing the current literature and frameworks available to large business organisations, the insights gained allowed for a draft water stewardship framework to be developed from this literature, suitable for small business. This draft water stewardship framework for small business was used to gather further information on its suitability for small business, through an interview process. A qualitative interview process with seven small businesses in Makhanda (South Africa), allowed for data to be gathered and used to refine and adjust the draft water stewardship framework for small business. The findings from this research study show that small business do not have a global awareness of water problems and are not aware of the concept of water stewardship. Small business were very receptive to the draft water stewardship framework for small business and felt that its implementation would make a difference in saving scarce water resources and create a competitive advantage for them. The study concludes by recommending a water stewardship framework for small business (WSF4SB), who will play a leading role in fighting the water crisis. The implementation of the WSF4SB aims to provide small business with a sustainable competitive advantage by looking after scarce water resources ensuring there is sufficient water for current and future generations. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12-12
- Authors: Huxtable, Collette
- Date: 2022-12-12
- Subjects: Water-supply Management , Small business South Africa , Water-supply Economic aspects , Triple bottom line , Sustainable development reporting , Competitive advantage
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419090 , vital:71615
- Description: Climate change, severe weather events, population growth and, urbanisation are just a few of the leading causes contributing to the global water crisis. This global water crisis is negatively impacting the environment, and society, which includes business (large and small). Businesses are facing many water risks and challenges in their daily operations, such as water scarcity, water stress and water pollution, which are resulting in them being negatively impacted financially. For all business to overcome these risks and challenges which are negatively impacting their operations and to assist in protecting the scarce water resources left on the planet, the implementation of water stewardship practices will play a very important role. The literature has fallen short in addressing water stewardship frameworks and practices for small business. Through a sustainability lens underpinned by Natural Resource Based View Theory, this research study sets out to develop a water stewardship framework for implementation by small business to provide them with a competitive advantage. By reviewing the current literature and frameworks available to large business organisations, the insights gained allowed for a draft water stewardship framework to be developed from this literature, suitable for small business. This draft water stewardship framework for small business was used to gather further information on its suitability for small business, through an interview process. A qualitative interview process with seven small businesses in Makhanda (South Africa), allowed for data to be gathered and used to refine and adjust the draft water stewardship framework for small business. The findings from this research study show that small business do not have a global awareness of water problems and are not aware of the concept of water stewardship. Small business were very receptive to the draft water stewardship framework for small business and felt that its implementation would make a difference in saving scarce water resources and create a competitive advantage for them. The study concludes by recommending a water stewardship framework for small business (WSF4SB), who will play a leading role in fighting the water crisis. The implementation of the WSF4SB aims to provide small business with a sustainable competitive advantage by looking after scarce water resources ensuring there is sufficient water for current and future generations. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12-12
Rhodes University Graduation Ceremony 1972
- Authors: Rhodes University
- Date: 1972
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: vital:8106 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004561
- Description: Rhodes University Graduation Ceremonies on Friday 7th April 1972 at 8 p.m. [and] on Saturday 8th April 1972 at 10:30 a.m. in the University Great Hall.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1972
- Authors: Rhodes University
- Date: 1972
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: vital:8106 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004561
- Description: Rhodes University Graduation Ceremonies on Friday 7th April 1972 at 8 p.m. [and] on Saturday 8th April 1972 at 10:30 a.m. in the University Great Hall.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1972
Using reading to learn pedagogy to enhance the English first additional language teachers’ classroom practice
- Authors: Mawela, Rethabile Rejoice
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Reading to learn , Language transfer (Language learning) -- South Africa -- Kuruman , Language teachers -- South Africa -- Kuruman , Language and languages -- Study and teaching -- Bilingual method , Second language acquisition
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63415 , vital:28409
