Evaluating the sustainable management of the State indigenous forests in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Quvile, Nkosipendule
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:793 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004130
- Description: This research assesses the state of sustainability of State indigenous forests in the Eastern Cape and provides recommendations to improve their sustainability. The Eastern Cape Indigenous Forest Management Audit (ECIFMA) report of 2009 provided the primary data for this assessment (DAFF, 2009). The research was inspired by the fact that the global challenge of forestry destruction and degradation where the extent of forests is being reduced at an alarming rate of 6% annually. It became essential for global leaders to develop policies and strategies that sought to promote sustainable forest management. The monitoring of sustainability of forests was only possible through use of globally and nationally developed sets of criteria and indicators. Eleven forest estates responsible for the management of State indigenous forests in the Eastern Cape were selected for this research. The choice was influenced by the availability of audit data from the ECIFMA report of 2009. This report contained performance information of 41 indicators under 18 criteria for monitoring sustainable forest management as extracted from the PCI&S assessment checklist developed for monitoring the sustainability of indigenous forests in South Africa (DWAF, 2005). The data was refined using the MCA methods (ranking and scoring) as described by Mendoza and Prabhu (2000). These methods yielded to the determination of the performance of indicators of forest sustainability. It was thus important to conclude the research by responding to the following questions: • What is the state of sustainability of the State indigenous forests in the Eastern Cape? • What recommendations could be made to improve the sustainability of State indigenous forests? It was found that the State indigenous forests were not managed in a sustainable manner. The research report is concluded by providing concrete recommendations to improve forest sustainability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Quvile, Nkosipendule
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:793 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004130
- Description: This research assesses the state of sustainability of State indigenous forests in the Eastern Cape and provides recommendations to improve their sustainability. The Eastern Cape Indigenous Forest Management Audit (ECIFMA) report of 2009 provided the primary data for this assessment (DAFF, 2009). The research was inspired by the fact that the global challenge of forestry destruction and degradation where the extent of forests is being reduced at an alarming rate of 6% annually. It became essential for global leaders to develop policies and strategies that sought to promote sustainable forest management. The monitoring of sustainability of forests was only possible through use of globally and nationally developed sets of criteria and indicators. Eleven forest estates responsible for the management of State indigenous forests in the Eastern Cape were selected for this research. The choice was influenced by the availability of audit data from the ECIFMA report of 2009. This report contained performance information of 41 indicators under 18 criteria for monitoring sustainable forest management as extracted from the PCI&S assessment checklist developed for monitoring the sustainability of indigenous forests in South Africa (DWAF, 2005). The data was refined using the MCA methods (ranking and scoring) as described by Mendoza and Prabhu (2000). These methods yielded to the determination of the performance of indicators of forest sustainability. It was thus important to conclude the research by responding to the following questions: • What is the state of sustainability of the State indigenous forests in the Eastern Cape? • What recommendations could be made to improve the sustainability of State indigenous forests? It was found that the State indigenous forests were not managed in a sustainable manner. The research report is concluded by providing concrete recommendations to improve forest sustainability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Exchange rate behavior in the cases of the Zambian Kwacha and Malawian Kwacha : is there misalignment?
- Magwizi, Brenda Thandekha, Rhodes University
- Authors: Magwizi, Brenda Thandekha , Rhodes University
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Foreign exchange rates -- Zambia Foreign exchange rates -- Malawi International relations -- Case studies -- Zambia International relations -- Case studies -- Malawi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:974 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002708
- Description: The exchange rate is the price of one currency against another currency or currencies of a group of countries. Real exchange rates are important because they show the external competitiveness of a country‟s economy. Thus, when the exchange rate of a country is misaligned, this will affect its trade, production and the welfare of people. This study analysed macroeconomic determinants of the real exchange rate and dynamic adjustment of the real exchange rate as a result of shocks to these determinants. The study also determined the extent of misalignment of the real exchange rate in Malawi and Zambia and identified variables that contributed to it. Such information is important to policy makers. Quarterly data were used for both countries from 1980:1-2008:4. The literature review identified those variables that determine the exchange rate and these include government consumption, foreign aid, net foreign assets, commodity prices, terms of trade, domestic credit, openness and the Balassa Samuelson effect (technological progress). To determine the long-run relationship between the exchange rate and its determinants, we employed the Johansen approach and the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). For robustness check on the long-run and shortrun effects of determinants on the exchange rate, variance decomposition and impulse response analyses were used. Results in the study show that in Malawi for both models, an increase in LAID, LGCON and LTOT resulted in real exchange rate depreciation and increases in LDC, NFA and LNEER resulted in an appreciation. In Zambia, increases in LAID, LGCON, LOPEN and LTOT caused the real exchange rate to depreciate while increases in LDC, NFA and LCOPPER led to an appreciation. Lagged LREER and LNEER were found to have short run effects on the equilibrium exchange rate for Malawi and lagged LCOPPER and LDC for Zambia. Periods of exchange rate misalignment were found in both countries. It was also found that the coefficient of speed of adjustment in Malawi in models 1 and 2 indicate that 11% and 27% of the variation in the real exchange rate from its equilibrium adjust each quarter respectively. The speed of adjustment for Zambia in both models was 45% and 47% respectively, higher than that of Malawi. Foreign aid has proven to be important in exchange rate misalignment in both countries, though this was not really expected in the case of Zambia. Given these results, it may be of interest to policy makers to understand which variables impact most on the exchange rate and how misalignment due to these determinants can be minimised.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Magwizi, Brenda Thandekha , Rhodes University
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Foreign exchange rates -- Zambia Foreign exchange rates -- Malawi International relations -- Case studies -- Zambia International relations -- Case studies -- Malawi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:974 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002708
- Description: The exchange rate is the price of one currency against another currency or currencies of a group of countries. Real exchange rates are important because they show the external competitiveness of a country‟s economy. Thus, when the exchange rate of a country is misaligned, this will affect its trade, production and the welfare of people. This study analysed macroeconomic determinants of the real exchange rate and dynamic adjustment of the real exchange rate as a result of shocks to these determinants. The study also determined the extent of misalignment of the real exchange rate in Malawi and Zambia and identified variables that contributed to it. Such information is important to policy makers. Quarterly data were used for both countries from 1980:1-2008:4. The literature review identified those variables that determine the exchange rate and these include government consumption, foreign aid, net foreign assets, commodity prices, terms of trade, domestic credit, openness and the Balassa Samuelson effect (technological progress). To determine the long-run relationship between the exchange rate and its determinants, we employed the Johansen approach and the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). For robustness check on the long-run and shortrun effects of determinants on the exchange rate, variance decomposition and impulse response analyses were used. Results in the study show that in Malawi for both models, an increase in LAID, LGCON and LTOT resulted in real exchange rate depreciation and increases in LDC, NFA and LNEER resulted in an appreciation. In Zambia, increases in LAID, LGCON, LOPEN and LTOT caused the real exchange rate to depreciate while increases in LDC, NFA and LCOPPER led to an appreciation. Lagged LREER and LNEER were found to have short run effects on the equilibrium exchange rate for Malawi and lagged LCOPPER and LDC for Zambia. Periods of exchange rate misalignment were found in both countries. It was also found that the coefficient of speed of adjustment in Malawi in models 1 and 2 indicate that 11% and 27% of the variation in the real exchange rate from its equilibrium adjust each quarter respectively. The speed of adjustment for Zambia in both models was 45% and 47% respectively, higher than that of Malawi. Foreign aid has proven to be important in exchange rate misalignment in both countries, though this was not really expected in the case of Zambia. Given these results, it may be of interest to policy makers to understand which variables impact most on the exchange rate and how misalignment due to these determinants can be minimised.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Exchange rate pass-through to domestic prices in Kenya
- Authors: Mnjama, Gladys Susan
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Kenya -- Economic conditions , Kenya -- Economic conditions -- Econometric models , Foreign exchange rates -- Kenya , Stocks -- Prices -- Kenya , Banks and banking -- Kenya , Cointegration , Econometrics , Inflation (Finance) -- Kenya
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:975 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002709 , Kenya -- Economic conditions , Kenya -- Economic conditions -- Econometric models , Foreign exchange rates -- Kenya , Stocks -- Prices -- Kenya , Banks and banking -- Kenya , Cointegration , Econometrics , Inflation (Finance) -- Kenya
- Description: In 1993, Kenya liberalised its trade policy and allowed the Kenyan Shillings to freely float. This openness has left Kenya's domestic prices vulnerable to the effects of exchange rate fluctuations. One of the objectives of the Central Bank of Kenya is to maintain inflation levels at sustainable levels. Thus it has become necessary to determine the influence that exchange rate changes have on domestic prices given that one of the major determinants of inflation is exchange rate movements. For this reason, this thesis examines the magnitude and speed of exchange rate pass-through (ERPT) to domestic prices in Kenya. In addition, it takes into account the direction and size of changes in the exchange rates to determine whether the exchange rate fluctuations are symmetric or asymmetric. The thesis uses quarterly data ranging from 1993:Ql - 2008:Q4 as it takes into account the period when the process of liberalization occurred. The empirical estimation was done in two stages. The first stage was estimated using the Johansen (1991) and (1995) co integration techniques and a vector error correction model (VECM). The second stage entailed estimating the impulse response and variance decomposition functions as well as conducting block exogeneity Wald tests. In determining the asymmetric aspect of the analysis, the study followed Pollard and Coughlin (2004) and Webber (2000) frameworks in analysing asymmetry with respect to appreciation and depreciation and large and small changes in the exchange rate to import prices. The results obtained showed that ERPT to Kenya is incomplete but relatively low at about 36 percent in the long run. In terms of asymmetry, the results showed that ERPT is found to be higher in periods of appreciation than depreciation. This is in support of market share and binding quantity constraints theory. In relation to size changes, the results show that size changes have no significant impact on ERPT in Kenya.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mnjama, Gladys Susan
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Kenya -- Economic conditions , Kenya -- Economic conditions -- Econometric models , Foreign exchange rates -- Kenya , Stocks -- Prices -- Kenya , Banks and banking -- Kenya , Cointegration , Econometrics , Inflation (Finance) -- Kenya
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:975 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002709 , Kenya -- Economic conditions , Kenya -- Economic conditions -- Econometric models , Foreign exchange rates -- Kenya , Stocks -- Prices -- Kenya , Banks and banking -- Kenya , Cointegration , Econometrics , Inflation (Finance) -- Kenya
- Description: In 1993, Kenya liberalised its trade policy and allowed the Kenyan Shillings to freely float. This openness has left Kenya's domestic prices vulnerable to the effects of exchange rate fluctuations. One of the objectives of the Central Bank of Kenya is to maintain inflation levels at sustainable levels. Thus it has become necessary to determine the influence that exchange rate changes have on domestic prices given that one of the major determinants of inflation is exchange rate movements. For this reason, this thesis examines the magnitude and speed of exchange rate pass-through (ERPT) to domestic prices in Kenya. In addition, it takes into account the direction and size of changes in the exchange rates to determine whether the exchange rate fluctuations are symmetric or asymmetric. The thesis uses quarterly data ranging from 1993:Ql - 2008:Q4 as it takes into account the period when the process of liberalization occurred. The empirical estimation was done in two stages. The first stage was estimated using the Johansen (1991) and (1995) co integration techniques and a vector error correction model (VECM). The second stage entailed estimating the impulse response and variance decomposition functions as well as conducting block exogeneity Wald tests. In determining the asymmetric aspect of the analysis, the study followed Pollard and Coughlin (2004) and Webber (2000) frameworks in analysing asymmetry with respect to appreciation and depreciation and large and small changes in the exchange rate to import prices. The results obtained showed that ERPT to Kenya is incomplete but relatively low at about 36 percent in the long run. In terms of asymmetry, the results showed that ERPT is found to be higher in periods of appreciation than depreciation. This is in support of market share and binding quantity constraints theory. In relation to size changes, the results show that size changes have no significant impact on ERPT in Kenya.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Exchange rates behaviour in Ghana and Nigeria: is there a misalignment?
- Authors: Mapenda, Rufaro
- Date: 2011 , 2011-11-09
- Subjects: Foreign exchange rates -- Ghana , Foreign exchange rates -- Nigeria , Economic development -- Ghana , Economic development -- Nigeria , Foreign exchange administration -- Ghana , Foreign exchange administration -- Nigeria , International relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:976 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002710 , Foreign exchange rates -- Ghana , Foreign exchange rates -- Nigeria , Economic development -- Ghana , Economic development -- Nigeria , Foreign exchange administration -- Ghana , Foreign exchange administration -- Nigeria , International relations
- Description: Exchange rates are believed to be one of the major driving forces behind sustainable macroeconomic growth and it is therefore important to ensure that they are at an appropriate level. Exchange rate misalignment is a situation where the actual exchange rate differs significantly from its equilibrium value, resulting in either an overvalued or an undervalued currency. The problem with an undervalued currency is that it will increase the domestic price of tradable goods whereas an overvalued currency will cause a fall in the domestic prices of the tradable goods. Persistent exchange rate misalignment is thus expected to result in severe macroeconomic instability. The aim of this study is to estimate the equilibrium real exchange rate for both Ghana and Nigeria. After so doing, the equilibrium real exchange rate is compared to the actual real exchange rate, in order to assess the extent of real exchange rate misalignment in both countries, if any such exists. In order test the applicability of the equilibrium exchange rate models, the study draws from the simple monetary model as well as the Edwards (1989) and Montiel (1999) models. These models postulate that the variables which determine the real exchange rate are the terms of trade, trade restrictions, domestic interest rates, foreign aid inflow, income, money supply, world inflation, government consumption expenditure, world interest rates, capital controls and technological progress. Due to data limitations in Ghana and in Nigeria, not all the variables are utilised in the study. The study uses the Johansen (1995) model as well as the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) to estimate the long- and the short-run relationships between the above-mentioned determinants and the real exchange rate. Thereafter the study employs the Hodrick-Prescott filter to estimate the permanent equilibrium exchange rate. The study estimates a real exchange rate model each for Ghana and Nigeria. Both the exchange rate models for Ghana and Nigeria provide evidence of exchange rate misalignment. The model for Ghana shows that from the first quarter of 1980 to the last quarter of 1983 the real exchange rate was overvalued; thereafter the exchange rate moved close to its equilibrium value and was generally undervalued with few and short-lived episodes of overvaluation. In regard to real exchange rate misalignment in Nigeria prior to the Structural Adjustment Program in 1986 there were episodes of undervaluation from the first quarter of 1980 to the first quarter of 1984 and overvaluation from the second quarter of 1984 to the third quarter of 1986; thereafter the exchange rate was generally and marginally undervalued.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mapenda, Rufaro
- Date: 2011 , 2011-11-09
- Subjects: Foreign exchange rates -- Ghana , Foreign exchange rates -- Nigeria , Economic development -- Ghana , Economic development -- Nigeria , Foreign exchange administration -- Ghana , Foreign exchange administration -- Nigeria , International relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:976 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002710 , Foreign exchange rates -- Ghana , Foreign exchange rates -- Nigeria , Economic development -- Ghana , Economic development -- Nigeria , Foreign exchange administration -- Ghana , Foreign exchange administration -- Nigeria , International relations
- Description: Exchange rates are believed to be one of the major driving forces behind sustainable macroeconomic growth and it is therefore important to ensure that they are at an appropriate level. Exchange rate misalignment is a situation where the actual exchange rate differs significantly from its equilibrium value, resulting in either an overvalued or an undervalued currency. The problem with an undervalued currency is that it will increase the domestic price of tradable goods whereas an overvalued currency will cause a fall in the domestic prices of the tradable goods. Persistent exchange rate misalignment is thus expected to result in severe macroeconomic instability. The aim of this study is to estimate the equilibrium real exchange rate for both Ghana and Nigeria. After so doing, the equilibrium real exchange rate is compared to the actual real exchange rate, in order to assess the extent of real exchange rate misalignment in both countries, if any such exists. In order test the applicability of the equilibrium exchange rate models, the study draws from the simple monetary model as well as the Edwards (1989) and Montiel (1999) models. These models postulate that the variables which determine the real exchange rate are the terms of trade, trade restrictions, domestic interest rates, foreign aid inflow, income, money supply, world inflation, government consumption expenditure, world interest rates, capital controls and technological progress. Due to data limitations in Ghana and in Nigeria, not all the variables are utilised in the study. The study uses the Johansen (1995) model as well as the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) to estimate the long- and the short-run relationships between the above-mentioned determinants and the real exchange rate. Thereafter the study employs the Hodrick-Prescott filter to estimate the permanent equilibrium exchange rate. The study estimates a real exchange rate model each for Ghana and Nigeria. Both the exchange rate models for Ghana and Nigeria provide evidence of exchange rate misalignment. The model for Ghana shows that from the first quarter of 1980 to the last quarter of 1983 the real exchange rate was overvalued; thereafter the exchange rate moved close to its equilibrium value and was generally undervalued with few and short-lived episodes of overvaluation. In regard to real exchange rate misalignment in Nigeria prior to the Structural Adjustment Program in 1986 there were episodes of undervaluation from the first quarter of 1980 to the first quarter of 1984 and overvaluation from the second quarter of 1984 to the third quarter of 1986; thereafter the exchange rate was generally and marginally undervalued.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Exploring how teachers acquire content knowledge of marine and coastal issues to contextualize the natural science curriculum
- Authors: Mbuyazwe, Vuyiswa
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:21017 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6016
- Description: The transformation process in the South African curriculum has highlighted a need for teachers to change from being passive implementers of curriculum. They are required to interpret the curriculum, adapt materials and develop lesson plans that will be responsive in their own context. They are also required to use materials and mediate learning. This research explores teacher acquisition of content knowledge on marine and coastal issues and probes how teachers work with materials in the development of lesson plans to contextualize the curriculum. A participatory action research process engaged 3 teachers in a contextualizing process of curriculum development. I started to work with the teachers to adapt and re-develop coastal and marine resources to support learning in local context. The research developed in two phases. The first examined existing teacher knowledge of marine and coastal issues and probed how content was integrated into lesson planning. Teachers identified knowledge acquisition as the priority to enable them to work with the materials and curriculum in their context. The second phase set out to enhance teachers’ knowledge of marine and coastal resources through workshops and field trips to improve the adaptation and use of materials. To document these processes and outcomes in the context of this study, I employed a range of data generation strategies including questionnaires, workshops and classroom observations, field notes, focus group discussion and the review of lesson plans, learners’ work and materials used. All participants collaboratively discussed and reflected on the process, but I was responsible for the final interpretation presented here. This study showed that teachers are still entrenched in their normal practice of working with content as facts and definitions, the delivery of abstract propositions that is not aligned with the curriculum goals. The new curriculum required teachers to change their teaching practice by using materials to mediate learning in context. The data revealed a mismatch between teacher practices and what the curriculum required from them.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mbuyazwe, Vuyiswa
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:21017 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6016
- Description: The transformation process in the South African curriculum has highlighted a need for teachers to change from being passive implementers of curriculum. They are required to interpret the curriculum, adapt materials and develop lesson plans that will be responsive in their own context. They are also required to use materials and mediate learning. This research explores teacher acquisition of content knowledge on marine and coastal issues and probes how teachers work with materials in the development of lesson plans to contextualize the curriculum. A participatory action research process engaged 3 teachers in a contextualizing process of curriculum development. I started to work with the teachers to adapt and re-develop coastal and marine resources to support learning in local context. The research developed in two phases. The first examined existing teacher knowledge of marine and coastal issues and probed how content was integrated into lesson planning. Teachers identified knowledge acquisition as the priority to enable them to work with the materials and curriculum in their context. The second phase set out to enhance teachers’ knowledge of marine and coastal resources through workshops and field trips to improve the adaptation and use of materials. To document these processes and outcomes in the context of this study, I employed a range of data generation strategies including questionnaires, workshops and classroom observations, field notes, focus group discussion and the review of lesson plans, learners’ work and materials used. All participants collaboratively discussed and reflected on the process, but I was responsible for the final interpretation presented here. This study showed that teachers are still entrenched in their normal practice of working with content as facts and definitions, the delivery of abstract propositions that is not aligned with the curriculum goals. The new curriculum required teachers to change their teaching practice by using materials to mediate learning in context. The data revealed a mismatch between teacher practices and what the curriculum required from them.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Exploring opportunities for action competence development through learners' participation in waste management activities in selected primary schools in Botswana
- Authors: Silo, Nthalivi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Botswana -- Case studies Environmental education -- Study and teaching (Primary) -- Botswana -- Case studies Environmental education -- Activity programs -- Botswana -- Case studies Student-centered learning -- Botswana -- Case studies Refuse and refuse disposal -- Environmental aspects -- Botswana -- Case studies Active learning -- Botswana -- Case studies Competency-based education -- Botswana -- Case studies Teacher-student relationships -- Botswana -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1541 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003423
- Description: The broader aim of this study is to probe participation of learners in waste management activities in selected primary schools in Botswana and through these activities, explore opportunities for action competence development. The study starts by tracing and outlining the socio-ecological challenges that confront children and the historical background of learner-centred education which gave rise to an emphasis on learner participation in Botswana education policy. It then maps out the development of children's participation in the global, regional and Botswana contexts by tracing the development of environmental education from early ecological and issue resolution goals of environmental education to sustainable development discourses. The focus is on policy issues and how learner participation has been represented and implemented in environmental education. The study then probes the rhetorical and normalised emphases on participation, and seeks further insight into how learners can be engaged in participatory learning processes that are meaningful, purposeful and that broaden their action competence and civic agency. The study uses the Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) methodology to build a picture of waste management activity systems in primary schools and to bring to the surface contradictions and tensions in learner participation in these activity systems. These contradictions are used to open up expansive learning participatory processes with learners using the Danish action competence framework. The expansive learning process uses action competence models that provide potential for transformative participation with learners, and new and different opportunities for learner participation. Case study research was used and conducted in the south eastern region of Botswana in three primary schools in three contexts, namely urban, peri-urban and rural. The data was largely generated through focus group interviews during workshops with children and observations of waste management activities. These two methods formed the main data generation methods. They were complemented by semi-structured interviews with teachers, and other actors in the waste management activities, learners' activities and work, learners' notes, photographs and children's drawings as well as show-and-tell explanations by learners. Content analysis and the abductive mode of inference were used to analyse data in all three case studies. Findings from the first phase of the study reveal that participation of learners in waste management activities was largely teacher-directed. This resulted in a mis-match between teachers views of what practices are necessary and important, and children's views of what practices are necessary and important in and for environmental education. Due to culturally and historically formed views of environmental education, the study reveals that teachers wanted children to pick up litter, and this was their primary environmental education concern. Learners on the other hand, identified sanitation management in the school toilets as their primary waste management concern. Teachers had not considered this an environmental education concern. Using the action competence expansive learning approach, the second phase of the study addressed this tension by opening up dialogue between teachers and learners and amongst the learners themselves through an expansive learning process supporting children's participation and