- Description: Drawing from the Hallidayan, Bernsteinian and Vygotskyan theories of Systemic Functional Linguistics, Pedagogic Discourse and Social Learning, this study examined the role that Rose's (2005) Reading to Learn (RtL) pedagogy could play in the development of teachers’ pedagogic practices in the teaching of English First Additional Language. The study participants teach English First Additional Language in Black, materially and economically disadvantaged rural primary schools in Kuruman, the Northern Cape Province, South Africa. As study participants, 4 intermediate phase and 4 senior phase teachers of English First Additional Language were purposively selected from 6 rural schools. Located within the Critical Paradigm, Subjective Epistemology and Mixed-Method approach, the study used documentary evidence, semi- structured interviews and RtL pedagogy as research instruments. Research findings reveal that RtL enriched and advanced teachers’ pedagogic practice in the teaching of reading and writing. As a consequence, teachers’ classroom practice of the 8 study participants improved as evidenced as their content knowledge expanded, the quality of teaching developed and their perceptions of themselves as professionals was transformed. An accompanying finding is that teachers acquired the tools to teach reading and the reading and writing proficiencies of learners in their classrooms improved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mawela, Rethabile Rejoice
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Reading to learn , Language transfer (Language learning) -- South Africa -- Kuruman , Language teachers -- South Africa -- Kuruman , Language and languages -- Study and teaching -- Bilingual method , Second language acquisition
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63415 , vital:28409
- Description: Drawing from the Hallidayan, Bernsteinian and Vygotskyan theories of Systemic Functional Linguistics, Pedagogic Discourse and Social Learning, this study examined the role that Rose's (2005) Reading to Learn (RtL) pedagogy could play in the development of teachers’ pedagogic practices in the teaching of English First Additional Language. The study participants teach English First Additional Language in Black, materially and economically disadvantaged rural primary schools in Kuruman, the Northern Cape Province, South Africa. As study participants, 4 intermediate phase and 4 senior phase teachers of English First Additional Language were purposively selected from 6 rural schools. Located within the Critical Paradigm, Subjective Epistemology and Mixed-Method approach, the study used documentary evidence, semi- structured interviews and RtL pedagogy as research instruments. Research findings reveal that RtL enriched and advanced teachers’ pedagogic practice in the teaching of reading and writing. As a consequence, teachers’ classroom practice of the 8 study participants improved as evidenced as their content knowledge expanded, the quality of teaching developed and their perceptions of themselves as professionals was transformed. An accompanying finding is that teachers acquired the tools to teach reading and the reading and writing proficiencies of learners in their classrooms improved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
What is political corruption?: A philosophical analysis
- Authors: Onah, Gideon Owogeka
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Political corruption , Political ethics , Political science Philosophy , Philp, Mark , Thompson, Dennis F (Dennis Frank), 1940- , Miller, Seumas
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192298 , vital:45213
- Description: The concept of political corruption is crucial in political discourses. Since the 1990s, there has been a massive resurgence of focus on political corruption. Definitional accounts of the concept have been proposed. This work is a critique of the accounts that have since been provided. I argue that these definitions are inadequate, offering an alternative. The predominant definition of the concept is that it refers to public officials’ violations of public office rules due to their respective interests in private gain. I consider this wrong for three reasons. First, politics includes more than the activities of public officials. Second, that is not the only behaviour that is contrary to the moral imperatives of politics. Third, the lack of political integrity is not just about acting wrongly. It also includes the possession of political vices. Observing the inadequacy of the dominant perspective, Seumas Miller offers a more comprehensive definition. He defines political corruption as any act that despoils the moral character of political actors and undermines the processes and purposes of legitimate political institutions. However, his definition is also insufficient. First, he includes some immoral non-political acts as examples of political corruption, although he agrees that political corruption entails immorality in politics. Second, he unjustifiably excludes some immoral political actions as denoting political corruption. In contrast, I define political corruption as possessing political vices or acting contrary to moral, political imperatives. This definition is a comprehensive reflection of what it means to lack political integrity. My thesis begins with a critical account of politics and its moral imperatives. That is the criteria for determining what political corruption is. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Philosophy, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
- Authors: Onah, Gideon Owogeka
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Political corruption , Political ethics , Political science Philosophy , Philp, Mark , Thompson, Dennis F (Dennis Frank), 1940- , Miller, Seumas
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192298 , vital:45213
- Description: The concept of political corruption is crucial in political discourses. Since the 1990s, there has been a massive resurgence of focus on political corruption. Definitional accounts of the concept have been proposed. This work is a critique of the accounts that have since been provided. I argue that these definitions are inadequate, offering an alternative. The predominant definition of the concept is that it refers to public officials’ violations of public office rules due to their respective interests in private gain. I consider this wrong for three reasons. First, politics includes more than the activities of public officials. Second, that is not the only behaviour that is contrary to the moral imperatives of politics. Third, the lack of political integrity is not just about acting wrongly. It also includes the possession of political vices. Observing the inadequacy of the dominant perspective, Seumas Miller offers a more comprehensive definition. He defines political corruption as any act that despoils the moral character of political actors and undermines the processes and purposes of legitimate political institutions. However, his definition is also insufficient. First, he includes some immoral non-political acts as examples of political corruption, although he agrees that political corruption entails immorality in politics. Second, he unjustifiably excludes some immoral political actions as denoting political corruption. In contrast, I define political corruption as possessing political vices or acting contrary to moral, political imperatives. This definition is a comprehensive reflection of what it means to lack political integrity. My thesis begins with a critical account of politics and its moral imperatives. That is the criteria for determining what political corruption is. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Philosophy, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
The economics of institutions, institutional governance and efficiency: the case of water distribution in Lower Sundays River Valley
- Authors: Madigele, Patricia Kefilwe
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54777 , vital:26611
- Description: The institutional dynamics, policies and legislation that were prevalent during the apartheid era have left imprints that are difficult to ignore as they still dictate the interaction between different elements in the water sector to date. During the apartheid era, the formulation of policies was informed by racial segregation, resulting in a socio-economic pattern that dictated the distribution and access of resources for the people of different races in the country. Post-apartheid, the National Water Act has established the basis for management of water resources on a catchment basis (for equity, efficiency and sustainability), and the Water Services Act aims to ensure everybody has access to basic water supply and sanitation services. Regardless of the improvements in water supply to the rural sector made by the South African government, many of the current patterns of water use are still characterised by inequality, inefficiency, and inadequacy. The poor remain marginalised, and emerging farmers and poor rural communities have limited access to water resources while water continues to be used inefficiently by some farmers in the agricultural sector with few incentives to improve its water use efficiency. Despite the existence of the thriving citrus industry in the area, around 60% of people in the Sundays River Valley Municipality (SRVM) live below the poverty datum line. The inequality between the municipal populace and the commercial citrus industry is noticeable and the inequitable water redistribution is prevalent in the Lower Sundays River Valley (LSRV). The problem of disrupted water supply is prevalent in the catchment. However, there is also currently no physical shortage of water in the catchment. Therefore, the currently experienced problems with water supply in the LSRV are consequence of a lack of effective institutions and infrastructure, not of physical water scarcity. It is argued in this paper that there is a notable lack of understanding about the design of institutions for water management in developing countries. The vast majority of research on water management and access is premised on neoclassical economics ideas related to water markets and pricing among others. The neoclassical economics approach, however, does not adequately define the role of institutions in shaping the direction of water access and supply. This study uses new institutional economics (NIE) arguments to define the institutional arrangements and dynamics defining the water sector in South Africa, using the Lower Sunday River Water Users Association (LSR-WUA) as the case study. It aims at analysing the institutional governance and performance of the using equity, efficiency and effectiveness as key indicators. The various research methods employed in this study include; interpretive and post-positivist paradigms, quantitative and qualitative research, the case study research method and in-depth key informant interviews. It is concluded that that the current and future decisions made by the LSR-WUA are not entirely independent of those made in the past under Sundays River Irrigation Board (SRIB). The thesis argues that such factors as old effective networks, vested interests of commercial farmers, sunk costs towards the building of canals, among other factors, may have influenced the dependence of the LSR-WUA on the SRIB’s set path. It is further concluded that the absence of contractual agreement between the LRS-WUA which acts as the bulk water supplier, and the SRVM which acts as both the water services authority (WSA) and the water service provider (WSP) creates an institutional arrangement deficiency. Such an institutional arrangement vacuum can lead to a failure of the water institutions in the catchment to provide water resources effectively. The study further argues that because the post-apartheid National Water Policy of South Africa is largely influenced by neoclassical economics foundations, the desired results in the water sector, such as equitable distribution of water resources, have not yet been fulfilled completely.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Madigele, Patricia Kefilwe