action competence development. Through this teacher-learner dialogical engagement, a broader range of possibilities became available and ideas around participation were radically changed. The study further reveals that the achievement of this open dialogue provided for a better relationship within the school community. And with improved communication came better ideas to solve waste management issues that the community still face on a daily basis, such as too much litter. Newly devised solutions were practical and had a broader impact than the initial ones that teachers had always focussed on. They included mobilising the maintenance of toilets, landscaping the school premises and even re-contextualising the litter management that had always caused tensions between learners and teachers. Children seemed to be developing not only a better understanding of the environment, but also developing the ability to resolve conflict amongst themselves and with their elders. By engaging in dialogue with children, they became co-catalysts for change in the school community. This study shows that if children's participation is taken seriously, and if opportunities for dialogue exist between teachers and children, positive changes for a healthier environment can be created in schools. It reveals that children also appeared to be feeling more confident and more equipped to consider changes in their environment outside of the school community. The study further shows that participation in environmental education involves more than cognitive changes as proposed in earlier constructivist literature; it includes in-depth engagement with socio-cultural dynamics and histories in the school context, such as the cultural histories of teachers, schooling and authority structures in the cultural community of the school. The study recommends that there is need to strengthen Teacher Education programmes to develop teaching practices and support for teachers to identify ways of engaging learners' views on issues in the school in open, dialogical ways. Such Teacher Education programmes should deepen teachers' understandings of learners' zone of proximal development (ZPD), demonstrating how dialogue and scaffolding are part of a teacher's role in supporting learning. This is shown in the three case studies that form part of this study. Finally, the study also deepens insights of using the Cultural Historical Activity theory (CHAT) to shed light on issues surrounding learner participation within the socio-cultural and historical environmental education contexts of the schools. The action competence models used in the study provide a tool for revealing forms of learner participation. This tool can be used for critical reflections and monitoring of teaching practices in schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Silo, Nthalivi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Botswana -- Case studies Environmental education -- Study and teaching (Primary) -- Botswana -- Case studies Environmental education -- Activity programs -- Botswana -- Case studies Student-centered learning -- Botswana -- Case studies Refuse and refuse disposal -- Environmental aspects -- Botswana -- Case studies Active learning -- Botswana -- Case studies Competency-based education -- Botswana -- Case studies Teacher-student relationships -- Botswana -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1541 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003423
- Description: The broader aim of this study is to probe participation of learners in waste management activities in selected primary schools in Botswana and through these activities, explore opportunities for action competence development. The study starts by tracing and outlining the socio-ecological challenges that confront children and the historical background of learner-centred education which gave rise to an emphasis on learner participation in Botswana education policy. It then maps out the development of children's participation in the global, regional and Botswana contexts by tracing the development of environmental education from early ecological and issue resolution goals of environmental education to sustainable development discourses. The focus is on policy issues and how learner participation has been represented and implemented in environmental education. The study then probes the rhetorical and normalised emphases on participation, and seeks further insight into how learners can be engaged in participatory learning processes that are meaningful, purposeful and that broaden their action competence and civic agency. The study uses the Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) methodology to build a picture of waste management activity systems in primary schools and to bring to the surface contradictions and tensions in learner participation in these activity systems. These contradictions are used to open up expansive learning participatory processes with learners using the Danish action competence framework. The expansive learning process uses action competence models that provide potential for transformative participation with learners, and new and different opportunities for learner participation. Case study research was used and conducted in the south eastern region of Botswana in three primary schools in three contexts, namely urban, peri-urban and rural. The data was largely generated through focus group interviews during workshops with children and observations of waste management activities. These two methods formed the main data generation methods. They were complemented by semi-structured interviews with teachers, and other actors in the waste management activities, learners' activities and work, learners' notes, photographs and children's drawings as well as show-and-tell explanations by learners. Content analysis and the abductive mode of inference were used to analyse data in all three case studies. Findings from the first phase of the study reveal that participation of learners in waste management activities was largely teacher-directed. This resulted in a mis-match between teachers views of what practices are necessary and important, and children's views of what practices are necessary and important in and for environmental education. Due to culturally and historically formed views of environmental education, the study reveals that teachers wanted children to pick up litter, and this was their primary environmental education concern. Learners on the other hand, identified sanitation management in the school toilets as their primary waste management concern. Teachers had not considered this an environmental education concern. Using the action competence expansive learning approach, the second phase of the study addressed this tension by opening up dialogue between teachers and learners and amongst the learners themselves through an expansive learning process supporting children's participation and action competence development. Through this teacher-learner dialogical engagement, a broader range of possibilities became available and ideas around participation were radically changed. The study further reveals that the achievement of this open dialogue provided for a better relationship within the school community. And with improved communication came better ideas to solve waste management issues that the community still face on a daily basis, such as too much litter. Newly devised solutions were practical and had a broader impact than the initial ones that teachers had always focussed on. They included mobilising the maintenance of toilets, landscaping the school premises and even re-contextualising the litter management that had always caused tensions between learners and teachers. Children seemed to be developing not only a better understanding of the environment, but also developing the ability to resolve conflict amongst themselves and with their elders. By engaging in dialogue with children, they became co-catalysts for change in the school community. This study shows that if children's participation is taken seriously, and if opportunities for dialogue exist between teachers and children, positive changes for a healthier environment can be created in schools. It reveals that children also appeared to be feeling more confident and more equipped to consider changes in their environment outside of the school community. The study further shows that participation in environmental education involves more than cognitive changes as proposed in earlier constructivist literature; it includes in-depth engagement with socio-cultural dynamics and histories in the school context, such as the cultural histories of teachers, schooling and authority structures in the cultural community of the school. The study recommends that there is need to strengthen Teacher Education programmes to develop teaching practices and support for teachers to identify ways of engaging learners' views on issues in the school in open, dialogical ways. Such Teacher Education programmes should deepen teachers' understandings of learners' zone of proximal development (ZPD), demonstrating how dialogue and scaffolding are part of a teacher's role in supporting learning. This is shown in the three case studies that form part of this study. Finally, the study also deepens insights of using the Cultural Historical Activity theory (CHAT) to shed light on issues surrounding learner participation within the socio-cultural and historical environmental education contexts of the schools. The action competence models used in the study provide a tool for revealing forms of learner participation. This tool can be used for critical reflections and monitoring of teaching practices in schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Exploring perceptions and implementation experiences of learner-centered education among history teachers : a case study in Namibia
- Authors: Sibeya, Nestor Mutumba
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Student-centered education -- Namibia , History -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1988 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013226
- Description: The study sought to understand how Grade 9 History teachers perceive and implement learner-centered education (LCE) in selected schools in Caprivi educational region in the Republic of Namibia. It concentrated on three teachers in two combined and junior secondary schools. The research employed a qualitative approach and three data instruments were used: interviews, class observations and document analysis. The findings of the study show that in their interview discussions of the principles, intent and recommended key features of LCE, the three participating teachers generally correctly captured some of the essential intentions of a LCE approach. At times in the interviews they seemed to strongly grasp the essence of a key strategy and its intent, but at other times their views were sketchy. Their view of different teaching strategies at times appeared integrated but not always that strongly. When it came to their classroom practice they could and did use a number of appropriate LCE teaching approaches. The level of effectiveness in their use of many of the approaches varied from effective to far from ideal and in need of quite big improvement. In the area of resources the three classrooms were extremely limited in what they displayed, had and used. There were too few textbooks and almost no posters and wall displays on history and the geography of the world and its peoples that the students were studying. An especially interesting feature was that they all seemed to be consciously engaged in an on-going teaching experiment with the LCE approaches. The LSC [sic] practices were clearly not yet strongly imbedded as solid classroom habits or dispositions, with perhaps the exception of questioning. But this experimenting made them much more self-conscious and reflective about their experiences. They all frankly identified some tensions that they felt existed between the espoused official features of a LCE class and the demands of the covering the curriculum, size of classes etc. Overall it was an encouraging picture of teachers eager to find ways to improve their teaching and experiment with new ideas. But also a picture of people not properly exposed to good or best practice in each teaching strategy and having to reinvent and rediscover on their own even the basics of reasonable practice often making very basic mistakes, for example in questioning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Sibeya, Nestor Mutumba
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Student-centered education -- Namibia , History -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1988 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013226
- Description: The study sought to understand how Grade 9 History teachers perceive and implement learner-centered education (LCE) in selected schools in Caprivi educational region in the Republic of Namibia. It concentrated on three teachers in two combined and junior secondary schools. The research employed a qualitative approach and three data instruments were used: interviews, class observations and document analysis. The findings of the study show that in their interview discussions of the principles, intent and recommended key features of LCE, the three participating teachers generally correctly captured some of the essential intentions of a LCE approach. At times in the interviews they seemed to strongly grasp the essence of a key strategy and its intent, but at other times their views were sketchy. Their view of different teaching strategies at times appeared integrated but not always that strongly. When it came to their classroom practice they could and did use a number of appropriate LCE teaching approaches. The level of effectiveness in their use of many of the approaches varied from effective to far from ideal and in need of quite big improvement. In the area of resources the three classrooms were extremely limited in what they displayed, had and used. There were too few textbooks and almost no posters and wall displays on history and the geography of the world and its peoples that the students were studying. An especially interesting feature was that they all seemed to be consciously engaged in an on-going teaching experiment with the LCE approaches. The LSC [sic] practices were clearly not yet strongly imbedded as solid classroom habits or dispositions, with perhaps the exception of questioning. But this experimenting made them much more self-conscious and reflective about their experiences. They all frankly identified some tensions that they felt existed between the espoused official features of a LCE class and the demands of the covering the curriculum, size of classes etc. Overall it was an encouraging picture of teachers eager to find ways to improve their teaching and experiment with new ideas. But also a picture of people not properly exposed to good or best practice in each teaching strategy and having to reinvent and rediscover on their own even the basics of reasonable practice often making very basic mistakes, for example in questioning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Expression of heat shock proteins on the plasma membrane of cancer cells : a potential multi-chaperone complex that mediates migration
- Authors: Kenyon, Amy
- Date: 2011 , 2011-03-29
- Subjects: Heat shock proteins , Protein folding , Molecular chaperones , Cancer -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4122 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013362
- Description: Current dogma suggests that the Heat Shock Protein (Hsp) molecular chaperones and associated co-chaperones function primarily within the cell, although growing evidence suggests a role for these proteins on the plasma membrane of cancer cells. Hsp90 does not function independently in vivo, but instead functions with a variety of partner chaperones and co-chaperones, that include Hsp70 and Hsp90/Hsp70 organising protein (Hop), which are thought to regulate ATP hydrolysis and the binding of Hsp90 to its client proteins. Hsp90 on the plasma membrane appears to have distinct roles in pathways leading to cell motility, invasion and metastasis. We hypothesised that Hsp90 on the plasma membrane is present as part of a multi-chaperone complex that participates in the chaperone-assisted folding of client membrane proteins in a manner analogous to the intracellular chaperone complex. This study characterised the membrane expression of Hsp90, Hsp70 and Hop in different cell models of different adhesive and migratory capacity, namely MDA-MB-231 (metastatic adherent breast cancer cell line), MCF-7 (non-metastatic adherent breast cancer cell line), U937 and THP1 (monocytic leukemia suspension cell lines). Membrane expression of the Hsps was analysed using a combination of subcellular fractionation, biotin-streptavidin affinity purification and immunofluorescence. This study provided evidence to suggest that Hsp90, Hsp70 and Hop are membrane associated in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Hsp90, Hsp70 and Hop associated with the plasma membrane such that at least part of the protein is located extracellularly. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that Hsp90, Hsp70 and Hop at the leading edge may localize to membrane ruffles in MDA-MB-231 cells, in accordance with the published role of Hsp90 in migration. An increase in this response was seen in cells stimulated to migrate with SDF-1. By immunoprecipitation, we isolated a putative extracellular membrane associated complex containing Hsp90, Hsp70 and Hop. Using soluble Hsp90 and antibodies against membrane associated Hsp90, we suggested roles for soluble extracellular Hsp90 in mediating migration by wound healing assays and inducing actin reorganisation and vinculin-based focal adhesion formation. The effects of extracellular Hsp90 are mediated by signalling through an ERK1/2 dependent pathway. An anti-Hsp90 antibody against an N-terminal epitope in Hsp90 appeared to be able to overcome the death inducing effects of a combination of SDF-1 and AMD3100, while soluble Hsp90 could not overcome this effect. We propose that this study provides preliminary evidence that extracellular Hsp90 functions as part of a multi-chaperone complex that includes Hsp70 and Hop. The extracellular Hsp90 chaperone complex may mediate cell processes such as migration by modulating the conformation of cell surface receptors, leading to downstream signalling.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Kenyon, Amy
- Date: 2011 , 2011-03-29
- Subjects: Heat shock proteins , Protein folding , Molecular chaperones , Cancer -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4122 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013362
- Description: Current dogma suggests that the Heat Shock Protein (Hsp) molecular chaperones and associated co-chaperones function primarily within the cell, although growing evidence suggests a role for these proteins on the plasma membrane of cancer cells. Hsp90 does not function independently in vivo, but instead functions with a variety of partner chaperones and co-chaperones, that include Hsp70 and Hsp90/Hsp70 organising protein (Hop), which are thought to regulate ATP hydrolysis and the binding of Hsp90 to its client proteins. Hsp90 on the plasma membrane appears to have distinct roles in pathways leading to cell motility, invasion and metastasis. We hypothesised that Hsp90 on the plasma membrane is present as part of a multi-chaperone complex that participates in the chaperone-assisted folding of client membrane proteins in a manner analogous to the intracellular chaperone complex. This study characterised the membrane expression of Hsp90, Hsp70 and Hop in different cell models of different adhesive and migratory capacity, namely MDA-MB-231 (metastatic adherent breast cancer cell line), MCF-7 (non-metastatic adherent breast cancer cell line), U937 and THP1 (monocytic leukemia suspension cell lines). Membrane expression of the Hsps was analysed using a combination of subcellular fractionation, biotin-streptavidin affinity purification and immunofluorescence. This study provided evidence to suggest that Hsp90, Hsp70 and Hop are membrane associated in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Hsp90, Hsp70 and Hop associated with the plasma membrane such that at least part of the protein is located extracellularly. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that Hsp90, Hsp70 and Hop at the leading edge may localize to membrane ruffles in MDA-MB-231 cells, in accordance with the published role of Hsp90 in migration. An increase in this response was seen in cells stimulated to migrate with SDF-1. By immunoprecipitation, we isolated a putative extracellular membrane associated complex containing Hsp90, Hsp70 and Hop. Using soluble Hsp90 and antibodies against membrane associated Hsp90, we suggested roles for soluble extracellular Hsp90 in mediating migration by wound healing assays and inducing actin reorganisation and vinculin-based focal adhesion formation. The effects of extracellular Hsp90 are mediated by signalling through an ERK1/2 dependent pathway. An anti-Hsp90 antibody against an N-terminal epitope in Hsp90 appeared to be able to overcome the death inducing effects of a combination of SDF-1 and AMD3100, while soluble Hsp90 could not overcome this effect. We propose that this study provides preliminary evidence that extracellular Hsp90 functions as part of a multi-chaperone complex that includes Hsp70 and Hop. The extracellular Hsp90 chaperone complex may mediate cell processes such as migration by modulating the conformation of cell surface receptors, leading to downstream signalling.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Extending legal professional privilege to non-legal tax practitioners in South Africa: a comparative and constitutional perspective
- Authors: Jani, Pride
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:882 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001636
- Description: This study explains the differing rights of taxpayers, based on the nature of the profession of the tax adviser they consult. Those who utilize the services of tax attorneys can rely on the protection afforded by legal professional privilege whereas those who obtain their advice from non-legal advisers, such as accountants and other tax advisers, cannot claim the same protection. Legal professional privilege is a substantive right which should be extended to cover clients of non-legal tax advisers. The continued denial of the privilege to clients of nonlegal tax practitioners while it is availed to those who approach legal practitioners infringes the rights to privacy and equality contained in the South African Constitution. The object of this research is to show that the common law concept of legal professional privilege is amenable to extension so as to cover the clients of non-legal tax advisers. A qualitative approach was adopted which involved an in-depth analysis of the origins, rationale as well as the requirements for the operation of the doctrine. This also involved a constitutional as well as a comparative dimension. The constitutional dimension sought to show that the current distinction is untenable under the South African Constitution by virtue of the infringement of the rights to privacy and equality. The comparative dimension presented an analysis of the various jurisdictions that have extended the doctrine as well as those that are still to do so or have adamantly rejected the idea. The differential treatment of taxpayers based on the professional they engage contravenes the privacy and equality provisions and is thus unconstitutional. The study demonstrates that legal professional privilege is amenable to extension and there is need for legislative intervention as the courts are limited in the extent to which they may intervene in light of the separation of powers and judicial deference. Legal professional privilege should therefore be extended to protect the clients of non-legal tax advisers as opposed to partial protection which subsists at the moment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Jani, Pride
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:882 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001636
- Description: This study explains the differing rights of taxpayers, based on the nature of the profession of the tax adviser they consult. Those who utilize the services of tax attorneys can rely on the protection afforded by legal professional privilege whereas those who obtain their advice from non-legal advisers, such as accountants and other tax advisers, cannot claim the same protection. Legal professional privilege is a substantive right which should be extended to cover clients of non-legal tax advisers. The continued denial of the privilege to clients of nonlegal tax practitioners while it is availed to those who approach legal practitioners infringes the rights to privacy and equality contained in the South African Constitution. The object of this research is to show that the common law concept of legal professional privilege is amenable to extension so as to cover the clients of non-legal tax advisers. A qualitative approach was adopted which involved an in-depth analysis of the origins, rationale as well as the requirements for the operation of the doctrine. This also involved a constitutional as well as a comparative dimension. The constitutional dimension sought to show that the current distinction is untenable under the South African Constitution by virtue of the infringement of the rights to privacy and equality. The comparative dimension presented an analysis of the various jurisdictions that have extended the doctrine as well as those that are still to do so or have adamantly rejected the idea. The differential treatment of taxpayers based on the professional they engage contravenes the privacy and equality provisions and is thus unconstitutional. The study demonstrates that legal professional privilege is amenable to extension and there is need for legislative intervention as the courts are limited in the extent to which they may intervene in light of the separation of powers and judicial deference. Legal professional privilege should therefore be extended to protect the clients of non-legal tax advisers as opposed to partial protection which subsists at the moment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Feeding ecology and diet shift of long-beaked common dolphins Delphinus Capensis (Gray 1828) incidentally caught in anti-shark nets off Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
- Authors: Ambrose, Shan Taryn
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Common dolphin -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Common dolphin -- Food -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Common dolphin -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Sardinops sagax -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5697 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005383 , Common dolphin -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Common dolphin -- Food -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Common dolphin -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Sardinops sagax -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal
- Description: The long-beaked common dolphin, Delphinus capensis (Gray 1828), is one of the most enigmatic predators feeding in the annual sardine run (Sardinops sagax) off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. In recent years, unpredictable inter-annual variations in the timing, spatial extent and intensity of the sardine run have been documented, possibly resulting in changes in the suite of prey available to the common dolphin during winter. Although the diets of a number of predators during the sardine run have been studied in detail (e.g. sharks and flying seabirds), little is known about the diet of long-beaked common dolphins during this period. Each year, a low number of common dolphins are incidentally caught in the anti-shark nets in the waters of KwaZulu-Natal. These captures provide a valuable source of data on selected aspects of the ecology of the long-beaked common dolphins along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline. The objective of this study was to provide new dietary data for the common dolphins feeding in the waters of KwaZulu-Natal during winter over the period 2000 to 2009, as well as to determine if any dietary changes had taken place since the common dolphin diet was last assessed, over 15 years ago. Stomach contents from 95 common dolphins (55 females, 40 males) caught between 2000 and 2009 were analysed and compared to historical data from dolphins caught between 1974 and 1992. Mesopelagic fish and squid dominated the diet, with 23 fish and 5 squid species represented in adult dolphins. Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) indicated that there was no resource partitioning between adult male and female dolphins. Numerical analyses indicated that there was a shift in the principal prey species consumed by the dolphins over the past decade, particularly during the winter. Prior to 1992, sardine comprised up to 49% of the total stomach contents, while chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) was the dominant prey item (66% by mass) recorded in the stomach contents over the period 2000 to 2009. The shift in the relative contributions of sardine and mackerel in the diets of the dolphin appeared to correspond to fluctuations in the availability of the two principal prey species. Between 2000 and 2009, the diversity of the dolphins' diets was highest during the sardine run, reflecting the presence of a wide suite of predatory teleosts in the waters of KwaZulu-Natal during the annual sardine run. Conversely, prior to 2000, the diet was dominated by sardine during the peak of the sardine run, whilst diet diversity increased after this period. Apart from sardine and chub mackerel, elf (Pomatomus saltatrix), maasbanker (Trachurus delagoa), strepie (Sarpa salpa) and flying fish (Exocoetid sp.) also formed important components of the diet both prior to 1992, and over the last decade. Blubber thickness was assessed as an indicator of animal condition. No significant change in blubber total weight (R² = 0.0016, N = 185), nor dorsal, lateral or ventral blubber thickness (R² = 0.3146, R² = 0.0003, and R² = 0.0003 respectively, N = 78) was seen over the last 30 years (1970 to 2009). Results of stable isotope analyses conducted on tissue derived from the teeth of D. capensis indicated that there has been no significant shift in the trophic position (δ¹⁵N) and potential prey consumed (δ¹³C) over the corresponding period. These data would suggest that the long-beaked common dolphins along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline can be considered as opportunistic predators generally consuming the most abundant prey species available locally. As common dolphins feed opportunistically, this dietary shift appears to indicate changes in the shoaling characteristics of the most abundant fish prey in KwaZulu-Natal during winter. Given the “Data Deficient” status of the long-beaked common dolphin on the IUCN Red Data List, and the strong climatic forcing of the sardine run, such dietary data have important implications for their conservation in the light of expanding fisheries and climate change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Ambrose, Shan Taryn