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54777 , vital:26611
- Description: The institutional dynamics, policies and legislation that were prevalent during the apartheid era have left imprints that are difficult to ignore as they still dictate the interaction between different elements in the water sector to date. During the apartheid era, the formulation of policies was informed by racial segregation, resulting in a socio-economic pattern that dictated the distribution and access of resources for the people of different races in the country. Post-apartheid, the National Water Act has established the basis for management of water resources on a catchment basis (for equity, efficiency and sustainability), and the Water Services Act aims to ensure everybody has access to basic water supply and sanitation services. Regardless of the improvements in water supply to the rural sector made by the South African government, many of the current patterns of water use are still characterised by inequality, inefficiency, and inadequacy. The poor remain marginalised, and emerging farmers and poor rural communities have limited access to water resources while water continues to be used inefficiently by some farmers in the agricultural sector with few incentives to improve its water use efficiency. Despite the existence of the thriving citrus industry in the area, around 60% of people in the Sundays River Valley Municipality (SRVM) live below the poverty datum line. The inequality between the municipal populace and the commercial citrus industry is noticeable and the inequitable water redistribution is prevalent in the Lower Sundays River Valley (LSRV). The problem of disrupted water supply is prevalent in the catchment. However, there is also currently no physical shortage of water in the catchment. Therefore, the currently experienced problems with water supply in the LSRV are consequence of a lack of effective institutions and infrastructure, not of physical water scarcity. It is argued in this paper that there is a notable lack of understanding about the design of institutions for water management in developing countries. The vast majority of research on water management and access is premised on neoclassical economics ideas related to water markets and pricing among others. The neoclassical economics approach, however, does not adequately define the role of institutions in shaping the direction of water access and supply. This study uses new institutional economics (NIE) arguments to define the institutional arrangements and dynamics defining the water sector in South Africa, using the Lower Sunday River Water Users Association (LSR-WUA) as the case study. It aims at analysing the institutional governance and performance of the using equity, efficiency and effectiveness as key indicators. The various research methods employed in this study include; interpretive and post-positivist paradigms, quantitative and qualitative research, the case study research method and in-depth key informant interviews. It is concluded that that the current and future decisions made by the LSR-WUA are not entirely independent of those made in the past under Sundays River Irrigation Board (SRIB). The thesis argues that such factors as old effective networks, vested interests of commercial farmers, sunk costs towards the building of canals, among other factors, may have influenced the dependence of the LSR-WUA on the SRIB’s set path. It is further concluded that the absence of contractual agreement between the LRS-WUA which acts as the bulk water supplier, and the SRVM which acts as both the water services authority (WSA) and the water service provider (WSP) creates an institutional arrangement deficiency. Such an institutional arrangement vacuum can lead to a failure of the water institutions in the catchment to provide water resources effectively. The study further argues that because the post-apartheid National Water Policy of South Africa is largely influenced by neoclassical economics foundations, the desired results in the water sector, such as equitable distribution of water resources, have not yet been fulfilled completely.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Investigating visual literacy development through advertisements: a case of Grade 7 English Language Teaching in Mount Frere District, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mbuqe, Zolile Patrick
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Visual literacy , English language -- Study and teaching -- Audio-visual aids , Second language acquisition -- South Africa , English language -- Study and teaching -- Activity programs , Advertising -- Study and teaching , Visual learning , English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143458 , vital:38248