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Common dolphin -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Common dolphin -- Food -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Common dolphin -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Sardinops sagax -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5697 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005383 , Common dolphin -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Common dolphin -- Food -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Common dolphin -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Sardinops sagax -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal
- Description: The long-beaked common dolphin, Delphinus capensis (Gray 1828), is one of the most enigmatic predators feeding in the annual sardine run (Sardinops sagax) off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. In recent years, unpredictable inter-annual variations in the timing, spatial extent and intensity of the sardine run have been documented, possibly resulting in changes in the suite of prey available to the common dolphin during winter. Although the diets of a number of predators during the sardine run have been studied in detail (e.g. sharks and flying seabirds), little is known about the diet of long-beaked common dolphins during this period. Each year, a low number of common dolphins are incidentally caught in the anti-shark nets in the waters of KwaZulu-Natal. These captures provide a valuable source of data on selected aspects of the ecology of the long-beaked common dolphins along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline. The objective of this study was to provide new dietary data for the common dolphins feeding in the waters of KwaZulu-Natal during winter over the period 2000 to 2009, as well as to determine if any dietary changes had taken place since the common dolphin diet was last assessed, over 15 years ago. Stomach contents from 95 common dolphins (55 females, 40 males) caught between 2000 and 2009 were analysed and compared to historical data from dolphins caught between 1974 and 1992. Mesopelagic fish and squid dominated the diet, with 23 fish and 5 squid species represented in adult dolphins. Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) indicated that there was no resource partitioning between adult male and female dolphins. Numerical analyses indicated that there was a shift in the principal prey species consumed by the dolphins over the past decade, particularly during the winter. Prior to 1992, sardine comprised up to 49% of the total stomach contents, while chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) was the dominant prey item (66% by mass) recorded in the stomach contents over the period 2000 to 2009. The shift in the relative contributions of sardine and mackerel in the diets of the dolphin appeared to correspond to fluctuations in the availability of the two principal prey species. Between 2000 and 2009, the diversity of the dolphins' diets was highest during the sardine run, reflecting the presence of a wide suite of predatory teleosts in the waters of KwaZulu-Natal during the annual sardine run. Conversely, prior to 2000, the diet was dominated by sardine during the peak of the sardine run, whilst diet diversity increased after this period. Apart from sardine and chub mackerel, elf (Pomatomus saltatrix), maasbanker (Trachurus delagoa), strepie (Sarpa salpa) and flying fish (Exocoetid sp.) also formed important components of the diet both prior to 1992, and over the last decade. Blubber thickness was assessed as an indicator of animal condition. No significant change in blubber total weight (R² = 0.0016, N = 185), nor dorsal, lateral or ventral blubber thickness (R² = 0.3146, R² = 0.0003, and R² = 0.0003 respectively, N = 78) was seen over the last 30 years (1970 to 2009). Results of stable isotope analyses conducted on tissue derived from the teeth of D. capensis indicated that there has been no significant shift in the trophic position (δ¹⁵N) and potential prey consumed (δ¹³C) over the corresponding period. These data would suggest that the long-beaked common dolphins along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline can be considered as opportunistic predators generally consuming the most abundant prey species available locally. As common dolphins feed opportunistically, this dietary shift appears to indicate changes in the shoaling characteristics of the most abundant fish prey in KwaZulu-Natal during winter. Given the “Data Deficient” status of the long-beaked common dolphin on the IUCN Red Data List, and the strong climatic forcing of the sardine run, such dietary data have important implications for their conservation in the light of expanding fisheries and climate change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Financial integration in East Africa: evidence from interest rate pass-through analysis
- Authors: Bholla, Zohaib Salim
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: East African Community -- Economic integration East African Community -- Economic conditions -- 21st century Interest rates -- Africa, East Interest rates -- Econometric models -- Africa, East Interest rates -- Effect of inflation on -- Africa, East Banks and banking -- Africa, East
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1044 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006131
- Description: The successful launch of the European Monetary Union (EMU) raised an already ever growing interest in the economics of monetary integration and the formation of monetary unions around the world. Following the EMU experience, countries have considered forming a monetary union amongst themselves. The East African Community (EAC), comprising the three original member countries Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and now including Burundi and Rwanda, is an example of such a group of countries that seek to form a monetary union. This study aims to identify the current level of financial integration amongst the East African countries. In order to do so the study examines whether the pass-through of monetary policy in the five countries has become similar over time. This is to provide an indication of the extent to which the nominal convergence criteria amongst the member countries have been met. The results of the study provide an indication of whether the formation of a monetary union in East Africa is possible. The empirical analysis used in this study included stationarity tests, four tests of co integration and an asymmetric error correction model to investigate whether the pass-through of monetary policy transmission in the five countries has become more similar over the ten year sample period from 1999 to 2008. The analysis uses three interest rates and 6-year rolling windows to identify the extent of macroeconomic convergence that prevails within the EAC, and consequently whether the formation of a monetary union is possible. The results suggest that the magnitude of the convergence amongst the countries remain low and there are significant rigidities in the deposit and lending rates over time, however the passthrough has improved with respect to the lending rate but not the deposit rate. The overall conclusion of the study suggests that an EAC wide monetary union is currently not possible based on the evidence provided from the pass-through analysis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Bholla, Zohaib Salim
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: East African Community -- Economic integration East African Community -- Economic conditions -- 21st century Interest rates -- Africa, East Interest rates -- Econometric models -- Africa, East Interest rates -- Effect of inflation on -- Africa, East Banks and banking -- Africa, East
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1044 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006131
- Description: The successful launch of the European Monetary Union (EMU) raised an already ever growing interest in the economics of monetary integration and the formation of monetary unions around the world. Following the EMU experience, countries have considered forming a monetary union amongst themselves. The East African Community (EAC), comprising the three original member countries Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and now including Burundi and Rwanda, is an example of such a group of countries that seek to form a monetary union. This study aims to identify the current level of financial integration amongst the East African countries. In order to do so the study examines whether the pass-through of monetary policy in the five countries has become similar over time. This is to provide an indication of the extent to which the nominal convergence criteria amongst the member countries have been met. The results of the study provide an indication of whether the formation of a monetary union in East Africa is possible. The empirical analysis used in this study included stationarity tests, four tests of co integration and an asymmetric error correction model to investigate whether the pass-through of monetary policy transmission in the five countries has become more similar over the ten year sample period from 1999 to 2008. The analysis uses three interest rates and 6-year rolling windows to identify the extent of macroeconomic convergence that prevails within the EAC, and consequently whether the formation of a monetary union is possible. The results suggest that the magnitude of the convergence amongst the countries remain low and there are significant rigidities in the deposit and lending rates over time, however the passthrough has improved with respect to the lending rate but not the deposit rate. The overall conclusion of the study suggests that an EAC wide monetary union is currently not possible based on the evidence provided from the pass-through analysis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Financial system development and economic growth in selected African countries: evidence from a panel cointegration analysis
- Authors: Starkey, Randall Ashley
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Economic development -- Africa Economic development -- Developing countries Banks and banking -- Africa Banks and banking -- Developing countries Stock exchanges -- Africa Stock exchanges -- Developing countries Econometric models Economic policy -- Africa Economic policy -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:979 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002713
- Description: Financial systems (i.e. banking systems and stock markets) can influence economic growth by performing the five key financial functions, namely: mobilising savings, allocating capital, easing of exchange, monitoring and exerting corporate governance, as well as ameliorating risk. The level of development of the financial system is a key determinant of how effectively and efficiently these functions are performed. This study examines the short-run and long-run relationships between financial system development and economic growth for a panel of seven African countries (namely: Egypt, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Tunisia) covering the period 1988 to 2008. While numerous empirical studies have researched this topic, none of the previous African empirical literature have investigated thjs by using three groups of financial development measures (i.e. overall financial development, banking system development and stock market development measures) as well as employing panel cointegration analyses. The investigation of the long-run finance-growth relationship is conducted using two methods; the Pedroni panel cointegration approach and the Kao panel cointegration technique. The Pedroni panel cointegracion approach is more often applied in empirical research as it has less restrictive deterministic trend assumptions, while the Kao panel cointegration technique is employed in this study for comparison purposes. Furthermore, the short-run linkages bet\veen financial development and economic growth are analysed using the Holtz-Eakin d of (1989) panel Granger causality test. The results of the Pedroni cointegration tests show that there are long-run relationships between overall financial development (measured by LOFD and OFD2) and economic growth, banking system development (measured by LPSC) and economic growth, as well as stock marker development (measured by LMCP and LVLT) and economic growth. In contrast, the Kao test fails to find any cointegration between finance and growth. However, on the balance, findings largely support a conclusion of cointegration between financial development and economic growth since the Pedroni approach is more appropriate for examining cointegration in heterogeneous panels. Estimates of these long-run cointegrating relationships show that all five financial development measures have the expected positive linkages with growth. However, only four of the five financial development measures were found to have significant long-run linkages with growth, as the relationship between LOFD and growth was not found to be significant in the long-run. The panel Granger causality results show that economic growth Granger causes banking system development in the short-run (i.e. there is demand-following finance), irrespective of the measure of banking development used. While there is bi-directional, reciprocal causality between economic growth and both of the measures of overall financial development and one measure of srock market development (i.e. LVLT). Thus, pulicy makers should focus on formulating policy which promotes faster paced economic growth so as to stimulate financial development, while at the same time encourage policy that promotes the balanced expansion of the banking systems and srock markets in ordet to augment economic growth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Starkey, Randall Ashley
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Economic development -- Africa Economic development -- Developing countries Banks and banking -- Africa Banks and banking -- Developing countries Stock exchanges -- Africa Stock exchanges -- Developing countries Econometric models Economic policy -- Africa Economic policy -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:979 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002713
- Description: Financial systems (i.e. banking systems and stock markets) can influence economic growth by performing the five key financial functions, namely: mobilising savings, allocating capital, easing of exchange, monitoring and exerting corporate governance, as well as ameliorating risk. The level of development of the financial system is a key determinant of how effectively and efficiently these functions are performed. This study examines the short-run and long-run relationships between financial system development and economic growth for a panel of seven African countries (namely: Egypt, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Tunisia) covering the period 1988 to 2008. While numerous empirical studies have researched this topic, none of the previous African empirical literature have investigated thjs by using three groups of financial development measures (i.e. overall financial development, banking system development and stock market development measures) as well as employing panel cointegration analyses. The investigation of the long-run finance-growth relationship is conducted using two methods; the Pedroni panel cointegration approach and the Kao panel cointegration technique. The Pedroni panel cointegracion approach is more often applied in empirical research as it has less restrictive deterministic trend assumptions, while the Kao panel cointegration technique is employed in this study for comparison purposes. Furthermore, the short-run linkages bet\veen financial development and economic growth are analysed using the Holtz-Eakin d of (1989) panel Granger causality test. The results of the Pedroni cointegration tests show that there are long-run relationships between overall financial development (measured by LOFD and OFD2) and economic growth, banking system development (measured by LPSC) and economic growth, as well as stock marker development (measured by LMCP and LVLT) and economic growth. In contrast, the Kao test fails to find any cointegration between finance and growth. However, on the balance, findings largely support a conclusion of cointegration between financial development and economic growth since the Pedroni approach is more appropriate for examining cointegration in heterogeneous panels. Estimates of these long-run cointegrating relationships show that all five financial development measures have the expected positive linkages with growth. However, only four of the five financial development measures were found to have significant long-run linkages with growth, as the relationship between LOFD and growth was not found to be significant in the long-run. The panel Granger causality results show that economic growth Granger causes banking system development in the short-run (i.e. there is demand-following finance), irrespective of the measure of banking development used. While there is bi-directional, reciprocal causality between economic growth and both of the measures of overall financial development and one measure of srock market development (i.e. LVLT). Thus, pulicy makers should focus on formulating policy which promotes faster paced economic growth so as to stimulate financial development, while at the same time encourage policy that promotes the balanced expansion of the banking systems and srock markets in ordet to augment economic growth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Fundamental investigations into the factors affecting the response of laccase-based electrochemical biosensors
- Authors: Fogel, Ronen
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Laccase Phenols Biosensors
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4073 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007166
- Description: Given their widespread effects and distribution in both natural and industrial environments, the monitoring of phenolic compounds is of considerable analytical interest. Electrochemical biosensor technologies, in particular those comprising laccase enzymes, afford many potential benefits to address this analytical need. However, several key factors affecting sensor response currently limit their applicability. This Thesis reports on the fabrication and optimisation of an electrochemical laccase-based biosensor towards the application of the monitoring of phenolic compounds. Selected factors considered to affect sensor response were investigated using the optimised biosensor. These included: electrochemical, biochemical and substrate-dependent factors, which were found to intersect in modulating biosensor response signals. Through the application of transducer-dependent and substrate-dependent parameters, the selective and simultaneous detection of a mixture of different phenolic analytes is successfully demonstrated. This Thesis also investigates the use of Quartz-Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation (QCM-D) technology, an analytical technique that measures physical parameters of thin-film structures, towards the successful monitoring of enzyme immobilisation strategies. These strategies are fundamental to the successful fabrication of biosensors, and the real-time monitoring of immobilised film formations is of considerable research interest. In the studies reported on in this Thesis, QCM-D technology was demonstrated to be an effective complementary technology in the prediction of film immobilisation techniques on the resultant biochemical kinetics of immobilised enzymes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Fogel, Ronen
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Laccase Phenols Biosensors
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4073 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007166
- Description: Given their widespread effects and distribution in both natural and industrial environments, the monitoring of phenolic compounds is of considerable analytical interest. Electrochemical biosensor technologies, in particular those comprising laccase enzymes, afford many potential benefits to address this analytical need. However, several key factors affecting sensor response currently limit their applicability. This Thesis reports on the fabrication and optimisation of an electrochemical laccase-based biosensor towards the application of the monitoring of phenolic compounds. Selected factors considered to affect sensor response were investigated using the optimised biosensor. These included: electrochemical, biochemical and substrate-dependent factors, which were found to intersect in modulating biosensor response signals. Through the application of transducer-dependent and substrate-dependent parameters, the selective and simultaneous detection of a mixture of different phenolic analytes is successfully demonstrated. This Thesis also investigates the use of Quartz-Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation (QCM-D) technology, an analytical technique that measures physical parameters of thin-film structures, towards the successful monitoring of enzyme immobilisation strategies. These strategies are fundamental to the successful fabrication of biosensors, and the real-time monitoring of immobilised film formations is of considerable research interest. In the studies reported on in this Thesis, QCM-D technology was demonstrated to be an effective complementary technology in the prediction of film immobilisation techniques on the resultant biochemical kinetics of immobilised enzymes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Heroes at the gates appeal and value in the Homeric epics from the archaic through the classical period
- Authors: Fox, Peta Ann
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Homer. Iliad Homer. Odyssey Homer Criticism and interpretation Homer Influence Epic poetry, Greek -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3593 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002168
- Description: This thesis raises and explores questions concerning the popularity of the Homeric poems in ancient Greece. It asks why the Iliad and Odyssey held such continuing appeal among the Greeks of the Archaic and Classical age. Cultural products such as poetry cannot be separated from the sociopolitical conditions in which and for which they were originally composed and received. Working on the basis that the extent of Homer’s appeal was inspired and sustained by the peculiar and determining historical circumstances, I set out to explore the relation of the social, political and ethical conditions and values of Archaic and Classical Greece to those portrayed in the Homeric poems. The Greeks, at the time during which Homer was composing his poems, had begun to establish a new form of social organisation: the polis. By examining historical, literary and philosophical texts from the Archaic and Classical age, I explore the manner in which Greek society attempted to reorganise and reconstitute itself in a different way, developing original modes of social and political activity which the new needs and goals of their new social reality demanded. I then turn to examine Homer’s treatment of and response to this social context, and explore the various ways in which Homer was able to reinterpret and reinvent the inherited stories of adventure and warfare in order to compose poetry that not only looks back to the highly centralised and bureaucratic society of the Mycenaean world, but also looks forward, insistently so, to the urban reality of the present. I argue that Homer’s conflation of a remembered mythical age with the contemporary conditions and values of Archaic and Classical Greece aroused in his audiences a new perception and understanding of human existence in the altered sociopolitical conditions of the polis and, in so doing, ultimately contributed to the development of new ideas on the manner in which the Greeks could best live together in their new social world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Fox, Peta Ann
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Homer. Iliad Homer. Odyssey Homer Criticism and interpretation Homer Influence Epic poetry, Greek -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3593 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002168
- Description: This thesis raises and explores questions concerning the popularity of the Homeric poems in ancient Greece. It asks why the Iliad and Odyssey held such continuing appeal among the Greeks of the Archaic and Classical age. Cultural products such as poetry cannot be separated from the sociopolitical conditions in which and for which they were originally composed and received. Working on the basis that the extent of Homer’s appeal was inspired and sustained by the peculiar and determining historical circumstances, I set out to explore the relation of the social, political and ethical conditions and values of Archaic and Classical Greece to those portrayed in the Homeric poems. The Greeks, at the time during which Homer was composing his poems, had begun to establish a new form of social organisation: the polis. By examining historical, literary and philosophical texts from the Archaic and Classical age, I explore the manner in which Greek society attempted to reorganise and reconstitute itself in a different way, developing original modes of social and political activity which the new needs and goals of their new social reality demanded. I then turn to examine Homer’s treatment of and response to this social context, and explore the various ways in which Homer was able to reinterpret and reinvent the inherited stories of adventure and warfare in order to compose poetry that not only looks back to the highly centralised and bureaucratic society of the Mycenaean world, but also looks forward, insistently so, to the urban reality of the present. I argue that Homer’s conflation of a remembered mythical age with the contemporary conditions and values of Archaic and Classical Greece aroused in his audiences a new perception and understanding of human existence in the altered sociopolitical conditions of the polis and, in so doing, ultimately contributed to the development of new ideas on the manner in which the Greeks could best live together in their new social world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
HIV-related stigma amongst service staff in Grahamstown: a comparison of Hi-Tec security guards and Rhodes catering in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mazorodze, Tasara
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: AIDS phobia -- Research -- South Africa -- Grahamstown HIV infections -- Employees -- Research -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- Employees -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3016 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002525
- Description: Despite the acknowledged reality that HIV-related stigma is a major barrier to effective HIV prevention and treatment, and perhaps because it is complex in nature, few local empirical scales have been developed to measure stigma and to be able evaluate the impact of anti-stigma interventions. Whilst the development of two recent South African HIV-related stigma scales can be celebrated as a major breakthrough, the reliability and validity of these scales across contexts remains largely unknown. This research project employs these two local, and competing, HIV-related personal stigma scales - the first developed by Kalichman et al. (2005) and the second developed by Visser, Kershaw, Makin and Forsyth (2008)-to compare the psychometric properties of the scales and to obtain a measure of HIV-related stigma with a sample of 246 service staff employed at either Rhodes University Catering Division or the Hi-Tec Security company, both organisations located in Grahamstown, a small town in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Both organisations are major employers of semi-skilled workers in this local context. The results suggest that the Visser et al. scale (2008) reports slightly better psychometric properties than the Kalichman et al. (2005) scale for this sample. Furthermore, the security guards appear to be more stigmatising than the caterers, and it is suggested that this might be a consequence of the combined influences of normative occupational roles and workplace context. Results also show that participants who practices safe sex, know someone with HIV and/or who have been tested for HIV show lower levels of HIV-related stigma. Finally, personal stigma scores are generally lower than attributed stigma scores, which might offer a useful point of intervention.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mazorodze, Tasara
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: AIDS phobia -- Research -- South Africa -- Grahamstown HIV infections -- Employees -- Research -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- Employees -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3016 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002525
- Description: Despite the acknowledged reality that HIV-related stigma is a major barrier to effective HIV prevention and treatment, and perhaps because it is complex in nature, few local empirical scales have been developed to measure stigma and to be able evaluate the impact of anti-stigma interventions. Whilst the development of two recent South African HIV-related stigma scales can be celebrated as a major breakthrough, the reliability and validity of these scales across contexts remains largely unknown. This research project employs these two local, and competing, HIV-related personal stigma scales - the first developed by Kalichman et al. (2005) and the second developed by Visser, Kershaw, Makin and Forsyth (2008)-to compare the psychometric properties of the scales and to obtain a measure of HIV-related stigma with a sample of 246 service staff employed at either Rhodes University Catering Division or the Hi-Tec Security company, both organisations located in Grahamstown, a small town in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Both organisations are major employers of semi-skilled workers in this local context. The results suggest that the Visser et al. scale (2008) reports slightly better psychometric properties than the Kalichman et al. (2005) scale for this sample. Furthermore, the security guards appear to be more stigmatising than the caterers, and it is suggested that this might be a consequence of the combined influences of normative occupational roles and workplace context. Results also show that participants who practices safe sex, know someone with HIV and/or who have been tested for HIV show lower levels of HIV-related stigma. Finally, personal stigma scores are generally lower than attributed stigma scores, which might offer a useful point of intervention.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
How an eco-school sanitation community of practice fosters action competence for sanitation management in a rural school : the case of Ramashobohle High School Eco-Schools Community of Practice in Mankweng circuit Polokwane Municipality Capricorn district in Limpopo Province, South Africa
- Authors: Manaka, Ngoanamoshala Maria
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Sanitation -- South Africa -- Management -- Citizen participation Public utilities -- South Africa -- Management -- Citizen participation Sanitation, Rural -- South Africa Sanitation -- Study and teaching -- South Africa School children -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa School hygiene -- South Africa Sanitation -- Health aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1917 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007319