- Description: Although the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement lists visual literacy as one of the aspects of English First Additional Language in Grades 4-12, many teachers face challenges in teaching it. This study aimed to investigate visual literacy development through advertisements. Drawing on Cultural Historical Activity Theory, this qualitative intervention designed two research phases in which data was collected and analysed. The first phase, a pre-intervention, included lesson observation, analysis of documents and post-lesson semi-structured interviews. Based on Phase One findings and using advertisements as an entry point in developing visual literacy, Phase Two occurred at a change laboratory workshop and engaged eight teachers with the dynamics of meaning making and teaching. This data was analysed using elements of social semiotics and Serafini’s resource practices. The key findings are that despite low visual literacy understanding and practices, rigorous formative intervention indicated advancement in teachers’ understanding of visual literacy. In addition, through this intervention, teachers developed agency in dealing with schooling adversities such as lack of resources and knowledge hence further formative intervention research in visual literacy is recommended for both EFAL subject advisors and teachers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mbuqe, Zolile Patrick
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Visual literacy , English language -- Study and teaching -- Audio-visual aids , Second language acquisition -- South Africa , English language -- Study and teaching -- Activity programs , Advertising -- Study and teaching , Visual learning , English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143458 , vital:38248
- Description: Although the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement lists visual literacy as one of the aspects of English First Additional Language in Grades 4-12, many teachers face challenges in teaching it. This study aimed to investigate visual literacy development through advertisements. Drawing on Cultural Historical Activity Theory, this qualitative intervention designed two research phases in which data was collected and analysed. The first phase, a pre-intervention, included lesson observation, analysis of documents and post-lesson semi-structured interviews. Based on Phase One findings and using advertisements as an entry point in developing visual literacy, Phase Two occurred at a change laboratory workshop and engaged eight teachers with the dynamics of meaning making and teaching. This data was analysed using elements of social semiotics and Serafini’s resource practices. The key findings are that despite low visual literacy understanding and practices, rigorous formative intervention indicated advancement in teachers’ understanding of visual literacy. In addition, through this intervention, teachers developed agency in dealing with schooling adversities such as lack of resources and knowledge hence further formative intervention research in visual literacy is recommended for both EFAL subject advisors and teachers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Land, Church, Forced Removals and Community on Klipfontein Farm in the District of Alexandria, Eastern Cape c. 1872 - 1979
- Authors: Bezuidenhout, GJW
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Janse van Rensburg family , Klipfontein Farm (Alexandria, South Africa) , Alexandria (South Africa) -- History , Colored people (South Africa) -- History , Colored people (South Africa) -- Religion , Colored people (South Africa) -- Relocation , Black people -- Relocation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Family farms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Church history -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- Law and legilstion -- South Africa , Land reform -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161315 , vital:40615
- Description: This thesis is a case study of how church, land and dispossession of land has influenced identity formation of a coloured community in the Eastern Province, namely the Klipfontein community. Coloured history in the Eastern Province has largely been neglected. This study attempts to rectify such a lack of in-depth enquiry as it may lead to misinterpretations that may influence contemporary politics and identity formation. Through research based on primary sources, it is evident that the social landscape of Klipfontein Farm and the relationships between that community and surrounding black African and white communities have largely been shaped by the stipulations contained in the joint will of the community’s ancestors: Dirk and Sarah Janse van Rensburg. The land devolved into a trust and has been administered by trustees since the death of the first spouse in 1877. By keeping the land in a trust, it enabled the descendants to continue to live on the farm in perpetuity, without the risk of being forced off the land via financial restraints or racially-based legislation. But the usufructuaries could also never fully utilise Klipfontein as an agricultural concern due to a combination of a lack of equipment and skill, and the provisions of the will. These complications inevitably led to inter-familial disputes and tension. Before 1939 there had already been three court cases dealing with the interpretations of the Will. In that same year the Supreme Court ordered that tracts of the land, including a part of Boesmansriviermond village, be sold in order to pay off arrear rates and taxes. Although the responsibility for these sales lay with the trustees, the community has been suspicious of the usufructuaries ever since. A key element of the