- Description: Providing adequate sanitation facilities for the poor remains one of the major challenges in all developing countries. In South Africa, an estimated 11,7% of the schools are without sanitation. The South African government has a constitutional responsibility to ensure that all South Africans have access to adequate sanitation. When sanitation systems fail, or are inadequate, the impact of the health of the community, on the health of others and the negative impact on the environment can be extremely serious. In rural South African schools, many Enviro-Ioo toilets are available today. They are designed to suit a variety of water scarce areas and where there is a high risk of contamination of ground water resources. It is important to realize that any Enviro-Ioo system programme requires an education programme to ensure that the principles of use and maintenance are clearly understood by the user group. Their maintenance requires more responsibility and commitment by users. This study is an interpretive case study that indicates how sanitation in a rural Ramashobohle High School in Polokwane municipality was managed through an EcoSchools Sanitation Community of Practice, and how this developed action competence for sanitation management in the school. The study established that the earlier practice and knowledge of the Ramashobohle Eco-Schools community of practice exercised in maintaining Enviro-Ioo systems was inadequate; unhealthy and unsafe according to the data generated through focus group interviews, observations, interviews, action plan, workshops and reflection interviews. The data generated also indicates that the Eco-Schools community of practice was not committed to maintaining sanitation in their school because they were not sharing sanitation knowledge; they were not communicating and not updating one another concerning Enviro-Ioo systems maintenance as they had no adequate knowledge as to how to maintain the facilities; and the school management was also not supportive and was not taking responsibility. The study shows how this situation was turned around as an Eco-Schools Sanitation Community of Practice focussed on developing action competence in the school community. It provides a case based example of how knowledge and action competence, supported by an Eco-Schools Community of Practice, can find and implement solutions to inadequate sanitation management practices in rural schools, and shows how members of the school community can be engaged in learning how to manage and maintain school sanitation systems through a participatory process that develops action competence. The study points to important dimensions of developing action competence, such as providing knowledge and demonstrations, inviting experts to the school, involving learners in observations and monitoring and in ensuring that adequate facilities are available. In particular, a workshop conducted by Enviro-Ioo consultants, organised and supported by the Eco-Schools Sanitation COP, together with a follow up action plan, provided the main impetus for changes in practice in the school and served to support action competence development. Finally the study provides research findings and recommendations for further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Manaka, Ngoanamoshala Maria
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Sanitation -- South Africa -- Management -- Citizen participation Public utilities -- South Africa -- Management -- Citizen participation Sanitation, Rural -- South Africa Sanitation -- Study and teaching -- South Africa School children -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa School hygiene -- South Africa Sanitation -- Health aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1917 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007319
- Description: Providing adequate sanitation facilities for the poor remains one of the major challenges in all developing countries. In South Africa, an estimated 11,7% of the schools are without sanitation. The South African government has a constitutional responsibility to ensure that all South Africans have access to adequate sanitation. When sanitation systems fail, or are inadequate, the impact of the health of the community, on the health of others and the negative impact on the environment can be extremely serious. In rural South African schools, many Enviro-Ioo toilets are available today. They are designed to suit a variety of water scarce areas and where there is a high risk of contamination of ground water resources. It is important to realize that any Enviro-Ioo system programme requires an education programme to ensure that the principles of use and maintenance are clearly understood by the user group. Their maintenance requires more responsibility and commitment by users. This study is an interpretive case study that indicates how sanitation in a rural Ramashobohle High School in Polokwane municipality was managed through an EcoSchools Sanitation Community of Practice, and how this developed action competence for sanitation management in the school. The study established that the earlier practice and knowledge of the Ramashobohle Eco-Schools community of practice exercised in maintaining Enviro-Ioo systems was inadequate; unhealthy and unsafe according to the data generated through focus group interviews, observations, interviews, action plan, workshops and reflection interviews. The data generated also indicates that the Eco-Schools community of practice was not committed to maintaining sanitation in their school because they were not sharing sanitation knowledge; they were not communicating and not updating one another concerning Enviro-Ioo systems maintenance as they had no adequate knowledge as to how to maintain the facilities; and the school management was also not supportive and was not taking responsibility. The study shows how this situation was turned around as an Eco-Schools Sanitation Community of Practice focussed on developing action competence in the school community. It provides a case based example of how knowledge and action competence, supported by an Eco-Schools Community of Practice, can find and implement solutions to inadequate sanitation management practices in rural schools, and shows how members of the school community can be engaged in learning how to manage and maintain school sanitation systems through a participatory process that develops action competence. The study points to important dimensions of developing action competence, such as providing knowledge and demonstrations, inviting experts to the school, involving learners in observations and monitoring and in ensuring that adequate facilities are available. In particular, a workshop conducted by Enviro-Ioo consultants, organised and supported by the Eco-Schools Sanitation COP, together with a follow up action plan, provided the main impetus for changes in practice in the school and served to support action competence development. Finally the study provides research findings and recommendations for further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
How integrated are the African stock exchanges?: evidence from long term comovement, returns and volatility spillovers
- Kambadza, Tinashe Harry Dumile
- Authors: Kambadza, Tinashe Harry Dumile
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Stock exchanges -- Africa Money market -- Africa Globalization -- Economic aspects -- Africa International economic relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1017 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002752
- Description: Stock market linkages have implications for portfolio diversification, asset pricing, monetary and regulatory policy as well as financial stability. This study examines the extent to which African stock markets are linked using daily data for the period 2000-2010. The study is divided into three main parts each focussing on the ways in which integration of the stock markets can be viewed. Firstly, we analyse the long run co-movement of the stock markets using both bivariate and multivariate Johansen (1988) and Johansen and Juselius (1990) cointegration approaches. Secondly, we analyse returns linkages using Factor analysis and the Vector Autoregressive (VAR) models. In the Factor Analysis model, we used two extraction methods, namely Principal Component Analysis and the Maximurn Likelihood technique. The VAR model was extended with impulse response, variance decomposition and block exogeniety. Thirdly, we analyse the behaviour of volatility and the volatility linkages among the stock markets. We initially analysed and modelled volatility in each stock market using the GARCH, EGARCH and GJR GARCH and then examined the long-term trend of the volatility. Conditional volatility series for each country were then estimated using the most appropriate model and were analysed using VAR, block exogeniety, impulse response and variance decomposition to determine the extent of their linkages. The findings of the study are as follows: Both the bivariate and multivariate models found slim evidence of cointegration amongst the stock markets, suggesting that there were opportunities for portfolio diversification for investors. In general, the financial crisis had very little impact on the long-run relationships of the stock markets. Results for the returns linkages showed that there were limited retums linkages with the exceptions of South African-Namibia and Egypt-Morocco to a lesser extent. South Africa was found to be the most endogenous, whilst Ghana and Nigeria were the most exogenous on the continent. We regards to volatility, we found that it was asymmetric and persistent across all the stock markets with long term trend of volatility showing that it significantly increased for most of the markets. Finally, there were limited volatility linkages, only between South Africa, Egypt and Namibia, implying that African stock markets are still largely segmented from each other. However, the linkages between South Africa and Egypt could have negative effects as they could lead to the spread of contagion effects during times of crises. Therefore, policymakers should consider revising and improving policies to enhance economic integration on the continent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Kambadza, Tinashe Harry Dumile
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Stock exchanges -- Africa Money market -- Africa Globalization -- Economic aspects -- Africa International economic relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1017 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002752
- Description: Stock market linkages have implications for portfolio diversification, asset pricing, monetary and regulatory policy as well as financial stability. This study examines the extent to which African stock markets are linked using daily data for the period 2000-2010. The study is divided into three main parts each focussing on the ways in which integration of the stock markets can be viewed. Firstly, we analyse the long run co-movement of the stock markets using both bivariate and multivariate Johansen (1988) and Johansen and Juselius (1990) cointegration approaches. Secondly, we analyse returns linkages using Factor analysis and the Vector Autoregressive (VAR) models. In the Factor Analysis model, we used two extraction methods, namely Principal Component Analysis and the Maximurn Likelihood technique. The VAR model was extended with impulse response, variance decomposition and block exogeniety. Thirdly, we analyse the behaviour of volatility and the volatility linkages among the stock markets. We initially analysed and modelled volatility in each stock market using the GARCH, EGARCH and GJR GARCH and then examined the long-term trend of the volatility. Conditional volatility series for each country were then estimated using the most appropriate model and were analysed using VAR, block exogeniety, impulse response and variance decomposition to determine the extent of their linkages. The findings of the study are as follows: Both the bivariate and multivariate models found slim evidence of cointegration amongst the stock markets, suggesting that there were opportunities for portfolio diversification for investors. In general, the financial crisis had very little impact on the long-run relationships of the stock markets. Results for the returns linkages showed that there were limited retums linkages with the exceptions of South African-Namibia and Egypt-Morocco to a lesser extent. South Africa was found to be the most endogenous, whilst Ghana and Nigeria were the most exogenous on the continent. We regards to volatility, we found that it was asymmetric and persistent across all the stock markets with long term trend of volatility showing that it significantly increased for most of the markets. Finally, there were limited volatility linkages, only between South Africa, Egypt and Namibia, implying that African stock markets are still largely segmented from each other. However, the linkages between South Africa and Egypt could have negative effects as they could lead to the spread of contagion effects during times of crises. Therefore, policymakers should consider revising and improving policies to enhance economic integration on the continent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Hydrological proceses, chemical variability, and multiple isotopestracing of water flow paths in the Kudumela Wetland- Limpopo Province, South Africa
- Authors: Mekiso, Feleke Abiyo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Kudumela Wetland -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland hydrology -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetlands -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland conservation -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland management -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Isotopes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:6027 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006153 , Kudumela Wetland -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland hydrology -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetlands -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland conservation -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland management -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Isotopes
- Description: The hydrology of the Kudumela Wetland, Limpopo Province of South Africa was studied from November 2005 to April 2007, involving both fieldwork and laboratory analyses. This study presents the results of an investigation of the hydrology of the Kudumela Wetland in South Africa, and its contribution to dry season flow in the Mohlapitsi and Olifants Rivers. Initially, 40 Piezometers were installed along seven transects and water levels monitored in order to understand water table level characteristics (fluctuations) with time. Water levels in transects one, three, the right bank portion of transect four and transect six showed fluctuations. Transect two, the left bank portion of transect four and transect five did not show significant temporal changes. The relationships between piezometer water levels, rainfall in the study area and stream flow observed at a river gauging station are not clear. The river within the wetland is a gaining stream because the water table level elevation is above that of the river. This indicates that the wetland is feeding the river. The northern part of the wetland (T1 and T2) is affected by artificial drains and most of the piezometers closest to the river channel showed the lowest variations. The relationships between rainfall, groundwater, and surface water at this site shows that stream flow did not respond quickly to precipitation as expected, even in months when rainfall increased (for example, 74 and 103mm during 08/02/06 and 18/02/06 respectively), and the groundwater levels did not show fluctuations, indicating that groundwater responds gradually to precipitation, and that the relationship between rainfall, groundwater and surface water is complex. The environmental stable isotopes (deuterium and oxygen-18) and the radioactive isotope (tritium) were analyzed, along with field observations of electrical conductivity (EC), pH, total alkalinity (Talka) and some major and minor dissolved ion analyses for tracing water dynamics in the study area. A total of 39 water samples was taken and analyzed from boreholes, auger holes, right bank and left bank drains, various points along the river and springs in four sampling visits to the wetland. The results did not clearly provide a temporal record of isotope and chemical variations in the various sources. Results from the most extensive sampling survey in April 2007 provide the most comprehensive overview of hydrological relationships. Clustering of the stable isotope data suggests that the water samples of upstream and downstream river, auger holes further south and most drains clustered together suggesting a common water source and almost all samples fall above the global (GMWL) and local (Pretoria MWL) meteoric water lines, while some fall between the global and Pretoria meteoric water lines. Six representative water samples were analyzed for major ion concentration. Both cation (Ca, Mg, K, and Na) and anion (HCO3, SO4, Cl, and NO3) analyses in November 2007 confirmed conclusions reached from field observations. The analysis shows that a single type of water (Ca, Mg-HCO3) is involved in the study area. In almost all major ion plots, the right bank drains, upstream river and downstream river samples grouped together in a single cluster. As the means for reliable river flow measurements were not available, except for the gauging station at the outlet of the valley, rough, semi-quantitative estimates were made during several field visits. These, suggest considerable losses of river flow into the gravel/boulder beds at and below a gabion dam at the head of the valley. Three major and several other left bank springs and right bank drains at transects T1 and T2 contributed to the river flow at all times. Along with the isotopic and chemical evidence, these observations have lead to a hypothesis that river water enters the wetland and flows back to the Mohlapitsi River through boulder beds underlying the wetland and through drains on the surface of the argillaceous aquitard covering the more conductive boulder beds. Deeper dolomitic groundwater does not appear to contribute to the water balance at least in the northern half of the wetland. Although environmental isotope and hydrochemistry results may not unequivocally prove this hypothesis they do not contradict it.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mekiso, Feleke Abiyo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Kudumela Wetland -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland hydrology -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetlands -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland conservation -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland management -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Isotopes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:6027 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006153 , Kudumela Wetland -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland hydrology -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetlands -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland conservation -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland management -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Isotopes
- Description: The hydrology of the Kudumela Wetland, Limpopo Province of South Africa was studied from November 2005 to April 2007, involving both fieldwork and laboratory analyses. This study presents the results of an investigation of the hydrology of the Kudumela Wetland in South Africa, and its contribution to dry season flow in the Mohlapitsi and Olifants Rivers. Initially, 40 Piezometers were installed along seven transects and water levels monitored in order to understand water table level characteristics (fluctuations) with time. Water levels in transects one, three, the right bank portion of transect four and transect six showed fluctuations. Transect two, the left bank portion of transect four and transect five did not show significant temporal changes. The relationships between piezometer water levels, rainfall in the study area and stream flow observed at a river gauging station are not clear. The river within the wetland is a gaining stream because the water table level elevation is above that of the river. This indicates that the wetland is feeding the river. The northern part of the wetland (T1 and T2) is affected by artificial drains and most of the piezometers closest to the river channel showed the lowest variations. The relationships between rainfall, groundwater, and surface water at this site shows that stream flow did not respond quickly to precipitation as expected, even in months when rainfall increased (for example, 74 and 103mm during 08/02/06 and 18/02/06 respectively), and the groundwater levels did not show fluctuations, indicating that groundwater responds gradually to precipitation, and that the relationship between rainfall, groundwater and surface water is complex. The environmental stable isotopes (deuterium and oxygen-18) and the radioactive isotope (tritium) were analyzed, along with field observations of electrical conductivity (EC), pH, total alkalinity (Talka) and some major and minor dissolved ion analyses for tracing water dynamics in the study area. A total of 39 water samples was taken and analyzed from boreholes, auger holes, right bank and left bank drains, various points along the river and springs in four sampling visits to the wetland. The results did not clearly provide a temporal record of isotope and chemical variations in the various sources. Results from the most extensive sampling survey in April 2007 provide the most comprehensive overview of hydrological relationships. Clustering of the stable isotope data suggests that the water samples of upstream and downstream river, auger holes further south and most drains clustered together suggesting a common water source and almost all samples fall above the global (GMWL) and local (Pretoria MWL) meteoric water lines, while some fall between the global and Pretoria meteoric water lines. Six representative water samples were analyzed for major ion concentration. Both cation (Ca, Mg, K, and Na) and anion (HCO3, SO4, Cl, and NO3) analyses in November 2007 confirmed conclusions reached from field observations. The analysis shows that a single type of water (Ca, Mg-HCO3) is involved in the study area. In almost all major ion plots, the right bank drains, upstream river and downstream river samples grouped together in a single cluster. As the means for reliable river flow measurements were not available, except for the gauging station at the outlet of the valley, rough, semi-quantitative estimates were made during several field visits. These, suggest considerable losses of river flow into the gravel/boulder beds at and below a gabion dam at the head of the valley. Three major and several other left bank springs and right bank drains at transects T1 and T2 contributed to the river flow at all times. Along with the isotopic and chemical evidence, these observations have lead to a hypothesis that river water enters the wetland and flows back to the Mohlapitsi River through boulder beds underlying the wetland and through drains on the surface of the argillaceous aquitard covering the more conductive boulder beds. Deeper dolomitic groundwater does not appear to contribute to the water balance at least in the northern half of the wetland. Although environmental isotope and hydrochemistry results may not unequivocally prove this hypothesis they do not contradict it.
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- Date Issued: 2011
Identifying the interdependence between South Africa's monetary policy and the stock market
- Authors: Muroyiwa, Brian
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Monetary policy -- South Africa , Stock exchanges -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Securities -- Prices -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:982 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002716 , Monetary policy -- South Africa , Stock exchanges -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Securities -- Prices -- South Africa
- Description: This study estimates the interdependence between South Africa‟s monetary policy and stock market performance, utilising structural vector autoregression (SVAR) methodology. The study finds that a stock price shock which decrease stock prices by 100 basis points leads to 5 basis points decrease in interbank rate. A monetary policy shock that increases the interbank rate by l percent leads to decrease in real stock prices by 1 percent. This result for South Africa is similar to the result by Bjornland and Leteimo (2009) which earlier concluded that there was a high interdependence between interest rate setting and stock prices. However the magnitude of the relationship is relatively lower for South Africa compared to that of the United States of America (USA). The result of the current study is also very much consistent with the argument that the South African stock market is resource-based and so is influenced by external shocks, meaning monetary policy shock does not have as much impact on stock market in South Africa as in the USA. However the SARB may have to consider watching movements in stock prices so that booms in stock markets do not defeat central bank monetary policy thrusts. The stock price market is an essential source of information for monetary policy in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Muroyiwa, Brian
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Monetary policy -- South Africa , Stock exchanges -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Securities -- Prices -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:982 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002716 , Monetary policy -- South Africa , Stock exchanges -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Securities -- Prices -- South Africa
- Description: This study estimates the interdependence between South Africa‟s monetary policy and stock market performance, utilising structural vector autoregression (SVAR) methodology. The study finds that a stock price shock which decrease stock prices by 100 basis points leads to 5 basis points decrease in interbank rate. A monetary policy shock that increases the interbank rate by l percent leads to decrease in real stock prices by 1 percent. This result for South Africa is similar to the result by Bjornland and Leteimo (2009) which earlier concluded that there was a high interdependence between interest rate setting and stock prices. However the magnitude of the relationship is relatively lower for South Africa compared to that of the United States of America (USA). The result of the current study is also very much consistent with the argument that the South African stock market is resource-based and so is influenced by external shocks, meaning monetary policy shock does not have as much impact on stock market in South Africa as in the USA. However the SARB may have to consider watching movements in stock prices so that booms in stock markets do not defeat central bank monetary policy thrusts. The stock price market is an essential source of information for monetary policy in South Africa.
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- Date Issued: 2011
Identity, belonging and ecological crisis in South African speculative fiction
- Authors: Steenkamp, Elzette Lorna
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: South African fiction -- History and criticism Identity (Philosophical concept) in literature Group identity in literature Ecology in literature Science fiction, South African -- History and criticism Fantasy fiction, South African -- History and criticism Ecofiction -- History and criticism Ecocriticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2219 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002262
- Description: This study examines a range of South African speculative novels which situate their narratives in futuristic or ‘alternative’ milieus, exploring how these narratives not only address identity formation in a deeply divided and rapidly changing society, but also the ways in which human beings place themselves in relation to Nature and form notions of ‘ecological’ belonging. It offers close readings of these speculative narratives in order to investigate the ways in which they evince concerns which are rooted in the natural, social and political landscapes which inform them. Specific attention is paid to the texts’ treatment of the intertwined issues of identity, belonging and ecological crisis. This dissertation draws on the fields of Ecocriticism, Postcolonial Studies and Science Fiction Studies, and assumes a culturally specific approach to primary texts while investigating possible cross-cultural commonalities between Afrikaans and English speculative narratives, as well as the cross-fertilisation of global SF/speculative features. It is suggested that South African speculative fiction presents a socio-historically situated, rhizomatic approach to ecology – one that is attuned to the tension between humanistic- and ecological concerns.
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- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Steenkamp, Elzette Lorna
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: South African fiction -- History and criticism Identity (Philosophical concept) in literature Group identity in literature Ecology in literature Science fiction, South African -- History and criticism Fantasy fiction, South African -- History and criticism Ecofiction -- History and criticism Ecocriticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2219 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002262
- Description: This study examines a range of South African speculative novels which situate their narratives in futuristic or ‘alternative’ milieus, exploring how these narratives not only address identity formation in a deeply divided and rapidly changing society, but also the ways in which human beings place themselves in relation to Nature and form notions of ‘ecological’ belonging. It offers close readings of these speculative narratives in order to investigate the ways in which they evince concerns which are rooted in the natural, social and political landscapes which inform them. Specific attention is paid to the texts’ treatment of the intertwined issues of identity, belonging and ecological crisis. This dissertation draws on the fields of Ecocriticism, Postcolonial Studies and Science Fiction Studies, and assumes a culturally specific approach to primary texts while investigating possible cross-cultural commonalities between Afrikaans and English speculative narratives, as well as the cross-fertilisation of global SF/speculative features. It is suggested that South African speculative fiction presents a socio-historically situated, rhizomatic approach to ecology – one that is attuned to the tension between humanistic- and ecological concerns.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011