Klipfontein identity is their religion. The church legitimises their right to the farm - against those who wish to take that right away. Their claim to occupation is couched in scriptural discourse, viewing Klipfontein as 'their Garden of Eden' that God gave to the stamvader, Dirk Janse van Rensburg. This seemed to have been partially successful for the Klipfontein community in staving off harassment by authorities. It also caused friction between the community and the black African residents. Some usufructuaries and family members felt that such right was exclusively given to the coloured community and so they became increasingly annoyed by the black Africans who settled there. Other usufructuaries did not share this feeling. They allowed evicted black African farm labourers to settle on certain portions of Klipfontein until the late 1970s. The black African population rapidly increased due to misinformation and evictions from neighbouring farms. This only further exacerbated the inter-familial conflict between usufructuaries, flaring tensions between the black Africans and their reluctant hosts as well as animosity from the white community towards Klipfontein. In 1979, after a series of court cases, a decision was made to remove all the African settlers by force and relocate most of them to the ‘homeland’ of Ciskei. The rest, who were of ‘working-age’ were left behind in a ‘temporary emergency camp’ on the outskirts of Kenton-on-Sea. The effects of these removals still impact the relationships between the different racial groups in the area to this day.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Bezuidenhout, GJW
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Janse van Rensburg family , Klipfontein Farm (Alexandria, South Africa) , Alexandria (South Africa) -- History , Colored people (South Africa) -- History , Colored people (South Africa) -- Religion , Colored people (South Africa) -- Relocation , Black people -- Relocation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Family farms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Church history -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- Law and legilstion -- South Africa , Land reform -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161315 , vital:40615
- Description: This thesis is a case study of how church, land and dispossession of land has influenced identity formation of a coloured community in the Eastern Province, namely the Klipfontein community. Coloured history in the Eastern Province has largely been neglected. This study attempts to rectify such a lack of in-depth enquiry as it may lead to misinterpretations that may influence contemporary politics and identity formation. Through research based on primary sources, it is evident that the social landscape of Klipfontein Farm and the relationships between that community and surrounding black African and white communities have largely been shaped by the stipulations contained in the joint will of the community’s ancestors: Dirk and Sarah Janse van Rensburg. The land devolved into a trust and has been administered by trustees since the death of the first spouse in 1877. By keeping the land in a trust, it enabled the descendants to continue to live on the farm in perpetuity, without the risk of being forced off the land via financial restraints or racially-based legislation. But the usufructuaries could also never fully utilise Klipfontein as an agricultural concern due to a combination of a lack of equipment and skill, and the provisions of the will. These complications inevitably led to inter-familial disputes and tension. Before 1939 there had already been three court cases dealing with the interpretations of the Will. In that same year the Supreme Court ordered that tracts of the land, including a part of Boesmansriviermond village, be sold in order to pay off arrear rates and taxes. Although the responsibility for these sales lay with the trustees, the community has been suspicious of the usufructuaries ever since. A key element of the Klipfontein identity is their religion. The church legitimises their right to the farm - against those who wish to take that right away. Their claim to occupation is couched in scriptural discourse, viewing Klipfontein as 'their Garden of Eden' that God gave to the stamvader, Dirk Janse van Rensburg. This seemed to have been partially successful for the Klipfontein community in staving off harassment by authorities. It also caused friction between the community and the black African residents. Some usufructuaries and family members felt that such right was exclusively given to the coloured community and so they became increasingly annoyed by the black Africans who settled there. Other usufructuaries did not share this feeling. They allowed evicted black African farm labourers to settle on certain portions of Klipfontein until the late 1970s. The black African population rapidly increased due to misinformation and evictions from neighbouring farms. This only further exacerbated the inter-familial conflict between usufructuaries, flaring tensions between the black Africans and their reluctant hosts as well as animosity from the white community towards Klipfontein. In 1979, after a series of court cases, a decision was made to remove all the African settlers by force and relocate most of them to the ‘homeland’ of Ciskei. The rest, who were of ‘working-age’ were left behind in a ‘temporary emergency camp’ on the outskirts of Kenton-on-Sea. The effects of these removals still impact the relationships between the different racial groups in the area to this day.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017